Sharing the Work
In my last Blog we discussed the need to move more away from Old Testament patterns of ministry which demonstrated leadership through one powerful leader to a New Testament pattern of TEAM which Jesus began demonstrating at the beginning of His ministry be choosing a team. That group would follow him, learn under him and eventually do the work under his oversight. The Old Testament in not entirely about the "one man show", there are also excellent examples of team ministry. A prime example would be in what would become known as the "Jethro Principle." This concept comes from the time when Moses was spending his days acting as a mediator between the people and as a counselor in daily matters of life. Jethro, Moses' father in law told Moses after observing his daily routine, "the thing you are doing isn't good. You will wear out yourself and the people." Then he gave Moses the counsel to find men that he could set up over groups of people to do this daily task of counseling and caring for the people. Then he told him the harder cases they can still come to you. Listen to the words that gave clear direction to Moses as to where his focus should lie. In Exodus 16:19-20 Jethro tells Moses, "You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. 20Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives." Moses would still be involved in caring for the flock, living among them and still active in bringing their needs before God (Prayer), teaching God's Word to them and showing them how to live. That sounds a lot like what the apostles said in Acts 6 when deacons were chosen. The apostles said, "we must not leave our duties of the Word of God and Prayer to get involved in the day to day affairs of life."
The lesson to be learned here are obvious, "share the work"! Now, that doesn't mean you share it with just anyone but those you choose and I might add train. Later Moses had problems with the ones he chose but there is a case to be made that the problems stemmed from his choices and a lack of training to get them on the same page as he. Never rush in choosing leaders with whom you may share the load. Haste makes waste! Almost all leadership problems seem to come out of quickly chosen and ill prepared leaders. Certainly even leaders who start out good can go bad beyond our control, none the less nothing is more important in leadership than choosing and training.
Consider taking a John the Baptist posture here as you seek to "decrease so they may increase". The result will be expansion and success! Share the Work!
Monday, February 4, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
"If You're Not Serving, You're Not Growing"!
Christianity was never intended to be a spectator sport. The Church was never intended to be a small group of ministry professionals serving a larger group of inactive consumers. Certainly, as recipients of the ascension or five fold ministry gifts, we are called to feed and care for the flock of God but not as it is modeled in many places today. Many leaders and pastors in particular, have grown weary trying to get the members of the congregation to become activated into ministry and they have settled back into a role of entertaining, comforting and putting out fires as they erupt.
There is a clear confusion in much of the Church world over patterns of ministry. Too many still see the Old Testament patterns of Moses, Joshua, Elijah and Elisha as the a picture of "just what they would like to become!" Problem is, it's not a New Testament pattern. Jesus changed all that. The Cross and Pentecost catapulted the real church, the Redeemed Saints bought and commissioned by the Blood of Jesus into a Resurrected Jesus mode. Rather than camping at the foot of a mountain watching our great leader go up the mountain to talk to God, we are now "Jesus heirs"! We are now empowered and sent out to do His work in His Power, with His Presence and this is promised for all who go and SERVE! Yet, most pastors still struggle with "how do I get these folks off dead center and activated to serve? How do we get some momentum going? Well, let's look at Jesus. What did he do? He preached the pattern, he demonstrated the pattern and he led them to practicing the Jesus Work for themselves. When someone leads a person to Jesus, the are changed. When a believer lays hands on one person and sees them healed, they are changed.
As leaders let's get activated more ourselves in doing the work of Jesus and less of the "keeping the nursery work". Then, pick out a disciple or two to take with you when you go. You will never preach people into serving! You must preach it, teach it and do it. We must disciple the disciples in serving. If only 3 will follow, then go with those 3 and in time others will follow. What produces momentum? The activation of the people brings momentum.
Christianity was never intended to be a spectator sport. The Church was never intended to be a small group of ministry professionals serving a larger group of inactive consumers. Certainly, as recipients of the ascension or five fold ministry gifts, we are called to feed and care for the flock of God but not as it is modeled in many places today. Many leaders and pastors in particular, have grown weary trying to get the members of the congregation to become activated into ministry and they have settled back into a role of entertaining, comforting and putting out fires as they erupt.
There is a clear confusion in much of the Church world over patterns of ministry. Too many still see the Old Testament patterns of Moses, Joshua, Elijah and Elisha as the a picture of "just what they would like to become!" Problem is, it's not a New Testament pattern. Jesus changed all that. The Cross and Pentecost catapulted the real church, the Redeemed Saints bought and commissioned by the Blood of Jesus into a Resurrected Jesus mode. Rather than camping at the foot of a mountain watching our great leader go up the mountain to talk to God, we are now "Jesus heirs"! We are now empowered and sent out to do His work in His Power, with His Presence and this is promised for all who go and SERVE! Yet, most pastors still struggle with "how do I get these folks off dead center and activated to serve? How do we get some momentum going? Well, let's look at Jesus. What did he do? He preached the pattern, he demonstrated the pattern and he led them to practicing the Jesus Work for themselves. When someone leads a person to Jesus, the are changed. When a believer lays hands on one person and sees them healed, they are changed.
As leaders let's get activated more ourselves in doing the work of Jesus and less of the "keeping the nursery work". Then, pick out a disciple or two to take with you when you go. You will never preach people into serving! You must preach it, teach it and do it. We must disciple the disciples in serving. If only 3 will follow, then go with those 3 and in time others will follow. What produces momentum? The activation of the people brings momentum.
Monday, January 21, 2013
A Chat With One of the Greatest Generation
Yesterday, I went to Brantley County,
Georgia and spent the entire day visiting all my kin- folks.
After visiting a few relatives, I went to see my Uncle Alvin Shuman and
Aunt Elizabeth. He's 88 and still cutting firewood and selling it!
He's about the toughest man I have ever known. He's not that tall
but a little bull. His hands look like they are two inches thick and all
rough and cracked. He was kicked by a bull two years ago and it fractured
his leg but as soon as the cast was off he was back growing a garden and
cutting wood. He said, "I feel as good as I did at 40! You
gotta keep going!"(I don't think he's ever been off that farm from his
birth except to go fight the war.)
I have never been around him that much. Not sure why. Anyway, he came out and couldn't see very well so he said, "who is
it?" I told him L. A. Joiner and he laughed and said, "come on
in boy!" We chatted awhile and I said, "tell me about the
war". I knew he had been on a tank over there. Most folks that I have talked to were there in combat 6-12 months. Alvin was there and reenlisted and stayed 28 months.
