Paul and Pam Hunter – This week I want to introduce you to Paul and Pam. They are on their way to Uganda via Next Generation Ministries to Release a generation of Kings that will change the nation. You’ll really enjoy their interview. He’s going to have an opportunity to impart marketplace ministry in an amazing way.
The new Missions – I really liked a couple of Paul’s stories. A friend of his found women in Kenya selling themselves as prostitutes in exchange for fish to support themselves. He decided to start a fish farm and hired the prostitutes to run it. They are thriving and his ministry to Kenyans has raised the living standard of 60,000 people. In parallel he’s getting a return on his investment in Kenya. Paul found widows in Uganda in need and helped them develop egg farms that have since expanded into a bakery. Desperate Christian widows are now prospering to the point that the men in their local community are asking them for loans.
The Case for Wisdom – A friend at work recently got another job offer and he spoke to me about needing to hear from God about which way to go. I suggested God might be waiting for him to make that decision. In the end he made a decision to stay and admitted he didn’t really get a clear direction on which way to go. His dilemma underscores a theological issue.
Evangelicals generally emphasize good character and Biblically based behavior and decisions. In this camp we would normally not expect God’s intervention over something like a job. We would look to the principles in scripture.
Charismatics love to emphasize the intervention of the Holy Spirit in terms of revelation and miraculous, answered prayer. In this camp we would fast and pray until we felt the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Both camps assume God has one perfect, sovereign plan when, in fact, He is inviting us to play a role in defining our own destiny and make some Godly decisions with wisdom. We can accomplish his will in a variety of ways in most cases.
I want to suggest God is raising a new breed that have both wisdom and revelation. Daniel is a great example of a King in government. He was both educated, knowledgeable, and able to interpret dreams. His trademark was that he was able to solve “difficult problems” – wisdom can make hard decisions.
This man Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Dan 5:12
Knowledge is awareness of facts surrounding our circumstance. Understanding is the ability to distill knowledge into the meaning or principles behind the facts. Wisdom is the higher ground – “knowing what to do next.” Wisdom is the ability to use your head and spiritual revelation at the same time; without overemphasizing one at the expense of the other.
Here’s the nature of God. He could tell us what to do at every turn; at times the Holy Spirit does give us specific direction. However, God isn’t all that predictable. He’s relationional; quite often spiritual maturity means he allows us to make wise decisions and play a role in defining our own destiny. God puts His favor on friends over servants (Jn 15:15).
Full of the Spirit and Wisdom – God is highlighting a new generation full of the Spirit and wisdom. Listen to the description of leaders chosen in Acts:
Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. Acts 6:3 NIV
These men began to argue with Stephen, 10 but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. Acts 6:9-10 NIV
These were people that could make wise decisions and do miracles! Listen to the way Paul describes the gospel… wisdom mixed with power and revelation.
but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Cor 1:23-24 NIV
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Eph 1:17 NIV
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; Col 1:9 KJV
Christian maturity is the dynamic of “both” Godly, intellectual wisdom and becoming strong in spiritual (miraculous) ability. God wants us to use our heads. When we don’t know what to do he invites us to ask for “wisdom” (James 1:5).
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him Luke 2:40 KJV
52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature , and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52 NIV
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. Luke 2:52 KJV
Imagine… educated, experienced, knowledgeable Christians operating in the marketplace… with signs and wonders following. They are just as comfortable in a board room as in a crusade. Even more; they can bring the miraculous into the board room or they can organize a crusade. That’s the new breed of Kings that God is raising up in the market place. They know what to do next and they are getting the job done instead of just talking about it.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. Prov 11:30 NIV
Life is an adventure. People are a blessing. God is amazing. We’re winning.
