Leadership – Servant Kingship!

Leadership Process – Servant Kingship!

1 Cor 4 : 8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.

9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

How life changes as we grow up. We first come to Jesus, and the whole world lights up. The sun seems brighter, the flowers more beautiful, the sky clear, and we simply want to love the whole world. Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. He loves me, He loves me, He loves me!

May this love ever burn in our hearts! May this love compel us to action!

Yet, quickly, we also discover, there is great evil in the world. Fallen men, empowered by their sin nature, and devils do abominable things! Babies killed, abused, wars, carnage, greedy people raping others, the land, for their own selfish carnal desires to be met.

Then, someone teaches us that we have authority over the devil! That we have something to say in this world! We can exercise God’s authority in the earth, because we have read:

Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Re 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Indeed, we are kings before Him! Priests of the most High God! Offering acceptable sacrifices of prayer, praise, worship, and service, through Jesus shed blood!

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

We have been given authority over the works of darkness, positionally, and we begin to walk it out!

Luke 10: 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

We are those who hear His voice, and we get filled with the Holy Spirit, and experience His power in our lives. Signs and wonders start to happen, daily in our life!

Mark 16: 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

We pray, and heaven opens, and we see visions, experience living revelation from a very living God.

Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Yet, after some years, God decides on a specific calling for our lives, something for us to do individually…He speaks to us, and sends us….

The word apostle, simply means: ‘sent one’.

Now, I can send my children to the refrigerator for milk, making them the apostle of milk!

In our reading today, this is not what Paul is talking about here. There is five fold ministry in the earth, set in place by the hand of God, to govern His church.

1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

1Co 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

These offices are the government of God in the earth, with the authority, power, and grace from God, to accomplish what He needs established.

Rather than divert from the clear direction Holy Spirit is leading me today, please read: http://www.amazon.com/He-Gave-Gift…/…/0892765178/ref=sr_1_1…

Today, I am led to share about the journey from revelational position and spiritual authority, to practical authority, responsibility, and seasoned leadership, in authentic five fold ministry gifts operating in the earth, now.

Paul discovered himself, initially, in his early years of ministry, to be great in the kingdom, called of God, with both spiritual and earthly authority. He was a king, priest and lord, subject only to the King of all Kings,High Priest we confess, and the Lord of all Lords!

2Co 11:5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

What caused the apostle Paul, to call himself the ‘very chiefest of apostles’?

He had a revelation from heaven, and it was incredibly great!

Yet, the character of the Master, must become the character of the servant.

By the end of his life, we read, the same apostle Paul:

1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

The journey of life, from chief apostle, to chief of all sinners….

From king, priest and power, to

1 Cor 4: 9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

Did his identity change? Did God demote him?

Ro 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Nope, promoted him actually, so much so that he wrote over half of the New Testament.

God did not change, but Paul did!

Consider carefully these words of Jesus:

Luke 22: 25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.

29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

What I want you to see, is this. Your eternal rank, privilege, and reward, are given to you by God Himself, AS A SERVANT!

Ro 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

I have discovered this as a missionary, first back to Canada my home country, and now to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to the United States of America, and the nations, that my heavenly office, authority, and position are secure.

Yet in the natural order of life, my day to day walk, I have become a spectacle unto the world, a laughing stock from my family, colleagues from college, former business leadership friends, where I am at best, misunderstood.

Even angels, that minister to me, my family, and the nations through me, are probably amazed at what I put up with, and undergo, to obey God, intimately, personally, daily, as even my fellow brothers and sisters at my church, probably question my sanity (Gotta admit, I question it some days too!), as again, and again, Jesus speaks, leads, and moves me far outside my comfort zone, as my deeper insecurities, need for control, position, and pride are stripped away, that the love of the kingdom of God, through pure motives might shine through me.

If you are called to lead, He is doing the same thing in you, too.

The great violinist, Niccolo Paganini willed his marvelous violin to city of Genoa on condition that it must never be played. The wood of such an instrument, while used and handled, wears only slightly, but set aside, it begins to decay. Paganini’s lovely violin has today become worm-eaten and useless except as a relic. A Christian’s unwillingness to serve may soon destroy his capacity for usefulness.

J.K. Laney, Marching Orders, p. 34.

Not sure who this is for, but the very call of God upon you to greatness, has actually produced the deeper workings of the cross in your life, as you seek to obey Him intimately.

Dreams and visions that did not come to pass in your timing, produce a quiet peace, trust, and revelation of His Lordship, that He will make everything beautiful in His time. He has eternity on His mind, and a people on the other side of your obedience.

Obedience is the Word of the day, for if you are truly called of God, there is no other way, to get from here, to where you know you need to be, otherwise.

1Co 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

Have a Happy Death!

