L. A. Joiner

2012-01-22T12:50:00.000-08:00

It's Not Enough To Believe in God

It's an easy thing to think that because you believe in God, that is enough to cause you to be successful and have your prayers answered. It's not! Many people who believe in God never see miracles or experience His involvement in their lives. They are very serious about their efforts but it seems they are not a lot different than non believers that they know. Faith is a very specific life. Faith is not an exercise of belief in a system of rules or even a belief in God. For the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, faith is a believing in the God that is in you! Let me say it a different way: It's not enough to believe in God, you must believe in the God in you!

The revelation of God in you earth shaking! It's like one of the old cowboy and indian movies where the cowboys are surrounded and they are waiting on the Cavalry to arrive and save them. True believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit aren't waiting on the Calvary to arrive. Yes, they get into situations that are bigger than they and yes, at times they feel overwhelmed. However, at that moment this Truth makes all the difference in the world (and heaven). It is that faith in the God who lives in you that causes the believer to rise to the occasion and that faith in what is within releases supernatural power to bring the remedy! It requires a daily exercise of faith in practicing the presence of God. This is when you learn what it means to "pray without ceasing". Begin today! Believe in the Jesus who resides inside you and is actively engaged in your daily life. However, you must believe in Him and that he is not a visitor but one who makes his habitation within you.

2012-01-16T08:40:00.000-08:00

Local Church: God’s Idea

It seems more and more people are questioning the validity of the local church. Investigation and questioning is a healthy part of research. Mo The st of those who have questions are new believers or seekers who are looking to fill the God-shaped void in their lives. However, all too many who are questioning the identity of the local church are those who have been a part of a church and left wounded. As I travel, I am seeing it across America. They are easy to spot and they are usually saying the same things. You will hear them say things like, “I will never again be a part of an organized church. My relationship with the church was hindering my relationship with Jesus. I am getting back to the basics and don’t feel a need to have the church as a part of that scenario.”There are a number of problems with this kind of thinking. First, almost all of those saying such things are still carrying hurt and disappointment from their last involvement with the church. They are trying to cover it, but just beneath the surface of their efforts to walk with Jesus apart from the church is this souring, overly sweet religious bitterness to which they are blind. Another very popular phrase being used to hide an unwillingness to walk with a local church is, “I am pursuing the Kingdom of God and don’t have time for such trivial things as the local church.”Let us look at the Bible and not opinions to see what God thinks of all this. First of all, Jesus is the one who birthed the church on the Day of Pentecost. Prior to that event, Jesus had said to Peter, “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The church was not Peter’s idea and it is not the idea of any man, it was the plan of God from the foundation of the earth. As a matter of fact, a part of the reason for the death of Jesus on the cross was to redeem and sanctify the church unto Himself. (Eph. 5:25)What then constitutes the church of the Lord Jesus? What is the Church? The Greek word for Church is Ekklesia which is defined as “an assembly or called out ones”. The church is a group called out from the world in order to assemble not separate. The root meaning of the church is not that of a building, but a people. Many people, if asked what church they attend, will give you the address of their building. In the New Testament, the church was referred to as the church that “meets at someone’s house”. The local church is a body of believers.Who is the Church? The Church is the Body of Christ. In Eph 1:22 the Scripture tell us, “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all”. The Body of Christ then is made up of all believers from the Day of Pentecost until today. Jesus is the Head of his church.The Composition of the Church Now, it gets very interesting. When we look at the composition or makeup of the church, we must realize that there is a general composition of the church, and there is specific functional composition. In the general sense, as I have already said, all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are a part of the Church universal whether they are members of a local church or not. However, while the church is universal in composition, it is local in function. A person who is a believer but not a part of a local church is like a baby who is born in an orphanage. He is certainly real, a part of the human race, but it was never intended by God that a child should live outside of family. As you read Romans chapter 12, you find a clear description of this. The first few verses deal with salvation and the renewed mind. Then Paul begins to teach the new Christian how to live within the local church. This is where God intends all Christians to live, grow, serve and expand in their function as a believer. To try to live outside the local church is to be separated from the “iron sharpening iron” process which is vital to maturing. I don’t have to talk to a person very long to discern whether or not they are a part of a local church. While we all know the Church is not perfect, yet, it is within this family of God that we as followers of Jesus are perfected.An important aspect of the composition of the local church is governmental structure. Just as a family must have Biblical order, so must the church. Hebrews 13:17 tells us to “obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls…” This leadership team is a critical part of the church. In history, when any society is formed, government or a form of leadership must quickly follow or anarchy develops. Another healthy aspect of the local church is diversity. The church should be very diverse in its chemistry. People from all walks of life are supposed to be learning to live around one another. The church can never be an elite group of people who have decided with whom they will walk. That would be the sin of racism or showing partiality which is forbidden in Scripture. The Purpose of the Church Since the church is the church of Jesus, our purpose must be His purpose. What then should a true church of Jesus be doing? Here are a few things clearly defined in Scripture:Loving God and Man – Matthew 22:37-40Preaching the Gospel of salvationPreparing the members for ministryActivating and overseeing the ministry of the membersExtending the Kingdom of God in their communityPreparing the church to be the Bride of Christ at the Second Coming of Jesus.In Summary, a person becomes a part of the Universal Church the moment they believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and are saved. They then begin their journey as a disciple by becoming an active part of a local church that has a structure made up of Biblically qualified leaders who provide an arena for assembling themselves together. In this spiritual family environment, these believers are given protective and nurturing oversight with a goal of bringing that believer to a place of health and maturity manifesting itself in outward ministry to the lost.We don’t have the option of trying to live without the church nor do we have the right to try to function in a group made up of those like us who have redefined what we want the church to be. Remember, the Church was Jesus’ idea and He has already clearly defined it in Scripture. It is for this church that He will return.

2012-01-09T13:30:00.000-08:00

Church Leadership Thoughts for 2012

As we begin a new year it would be good to remember some past lessons before launching into the future.
I thought I might blog this week with some church leadership bullet reminders. We'll call it a pre-flight check list:

Give clear, strong, loving leadership. Make the vision plain. Talk about it often.

Provide care for the entire flock. (All ages)

Provide care for the community. (Outreach)

Provide for a leadership training track.

Regain and maintain momentum.

Make sure each leadership title has leadership responsibility. (No one on the sidelines)

Let's have a great year in 2012!

2012-01-02T13:54:00.000-08:00

2012: It doesn't have to be the same!

2012 doesn't have to be the same unless you decide to accept the past as your future. That's not hype but a fact. The truth is, things will remain the same unless we decide to act. I can't tell you how many times I didn't have a clue as to my next sermon and days and days would pass without a thought arriving from heaven! Then as I would sit and start writing, the pump was primed and the thoughts would begin to flow. The same is true in every area of life. Newton said, "an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion will stay in motion..."Unfortunately, there are some who spend their entire lives hoping their lives of inactivity will somehow generate some positive change. It's an impossibility!

Now let me prophesy! Some who are reading this right now don't necessarily need a "New Word" to arrive from heaven. You need to rediscover an old direction or word from the past that you never acted upon by faith. Find that word, dust it off, pray over it and see what resurrects. Some of those things were of no fault of yours, some were old seeds that needed to die and are ready to bring forth fruit in 2012. It's a new season!

2012 will not be determined by Wall Street or the White House for you and me! Our new year will be determined by our acting in faith according to a new or rediscovered Word from the Lord.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T08:08:00.000-08:00

Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

2011-12-09T15:38:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I am stopping the Blog until after the New Year! Have a blessed Holiday with your family and friends and we'll get back together then.

L. A. Joiner

Becoming a Parent to Adults

2011-11-28T10:47:00.000-08:00

One of the most difficult times in parenting is that delicate time when children become adults and leave home. Since you brought them home from the hospital you directed every aspect of their lives down to the smallest detail. As Christian parents you sought to instill in them a love for God and His Word. You trained them to make decisions that took into account, above all else, God's will. While at home if you saw them taking actions outside your training, you could discipline them in an appropriate way so they didn't make the same mistake again. That was then...this is now! Now they are gone. They are adults. You have seen this coming for a long time. You have made every effort to do the "slow release" thing and you thought you did a pretty good job. However, "slow release" brings us all to that day when we must press the jettison button. It's a terribly painful day for both the parent and the adult child. There is a process of adjustment.

My parents were very hands-on. My Dad was a "John Wayne" type character. He had no problem saying, "you don't do as I do, you do as I say"! As wrong as it was his powerful, and at times overpowering, personality made me accept it without dispute. It also weakened my ability to make a decision or confront. I was married at 19. Yes, that wasn't unusual way back then! The lack of preparing me to being released as an adult had a negative impact on my marriage as well. I could see my wife was frustrated because she had just left her parents and needed an "adult" to help her navigate the waters to adulthood too. I retreated to becoming passive and forcing her to lead. It took a few years to get this worked out. It was only when I became a Christian and began to seek the will of God that this was settled. Looking back on it though there seems to be something worse than being kicked out of the nest unprepared. What could that be? Never being truly released is much worse, in my opinion. This is especially prevalent in Christian families. Parents tend to want to make sure the adult children stay the course and actually can interfere with the purposes of God.

As my three children reached adulthood I faced the learning curve. Like many, I didn't do a very good job with the first one and hopefully improved down the chain. One of the most powerful lessons I learned was the shift away from being the disciplinarian. I'm not sure that my Dad every accepted that he wasn't my primary disciplinarian even after I was married and had children of my own. He still wanted to control. That control is very damaging to an adult child. It forces conflict and often separation. When an adult child leaves home a parent is no longer the one in charge of discipline. Now that role is moved away from the father to the Heavenly Father. Now the method of discipline leading to wisdom is sowing and reaping. The results of decisions made becomes either the reward or the penalty.

May the Lord give us all wisdom and great grace is these matters!

2011-11-14T09:05:00.001-08:00

Remembering the Greatest Generation

I grew up inWaycross, Georgia. Having been born in1949, I was surrounded by war heroes but didn’t know it at the time. I would go with my Dad to visit with hisfriends and hear the stories. Some hadfought in the infantry, some in tanks as my Uncle Alvin, and some on ships likemy Dad, who entered the Navy right atthe end of the war. They didn’t talkmuch about the war until they got together with other veterans. That’s when Iloved to be around. It seemed soexciting to a young boy, but you could also hear the horror in their memoriesas well. I was near adulthood when itoccurred to me that I grew up among heroes, truly the Greatest Generation. They had sacrificed so much and all too manygave the ultimate sacrifice.

The most excitingstories of all came from one of the most reluctant heroes. My father in law was George FranklinBrown. He didn’t like to discuss thewar. However, I learned to start slowlyand keep at him asking leading questions. Then like mining for gold, every now and then he would open up with anugget. When he did, I knew I was sittingin the best seat in the house. I wouldsit for an hour or more with chill bumps giving way to feelings of sorrow andpain. He grew up in the little town ofSeffner, Florida, just outside Tampa. Hewas a smart boy excelling in school with a love for the outdoors. One of his favorite reading subjects wasWorld War I aviation. Little did heimagine that they day would come when he would himself be flying the unfriendlyskies. He read illustrated books aboutthe Red Baron and other flying aces of the day. One story in particular had prophetic implications. The author warned prospective airmen thatwhile in combat they should “Beware of the Hun in the sun.” TheGerman fighter pilots of the Great War would attack as a column from thedirection of the sun so you couldn’t see them until they were on top ofyou. That little ominous phrase wouldone day save his life.

“Papa”, as I came tocall him after the grandkids started coming, joined with Army Air Corps as somany enlisted when our country entered the war. He trained with a good friend from home. He started as a gunner on dive bombers, but that was short lived becausehe found he would sometimes pass out in the radical dives and that proved nottoo helpful as a gunner. He was moved tobombers and ended up as a tail gunner on the B-25. Papa, a Christian with a Christian wife athome praying, saw Divine intervention on a regular basis. Once he was taken from his squadron without anyreason and reassigned. His old squadron was attacked right after his departureand they suffered great loss of life. Hefound his way to a squadron stationed in North Africa. The average life expectancy for an airman inthat theater of war was 8 missions. Frank flew 63. He received numerouscommendations and more than one Purple Heart.

Frank was known forhis character and integrity. He wasquick to volunteer for extra flights if there was a need. Yet, he always came back in one piece. A fellow airman wrote home and told his wife “thereis an unseen presence around Frank Brown.” On one mission, they dropped their bombs and were returning home. They were a bit relieved because they hadbeen told to expect heavy resistance. They had received none. Then, off in a distance several Germanfighters appeared doing aerial acrobatics just out of gun range. Everyone in the squadron had their guns trainedon the fighters. Suddenly Frank hearsthis voice in his head, “Beware of the Hun in the sun”! He realized the sun was on the other side ofthe plane, and quickly turned in his turret in that direction. At that very second, Frank could see glisteningon a sunbeam a group of enemy fighters heading directly toward them-the aerialshow was a distraction. He immediately opened fire on the formation with his.50 caliber machine gun and screamed a warning over the radio. The attack of the enemy was thwarted. There are many stories like this one. Before it was over we were usually crying,especially Papa. I didn’t ask about thewar too often because while it did seem to have a cathartic effect, it alsostirred up deep wounds. Nightmares andoften violent ones continued for years after the war. The day he watched a good friend blown fromthe sky haunted him to the day he died. He grieved on the anniversary of the crash every year and some think mayhave even led to a stroke when he was 80. But despite these deep wounds, Papa, like many of his fellow brethrenthat served in that War, somehow managed to protect his family from thesepsychological burdens while keeping his character and integrity intact.

I am told we arelosing 1200 of these old warriors every day. The Bible tells us, “Greater love has no one than to lay down his lifefor his friends”. Papa and hisgeneration paid a price in pain and suffering that hopefully we will never haveto experience. All we can do is honortheir sacrifice and say a heartfelt “thank you”.

Remembering GeorgeFranklin Brown: 1921-2006

Moms turn off your cell phones please!

2011-11-03T10:17:00.000-07:00

I thought that might get your attention! That kind of comment generally is directed at dads. However, more and more Isee moms who never stop talking and texting and their kids are paying theprice. Recently I bought a new bike.Actually, I bought a new bike because my not so old bike was stolen whilechained to a steel post. After buying mynew bike, like most new things, I can’t stay off of it. I like to ride rails to trails. There are usually a lot of people on thesetrails which allows me to do another thing I really enjoy, watchingpeople! It used to be that fathers, andyou could spot them a mile away, who were supposed to be spending quality time with their kids, weren’t! While Mom was home clearing the kitchen tableDad takes junior for a stroller ride. Mom is humming at home and smiling because she visualizes bonding takingplace with Dad. It ain’t happening! Dad’s distracted. Along comes smart phones and the iPad. Now, it’s Mom who’s joined Dad in the neglect. You can see them most everywhere youlook. At the grocery store, in the mallor the park, you don’t have to wait but a second or two and there she comeswith as many as 2-3 little babes being entertained in some way to keep Mom freeto talk and text! Even in the car Momchats away while the little ones watch Sponge Bob on the screen in the backseat. The outcome is that children arenot being trained as is supposed to be the case. There’s a big difference between “trainingand entertaining”! The children are far beyond being bored, they are missing those moments of development that comes from only loving and attentive Moms and Dads.

2011-10-17T06:16:00.000-07:00

The Pastor's Wife

Last week Wanda Sumrall went to heaven. Wanda was the wife of Ken Sumrall. They were married for 64 yeears. As is always the case, when someone dies it causes you to reflect on their life. Obviously, we shouldn't wait until then but too often we do. Wanda was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, but right or wrong she was known primarily as "Ken Sumrall's wife". That fact means that for most of her life she lived out of the spotlight and in his shadow. For many this would have been a problem but for Wanda it was welcomed.

It makes us pause and ask, "what is a pastor's wife"? I can remember when Teresa and I first entered the ministry, Teresa found herself in that very demanding role, "Pastor's Wife"! There was a struggle in the first couple of years. The reason was that tradition had written an unwritten job description for the role. For the most part during that era a pastor's wife had to be able to sing, play the piano, hopefully lead worship, lead the women's ministry of the church, preach and counsel women at the drop of a hat. She had to do all that while training her children and keeping house! What a job! I remember the day when the two of us were sitting in front of an experienced older pastor and he sensed our struggle. He asked us to tell him what we thought a pastor's wife should be. We started rattling off much of the job description I just mentioned. He stopped us and simply said, "a pastor's wife is the pastor's wife!" REALLY?!?!! I could see and feel the relief in Teresa. You see, she doesn't sing, lead worship or preach. She doesn't enjoy leading meetings of any kind. She is an excellent counselor when speaking the Truth of the Scripture is concerned. This function takes a person who knows their identity. Wanda Sumrall was just such a lady.

Certainly there are pastor's wives who feel called to and are gifted in many of the areas I mentioned. They may be gifted in any or all of those more visible roles and I applaud them. However, for those like Wanda and my own Teresa their real strength lies behind the scenes. Teresa has always created a sanctuary in our home that I could run to at the end of the day or when returning from a road trip. She is a confidant like no other, a prophetic voice often adjusting attitudes in me that could cause problems in public. She helps me develop sermons and teaching materials. Yet, possibly her greatest strength is her ability to put wind in my sails when the circumstances of life cause me to go dead in the water.

Today, I honor Wanda Sumrall and I celebrate all those women who have stood in the shadows and from that out of the way position, the position of the pastor's wife, impacted generations.

2011-10-03T12:15:00.000-07:00

What you believe about you determines your destiny

Last week I dealt with the critical issue of identitydetermining personal peace. As abeliever it is our appropriating by faith our full redemption that brings rightidentity. When the Scripture tells usthat through the work of Jesus on the cross we become a “new creation”, itcontinues to tell us that “old things pass away and all things become new”. Those old things that pass away include theold image of who we were and an acceptance of a new image. That new image is something that has to bebuilt in our own mind. It involves amental warfare that takes a wrestling with our thought life and a consciouseffort at choosing what the Scripture says about us above thoughts of our pastidentity. Sometimes this warfare ismade more difficult because others may not be willing to accept you and yournew identity. Here is a major part ofthe battle. You have to love the personbut not embrace in your heart their rejection of your new identity as Truth. It is in fact a lie and a lie that has theability to immobilize you in Kingdom matters. This is precisely the object of this attack. The enemy wants to stop you from obtaining yourpurpose and in so doing stop your success and destiny in life.

Remember: Identitydetermines purpose and purpose determines success.

2011-09-26T11:52:00.000-07:00

Comfortable in your own skin

It seems not many people are comfortable in their own skin. Too many people are always trying to find their identity. There are a number of problems with this identity crisis as a life style. You have seen these folks spending great amounts of time, energy and money always trying to get the "thing" that will make them feel good about themselves. This search causes them to never be satisfied "in the now". They are unhappy with their phone, computer, car, body, personality or maybe even their mate! What misery! Coming to a place of peace and rest within yourself is a freedom much like living debt-free. When you are debt-free you aren't nearly as concerned about the economy as a person who is captured by the system. When you are at peace within your own skin you are not too concerned with status because you are not finding your self acceptance based on external things. Very few people get there! These blessed few care about others but they are not consummed with what others think. Self image is determined by self worth and not the worth others may or may not place on you. Actually it is difficult to give yourself to helping others until you have settled this identity issue.

Where in the world do we obtain self worth? You don't! You can't get it "in the world". You see, it's the unregenerate world that is most involved in the pursuit of identity and the most uncomfortable in their own skin. Christians should be the most at ease and at peace with themselves. When you see a Christian still struggling with the identity issue you can be certain they have not allowed the full process of redemption to occur. Only in appropriating the full redemption of Jesus and His full forgiveness and reconciliation can you possess a redeemed identity. Once a believer has done that they are at peace with God and man. The first man we must be "at peace" with is ourselves.