He was a gunner on his tank. He actually rode the tank ashore
coming off an LST (Landing Ship Tank) at Normandy on D-Day! I never knew
that. He fought all the way through the region including the Battle of the
Bulge, considered the fiercest fighting of the war. He sits and talks
about details like it was yesterday. He told me on one day in the
"Bulge" he fired his machine gun over 3,000 rounds and melted down
five barrels, which would become white hot! They would take it out under fire
and put on another barrel. He said, "I was just trying to tear up
somethin!" He said, “even today when I drive my truck down the road I suddenly feel like I'm back there firing that gun again!” He asked a
VA doctor how long before it went away and the doctor said it will never go
away. You were just a boy when that happened and it is indelibly printed
in your psyche. He has a German helmet, an SS Knife, Two pistols including a
Luger that he brought back as spoils of war. I was fascinated as I sat
and listened. He actually marched in the parade at the liberation of
Paris.
Aunt Elizabeth said (right in
front of him), "one person asked me one time how I lived with him?"
She said, "he's steel, you can't bend steel!" (They celebrated
their 65th
anniversary last year.) I was sitting there wishing all my children were
there. Then she said, "the Brantley Co schools ask him to come speak
to the kids every year and tell them about the war. His first year he
took all his “stuff” and the administration said, "you can't take guns and
knives in there and you can't talk about drinking alcohol." He said,
"what you runnin' here, a cloister for Nuns!"
Then he said, "I wasn't saved the whole time I was over there." I said, "it's just the grace and mercy of God that you made it!" He agreed. He came home with ulcerative colitis. He was in torment with pain. My Great Grandmother Brinkley was a Pentecostal. She brought him an anointed prayer cloth. While he wasn't accustomed to this sort of thing, he said, " I pinned it to my under shorts and wore it every day to work."He then said, "that's how I got healed!"
I wanted to share my experience with Uncle Alvin with you. He's just one of thousands who paid the same price and many more with their lives. We owe these tough old warriors our very lives and prosperity. May we train our children and grand children to give honor where honor is due.
Monday, January 14, 2013
When Average Exceeds the Exceptional
Have you ever looked at someone and thought, "what a gifted person?" We all have. One of the problems that goes along with that thinking is an assumption that without the gift you could never accomplish what the gifted person could. Many of the most successful people in history were normal people with a resoluteness and a focus that wouldn't stop. It's really amazing what normal people can do if they won't stop. A prime example is Steve Jobs: born to an unwed mother, he was fostered out. He never finished college. Armed with sheered determination and hard work, and the refusal to bow down to failure, he overcame obstacle after obstacle. History is filled with just such people. Often the really gifted people never live up to their potential. One reason is that things seem to come so easily for them. They never develop a work ethic. There are a host of extraordinarily gifted athletes who never made it to the top because they didn't have to work at it! I work with preachers a lot. In preaching we talk about the qualifications of great preachers. There is certainly gifting. You can't do anything about that. Then there is the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Yet there is another characteristic that is only determined by the dedication of the individual and that is hard work. I'm not saying that hard work in itself can bring the anointing of the Holy Spirit yet I am saying that ongoing, never stopping learning and applying what we learn to our craft is invaluable. I have seen great and gifted preachers get surpassed by average preachers who never quit seeking God and learning how to better communicate.
Regardless of your daily endeavor making yourself a continual learner and applying what you learn will put you ahead of most people. Most people pursue a goal and get only good enough to meet the criteria to get by and then they quit. You may make it on that philosophy but so many people, and especially in this rapidly changing world, are passed by. Often the "exceptional are exceeded by the average." You may learn from a gifted person but if the gifted person doesn't build on their knowledge and skills they will be left behind and probably become obsolete. Fifty years ago that wasn't a certainty but it is today. You can even do it in your spiritual life. The children of Israel had to gather fresh manna each day. Yesterday's manna would get rotten and no longer produce life. Let's press ourselves to a new and higher level. Let's make our goal becoming all that God will allow us to be according to His will and our willingness to continue to pursue wisdom, enlightenment and understanding. We all may have limits to our accomplishments based on gifting but let's not let our limitations be a lack of ongoing learning and application.
Have you ever looked at someone and thought, "what a gifted person?" We all have. One of the problems that goes along with that thinking is an assumption that without the gift you could never accomplish what the gifted person could. Many of the most successful people in history were normal people with a resoluteness and a focus that wouldn't stop. It's really amazing what normal people can do if they won't stop. A prime example is Steve Jobs: born to an unwed mother, he was fostered out. He never finished college. Armed with sheered determination and hard work, and the refusal to bow down to failure, he overcame obstacle after obstacle. History is filled with just such people. Often the really gifted people never live up to their potential. One reason is that things seem to come so easily for them. They never develop a work ethic. There are a host of extraordinarily gifted athletes who never made it to the top because they didn't have to work at it! I work with preachers a lot. In preaching we talk about the qualifications of great preachers. There is certainly gifting. You can't do anything about that. Then there is the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Yet there is another characteristic that is only determined by the dedication of the individual and that is hard work. I'm not saying that hard work in itself can bring the anointing of the Holy Spirit yet I am saying that ongoing, never stopping learning and applying what we learn to our craft is invaluable. I have seen great and gifted preachers get surpassed by average preachers who never quit seeking God and learning how to better communicate.
Regardless of your daily endeavor making yourself a continual learner and applying what you learn will put you ahead of most people. Most people pursue a goal and get only good enough to meet the criteria to get by and then they quit. You may make it on that philosophy but so many people, and especially in this rapidly changing world, are passed by. Often the "exceptional are exceeded by the average." You may learn from a gifted person but if the gifted person doesn't build on their knowledge and skills they will be left behind and probably become obsolete. Fifty years ago that wasn't a certainty but it is today. You can even do it in your spiritual life. The children of Israel had to gather fresh manna each day. Yesterday's manna would get rotten and no longer produce life. Let's press ourselves to a new and higher level. Let's make our goal becoming all that God will allow us to be according to His will and our willingness to continue to pursue wisdom, enlightenment and understanding. We all may have limits to our accomplishments based on gifting but let's not let our limitations be a lack of ongoing learning and application.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Learning From the Moses/Joshua Transition
The period of leadership transition is one of the most dangerous times for any group or organization. Even when everything is done right there are no guarantees for the future. So many variables exists, from the future faithfulness of the new leader to the cooperation of those called to follow the new leadership, success is just not a given. The world is watching that scenario play out right now with Apple and the death of Steve Jobs. However, while there are no certainties, there are things from the successful transition of Moses to Joshua that we can learn.
Most failures in transition seem to involve time. In essence time is rushed. It usually involves a lack of foresight. You would think that any leader or leadership team would continually be looking faithfully into the future because it is the future into which we are called to lead. Yet, most leaders only look into the future so long as it involves them and their part in the future. It is difficult for leaders to see their group or organization going beyond them. If a senior leader cannot see the success of their organization beyond them, they will leave the group ill prepared for the future. The problem is that the thought of some future transition is painful. Therefore, they bury their head in the sand and pretend the inevitable won't happen. It always does in every endeavor. Back to time. Timing is rushed because the senior leader refuses to face the future transition until age, health or burnout forces the issue. Then, far too late, transition must occur. This process is then rushed and mistakes are made. In a perfect world good leaders are selfless and are always building their organization to succeed without them and beyond them. They are preparing others all along the way.
