If you watch the food network you have probably seen the
show Restaurant Impossible. People who are in a “once successful and now
failing” business have Robert Irvine—the brash, loud, ex-military Brit come in
and show them what is wrong and how to fix it. He has run into filth, bad
marriages, poor service, attitudes, frozen food, no seasoning, and fiscal
mismanagement. Usually when he is interviewing the owners it becomes apparent
that they got discouraged at some point and just kept burying themselves in
defeat and despair. Sometimes they are afraid to change because it worked
before. Most do not take a salary and many are about to lose everything.
I was praying for the body of Christ and realized my focus
was on the “seasoned saints”. Those
Christians who have been in the battle for many years. My heart was breaking
for the weariness, for the defeat, for that longing to come into the “success”
of the fullness of His presence, His transformation and His love.
I believe the word of God is true. It is sharper than any 2
edged sword. So, when I read something, I not only want to apply it to my life
I want to see how I can use it to intercede for others. He said, “Don’t be
weary in well doing…” What does that mean? It means we will have plenty of
opportunity to get tired.
So, like I said, I started praying for the “seasoned
saints”. Those Christians who at one time were powerhouses that have “wearied”
and do not seem to be moving where they want.
In weariness so any things can happen. Just like in the businesses
in Restaurant Impossible people often feel the anointing is diminishing and
instead of pressing through they become weary—that creates a downward spiral
into defeat.
What are some of the reasons all this happens? Sometimes
when people get tired they:
- Filth—people move into old habit patterns—though they may be milder because people put “rules” on their sin. Ephesians 5:3-4 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
- Bad marriages--people forget they are a bride
preparing for her groom and they start looking for some ‘short term lover”
rather than waiting for their true love who is looking for a bride without a
spot or wrinkle. Revelations 19:7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the
wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. WARNING: (the lyrics of this song will offend
religious spirits) it starts with short term lovers but farther down the chorus
it speaks of true love: “Short term lovers under covers, Well, now that don't mean a
thing. When you find out what you're missin', Well, I hope it ain't too late. 'Cos
when you need someone to hold you, When your world comes tumblin' down; I'll be
there if you ever need me, True love won't let you down.
- Bad service—Christians begin to resent serving others when they are weary. Luke 10:40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.”
- Frozen Food—how many become cold in their
attitudes? Their hearts? Isn’t that the end result of weariness in well doing? Revelation
3:14-16 “…These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and
true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither
cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So,
because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my
mouth.”
- No seasoning—often Christians are enthusiastic and zealous when they
are first saved. Their words bring the truth of God. But, as they mature their words begin to lose their “spice”. Nothing is worse than a meal with no salt….Ask Robert Irvine! The Message Bible says it really well in Luke 14:34 “Salt is excellent. But if the salt goes flat, it’s useless, good for nothing. “Are you listening to this? Really listening?” Colossians 4:6 presents another warning about remaining salty: “Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.”
- Fiscal mismanagement—how many teachings are there about tithing? God is serious about this. So many Christians consider throwing a $5 bill into the offering plate a tithe. It isn’t. Most Christians would not steal a thing but they will steal from God without blinking an eye. Creating callouses brings about a weariness. It is hard work. Malachi 3:7-9 “Since the days of your fathers, you have turned from My statutes; you have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Hosts. But you ask: “How can we return?” “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me!” You ask: “How do we rob You?” “By not making the payments of the tenth and the contributions. You are suffering under a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing Me.
Do you
know of Christians who are weary? Unable to break out? Robert Irvine comes in
with power and the answers. Call on the Holy Spirit to come in—He stays more
than 2 days. He brings more than $10,000. He brings all the answers.
The whole
show would be a failure if the owners did not implement what Robert shows them.
The same thing is true in the Christian walk.
As intercessors
it is time to get serious—Robert Irvine is nothing if not serious. We need to
be aware of the weary saints and start praying. Ask the Holy Spirit to come in
with the gifts: the word of knowledge and wisdom, prophecy, discerning of
spirits etc. We need to pray with power and purpose. We need to call on the
Holy Spirit to enter the situation and remake lives with Power and Comfort.
This is
not Christianity Impossible—
with Christ it is Christianity Possible!
Excellent lesson. Really brought together well and informative. The lesson of Sabbath and sabatical should be 2 of the things that seasoned saints should practice regularly.
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