The lesser gives way to the greater.

Philippians 3:8, More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9and may be found in Him. Wow, what a statement: “I count them but rubbish.” I wonder if we believe that. What has brought you to Christ? What has been the event that took you deeper? Was it a rebellious child, an unbelieving mate, a handicap, financial difficulties, a failed marriage, or an unfulfilled dream? What was it? Did it take you to Jesus or are you stuck on self? Have you been able to count it as rubbish? Sometimes when someone is telling me his problem, I just look at him and say very sternly, “Rubbish, it is all rubbish!” It really is. The event that brought us to a deeper walk with Him is not as important as the walk. The lesser gives way to the greater. Some are just stuck at their disappointment because they have not admitted that the whole thing is rubbish. Yes, divorce is a tragedy. It is a failure on someone’s part, but we do not let a failure define us. The Lord defines us, and if He is for us then who can be against us? Simply let Him define you. Paul’s comment comes out of deep losses, and yet when he could see Jesus, those were rubbish.

“And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” Gen 20:2

For those of you who are married, what are some of the words and concepts that stir in your mind when you hear the words “wife” or “husband”? When I say that I have a wife or call Betty “my wife,” many things come to mind, for there are myriad issues associated with the term “wife.” I think of the children, finances, the home, the emotional, physical, and mental aspects of our relationship, future and past events, good and bad, commitment, oneness, pains and joys, holidays, babies, ultimate goals, and more. After all, she is my wife.

There is much written on the relationship of husband and wife. However, I want to investigate an overlooked aspect of marriage, that of brother and sister in Christ. This is a greater relationship than marriage. In heaven there will be no marriage, for the earthly relationship of marriage will end on earth. “For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” (Mark 12:25)

When I look at my wife and call her sister, everything changes. Just as the word “wife” brings with it a multitude of feelings, situations, and actions, so does the word “sister.” She is my sister in Christ; I am her brother in Christ. Those two words, “sister and brother,” move us to a different realm with completely different issues and goals. Once I call her “sister,” I acknowledge that she is not my own; she has a Father and is a member of a family. As my sister we have a goal that goes above and beyond that of a married couple. God is the goal and the desire of our hearts; we must encourage each other in Him. Who did what and said what is not of ultimate importance; He is. All of the little annoyances of the day don’t matter. Earthly mistakes are not the issue. Security is not in finances or who was wisest with the money. Together, He is our goal. When offended, we recognize that we deserve to be offended until we cannot be offended, for of what use will we be in the kingdom if we still get offended? I can’t judge my sister, for, ”Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” (Rom. 14:4)

There is something higher than marriage for a couple, there is another dimension, and there is a better place from which to relate. Sometime today, turn to your wife and call her “Sister,” or to your husband and say “Brother.” For too long we have only seen our mates as wife or husband, and there is more.

“Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; and they have no storeroom nor barn; and {yet} God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!” Luke 12:24

I had to laugh one day when a brother questioned an old prophet of God, “How are you supported?” The old man responded, “Why are you asking? Did God tell you to give me something? If He told you to give me something, even if I am covered in gold and jewels, you had better give it. If He told you not to give me something, and I am in the ditch, naked and starving, don’t give. So what did He tell you to do?” At that the man went silent and looked at the ground. The old prophet said, “So you were just being nosy!” And he walked off.

I have often been asked the question, “How are you supported?” It should be obvious. There are no tricks, gimmicks, endless mailings and appeals, or manipulation. I am supported by those who have heard from the Lord and responded accordingly. I often answer the question by saying, “I am a bit embarrassed. I have a friend, I tell him my needs, he has a father that is very rich with many contacts, he calls them, and the money is sent to me.” I can see the look in their eyes as they go from wondering how I could be ministering in such a small ministry to thinking how lucky Mike is to have such a friend. “My Friend,” I continue, “is Jesus. His father is the Father, and His children are my supporters.”

Many just can’t believe that God provides. Often an engaged couple will tell me they are calling off their marriage because of finances. My response is always the same, “Did God tell you to get married? If He told you to and you don’t, you will have worse problems than unemployment!” The lesser gives way to the greater. If God tells you to do something, do it. With the call will come the provision. Don’t shame yourself by being unbelieving.

As with most things, we need to stop and think about them for a minute. We know that God does not show partiality. It is not within the capacity of love to do so. Therefore, if a believer were able to miss the will of God, it would be God’s fault.

Paul, as an unbeliever, was missing the will of God. God stopped him and set him on the proper way. Paul, as a believer, was missing the will of God. God sent an angel and redirected him. If God did not allow Paul to miss the will of God, and God does not show partiality, then how could He let you? Now, I am not talking about sins; all sins are missing the will of God. All have sinned, and therefore all have missed the will of God. No, what I am talking about is the ultimate will of God for your life’s calling and vocation. It is impossible to miss it.

Paul was content in whatever state he was in. Again, many in the Church have made people discontented with their lives. Others are constantly meddling in the lives of God’s people and defining what the will of God is. It is evil to make someone discontented where he is. A woman is struggling in her marriage, and the first thing the evil, meddling Christian says is, “You should go!” Another is barely coping at work with a condemning boss that makes him feel trapped. The meddler adds to the turmoil by saying, “God is calling you into fulltime ministry.” How do these meddling people know the mind of God?

In the love of God is assurance that you are getting what you need today, and that today you are in the perfect will of God. His will may be simply changing diapers!