Ga 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

Let’s pray:

‘”Father, I embrace the cross. I receive your process, and provision for the process, as I quietly hear, and obey, your voice, today. Jesus, you are my good Shepherd, may I clearly hear your voice, and fully obey you, today, Amen’

 

The Responsibility of Discipleship – A Word for Leaders

The Responsibility of Discipleship

Some time ago, I attended the leadership portion of Word Explosion here at Victory in Tulsa, OK.

A pastor that I had never heard of, who reportedly pastors a church of 15,000+ somewhere in the Eastern United States brought a word about the seasons of God in the church, and he was very articulate and relevant, in bringing out the various things Holy Spirit was accenting, decade by decade here in churches  in the United States.

From the Healing movement, to the Charismatic renewal, to teaching and the Word of Faith, to leadership, etc.

Then he made a couple of statements that confirmed things that Holy Spirit is screaming to me.

He explained that the day of a person simply accepting Jesus, receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and attending church, is not enough in this upcoming season of God, but that what must occur is discipleship.

He went on to say, that to the average pastor, you would look for someone saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, attending regular worship services, attending a small group, and then serving somewhere in the ministry as good indicators of what a disciple should look like, and I agree these are good indicators, but here is where he and I take a different path to the same objective.

I believe a true disciple of Jesus, is a person that is fully led of the Holy Spirit, all day, every day.

Historically, there has been grave excesses in what is called ‘the discipleship, or Shepherding movement’

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepherding_Movement

Yet, what about true discipleship?

Jesus said: Matthew 28:19

Go out and make disciples in all the nations.

I think back on my own discipleship experience with my pastor, where, for a period of 5-7 years, he had me read every book in his library, develop a strong devotional life and Bible reading plan, and had me serve in every area of the church for 3-6months.

Was that the end of my spiritual growth?

Was I fully prepared for ministry by this process?

No, but it was a great foundation.

Luke 16:12

And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?

So let’s dig into this concept of discipleship a bit:

Let’s begin by looking at the definition of a disciple:

Full Definition of DISCIPLE

1

:  one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: as

a :  one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ’s followers according to the Gospel accounts

b :  a convinced adherent of a school or individual

2

capitalized :  a member of the Disciples of Christ founded in the United States in 1809 that holds the Bible alone to be the rule of faith and practice, usually baptizes by immersion, and has a congregational polity

 

For the sake of simplicity, I call a disciple ‘a disciplined one’.

For example, when I swam on the college varsity swim team, I was expected to make 7 swim practices a week, and we usually did 2 weight work-outs on top of this. In order to stay on the team, I had to be a full time student and maintain a ‘C’ average academically.

What this meant, was that literally every minute of my week, seven days/week was scheduled, so that we could survive not only the training schedule, but the weekends spent on buses travelling to inter-varsity swim meets all over the province.

I was a disciple of competitive swimming and robotics engineering, listening carefully to my Olympic coach on how to make all this possible.

Obviously I survived and completed three varsity seasons, and completed my BSc in robotics, by being a disciplined one…

I was a disciple of robotics and swimming. No Jesus anywhere though.

Yet, we are called to follow Jesus…

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/01/11/your-great-commission-embracing-your-destiny/

So what does a disciple of Jesus look like in today’s world?

Here are some thoughts:

1. Aggressively following Jesus, having established a morning prayer watch, deliberately seeking Him first thing, every day.
2. Walking in the Word in deliberate Bible reading, confession, memorization, study, and meditation.
3. Consistently demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit, with signs, wonders and miracles flowing in everyday life, in spirit-led days. Flowing in God all day, every day, not merely on Sundays, or in devotional times. Walking with Holy Spirit, one day at a time, fully submitted to Jesus Lordship.
4. Consistently exhibiting the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our character, carefully watching over our words, that they be faith-filled, representing Jesus well, as an ambassador should.
5. Consistently witnessing and sharing the gospel.(Here is a way to do this on-line:https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/11/10/the-gospel-the-power-of-god/)
6. Consistently growing their families in the call of God, through their example, love, consecration, and recognition and fulfillment of their responsibility in their role in the home
7. Consistently attending church, and seeking to serve and build it, growing in faithfulness and responsibility.  https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/12/04/why-go-to-church/
8. Living a lifestyle of worship, singing, praying in the spirit, with an attitude of humility and gratefulness, demonstrating the acts of compassion the gospel commands: helping the poor, feeding the hungry, visiting the prisoner, the sick, clothing the naked, empowering the fatherless. https://chrisaomministries.com/2017/01/15/we-worship-by-serving-the-people-god-loves/
9. Consistently seeking to grow in their gift and calling, spiritually, academically, and physically. https://chrisaomministries.com/2017/01/03/the-chinese-bamboo-a-parable-of-growth/
10.  Consistently seeking to grow others in their gifts and callings, empowering, equipping, and encouraging them to hear and fully obey God in all things.
11.    Consistently giving and growing financially, learning how best to keep money under the Lordship of Jesus as a good steward.
12.    Deliberately seeking and pursuing our personal mandate, vocation, and assignment, individually, growing in responsibility levels, on purpose.