2011-09-13T08:24:00.000-07:00

“Back-Seater”

For a number of years I had the joy and challenge of being pastor to a number of fighter pilots and their families who were serving with the U.S. Air Force. Some of that time I worked with F-16 pilots. They were a great bunch trying to balance their training that told them they were the “best of the best”, with the humility required in their Christian walk. It was difficult because the F-16 was every pilots dream. You were the only one in the jet and it was designed to “dogfight”. While the challenge was great, most learned the balance for the good of their families and sadly some did not. Prior to my experiences with F-16 pilots, our base was armed with the F-4. The F-4 Phantom II was a “two seater” fighter used a lot in Viet Nam. Obviously, the pilot sat in the front seat and the weapons systems operator or “wizzo” sat in the back seat. I was told by a few “wizzos” that they had a stick by them designed to land the plane in the event that something happened to the pilot. More than once I asked the question, “So are you confident you could land the plane if you had too”? Usually the answer they gave was in the form of a laugh! I’m sure many “wizzos” in combat had thoughts at times that they might could do a better job than the pilot. Many would have liked to have had a shot at it. Yet, they all knew that the space from the back seat to the front seat was far greater than the inches measured on a ruler.
I spent about four years training for the ministry under a Senior Pastor. Prior to that I had worked a secular job and worked in the church. I later became an elder. Next I had the privilege of serving as “Student Pastor” (Trainee position). Finally, I was sent out and started our first church at the ripe old age of 27. When I was serving in all the earlier roles I truly felt that I had the same burden as the Senior Pastor. At times I felt he was making mistakes and secretly I had to fight thoughts that I could do it better! I wondered why he didn’t move faster. Why didn’t deal with issues more forcibly? Yet, I was a “back seater”. When I was commissioned to go plant a new church I remember the weight of the moment. It was a shocking transition, yet exciting. I couldn’t wait to get started and really do it right! I had made the move from the back seat to the front! That first year was an amazing and painful year. It had been much easier to shout things from the back seat but now an entirely different deal to have your hand on the stick and missiles within reach. It was a solemn weight to know that you had it within you power to help or hurt people. I began to think of an old saying I had heard somewhere: “discretion is the better part of valor”. I never had those thoughts as a “back- seater”. I called my former pastor, the man who had trained me and asked his forgiveness. I was seeing things a little differently now. It is truly easier, much easier to be the “Monday morning quarterback” than doing the right thing in the heat of battle.

2011-09-06T14:07:00.000-07:00

Boldness and Spiritual Warfare

Certainly the greatest weapon in battling the forces of hell is the name of Jesus! Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord! Amen. We all know and believe that God is greater than the devil and God's power is greater. Yet we see too many servants of the Lord being immobilized by the enemy and sidetracked to a place of powerless immobility.

What causes a Holy Spirit filled minister of the Lord to be ineffective? A number of things come to mind but a weak conscience is a primary problem. By weak conscience I mean a conscience that condemns a person from within. No one knows about the attack but this internal war is one of the most effective of all against a servant of God. It could be brought on by unconfessed sin. Certainly this person feels no right to victory or being used by God. As Kind David lamented, the sin is ever before me. Yet, just as powerful is a "consciousness of sin" within the conscience of the believer. While there may be no sin, yet deep within they feel undeserving of anything good happening to "or through" them. This is ministerial "poison"! It is the work of hell itself!

The man or woman of God that wants to be used by God must, as Hebrews 11:6 says
"believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." I believe God wants to use me. I believe the Lord wants to use you too. However, my believing that about you won't accomplish much. You must believe it. Listen carefully, it's not enough to believe in God. You must believe in the GOD WITHIN YOU! Then from that strong foundation of faith in the God within you, you are now ready to be used by God. This is the boldness needed to win against the enemy. Now listen to these verses in the light of this understanding:
Ephesians 6:10-16 (NKJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

2011-08-29T13:40:00.000-07:00

Boldness

It is so interesting to me that when God was talking to Joshua after the death of Moses that He kept repeating to Joshua that he must be strong and courageous. The outcome, the Lord said, would be success. There is such tension between courage and arrogance. Yet, courage and boldness may appear to the onlooker as arrogance and pride. As a matter of fact, to the average person boldness in God may appear to be pride, and fear and cowardice may appear to be humility. God told Joshua that his success, and that means pleasing God, would require strength and courage.

When Daivd approached the Army of God as they were camped and quaking in fear at the confrontation with Goliath, his brothers rebuked David for what appeared to be pride. They were wrong. What they saw manifesting in their little brother was what we used to call, "Holy Ghost Boldness"! He was moving in strength and courage just as Joshua. The outcome was victory and success.

As I started the first grade my Dad instructed me this way: "If you start a fight I will spank you when you get home. If someone attacks you and you don't win, I'll spank you when you get home"! That sounds really strange these days but he was trying to make me understand that there are times when the enemy comes calling and you have to stand. Spiritually there are times when the enemy of our soul and the enemy of the extension of the Kingdom of God comes calling. Primarily he comes attacking with fear, lies and accusations. He's looking for a weak conscience. He wants to find a person who isn't sure who they are and where they stand with God. He wants to stop you cold. His method is almost always to attack your BOLDNESS. He wants you to be quiet and weak. He wants to knock you off balance so you stop any aggression against him.

Proverbs 28:1 (NKJV)
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.

2011-08-11T10:36:00.000-07:00

Social Networking

Relax, this isn't primarily about Face book or Twitter. It is about social connecting though. I must admit that I am not the biggest fan of electronic relationships (thougth I do it) because they can be shallow and even dishonest. In talking about reading books a friend recently said, "I know about iBooks but I still like to feel the pages in my hands and smell the aroma of a good book." I feel the same way about social connecting. In my opinion connecting through any form of writing is the least effective form, the phone is one notch above but nothing is like that eyeball to eyeball connecting. All can be good if the less effective ways aren't the primary. I have actually seen husbands, wives and children texting each other while in the same building!

Let me get to my point. We are moving toward a loss of the ability to read people and situations and arrive at true connection. We are now seeing a new generation that doesn't know how to look you in the eye, shake your hand and carry on a real conversation. While more and more are involved in minute by minute social networking less and less are involved in actually connecting. Recently I attended a church where I was a stranger. After several visits to the early contemporary service I decided to go to the traditional service just to learn. I love studying people and groups! It's kind of like going to the zoo!:) After about six visits to the early service filled with mostly younger people I went to the other service filled with the "blue hairs". I came away shocked! The younger crowd had made sure the coffee and cookies were in place, the service made me comfortable and that I was under no pressure whatsoever. I was left alone! No, really, I was left alone. No one spoke to me unless I spoke first. Six visits!!! When I went to the older service I was overwhelmed with the warm genuine expression of love and welcome. My conclusion? We are losing something. Young people need to watch older people interact and try to regain some social skills. And yes, it happens all the time in non denominational churches too.

May we all keep learning!

2011-08-04T12:04:00.000-07:00

Ownership or Stewardship

In reseaching leadersip transition for over 5 years now I have looked at churches and business models alike. The basic problem is systemic. When a leader of a church comes to believe that because of longevity he or she owns the ministry we are in trouble. I have even known of this becoming so blatant that outgoing senior leaders have demanded that they be paid huge sums of money for them to turn over “ownership” of the church! Some have even done it. In truth, we as leaders are stewards of the ministry of God. We must never get to a place that our welfare takes precedence over the welfare of the church or ministry. This can also happen among a group of leaders and they might presume ownership as well. This can happen from the church to the Congress. When ownership is assumed by a person or group the end result will be death and not a healthy continuation of the ministry. The church is the Lord’s! As leaders whatever we have built we have built with the offerings of the people and while doing so we have been compensated for our labor. While I believe a church will greatly benefit from honoring an outgoing leader generously, it should never be demanded.
Let me encourage every leader to close your eyes, envision the end of your life and visualize how you want to finish. I think most would say, “I want to be cared for but mostly I want to feel that I have done a good job for the Lord and his Church and that I will finish with dignity, honor and leave a healthy legacy in ministry. Are you walking a road that will produce it?

2011-07-28T15:04:00.000-07:00

We need the word of the prophet

2 Chronicles 25 (NLT)

14 When King Amaziah returned from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought with him idols taken from the people of Seir. He set them up as his own gods, bowed down in front of them, and offered sacrifices to them!15 This made the LORD very angry, and he sent a prophet to ask, "Why do you turn to gods who could not even save their own people from you?"
16 But the king interrupted him and said, "Since when have I made you the king's counselor? Be quiet now before I have you killed!"
So the prophet stopped with this warning: "I know that God has determined to destroy you because you have done this and have refused to accept my counsel."

The Lord is always faithful to give us guidance. He is always going to make sure that our steps are ordered according to his will. However, we must remain pliable and sensitive to his voice and adjustment. Gifted builders in the Kingdom of God need to be very careful that they, in an effort for building expediency, don't isolate themselves from the full word and counsel of God. If we are successful we attract a team of builders who are "just like us". There is much good in that but it can also be very narrow, limiting and may rob you of a more diversified perspective. Prophets are seers who see things builders may not want to see or hear. In the Kingdom scheme of things we need to ensure that we don't outgrow our need for the prophet. He's not always the most fun to be around and his words may not always stroke our ego but they are sent to us for a reason.

In this portion of Scripture the Word of the Lord through the prophet was rejected and he "stopped". I know there are a lot of "self proclaimed" prophets around these days. However, there are also among us true prophets of the Lord. They may not look or sound like prophets but their gift causes them to bring those protective and directional words from heaven. We must be careful that our success does not isolate and insulate us from the Word that we may so desperately need. What should be our response to the Word of the Lord? It should always be as the words of Mary proclaimed, "whatsoever He says unto you, do it!"

2011-07-21T11:08:00.000-07:00

Missional or Attractional

There is a great debate going on in the church world today over the right pattern of ministry. The issue at hand is whether the motivation of ministry should be missional or attractional. If it is not a verbal debate it is certainly a functional one. One side has grown weary of the attractional approach seeing it as an outdated method which primarily focuses on signs and advertisements to get new people to church. A part of the attractional crowd uses revival and renewal to attract people and seem to echo the cry, "we set ourselves on fire and they come to watch us burn." It is often centered around experience.

The missional group sees the church as a group on a mission and seeks to activate it's workers around fulfilling the mission of reaching a community for Christ. It is often centered around methods. The attractional group says "come" while the missional group says, "go"! Which is right? Both in my opinion. When Jesus met the woman at the well he was definitely on a mission. Before going there the Scripture says Jesus said, " I need to go through Samaria." There was an internal motivation followed by a purposeful plan to reach someone. This is very missional. Then, after the lady is confronted by Jesus she goes back to her home town and tells the inhabitants of the city, "come and see a man who told me all that I ever did". This is attractional. The result, the town came out to see and hear the man Jesus. Many believed because of two kinds of ministry, the missional and the attractional. Jesus said, "go" and she said "come".

The bottom line is fruit. I see missional churches today doing great things for God and bringing many to the Lord. I also see attractional churches reaching many and making disciples. Let's not condemn methods, let's celebrate the fruit.

2011-07-14T08:09:00.000-07:00

Feelings in the Church

In my last blog I talked about feelings and the error of allowing feelings to be our guide in life. Now let's take a look at feelings in the church. What we feel is something that causes us to help people through our empathy and sympathy. What we feel at times can be a warning to avoid danger. Feelings is a mental and emotional reaction to an experience. Yet, as we discussed last week feelings are much too subjective to serve us well as our primary guide through life. Feelings are limited to ability to sense and comprehend. In reality feelings are two dimensional, defined by what we feel(body) and think(mind). Faith on the other hand certainly includes those two dimensions but adds the third dimension of the supernatural, the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God makes his habitation or home in the "believer". From that moment on this new believer, this three dimensional being begins to experience something that was lost by Adam in the garden. Most feelings/emotions are basically a much weakened version of a God-connected spirit.

The new believer is in contact with God through His Spirit but this relationship is kept pure and true by the Scripture. There is an inseparable relationship between God's Word and His Spirit. As long as we continue in His Word and are filled with His Spirit we are functional as heaven intended. The moment we move away from either of the two we are on a path toward deception.

In the Church there has been this tendency to move away from operating in these two necessary relationships, the Word and Spirit. The result is that the Church, a supernatural entity begins to be run by "feelings". Someone said, "all Word with no Spirit you dry up, all Spirit with no Word you blow up but the Spirit and the Word causes us to grow up."

Let's examine our condition today and the condition of our church leadership. Think back leaders, did your last leadership meeting seem to be led more by the Holy Spirit or feelings and opinions? The good news is that getting back on track can be done quickly!

2011-07-07T07:16:00.000-07:00

Feelings

Our "feelings" can be one of our greatest enemies. Our feelings are constantly changing and way too uncertain to allow them to set our guideline for living. Having been a pastoral counselor for almost 4 decades I must tell you that I have heard a lot about how people feel. People choose their profession, buy cars, live in certain places and even pick a life long mate by their feelings. The word "feelings" is defined as, "emotion or sympathetic perception". Be honest and ask yourself the question, "do I really want to go through life with emotion or perception as my guide?" I don't think so. Yet, many find it hard to simply accept God's ways, directives or commands as truth.

I was talking to a man recently who had little, if any Biblical foundation. Yet, he was a very caring and intelligent person. He confided that simply taking the leap of faith and accepting the Bible as The Truth was too difficult for him. After all, he was an educated man who needed to understand. Then he asked that question. You know the one, how can Christianity be the only way to heaven? To him, it just didn't make sense, it just didn't feel right! I said, "I know exactly how you feel. I have had the same feelings and thoughts." Yet, there has to be that which is right and true, not truth as a moving target. Life and certainly eternity is much too valuable to simply roll the dice, block out your mind and decide that you will live by what you feel. I'm reminded of the old country song that says, "how can it be wrong when it FEELS so right?"

I can tell that many not in the Church look at the Christian world and assume that Christians are naive people who find comfort by sticking together in what they believe. They see believers as weak people who sit around convincing each other about their faith. Certainly there is a truth that living your life around people of like faith is a reinforcing commodity. Yet, non believers do the same. They run from Christians, flocking together to reinforce their own belief systems.

People of feelings live lives that are uncertain, always shifting and usually dominated by fear. People of faith, real faith are stable, certain and fearless. Why? Because their stability is not founded on the shifting sands of emotion or in religion, creeds, rules or regulations. It is founded on a personal relationship with God Himself. They talk to Him and experience an internal communication that reinforces their faith. Then, from that foundation, when they read the Bible they find it a living book. Even non believing seekers has found the Scripture unlike any other book. Derek Prince was a King's Scholar, attending Eton College in England when he began to read the Bible as a Philosopher to disprove it. He said later that as he read it he became captivated by it and came to a living faith.

Faith in the beginning is often a leap of faith that is in conflict with feelings. However, this leap of faith becomes a solid highway to a life of security, comfort, fearlessness about the future and the answer to loneliness. It is in fact a decision!
When I made the decision to accept God's way and Jesus in particular, I did so with a lot of feelings and questions. It was amazing how fast those things dissipated and how quickly the question marks turned into exclamation marks!

2011-06-30T08:38:00.000-07:00

Leadership Training

Attention to Detail:

1. Train yourself to "see" details.

2. Train yourself to take ownership wherever you are assigned. Team mentality is responsibility that goes beyond your assigned role.

3. Train yourself to "think" beyond the norm. (outside the box) Ask: "Is there another way around this obstacle? Familiarity can be a blinder to new and fresh solutions and ideas".

4. Train yourself to "see" multiple options on every project in case things don't develop as you thought.

5. Train yourself to think through meetings and projects. Most people don't do it. This will give you a leg up when a decision must be made in mid-stream. Even if you are not the primary leader, think of alternate plans to a project in case the presented plan comes to a halt or leadership is removed.

6. Take group on facility inspection looking for details. What needs improvement? This trains your team to learn to see detail. People who have always worked in a subordinate role have been silently trained not to see things that need attention outside their scope.

THE MYSTERY OF THE AGES UNFOLDING HERE AT THE END

2011-06-23T03:03:00.000-07:00

I have been teaching some in recent days on spiritual warfare. Below is an article my good friend Gary Johnson from Rapid City, South Dakota wrote on the subject.

THE MYSTERY OF THE AGES UNFOLDING HERE AT THE END

My goal is to whet your appetite and provoke you to dig much of this out on your own—I do believe I’m onto something which could revolutionize everything you’re about! How it thrilled Jesus when His seventy disciples discovered prematurely that demons were subject to them. At that very moment the enemy of our souls was engaged and Jesus revealed to us that we had the upper hand—everything He did we can do! Luke 10:17-19: “And He said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.’ ” NKJV

Ever since then Satan has done everything possible to obscure that fact. If he can’t keep the lid on, he’ll be exposed for the “paper tiger” he is. Make no mistake, he’s a formidable foe but he can only operate by “cunning craftiness,” deceit, trickery, lying, seduction, fear tactics, etc. It’s sort of like when I was a kid: I worked on a farm for a dollar a day (you heard me right—ha!) and saved up my money to buy this used bike that had “knee action”—sort of like modern shock absorbers. The only thing the owner withheld from me was that it didn’t work anymore. I was racing downhill on gravel at top speed; the front wheel hit a pot hole and didn’t come back up and I was hurled headlong downhill—without a helmet I might add.

However, while we shouldn’t be naïve and oblivious to Satan’s tactics we ought not to give him undue credit either. He was dethroned, and defanged, at the cross! Two observations I’ve made concerning him over the years: he hates exposure but loves attention. If you don’t give him a handle he’s powerless. Look at this declaration from Jesus in John 14:30: “I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me…” Jesus is the “Lion from the tribe of Judah”; Satan appears “like a lion”—but is a toothless one at that! I don’t see anywhere in Scripture where he has been given any control over the elements, your material goods, etc. Some people give him far too much credit and attention--“Satan is in my sound equipment, he ruined my engine, etc.”; no, the fact you didn’t change oil for 30,000 miles ruined your engine. He can however motivate, or influence, someone else to mess with your goods; that’s why we must use our spiritual weapons such as deliverance (the children’s bread), binding and loosing, and pulling down strongholds to deal with him.

Okay here’s the biggie; it’s so simple I fear many of us might miss it. If you’ll wrap your head around this you’ll never be the same! I might add this did get my pastor friend who shared this revelation with me “disenfranchised” (nice way to say fired) from his church. For the most part, he went to his grave with this powerful revelation but Satan can’t silence it forever. 1 John 4:1-6 states: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh [the tense is “continually coming in flesh”] is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” NASU

We’re coming in for a landing, so hang on! Historical Jesus alone won’t even cut it. If it could, then every church which celebrates Christmas and Easter would be red hot for God. Yet, why are so many of them apostate and succumbing to so many abominable practices? It hasn’t yet sunk in that Christ, who promised that we would do even greater things, is now presently in our flesh desiring to carry on the works that He did--John 14:12. Col. 1:26-27 states, “…that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you [continually coming in flesh], the hope of glory”. Look at Romans 8:11, “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

Let’s all “go for the gold”, we’ve got the oxygen bottle and we win; Christ desires for all of us to be two-time winners—to reign with Him while on planet earth and also throughout all eternity!

Gary Johnson

2011-06-16T06:20:00.000-07:00

Running from Shadows

I am spending time in South Florida with my two granddaughters. Since Juliet is the new one most of my time is spent entertaining, and I do mean entertaining Lucia the 3 year old. Of course I am the one who does most of the "burping" duties for Juliet. I seem to have the touch in that department!

This morning Lucia got up at her normal 6:30 time! The first thing she wanted to do was go into the room with her baby sister. Teresa (AKA: "Gigia") and I went into full distraction mode trying to keep her from waking the baby. Lucia was showing me her new baby doll that does all the things a real baby does...really! When we opened the box to this new doll, out ran this little tiny mouse! Well, we thought it was a mouse or roach or something but then we realized it was a toy. We aren't sure how it got in the box but when this ugly little orange thing started running all over the floor it was pretty scary and especially for Lucia. (Me too!) I forgot about this little creepy thing this morning and then Lucia screams from the living room. I run in to find that Lucia had thrown her baby doll, her most prized possession, in the floor and taken refuge on the couch. I caught the little invader and examined him. I called Lucia over and explained it was really a machine that vibrated and was covered with plastic. One she saw and understood the reality of the situation she lost her fear of this unknown, uninvited guest and began playing with it.

I'm sure you know where I'm going with this and forgive the long story to get here! We have all had things we were afraid of and it often restricted our lives. You may be in just such a place now. Fear may have caused you to abandon the things that matter most to you and has left you hiding and running from shadows or something that cannot really hurt you. You see, the devil is a liar. Jesus called him the father of lies! He operates with lies, fear, oppression and always in darkness. It is time for you to face your fears. Jesus has promised to deliver you from all fear. As a matter of fact the Scripture says, "perfect love casts out all fear". Even at this moment see the reality that Jesus is with you in the middle of your fear. He is greater than any enemy! Get up off the couch now and face your fear. You will find not only will Jesus walk you through it but you will also find out that much of what you have feared is only a shadow.

2011-06-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

Meet Juliet Crabb!

Juliet was born Monday, June 6. She is our second granddaughter. Her big sister is Lucia and she is one excited 3 year old. Teresa and I are in Hollywood, Florida helping with all the transitions in the Crabb family. They have been transferred to Washington, D.C.. That means that they had to sell their house, ship all their "stuff" and move into a temporary home until Juliet could arrive and get settled before they make the move north. As of yesterday afternoon, we are all at their house with the new baby.

Thank you for all your prayers and support!

Blessings!

L. A.

2011-05-30T02:28:00.000-07:00

Resistance to Restoration

John 5:6 (KJV)
6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

I am still amazed by several things in this story. I am amazed that Jesus asked if he really wanted to be healed. I am amazed that the man didn't really give an answer to the question. I am amazed that Jesus healed him anyway. I think we see here that there are times when God heals people who don't do things correctly or who don't take the proper faith posture and yet they are healed. Generally though, there are patterns in play. In my last blog I wrote about the connection of suffering, compassion and the provision. When there is a needy one, a desire by that one to rise out of their suffering, compassion by another who has Jesus living in them, there will be restoration in one form or another. The Bible is filled with such stories.