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. ” Matthew 6:33NASB

My partner, Ray Andrews, says this: “If you are depressed, you should first ask what it is that you are doing that you know you should not be doing. The second thing to ask is what you would like to be doing that you should not be doing.”

It is a good point, for depression often (not always) has its roots in the desires the flesh is exercising or wants to exercise. The way of the flesh is to do what you like and hate what you are doing. This all causes depression. Depression, then, can have its root in desire. We seek God for what we desire (our will), and if we don’t get it, we get depressed. If we get it and then discover that it was not really what we imagined it to be, there is more depression.

Do you know that if you have ever prayed, “Thy will,” then “Thy will” is exactly what you are getting? But you thought that “Thy will” would be something spectacular, comfortable, and blessed as defined by the world, including harmony in marriage, obedient children, and more.

Let me explain. He is bringing to each of us the revelation of Christ that we NEED. To prepare us for that revelation so we will not be exalted and destroyed, He is giving us what we are getting today. The revelation of Christ can completely destroy us if not preceded by His will. Paul says so. He explains that a thorn was given him so that in the abundance of revelations, he would not be destroyed.

What you are getting today in “average” life is everything you need to precede His revelation. Remember, the purpose of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to give you peace as you come in line with His will. This is the greater time, wherein He is going to use the lesser (in the worldly churches’ view) believer, and this is how you are prepared.

Stand fast. Don’t be discouraged. Today’s hiccups, rejections, conflicts, abuses, and concerns are what are needed to prepare you.

“Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” Phil. 4:11

We are to be content. He gives, in His love, the exact things that will make us contented persons.

Can you be content, or does He owe you something that will make you content? Does He owe you a better marriage, children, or vocation? If LIFE has cheated you, then LIFE must owe you something that will make you content.

The Christian community has fed the believers’ lack of contentment. We are actually taught not to be content. Many seminars are calculated to make us feel discontented. I have seen many men who love God in their jobs. However, a speaker comes and tells them that they should be in ministry, making the men discontent. I have seen women in difficult marriage situations; others feed discontent by telling them they wouldn’t put up with such behavior or position.

I have discovered that being content in my situation is not as difficult as having others content with my situation. Beware that you do not make another person discontented in his situation. Encourage him to seek and praise Jesus.

When I first started traveling around the world, there were many instances where the atrocities of the white man, specifically Americans, were brought to my attention. I really didn’t care, for I was there to preach Christ. However, as the accusations and condemnation continued, I would eventually find myself defending white people. What a stupid thing it is to defend the flesh of another man!

One day I came away saying to the Lord, “Jesus, I came to preach You, not defend man. I know it is stupid to get drawn in to that discussion. Why do I let myself?” He was gracious to whisper the answer, “Pride.”

I have been in hundreds of homes around the world. Every family worries about the same things: their relationship with God, their marriage, their children, and finances. We are not different. The answer is Jesus. And there, in that place, with so much in common with the folks around me, I find myself talking about something that couldn’t matter a bit: white people! How could you believe yourself better than another if not for pride? Why would you try to prove yourself as good as another if not for pride? Pride makes us live to man in one way or another. Pride keeps the Liberal from inviting the teenager who is a skinhead to his home. If he were invited, it might be discovered that the boy’s home is a wreck, he has never been loved, he only knows how to hate, and he is full of pride. Would you have done better growing up in his home?

A black man’s son wants to marry a beautiful Christian who is white. At the family reunion, out of earshot, she is judged and condemned by the other women. Why? Pride!

An elderly man in England often verbally abused me. One day, after a few years, he came to me. “I just hated you because you were an American. The Americans came to the war late.” Pride!

The root of racism is not so much believing that your color is better than another color; the root is believing that you are better than another, any other!

The root of racism is not so much believing that your color is better than another color; the root is believing that you are better than another, any other! Are you? Are you better because of your understanding, your politics, your wealth, your education, your color, your anti-racist stand, where you grew up, your national heritage, your family history, or your “open mindedness”? People really don’t want equality. Everyone in some shape or form wants to be better than and believe they are better than someone else. This attitude of pride is all the justification that carnal man needs to abuse another.

There is no need beating a dead horse; history is replete with examples, i.e., results of pride. I don’t believe that it is possible to educate people out of pride. It is interesting that we feed pride in people and then wonder why they think they are better than others. Well, Jesus comes and equalizes all men, but not in the way we think He should bring equality! He makes all men equal in two ways. First, Rom. 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Oh yes, all men are EXACTLY the same. All in their pride have sinned! More than anything else you have this in common with every person of every race. You are sinners. It is a greater title that includes the lesser. If you can accept this, you have accepted your pride, and you are ready for entrance into the second category of equality. “For He Himself is our peace, who made both {groups into} one.” He has made us one! We are equal in Him, all sons, all gifted, all accepted, all holy, all righteous, and all humble.

You must admit where you are to leave where you are. Are you willing to admit that you are a racist? To be a racist you need only have the attitude that you are better than just one other person. Are you willing to admit to pride? If so, start preaching Christ; He is the cure for the cause.

One last thing, if you have been on the receiving end of racism, do not develop a victim mentality. Becoming a victim makes the victimizer your god, the one that ultimately controls your thought life, your happiness, and your future. Refuse to live that way and see God in it. John 19:11, “Jesus answered, ‘You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me up to you has {the} greater sin.’” Bless those that curse you. God is not fighting wicked people but using them in your life. You will have your reward in heaven when your oneness is revealed to all!