Jesus had 12 disciples.

These are simply 12 guidelines I seek to live by.

Yet, as I have meditated upon the concept of discipleship, I discover questions that have difficult answers.

I remember many years ago, an organization called Promise Keepers, encouraged us to find a Paul, and Barnabas, and a Timothy in our lives. The ‘Paul’ being a spiritual leader we could look to for leadership, mentorship, and instruction. The ‘Barnabas’ being a ‘son of encouragement’, another brother in the Lord we could look to for encouragement in the day to day battles of life, and the ‘Timothy’ being one we could pour life and wisdom into, one we were deliberately discipling.

This is a good start surely.

As we grow in our Christian walk, we surely need a pastor who can gently help us learn the basics of this Christian life and character development.

Through our growth process, God will bring the other 4 ministry offices to add strength and structure to the formation of Christ in us, the hope of glory.

Yet, as I have walked with God these years I see many of these ministers see the kingdom of God only through their particular ministry gift, and for humor I write:

The pastor:

GO TO CHURCH! Is it not written: Ps 122: I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

Hebrews 10:25

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Psalm 92:13

Planted in the house of the Lord, They will flourish in the courts of our God

They are right! We all need to be part of a local church, https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/12/04/why-go-to-church/

The apostle:

Then we have the apostle, often called the missionary today, whose favorite verse might be

Romans 15:20

And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation

Kind like the old Star Trek television series, ‘To Go Boldly Where No Man Has Gone Before”

1 Corinthians 4:9

For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.

Since the greatest in the kingdom is the servant of all, the true apostles I have met over the years are often gentle, suffering, humble servants of Jesus, who almost glow when they walk, carrying great spiritual authority and power….

We call them missionaries….

The Prophet:

Then there are prophets:

Wild creatures!

Dreams, Visions, revelations, ‘This is the Way Walk Ye in It!’ people.

A couple of verses from the office of the prophet, you often hear, when they show up:

Numbers 11:29

Then Moses said to him, “Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!”

Acts 2:17

‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams

1 Corinthians 14:1

[ Prophecy and Tongues ] Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy

It has been my experience that true prophets stir up controversy by what they say, apostles by what they do…

Evangelists:

Repent, and get saved!

If you are not winning souls, I question your salvation!

These are the great soul winners, those called to train and equip believers for the work of winning the lost.

Biblically, they usually demonstrate great miracles to draw the crowds to the gospel.

Acts 8:6

And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did

A perfect modern day example of a firely evangelist is Rhinhart Bonnke, or now Danial King.

The Teacher:

Then there are the teachers

2 Timothy 2:15

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Isaiah 28:13

But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon  precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

There have been great studies in the life of Jesus, showing how He is the ultimate apostle, pastor, prophet, evangelist and teacher, but what is the purpose of all of these gifts?

Here is a passage of Scripture I continually come back to:

Eph 4⁷ But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ Therefore He says:

“When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”^[b]

⁹ (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first^[c] descended into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, ¹³ till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; ¹⁴ that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, ¹⁵ but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

So we are given men and women of God, from God, to grow us in the things of God, that we can be delivered from the trickery of men, that we can take our place in the Body of Christ, our particular spot, gift, place and calling, that the whole Body of Christ might grow as we edify each other in love.

Been thinking about some what a disciple might look like in 2015, and I see questions, not full answers before me.

Since Jesus only ministered on the earth to His 12 disciples for 3-1/2 years before appointing them leaders in His kingdom in the earth, as His representatives, can we as leaders raise up people to send, in a similar three and a half year time period?

Yes, He promised that we would perform greater works than His, yet He lived with His disciples 24/7 for His entire earthly ministry.

How many of us are willing to embrace twelve people, and lovingly live with, teach, train, equip, and work with for 3-1/2 years until they are raised up in their particular ministries?

As I thought about the church structures in place across the earth, I see churches that place pastoral staff on salaries, but then how are the other four ministry gifts supposed to ethically receive financial support?

Do they simply attend a strong local church, and then perform their particular ministries outside of it’s four walls?

Evangelists raising up evangelistic centers that receive donations from the Body of Christ to finance their living support, and to host the crusades and conferences that train and equip us in the work of evangelism.

Prophets, who host conferences, and produce books and teaching materials to train and equip us in the prophetic…

Missionaries who solicit support to GO and perform missionary assignments, and to raise their families on the missions field.

Teachers, who receive salaries for teaching in the various educational institutes where they are called.

Somehow all this must flow through the local church, and how I have seen cat fights over money!

Should never be. All of us should tithe where the Lord directs, and I honestly believe if the Holy Spirit is fully in charge of the finances of His people, there will be no lack in God’s work being fully supported…

I was speaking about this today with Richard Lyons, who pastors the church we are helping pioneer.

I asked him: ‘Richard, here, in 2015, what does a true disciple of Jesus look like?’