As a young Christian I found a suffering man one day. He was emaciated and apparantly in much pain. I was moved with compasion. I had to do something to stop his pain. However, within me was more than a desire to stop his present pain. I wanted to help him start a new life. As I talked to him I learned that it had been several days since he had eaten. I put him in my car and took him home. Teresa prepared food for him. I talked to him as he tried to eat but he couldn't eat very much. I took him to a place that sheltered those in need. I checked on him the next day only to learn he had left the shelter as soon as I did. Then, a couple of days later he was found dead sleeping next to a railroad track. He was frozen in the bitter winter cold. It was so hard to understand. I was willing to help and I believed things could be different for him. The problem? He didn't believe it.

It is a difficult thing for compassion to understand or believe that a person's deepest infirmity isn't their obvious need. There are those whose greatest problem is that they actually choose a life of self destruction. It is a choice! Can you change them? Is there hope? There is always hope but no, you nor I can change them. Something has to happen on the inside of them. In fact there has to be a miracle before the miracle. There has to be a healing deep within them before the true restoration can begin. Seeing their need and exposing them to your compassion is a powerful force. Begin to pray for them and stay in touch so that you can help when their moment comes. However, there are many, many out there who are ready and ripe now for restoration. Find them and release your compassion upon them. Restoration will follow. By the way, they may not be the obvious ones to you and also may be closer than you think.

2011-05-23T01:43:00.000-07:00

Helping the Hurting

Matthew 14:14 (NKJV)
14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.

There is something powerful that happens when true need is connected to provision by way of compassion. This verse says that there were four steps to effectively alleviating pain and suffering.

First he "went out". You can't help in a need until you first see the need. Many organizations had their origin in being in a situation that caused them to see a need. Once the need was seen, things began to happen and resources were discovered and brought to the need. The need would have never been seen until someone went out. Jesus said to "go out" and compel them to come in. It is an easy thing for the church who began by "going out" to change to extending a call to the world to "come in". You can't see and feel the same things when they come to you as when you go to them.

Secondly, as Jesus went out, he "saw". You can hear about things and situations and circumstances and you might be appalled. However, when you "see" it for yourself, deeper abilities to bring healing are called upon from within you. That power source that Jesus gives within you is released by "seeing" a need.

Next Jesus was "moved with compassion". When there is a loss of this being "moved with compassion", there is a loss of an ability to heal the sick or meet the need. There is a vast difference between empathy and compassion. Empathy is defined as, "the intellectual identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another." You can have this intellectual experience and walk on by. You are sorry for the plight of the one suffering but that is about the depth of your experience. Compassion on the other hand is a completely different experience. Compassion is defined as, " a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering." Notice the last part, "accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering". That is what Jesus experienced!

The result of the first three things was, "and healed their sick". There is a direct connection between a release of supernatural power to heal and compassion. Empathy may bring a moment of mercy but compassion can bring a lifetime of service. Empathy is a picture of the Levite seeing the suffering man dying in the road. Compassion is the good Samaritan who puts his life on hold until he does all he can to bring help to the one suffering.

May the Lord grant us a fresh baptism in the waters of compassion.

2011-05-19T06:03:00.000-07:00

The American's Creed
by William Tyler Page

I believe in the United States of America as a Government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, - a democracy in a republic, a sovereign nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable, established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.

I therefore believe it is my duty to my Country to love it; to support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its Flag; and to defend it against all enemies.

2011-05-11T07:34:00.000-07:00

Nepotism

Is there a place for nepotism in the church? Nepotism is defined as, "favoritism shown to relatives or close friends by those with power or influence."
The foundation of the word originates from the former papal practice of granting special favors to nephews or other relatives.

Nepotism is one of the concerns I hear from congregants around the country today. It has become a common practice for fathers to turn over churches to natural sons as the father grows older. As we examine the Scripture, it seems we see more negative outcomes from this practice than positive. However, we shouldn't dismiss it as wrong automatically. We need to understand that all succession to natural sons does not have to be "nepotism". By that I mean, setting a son in as the new leader may not be done because of a "special favor of the father to the son". He may be the one the Lord has chosen.

What should be the criteria to do so? We need to make sure that:

1. The son truly has a call to this ministry from the Lord.

2. He is qualified for this position. The test would be to make sure we would put anyone else in the position if they had the same qualifications. Too often sons are placed in positions because it is the easy thing to do. It gives them a job! (Never the right thing.)

3. We make sure that proper training and equipping occurs.

4. We take our time in getting them ready for the role. We don't wait too late and then try to rush them into position so we can "get out of the heat".

5. Genuine mentoring occurs. The old rule is still a good one: "You watch me do it, I watch you do it, you do it."

6. Make sure you don't show favoritism in the process. If anything, we need to make the process more difficult for sons. They need to be seen earning it! They need to be seen working hard to the point that by the time the transition happens, the people believe in it.

7. Make sure a diverse leadership team, other than family members, also believes it is the Lord's will.

8. Once it happens, Fathers, get out of the way! You need to be connected to give counsel "when asked", but the son needs to be able to bring the slow gradual change that is needed to lead the church into effective ministry for a new generation.

If the son, the heir apparent doesn't meet the criteria, face the reality of the situation for the sake of all concerned. Don't force it. God has another plan for the church as well as the son. However, if the criteria is met and "it seems good to us and the Holy Ghost", so be it. We should embrace the son without a prejudice against him.

2011-05-02T10:38:00.000-07:00

Deeper Waters It seems that once again many are straining to gain some prophetic insight to natural circumstances. When some calamity strikes I get nervous waiting upon the prophets to speak, usually in hindsight. Some who have spoken in vague terms now try to relate present situations to past words given. Even in the prophetic world hindsight is still 20/20. What about clear and accurate words helping the church prepare for the future? In the Old Testament as well as the New Testament the prophetic word was very precise and in the Old Testament if a prophet's word didn't come to pass he was put to death. Not that I want to see that happen in our day but I would love to see more accountability among the prophets. At the very least when prophets miss it they should be called to account and the church should stop hearing their voice. What is the problem regarding the prophetic in this hour? It could be that God is not saying a lot about these things although if you read the online prophetic sites you would think He is speaking non stop. I suspect there is another problem. Most of the prophets in history have paid a great price for their ministry. Many have lived lives of solitude before God. Most have dedicated themselves to holiness and a passionate pursuit of God and his voice. When they did speak from that posture it was deep, pure and refreshing water. Even if a person is gifted by God with the prophetic gift, worldly living and undisciplined thought hinders and even pollutes the ability to hear. They may have the prophetic "bucket" to lower into the well of the Spirit but they only draw from shallow waters. On the other hand, when a prophet spends time with the Lord without the noise of world, his "bucket" goes deeper and brings forth better, more life giving water. The greater the surface water, the greater the possibility of pollution. The deeper the source of the water, the greater the purity and the greater the power to produce life. Let's join in prayer that the Lord would take the prophets of our day past a desire for "profit" into the true ministry of the prophet. Past the silliness of the mystical, shallow and artificial anointing into the deep waters of true revelation. Let's agree for true prophetic ministries that will move far beyond the weak words of, "I love you, my children" into preparation for the end time army that we are called to be.

2011-04-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

The Greatest Need Around 1990 I was listening to the great and at times controversial teaching of Costa Deir. His teaching wasn't controversial because it was out of sync with Scripture, it was controversial because it challenged the daily practice of the life of the Church. Then, he said something that caused everyone there to pause and contemplate. His statement: "the greatest need in the world is not evangelism. The greatest need in the world is leadership development"! He went on to say, "if you reach one soul for the Lord, that is a wonderful thing but if your reach and train a leader, you have reached potentially thousands". That short statement changed me and my focus for ministry. I find senior leaders today who still labor primarily trying to reach individuals rather than training others. Of course we must all minister to individuals as the Lord opens the door. That is why Paul told Timothy to "do the work of an evangelist". However, leaders and especially team leaders must, MUST train leaders. I was once a part of a church that taught the book of Revelation non stop year after year. It was a passion of that church. In the same way, every church or ministry should be training leaders in an ongoing way. I have also found that the Senior Leader/Pastor must spearhead this effort. This is one area you can't delegate, at least in the beginning. When the Senior Leader leads the leadership training efforts they are saying, "this is important to our efforts". In honesty many leaders don't feel qualified to train leaders. In my early years of ministry there wasn't a lot of help out there. I finally realized that if I didn't train leaders it wouldn't get done. I have always held leadership classes as a foundational part of church planting. Then I moved to a "school of ministry" within the local church. Your disciples in these classes may never be elders, pastors or missionaries, but they will be enriched and more valuable in function in the local church or organization. How do you do it? What materials should you use? It's very possible that the best training materials for your group is not online but inside. Yes, you have the vision for your group and you can custom fit the training program from your own life experience. Just ask yourself the question, "if I were just stating out in ministry, what would I like to be taught?" Think about the big picture and start listing the areas of need in leadership. Get the topics and then work on each topic. Before long you will have your own syllabus from which to train. Now you can go to other resources to enrich your plan but seek to be an "innovator, not an imitator". As for the best advice on training leaders; just get at it. And as with anything, put it on your calendar or you will never do it! Remember, the greatest need around you is leadership development.

2011-04-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

Revolutionary Ministry Pattern

Below is a letter I wrote to a pastor and his leadership team. This particular pastor serves in the ministry gift of an apostle as listed in Ephesians 4:11. However, he also serves as the Senior Pastor of his local church. I hope you will give this blog some thought and I encourage you, as a leader, to take it to your leadership team for discussion and consideration. While it relates particularly to one who functions in this dual role of apostle/pastor, much can be learned from the Biblical concepts outlined here.

"Dear _______________,

I greatly enjoyed our time yesterday afternoon.

After our meeting I thought it best to try to condense what I was saying to you and write it so that you might give it some thought and prayer and share it with your elders/ leadership team for discussion.

I believe it is now time for you to work to delegate more of the daily pastoral care. As one who understands what it takes to be the Senior Pastor of a growing local church while operating in the Apostolic ministry, I know the cost and rewards of such labor. While delegation of more of these ministries will release you more, the primary thing accomplished is an activation of the Body there. I believe the following things are goals all churches should seek to achieve:

1. Activation of the people into ministry
2. Decentralization of the “home office”. Tradition has trained people that the church staff does the work of the ministry while the Scripture tells us that the 5 fold ministry is called to equip the people of the church to do the work of the ministry. That means there has to be a “weaning” of the congregation off a heavy dependency upon the role of the Senior Pastor.
3. Training and releasing of leadership to help in the daily care of the flock. There should be tiers of leaders or a chain of command, so to speak.

I would suggest that the structure of the church be evaluated by your elders/leadership team for future direction and vision fulfillment. I would seek to have each elder overseeing a different aspect of ministry of the church. For example, Acts 1:8 tells us that there is a pattern to ministry. That ministry release of the church is an outward moving expansion. Jesus said the ministry of the church would be to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the Uttermost parts of the earth. I see that Jerusalem is the ministry of the local church including, pastoral care, small groups, etc. Judea might be such things as outreach into the city and region. Samaria is to me the apostolic ministry within our sphere and the uttermost parts is obviously world missions. All these areas should be broken down and overseen by a different elder or staff pastor. Your job as Apostle would be to oversee the big picture and pastor all those who are overseeing areas of ministry. Then, you would be released to operate in your apostolic ministry (Samaria)without the local church being hindered. As a matter of fact, moving to this kind of pattern strengthens the local church as it grows and functions as the Lord intends. (Ephesians 4:12 (GW)
12 Their purpose is to prepare God's people, to serve, and to build up the body of Christ.)

When Moses’ father in law Jethro, confronted him about his ministry style, it was a rebuke. He told him that his counseling all day was wearing him out as well as the people. The solution was to choose 70 who would do the daily ministry to the people while Moses would be left to deal with the heavier issues of the people as well as other ministry needs. This requires training of those who are qualified to fill these areas of ministry to the people, those with the heart of a pastor. There are many pastors in a congregation sitting among the people. They just need training, releasing and overseeing. You will still be available to meet with those who really need your ministry but you will deal with the more serious situations of their lives. As you train your leaders and the congregation to move in this direction you will release an army rather than keeping an eternal nursery.

As a Kingdom move, this will also give you more time to “think, plan and pray” as I told you yesterday. It is very possible to live your life and ministry as a fireman who rushes to fire after fire. While someone needs to respond to fires, if the fires aren’t shared by leadership, the fires will keep you busy and hinder you from vision implementation and creativity. Creativity is critical to any organization. The senior leader must be free to think and plan. I believe you will rise to a new level of leadership and fruitfulness as the ministry is shared not to mention a new level of maturity for the church.

I know that you know these things that I am writing but they are revolutionary in most churches today. To achieve the reality of Ephesians 4 will require a new educating of your people and your leaders as well as a new disciplining of yourself. It does work, as I have pressed through what I am telling you myself and experienced the joy of seeing the church function in a healthy way and enjoyed the new creativity of the Spirit.

With much love and appreciation!

L. A.

2011-04-08T14:27:00.000-07:00

Hypocrisy: The Religious Corpse Among Us When a Nation that has been predominantly Christian begins to proclaim faith and service but practices sin and self gratification, it is in danger of losing the preserving divine power that has sustained it. Our society today, from the State House to the Church House is filled with practical hypocrisy. Our high court speaks loftily of the rights of a mother while remaining silent on the rights of the unborn. Our States initiate and administrate gambling in an effort to help the poor get an education while most of the profits comes from the pockets of the poorest among us. Then those same states put up large billboards telling us to gamble responsibly! Giganic tobacco companies tell us that they have now discovered that tobacco is bad for us! Yet, they flood the markets of third world countries tageting a new youthful market. As beleivers it would do us well to do a word study of the word "hypocrite" in the New Testament. You will find that Jesus spoke often on this topic. As you do you will find that his comments were never favorable. As a matter of fact you begin to see a common thread in his discourses about hypocrisy. The one thing that stands out to me is that hypocrisy produces its own reward. Over and over Jesus says, "you have received your reward". This concerns me greatly because if we produce our own reward, we are removing the supernatural intervention from among us. We often think of God punishing us but the worst of punishment would be a withdrawal of his activity among us and leave us to our own devices. Nothing could be more frightening. What can we do? Deal with hypocrisy in our own hearts and lives. Make no provision for it and renounce it when it appears. Luke 12:1-3 (NKJV) 1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

2011-04-01T14:31:00.000-07:00

When we lose the fear of God Leviticus 10:1 (NKJV) 1 Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. Nadab and Abihu made a number of mistakes leading to their death. Here is what Matthew Henrys says: "Next to Moses and Aaron, none were more likely to be honourable in Israel than Nadab and Abihu. There is reason to think that they were puffed up with pride, and that they were heated with wine. While the people were prostrate before the Lord, adoring his presence and glory, they rushed into the tabernacle to burn incense, though not at the appointed time; both together, instead of one alone, and with fire not taken from the altar. If it had been done through ignorance, they would had been allowed to bring a sin-offering. But the soul that doeth presumptuously, and in contempt of God's majesty and justice, that soul shall be cut off. The wages of sin is death. They died in the very act of their sin. The sin and punishment of these priests showed the imperfection of that priesthood from the very beginning, and that it could not shelter any from the fire of God's wrath, otherwise than as it was typical of Christ's priesthood." Presumption is a most dangerous sin. It usually comes as a result of familiarity. Jesus could do no mighty works in his own home town because of it. The wicked sons of Eli had their lives end in destruction because of such a familiarity with the things of God that they sinned in the house of God. Familiarity does breed contempt. It is our responsibility to walk in the fear of God. While we are "no longer servants but friends" of God, that doesn't mean He is our Buddy. A part of the sin of Ananias and Sapphira was partly caused by familiarity. They lied to Peter and the "Holy Ghost" and died. People seem to forget that this incident occurred on this side of the Cross. This happened in the time of grace. This kind of sin of presumption could lead someone to prophesy out of their soul rather than by the Spirit of God. It could cause a leader to try to "make something happen" in a service. I heard one man say, "I would rather have a little wild fire than no fire at all"! Wild fire is a false anointing and says that God is doing something when He is not. That kind of presumption and familiarity will always bring death in one form or another. I was in a service once when the man leading the meeting called me down and pushed me down in front of the people, twice! I was taken off guard and being embarrassed, didn't know what to do. As I drove home that night the Lord spoke to me and said, "don't ever do that again. You just endorsed before the people a ministry that I have not endorsed." May God grant us the fear of God.

Correction

2011-03-31T15:07:00.000-07:00

I wrote the following blog back on March 18 and have been asked to give some clarity to several comments. I am first of all happy that folks are reading the blog and secondly, I am happy that there is loving accountability in place. I have written my changes and or explanations in red in the text below. Order and Anarchy In civil society there is a rule of law, those guiding the interpretation of the law and those who enforce that law. It is very clear and concise. Those who break the law are stopped, judged according to the law and penalized for being lawbreakers. In the Christian world it gets much more complicated.(It shouldn't be more complicated but it sometimes is because we don't have the same level of natural authority to bring about enforcement. However, we do have the responsibility to deal with issues in a Biblical manner, trusting the Lord to bring about a resolution.) Even in Jesus' day there was not a little confusion over his so called crimes because civil authorities said that he had done nothing against their law. It was the religious world that prosecuted him and put him to death. Today, there are many things that are governed in our Christian circles, not by the world, because the world says no violation of the law has occurred, but by the Church. There is then, a rule of law within the Church(the Scripture), those who interpret that law but should we have those who enforce the law?(Probably the word "enforce" makes this unclear. Certainly, an offender should be challenged and dealt with Biblically. It is the responsibility of the elders to take such action.) Again, another struggle with which we often deal. We are told by the Apostle Paul in Scripture that we should choose elders in every church. Those elders are the governing fathers in each local assembly. These fathers, like the fathers in a home must set the parameters for the house or else rather than order, chaos will result. These elders have to begin with the Scripture and look at every situation within the light of this Truth. If a person is found in violation of God's order of things, the offender will hopefully hear the restorative, correcting words of his elders. But what if he won't? What if he chooses to go his own way and take others with him? What is the church to do then? (My point here and below is that if he chooses to go and take others then there is little we can do to stop him or them. However, I did not mean that we say or do nothing. On the contrary, he should be confronted and it should be clear that the elders are not in agreement with his decision and direction. That is why I say below:"The one rejecting the counsel of the plurality of elders is setting himself up as right and all others are wrong.") Unfortunately, I have had to deal with this dilemma many times and at great price. It is a dangerous time. The one rejecting the counsel of the plurality of elders is setting himself up as right and all others are wrong. Then he usually recruits others to his point of view, his perspective of his unjust treatment and points them toward his vision for a better world or church. I have come to the place where I no longer am willing to try to "stop them". (Of course the local church has the responsibility according to the Bible to follow the guidelines written there. )(Here again I was not clear. My comments mean that we are limited in what we can do and should do and beyond that a person will reap what they have sown") All I can do is to speak truth to them as best I know it at the moment. Then, if they choose a different way, I move on to another task. I have done my part. But, what about the offender? How will he be corrected so that others may see his error and people see that there is a penalty for breaking the law? He is now placed under a different order of things. He now falls under the powerful truth of "sowing and reaping". What about the poor people who follow him? Of course there are innocent people who may follow such a person and they are the true victims of lawlessness. (Clearly a statement needs to be made from the elders regarding the breech in covenant that has occurred so that people will know clearly the situation and hopefully will not follow him.) However, often the spirit of the offender bears witness with the spirit of lawlessness in his potential followers, thus an unholy alliance is formed.(I strongly believe this and have seen it many times.) In the beginning it usually looks like the group is getting away with it because no one is calling them to account. However, history proves that in time, the very laws that have been broken, the standard protocols of integrity, covenant and accountability that have been discarded serve as the judge, jury and the one passing sentence. Do I find pleasure in this fact? I am heartbroken every time it occurs. However, I no longer feel that I must be the defender of the order of the Lord.(By this I meant that after the elders have taken proper Biblical action, I feel no need to be a "policeman" for the Lord. I will do my part in speaking truth and leave it to the Lord without living in bitterness and unrest over the issue.) The Lord God Himself has already set that process in place. Don't allow yourself to take on false responsibility for that which the Lord will handle in His time. I hope this clears up any confusion. I welcome the opportunity to answer any questions you might have. Please email me at:lajoiner7@gmail.com

The Things We Have Learned

2011-03-25T12:34:00.000-07:00

Today I am going to reprint a blog I wrote back in 2008 when I stepped aside from serving as Senior Pastor of New Covenant Church of Valdosta, Georgia. We had founded the church in 1980 and this is a list of principles that we learned on that journey. I hope something of value will come to you as you read this again.