Moses trained Joshua for years. It is difficult when you read the life and ministry of Moses not to see Joshua present. At every turn Joshua was there serving and assisting Moses. When you start reading in Joshua 1 the transition seems so flawless. You might think that if you haven't read the life of Moses first. There are so many examples in Scripture. The reason it was easier for Joshua to face water to be crossed by a miracle of walking through on dry land is because he had seen it before. He had seen every aspect of leadership modeled before him and it was an invaluable asset.
I have made the mistake in the past of keeping talented people landlocked in a particular job too long because they were doing such a good job. If these people turn out to be your successor, you have damaged them and the group. There are ways to allow people to function in a particular area of service while still involving them in the bigger picture. This is critical for their expansion and the future of the group.
If you are a senior leader, take time to lift your head above the fray and always be on the lookout for potential leaders and spend time preparing them by including them in the larger scheme of things. The day will come when you will be glad you did!
The period of leadership transition is one of the most dangerous times for any group or organization. Even when everything is done right there are no guarantees for the future. So many variables exists, from the future faithfulness of the new leader to the cooperation of those called to follow the new leadership, success is just not a given. The world is watching that scenario play out right now with Apple and the death of Steve Jobs. However, while there are no certainties, there are things from the successful transition of Moses to Joshua that we can learn.
Most failures in transition seem to involve time. In essence time is rushed. It usually involves a lack of foresight. You would think that any leader or leadership team would continually be looking faithfully into the future because it is the future into which we are called to lead. Yet, most leaders only look into the future so long as it involves them and their part in the future. It is difficult for leaders to see their group or organization going beyond them. If a senior leader cannot see the success of their organization beyond them, they will leave the group ill prepared for the future. The problem is that the thought of some future transition is painful. Therefore, they bury their head in the sand and pretend the inevitable won't happen. It always does in every endeavor. Back to time. Timing is rushed because the senior leader refuses to face the future transition until age, health or burnout forces the issue. Then, far too late, transition must occur. This process is then rushed and mistakes are made. In a perfect world good leaders are selfless and are always building their organization to succeed without them and beyond them. They are preparing others all along the way.
Moses trained Joshua for years. It is difficult when you read the life and ministry of Moses not to see Joshua present. At every turn Joshua was there serving and assisting Moses. When you start reading in Joshua 1 the transition seems so flawless. You might think that if you haven't read the life of Moses first. There are so many examples in Scripture. The reason it was easier for Joshua to face water to be crossed by a miracle of walking through on dry land is because he had seen it before. He had seen every aspect of leadership modeled before him and it was an invaluable asset.
I have made the mistake in the past of keeping talented people landlocked in a particular job too long because they were doing such a good job. If these people turn out to be your successor, you have damaged them and the group. There are ways to allow people to function in a particular area of service while still involving them in the bigger picture. This is critical for their expansion and the future of the group.
If you are a senior leader, take time to lift your head above the fray and always be on the lookout for potential leaders and spend time preparing them by including them in the larger scheme of things. The day will come when you will be glad you did!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Are New Beginnings Really Possible?
As a pastor I have seen many, many people through the years go through a true metamorphosis from the inside out. It is the most fulfilling thing about the Christian ministry to me. Oh, I have spent countless hours working with folks who attended meetings but didn't see much apparent change in character. Their situations went from bad to worse and they created much pain and suffering for others along the way. It can be very discouraging and even cause you to become cynical if your aren't careful and deliberate about your mission in life.
What is the deciding factor regarding remarkable change or sad decline in the life of an individual. Much of it has to do with a simple decision. I have seen wealthy people who had the means to go to the finest rehabilitation centers continue the roller coaster ride never experiencing the change. Others who were poor made radical changes that led to success and stable productive lives and became a blessing to others. Again, a true "never turn back" decision seemed to be the common element that decided between success or failure. Christianity is not something that you try. It requires a decision to radical change and a daily pursuit of Jesus. It's not about emotion either. I have seen weeping with puddles of tears at altars and the one crying leave with not a bit of changed behavior. I have seen others walk to the altar without emotion, embrace the Truth and never waiver from the life of a true disciple of Jesus.
The decision is not the power that brings change. The decision of the one in need is like a light switch that releases the supernatural power of heaven into the realm of daily life. As you begin this new year of 2013 let it begin with a decision. Not a decision to try harder but a decision to look to God as your source in every area of life. His power will flood in if you only flip that switch with a decision! Happy New Beginnings!
As a pastor I have seen many, many people through the years go through a true metamorphosis from the inside out. It is the most fulfilling thing about the Christian ministry to me. Oh, I have spent countless hours working with folks who attended meetings but didn't see much apparent change in character. Their situations went from bad to worse and they created much pain and suffering for others along the way. It can be very discouraging and even cause you to become cynical if your aren't careful and deliberate about your mission in life.
What is the deciding factor regarding remarkable change or sad decline in the life of an individual. Much of it has to do with a simple decision. I have seen wealthy people who had the means to go to the finest rehabilitation centers continue the roller coaster ride never experiencing the change. Others who were poor made radical changes that led to success and stable productive lives and became a blessing to others. Again, a true "never turn back" decision seemed to be the common element that decided between success or failure. Christianity is not something that you try. It requires a decision to radical change and a daily pursuit of Jesus. It's not about emotion either. I have seen weeping with puddles of tears at altars and the one crying leave with not a bit of changed behavior. I have seen others walk to the altar without emotion, embrace the Truth and never waiver from the life of a true disciple of Jesus.
The decision is not the power that brings change. The decision of the one in need is like a light switch that releases the supernatural power of heaven into the realm of daily life. As you begin this new year of 2013 let it begin with a decision. Not a decision to try harder but a decision to look to God as your source in every area of life. His power will flood in if you only flip that switch with a decision! Happy New Beginnings!
Monday, December 24, 2012
Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary
Luke 1:26Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.28And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favoredone, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
29But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.31And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of Hisfather David. 33And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Monday, December 17, 2012
Courage to Self Evaluate
It is not healthy to live under a microscope. I know, I've been a pastor almost 40 years!:)
As a young believer I needed so much change that I became a little obsessed with evaluating my life. I truly wanted to please Jesus and I wanted to be "conformed" to His image. That is a good thing for the most part. However, it can also become morbid. There is a kind of "overboard" self examination that can create a loss of joy and a subconscious feeling that you can change yourself through your own human effort. It will also produce in us a judging of others who are not sizing up to our standards.
In our early formative Christian years, there is a lot of change that is necessary quickly and not hard to see our discern. In almost every sermon or every time we open our Bible we are quickened to change or conform. That is a good thing as well. In our current culture in the world conformity is considered a bad thing. Self expression is a good and conformity is too confining to our eclectic expression. As we grow in our Christian walk we are closer to the image of Jesus and we are confronted with as much change as was once required. However, to assume that our need for self evaluation and change is over would be a great mistake. That assumption (pride) leads to an in-sensitization to the Scripture and the Holy Spirit. I remember preaching a sermon once and a man came to me after the service and said softly, "my wife really needed to hear that sermon!"