He replied:

John 13:34

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

John 13:35

By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

So we see the fruit of a true disciple of Jesus, is true love exhibited in the earth, unconditional love shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit!

John 15:10

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

John 15:12

[ Disciples’ Relation to Each Other ] “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:17

This I command you, that you love one another

Romans 5:5

and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us

John 15:5

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears muchfruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

John 15:8

My Father is glorified by this, that you bear muchfruit, and so prove to be My disciples

So, as we deliberately seek to receive the love of Jesus, we find ourselves thrust out into this war-torn, sin-sick, broken world, with one great weapon, His love beating in our hearts.

This is the mark of a true disciple, loving people, with no strings attached, simply because He first loved us.

Love Loud Today Leader!

All the evangelism, miracles, works of the ministry mean nothing without love…and love never fails!

Neither will you or I, as we deliberately love…

1 Timothy 1:5

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

Come on disciple, let’s pray:

Father, I come to You today, knowing my needs! I need Your love, Your direction, Your strength and power to serve You in this, my generation. Flow through me to love loud today, those You have placed in my path today. I ask this, knowing I am loved and heard, for I ask in Your name Lord Jesus! AMEN!

Earthly vs Heavenly Authority, a story!

Earthly vs Heavenly Authority, a story!

Behold the man!
John 19:5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!
The One who suffered and died for you, calls you to look upon Him again today!
Behold, the man Christ Jesus, risen now from the dead, King of kings, and Lord of lords!
19: 14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!
15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

On that day, Jesus stood before earthly authority, but in eternity, the day surely came, when Pilate died, and appeared before King Jesus in heaven to give an account of his life….

Reminds me of a missionary story, where I was trying to pioneer a church in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. One of the ministries we did, was to run an alcohol/drug rehabilitation program, that involved visiting the two local prisons each week. During this prison outreach, I was introduced to a group, that had applied to the City of Ottawa, for an abandoned building, to be used as a carpentry shop. They had been awarded a contract to rebuild historic window and door frames from the government, and the contract employed 22 ex-convicts for a minimum of 2 years. I looked through their proposal, and it was well thought out. The cost to incarcerate a man at that time, was around $90,000.00 tax payer dollars, and so the roughly 2 million dollar per year saving to the Canadian taxpayer, whereby criminals became law abiding, taxpaying citizens, in my mind far offset the 2 million dollar value of the condemned building, slotted for demolition. This group had mobilized an army of volunteers to remodel this facility, and felt that with the donations of supplies and labor they had in writing, they could do the proposed $2.2 million dollar remodel required for occupancy, for $400,000.00.
Their proposal was categorically rejected by the city council, and these hard working men, who in my opinion were not asking for a hand out, but a hand up, had this door of opportunity slammed in their face.

Now, if they were schemers and scammers, I would have gently walked past their need, but after meeting with them, and much prayer, I felt that they had an honest chance to better themselves, and offer hope, to many ex-cons who wanted to serve Jesus, and leave their life of crime. They needed a spokesperson, and I can preach.

I can also be a warrior for the oppressed.

So, I was invited to speak for them at the next City Council meeting, and I was given five minutes to speak.

Typical of my pastor’s schedule, I was running hard, and showed up at the council meeting five minutes before the session was scheduled to begin.

I had seen the proposal submitted to the city, but had not seen the 200 page response by the city government. I was feeling overwhelmed, as we signed into the council meeting. The court clerk asked me if I had any supporting documentation to submit to council, before I was called to speak, and I glanced in my folder and noticed a poster that we had made for our youth group, to place inside their lockers. It was a simple poster, printed on a picture of a highway that read:

Heaven or Hell?
Matt 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Which road are you on?

So, without thinking, I handed this poster to the court clerk, who quickly photocopied it, and handed it to the long row of city councilors.

While I awaited my turn to speak, one of the prison reform guys directed my attention to the final pages of the City document, the section entitled:

‘In Conclusion’
It read something like:” It is the opinion of this council that this request be denied, as it makes no contribution to the City Budget. It appears to be another charitable cause, similar to the snowsuit fund, or the food bank, that asked for a little space for a little while, some years ago, but that has been using City resources now for several years, unable to contribute financially.’

Thank God for the Holy Spirit!

So, it was time to speak, and my words went something like this:
‘Ladies and gentlemen of the council, I consider it an honour to speak to you today, regarding this proposal from this prison reform group. I have read their proposal, and it appears to me well thought out, and in the best interests of the citizens of Ottawa for several reasons:

Financially it is sound. Due to the high rate of recidivism back into the prison system, an ex-convict in this City, has difficulty finding legitimate employment, and often, statistically falls back into a life of crime, simply because that is all they know to do. In this program they are given a job, accountability, and training to be able to make a clean break with the prison system, which humanly speaking is wonderful.

It also seems that should the 22 men immediately employed in this program, from the prison system stay out of prison, the tax savings to the Canadian public alone, properly documented, should look good on ones political portfolio.