“The Things We Have Learned”(excerpts)

I. We have learned: A new paradigm - There has been a lot said these last few years about new paradigms. A “paradigm” is defined as, “an example serving as a model; pattern.” We experienced the Lord molding us into a new paradigm, a new model over 28 years ago. Our new paradigm would primarily be one of ending the concept of simply “having church” and seeking to begin to “be the church”. We wanted “practical Christianity”. If it didn’t “work” in a practical way, it wasn’t any good.
We have always sought to be courageous in embracing new ideas. We want to be “innovators and not imitators”. We have always disliked and sought to avoid “fads”.

II. We have learned the necessity of The Centrality of the Scripture - The Lord led us to make sure we held the Scripture high as our guide and as our plumb line. Experience is a wonderful part of our walk with the Lord, but the Bible must be our final authority.

III. We have leaned the necessity of the Spirit Filled Life – From day one our cry has been the words of the Prophet Zechariah when he said, “'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.

IV. We have learned that the ministry of Jesus in one of a “hospital to the hurting”. - We have sought to heal men and women one at a time, lead them to a place of wholeness to the point where they could become a part of the hospital healing team to help and heal others.
People are precious to Jesus and they must be precious to us. People must never be a commodity to help arrogant, self serving men fulfill their ministry vision.

V. We have learned to Embrace Diversity. - God sends special gifts to us with which we assist him in building His Church. All kinds of people and all kinds of talents. The challenge comes in walking out community with diversity in practical ways. The key is flexibility!

VI. We have learned to keep the wineskin flexible. – The wineskin is structure. It speaks of government and methodology. Government has always been very important to NCC, yet, we have always sought to hear fresh words from the Lord and have been willing to change or even admit mistakes and start over in areas when needed.

VI. We have learned to move slowly and especially in recognizing new leadership.
We have learned to try to raise up slowly members of our own family that have paid the price to go through our own “feeder system”. Then, we train and practice “slow release”. Our slower pace has proven to be frustrating for some but for the church as a whole, it has been a very healthy thing.

VII. We have learned the principle of Body Life and Ministry
Real relationship formation among our people is critical. Nowhere is that seen and practiced more fully than in our Home Churches(small groups). This is where people can be trained, ministered to and healed, and all within the atmosphere of family.

VIII. We have learned the importance of Body Ownership - People must feel it’s their church, their ministry. We have tried to make this happen by the “decentralization of the home office”. We have operated as “traffic directors” seeking to turn ministry back to our people rather than having people send the ministry to the church office. Ex. “The Priesthood of the Believer”.

IX. We have learned the concept of the Open Church with loving government. - All families need fathers. Our government seeks to give loving, fatherly oversight. Our leadership wants you to be able to live and minister in an atmosphere of freedom and liberty but still operating within the safety of oversight.

X. We have learned the healthy aspect of “Staying Clear” – Nothing will rob you of present day joy and sabotage your future more than a lack of forgiveness. We seek to practice forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration.

XI. We have learned to be liberal givers.

2011-03-18T10:10:00.000-07:00

Order and Anarchy

In civil society there is a rule of law, those guiding the interpretation of the law and those who enforce that law. It is very clear and concise. Those who break the law are stopped, judged according to the law and penalized for being lawbreakers.

In the Christian world it gets much more complicated. Even in Jesus' day there was not a little confusion over his so called crimes because civil authorities said that he had done nothing against their law. It was the religious world that prosecuted him and put him to death. Today, there are many things that are governed in our Christian circles, not by the world, because the world says no violation of the law has occurred, but by the Church. There is then, a rule of law within the Church(the Scripture), those who interpret that law but should we have those who enforce the law? Again, another struggle with which we often deal.

We are told by the Apostle Paul in Scripture that we should choose elders in every church. Those elders are the governing fathers in each local assembly. These fathers, like the fathers in a home must set the parameters for the house or else rather than order, chaos will result. These elders have to begin with the Scripture and look at every situation within the light of this Truth. If a person is found in violation of God's order of things, the offender will hopefully hear the restorative, correcting words of his elders. But what if he won't? What if he chooses to go his own way and take others with him? What is the church to do then? Unfortunately, I have had to deal with this dilemma many times and at great price. It is a dangerous time. The one rejecting the counsel of the plurality of elders is setting himself up as right and all others are wrong. Then he usually recruits others to his point of view, his perspective of his unjust treatment and points them toward his vision for a better world or church.

I have come to the place where I no longer am willing to try to "stop them". (Of course the local church has the responsibility according to the Bible to follow the guidelines written there. ) All I can do is to speak truth to them as best I know it at the moment. Then, if they choose a different way, I move on to another task. I have done my part. But, what about the offender? How will he be corrected so that others may see his error and people see that there is a penalty for breaking the law? He is now placed under a different order of things. He now falls under the powerful truth of "sowing and reaping". What about the poor people who follow him? Of course there are innocent people who may follow such a person and they are the true victims of lawlessness. However, often the spirit of the offender bears witness with the spirit of lawlessness in his potential followers, thus an unholy alliance is formed. In the beginning it usually looks like the group is getting away with it because no one is calling them to account. However, history proves that in time, the very laws that have been broken, the standard protocols of integrity, covenant and accountability that have been discarded serve as the judge, jury and the one passing sentence. Do I find pleasure in this fact? I am heartbroken every time it occurs. However, I no longer feel that I must be the defender of the order of the Lord. The Lord God Himself has already set that process in place. Don't allow yourself to take on false responsibility for that which the Lord will handle in His time.

2011-03-11T07:05:00.000-08:00

Reacting or Responding

A person who cornered me was excitedly sharing their passion for their vision of what the church is supposed to be. They were attacking the status quo, boldly proclaiming how no church is training their members and getting them involved in ministry. No minister was doing what they were doing. Then the final blow came when they looked me in the eye and said, "I could never do what I am doing if I were a preacher"! They finally took a breath and looked at me for some reaction. My only thought was, "if I just keep quiet maybe they will finish an leave"!

After they left I had the afternoon for one of those rare times of working around the house catching up on "stuff" that had to be done. I seem to do my best thinking during those times. I went through the normal thought processes you might expect. I thought, the person talking to me really must not know me. Oh, we have been acquaintances for over 20 years and they have heard me preach many times but they couldn't know me and say those things. Yet, most probably they were never listening all those years. You see, I have preached, taught, trained, discipled, activated and overseen believers in ministry in daily life for nearly 40 years. It has been my ministry focus to "decentralize the church and activate the people"! Now, I have to listen as a new generation sees me as the status quo and screams for revolution. Life is short and there really is "nothing new under the sun"!

Whew, that felt good! Thanks for listening. Anyway, in moments like this one we have a choice, react or respond. Reaction tends to come as a knee jerk to words or circumstances. (Like the paragraph above.:) It is usually shallow and seldom motivated by only the present situation. Usually, it is an explosion of a lot of garbage accumulated over a long period of time. It is also usually ugly and is almost never Godly. Most of the time it is motivated by self protection, self serving and self exaltation.

After this incident, I spent the afternoon with this singular thought title: "The Ugliness of Me!" When I am dominated and driven by "ME" and hungry to make sure people hear me and follow my way, I am so ugly and unappealing. (To everyone but me!) Then I thought of another thought title: "The Beauty of Him". It brought me to one final thought but it wasn't original. It was 2,000 years old. It was the words of John the Baptist when he said, "I must decrease and He must increase".

2011-03-04T12:44:00.000-08:00

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

I'm not sure who first used this phrase but there is a lot of truth in it. I don't mean to imply that we should resort to desperate measures in the sense of doing anything that is wrong but we certainly need to be willing to move outside the box in desperate times. In difficult times we can't simply sit and hope things will get better. We must act courageously and with purpose. Indecision in a time of crisis may cost you everything. Indecision can only be one of three things:
1. a time of gathering information in order to make a decision at the right time,(a good thing) 2. a lack of leadership or 3. fear.

Taking time to gather information in order to make the right decision is a part of wise leadership. God honors this type of delay because it is still an action of faith. It keeps God involved in your situation because faith is still being directed toward him.

Indecision because of a lack of leadership exposes a lot of things. It might reveal weaknesses in character, a weak area in leadership ability or an outright revelation of the absence of the leadership gift. Years ago in the business world another phrase was coined. "Lead, follow or get out of the way"! I really like that one!

Now we come to fear. Fear is designed to immobilize. In the Bible we are told that before the Army of God would go into battle the troops would be gathered. Men were told that if anyone was fearful to go home. Amazing! Why? Because a person of fear would transfer their fear into others. They had to be gotten out of the ranks of those that just might rise up and be heroic in a time of crisis. You see crisis not only exposes weaknesses, it also reveals strength. It shines the spotlight on unlikely heroes.

Maybe today as you read this you are pondering a decision. Take time to gather all the data you can in order to make a wise and Godly decision. However, when it's time, act! You also need to know that gathering information does not mean that you will get all the information before you act. Much of that will come "as you go". That is the faith part of the process. The "steps of good men are ordered of the Lord", not a five year plan, necessarily. Who knows, as you act you just might find that the hero is within you!

2011-02-07T11:57:00.000-08:00

Renewing Old Habits

Not all habits are bad! We call our Christian practices the disciplines of the faith. A part of discipleship is learning new habits such as reading the Bible, prayer and regularly assembling with the church. The era in the church when Teresa and I were young disciples was during the peak of the Charismatic Movement. There were some things in that season that were not sound theologically. Yet, most of what came during that time was revolutionary for us. We learned of a new fresh worship. We heard a fresh message on the home that saved our marriage. We learned about the church and the function of the church and found out that every member of the church is a priest unto God. We were ruined to ever just "having church" again. We were the church!

Another emphasis that was taught during that time was the positive confession. It basically said that we could change our atmosphere by what came out of our mouth. Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV) says,21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue... "
I had grown up in a pretty negative mentality that came out of our mouths. If that was true then, no wonder we had so many troubles. Was it possible that we could actually be setting into motion negative circumstances through negative words? As we studied the principles we started finding more and more Scriptures that seemed to confirm this teaching.

Teresa and I entered an agreement that we would not speak negative words and we gave each other the freedom to correct our speech. I could barely talk for a couple of weeks and then we entered into a new world of the positive. We could see a difference that confessing only positive things according to Scripture was producing in our lives. We weren't just confessing a kind of verbal "positive thinking" doctrine, although positive thinking is a powerful practice. The Bible tells us to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Philippians tells us how to think positively. Obviously then, there is a connection between thinking and speaking. As we brought our thought life and tongues into a more positive discipline, our circumstances started improving. Then, preachers started making fun of the positive confession message. It affected me and I think subconsciously I drifted back into the old negative ways.

Recently, I have been thinking about this again. We have everything to gain and nothing to lose by thinking and speaking positively and saying about ourselves and our futures what the Bible says. Let's renew an effort to get our thinking and speaking in line with the Scripture and watch our atmosphere and the atmosphere of those around us change!

2011-01-29T13:38:00.000-08:00

Reversing Discouragement

In John Wesley's sermon, "Satan's Devices", he said that Satan has three main tools that he uses to attack a Christian:
1. Dampen our joy
2. Attack our peace
3. Targets us especially in times of sickness or pain.

Courage is defined as, "mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty." Therefore we can learn a lot about discouragement by reversing this definition. It would prevent us from doing courageous things.

Some causes of discouragement would be:

Loss - We are living in days of great loss on many fronts. There is no wonder that we see a lot of people struggling with discouragement.
Mental and physical weariness- We are a triune being and all areas, spirit, mind and body need to be rested and healthy to resist discouragement.
Loneliness- Nothing has greater potential for bringing discouragement than feeling alone or isolated.
Self inflicted discouragement - Discouragement is also caused by our own sin, disobedience and separation from God.

Maybe you related to one or more of the causes of discouragement. How do we deal with it effectively?
The Presence of God - Nothing can cause discouragement to evaporate quicker than the presence of God. 1 Samuel 30:6 (NKJV)
6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
The People of God- Don't walk alone. Walking alone is usually a personal decision and a bad one. We need to surround ourselves with positive, faith filled people who believe in a God of miracles.
The Truth of God's Word- This involves making God's word a priority in life.
Prayer and Worship- As we saw earlier, "David strengthened himself in the Lord his God". How? He maintained a personal relationship with God in worship.
Rediscovering the purpose of God- Dig around your spiritual foundation and rediscover earlier springs of joy in your life.

2011-01-22T13:06:00.000-08:00

Real Discipleship

Matthew 4:19 (NKJV) 19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."

The day that we realize that we are no longer in an ongoing change into a more perfect image of the Lord Jesus is the day that we have stopped following him. I know that sounds hard but based on the words of Jesus that is exactly the case.

A disciple of Jesus is one who is learning from him and continually changing for better. One of the great challenges of discipleship is remaining a real disciple. Most folks won’t know the difference. They see that we are still going to church or maybe even filling some role in Christian ministry. No one may know but Jesus. Actually, we may not even know ourselves. I have heard stories of victims of crimes or soldiers in combat who were shot but didn’t know it. They felt no pain and didn’t see anything that would make them think they were wounded. They only learned of their deteriorating condition when they became so weak that they could no longer carry on.
So it is as a disciple. It is very possible to be “leaking” and deteriorating and not know it. A person may still be functioning quite well until there is a collapse. The collapse might be spiritual, emotional or moral but the outcome is the same. Everyone around is stunned!

Today is a good day to pause, take a deep breath and see where you stand with your journey with Jesus. You started well enough. Maybe people even said they have never seen anyone change as fast as you did. That is wonderful and a true indication that you encountered Jesus and made him Lord. However, unlike the initiation of a club, serving Jesus is ongoing and increasing. When Jesus said, “follow me and I will make you”, it wasn’t a seasonal thing. It is forever.

2011-01-15T10:58:00.000-08:00

Success for 2011

Part 2 - Obedience

Romans 6:16 (NKJV)
16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

Of course we all who find ourselves in service to the Lord, know that obedience is critical. Yet, it is a common mistake to become so familiar with the Lord that we begin to deceive ourselves into thinking we are walking in obedience when we are not. Abraham, when confronted with the command of the Lord to offer his son as a sacrifice, not only was willing, he did his part to move in obedience to the mandate. Obedience is where faith meets reality. Faith is heavenly while obedience can seem very earthy and natural. Faith is the thing that springs up in our hearts in the sunshine of His presence and obedience is our action when all around may be quiet and dark. However, only obedience in the shadows can bring the celebration of Victory. This is important to understand if we are to live the life of success in God. Obedience rarely feels good when it is being carried out. The shallow Christian who has come to believe that everything in the Walk is a happy stroll in the Spring will not see ongoing success in the Kingdom of God.

Obedience to the Lord is the true evidence of our faith. One of the most difficult things about obedience is that the thing we are supposed to do obediently is often brought into question in our mind. We must evaluate it in our spirit, test it by Scripture, purify it in prayer and then ACT. We are never quite sure when we act if it will work but if our heart is truly to please and obey God...Mission Accomplished! Remember, no man can validate a command of the Lord to you. It is a personal thing between you and Him. Every time you hear and obey there is a victory celebration in heaven.

2011-01-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

Success for 2011

Part 1 -The Favor of God

There are a number of things that are necessary to walk in the blessings of God and therefore see His success. However, to see the success of God we must walk in the principles of God. Too many people believe that learning methods of success is the same as walking in the principles of God. It is not! A heart of integrity must be formed in the heart of a leader and then that leader lives and leads out of that cultivated heart. He will be the same in his private life as his professional life. He will make the same decisions regardless of his popularity and in time these principles will lead him from the shadows of doubt to the light of success. In this series we will deal each week with a different critical element to the success of God or I should say, "success IN God."

Today, we place our focus on the favor of God. The favor of God is that element that is hard to describe and very difficult to understand. Why do some seem to have some favor and others seem to be bathed in it? When the Virgin Mary was confronted by the angel with the news of Jesus, one of the things she was left to ponder was why me? Why am I chosen to this wonderful assignment of bringing forth the Messiah. The angel simply said, "you have found favor with God". Regardless of how it comes, when it comes, success follows. Then of Jesus the Scripture says, "He increased in favor with God and man". To see true Kingdom success in this life, we must have both. We must have favor with God and man. The favor of God comes upon us, it appears to me, not so much because of our religious activity as the secret attitudes of our heart. Man looks on the outward appearance and God looks on the heart. Then that favor of God brings us favor with man. I am not talking about a worldly compromising favor with man. There is a favor that God brings that extends to men.

Religion in it's negative sense causes men to run away while a genuine favor of God upon a man our woman is an attractive thing to those around them. Crowds wanted to be with Jesus because of what he could do for them but there was also this mystical something that caused them to draw near to him. It was the favor of God upon his life.

2011-01-01T17:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Joshua 1:6-9 (NKJV)
6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

2010-12-25T16:52:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

Luke 2:1-7 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

What a freedom it is to know that Jesus is who he is without any embellishment from us. Christ in us is the Hope of Glory to a lost world. We can be certain today that just as Jesus was the Messiah wrapped in rags in a humble manger, he is Messiah in our weakness as well. Have a wonderful HOLY-day!

2010-12-20T16:22:00.000-08:00

God Keeps Good Records

Psalms 37:1-5 (NKJV)
1 A Psalm of David. Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.

Here and in other places the Scripture promises that faithfulness and endurance brings the blessings of God. There are times when there is a great temptation to look at the wicked and wonder, "why are they so blessed and I seem to struggle?" Later in this chapter King David writes,Psalms 37:25 (NKJV)
25 I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. God will never forsake the righteous. Yet, some falter during the waiting period and never see the fulfillment of the promises of God. I don't consider myself old yet, but I have served God long enough to see that while I was questioning at times, God was always keeping good records. I am so grateful that he strengthened me to never stop following him or pursuing his call upon my life. Even during times when he required great sacrifice I now see that it was not a sacrifice at all but an investment in the Kingdom of God.

Take heart today and get back in the game. Reinvest your heart into the things of God. Don't stop giving your best to God. He is seeing your sacrifice as an investment and you will see the return. Mark 10:29-31 (KJV)
29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

2010-12-11T15:55:00.000-08:00

God Shed His Grace On Thee

One day this week, the week of the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, as I opened my eyes from a night of sleep, these were my first thoughts. My very first conscious thoughts were, "God shed his grace on thee". I began to sing the complete song to myself and I meditated on it's meaning. Then I felt I heard, "as a Nation, we are only able to enjoy the blessings we have enjoyed because of His grace that has been shed upon us." What if we were to lose that grace? What if our rejection or neglect of God caused him to weaken the grace upon us as a nation? There are not guarantees that things will go on forever as we have enjoyed them in the past.

When we were bombed into World War II we were ill prepared as a Nation for that great conflict. There was no way in the natural that we could win such a war. There is no question that it was the grace of God that enabled us to endure and win. As a matter of fact, after the war the U.S. sky rocketed into prominence and success like the world had never seen before.

One thing really troubles me now. The absence of the knowledge our history. Both from a spiritual historical perspective as well as a National perspective. Why is that important? Without an appreciation and a remembrance the value of the progress of history is lost. I was at a conference and a speaker used a World War II hero to make a point. After the meeting I heard a young leader say, "who in the world was he talking about and how is that relevant to me?" What ignorance! What arrogance! A healthy knowledge of our past determines in many ways our future. Certainly our past shouldn't limit our future but it certainly does define it in many ways.

This also applies to the church. An ignorance of church history destines us to make the same mistakes over and over. The thing that is worse than ignorance though is the arrogance that says, "church history is not relevant to me and the future". It is important that we all humble ourselves with the understanding that we all are standing on the shoulders of those who labored before us.

Here's another quote for you: "Do this in remembrance of me".

2010-11-25T11:25:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Psalms 105:1-7 (KJV)
1 O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
4 Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
7 He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth.

Teresa and I are enjoying Thanksgiving this year in Hollywood Beach, Fl. (Miami)with our daughter Tarah, her husband Scott and our little Lucia. We enjoyed a feast with all the trimmings. Scott prayed our Thanksgiving prayer and as we were eating we all shared some things for which we are thankful. We were all waxing pretty elequent when we got to Lucia now 2 years and 9 months. I asked her what she was thankful for and she paused, looked out the window and said, "the trees". Cool with me!

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and family.

Blessings!
L. A.

2010-11-12T14:57:00.000-08:00

Never Quit - Part 3

Once again, "I have never seen an active Christian lose who didn't quit!" You may ask, what about a person who has lost their home, a relationship or even has gone through moral failure. Is winning still in their future? Without question!

