Episode 113: Discernment

We are living in days where there has been a famine of discernment in the church. Many leaders have not known who to listen to, who to trust, and what to do. There is arguably nothing we need more in this hour than real discernment. It has truly become a matter of life or death.A VISION FOR HOUSE CHURCHES  Houses – Why houses? nuclear submarines, freedom, truth, holistic Family - 1 Peter 3:8 - Finally, all of you should ·be in agreement [be like-minded; live in harmony], ·understanding each other [sympathetic], ·loving each other as family [L showing brotherly love], being ·kind [tender; compassionate] and humble. Remnant – “Spa Day vs. Spartan” Christianity – 1 Timothy 4:7-8 - 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life, and also for the life to come. SONS/DAUGHTERS OF ISSACHAR 1 Chronicles 12:32 - From (the sons of) Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do: 200 leaders with all their kinsmen at their command. 1.    Discernment2.    Action (what/when?)3.    Limited in number (Remnant)4.    Submitted followers THINGS THAT WILL DEFILE/BLOCK WISDOM/DISCERNMENT Deuteronomy 32:19-20 - 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you, life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.” Proverbs 3:5-6 - 5Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. James 3:13-18 - 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy/envy and selfish ambition (selfishness) exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 2 Timothy 1:6-7 - 6 For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (God's Spirit doesn't make cowards out of us.)