March 2009
A MESSAGE FROM JOE’S HEART:
“Called by God”
During prayer earlier this month I was stirred by the Holy Spirit with a word that I feel I should exhort, encourage, and challenge in this letter. The core of this word comes from the book of Mark.
Mark 10: 32
Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid.
They were amazed because they knew what was going to happen in Jerusalem. The disciples had no comprehension of what was driving Jesus with such passion. Then, self- preservation began to kick in; maybe one said, “What will happen to us if they kill Jesus; we may all die?” Jesus kept moving forward, which should have inspired the disciples. They began questioning what was inside Him to drive Him to death as He was walked briskly ahead of them. It was the call and will of God that drove Him!
Knowing their thoughts and fear that had set in their hearts, Jesus stopped and began to speak to them. What would He say? Would He give a motivational speech to cheer them up? Maybe he would give them some kind of better-your-self message. Would He give seven steps to a successful life after His death? None of the above. It is mind boggling to me that these are the kind of messages filling the pulpits of America today. Mark 10: 33, 34 tells us what Jesus said to them.
“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”
He does not sugar-coat even the slightest detail; He gives it to them straight. America needs preachers to give it to them straight again! Jesus lets them know that He is not crazy, but called by God to fulfill a mandate. He is our great example. In the midst of opposition He understood what His mandate was. Oh that the church today would understand her mandate and get up as Christ did and follow it to the end no matter what it may cost.
Many in the body of Christ today are walking with thoughts of fulfilling the work of the Lord, but less and less are walking in the true call to fulfill the work of the Lord. Jesus was fulfilling a call; it wasn’t just a nice thought to Him, and He is the supreme example. Are we walking in front of the crowds and laying down our lives? Are we truly taking up our crosses to fulfill the call, or is it simply a great thought or idea?
Romans12: 11
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
One thing is for sure: Jesus was not lacking in zeal. He was pressing forward with everything in Him. It is my prayer that the American Church would once again fall on her face and cry out to God for spiritual zeal and fervor to be restored. A true sign that someone is fulfilling the mandate of heaven is zeal and spiritual fervor for God and the work of His Kingdom through their actions, thoughts, prayers, and service to the local church.
Mark 1 4: 37, 38
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Peter was a hero in the book of Acts. But he needed to get his act together at this point in his life. He was sleeping in a critical hour when Christ needed Him the most. We are again living in a critical hour with the rise of immorality, drug addiction, homosexuality, and so much more. There is a form of Godliness, but no power. Many foreign religions are coming to America. Let us not be found sleeping in this hour and say, “the harvest will come in four months.” Our attitude needs to be that the harvest is here, it is ripe, and we need to reap it now—not later. May the church arise and shine today and not wait for tomorrow.
Jesus said His zeal for the house of the Lord had consumed Him. Let the church say this from our hearts, and God will restore our land. May we move from the thought and idea of what God wants us to do, and move into the call and mandate of His will for our lives. I was also inspired as I reflected on David’s mighty men.
2nd Samuel 23: 9, 10
Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered ‹at Pas Dammim› for battle. Then the men of Israel retreated,
but he stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead. 23: 18, 19 Abishai the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. Was he not held in greater honor than the Three? He became their commander, even though he was not included among them.
These great men understood whole heartily what it was to follow God’s call. May we cry out to God to move in this manner. These men were hero’s of the faith! Where are the mighty men today? They are you and me. God is waiting for us to realize that we are the plan to fulfill God’s mission on the earth. The Apostle Paul said he was, “fully persuaded.” May the church in America become fully persuaded so that no matter what the cost we will fight the good fight of faith. God is longing to pour out His power out, but we must give Him some action to pour it upon. Amen!
On another note, this ministry has traveled all over in the past few months. Many have been saved, healed, and restored. Over the next several weeks I will be ministering in several places throughout Texas, as well as California and Georgia. While in California, I will be ministering alongside Rodney Howard Brown. I have found great favor in the state of Texas and God is beginning to use me to speak to many pastors and mobilize several churches to fulfill the Great Commission.
Thank you for all of your faithful prayer and support.
Together in the harvest,
Joe Oden