Don't allow self evaluating to immobilize you. That's what is called, "the paralysis of analysis." Yet, remain humble and sensitive to the ongoing work of cleansing and maturing that comes from the Word of God and the living presence of the Holy Spirit. We call that process sanctification.
It is not healthy to live under a microscope. I know, I've been a pastor almost 40 years!:)
As a young believer I needed so much change that I became a little obsessed with evaluating my life. I truly wanted to please Jesus and I wanted to be "conformed" to His image. That is a good thing for the most part. However, it can also become morbid. There is a kind of "overboard" self examination that can create a loss of joy and a subconscious feeling that you can change yourself through your own human effort. It will also produce in us a judging of others who are not sizing up to our standards.
In our early formative Christian years, there is a lot of change that is necessary quickly and not hard to see our discern. In almost every sermon or every time we open our Bible we are quickened to change or conform. That is a good thing as well. In our current culture in the world conformity is considered a bad thing. Self expression is a good and conformity is too confining to our eclectic expression. As we grow in our Christian walk we are closer to the image of Jesus and we are confronted with as much change as was once required. However, to assume that our need for self evaluation and change is over would be a great mistake. That assumption (pride) leads to an in-sensitization to the Scripture and the Holy Spirit. I remember preaching a sermon once and a man came to me after the service and said softly, "my wife really needed to hear that sermon!"
Don't allow self evaluating to immobilize you. That's what is called, "the paralysis of analysis." Yet, remain humble and sensitive to the ongoing work of cleansing and maturing that comes from the Word of God and the living presence of the Holy Spirit. We call that process sanctification.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Are we making disciples or drive through christians?(Little "c" intended)
It has been said that converts are made quickly but disciples take time. It is a great temptation though to concentrate on making converts. We can count converts! Counting our disciples can be belittling! Hmmm...I haven't used that word in a long time. Another way to say belittling is "humbling". That means that making large numbers of converts can be exalting but making a smaller number of disciples is humbling! Yet, Jesus said very clearly, Go and make disciples. That would seem to indicate that most of our time and efforts should be spent teaching and training these student/disciples in the ways of Jesus. Yet most training venues in churches today have disappeared. Sunday School has disappeared and most of our efforts are focused on the Sunday Service. There are some who are truly trying to disciple during the week those who attend the Sunday morning service and that is excellent. Yet, way too many are letting the Sunday service be their primary ministry effort.
If we simply let the Sunday morning service be our main attempt at discipling people we are creating a "drive through" church culture. "Drive Through" christians don't really want to hear, they just want to "place an order". They feel better after the service because they went but little has impacted them in a "life changing way". We are called to be Life Changers! Let's tweak where needed and maybe even reevaluate what we are doing all the way around. One thing is for sure, for the most part, "it's broke so let's fix it!
It has been said that converts are made quickly but disciples take time. It is a great temptation though to concentrate on making converts. We can count converts! Counting our disciples can be belittling! Hmmm...I haven't used that word in a long time. Another way to say belittling is "humbling". That means that making large numbers of converts can be exalting but making a smaller number of disciples is humbling! Yet, Jesus said very clearly, Go and make disciples. That would seem to indicate that most of our time and efforts should be spent teaching and training these student/disciples in the ways of Jesus. Yet most training venues in churches today have disappeared. Sunday School has disappeared and most of our efforts are focused on the Sunday Service. There are some who are truly trying to disciple during the week those who attend the Sunday morning service and that is excellent. Yet, way too many are letting the Sunday service be their primary ministry effort.
If we simply let the Sunday morning service be our main attempt at discipling people we are creating a "drive through" church culture. "Drive Through" christians don't really want to hear, they just want to "place an order". They feel better after the service because they went but little has impacted them in a "life changing way". We are called to be Life Changers! Let's tweak where needed and maybe even reevaluate what we are doing all the way around. One thing is for sure, for the most part, "it's broke so let's fix it!
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thanksgiving
Psalms 106:1(NKJV) Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Thanksgiving is a decision. Like other dimensions of our Christian disciplines, thanksgiving is not necessarily an emotional response. Certainly there are times while thinking upon the goodness of the Lord and his blessings toward us we feel thankful and great emotion swells within. However, thanksgiving needs to grow into a discipline of the heart.
Believers who respond to God when they perceive his goodness and mercy manifest a wonderful thing. Thanksgiving given to God from an attitude of the heart on a daily basis is a sign of maturity. Immaturity responds to what it senses within its own realm of understanding. Maturity lives with a gratefulness that comes from a long time of seeing the faithfulness of God and understands that He is working on our behalf when we don't see it, when we don't understand it and even when we are tempted to think He is not! Thankfulness as a daily faith posture is pleasing and honoring to our God.
Join me this week as we make a decision to learn how to better live in an attitude of Thanksgiving.
Psalms 106:1(NKJV) Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Thanksgiving is a decision. Like other dimensions of our Christian disciplines, thanksgiving is not necessarily an emotional response. Certainly there are times while thinking upon the goodness of the Lord and his blessings toward us we feel thankful and great emotion swells within. However, thanksgiving needs to grow into a discipline of the heart.
Believers who respond to God when they perceive his goodness and mercy manifest a wonderful thing. Thanksgiving given to God from an attitude of the heart on a daily basis is a sign of maturity. Immaturity responds to what it senses within its own realm of understanding. Maturity lives with a gratefulness that comes from a long time of seeing the faithfulness of God and understands that He is working on our behalf when we don't see it, when we don't understand it and even when we are tempted to think He is not! Thankfulness as a daily faith posture is pleasing and honoring to our God.
Join me this week as we make a decision to learn how to better live in an attitude of Thanksgiving.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Maybe You Can!
I was talking with my 4 year old granddaughter Lucia. She was telling me the things she liked to do. Trying to expand her horizons I recommended tennis as a possibility. She said, "No Papa I can't play tennis because I tried it and I couldn't hit the ball." She made the mistake a lot of people make in life. Because they failed at something once or maybe just made a bad showing they eliminated it as a possibility. I explained to Lucia that as you grow you change in many ways. One of the ways you will change is that you will get better at hand/eye coordination. When that happens you might try tennis again and find that you are good at it! She seemed to listen and file it away at least.
As Believers we are constantly changing and maturing in our walk with the Lord. Our increasing abilities aren't only spiritual. As we mature spiritually it affects every area of our lives. Our spirit man, the place where the Holy Spirit abides, is like the control room of our existence. As our spirit man grows in the knowledge of God and as we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us in an ongoing way, we are stretched and expanded in natural abilities as well. I'm not saying you can become a pro basketball player when you could never dribble a ball but I am saying you aren't the same today as you were yesterday. Even your intellectual abilities are on the increase as the Holy Spirit is daily renewing your mind and moving you nearer the mind of Christ. Just because you failed in an area in the past don't just assume that you will never be able to be proficient there.