There are many enemies to this pursuit of never quitting. Pride is one. When pride is offended it usually wants to run, hide and quit. To remain steadfast takes eating a lot of crow. It is also a lonely place. Everyone runs to surround the winners circle but momentary defeat is a lonely place. I have seen men who followed my leadership look me in the eye and say, "I thought we would be further along by now". Before long they weren't around. Yet, in time I was able to see the breakthrough. They weren't there to enjoy it with me because they quit. Another thing you must develop is "thick skin". Men are fickle and we are all rejected at some time. Rejection can make you want to quit. Jesus was a man "rejected" Isaiah writes. Yet, it was the mission of the Father that kept him going. It wasn't the fear of man nor the accolades of man that drove him forward. He was free of man pleasing. No greater enemy can be found than the disappointment and discouragement that comes from a disappointed man pleasing spirit. Enjoy success when it comes, thank men for their compliments when they are given but quickly give the glory to Jesus and keep on track. Don't quit in success and don't quit in failure. Remember this, failure is not a destination, it is only a transitional spot on the map to winning! It is really a place of gathering more ammunition for the greater battle ahead.

If you are reading this and thinking, "winning hasn't been seen much in my life", please understand it is not over. You are in a very delicate and pivotal place right now. You have a critical, future altering decision to make...DON'T QUIT!

2010-11-05T14:38:00.000-07:00

Never Quit - Part 2

O.K., I can't resist, "quiters never win and winners never quit!" I know it's a cliche but you just can't say it much better than that. As I said in my last blog, I have never seen any Christian lose who didn't quit. Just think about these verses in this light:

Romans 8:37 (NKJV)
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

2 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV)
14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Chrit...

It is either true or it isn't. We are not supposed to ever be less than conquerors and never involved in anyting that doesn't have victory as it's closing chapter.

Again, the only thing that can stop us is not the devil, not circumstances and not another person. The only thing that can stop us from success is a decision on our part to quit! But how long must I wait? Ah, there is the great question. No one can answer and it is in the waiting that many people give up and lose the victory. Truthfully, it could be hours, months or ever decades. The timing of victory is only known in the heart of God. But this one thing is true, if you won't give up, you won't lose. The two verses above have two comments of absolute in them of which we need to lay hold. First is "in all these things", we are more than conquerors. and secondly, "always leads us in triumph in Christ". That translates to mean steadfastness in Christ is a combination that is impossible to defeat.

2010-10-28T13:22:00.000-07:00

Never Quit!

Active Christians cannot fail! I didn't say, Christians never fail. As a matter of fact being a Christian doesn't guarantee success. It is the active Christian that always wins in the long run. The word "active" means "engaged in action". Being a Christian, we all know, isn't about inertia. For this blog I will specify that I am talking about being active in your faith and pursuing a Godly vision in life.

It hit me recently with great impact that I have never seen a Christain lose who didn't quit! I ran back my mental calendar about 40 years and I couldn't remember a single Christian who ever lost or failed that didn't quit. I couldn't think of a single one! Now, I have seen many who became discouraged and had a season of battle as well as setbacks. But for the one who continued and never quit, they always came out a winner in the end. You may say, "well, that didn't work for me"! I would say with all due respect, "you had to have quit". You gave up. You threw in the towel. I have always loved to tell people, "hanging in there is about 90% of it!"I truly believe it. I have been beaten by all kinds of circumstances. I have seen failure of projects, the loss of reputation, personal disaster of all kinds and yet, something on the inside would never let me quit! Of course that "something on the inside" is "Someone"! Jesus is the Champion of never quitting. Aren't we all glad He didn't quit at the cross. He didn't quit in the grave. He didn't even quit when He returned to heaven. He hasn't quit to this day and He never will! A major part of "looking unto Jeuss" is following His example of "never quitting".

2010-10-08T14:46:00.001-07:00

Marriage Maintenance

Teresa and I have now enjoyed well over 42 years of marriage. I hear of people who have been married for a long time filing for divorce and I think, "what in the world?" How is that possible? One of the common comments you hear in those cases is, "we just grew apart". I am convinced that every marriage can be healed and every marriage, if neglected could fail. There are several things that happen here. First, people stop working on their marriage and begin to take it for granted. In almost all of life's activities you continue to strive to improve. In marriage people often think that it either is or it isn't. Like everything else, marriage must be maintained and there has to be this awareness and an effort at improving it or it will deteriorate.

Another reason marriages falter is because there is some truth to "growing apart". In actuality, we all have idiosyncrasies and from these come intolerance and especially as we grow older. A good marriage sees our differences as God's balance for safety and growth. If you aren't careful as you grow older you will see them as hindrances. This is a tragic mistake. As I said earlier the big killer is taking a relationship for granted. There has to be this awareness and a sensitivity to the condition of the relationship. Then there has to be this ongoing desire to not only fix potential problems but make the relationship better. I am convinced that unmaintained marriages can fall apart and fail no matter how many years you have been together. I heard T.D. Jakes say, "just because you have been together for 50 years doesn't mean you have been happy." Marriage is intended by God to be a place of joy, a shelter from the storms of life and an arena of victory. Marriage should be a place of agreement that the enemy of our souls cannot penetrate. Why don't we take time to stop and honestly evaluate our marriages. It can change and like everything else, it only works if you work it.

2010-09-29T11:20:00.000-07:00

Self examination or self bashing?

To examine yourself on a regular basis is important. Pride and self deception is always lurking in the shadows of pride and accomplishment. However, to linger too long and probe our past too much can turn from a healthy monitoring of our heart to a morbid kind of self bashing that leaves us depressed and immobilized and maybe even damaged more by the probing than by the original problem.

Sen. Mark Hatfield tells this story: James Garfield was a lay preacher and principal of his denominational college. They say he was ambidextrous and could simultaneously write Greek, with one hand and Latin with the other.
In l880, he was elected president of the United States, but after only six months in office, he was shot in the back with a revolver. He never lost consciousness. At the hospital, the doctor probed the wound with his little finger to seek the bullet. He couldn't find it, so he tried a silver-tipped probe. Still he couldn't locate the bullet.
They took Garfield back to Washington, D.C. Despite the summer heat, they tried to keep him comfortable. He was growing very weak. Teams of doctors tried to locate the bullet, probing the wound over and over. In desperation they asked Alexander Graham Bell, who was working on a little device called the telephone, to see if he could locate the metal inside the president's body. He came, he sought, and he too failed. The president hung on through July, through August, but in September he finally died-not from the wound, but from infection. The repeated probing, which the physicians thought would help the man, eventually, killed him. So it is with people who dwell too long on their sin and refuse to release it to God.

2010-09-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

Dealing With Pride: An Obstacle To Maturity
Part II

In our last blog we talked about the causes of pride. In this writing we will look at the cure.

Helps To Defeating Pride

1. A full surrender to the Lordship of Christ. Notice I didn't simply say, "accept Jesus as your savior". A ticket to heaven doesn't necessarily prepare you for victorious living here on earth. There has to be a decision of the heart that surrenders to Jesus as Lord. It is only through Lordship that character flaws are dealt with and the residue of sin is removed. Pride sets a predetermined plan in place that exalts and glorifies self. The Lordship of Jesus deals to destroy this plan. Lordship is a surrender to the Lord's plan and an abandonment of our plan.

2. Faith in the daily care and direction of God. Psalm 25:9 tells us, "The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.

3. Service. Jesus said in Matthew 20:26, "whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave;"

Serving others is a cure for pride. Every time you sense pride arising in your heart, go serve someone!

2010-09-15T13:11:00.000-07:00

Dealing With Pride - An Obstacle To Maturity
Part I - Causes of Pride

There is an interesting story in the life of Jesus that reveals the heart felt desire of a loving Mother. It is found in Matthew chapter 20. The mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons and asked Jesus if her two sons could sit on his right and left side when his Kingdom was revealed. While Mom here is sincere, she is sincerely wrong. When the other ten disciples heard all this, they were less than pleased.

Pride is such a blinding handicap. Pride makes us believe we are where we aren't and keeps us where we are rather than where we could be. Jesus asked the boys if they were able to drink of the drink he would be require to drink and they said, no problem! What ignorant arrogance!

Causes of pride:

1. Believing "what Mama said". Your Mama sees you differently than anyone else. I hate to tell you this but you can't count on what she says about you. Oh, she's not lying, she's just seeing it from her perspective, through her filter. You can't view yourself in the light of what others think of you. There's good and bad here. You have to build your view of yourself on what God's Word says about you. You won't be disappointed but God's word balances who you are with how you should handle who you are.

2. Past Accomplishments. What a deadly pattern. We cry out to God for help, he answers our prayers and then we sit back and think, "Boy, did I do a great job there".

3. Faith in personal knowledge and opinion. Herein lies a character flaw. It says, "my opinion is the only opinion."

4. Insecurity. Insecurity is one of the greatest causes of pride. It is an "anti-God" answer to insecurity and inferiority.

5. Beauty. Lucifer was cast from heaven because his beauty eventually turned to pride that made him think he was in competition with God.

6. The sinful nature. We are all born with this and pride is at the heart of the sinful nature.

Pride is the sickness and Jesus is the cure. True humility only comes from the inside as sin is seen, Jesus is embraced and a new creation is manifested in the power of the Holy Spirit.

2010-09-08T12:52:00.000-07:00

Accountability

It has become fashionable within the church to say we are accountable. It is one thing to "say" we are accountable and another thing to actually "be" accountable.

I have had more than my share of friends/spiritual sons who have failed morally in some form or fashion. All of which were quick to tell everyone just how accountable they were. In truth, they were accountable until it came time for their temptation at which time they disengaged from accountability. Accountability is designed to keep us from making the wrong choices when the hour of temptation comes. It is for the purpose of walking in a relationship of openness and clarity in the day to day life so that there is no secret life. Moral failure comes from a hidden life that is withheld from accountability. Like all life principles, accountability only works if you work it. It requires the one who says they want accountability to come forth and make it work with a spiritual father or mentor in all areas of life.

The basic definition of accountability is "being held accountable." Are you in a relationship of accountability? Are you being held accountable? If not, pursue this kind of functioning relationship today in all areas of life. You and those around you will be the better for it.

2010-08-03T08:17:00.000-07:00

Dealing with hidden prejudices

I am reading an old book titled, "Lincoln and His Generals". It is a fascinating book with great details of the Civil War battles and the decisions surrounding each one. I have always been a big Lincoln fan and deeply appreciate his belief that "right makes might". As I was reading I was doing well until I came upon the battle of Atlanta. As Sherman began his march to the sea and the order was given by Grant to break the back of the Confederacy by destroying the general populations will to support the war, something stirred in me. I pondered what I was feeling. It amazed me actually. How could something that happened 150 years ago irritate me? It was like an offence in my heart toward Sherman. Crazy, right? Today I am ministering in New Braunfels, Texas at World Indigenous Mission's International Conference. This morning I talked to native Texan and they told me about some Mexican people who just moved into their neighborhood. When the neighbor asked why they chose to move to Texas, the Mexican lady said, "this is our country and we are taking it back". Now before you rush into the immigration debate let's look at heart matters. The person telling me the story said it caused something to rise up in them that went all the way back to the Alamo.

My point in all this is that we might examine our hearts for issues that could hinder our usefulness as "ambassadors for Christ". While I am an American patriot and a native son of the great State of Georgia, I am first and foremost a child of God with a mission to bring the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people of all Nations. Are there things in our heart, deeply rooted things that could hinder our effectiveness? I can't answer that question for you. Ask the Holy Spirit to shine His light in and be courageous enough to deal with whatever is revealed.

2010-07-27T08:31:00.000-07:00

Motivation for Ministry

The year was 1972 and I had just settled in on the couch for the Dolphins game. It was Sunday afternoon and I was living in Dunedin, Florida. I had become a Miami fan and they were at their peak. It seems just as I had gotten comfortable with all the snacks on the coffee table that the doorbell rang. I blew a little as I got up to answer the bell and there in my doorway was a man in a suit wanting to invite me to church! Aaarrgh!!! I don’t remember what I said I just remember closing the door rather loudly. Yes, I was running from God and yes I needed someone to help me get back on track with the Lord. However, something about this whole thing really bugged me. I admit that it was a kind of confrontation that at least made me think of the Lord but that is about all I can say about it. The thing I remember thinking was, “this guy’s just out to get his newest Scout badge”! I didn’t like being a part of it.
We are always being told to “reach out, evangelize and minister to people.” Yet, there has to be more to it than that. Does timing, circumstances, or personal connection matter? I think they do. The poor guy that rang my doorbell was certainly trying to be obedient to the Great Commission but maybe the preacher that got him going, left out a point or two. For me it was that we had no personal connection. Yes, I know there are certainly times when we have those special moments when the Holy Spirit opens the door for a “woman at the well” experience. Those times are special indeed. However, on a day to day basis, we need to learn to be more open to the inner leading of the Holy Spirit to help us find the door to a person’s heart in order to bring the good news to them. Now a little more confession of sin: there was a time I had been sick for about a month. I had been overrun by hyperactive Christians who wanted to help me get well. Everyone had an answer. Then a Brother came who said he had “a word for me”. I literally got out of a sickbed to hear this guy. It was harsh, bitter and judgmental. I rose so weak I was shaking and said, “I’m going to ask you to leave my house now”. He seemed a little shocked and said, “Obviously, the bridge of our relationship wasn’t strong enough to hold the load I was trying to deliver to you”. While I still believe his “word” was coming from his own personal frustrations with me and not from the Lord, I learned a lot from his departing statement. Now that was a “word from the Lord”! He hadn’t established a relational connection with me that allowed me to receive such an intimate word of correction from him.
Let me now use a very worldly example to help us better function in the ministry to others. In solving a murder the police look for three important things that point to a person as a suspect. They are “means, motive and opportunity”. I think these three things can be helpful in making sure a person is ready for our ministry rather than just “ringing the doorbell” and seeing what flushes out! Let’s begin with “opportunity”. Be sensitive to the Lord in determining if this is really a moment of opportunity for this person. I had one of those situations recently with a waitress who was serving me. I’m there with my mind only on my meal when the Holy Spirit just opened up this woman to me. I could see her pain and the Lord told to tell her something. It stunned her but gave her hope. You could see the change in her eyes. This was one of those special times. After opportunity let’s look at “means”. We certainly have the means to help others if we have the Holy Spirit in us. We should all accept today that we DO have the “means” to make a difference in the life of another person. Our last check point is “motive”. Here is the heart of my article today. What is our motivation in wanting to help people? Is it condemnation from a church or pressure from others? Is it pride in wanting to put a new scalp on my belt? Am I trying to make God love me more? All these reasons are wrong and distorted. Believe it or not, the person you are trying to help can sense your motivation, whether pure or impure. The Scripture says that when Jesus “saw” the multitudes, he was moved with “compassion”. People can sense and even feel compassion because it is the heart of Jesus coming through you. Join me in asking the Lord for a fresh revival of “seeing” people as they really are in order to have true “compassion”, the only genuine motivation for ministry.

2010-07-20T07:26:00.000-07:00

"I take full responsibility for that!"

More and more you hear leaders making this statement. After some fiasco they have learned to go on TV and say, "I take full responsibility for this"! What does it mean? Apparently nothing! Historically, Japanese leaders who took full responsibility for a mistake on their watch either resigned immediately or fell on their sword. That is a picture of taking full responsibility for a problem for which they are truly responsible. In the movie Wall Street, a broker who made a mistake and cost the company money was told by his boss, "this is coming out of your check". That is taking full responsibility. With all the madness of the BP oil spill and with all their troubles and PR problems, at least they are putting out billions of dollars in an effort to take full responsibility.

As leaders, we need to truly take full responsibility for our actions. Certainly forgiveness is ours in Christ. However, forgiveness is not the end of the matter as leaders. We must either resign from our leadership post and allow someone else to maneuver the group or company to a safer harbor or we need to provide for reconciliation as well as restitution for all losses on our watch. Reconciliation will always cost us something. If reconciliation does not cost us personally, it is not true reconciliation.

Restoration comes to failure when the one who failed acknowledges their error, they repent and turn from the error, they make restitution for their failure and have a willingness to embrace their mistake as a building foundation for a new day of success.

2010-07-13T11:56:00.000-07:00

Called or Adventurer?

It is a great thing to have a zeal to follow God to the ends of the earth. It is equally as great to follow God in the mundane of the here and now. More people are called to the latter than the former. I remember when Chuck Hall, the President of World Indigenous Missions, left our church in Valdosta, Georgia for his first assignment as a missionary in Mexico. He was so thrilled to get on with his adventure in the Lord. He and his family did a fabulous job in Mexico. I vividly remember talking with him a number of years later as he was preparing to return to Mexico from intinerating in the U.S. He sat in my office and said, "years ago when I first left for the field I went on 90% zeal and 10% obedience. Today I go back on 90% obedience and 10% zeal." I suspect that it was at this point that the Lord received pure worship.

We live in a day where we are told that the average interest level can only be held for a short period of time. Because of this some are attracted to the adventure of traveling the globe in the name of Christ. This must be examined all along the way. "Why am I doing what I am doing"? Am I called to be doing this or am I addicted to adventure?" You might ask, "what is the harm in doing this? I am doing only good things." First, a person functioning in the place of the called who is not called, is a person taking the billet of the one who is called. They are actually stealing from the one who should be there. They are also hindering the discovery of their own destiny. There are those called to missionary service overseas and there are those called to the school house, the factory and the hospital. All are missionaries or sent ones for the sake of the Gospel. It is that calling that will empower them for the long haul. The person who goes "for a season", loses interest and comes home, is not a called one but an adventurer. The calling of the Lord is inescapable. The function and location may change but the call is without repentance. This is not intended as a rebuke but an awakening to honesty and faithfulness in day to day obedience.

2010-07-06T12:17:00.000-07:00

Anniversary Day!

Today Teresa and I have been married 42 years! When I reflect on it all I can't imagine a life without her. There was a time in my life when her life and daily presence was the conviction of the Lord. There came a day when her presence represented the forgiveness of the Lord. Now she represents the faithfulness and the unconditional love of the Lord. Living along side her has been a transformation into something better for me and hopefully for her as well.

I am a blessed and happy man!

2010-06-29T11:34:00.000-07:00

The gospel of disappointment

Maybe it's just me, but I find it very difficult to find Christian T.V. that is not centered on the subject of "Me"! It seems that when you hear this kind of message it would be very easy to believe that the center of the Gospel is really about me and my prosperity. Now days you can pay money and get everything from special anointed water to personal prophecies. If you pledge $1,ooo to certain ministries you will unlock the secrets to riches and fame. The goal of the Gospel seems to be my happiness.

I don't mean to be unsanctified but it's a crock! This kind of programming, I can't call it preaching so I'll just call it telemarketing, whether on the T.V or in the pulpit is a false gospel. It leads to disappointment and some might even mistake it for the voice of God. Don't get me wrong, the longer I walk with God the more I realize just how much He cares about every detail of my life. He more than anyone is for me and my well being. However, He is looking to the end result of all my endeavors. It has been stated many times but is still very true today: "God is more interested in the journey than the destination". He is more interested in my attitude and behavior during the wait than my attitude when the prize is achieved. Psa. 106:15 says, He gave them the desires of their heart but sent leanness into their souls". We must be very careful how we approach God. There are times when having the Lord give us "what we want" can be tragic.

Let's back away from the table of "our desires" and ask God for an appetite for his will.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psa. 51:10

2010-06-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

Moby Dick or Shamu?

When I think of Moby Dick vs. Shamu I think of the difference between the natural and the natural that has been altered by man. Moby Dick, in the fictional story by Herman Melville, tells of a wild, adventurous creature untamed by man. Shamu was the first Killer Whale to live over 13 months in captivity and lived a life limited to entertaining people from a tank. This life of Shamu and a Nation's love for the whale says a lot about our National pysche. We have, in many ways, become more interested in appearances than actual reality. While we may think Shamu lives a wonderful life, no one has ever asked the opinion of Shamu.

Now I turn to the church. The church is supposed to live a free, unhindered life of following the Lord. The church is to be a people dedicated to swimming in the waters of the freedom of redemption with a passion for bringing the lost and bound into a place of freedom that only Jesus can bring. The church of the New Testament had this Spirit-controlled primitive temperament and even a little wildness about it. It was unpredictable to man, although under the control of the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts displays an activated church going throughout society winning the lost and bringing them to a place of learning to swim the wonderful waters of the Kingdom of God. They never knew what would lie around the next corner. Today much of the Church looks more like Shamu than Moby Dick. It has been captured and has become satisfied with simply living in the tank and performing. It often seems unaware of the world outside. We were never intended to live in the bondage of programs and methods. As leaders our job is to train and equip our people to swim with the currents of the Holy Spirit and learn to relate to and win the lost. Once a person swims with whales in the wild, Sea World won't be very impressive.

2010-06-03T11:48:00.000-07:00

Tiffany Joiner Update:

Everywhere I travel the first question people usually ask is, "how is Tiffany"? I have tried not to overload you with reports but it has been awhile now and many are continuing to ask. I thought I would write an update as a blog entry this week.