Yet, I am a man of God, and in front of you, you have the words of Jesus.

In this we find our individual responsibility to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the prisoner. Surely, each of us are individually responsible to these verses, but it would appear to me, that the blessing of God would fall not just on individuals, but to any organization or government structure that did so also.

In your concluding notes, you mention the food bank, and the snowsuit fund as two entities that do not contribute to the city’s budget, and now this, a program to help prisoners find a better life. Sure looks like feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the prisoner to me.

The question then to me appears clear: Council, what are you going to do with this proposal: Obey God, and see this city get blessed, or will you be like Pilate, and wash your hands, and crucify my Lord all over again?”

I sat down, but,the mayor jumped up, red in the face, and said: ’I demand a vote!’

They voted it down, and opposed it.

Another councilor said; “I appeal this vote, as we do not have a full quorum!’

Got pretty hot in that room for a minute!

We were asked to leave, and it looked like we lost.

Yet, the lady councilor came out of chambers and told us: ‘All is not lost, I have demanded a re-vote, when council resits next week. We have 4 councillors out, and it could swing the vote.’

Sure enough, the following week, it was re-motioned and voted upon,and got approved.

That group went on to make a public eyesore, a prison reform project, and I hope they did well.

The mayor on the re-vote, resigned from office!

I prayed for him, and had the opportunity to bless him publicly at a later date, at another government function, but that is another story.

Here is the moral of the story for all you theologians out there, wondering about the roles and responsibilities of the various authority structures defined Biblically according to the ascension gifts of our Lord Jesus Christ: (apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists and teachers), versus earthly governments (Rom 13:1-5, 1Tim 2:1-5)

As ministers, we are to obey the laws of the land, and to be good citizens. Yet, there is a higher law than any human law, and that is the Word of God. I believe that even as earthly governments have the authority to correct a minister that is breaking a clear violation of God’s law and man’s (policeman giving a speeding ticket etc) even so a five-fold ministry gift has the authority of God, to correct any government institution violating the written word of God.

The wisdom of the ages is always: When do we say, vs when do we just pray?

Right now, let’s pray:
‘Father, we love you, and thank you for your goodness, love, grace and truth. May my life align with Your word, described in 1 Tim 3:1-7. When earthly authority is in error, show me when to pray, and when to say what needs to be corrected, in Your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen’

Leadership Process – Servant Kingship!

Leadership Process – Servant Kingship!

1 Cor 4 : 8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

How life changes as we grow up. We first come to Jesus, and the whole world lights up. The sun seems brighter, the flowers more beautiful, the sky clear, and we simply want to love the whole world. Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. He loves me, He loves me, He loves me!

May this love ever burn in our hearts! May this love compel us to action!

Yet, quickly, we also discover, there is great evil in the world. Fallen men, empowered by their sin nature, and devils do abominable things! Babies killed, abused, wars, carnage, greedy people raping others, the land, for their own selfish carnal desires to be met.

Then, someone teaches us that we have authority over the devil! That we have something to say in this world! We can exercise God’s authority in the earth, because we have read:
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Re 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Indeed, we are kings before Him! Priests of the most High God! Offering acceptable sacrifices of prayer, praise, worship, and service, through Jesus shed blood!

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

We have been given authority over the works of darkness, positionally, and we begin to walk it out!

Luke 10: 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

We are those who hear His voice, and we get filled with the Holy Spirit, and experience His power in our lives. Signs and wonders start to happen, daily in our life!

Mark 16: 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
We pray, and heaven opens, and we see visions, experience living revelation from a very living God.

Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Yet, after some years, God decides on a specific calling for our lives, something for us to do individually…He speaks to us, and sends us….

The word apostle, simply means: ‘sent one’.

Now, I can send my children to the refrigerator for milk, making them the apostle of milk!

In our reading today, this is not what Paul is talking about here. There is five fold ministry in the earth, set in place by the hand of God, to govern His church.

1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
1Co 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

These offices are the government of God in the earth, with the authority, power, and grace from God, to accomplish what He needs established.

Rather than divert from the clear direction Holy Spirit is leading me today, please read: http://www.amazon.com/He-Gave-Gift…/…/0892765178/ref=sr_1_1…

Today, I am led to share about the journey from revelational position and spiritual authority, to practical authority, responsibility, and seasoned leadership, in authentic five fold ministry gifts operating in the earth, now.

Paul discovered himself, initially, in his early years of ministry, to be great in the kingdom, called of God, with both spiritual and earthly authority. He was a king, priest and lord, subject only to the King of all Kings,High Priest we confess, and the Lord of all Lords!

2Co 11:5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

What caused the apostle Paul, to call himself the ‘very chiefest of apostles’?
He had a revelation from heaven, and it was incredibly great!

Yet, the character of the Master, must become the character of the servant.

By the end of his life, we read, the same apostle Paul:
1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

The journey of life, from chief apostle, to chief of all sinners….