Husbands can become better husbands and fathers. Bosses can become better bosses and employees can become better employees. Sales people can reach new goals never attained before! Don't allow your negative experiences and past failures to determine your identity and stop you from pursuing new ventures. Like Lucia, I'm hoping you will keep trying new things and reaching for higher goals!
I was talking with my 4 year old granddaughter Lucia. She was telling me the things she liked to do. Trying to expand her horizons I recommended tennis as a possibility. She said, "No Papa I can't play tennis because I tried it and I couldn't hit the ball." She made the mistake a lot of people make in life. Because they failed at something once or maybe just made a bad showing they eliminated it as a possibility. I explained to Lucia that as you grow you change in many ways. One of the ways you will change is that you will get better at hand/eye coordination. When that happens you might try tennis again and find that you are good at it! She seemed to listen and file it away at least.
As Believers we are constantly changing and maturing in our walk with the Lord. Our increasing abilities aren't only spiritual. As we mature spiritually it affects every area of our lives. Our spirit man, the place where the Holy Spirit abides, is like the control room of our existence. As our spirit man grows in the knowledge of God and as we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us in an ongoing way, we are stretched and expanded in natural abilities as well. I'm not saying you can become a pro basketball player when you could never dribble a ball but I am saying you aren't the same today as you were yesterday. Even your intellectual abilities are on the increase as the Holy Spirit is daily renewing your mind and moving you nearer the mind of Christ. Just because you failed in an area in the past don't just assume that you will never be able to be proficient there.
Husbands can become better husbands and fathers. Bosses can become better bosses and employees can become better employees. Sales people can reach new goals never attained before! Don't allow your negative experiences and past failures to determine your identity and stop you from pursuing new ventures. Like Lucia, I'm hoping you will keep trying new things and reaching for higher goals!
Monday, October 22, 2012
God Is Bigger Than Your Faith
Part 2
In our last writing we looked at how the Lord often works beyond our methods to meet us at our place of need. My wife Teresa often says, "while prayer is necessary, we need to be careful that faith in prayer above faith in the God of prayer doesn't occur." In the same way I have seen how studying methods of faith can result in faith in faith rather than faith in God. Last week I told the story of how God reached past my weariness of trying to get healed and healed me in a place of cynicism! How is that possible? I had violated a number of learned faith methods and yet was still healed by God. There is an interesting story of a man in John chapter 5 who had suffered physical illness for 38 years. He was lying by the pool of Bethesda with the others who were wanting healing at the hand of an angel. When Jesus approached this suffering soul He asked an interesting question: "Do you want to me made well?" Certainly the answer to the question is a resounding, "YES"! Yet, he didn't say yes. What he said sounds a lot like whining or complaining. He gave an excuse as to why he wasn't healed. He didn't seem to have faith. He didn't have his thinking right. He didn't have his confession right. Yet...yet...Jesus healed him!!! Here is another very interesting thing about this story. The place of healing was at a pool named Bethesda. Bethesda is translated, "house of kindness". It appears the kindness here is from man toward God. Of course we know that God responds to our kindness with His Kindness.
Now, what am I trying to get across in these two articles? First let me say that, of course faith in God is something that grows in our lives and there are principles of faith that brings results of healing and blessing to us from God. But if we aren't alert we can slip into performance driven faith. We can begin to think, "if I do everything right according to a certain teaching, I will get my answer." That attitude could become a hindrance to receiving from God because it is a kind of faith idol that is not necessarily motivated by "kindness toward God." We can create a "house of Bethesda" in our own lives where we see, believe and respond to God from a foundation of kindness and mercy.
I guess as I write this that I am not really talking to people who are moving in a strong faith stance toward God. I am speaking to those who don't feel you have it together and at times you don't feel like you have enough faith or knowledge or discipline to get your answer. Yet, you have a belief that God loves you and wants only His best for you. You love God with all your heart but things haven't worked quite like you thought they would. What do you do and where do you go next? May I suggest that you quit trying so hard to "get healed". God wants you to simply and kindly approach him. It might be that all your struggling and activity has somehow hindered the very thing you need, wholeness.
Part 2
In our last writing we looked at how the Lord often works beyond our methods to meet us at our place of need. My wife Teresa often says, "while prayer is necessary, we need to be careful that faith in prayer above faith in the God of prayer doesn't occur." In the same way I have seen how studying methods of faith can result in faith in faith rather than faith in God. Last week I told the story of how God reached past my weariness of trying to get healed and healed me in a place of cynicism! How is that possible? I had violated a number of learned faith methods and yet was still healed by God. There is an interesting story of a man in John chapter 5 who had suffered physical illness for 38 years. He was lying by the pool of Bethesda with the others who were wanting healing at the hand of an angel. When Jesus approached this suffering soul He asked an interesting question: "Do you want to me made well?" Certainly the answer to the question is a resounding, "YES"! Yet, he didn't say yes. What he said sounds a lot like whining or complaining. He gave an excuse as to why he wasn't healed. He didn't seem to have faith. He didn't have his thinking right. He didn't have his confession right. Yet...yet...Jesus healed him!!! Here is another very interesting thing about this story. The place of healing was at a pool named Bethesda. Bethesda is translated, "house of kindness". It appears the kindness here is from man toward God. Of course we know that God responds to our kindness with His Kindness.
Now, what am I trying to get across in these two articles? First let me say that, of course faith in God is something that grows in our lives and there are principles of faith that brings results of healing and blessing to us from God. But if we aren't alert we can slip into performance driven faith. We can begin to think, "if I do everything right according to a certain teaching, I will get my answer." That attitude could become a hindrance to receiving from God because it is a kind of faith idol that is not necessarily motivated by "kindness toward God." We can create a "house of Bethesda" in our own lives where we see, believe and respond to God from a foundation of kindness and mercy.
I guess as I write this that I am not really talking to people who are moving in a strong faith stance toward God. I am speaking to those who don't feel you have it together and at times you don't feel like you have enough faith or knowledge or discipline to get your answer. Yet, you have a belief that God loves you and wants only His best for you. You love God with all your heart but things haven't worked quite like you thought they would. What do you do and where do you go next? May I suggest that you quit trying so hard to "get healed". God wants you to simply and kindly approach him. It might be that all your struggling and activity has somehow hindered the very thing you need, wholeness.
Monday, October 15, 2012
God Is Bigger Than Methods
Just about the time we think we have God figured out He will
break out of our box and do it another way!
About a decade ago I was suffering from a heart condition that Doctors
had said only bypass surgery would make better.
