The Pulpit is Responsible for it!

As I read this quote this morning I feel pricked in my conscience:

pulpit finny

The Pulpit is Responsible for it!

One of America’s eminent Pastors, Charles G. Finney wrote, “Brethren, our preaching will bear its legitimate fruits. If immorality prevails in the land, the fault is ours in a great degree. If there is a decay of conscience, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the public press lacks moral discrimination, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the church is degenerate and worldly, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the world loses its interest in religion, the pulpit is responsible for it. If Satan rules in our halls of legislation, the pulpit is responsible for it. If our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it. Let us not ignore this fact, my dear brethren; but let us lay it to heart, and be thoroughly awake to our responsibility in respect to the morals of this nation.”

Read a couple verses this morning, and encouraged myself in the responsibility I have as a minister to preach the Word!

preach the word 2 Corinthians 2:17

You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.

The Word of God will change people!

Not my works, not my efforts, but my prayer, clear, bold deliverance of the Word, and the power of Holy Spirit demonstrated.

There is no plan B.

Jesus set the example:

Jesus preached

Mark 2:2

Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them

Luke 5:1

[ The First Disciples ] One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to theword of God.

For this the disciples prayed:

preach the Word heaven

Acts 4:29

And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.

³⁰while You extend Your hand to heal, and ^[w]signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy ^[x]servant Jesus.” ³¹And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.

The world does not need sermons; it needs a message. You can go to seminary and learn how to preach sermons, but you will have to go to God to get messages.

Oswald J. Smith

Acts 8:25

After testifying and preaching the word of the Lord in Samaria, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem. And they stopped in many Samaritan villages along the way to preach the Good News.

Acts 11:19

[ The Church in Antioch of Syria ] Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews.

John Wesley used to ask his young men whom he had sent out to preach on probation two questions: “Has any one been converted?” and “Did any one get mad?” If the answer was “No,” he told them he did not think the Lord had called them to preach the Gospel, and sent them about their business. When the Holy Ghost convicts of sin, people are either converted or they don’t like it, and get mad.

Moody’s Anecdotes, P. 123

Acts 13:5

There, in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant.

Acts 13:44

[ Paul Turns to the Gentiles ] The following week almost the entire city turned out to hear them preach the word of the Lord.

There is a tale told of that great English actor Macready. An eminent preacher once said to him: “I wish you would explain to me something.” “Well, what is it? I don’t know that I can explain anything to a preacher.” “What is the reason for the difference between you and me? You are appearing before crowds night after night with fiction, and the crowds come wherever you go. I am preaching the essential and unchangeable truth, and I am not getting any crowd at all.” Macready’s answer was this: “This is quite simple. I can tell you the difference between us. I present my fiction as though it were truth; you present your truth as though it were fiction.”

G. Campbell Morgan, Preaching, p. 36

Acts 14:25

They preached the word in Perga, then went down to Attalia.

Acts 15:35

Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch. They and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord there.

Acts 18:5

And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.

2 Timothy 2:9

And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained.

This is our command, our responsibility – Preach the WORD!

preach the word

Let’s pray:

‘Father, may I be faithful to You, your will and your word, to preach, faithfully your commandments, without compromise! May I not shy from Your harder truths, teaching all men and women to live holy lives, fully obedient to You. Please grant me grace, strength, and fresh fire to get this done, for Your great name’s sake Lord Jesus! 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 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 […]

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

: 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

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:

Aggressively following Jesus, having established a morning prayer watch, deliberately seeking Him first thing, every day.
Walking in the Word in deliberate Bible reading, confession, memorization, study, and meditation.
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.
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.
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/)
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
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/
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/
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/
Consistently seeking to grow others in their gifts and callings, empowering, equipping, and encouraging them to hear and fully obey God in all things.
Consistently giving and growing financially, learning how best to keep money under the Lordship of Jesus as a good steward.
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 4⁷But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸Therefore 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? ¹⁰He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

¹¹And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹²for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, ¹³till 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; ¹⁴that 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, ¹⁵but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

¹⁶from 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!

Pastor! Don’t Give Up!

Pastor, Never Give up!