From king, priest and power, to
1 Cor 4: 9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

Did his identity change? Did God demote him?

Ro 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Nope, promoted him actually, so much so that he wrote over half of the New Testament.

God did not change, but Paul did!

Consider carefully these words of Jesus:
Luke 22: 25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

What I want you to see, is this. Your eternal rank, privilege, and reward, are given to you by God Himself, AS A SERVANT!

Ro 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

I have discovered this as a missionary, first back to Canada my home country, and now to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to the United States of America, and the nations, that my heavenly office, authority, and position are secure.

Yet in the natural order of life, my day to day walk, I have become a spectacle unto the world, a laughing stock from my family, colleagues from college, former business leadership friends, where I am at best, misunderstood.

Even angels, that minister to me, my family, and the nations through me, are probably amazed at what I put up with, and undergo, to obey God, intimately, personally, daily, as even my fellow brothers and sisters at my church, probably question my sanity (Gotta admit, I question it some days too!), as again, and again, Jesus speaks, leads, and moves me far outside my comfort zone, as my deeper insecurities, need for control, position, and pride are stripped away, that the love of the kingdom of God, through pure motives might shine through me.

If you are called to lead, He is doing the same thing in you, too.

The great violinist, Niccolo Paganini willed his marvelous violin to city of Genoa on condition that it must never be played. The wood of such an instrument, while used and handled, wears only slightly, but set aside, it begins to decay. Paganini’s lovely violin has today become worm-eaten and useless except as a relic. A Christian’s unwillingness to serve may soon destroy his capacity for usefulness.
J.K. Laney, Marching Orders, p. 34.

Not sure who this is for, but the very call of God upon you to greatness, has actually produced the deeper workings of the cross in your life, as you seek to obey Him intimately.

Dreams and visions that did not come to pass in your timing, produce a quiet peace, trust, and revelation of His Lordship, that He will make everything beautiful in His time. He has eternity on His mind, and a people on the other side of your obedience.

Obedience is the Word of the day, for if you are truly called of God, there is no other way, to get from here, to where you know you need to be, otherwise.

1Co 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
Have a Happy Death!
Ga 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

Let’s pray:
‘”Father, I embrace the cross. I receive your process, and provision for the process, as I quietly hear, and obey, your voice, today. Jesus, you are my good Shepherd, may I clearly hear your voice, and fully obey you, today, Amen’

The Responsibility of Discipleship

Some time ago, I attended the leadership portion of Word Explosion here at Victory in Tulsa, OK.

A pastor that I had never heard of, who reported pastors a church of 15,000+ somewhere in the Eastern United States brought a word about the seasons of God in the church, and he was very articulate and relevant, in bringing out the various things Holy Spirit was accenting, decade by decade here in churches  in the United States.

From the Healing movement, to the Charismatic renewal, to teaching and the Word of Faith, to leadership, etc.

Then he made a couple of statements that confirmed things that Holy Spirit is screaming to me.

He explained that the day of a person simply accepting Jesus, receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and attending church, is not enough in this upcoming season of God, but that what must occur is discipleship.

He went on to say, that to the average pastor, you would look for someone saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, attending regular worship services, attending a small group, and then serving somewhere in the ministry as good indicators of what a disciple should look like, and I agree these are good indicators, but here is where he and I take a different path to the same objective.

I believe a true disciple of Jesus, is a person that is fully led of the Holy Spirit, all day, every day.

Historically, there has been grave excesses in what is called ‘the discipleship, or Shepherding movement’

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepherding_Movement

Yet, what about true discipleship?

Jesus said: Matthew 28:19

Go out and make disciples in all the nations.

I think back on my own discipleship experience with my pastor, where, for a period of 5-7 years, he had me read every book in his library, develop a strong devotional life and Bible reading plan, and had me serve in every area of the church for 3-6months.

Was that the end of my spiritual growth?

Was I fully prepared for ministry by this process?

No, but it was a great foundation.

Luke 16:12

And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?

So let’s dig into this concept of discipleship a bit:

Let’s begin by looking at the definition of a disciple:

Full Definition of DISCIPLE

1

:  one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: as

a :  one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ’s followers according to the Gospel accounts

b :  a convinced adherent of a school or individual

2

capitalized :  a member of the Disciples of Christ founded in the United States in 1809 that holds the Bible alone to be the rule of faith and practice, usually baptizes by immersion, and has a congregational polity

 

For the sake of simplicity, I call a disciple ‘a disciplined one’.

For example, when I swam on the college varsity swim team, I was expected to make 7 swim practices a week, and we usually did 2 weight work-outs on top of this. In order to stay on the team, I had to be a full time student and maintain a ‘C’ average academically.

What this meant, was that literally every minute of my week, seven days/week was scheduled, so that we could survive not only the training schedule, but the weekends spent on buses travelling to inter-varsity swim meets all over the province.