I struggled in faith doing all I knew to do to get healed. Then, in time, I gave up on faith for my
healing. Of course, when you are a
preacher who prays and believes for healing you can’t tell anyone that! Finally
I went to Emory University hospital in Atlanta for one more heart
catheterization. Before I went I had
preached in two different churches that week and two separate ladies spoke over
me in prayer that I would not have surgery.
I smiled and thanked them but deep within I knew that I would have
surgery. I was so reconciled to having
surgery that the night before I left for Atlanta I shaved my chest! I had learned that the worst part of being
hospitalized for a man was suffering with the tape on your chest!
Before the heart cath was performed my heart surgeon had
said that according to the previous tests it appeared to him that I would need
two or maybe three bypasses. They
prepped me to go straight from the lab to the operating room if bypass surgery
was necessary. I remember the procedure and the apparent perplexity in the
Doctors when they finally came and told me, “Your new results don’t match your
old video film of your old test results.”
I was actually, I’m sorry to say, stunned! I asked Teresa, “what does this mean?!” She said, “it means that God has healed
you!” Wow! God had healed me and I did nothing right
according to my faith methods. God had
just healed me because it was in His plan to do so.
About a week later I was in a restaurant back home. I walked by an old preacher who is now in
heaven. He asked about my heart visit to
Emory. I told him what had happened, and
how I was amazed that God had done it outside of my faith sphere. He said something that I will never
forget. His words were piercing and yet
challenging to my doctrine. He said,
”GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOUR FAITH!
Today you may be struggling with “trying to get fixed” in
some way. Maybe like the woman with the
issue of blood, you have tried it all.
May I suggest that you quit struggling to get healed and simply lift
your eyes to Jesus and his never ending, never judging mercy. Just look to Him in your simplest and what may
seem your weakest way and see how He responds to your childlike faith.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Peacemakers
A good friend of mine once said, "we are supposed to be bridge builders, but remember that bridges are walked on!" Often being peacemakers involves some abuse. Yet, reconciliation is a part of our ministry as followers of Jesus. He said to us in Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." It's just part of our job!
Serving as a pastor for most of my life I have sat with many confused people who, often after my counsel, went to be a peacemaker and left attacked and wounded. They limped back to my office to ask, "what happened?" It didn't seem to work. We need to understand our part in the peacemaking process. We can only do our part of extending the olive branch of peace and reconciliation. We can't make forgiveness and a desire for reconciliation appear in the heart of the other person. We can only do our part. The Bible tells us that if we have an offense against someone we must go to them and try to get it right. It also says that if we know that a person has an offense against us, once again it's on us to go to them. We can only do our part out of obedience. We like to think that obeying the Lord and going, and it's a very hard thing to do, guarantees that the other person will be gracious and appreciate our efforts. Not always! I remember going to one man once and humbly asking for forgiveness and expressing a desire to be reconciled. He turned on me like a wild animal and I actually thought he was going to attack me physically. He said, "stay away from me!" He went to his grave never changing. How did I live with it? I learned that once I did my part I was free! While he wasn't free, I was free because I had sincerely obeyed the Lord in the matter. Here is a wonderful verse. Rom. 12:18 "if it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." Did you get it! "As much as depends on you..."God only requires us to obey His word and do our part. The outcome in the matter does not determine our outcome in life.
All of this means that I have had to learn to live extending a lot of grace to people. Forgiveness and dropping the charges are powerful and liberating activities. Where are you in all this today? If you haven't chosen to forgive, do so now. If you need to go to someone in a effort to bring peace and reconciliation, do so now. If you have already gone to someone and they rejected your efforts, let it go and do so now! Remember, the Lord only requires to live peaceably with all men, "as much as depends on you."
A good friend of mine once said, "we are supposed to be bridge builders, but remember that bridges are walked on!" Often being peacemakers involves some abuse. Yet, reconciliation is a part of our ministry as followers of Jesus. He said to us in Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." It's just part of our job!
Serving as a pastor for most of my life I have sat with many confused people who, often after my counsel, went to be a peacemaker and left attacked and wounded. They limped back to my office to ask, "what happened?" It didn't seem to work. We need to understand our part in the peacemaking process. We can only do our part of extending the olive branch of peace and reconciliation. We can't make forgiveness and a desire for reconciliation appear in the heart of the other person. We can only do our part. The Bible tells us that if we have an offense against someone we must go to them and try to get it right. It also says that if we know that a person has an offense against us, once again it's on us to go to them. We can only do our part out of obedience. We like to think that obeying the Lord and going, and it's a very hard thing to do, guarantees that the other person will be gracious and appreciate our efforts. Not always! I remember going to one man once and humbly asking for forgiveness and expressing a desire to be reconciled. He turned on me like a wild animal and I actually thought he was going to attack me physically. He said, "stay away from me!" He went to his grave never changing. How did I live with it? I learned that once I did my part I was free! While he wasn't free, I was free because I had sincerely obeyed the Lord in the matter. Here is a wonderful verse. Rom. 12:18 "if it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." Did you get it! "As much as depends on you..."God only requires us to obey His word and do our part. The outcome in the matter does not determine our outcome in life.
All of this means that I have had to learn to live extending a lot of grace to people. Forgiveness and dropping the charges are powerful and liberating activities. Where are you in all this today? If you haven't chosen to forgive, do so now. If you need to go to someone in a effort to bring peace and reconciliation, do so now. If you have already gone to someone and they rejected your efforts, let it go and do so now! Remember, the Lord only requires to live peaceably with all men, "as much as depends on you."
Monday, October 1, 2012
Spiritual Prayer
I remember how I used to struggle with the Apostle Paul's words in I Th. 5:17, "Pray without ceasing". What did that mean? How could you get anything done if you prayed 24/7? The phrase, "without ceasing" means "uninterrupted". I have come to learn more and more about the abiding presence of God and spiritual prayer. Spiritual prayer is a word I have coined to distinguish between soulish prayer and spiritual prayer. Paul also tells us that we can "pray in the Spirit and pray with our understanding". There is a definite distinction between the two. That particular verse is speaking of prayer in the Spirit which is followed by an understanding of what we prayed in the Spirit earlier. That interpretation is not necessarily instantaneous or even perceived as an interpretation. It could be days later. The fact that there is a distinction in prayer between the Holy Spirit praying through us (Rom. 8:26) and praying with our mind or soul is proof that the origin of prayer could be either us or God. Many of our prayers that begin with us, regardless of how sincere we may be, are soulish and self-centered. Prayers that originate in the Spirit are pure and according to the will of God. How then can we pray more from the Holy Spirit's inspiration and less from our own religious duty. It has to do with maintaining an unbroken fellowship or as we learned earlier, "uninterrupted" connection with God. This level of communion is something we can learn and deepen as we practice a God awareness. Obviously, we all have to work and function out in the workplace. We can't come across as weird or super-spiritual or we work against our purpose of bringing Jesus to others. There is a place of unbroken communication between your spirit and God's Spirit! Even when you aren't aware, it's happening! Often I will wake in the night our early morning and realize that Bible verses or songs are going on inside me. I have experienced this many times. It means that even though I'm asleep my spirit man is connected to God and involved in worship and prayer. What is my purpose is this writing? I want to encourage you to learn to live with a God awareness or consciousness! Your life is not all natural as the world around us. The people that you know what are not followers of Jesus live in the two dimensions of body and soul. We have the added dimension of a living spirit which has been quickened and living in a cohabitation with the Holy Spirit. Enjoy your walk as one filled with the Holy Spirit!