Pr 25:15 ¶ By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
soft-tongue
We know that by faith and patience we inherit the promises, but how well this verse rings true. A pastors promise to the faithful and weary! You speak the truth in love, with people who are like concrete (you know, all mixed up and thoroughly set!), and they do the exact opposite! So, you speak it again, and again, and again, and again, for years! No change, no obedience to the Word, and they change the subject when truth is brought up, and avoid you. Finally, after years, they ask the obvious question on what they should do about a certain area of their life, and in weariness, almost in a whisper, you tell them again what the Word of God says, and BOOM!
not-might
Holy Spirit shows up, and breaths upon your whisper, and they reel back from the power in your answer, shaken to the very core. Your soft answer broke through the bones of their resistance, and amazingly grace, they got it! They implement the Word of God, and do right! Angels rejoice, they get blessed, and you heave a great sigh of relief, gently thanking God for fruit that remains. Stay with it, you will persevere, prevail, and populate heaven, if you don’t give up!
faith + patience
Let’s Pray:
‘Father, help us to continue to walk in love , truth, and gentleness with people who are contrary to your Word, and ours in their lives. Help us to never compromise or back down, at any cost, and to never get proud or self righteous, when you show up and go Boom! I believe I receive fruit, and fruit that remains in my life, in your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen.’

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.
Chris Karen Walsh's photo.
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.
Chris Karen Walsh's photo.
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?
hell-heaven
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.
Chris Karen Walsh's photo.
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)
Chris Karen Walsh's photo.
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?
Lets 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’

Ravenous Wolves….

As I learn to walk with Jesus, I again read this verse this morning, and see within it, deeper truth:

Matthew 7:15

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves

I know many people of God, who name the name of God, even Jesus, yet I watch the way they are treating people around them, manipulating, slithering around them, to get their own needs met.

Not just financial needs!

Sure we have seen people merchandise the ministry, making some practices look like the old fashioned ‘snake oil salesmen’ or schemers out of the proverbial shell game.

Yet it is not just ministry leaders that prey upon God’s sheep. I see it in business and politics too, ambitious, passionate people making merchandise of people with no concern for the care and needs of those they are using.

Ezekiel 22:27

Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain

Isaiah 56:11

But the dogs have monstrous appetites. They never have enough. They are shepherds who don’t understand. All of them have turned to their own ways, every last one greedy for profit.

So what makes a spiritual wolf?

I believe it is all about hungers….appetites designed to be legitimately met by Jesus and the bread of His Word, that feed on the flesh and brokenness of others.

It is all about the heart. We have passions that rage within ourselves, needs for love, intimacy, sex, food, success, to be noticed…

God will supply all of these, if we allow Him to break our hearts, and give to us the living waters of His Spirit that Jesus promises, but this is not a quick, microwave thing, it takes hours, daily, alone with Him in prayer, as He gently soaks us with His Spirit, washes us with His Word, feeds our heart of heart with His love, understanding, revelation, and peace, quieting our raging passions in the ocean of His presence.

Yet, I have learned that most leaders are way too busy for this degree of intimacy, and they gotta GO!

No realizing that in many cases the ‘gotta’ is an unmet appetite, that they are going to get fed in the rough and tumble of life.

Gotta make that deal, sign that contract, make that buck, conquer that person, have sex with the object of my desire.

Self…

Ravenous passions….

The tyranny of unmet expectations, the pursuit of unholy desires….

Jesus saw all this while He was on the earth, which is why I believe He told His disciples:

Matthew 10:16

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

He knew the pride and passion of sinful people, wolves, bloodthirsty predators…

So we walk with Jesus, allowing Him to meet with us deep within the secret places of our heart, and each day, He gently sends us out into this broken world as His sheep, in the midst of people who are as ravenous and predatory as wolves…

Yet His command is clear, walk with Him in their midst, as wise as a serpent, as gentle as doves…

Not all leaders are false, God does still call leaders!

Jeremiah 3:15

I will appoint shepherds with whom I’m pleased, and they will lead you with knowledge and understanding

John 10:11

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

There are still servant hearted servants of the Lord, laying down our lives for the feeding and leading of God’s people, because we honestly care…

Let’s Pray:

‘Father, thank you for Jesus. May we continually seek You First, and allow you to meet our deepest needs, directly by Your Word and through Your presence Holy Spirit. Protect us from our own raging passions and appetites, and may they rage only for You and Your kingdom. As leaders, may we gently lead, feed, protect, and empower your people, as You gently give us a good word in season, knowledge from heaven to meet the needs of your people. I ask this, looking to You Lord Jesus, the chief shepherd, my Lord, and my King, Amen’