I was a disciple of competitive swimming and robotics engineering, listening carefully to my Olympic coach on how to make all this possible.

Obviously I survived and completed three varsity seasons, and completed my BSc in robotics, by being a disciplined one…

I was a disciple of robotics and swimming. No Jesus anywhere though.

Yet, we are called to follow Jesus…

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/01/11/your-great-commission-embracing-your-destiny/

So what does a disciple of Jesus look like in today’s world?

Here are some thoughts:

1. Aggressively following Jesus, having established a morning prayer watch, deliberately seeking Him first thing, every day.
2. Walking in the Word in deliberate Bible reading, confession, memorization, study, and meditation.
3. Consistently demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit, with signs, wonders and miracles flowing in everyday life, in spirit-led days. Flowing in God all day, every day, not merely on Sundays, or in devotional times. Walking with Holy Spirit, one day at a time, fully submitted to Jesus Lordship.
4. Consistently exhibiting the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our character, carefully watching over our words, that they be faith-filled, representing Jesus well, as an ambassador should.
5. Consistently witnessing and sharing the gospel.(Here is a way to do this on-line:https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/11/10/the-gospel-the-power-of-god/)
6. Consistently growing their families in the call of God, through their example, love, consecration, and recognition and fulfillment of their responsibility in their role in the home
7. Consistently attending church, and seeking to serve and build it, growing in faithfulness and responsibility.  https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/12/04/why-go-to-church/
8. Living a lifestyle of worship, singing, praying in the spirit, with an attitude of humility and gratefulness, demonstrating the acts of compassion the gospel commands: helping the poor, feeding the hungry, visiting the prisoner, the sick, clothing the naked, empowering the fatherless..
9. Consistently seeking to grow in their gift and calling, spiritually, academically, and physically.
10.  Consistently seeking to grow others in their gifts and callings, empowering, equipping, and encouraging them to hear and fully obey God in all things.
11.    Consistently giving and growing financially, learning how best to keep money under the Lordship of Jesus as a good steward.
12.    Deliberately seeking and pursuing our personal mandate, vocation, and assignment, individually, growing in responsibility levels, on purpose.

Jesus had 12 disciples.

These are simply 12 guidelines I seek to live by.

Yet, as I have meditated upon the concept of discipleship, I discover questions that have difficult answers.

I remember many years ago, an organization called Promise Keepers, encouraged us to find a Paul, and Barnabas, and a Timothy in our lives. The ‘Paul’ being a spiritual leader we could look to for leadership, mentorship, and instruction. The ‘Barnabas’ being a ‘son of encouragement’, another brother in the Lord we could look to for encouragement in the day to day battles of life, and the ‘Timothy’ being one we could pour life and wisdom into, one we were deliberately discipling.

This is a good start surely.

As we grow in our Christian walk, we surely need a pastor who can gently help us learn the basics of this Christian life and character development.

Through our growth process, God will bring the other 4 ministry offices to add strength and structure to the formation of Christ in us, the hope of glory.

Yet, as I have walked with God these years I see many of these ministers see the kingdom of God only through their particular ministry gift, and for humor I write:

The pastor:

GO TO CHURCH! Is it not written: Ps 122: I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

Hebrews 10:25

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Psalm 92:13

Planted in the house of the Lord, They will flourish in the courts of our God

They are right! We all need to be part of a local church, https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/12/04/why-go-to-church/

The apostle:

Then we have the apostle, often called the missionary today, whose favorite verse might be

Romans 15:20

And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation

Kind like the old Star Trek television series, ‘To Go Boldly Where No Man Has Gone Before”

1 Corinthians 4:9

For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.

Since the greatest in the kingdom is the servant of all, the true apostles I have met over the years are often gentle, suffering, humble servants of Jesus, who almost glow when they walk, carrying great spiritual authority and power….

We call them missionaries….

The Prophet:

Then there are prophets:

Wild creatures!

Dreams, Visions, revelations, ‘This is the Way Walk Ye in It!’ people.

A couple of verses from the office of the prophet, you often hear, when they show up:

Numbers 11:29

Then Moses said to him, “Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!”

Acts 2:17

‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams

1 Corinthians 14:1

[ Prophecy and Tongues ] Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy

It has been my experience that true prophets stir up controversy by what they say, apostles by what they do…

Evangelists:

Repent, and get saved!

If you are not winning souls, I question your salvation!

These are the great soul winners, those called to train and equip believers for the work of winning the lost.

Biblically, they usually demonstrate great miracles to draw the crowds to the gospel.

Acts 8:6

And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did

A perfect modern day example of a firely evangelist is Rhinhart Bonnke, or now Danial King.

The Teacher:

Then there are the teachers

2 Timothy 2:15

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Isaiah 28:13

But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon  precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

There have been great studies in the life of Jesus, showing how He is the ultimate apostle, pastor, prophet, evangelist and teacher, but what is the purpose of all of these gifts?