First, some who may not know(I still find a few who aren't aware), my daughter Tiffany fell from her balcony at her apartment in Dubai in December of 2008. The fall shattered a vertebrae in her back, damaging her spinal cord and leaving her with a diagnosis of paraplegia. The official definition of paraplegia is "paralysis characterized by motor or sensory loss in the lower limbs and trunk." Although much healing has taken place, she is left with some paralysis from the waist down. Since then she has gone through several months of rehab in Dubai, California and most recently Spain. In December she developed an infection in the toes on one foot that became so serious that amputation was a possibility. That meant she had to stop all therapy and go to bed taking strong antibiotics for about 6 weeks. While the infection was treated successfully, the result was a loss of mobility that had been gained during the 6 weeks of bed rest. Not only did she lose mobility, her feet and toes became twisted. She was once again forced to return to the wheelchair.

She underwent surgery on both feet on May 19 in Miami to cut and extend the Achilles tendons on both feet to allow them to once again stand flat on the floor. They also performed a "flap" procedure on the right foot to force the foot to turn back inward to a forward facing direction. The toes on the right foot were also turning outward and pins were inserted to correct that as well. Today she returned to the surgeon. The bandages were removed, stitches removed and her right foot was put in a cast and her left in a hard boot. The cast will be on for 4 weeks after which therapy will resume. The situation has been difficult at every turn but now she faces having to start all over again with therapy in order to get back where she was a year ago.

Tiffany's attitude has been extraordinary! I am very proud of how she has handled this ordeal. As a matter of prayer, please continue to pray for great grace upon her life. Pray for healing to flow to the feet. Of course, we need a creative miracle for the spinal cord. Spinal cords don't heal or mend themselves as other parts of the body so that is why I say "a creative miracle".

All of you have been "family" to us in every way through this last year and a half. God has been so faithful to meet every need and beyond. Thank you. His grace is sufficient.

2010-05-28T13:10:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day, not to be forgotten!

Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.

There are a few notable exceptions. Since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day. More recently, beginning in 1998, on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye's Heights (the Luminaria Program). And in 2004, Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years.

In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

2010-05-20T07:44:00.000-07:00

A New Power for a New Hour
I have been ministering here in Saginaw, Michigan for 6 days now. It has been a very busy schedule but so refreshing. Not only has it been refreshing to leave the 90 degree temps of North Florida and South Georgia to get back into early Spring temps here, but the spiritual atmosphere has been invigorating.

Pastor Ken Cline has been the Senior Pastor of the church for about 2 years now and he has done a great job taking an older church and slowly moving it toward a new era of equipping for mission. Much training has been going on and my coming here was to speak/teach/preach at their weekend seminar called, "Equip 2010". I am embarrassed to say that after teaching for 3 hours on Saturday to leaders, I was caught off guard Sunday morning when a spiritual eruption occured. There has been a lot of change going on here the last year and not all has been fun for the church. Any time there is a transition there is reaction! They certainly haven't been exempt. However, they have taken the high road and remained on point in pursing the calling of the Lord upon them. Rather than becoming enbroiled in trying to defend themselves they have chosen rather to continue to train and focus on the future. The result has been a new influx of young adults who are hungry to know Jesus in a greater way and they want to be used by Him. That is precisely why we saw this outpouring of the Holy Spirit this past Sunday morning, Sunday evening and again in this midweek service on Wednesday. I can't stress this enough, this Pastor prepared the way and then opened the door for the Holy Spirit to come and do whatever He wanted to do. That takes a lot of courage. I applaud Pastor Ken.

I came to this conference with plans and outlines to teach, teach, teach. I did that for a number of hours. Then, when I was so positively affected beginning on Sunday morning by the spontaneous worship of the people, I heard the Lord say, "put up your outline and follow me"! "Yikes, where are we going"? Many were Baptized in the Holy Spirit just like in the book of Acts. Again on Wednesday night, many more experienced the same empowering. That opened the door for a number of older Christians to be drawn in to experience the same wonderful time in the presence of the Lord with many more being renewed and refreshed by His Presence! Then, without any coersion, little children were right in the middle of it all experiencing the Holy Spirit.

When I returned to my room I was basking in the overflow of these meetings and I realized that this was the icing on the cake of equipping. Yes, they needed to be trained but training is not the end of equipping. The Holy Spirit empowering was the most important of all. While I was there seeking to be used to help equip the saints for the work of the ministry, did the Holy Spirit do or say anything to me? Oh yes! He told me to bring a new Pentecost to a new generation. If we don't equip this new generation by exposing them to the truth of Pentecost we will be back where many of us started in the late 1960's and 70's with nice sweet churches without the Power of God to set the captives free. Then the Holy Spirit will raise up a new group who is not ashamed of the Full Gospel. It is time for A NEW POWER FOR A NEW HOUR!

2010-05-06T07:08:00.000-07:00

Exchanging the Known Past for the Unknown Future

Numbers 11:4-6 (NKJV)
4 Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: "Who will give us meat to eat?
5 We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic;
6 but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!"
The ongoing walk with the Lord is a never ending journey. The Bible is filled with descriptions of our relationship with God that speaks of a journey. His Word in Psalm 119: 105 says,
“ Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” In the book of acts it is called the Way. Understanding that living with and for God involves a moving, active, changing daily journey helps us to remain stable. A person who thinks that having a relationship with God is about a destination is apt to become disoriented. God is always on the move and always requiring his “followers” to move as well. As long as we live on this planet, there will be no final resting place in the physical sense. Once we accept that truth we are not confused when the Lord requires change in our lives even from things that we might consider good things.

Israel in these verses had been delivered from the bondage of Egypt and were now on the Exodus, the journey toward the Promised Land. They were living by the direct instruction of God Almighty. They were being fed by the hand of God in a supernatural way through Manna. They had cried out for generations for deliverance and now they are walking in that deliverance. Yet, there is pressure in the will of God just like there is pressure in bondage. Pressure, how we hate it. We confused deliverance from bondage and actually thought it meant moving into a Kingdom utopia. What we often miss is the purpose of the deliverance and the journey. The deliverance of the Lord is to break the power of the bondage over us but the journey from that point on is to empty us, cleans us from within, fill us and reshape us for life in this New Kingdom.
Israel didn’t understand the process. They hated this New Kingdom of deliverance and development so much that they were actually preferring the provision of past bondage. Be careful how you look upon your past. Looking back with lust for lost pleasures of bondage could cause you to miss a step with the Lord and you could lose your way. Make a decision to set your gaze on the future and never allow your mind to drift back to the sinful past with desire.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (NKJV)
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

2010-04-30T08:16:00.000-07:00

Mergers of Ministries: Things to consider

From time to time I am asked to give input to ministries considering a merger with another ministry. While I was a pastor of a three year old church that I started in 1980, we were a part of a coming together of two congregations. It was an exciting time and a scary time for a couple of years. Our end result was a plus and a gain for the Kingdom of God. A merger of churches or ministries can be a wonderful thing, and a sign to a community of unity in the Kingdom. However, it is a very delicate process and must be approached with much prayer , thought, dialogue and courage.

Pros:
1. The benefits of a larger congregation or ministry
A. More people to serve, improving ministries at all levels.
B. More finances available to expand more ministries
C. More competent leaders to help bring the people to a greater place of service.
D. Positive effects of increase “in the house and in the community”. Success breeds success.
2. The benefits of increasing the sphere of ministry overall.
3. The benefits of increased effects of a greater anointing created by unity. Psa. 133

Cons:
1. The challenge of bringing two congregations into one.
2. The potential of strife caused by a perspective that, “we have lost our closeness and/or idenity”.
3. The challenge of competition among leaders. Determined by how it is handled.
4. The fear of loss by some. (Loss of position, influence, etc)
5. The possibility of losing some who can’t make the shift.
6. The challenge of merging possible different government styles.
7. The challenge of doctrinal variations or interpretations.

Suggestions and Questions:
1. Spend much time in prayer
A. Senior Leaders first come to an agreement that this is the will of God.
B. Make sure you are in agreement doctrinally and philosophically.
C. Get leadership teams together for fellowship and prayer.
D. Senior leaders must be completely clear about lines of authority.
E. Don’t fear an open discussion among leaders regarding all aspects of the merger.
F. Go slow. Think through all aspects of the process. Try to see 3 years down the road.

2. What are you most excited about regarding the possible merger?

3. What concerns you most about the possible merger?

Hopefully, these suggestions from experience will help you as you navigate the waters of merging two congregations or even two businesses.

2010-04-28T12:03:00.000-07:00

Dealing with Distractions

Being an old golfer and one who loves the grand old game, I have learned that one of the most important aspects of the game is focus. It has been said that the game has to be won between your ears first before you can win on the course.

In any endeavor, one has to learn to block out everything that is in competition with the task at hand. I was thinking about the leadership of Toyota. While it is important that the company deal with their quality control issues, the primary leadership team must stay on point remembering that their job is planning and building arguably the best cars in the world. The President of the company has to address the problems and lead through this season but he better not lose his focus on his main goal.

Leaders must learn this valuable lesson. We all have to deal with crises on a daily basis. It's a part of the job. However, the quicker you can diagnose the problem, get a fix in place and get back to your primary responsibility, the better. As spiritual leaders, we must know that there are enemies that are bent on doing nothing more than distracting us. In the old days of the cold war and communist aggression it was difficult to understand the thinking behind the agenda of communism. What could they possibly gain by stirring up trouble all over the world. If they would see a dissatisfied sector in a society, they would make an appeal to help them overthrow their government or leadership. Then I got it. They believed that chaos in itself was a plan. If they could cause a distraction, the government in power would be forced to stop what they were doing and be forced to deal with the chaos. Then in the midst of the storm they might gain access and control. Control is what all enemies want to gain.

In the church world it is important for leadership to learn this lesson. Stay on point! I gave this example to a great young pastor recently. As a word of encouragement to him I said, "don't let the distractions on the sidelines keep your head out of the game and cause you to lose on the field". Being a lover of sports, he got it!

Let me encourage you to focus and stay on point with that which the Lord has called you to do.

2010-04-23T07:45:00.000-07:00

Intimacy or Intimidation

It is easy to see why newcomers to the Christian faith might have some struggles trying to understand the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament. The God of the Old Testament seems so harsh and demanding while the God of the New Testament seems so loving and forgiving. What’s the deal?

Regardless of how different they may appear, the God of the Old and New are the same God. The Old was a preparation for the New. God, from the beginning of time, wanted to live in intimate relationship with man. When man sinned, that sin was a barricade that kept sinful man from enjoying the presence of a perfectly Holy God. Jesus came and died in man’s place and removed the barricade between God and man. Now through the individual’s acceptance of Jesus, man can come with boldness right into the presence of Father God. It is to be a relationship. For all Christians, that relationship should be one of intimacy. Yet, all too many believers seem to live in a relationship of intimidation rather than intimacy.

The great problem here is that intimidation limits and causes the relationship to remain on a powerless plane. The Christian at this level never moves beyond that first level of introduction. Every time he encounters God, he is uncomfortable and gets little from the experience. On the other hand, a person who has an intimate relationship with the Lord is at peace in God’s presence. That connectivity of intimacy transfers spiritual power that leaves the believer on a higher level than before.

The church was built on a revelation that the Apostle Peter received through that connectivity of intimacy, “thou art the Christ”. Jesus said to him, “flesh and blood did not reveal that to you”. As Christians, we need to move beyond “flesh and blood” Christianity. We need to move beyond only keeping the rules and regulations and enter that place of intimacy with the Lord.

2010-04-16T07:35:00.000-07:00

Intellect and Spirit

Can a person who has a higher educational level have a deeper relationship with God? I have known people who had an earned doctorate and maintained a wonderful faith in God. I have also known adults with an eighth grade education that had deep spiritual knowledge of God and His ways. This is a very important subject because some would think that faith in God and higher education seem to conflict. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

It has been said that no human being has ever attained to the same intellectual capacity of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden prior to their fall into rebellion and sin. In that state before they chose to sin, these two perfect specimens of creation had a powerful relationship with God. It was after their fall from grace that everything around them deteriorated including their intellectual abilities. It is through faith in God that man can experience restoration in every area of life. That includes spirit, body and yes, the mind. As a matter of fact, the Scripture teaches that through the process of regeneration, the mind of man is also renewed. This renewal process would involve greater intellectual capacity. Even more importantly, spiritual renewal brings the mind of God and his ways to the forefront in the mind of man. In Romans 12:2, we read of this process called “the renewing of the mind”. The Greek word here for renewing actually is translated “renovation”. By putting your faith in God and what Jesus did by his supernatural act of redemption on the cross, a renovation takes place in the life of the believer that includes the mind.

What are the benefits of such a renovation? Obviously, there is a new illumination of thought and ideology that brings man into union with the mind and thought of God. Intellectual ability that has been redeemed and renovated by God now is on the right track and working in unison with the Creator of the universe. The outcome will certainly be great discoveries in science, medicine and every field of endeavor. If a person rebels against reconciliation with God and tries to press ahead seeking to develop the intellect alone, the outcome will be something much less than could have been achieved by experiencing God. Many have produced great things in our day without a renewed mind through God. However, how far short have they fallen? What could they have realized with God working in and through their already gifted intellect?

Some of our greatest discoveries have been attained by men and women who knew God personally and depended upon Him for guidance and revelation. Intellect is not a doorway to God and lack of education is not an obstacle to knowing him. Arrogant intellect choosing to ignore God has limited itself to a small sphere. In truth, God is not known nor realized by intellect but by the spirit of man. Nonetheless, when a person comes to know and experience God in a personal, way he will be expanded in all areas of life. This will especially apply to intellectual expansion. True faith and true education should run hand in hand. All should benefit from their union.

2010-04-09T07:11:00.000-07:00

Living Faith

Nothing hinders God’s work more than dead religion. What is dead religion? A religion that has all the answers but does not believe God is actively working in daily life. Dead religion is interested in the environment even to the point of worshipping nature but gives no praise to the Creator. It is passionately devoted to human rights with no regard for Divine purpose. It puts total faith in intellectualism, and proves it with active pursuit while growing more and more indifferent regarding the things of God.

We shouldn’t be surprised when we see dead religion in our day. It’s nothing new. Jesus found it and was persecuted by it in his ministry. The Pharisees challenged the living faith of Jesus with all their knowledge, social standing and political correctness. These religious leaders looked good in every outward way. However, rather than hope, they only offered more of the mediocre. Rather than life, they only brought bondage and death. Rather than power, all they could muster was a form of godliness.

Before we begin to cast stones, let us examine our own lives. I am not referring to any group or denomination. I am challenging all who are called by the name Christian to evaluate who we are and what we offer to those around us. Jesus came offering a better way. He came bringing life, hope and a way of escape. The religious community in Jesus’ day was more interested in protecting their buildings, their programs and their personal interests than they were in bringing deliverance and help to those hurting around them. While I deeply appreciate all that God has done for us, let us never forget why we are here. We are not here to perpetuate a religious system. We are here to carry out the same ministry Jesus established when he said, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” May our Lord Jesus help us to shake off the blinding effects of comfort and help us to see those who are looking for the hope we offer in Jesus.

2010-03-17T15:38:00.000-07:00

A stitch in time saves nine

We have all heard it but what does it mean? "A stitch in time" is an old English saying that means to stitch a small hole quickly before it becomes a larger one. Great lesson!

Not a lot surprises me anymore. I am however, still amazed when I see people who face worsening problems dismiss them as if they will take care of themselves. Problems don't fix themselves. Now here's a shocker: God doesn't usually fix problems solo either. Most of the time the Lord will send the answer or remedy to us with instructions on how to apply the fix. It is our job to remain in right relationship with the Father and be able to hear and see and embrace the instructions when they come. One of the great "cop outs" in the Christian world is, "I'm waiting on the Lord". Of course, we know the Lord does have a timing and it is critical that we discern that timing and make sure our actions fit within his time frame. However, all too often the delay is on our part and we like to shift the blame of procrastination to Jesus.

I watched a guy once spend two years at home in "prayer for a job"! What a farce! He wanted the perfect job. Actually, he wanted what he thought was the perfect job. That is not God's way. God is a God who brings "the job" to a person who has taken the initiative and gotten "a job". Ask yourself the question today: "what area of my life is undone because I haven't taken any initiative?" I am convinced that many answers to prayer are delayed not because God hasn't answered but because there has been no "faith activity" on the part of the one needing the answer. When Teresa and I were first married we were transferred to San Diego by the Navy. Teresa had just graduated from business college and had not been able to get a job. My meager pay left us in a bind. We weren't in trouble yet but a week of delay would cause us to be behind the eight ball. We were praying for help. We went for a walk and passed a Denny's restaurant. There was a sign in the window that said, "Dishwasher wanted". I said to Teresa, "I'll be back in a minute". I came back out in about 5 minutes and said, "go on home, I'll see you later, I have just been hired and have to go to work"! I worked there washing other people's dirty dishes for several months as a second job. Teresa did find a job and our financial world improved dramatically. However, before that happened, this little job proved to be a life saver for us. I didn't want to do it but it was a job! Looking back on that experience I know the Lord opened that door and I learned a lot from it. Yes, Jesus wanted me to wash dishes!

Take some initiative. If you need to sell your house, clean it up. If you need "the job", take "a job". Begin to act in line with your need. Procrastination is faith in reverse. It can actually hinder the provision of the Lord. Remember, "a stitch in time saves nine".

2010-03-13T06:33:00.000-08:00

2010-03-08T06:19:00.000-08:00

Observations from visiting a new church, hoping to assist church leaders.

On the road again in my RV. We attended another church Sunday where we were not known nor did we know the congregation. I'm getting into to this as I have never been able to do this because of ministry responsibilities. It was a relatively new church launch with a lot of young believers and a lot of excitement. The church was a part of a National fellowship of churches that is known for a lot of growth and new church launches. Because I am a church planter/launcher, and because I now oversee churches and ministries, it's difficult not to "oversee" when I attend a new church. I have to blank it all out and make a decision to love, blend and worship. I did a fair job and didn't allow myself to process the service until after I left that afternoon

Here were my observations: First, the church was moderately friendly. About two people welcomed us when we entered. It is not unusual to attend a new church and have no one greet us. I know that sounds strange but it is true. We should all work on that. Just as we were a little "sheepish" upon entering an unknown congregation for the first time, I could tell the people were a little nervous about us as well and that was probably why we weren't welcomed more warmly. The building was a store front which is where most new church launches start once they leave the home setting and start trying to reach a community. The building was very clean and neat. The service opened with a young man welcoming the group. He was a little nervous which didn't really "break the ice". The worship team started the worship and it was average. They didn't appear to be worshipping as much as trying to get through the mechanics of the songs. That tends to put a hindrance on the congregation and stops a real flow in worship. It can keep a song service from turning into worship. A relaxed and comfortable atmosphere is so important to worship and fellowship. Of course a church has to use the giftings they have.

When we got to the speaker, the Senior Pastor took the platform. He was a gentle and kind young man. He did an adequate job through the message but at the end, he moved into a very personal story that had a dramatic impact. You could sense that this man was motivated to truly love and help people. He ended without a strong challenge for salvation, although it was included in his presentation. The endtire service was one hour. Then there was coffee and rolls and people seemd to be connected. Once again, as I mentioned in another blog about this earlier, this church is far greater in substance than is demonstrated on Sunday morning. The church is growing and vibrant. It is growing with average worship and preaching. The emphasis of the church is focused on having a real relationship with Jesus and one anohter.

For me it was obvious that this group was making a deliberate effort to focus on spiritual growth in their members more than having a "show" on Sunday. I noticed that they offered home/cell/support groups 5 nights a week which seemed to be their real life flow.

We are all trying to learn as we go and I'm still learning!

2010-02-20T11:37:00.000-08:00

Christian Heperopia

It is amazing how clearly we can see the faults of others while oblivious to our own weaknesses. Jesus, it seems was always dealing with this problem. I can't think of a time when he dealt with it among unbelievers. He was always dealing with it among religious people and more often than not, among religious leaders.

When we were young converts to Jesus and his way of living, we were like a sponge absorbing all that we could. There is another characteristic to a sponge other than being porous, it is also very pliable and flexible. As youngsters in the faith we were "bright eyed" and open. As we get older we can get closed and narrow in our perspective. Of course, hopefully, that narrower vision is a sign of maturity but it can also be caused by a kind of blindness. Hyperopia is a condition of the eye that we commonly call farsightedness. A person with this problem sees things clearly off in the distance but can't see clearly up close. In Christian terms we would call it Phariseeism. Sounds a lot like "far-a-see-ism" doesn't it? (I couldn't resist that one!)

Let me get to my point in this writing. Christian Hyperopia causes a kind of blindness that leaves us where we see the faults of others more than our own. That farsightedness allows us to develop pride and a self-deception that can wreck our Walk with the Lord. It also causes us to have great difficulty fitting into the Church as God designed. We all have had days of hyperopia. A symptom is when we judge another person's motivation by the motivation of our own heart! In truth, very often our judgment is caused by our putting on others our own weaknesses that we just can't see.

