E-pistle for July 28, 2006
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E-pistle
Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation July 28, 2006
For the next few issues of the E-pistle, I am going back and re-print some "vintage" writings from
Dr. Curt. I hope you enjoy these articles from the archives of FreeWay.
Who Has Despised The Day of Small Things?
(Zechariah 4:10)
In 1991 at the University of Colorado, 71 men met to pray for our nation and
Promise Keepers began. The next year there were 4,000; then 25,000; and in 1994
they filled six football stadiums with over 400,00 men. In 1996 over one million
Christian men met in Washington D.C.
The adage "Mighty oaks from tiny acorns grow!" could be illustrated hundreds
of ways from your own experience.
In Mark 4:26-29, Jesus refers to a sower scattering seed. Then He describes
the process of its growth; it sprouts and grows . . . "first the blade, then the head, after
that the full grain in the head" . . . the grain ripens and the harvest is reaped.
The Lord makes the same point in Matthew 13:31, 32. In this parable, He
illustrates the growth of the kingdom by calling attention to the tiny mustard seed which
grows into a tree large enough for birds to nest in its branches.
The remarkable growth of Promise Keepers is a present day picture of the
booming of the early church in the book of Acts. From the small group of eleven
apostles (1:13) and 120 disciples (1:15), the Lord of the Harvest kept multiplying
believers. He added 3,000 on Pentecost (2:41); they numbered 5,000 within a few days
(4:4); then "increasingly . . . multitudes, "(5:14); "multiplied greatly . . . great many
priests" (6:7); and on and on!
The principle of small beginnings also applies to personal spiritual development
and to the useful ministry performed in the service of the Lord. In Luke 19:17, Jesus
commended a faithful servant, "Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a
very LITTLE, have authority over ten cities."
Jesus' younger brother, James, wrote of the power of small things. A small bit
can guide a horse; a small rudder can turn a ship; a small match can burn down an
entire forest! (James 3:3-6).
Zechariah 4:10 says, "Who has despised the day of small things?"
The Jewish exiles had returned from Babylonian captivity, led by governor,
Zerubbabel, and high priest, Joshua. Jerusalem had been destroyed and the temple
leveled. The people began rebuilding. They laid the foundations of the temple. Then
their enemies lied to King Cyrus of Persia about the Jews motivation for the construction
work, and at Cyrus' command, all work ceased.
For 15 years, nothing happened. Zerubbabel and Joshua faced delay,
discouragement, and doubt. They were beaten down by fear, frailty, and frustration.
Then God raised up two prophets (Haggai and Zechariah) to encourage the
leaders and the people to begin again.
Zechariah spoke these words from the Lord: "Not by might nor power, but by
my Spirit." (4:6)
Zechariah warned, "Who despises the day of small things? In other words, we
should admire small beginnings . . . seeing beyond the present into the future . . . seeing
the dream become reality.
He said there would be rejoicing at the first little steps of faith toward
accomplishing the vision. The plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand was an act of faith
showing he believed that the temple would be erected. He looked at the plumb line;
he saw the perpendicular walls of the building. It was a small thing, a tiny beginning.
Contrast the words "despise" and its opposite "admire." Despise means to look
down upon, or hold in contempt. Admire means to look up to, regard with approval,
and affection, to prize highly.
God has a destiny – a Godly purpose – for your ministry and mine. Perhaps you
have seen a vision of what God wants to accomplish through you. If so, pursue it; if not,
seek for it!
Helen Keller, when asked her opinion of life's greatest handicap, replied "Sight
without vision."
Vision – spiritual perception – does not come by working it up nor by thinking it
up. Vision comes only "by God's Spirit."
WHAT ATTITUDES ARE HELD TOWARD SMALL BEGINNINGS?
1. Satanic enemies' attitudes; furious, mocking (Sanballet in Nehemiah 4:2-4)
2. God's attitude; rejoicing – the "seven eyes" mean that God, himself,
rejoices when He sees that one small step of faith, that holding up the
plumb line. Luke 10:21 records "Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit" over small
steps taken in faith.
3. Friends and families attitudes: encouragement, love, hope – similar to
a parent's reaction to a child's first steps. (Sometimes, however, family
and friends respond to small beginnings with skepticism and discouragement,
see Haggai 2:3). Optimists see small beginnings and are encouraged;
pessimists see small beginnings and are discouraged.
4. Personal attitude: How do you perceive your own small steps toward spiritual
development and ministry? With faith and confidence because you see
beyond the plumb line to the completed temple? Or with increasing doubt
and pessimism because your steps are so small and your progress so
insignificant? Do you admire or despise "small things"?
FreeWay and Pillsbury College & Seminary both had small beginnings.
(Probably your church and its ministries had small beginnings). Small
beginnings is merely a step toward fulfilling our God-given vision to help
"equip the equippers."
Our goal is to sharpen your edge for effective service as you labor in the
harvest fields "Come along with us, and we will do you good."
Numbers 10:29-32 (Paraphrase).
Lifeskills in Scriptures
- Values: liberty (freedom) based on equality, truth and justice
"You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)
- Self-esteem: healthy and balanced view of personal worth
"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor," (Psalm 4:8:3-5)
- Coping: skillful handling of difficult situations
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," (Philippians 4:13)
- Problem-solving: process of finding solutions to life's dilemmas
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths," (Proverbs 3:5-6)
- Communications: active listening, and sharing thoughts and feelings
"Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the
wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God,"
(James 1:19-20)
- Conflict Resolution: non-violent and peaceful settling of disagreements
"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for
necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers . . .
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put
away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ
forgave you," (Ephesians 4:29-32)
- Decision Making: choosing wisely after evaluating possible consequences
"I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore
choose life," (Deuteronomy 30:19)
- Natural Highs: wise use of leisure time; enjoying life without chemicals
"I have come that they may have life; and that they may have it more
abundantly," (John 10:10)
Pillsbury College & Seminary
Maybe Pillsbury College & Seminary is the place God has chosen
for your small beginnings in furthering your education. Just one class at
a time. Contact us at 314-739-1121 or email us at info@pillsburycs.org and
we will be glad to answer your questions and help you get started.
We will be glad to send our catalog if you will email or call with your name
and address.
"Just don't give up on trying to do what you really want to do.
Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you
can go wrong."
-Ella Fitzgerald
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