I remember how I used to struggle with the Apostle Paul's words in I Th. 5:17, "Pray without ceasing". What did that mean? How could you get anything done if you prayed 24/7? The phrase, "without ceasing" means "uninterrupted". I have come to learn more and more about the abiding presence of God and spiritual prayer. Spiritual prayer is a word I have coined to distinguish between soulish prayer and spiritual prayer. Paul also tells us that we can "pray in the Spirit and pray with our understanding". There is a definite distinction between the two. That particular verse is speaking of prayer in the Spirit which is followed by an understanding of what we prayed in the Spirit earlier. That interpretation is not necessarily instantaneous or even perceived as an interpretation. It could be days later. The fact that there is a distinction in prayer between the Holy Spirit praying through us (Rom. 8:26) and praying with our mind or soul is proof that the origin of prayer could be either us or God. Many of our prayers that begin with us, regardless of how sincere we may be, are soulish and self-centered. Prayers that originate in the Spirit are pure and according to the will of God. How then can we pray more from the Holy Spirit's inspiration and less from our own religious duty. It has to do with maintaining an unbroken fellowship or as we learned earlier, "uninterrupted" connection with God. This level of communion is something we can learn and deepen as we practice a God awareness. Obviously, we all have to work and function out in the workplace. We can't come across as weird or super-spiritual or we work against our purpose of bringing Jesus to others. There is a place of unbroken communication between your spirit and God's Spirit! Even when you aren't aware, it's happening! Often I will wake in the night our early morning and realize that Bible verses or songs are going on inside me. I have experienced this many times. It means that even though I'm asleep my spirit man is connected to God and involved in worship and prayer. What is my purpose is this writing? I want to encourage you to learn to live with a God awareness or consciousness! Your life is not all natural as the world around us. The people that you know what are not followers of Jesus live in the two dimensions of body and soul. We have the added dimension of a living spirit which has been quickened and living in a cohabitation with the Holy Spirit. Enjoy your walk as one filled with the Holy Spirit!
Monday, September 24, 2012
Money and Spirituality
One of the first things I learned as a disciple of Jesus was about money. Why would the Lord put that lesson near the top of my things to be learned? I'm not totally sure but one thing I know, money was important to me. As a matter of fact, a large part of my resistance to His call to ministry was because most preachers I knew didn't have any money. Then those who did have money seemed to me to be unscrupulous in their dealing with the topic of money and wealth. Unfortunately, I still see lot of that.
The way that the Lord dealt with me was in His Word. He drilled me in Matthew chapter 6. That chapter talks about our material needs and then Jesus tells us that we aren't to worry about them or even let them be a priority. That was a tough one. However, as a part of the Lordship of Christ, placing Jesus on the throne of our life above material possessions is a basic requirement. It is not that God isn't aware of our needs. As a matter of fact that is exactly what Matthew 6 is all about. Our loving Heavenly Father knows us so intimately and loves us so deeply that He knows and provides those needs without worry or fretting. The key is that this heavenly provision comes as we seek first the Kingdom of God. The moment that we begin to struggle with our daily provision we weaken God's ability to get the provision to us. God's ability? Really? Yes. The Scripture tells us that Jesus went back to his own home town and while he was working miracles everywhere He went, "He could do no mighty works there"! Amazingly it says "he could do no mighty works there!" Familiarity bred contempt. Contempt is defined as, "the feeling that a person or things is beneath consideration." We can do that with God. Jesus has declared to us that from his heart we are his "friends". Yet, we need to be careful that that friendship/familiarity doesn't devalue his ability to work the supernatural in our lives. We need to maintain the awe for God that says that at any moment He can break through the natural with the supernatural.
You probably are in a place that you could use more money! That's not a problem. The problem is our focus and allegiance. Let's make sure that we are still committed to the Lordship of Jesus and His Kingdom above all other things.
One of the first things I learned as a disciple of Jesus was about money. Why would the Lord put that lesson near the top of my things to be learned? I'm not totally sure but one thing I know, money was important to me. As a matter of fact, a large part of my resistance to His call to ministry was because most preachers I knew didn't have any money. Then those who did have money seemed to me to be unscrupulous in their dealing with the topic of money and wealth. Unfortunately, I still see lot of that.
The way that the Lord dealt with me was in His Word. He drilled me in Matthew chapter 6. That chapter talks about our material needs and then Jesus tells us that we aren't to worry about them or even let them be a priority. That was a tough one. However, as a part of the Lordship of Christ, placing Jesus on the throne of our life above material possessions is a basic requirement. It is not that God isn't aware of our needs. As a matter of fact that is exactly what Matthew 6 is all about. Our loving Heavenly Father knows us so intimately and loves us so deeply that He knows and provides those needs without worry or fretting. The key is that this heavenly provision comes as we seek first the Kingdom of God. The moment that we begin to struggle with our daily provision we weaken God's ability to get the provision to us. God's ability? Really? Yes. The Scripture tells us that Jesus went back to his own home town and while he was working miracles everywhere He went, "He could do no mighty works there"! Amazingly it says "he could do no mighty works there!" Familiarity bred contempt. Contempt is defined as, "the feeling that a person or things is beneath consideration." We can do that with God. Jesus has declared to us that from his heart we are his "friends". Yet, we need to be careful that that friendship/familiarity doesn't devalue his ability to work the supernatural in our lives. We need to maintain the awe for God that says that at any moment He can break through the natural with the supernatural.
You probably are in a place that you could use more money! That's not a problem. The problem is our focus and allegiance. Let's make sure that we are still committed to the Lordship of Jesus and His Kingdom above all other things.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Jesus Is Lord
As a new believer it seemed every message had as an emphasis, "Jesus is Lord". Yes, I know that was 40 years ago! Sure there was a lot of man centered stuff floating around as well but there was a strong theme regarding the Lordship of Jesus. It was a pretty common thing in churches to see banners declaring that message. We were discipled in the theology that all we did, owned or even thought was under His Lordship. I don't hear much about the Lordship of Christ today. I wonder why? Do the Christians of this day have a stronger connection to God than during that past era? Is Lordship something that we have mastered? I think not. It must be that the message of the Lordship of Jesus doesn't fit into the current philosophy and theology.