Let us take this thought to Jesus and ask him to heal our vision problem.

2010-02-08T11:31:00.000-08:00

Manipulation

Manipulation is such a powerful, negative force! It has its origins in witchcraft. Manipulation is the counterfeit of real Godly leadership. The purpose of manipulation is to bring another person into a place of submission to the will and purposes of the one doing the manipulating. To manipulate another person is a sin and to allow yourself to be manipulated is death. To allow yourself to be manipulated brings death to your vision, your zeal, your courage and your obedience to God. Jezebel in the Bible is the most obvious example of one who lived by manipulation. She had as her intent to follow this process: intimidation, manipulation, control and finally immobilization.

We have all had the temptation to manipulate. We don't have to learn it, we are born with the instinct. We are most tempted to manipulate others in our weakest hour of faith. To manipulate says, "I don't trust God to work this out". Make a decision that you will not allow yourself to fall to the faithless realm of manipulating people or circumstances. Also make a commitment that you will not allow yourself to be manipulated. You can find yourself in the clutches of manipulation in a moment. It can come from the nicest people. Zechariah 4:6 tells us we are to live, "not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord".

Don't allow the enemy to use you on the giving or receiving end of manipulation. It has no part in the life of a Godly leader.

2010-02-01T11:32:00.000-08:00

The Power Of Sacrifice

The word sacrifice is used almost 200 times in the Old Testament. The personal sacrifice was a major part of worship and the personal relationship between God and man. This sacrifice was something that men wanted to do and they knew it must involve the best of what they had. When David was purchasing land to make an altar, the land was offered to him free. His comments tell us a lot about his heart. He said, " I will not offer to the Lord from that which cost me nothing". Sacrifice was and is a gift from the heart that cost us. Personal cost is at the heart of the faith life.

It seems popular today to teach that sacrifice is not a part of New Testament Christianity. The argument is that Jesus made a sacrifice for us and there is no longer a need for sacrifice. That is certainly true in regard to our salvation. Jesus paid it all! However, once we are believers and followers of Jesus and the Way, sacrifice is an ongoing part of our walk with Him. The rich young ruler is a prime example of a man who missed the Messiah because he wasn't willing to sacrifice his worldly riches for Jesus. The most famous use of the word sacrifice in the New Testament is found in Romans 12:1. Let me quote it from God's Word translation: "Brothers and Sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God's compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you." Here the word sacrifice is rightly associated with an act of worship. We are not saved by our sacrifices but our sacrifices are certainly a part of our ongoing service and worship.

Some would question this kind of thinking and some even say, "God would not require such sacrifice from me because He loves me and only wants what is best for me". The Scripture is rich with answers to that comment that prove to us that a loving Father is committed to our best in its highest form. When I hear people say, "God would never require me to move from my house, town or family, or make less money", I want to say, "who told you that? Where in the world did you get that idea?" As a matter of fact, as I study the Scripture I come to understand that many people might just be one sacrifice away from their answer to prayer. A resistance to making the sacrifice might keep them stranded in the quagmire of mediocrity. Miracles happen in the atmosphere of reckless abandonment before God.

2010-01-18T10:53:00.000-08:00

Transformation or Inoculation?

It is amazing the things people "think" or "suppose" that God doesn't mind. It is unbelievable the things that people assume that God will bless. It was a shocking revelation when I realized that God isn't obligated to bless everything I do and even those good things that I do in His Name! If I were the Lord, and we are all very glad that I am not, I would be upset by all the quasi-christian thinking, talking and writing out there today. "Quasi" basically means "resembling something". Today there is obviously more "resembling" christianity than true Christianity. The reason I would be so upset if I were the Lord is that this quasi-christian mentality and lifestyle represents God and what people think of God. This only perpetuates more quasi or resembling christianity rather than the real deal.

The problem with this watered down, lukewarm and most often invalid form of christianity is that it inoculates new seekers from getting the real thing. When you are given a shot, like the H1N1 flu shot, you are actually given a little dose of the flu. The point here is to cause you to build up a resistance to the real thing if it comes your way. That is exactly what quasi-christianity does. It gives people a small does of christian antidote that makes them believe they have the real thing when in actuality they have been given a counterfeit. This counterfeit work work in crisis and won't fill the voids in the hearts of men. You see true Christianity is not primarily about getting people into churches or conformity, although these are important parts of our walk, it is about bringing people into the genuine presence of Jesus by exposing them to Truth. This relationship with Truth and Jesus, rather than insulating them from more truth, strips them bare and actually causes them to be more susceptible to catching the full blown condition of true Christianity. That is what Jesus was trying to get Nicodemus to see when Jesus said to him, "you must be born again". If there is not a moment in time where there is a confrontation with Jesus, Truth comes and that person walks away changed for all time, the seeker has been short changed.

In our efforts as believers, followers of the Way, let us make sure that we are not "giving them what they want" in order to gather and keep them and in doing so we have only inoculated them to the life changing message of the true Gospel.

2010-01-11T11:49:00.000-08:00

Not a spurt but a flow!

Productivity is a powerful thing. It is not accomplished by created ideas or bursts of energy alone. Productivity comes with longevity. As Christians, we have within us this living water, this well that is springing up into eternal life as the Scripture says. A part of this power within us is manifested in seasons of great impulses or creative times of ideas flooding us. The difference between a Christian who is successful and one who is not is stewardship. Both have the same Holy Spirit within them. Certainly, some are more gifted than others. However, don't forget, all are gifted. More often than not, it is the person with the lessor gifting who accomplishes more than the more highly gifted person. What is the reason? There could be a number of reasons but one primary reason is again, stewardship. What are you doing with what the Lord does bring to you.

I can remember going to bed and having this wonderful creative thought come to me. Ididn't want to take a chance at interrupting my sleep so I would pray, Lord please bring that back to me in the morning. As morning came, I couldn't remember the idea. Then it occurred to me that ideas are the most valuable things in the world. Everything started with an idea which was the doorway to another idea. My unwillingness to capture the idea was a kind of neglect of God and his speaking to me. What if the great inventors had disregarded their ideas. Einstein, Bell, Edison all listened, captured and developed the ideas that came out of their gifting. They were good stewards over what God gave them. I finally learned the value of being a better steward over the creative flows from God to me. I learned to be prepared with a note by the bed or a recorder in the car to capture what the Lord was revealing to and through my gifts.

It is the beginning days of a new year. Let's make a decision to get prepared to capture these creative impulses that the Lord brings. Then, let's enter the door of creativity and follow the idea to a place of longevity and productivity.

2010-01-04T11:57:00.000-08:00

Intellect, Wisdom and Prosperity

As we are still in the opening hours of this new year, we are still hearing the greeting "happy new year". With this greeting people also usually attach a blessing such as have a "prosperous new year." Anyone with any life experience at all has come to realize that prosperity or success doesn't come automatically with intellect. There is a host of very successful people out there who never graduated from college. Bill Gates stands at the top the list which includes others like Peter Jennings and Harry Truman. On the other hand, I know some with post graduate degrees who can't get or keep a job. Obviously, education cannot be the measure of intellect either. Again, Bill Gates would be a prime example.

What is at the heart of achieving success and prosperity? I am not going to go into the argument in this writing about the true meaning of success. Let's just assume most of us on this reading list are on the same page here. The heart of achieving success is not found in intellect or education alone. Something else comes into play after intellect is recognized. Wisdom is the key to truly achieving success. When I speak of wisdom, I am talking about an accumulation of life skills that has been sought after and artfully absorbed through experience. A foolish person is one who refuses to hear correction and who believes that they are smarter than others. This foolish person is cutting themselves off from developing wisdom and sentencing themselves to a life of failure and poverty. Prov. 1:7 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction." It doesn't say that fools will reject wisdom, they actually "despise wisdom and instruction". The problem here is not one of not seeing their need, they see it but their own pride is a locked gate to gaining the wisdom that would bring the success they so desperately desire.

How can one get past this locked gate and become open to instruction in order to gain true wisdom? After many years of counseling, I am convinced that no person can change and become an open gate through mere will power or desire. There has to be a heart change. Only through recognizing that pride over intellect and knowledge is an affront to God Himself can a person begin to experience change. Then there has to be a humbling of self before God and man in order to see wisdom developed and long lasting success be established. Usually the Lord will have the person be discipled or tutored under one of much less education or intellect. One of my greatest and most respected tutors was a man with a grade school education, but a man of much wisdom.

May the Lord give us all great grace to humble ourselves at the beginning of this new year in order to truly see a "prosperous new year".

2009-12-31T06:16:00.000-08:00

New Year's Eve

The word "eve" is defined as the day leading up to an event. The event isn't here yet, but it will be tomorrow. Not much of value happens on "eve" days. They are usually spent imagining or dreaming of tomorrow. Then there is the word "post" that is used as a prefix to speak of what happened. Again, this is speaking of a time other than now. What you hoped for has already either been realized, or you are now in disappointment. I'm not a big "eve" or "post" guy. I like "now". I can get my hands around now. Now is still underway and still adjustable. Of course "eve" still promises a lot of hope if we are willing to use today to work on making tomorrow different in a more positive way. Rather than spending all of New Year's Eve in a kind of dreamy fog, why don't we take some time to make it a planning day for tomorrow. Tomorrow we get to see that fresh big "one" pop up on the calendar. Let's be ready for it! Hebrews 11: 1 tells us, "NOW faith is..." Faith is not "eve" and faith is not "post", faith is now.

2009-12-21T11:24:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

Christmas week. I love it! Have a wonderful week with family and loved ones and don't forget to maintain a heart of love and worship to Jesus who came to bring us out of bondage and into His marvelous light!

Luke 2:6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."

2009-12-14T09:41:00.000-08:00

Being Called And Being Sent

I don't know many songs from the mid to late 1970's. I remember a lot from the 60's and many from the 80's but the 70's is pretty much a blank. Movies are much the same way. One day I was thinking about it and as I was pondering the blank spaces in my memory I realized why. I came back to the Lord in 1973, responded to the Call to ministry that same year and was immersed in God, revival, training and discipleship for the next few years.

You see, I was so much in the world that my worldview, my tastes and my process of thinking was totally a worldly mindset. It was months before I could even tell a real change was occurring in my attitudes. Romans tells us not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by "the renewing of your mind." That was what was happening to me in the 70's and by the way, is still taking place. I had so much of the world in me that if I had just continued walking as I had been walking and thinking the way I had been thinking with the only change being ministry training and a new vocation, I would have been of no value to God.

In the life of every servant of Jesus, there must be this coming out of the world, a season of separation, before there can be an effective sending for Kingdom purposes. There must be a time of sanctification and then an immersion in the things of God in order to see true Kingdom fruit. Otherwise we will find ourselves in the church sending "clouds without rain". We are warned to avoid having "a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof". The sending without first before the drawing away for preparation produces this powerless religion in time.

All the great ones have had this experience. Jesus in the desert, Paul in Arabia, Moses in the wilderness, Joseph in the prison, Jacob at Bethel and the list goes on endlessly. Any person who tries to take a shortcut to ministry will end up in disaster while taking others with him.

What about you and me? If you find yourself already in a place of leadership and you know in your heart that you bypassed the "coming aside" for preparation, and I don't mean training alone. I mean a season of the emptying of you in order to be filled with Him. It's not too late. If asked, the Lord will take you through this process even while you are in a place of service. He does it all the time. Simply see it and pursue Him.

2009-12-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

After The Fact

When people tell you that hindsight is 20/20, understand that behind that statement are many, many mistakes. It is through mistakes that we learn, hopefully, and gain wisdom for future success. All great discoveries stand upon the shoulders of countless failures. When you see a person who can do, what to you is a difficult task, it is because they have failed at it until they finally got it right.

I have this bad habit of starting a new project and being so excited that I often forget to read the instructions that accompany the new materials. I just want to get the job done so badly that I can't take the time to do the proper preparation work. Recently I was rebuilding an old bike rack. I needed to attach some new rubber guards on the metal to protect the bikes from the metal. I had some Gorilla Glue on my shelf. I had previously used it on a small job. Now I would tackle this larger job. I had grease on my hands from another job I was doing the same afternoon. The glue worked fantastic. It was the best I had ever used! Then I came to the part where I would clean my hands. I scrubbed, and scrubbed, used chemicals and did all I knew to do and guess what? I had greasy, dirty looking hands with a Gorilla Glue permanent coating! Then, after the fact, I went and found the instructions that I had cast aside and it said, "don't make contact with hands. Make sure you wear gloves when using this product". UUUuuuggghhhh!!!!! I did it again!!!

I will never use glue without gloves again. The pain of this experience was now steamed into my brain. Sounds pretty silly. Yet, Christians do it all the time with much more serious matters than having dirty hands for a few days. They launch headlong into everything from major business decisions to marriage without every consulting the Scripture or counsel to see if there is direction or confirmation regarding their situation. Most of the counseling I did as a Pastor dealt with just this topic. People would come to me for help "after the fact". Often people would get into situations that resulted in bondage that would take years from which to get free. It is such a waste because if they had sought the counsel of God's Word first they could have prevented the crisis. Preventative maintenance is much better than repair. It's a great thing to be able to tell people now, "don't use Gorilla Glue without gloves"! However, I would much rather have read the instructions and never had to learn the lesson the way I did. There are a lot of people out there who wish the same thing but in much more serious matters.

The good news? God is the the "mess fixin'" business! You can still see God work for you even when you made the mess. Like me, you might have to walk through some embarrassment for a time, but a new day will come and redemption is in your future!

2009-11-30T08:56:00.000-08:00

In All Things Charity

I once heard a man say, "men of faith pray short prayers". I also believe men and women of faith, enlightenment and understanding can say more with less words. Unfortunately, I have a ways to go in that department! One of the most powerful sentences that I have ever read written by mortal man was written by the pen of St. Augustine. He said, "in essentials unity; in non-essentials liberty; in all things charity." How many wars could have been averted, how many churches could have remained united and how many friends might have remained close if these words had been taken to heart.

Of course the argument will arise trying to answer the question, "what are essentials"? The essentials would have to cover only the most central of doctrinal issues. In these things we must have unity or else we would in time evaporate as a Kingdom influence on the earth. Most of the time the things that divide us however, are not the essentials at all but the petty preferences guarded by pride. It is in these issues where we must make the decision to allow and embrace liberty. The harder a person fights to protect a non-essential, the more they reveal their pride shallowness or immaturity.

Then we come to the last part of the sentence: "in all things charity". Whether there is unity in non-essentials or even the essentials, there still must be charity. There is a time when we are released from walking with a person because they don't embrace our doctrine. However, there is never a time when we are released from the commandment to love.

Romans 5: 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

2009-11-23T13:00:00.000-08:00

When Others Interfere With The Will Of God For You

I know this sounds strange, but there are times when others can hinder or even stop the will of God in your life. Let me give you an example. There have been times in my life when I have been a part of a leadership team that moved as a team in making decisions. I remember at one point when I felt that I was supposed to go to a certain Nation to work with leaders there. I was also a Senior Pastor of a church working with elders. When I shared my desire to go to this country, there was a group feeling that I was not to go. I had to make a decision to believe in the process of God's government as we moved as a group. I didn't go. About two years later one of the leaders said to me, "I believe we missed God and that you were supposed to go". That was a very unusual situation of something that hasn't happened many times in my life and ministry. It did however, serve as a check point for me to see if I would in fact submit to the team. Submission isn't submission unless it is tested. I have also known of men of God that felt they were to go to a church as the Senior Pastor only to have the local elders make a decision to call someone else. Let us evaluate this kind of situation that could very well mean that God's will was hindered in your life.

First of all, there are times, like in the case of the man who felt he was to be the new pastor but hindered by local elders, when things are out of your control. What should you do?

1. Don't take it personally. Taking it personally will cause you to try to redeem yourself, lead a rebellion or at the very least become embittered. This will taint you and leave you less effective when the next opportunity for ministry arises.

2. Submit yourself to God in humility. This is the evidence that you see God as your source and not man.

3. Get your heart in a place of neutrality. Only from a neutral posture will you be able to on with a pure heart. Don't let the past pollute your future.

4. Set your heart to believe that the Lord will promote you. A person who fights for position is not a person of faith.

5. Don't allow anyone to try to start a war on your behalf. Again, sowing and reaping will come into play and you may sabotage your future.

This topic is a rare case study but it happens. If man hinders the will of God for you today, the right attitude and action can release heaven to bring you into a new place to experience the perfect will of God. Man may slow the process but only you can stop it.

2009-11-16T03:49:00.000-08:00

The Power of Personal Encouragement

(Reprint)

By his own admission he was an unattractive, unmotivated little boy. He was difficult to like, especially for a schoolteacher who all day long faced his deadpan, expressionless, unfocused stare. Although his fifth grade teacher said she loved all her students, Miss Thompson had to admit that deep down she wasn’t being honest. She didn’t like him, and she even received a certain perverse pleasure in marking his papers with red ink and writing the F’s with a flair.

Her view of him was already distorted by her perspective, but she should have known better. As his teacher, she had his records and she knew more about him than she wanted to admit. His records read like this:

First Grade – Teddy shows promise with his work and attitude, but he has a poor home situation.

Second Grade – Teddy could do better. Mother is seriously ill. He receives little help at home.

Third Grade – Teddy is a good boy but too serious. He is a slow learner. His mother died this year.

Fourth Grade – Teddy is very slow but well behaved. His father shows no interest.

At Christmas, her class all brought her presents in pretty wrappings and gathered around to watch her open them. She was surprised when she received a gift from Teddy. It was crudely wrapped in brown paper loosely held together with tape. When she opened it, out fell a gaudy rhinestone bracelet with half the stones missing and a bottle of cheap perfume. The children began to giggle, but she had enough sense to put on the bracelet and apply some of the perfume on her wrist. She asked the class, "Doesn’t it smell lovely?"

When school was over and the children had left, Teddy had lingered behind. He slowly came over to her desk and said softly, "Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother. And her bracelet looks real pretty on you too. I’m glad you liked my presents." When Teddy left, Miss Thompson got down on her knees and asked God to forgive her.

The next day when the children came to school, they were welcomed by a new teacher. Miss Thompson had become a new person. She was no longer just a teacher; she had become an agent of God. She now had a changed perspective. She was now a person committed to loving her children and doing things for them that would live on after her. Because of Miss Thompson’s loving attention, by the end of that school year, Teddy showed dramatic improvement and had caught up with most of the students.
Miss Thompson did not hear from Teddy for a long time, after he left her class. Then one day she received a note that said:

"Dear Miss Thompson:
I wanted you to be the first to know. I will be graduating second in my high school class.
Love, Teddy Stallard."

Four years later, Miss Thompson received another note. It read:
"Dear Miss Thompson:
They just told me I would be graduating first in my class. I wanted you to be the first to know. The university has not been easy, but I liked it.
Love, Teddy Stallard."

Finally, Miss Thompson received another note:
"Dear Miss Thompson:
As of today, I am Theodore Stallard, MD. How about that? I wanted you to be the first to know. I am getting married next month, the 27th to be exact. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were alive. You are the only family I have now; Dad died last year.
Love, Teddy Stallard."

Miss Thompson went to that wedding. In Teddy’s eyes she deserved to sit where his mother would have sat; she had earned that right. She had done something for Teddy that he could never forget. By a small act of love and kindness, she had changed the course of his life. She had exercised the power of love. She had become an agent of God.

2009-11-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

Christianity Lite

It seems that some of the most entertaining commercials are beer commercials! I didn't say I was happy about it, just that it seems that way. Most beer companies now have an ad selling their "lite" product. One of their selling points is that it is "less filling". They are saying that their lite product is just as satisfying but less filling. Well, I can't be the judge because I am not a beer drinker. However, evidently this commercial got into my head. Recently, while I was traveling I had one of those rare Sunday's when I wasn't preaching and I was on the road in my RV. Teresa and I didn't have a car with us and we were riding our mountain bikes everywhere. We were having a blast and decided to ride our bikes to a nearby church. I searched out the area churches with one of my favorite apps, "around me". I saw there was a non-denominational church with 800 yards according to my trusty iPhone. We found something to wear that was "bike worthy" and set out on this adventure. We pulled into the parking lot just as others were arriving in their cars. We dodged the traffic and found a place to chain up our bikes. We made our way in. You could tell folks were a little surprised to see these two strangers arrive on bikes but they took a deep breath and extended a warm welcome.

