Get Your Ducks in a Row!

Get Your Ducks in Row!

Hab 2: 2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Some time ago, I attended a ministers conference that was teaching us the importance of solidifying the vision and mandate that God had placed upon each of our lives, hosted by Brad Stine, and Blake Fite of Sanctuary Church. He gave the illustration of being stuck in traffic on Sheridan here in Tulsa, on the 4 lane section, with all 4 lanes stopped in both directions. He looked at the long line of traffic stopped in both directions, and saw the lights of a police cruiser up ahead, stopping traffic.

Thousands of tons of metal at a complete stop, with a policeman directing traffic?

As he peered off into the distance, to see what kind of accident or calamity had stopped traffic, he was amazed to see the policeman escorting a mother duck across traffic, with her ducklings in tow. She seemed oblivious to all the commotion her crossing was causing, but simply with great quacks, and purpose, she focused on keeping her ducklings moving in single file, to get them out of danger, and across the busy street.

Brad went on to say, that our particular vision, mandates, and goals needed be as focused as that mother ducks: all we have to do, to be successful in life and ministry, is to stay focused on our particular assignment from God, for our individual lives, keeping our ducks in a row. He will stop the world if needed to make way for our gift and calling…Yep, all we need to do, is keep our ducks in a row.

This is a cute story, but relevant. We can walk with Jesus, in a spirit-led, powerful life.

Let’s Pray:

Father, God, please reveal to me today, Your specific assignment for my life, and what I need to be doing today in order to accomplish it. Remove from me, the distractions, and things that I have added to the simplicity of what you have called me to do. I trust you to protect, provide, stop traffic, and send the laborers I need today, to get done, exactly what You have called me to do, in Your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen

 

Ah! Year End! -Those that don’t organize, agonize!

Those that don’t organize, agonize!

The wonderful joys of year end book-keeping. I know, all of you on here are far more organized than I am in keeping all your receipts and expenses carefully categorized all year, and you have all your software up to date, so completing your year end responsibilities is a easy for you, right?

Well, I heard a wise minister once say to me, when I questioned him about the realms of chaos I often discovered, in trying to help ministers and ministries get their finances in order: “Well, ministers love people. They are people, people. They don’t always have the gift of administration that is needed to set their ministries in order.’

Years ago, that was me. Yet, I have had my share of agony financially over the years, and have learned that there is a gift from God that will set things in order, be it a church, a ministry, or a business, and we can pray and ask Him for this gift!

Lets look at a couple of Bible verses:

2Co 9:12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

Rom 12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

1 Cor 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.

Administration: Setting things in order. Every business and ministry must have this, or it will disintegrate. There are gifts, given by God, to set finances, procedures, and processes in place in any given organization, that bring order, excellence, and avoid all appearance of evil in the handling of people, money, and resources.

Many businesses and ministries do not recognize these, or have these in place yet, and it brings reproach to the cause of Christ, and pain to the people involved in those organizations, and the people they are called to serve.

There is much great teaching on this gift, but for those of us facing year-end, we need more than teaching, we need God to gift us, now!

If you are a leader, that understands the principals of faith and confession, here is a prayer of confession for you that will bring your organization into divine order:

‘Father, I believe that you have called me to lead this organization, and that I have everything I need to get your will done here. I ask You for the gift of administration, to set things into divine order in my life and organization. I believe I receive this now, and by faith, I declare I have powerful gifts of administration, organization, and order operating in my life, to set people, finances, and resources in order. I believe this is easy, for your wisdom makes your yoke easy, and burden light. The people you have called alongside of me, to help manage these resources, I will recognize by the Holy Spirit, and I trust you to supply their every need, to get this essential management job of your kingdom done quickly, with excellence, and no compromise to integrity, in your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen’

Get Your Ducks in a Row!

Get Your Ducks in Row!

Hab 2: 2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Some time ago, I attended a ministers conference that was teaching us the importance of solidifying the vision and mandate that God had placed upon each of our lives, hosted by Brad Stine, and Blake Fite of Sanctuary Church. He gave the illustration of being stuck in traffic on Sheridan here in Tulsa, on the 4 lane section, with all 4 lanes stopped in both directions. He looked at the long line of traffic stopped in both directions, and saw the lights of a police cruiser up ahead, stopping traffic.

Thousands of tons of metal at a complete stop, with a policeman directing traffic?

As he peered off into the distance, to see what kind of accident or calamity had stopped traffic, he was amazed to see the policeman escorting a mother duck across traffic, with her ducklings in tow. She seemed oblivious to all the commotion her crossing was causing, but simply with great quacks, and purpose, she focused on keeping her ducklings moving in single file, to get them out of danger, and across the busy street.

Brad went on to say, that our particular vision, mandates, and goals needed be as focused as that mother ducks: all we have to do, to be successful in life and ministry, is to stay focused on our particular assignment from God, for our individual lives, keeping our ducks in a row. He will stop the world if needed to make way for our gift and calling…Yep, all we need to do, is keep our ducks in a row.

Let’s Pray:
Father, God, please reveal to me today, Your specific assignment for my life, and what I need to be doing today in order to accomplish it. Remove from me, the distractions, and things that I have added to the simplicity of what you have called me to do. I trust you to protect, provide, stop traffic, and send the laborers I need today, to get done, exactly what You have called me to do, in Your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen!’