The message of the Lordship of Christ starts with a true supernatural conversion of the one being reached. You see there cannot be Lordship without conversion. Lordship doesn't make room for an attitude that says, "just get them here, entertain them and over time they might just slowly change into a Christian". Jesus didn't seem to be very good at that method. Remember the conversation with Nicodemus? Jesus cut right through the smoke and declared, "you must be born again". Then Jesus drove the point even deeper when he said, if you aren't born again, "you cannot see the Kingdom of God"! Amazing!
Then there was the conversation with the woman at the well. He actually told here that he knew she was sleeping around and called her on it. That wouldn't be too cool today in many circles. Yet, Jesus was more interested in getting people to experience real conversion than he was in joining his club.
Lordship starts with conversion and a part of that conversion is the death to old identities and appetites. You see, when a person chooses the will of God above their desire, preferences and appetites then that is the fruit of Lordship. When a person brings their tithe and offerings to the house of God rather than spending it on their own cravings then that is Lordship. When a person says no to what the Scripture forbids although there may be a temptation to do it, that is Lordship. Lordship is the message of the Church! Yet, when is the last time you heard a clear message challenging the Church to bow their knee to the Lordship of Jesus?
It's time! Yes, it's past time that we beat some the dust off of some old messages! Do you agree?
As a new believer it seemed every message had as an emphasis, "Jesus is Lord". Yes, I know that was 40 years ago! Sure there was a lot of man centered stuff floating around as well but there was a strong theme regarding the Lordship of Jesus. It was a pretty common thing in churches to see banners declaring that message. We were discipled in the theology that all we did, owned or even thought was under His Lordship. I don't hear much about the Lordship of Christ today. I wonder why? Do the Christians of this day have a stronger connection to God than during that past era? Is Lordship something that we have mastered? I think not. It must be that the message of the Lordship of Jesus doesn't fit into the current philosophy and theology.
The message of the Lordship of Christ starts with a true supernatural conversion of the one being reached. You see there cannot be Lordship without conversion. Lordship doesn't make room for an attitude that says, "just get them here, entertain them and over time they might just slowly change into a Christian". Jesus didn't seem to be very good at that method. Remember the conversation with Nicodemus? Jesus cut right through the smoke and declared, "you must be born again". Then Jesus drove the point even deeper when he said, if you aren't born again, "you cannot see the Kingdom of God"! Amazing!
Then there was the conversation with the woman at the well. He actually told here that he knew she was sleeping around and called her on it. That wouldn't be too cool today in many circles. Yet, Jesus was more interested in getting people to experience real conversion than he was in joining his club.
Lordship starts with conversion and a part of that conversion is the death to old identities and appetites. You see, when a person chooses the will of God above their desire, preferences and appetites then that is the fruit of Lordship. When a person brings their tithe and offerings to the house of God rather than spending it on their own cravings then that is Lordship. When a person says no to what the Scripture forbids although there may be a temptation to do it, that is Lordship. Lordship is the message of the Church! Yet, when is the last time you heard a clear message challenging the Church to bow their knee to the Lordship of Jesus?
It's time! Yes, it's past time that we beat some the dust off of some old messages! Do you agree?
Friday, September 7, 2012
Establishing Your Authority
Joshua 3:7 And the Lord said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.
Before choosing this title, I hesitated a few minutes. The reason for my pause was that I didn't want to give the impression that we should "try" to establish our own authority. In the world, both in the military and commerce, we are trained how to establish authority in order to lead. In the Kingdom of God the Lord establishes his leaders by his own hand. Here the Lord speaks to Joshua and tells him that on this day He would exalt him in the eyes of the people as their leader. Moses had been such a powerful and influential leader for so long that he was a hard act to follow. Now it's time for his assistant to take the baton and lead Israel not only in a maintenance mode but to truly take them where Moses hadn't, into the Promised Land.
I think new leaders can miss this and this misunderstanding can cause them to fail. The wrong thinking is that new leaders following previous leaders who have seen success should follow suit and just keep the ship afloat. Nothing could be farther from the truth. A maintenance mode is a dying mode. It's a slow dying mode and one that takes a long time to recognize but a dying mode none the less. The very thought that says, "I'm here to keep the ship on course" is wrong thinking. Certainly a new leader of a business or ministry should be very careful with making too many changes in the beginning but the very fact that a transition was in God's plan is proof positive that change was needed, at least some adjustment. Here is my major point this week: your ability to lead your group into and through change is commensurate with your level of recognized authority. In the case of Joshua the Lord was about to allow miracles in the middle of battles and conquest to establish him in the eyes of the people. You may think you are a leader but unless the people you are leading see you in that way you are one crisis away from disaster. It seems to be a patter in Scripture that God allows some crisis to arise shortly after a new leader takes office to display the new leader as one who can be trusted. It is this confidence of God working through a leader that brings stability and peace among a people. Therefore, don't hide in the maintenance mode. Don't run from battles and much needed miracles. It is in leading in conflict and crisis that you will be established as the leader needed for the hour. However, remember, it is God who will establish you and not your own efforts. Someone has said, "responsibility is our response and His ability."
Joshua 3:7 And the Lord said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.
Before choosing this title, I hesitated a few minutes. The reason for my pause was that I didn't want to give the impression that we should "try" to establish our own authority. In the world, both in the military and commerce, we are trained how to establish authority in order to lead. In the Kingdom of God the Lord establishes his leaders by his own hand. Here the Lord speaks to Joshua and tells him that on this day He would exalt him in the eyes of the people as their leader. Moses had been such a powerful and influential leader for so long that he was a hard act to follow. Now it's time for his assistant to take the baton and lead Israel not only in a maintenance mode but to truly take them where Moses hadn't, into the Promised Land.
I think new leaders can miss this and this misunderstanding can cause them to fail. The wrong thinking is that new leaders following previous leaders who have seen success should follow suit and just keep the ship afloat. Nothing could be farther from the truth. A maintenance mode is a dying mode. It's a slow dying mode and one that takes a long time to recognize but a dying mode none the less. The very thought that says, "I'm here to keep the ship on course" is wrong thinking. Certainly a new leader of a business or ministry should be very careful with making too many changes in the beginning but the very fact that a transition was in God's plan is proof positive that change was needed, at least some adjustment. Here is my major point this week: your ability to lead your group into and through change is commensurate with your level of recognized authority. In the case of Joshua the Lord was about to allow miracles in the middle of battles and conquest to establish him in the eyes of the people. You may think you are a leader but unless the people you are leading see you in that way you are one crisis away from disaster. It seems to be a patter in Scripture that God allows some crisis to arise shortly after a new leader takes office to display the new leader as one who can be trusted. It is this confidence of God working through a leader that brings stability and peace among a people. Therefore, don't hide in the maintenance mode. Don't run from battles and much needed miracles. It is in leading in conflict and crisis that you will be established as the leader needed for the hour. However, remember, it is God who will establish you and not your own efforts. Someone has said, "responsibility is our response and His ability."
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