As we entered this small but comfortable church building, we were very much at ease. The service started right on time which impressed me. The service was exactly 63 minutes long including worship, special singing, announcements, sermon and communion. As the service ended, we were invited to have coffee and snacks in the lobby. Not to be elitist, we joined right in! Here comes the "lite" part. I kept thinking, "this is Christianity lite"! Everything is so condensed. Everyone from my "stream" of things knows that God can't show up in a 63 minute service! Or can He? As I am drinking my coffee, a racially mixed young woman made her way to speak to us. You could tell she was a little less fortunate than most of the congregants. She seemed a little worn and not as well groomed. Then she said, "this church has changed my life"! I was shocked! Changed your life? How could Christianity Lite change your life? Yet, I could see deep in her eyes this peace from what had been a great storm. She had found the Lord and the love of His Church here. Next, a crippled man in a wheel chair came to welcome us. I asked, "how long have you been a part of this church?" He said, "about 4-5 years". Then he said it too. "This church has changed my life and I don't know where I would be without this church".

As I left I kept pondering the service. It was very short by my standards. The music was good but not great. The teaching was adequate but not really dynamic. Two or three people were nervously lifting their hands about waist high. There even seemed to be this nerdy atmosphere which really bugs me. Yet...yet...Jesus was powerfully present! There was this genuine, simple and earnest seeking of the Lord that attracted Him to this seemingly unimpressive place. Bottom line? I plan to go back next time I am in the area.

2009-10-29T02:16:00.000-07:00

In Your Darkest Hour

A question I find myself asking those I counsel is: "what rattles around in your head in your darkest hour?" The reason I think this is such an important question is because the answer to that question represents their greatest and often most suppressed fear. On a good day it is very possible to get on top of life limiting fears and pretend they aren't there. The sun is shining, circumstances are good all around me and I convince myself that this is reality. Then, circumstances change, it is cloudy and cold and those fears rise to the surface and want to take over.

How do you handle that darkest hour? There are many ways to deal with fear and anxiety. Some people like to make life a constant celebration. They try to make believe life is a party. These people are often addicted to entertainment. They run from anything negative and try to surround themselves with people who only make them feel good about themselves and life in general. These folks actually create an atmosphere where they control other people around them and make others perform to keep things pleasant. The other people are the ones having to deal with anxiety, the anxiety cause by the one they are trying to keep happy.

As with all fear, the only healthy way to deal with fear is "head on". You can't imagine it away. Within fear and anxiety are roots that will poison every positive initiative within your life. Here's the really hard part: you can't deal with fear only on sunny days. Fear doesn't usually manifest on sunny days. Fear is like a mouse, he only comes out boldly in darkness. That is why fear must be confronted in darkness. It takes great courage to confront an enemy in darkness. However, as a Christian, you have the key to winning over this dark fear. You not only have fear with which you are dealing, you also have great light within you! You see darkness doesn't just run from light, darkness is destroyed by light. What is the light within you? It is the light of the Lord Jesus, the light of the Scripture and the illumination of the living Holy Spirit. Fear tries to lie to you and tell you that you cannot be free of fear and anxiety and that you need to try to cope with it. That is why fear tries to convince you that you cannot be at rest except on bright happy days. That is a lie.

You and I can win over fear! Learning to face our greatest fear and admit it is our first victory. Yes, as a Christian admit that this specific area of fear is real and needs to be confronted. If you find mouse droppings in the kitchen, you can't imagine it away. It doesn't mean that you fear mice, it means you really do have a mouse. Face your fear today. Bring it out in the open before the Lord in prayer. He will not be surprised. Then begin to find Scripture that relates to victory over fear and memorize those verses. Use them against fear over and over again. Now you are doing warfare in the middle of the night. In prayer ask the Holy Spirit to hunt down the causes of this fear at it's deepest level and reveal it to you. Invite Jesus to deal with these issues at the very root. Deny nothing He uncovers.
You will discover and unfolding deliverance and the day will come when you have less and less rattling in your head on dark days. You will learn to live in the sunshine even on cloudy days!

2009-10-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

Your Amazing Possibilities in God

Teresa and I were hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park a number of years ago. This turned out to be the longest climb we had ever made. Our goal was the summit where from the base of the mountain, you could see a faint water fall. We climbed for 5 hours on what would also be the most exhausting climb of our lives. Finally, we reached the origin of the water fall or what we had thought was the source. We sat down to have some water. As we were sitting there enjoying the moment we realized that we weren’t quite to the top! We looked at each other and said, “let’s see if we can get there.” We had to climb a steep rock face, exhausted at this point. When we finally came out of the top, we were amazed to see the real source of the water fall was a mountain top lake! It was unbelievably beautiful there, as we sat in what seemed like heaven.

I am so glad that we persevered that day. Mark Twain said, “in twenty years you will regret what you didn’t do as much as what you did do”. As a young person I was too cautious. Caution certainly has its place. There is a time to evaluate and hold back, or put off the challenge to a better day. However, to live a life settling for the easier way, the safe way, the way that promises no failure is a puny excuse for living. One of the primary places that people settle for mediocrity is in their spiritual lives. The problem here is that your spirit is “control central” of your life. Everything flows from your spirit. If you stop short in your spiritual life, you will stop short in all areas of life.

Most Christians became believers because of some crisis. They responded to the good news of the Gospel, the Holy Spirit entered them and a wonderful transformation was underway. Jesus was now the one in charge leading them to their true destiny for the first time ever. Bad habits were broken, relationships were mended and the path of a new direction was found. They attended Bible classes, asked someone to disciple them and loved church. Life was good. Is that it? Have you arrived? Not in the least. It would be like graduating for Middle School thinking it was the University. Yet, all too many if not most, stop near here. Rather than being on a journey to the summit they have proven they were simply trying to get out of a storm and get into a place of comfort. “It’s good enough!” I hate that phrase! The only thing good enough is finding the amazing possibilities that God has in store for you!

Stopping short is coping. We, as Christians cope when we experience salvation but stop short of experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We cope when we settle for relief rather than restoration. We cope when we settle for restoration rather than destiny. Today, be aware that you are fixated on the natural realm around you and before your eyes. Close your eyes and pray and ask the Lord to show you what He has intended for your future. I believe you will discover an amazing view and great expansion and fruitfulness ahead.

2009-10-10T05:59:00.000-07:00

How Bad Do You Want it?

Well, I made it to 60 this year. Now that I'm here, it doesn't seem old. I remember school teachers that I thought were ancient and looking back they were probably 35! I have now lived in 7 decades counting the 1940's when I started this journey. Of course that was while I was still wearing diapers. For those of you younger people, that's what kids wore before pampers!
I have learned a lot, and most of what I have learned came with a price. It has been said that we learn little from success but much from failure. I have had my share of both. I try not to dwell on failure but I do try to learn from it. I believe that is a part of the way wisdom comes from experience. Experience only produces wisdom if we learn from it and see it as a mentor. Yes, wisdom comes at a price. The older I get the more questions I am asked. I think wise young people ask a lot of questions, and the wiser they are in their youth, the wiser they will be in old age. It is something that must be pursued. I have seen some pretty dumb old people which makes me know that wisdom must be sought as Proverbs tell us.
What kind of price is attached to progress? Every thing that I have wanted to accomplish in life so far has cost way more than I first thought. Herein lies a problem. If we don't first, as Jesus taught us, "count the cost", we won't be able to pay the price of completion. Everything of any value is much more expensive than we thought when we started the pursuit. Building a house usually cost, on average, about 25% more than we first estimated. Repairing you car usually cost more than the estimate. I haven't had the mechanic come back many times to say, "well, I was wrong, it cost $500 less than I thought!"
In the Kingdom of God it is not any different. There is a price to be used by God. There is a cost of pioneering churches, becoming a senior leader, living a Godly life out in the workplace, or being a parent. My daughter gave me my first grandchild. They waited over 8 years before having their first child. It was a joyful and exciting season getting ready for the birth of the child. Then the cost came. The labor was about 28 hours and that was only the beginning. Recently they visited our house and I could see the price on my daughter. She is an excellent Mother. I am amazed at how the grace of God has changed her from the normal young woman pursuing a career to a Mother focused on her child and husband. It has required a selfless transformation and she has made the journey. There was no way she could have imagined 2 years ago the price for this progress.
Where do you stand in all this today? What have you set as a goal? What do you want to accomplish? I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first? The good news? Great, here it is. You will make it! You can, and I believe will, see your dream fulfilled! Here is the bad news. It will be tougher than you think! God will help you and you will have days you want to quit, but you can make it through to completion. The price and the struggle is a part of the journey. The little chick needs the challenge of the breaking out of the shell to prepare it for living the life it so desperately desires.
Count the cost now, knowing it will be more costly than you think, then press toward the goal with reckless abandon. It will be worth it in the end!

2009-09-30T10:47:00.000-07:00

Forgiveness, Focus and Follow Through

One of the most difficult things to endure is restoration. It sounds like such a wonderful word, "restore- ation". Webster says it this way, "the act of returning to an original state or condition". Truth be told, we Christians are living in an ongoing constant process of restoration. We are all being returned to an original state or condition. Jesus through redemption paid the price for our restoration but even after salvation there is this ongoing "working out our salvation with fear and trembling". Just to show how difficult it is to submit to this restorative process, think how long and how hard we resisted even the first work of salvation. For the Christian, if he falls, the process back is no easier than was his first war of resistance against salvation.

As a Christian and even as a young minister, I found myself in great need of restoration. I went through the normal process of repentance, submitting to those over me and ongoing accountability. Yet, I have learned that the greatest enemy is fought within my own mind. God and others forgive me much quicker than I forgive myself. Then the battle rages far longer than any required process of man. I have learned some things about restoration that only a restored man could understand. I don't want to make light of such a serious topic but some golf thoughts have really helped me in life and especially in this realm. Let me give you three words that might help:

1. Forgiveness - Forgiveness is an intersection where we sit with options and we have to make the right directional decision. Too many sit there for long periods of time in great remorse and some never leave that spot. Yes there needs to be a sorrow about your sin, but restoration requires that we arise and move forward. Restoration is like fleeing a house fire and in time there is not even a hint of smoke on you. God's forgiveness and restoration is exactly like that.

2. Focus- There has to be a focus on a new direction. Your focus can't be behind you but before you. Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set "before him". There has to be an intense focus on the vision, the life purpose before you.

3. Follow through-Now the golf term. In golf everyone makes mistakes in every round of golf. Yes, the great Tiger Woods makes mistakes at every outing. Granted, his mistakes and my mistakes are on different planets, but he makes his share.

After a bad shot, a mistake, a player must forgive himself for the bad shot. Believe me many people ruin a complete day at the course over one bad shot, one mistake. Professionals do the same. Once he has forgiven himself for the mistake, he must now put it out of his head and focus on the next shot. He can't allow the last shot to destroy the next shot. Then, he must hit the ball with a good complete follow through. A follow through is really hard to understand. I used to stop my swing when I made contact with the ball. Then I learned the importance of making a complete swing. Once you hit the ball you continue your swing completing the arc. Once I started completing the follow through, I started hitting the ball straighter and farther.

In restoration these three things are critical. First, forgive yourself and release the past. Get back in the game and focus on your future and purpose. Then, go for it with purpose and determination wholeheartedly! Take a full swing at life. Don't try to live too tentative. Go for it!

2009-09-23T15:49:00.000-07:00

Dealing With Problems

In Acts chapter 6 we see a problem arise in the middle of the great Pentecostal revival. Revival does not mean the absence of problems. As a matter of fact, when there is a living work of the Holy Spirit in a church or ministry, that work of revival itself will cause weaknesses and problems to surface. The key here is not to focus on the problem as if we are shocked by the presence of a problem. We must act swiftly and decisively to deal with the problem and get back to giving our energies to the vision.

Leaders who try to avoid a problem will only find that the problem will arise later much larger and with a much greater following than when it was first discovered. In Acts 6 the Apostles (church leadership) did several things that we need to observe:

1. They faced the problem. The didn't pretend it didn't exist.

2. They summoned the people together to address the problem.

Often leaders try to pretend a problem is not a problem. Often they try to hide the problem from the people when the people already know there is a problem and a lack of information leads them to become suspicious of leadership. It is better to just face it publicly. Obviously, this is on a need to know basis. This doesn't mean that leaders share things that are inappropriate. However, the primary problems needs to be acknowleged.

3. They didn't allow a problem to distract them from their primary vision and calling.

Just as in Nehemiah's day, they weren't coming down from the wall because the work they were doing was much too important. The stayed the course in ministry and allowed the people to be involved in the process of solving the problem. They gave the people instructions on what kind of servants should be involved in solving the problem, asked for names and then they set these deacons in to a place of solving the problem.

What was the result of facing the problem, involving the people and allowing the people to be a part in solving the problem? It "pleased the multitude"! What a miracle! The major result of dealing correctly with the problem was there was a great expansion of the Kingdom of God as "the number of disciples multiplied greatly".

Most leaders hate conflict and problems. They have a hard time dealing with confrontation. However, there is not a place in leadership apart from dealing with problems. So you don't like problems...deal with it!

2009-09-16T15:54:00.000-07:00

Turning Leaders into Leaders

Jesus said, "the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few". When Jesus made this statement he was surrounded my thousands and pursued by a number that would have been considered as leaders. Yet to Jesus, the laborers were few. Still today, the greatest need in the church is leadership. Oh, there are many who want to preach or who want "their ministries" to be embraced by the church or who want the church to promote them. However, to find a true gifted leader who wants to be prepared and used for the Kingdom of God without a thought of self promotion is a rare find.
In my early days of ministry I had this idea that if you could find a leader, you could just plug them into the work and see their leadership gift work for good. You see, I truly believe that there is a gift of leadership as the Scripture says. What I learned was that discovering a gift of leadership in the heart of a man our woman of God was little different than finding a gifted athlete in elementary school. Their gift was of little use unless it was cultivated, tried, proven, tested and released slowly. As a matter of fact, there are many who are gifted leaders who faltered by putting them under the strain of leading depending only on a gift. Just because someone has an obvious gift of leadership only means we see where we must disciple them. Being faithful stewards over the flock of God is learning to take inventory of the flock, finding the undeveloped gifts of leadership and taking them through a process of maturing that gift so that it becomes fit for service to Jesus. An undeveloped leadership gift or one that has never been discipled under the oversight and discipline of a loving spiritual father is a dangerous and often destructive thing. Look at Jesus and how he dealt with Peter, the one upon whom would fall the greatest responsibility after the ascension. His dealings with him often seemed almost cruel or harsh. Yet, he was in preparation. He always had the leadership gift but it was only vanity until Jesus and the Holy Spirit gained access to it through the Lordship of Jesus.
It is time that we in the church start taking responsibility for the young eaglets in our congregations and make it our goal to see them fly!

2009-09-09T14:52:00.000-07:00

Remember the Basics
I have mentioned this before but I continue to see it overlooked. It is that truth that says, "get the fundamentals right". Over and over as I deal with challenging situations in ministries and ministers, almost always the problem came through an overlooking or an abandonment of some fundamental. Just as professional athletes who fail usually miss the mark over fundamentals, so do Christian leaders.
What kind of fundamentals? Here is a list of some little fundamentals that can cause serious problems:
1. Private Devotions - So many get so busy working for God that they forget to spend time alone with him. It's like going on a long trip and making all the preparation but filling the tank with gas. Even the biggest names have gotten into trouble over this critical basic.
2. Get rid of bitterness- Leaders tell people to forgive and get rid of bitterness all day, all the while carrying bitterness in their own hearts.
3. Take a sabbath rest- anyone who gets so busy working for God that they believe the Kingdom can't afford for them to have a day off is in idolatry. They have made their ministries an idol.
4. Enjoy the ministry- while the ministry can be a crucible at times, it still should be enjoyed as the calling that it is. When ministry turns into something you and your family endures, you are in trouble.
5. See God as your source- the moment you begin to see paychecks, leadership teams, or individuals as controlling your provision, you are no longer seeing God as your source. There is a place in faith where, while receiving a paycheck, God is still your source. This posture will open the windows of heaven for provision far beyond your "seen" source.
6. Never counsel, spend time with or talk on the phone too much with the opposite sex other than your mate. People are still doing it!!! Stop it!
7. Keep your mate as the love of your life!

2009-09-02T14:20:00.000-07:00

Converting Pessimism
As believers, and especially if you are a part of a leadership team, we tend to be an optimistic bunch. If not by nature, we learn it out of survival. You cannot last long in leadership if you are not basically a positive person. Yes, you have to deal with a lot of negative situations but therein lies the evidence that you are optimistic. If you have been in a leadership role for over 10 years and still standing, you are pretty optimistic. Otherwise, you wouldn't still be here!
Now, let me challenge you to look around you, determine your area of responsibility and make a quality decision to teach those around you to be optimistic as well. Right now the world and much of the church is screaming "the sky is falling"! Negativity is the present state of the world. The great disaster here is that this type of atmosphere reproduces itself manifold. How do you teach those around you to be optimistic? You do it first by living in the realm of faith. Faith is the most positive force on earth. As Christians we should be moving in and extending faith everywhere and in every situation.
There is an old much used slogan that says, "when the going gets tough, the tough get going". We can turn around any situation through faith and the activity of faith. The atmosphere of faith is never pessimistic. Faith always sees a way out. Faith always sees improvement. Faith always sees the hand of God intervening in every negative situation. It's not a matter of if God will turn things around, it's just a matter of when.
Today, let one of your main goals be to change the atmosphere around you and start training others to be faith filled people. Go ahead and put it on your calendar for the next week as a reminder and email me after you finish the week and let me hear how things have changed for you.

2009-08-11T10:50:00.000-07:00

The Cost of Rejecting Correction

Correction is the love of a true father. We are told in Scripture that a father who disciplines his son loves his son. Yet, there are those in the pulpit today that would lead us to believe that God never disciplines us as His children. We had better hope that he does because otherwise we are illegitimate children and not true sons. The writer of Hebrews makes it plan. Let me share it with you.

Heb. 12: 6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives."
7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?
10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.
11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Notice verse 7 says, "if you endure chastening..." As sons we must always trust God, but especially when He disciplines us. Our future is dependent upon our receiving and learning from the discipline of the Lord. Below are just a few things that rejecting the discipline of the Lord will set in motion in our lives:

1. Rebellion against God’s authority and usually the church.

2. A separation from God’s people.

3. A rejection of God’s Truth.

4. A rejection to all attempts from God’s people to reach out to them.

5. An alignment with those who are also in rebellion.

6. A susceptibility to error and heresy.

7. A plunge into deception.

8. Destruction of quality of life.

Rather, let us embrace the loving correction of Father God. By the way, as leaders, those under our spiritual covering will learn to respond to correction as we show them by our example.

2009-08-05T09:07:00.000-07:00

Are we living in the end times?

The question as to whether we are living in the end times has been asked for 2,000 years. The time elapsed has caused many to believe there will not be a return of Christ and an end of the age. However, to the Bible student and the one who has a daily living faith in Jesus, there is an excitement about the signs around us that point to a nearness of the end of this age and the Second Coming of Christ. What are some of those signs?

Matthew 24 stands out to me because they are the very words of Jesus himself. He points out conditions that will lead to the end of time. He tells us that there will be many false Christ’s, wars and rumors of wars and nation will rise against nation. He predicts an increase in atmospheric phenomenon that will lead to famines, pestilence and earthquakes. We have seen storms that have ravaged our own nation, earthquakes that have broken historic records. Scientists are still trying to interpret all the data that would pertain to “global warming”. The word “pestilence” that Jesus uses here is defined by Webster as, “plaque; an infectious or contagious disease”. Even as I write this the world watches nervously as the “swine flu” and other diseases race toward humanity with deadly potential. Jesus tells us that these are only the “beginning of sorrows”.

Lastly, another sign of the end of the age will be the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. These signs of the last days will be seen by the following conditions and characteristics in the church:
1. False prophets
2. Betrayal of brother against brother
3. Lawlessness leading to apostasy
4. World Evangelization

There seems to be contradiction in these end time conditions in the church. However, we see them manifesting even now. We see false prophets moving through the church seeking to bring confusion and motivated by self exaltation, ego and personal gain. We see the breaking of covenant among Christians with brothers taking brothers to court which is forbidden in Scripture. We see such lawlessness in the land that many are moving into a state of apostasy. Apostasy is the forsaking of what one has believed or practiced earlier. This is happening in individuals and denominations or groups as a whole.

Now the good news for the church! Jesus said one of the signs of the end of time would be that the Gospel would be preached in all the world as a witness and then this finished work of the church would usher in the coming of Jesus. Although there is a falling away by many, there is also a new generation who are taking the great commission of Jesus very seriously and giving their lives to see that this assignment is completed. Local pastors and congregations are remaining faithful to live as a witness to Christ and serve their communities around the world. Missionaries of the church are taking the good news of the Gospel to every people and culture on the face of the earth. Rather than simply talking about it, there is a movement in the earth today that is planning real strategy. Working across denominational lines efforts are underway to see this mission of world evangelism completed in this generation.

The signs are in place and the symptoms are occurring. The people of God are advancing the Kingdom of Jesus across the earth. Yes, we are approaching a world wide change of order. It would appear to me that the Second Coming of Jesus is near. Yet, we must continue to remain faithful to our assigned task given to us by the Lord Himself.