Here is a passage of Scripture I continually come back to:

Eph 4⁷ But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ Therefore He says:

“When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”^[b]

⁹ (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first^[c] descended into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, ¹³ till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; ¹⁴ that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, ¹⁵ but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

So we are given men and women of God, from God, to grow us in the things of God, that we can be delivered from the trickery of men, that we can take our place in the Body of Christ, our particular spot, gift, place and calling, that the whole Body of Christ might grow as we edify each other in love.

Been thinking about some what a disciple might look like in 2015, and I see questions, not full answers before me.

Since Jesus only ministered on the earth to His 12 disciples for 3-1/2 years before appointing them leaders in His kingdom in the earth, as His representatives, can we as leaders raise up people to send, in a similar three and a half year time period?

Yes, He promised that we would perform greater works than His, yet He lived with His disciples 24/7 for His entire earthly ministry.

How many of us are willing to embrace twelve people, and lovingly live with, teach, train, equip, and work with for 3-1/2 years until they are raised up in their particular ministries?

As I thought about the church structures in place across the earth, I see churches that place pastoral staff on salaries, but then how are the other four ministry gifts supposed to ethically receive financial support?

Do they simply attend a strong local church, and then perform their particular ministries outside of it’s four walls?

Evangelists raising up evangelistic centers that receive donations from the Body of Christ to finance their living support, and to host the crusades and conferences that train and equip us in the work of evangelism.

Prophets, who host conferences, and produce books and teaching materials to train and equip us in the prophetic…

Missionaries who solicit support to GO and perform missionary assignments, and to raise their families on the missions field.

Teachers, who receive salaries for teaching in the various educational institutes where they are called.

Somehow all this must flow through the local church, and how I have seen cat fights over money!

Should never be. All of us should tithe where the Lord directs, and I honestly believe if the Holy Spirit is fully in charge of the finances of His people, there will be no lack in God’s work being fully supported…

I was speaking about this today with Richard Lyons, who pastors the church we are helping pioneer.

I asked him: ‘Richard, here, in 2015, what does a true disciple of Jesus look like?’

He replied:

John 13:34

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

John 13:35

By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

So we see the fruit of a true disciple of Jesus, is true love exhibited in the earth, unconditional love shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit!

John 15:10

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

John 15:12

[ Disciples’ Relation to Each Other ] “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:17

This I command you, that you love one another

Romans 5:5

and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us

John 15:5

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears muchfruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

John 15:8

My Father is glorified by this, that you bear muchfruit, and so prove to be My disciples

So, as we deliberately seek to receive the love of Jesus, we find ourselves thrust out into this war-torn, sin-sick, broken world, with one great weapon, His love beating in our hearts.

This is the mark of a true disciple, loving people, with no strings attached, simply because He first loved us.

Love Loud Today Leader!

All the evangelism, miracles, works of the ministry mean nothing without love…and love never fails!

Neither will you or I, as we deliberately love…

1 Timothy 1:5

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

Come on disciple, let’s pray:

Father, I come to You today, knowing my needs! I need Your love, Your direction, Your strength and power to serve You in this, my generation. Flow through me to love loud today, those You have placed in my path today. I ask this, knowing I am loved and heard, for I ask in Your name Lord Jesus! AMEN!

Why Should I Start a Bible School?

Why Should I Start a Bible School?.

Qualifications for Ministry

I read this some years ago, and as I stand against some wonderful symptoms in my body and my family, it made me chuckle this morning. Hope you like it! C

THE MINISTER

One of the toughest tasks a church faces is choosing a good minister.

A member of an official board undergoing this painful process finally lost
patience. He’d just witnessed the Pastoral Relations Committee reject
applicant after applicant for some minor fault – real or imagined. It was
time for a bit of soul-searching on the part of the committee. So he stood
up and read this letter purporting to be from another applicant.

Gentlemen: Understanding your pulpit is vacant, I should like to apply for
the position. I have many qualifications. I’ve been a preacher with much
success and also had some success as a writer. Some say I’m a good
organizer. I’ve been a leader most places I’ve been.

I’m over 50 years of age and have never preached in one place for more than three years. In some places, I have left town after my work caused riots and disturbances. I must admit I have been in jail three or four times, but not because of any real wrongdoing.

My health is not too good, though I still accomplish a great deal. The
churches I have preached in have been small, though located in several large
cities. I’ve not gotten along well with religious leaders in the towns where
I have preached. In fact, some have threatened me, and even attacked me
physically. I am not too good at keeping records. I have been known to
forget whom I have baptized. However, if you can use me, I promise to do my best for you.

The board member turned to the committee and said, “Well, what do you think?

Shall we call him?”

The good church folks were appalled! Consider a sickly, trouble-making,
absent-minded ex-jailbird? Was the board member crazy? Who signed the
application? Who had such colossal nerve?

The board member eyed them all keenly before he replied, “It’s signed, ‘The
Apostle Paul.’”