The Pulpit is Responsible for it!

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

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!

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:

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:

Acts 4:29

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

³⁰ while You extend Your hand to heal, and ^[w]signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy ^[x]servant Jesus.” ³¹ And 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!

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”

REAP! It’s your responsibility!

Reap!

The Parable of the Growing Seed

^{Mark 4:26} And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, ²⁷ and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. ²⁸ For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. ²⁹ But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

Notice here, that the person who plants the seed, is responsible to REAP their harvest.

The Workers Are Few

³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Luke 10:² He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

John 4:35

Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.

36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.

Reap (reep)

verb (used with object)

1. to cut (wheat, rye, etc.) with a sickle or other implement or a machine, as in harvest.
2. to gather or take (a crop, harvest, etc.).
3. to get as a return, recompense, or result:

Notice here that Reap is used as a verb. Verbs are action words. We need to be working, doing, moving, putting action to our crops and fields of endeavor.

We sow our finances, our effort, our time, our talent, our prayer, the word, and our faith, all for one thing: The Harvest.

The earth will produce, but we must reap it’s rewards.

We do this through:

1. Work, never heard of a harvest that did not require work to get into the barn.
2. Faith, we need God to supply the weather, health, wisdom to get it done.
3. Diligence, we must stay faithful to finish what we start.

Let’s Pray:

‘Father God, please give us strength, wisdom, diligence and courage, to continue to work faithfully in Your Kingdom, in only the fields of endeavour You have called us to. We aks, knowing we are heard, for we ask in Your name Lord Jesus, Amen.’

For prayer, comments, or to donate online:

https://chrisaomministries.com/2016/08/06/the-purpose-of-this-blog/

Email: chris.aomministries@gmail.com

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Give in faith!

1 Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits?

1 Corinthians 9:14 [On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.

Paul goes on to say, that he did not use his position as a minister of the gospel to take up offerings, rather he worked, making tents, to support himself. You might notice here, that Paul was not married, nor did he have children. Family responsibilities take time, and just as you bust a move on your job to provide for your family, I work every bit as hard, doing this, faithful to the Lord in prayer and the ministry of His Word, to you.

I will never charge for this: it my responsibility to God, my calling. Freely I have been given, now, I freely give…

As you give, hear Holy Spirit what to give, and honestly expect God to reward you for your giving.

Matt 10: 41 He who receives and welcomes and accepts a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives and welcomes and accepts a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones [in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water because he is My disciple, surely I declare to you, he shall not lose his reward.

I am a five-fold ministry gift and office – this is my life – I pray, I hear, I write, and wonderful things happen. You have your job description, I have mine – this is mine….

I have ‘see through’ faith for you, in this: Gal 3: 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

I believe I have a responsibility before God to be like Jesus, in every offering I receive. I receive it with thanksgiving, just like Jesus did the little boys lunch.

Then, because I walk and live by faith according to the blessing of Abraham, I believe that God will take your seed sown, and multiply it, according to what the blessing of Abraham promises:

Genesis 22:17 In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies

It has been a joy to me, to see the hand of the living God act in the lives of those of you who have supported us this year!

Many have seen tremendous blessing come into your households, and for this we give thanks, and give Jesus all the glory!

Leadership vs Management

Leadership vs Management

Ever notice that there is a difference between leadership and management?

While leaders must manage, they also create and produce revenue out of nothing. Strict management, simply manages fixed budgets and resources well, but is not responsible for creating the revenue they manage. Leaders, by faith in God and His promises, literally create something out of nothing.

Here are some more articles to encourage you to make the impossible, possible, today!

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/11/24/making-the-impossible-possible/

Create!

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2015/02/05/let-your-spirit-free/

Let’s pray:

‘Father, Jesus said that everything is possible to us that believe. I choose to believe that You, Creator of heaven and earth, are creating pathways of provision, prosperity, health, wealth, joy and abundance through Your power exercised towards me, your child. I choose to believe you are doing this, for I ask You for it, now, in Your name Lord Jesus, Amen!’

Bruised Reeds and Smoking Flax

Bruised Reeds and Smoking Flax

Matt 12:20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

Heard a teaching one time, that made me think. It was at a leadership conference, and it was talking about the ‘staff or rod’ of leadership.

Ex 4:2 And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.

Ex 4:4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:

Ex 4:17 And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.

Nu 17:5 And it shall come to pass, that the man’s rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you.

Ps 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Pr 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Eze 20:37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:

Mic 6:9 The LORD’S voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.

1Co 4:21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

In these verses we see the rod, as being the symbol of God’s authority in the earth. Moses led with a staff, but in his hands, it became the rod of God, exercising God’s authority, power, and judgments in the earth.

For us who love God, the rod, or the reign and authority of God present in our lives, become a comfort to us, keeping us on the right path, in peace. The rod is His Word, the Holy Scripture, and the voice of Holy Spirit in the earth. These are to be obeyed, not debated.

With our children, the rod of our authority, will give them wisdom, and we see Jesus, the rod come forth from Jesse, line of Judah, linage of king David.

In Ezekiel, we see God acting, reestablishing His authority in His people, ‘bringing them under the rod’.

In Micah, we hear the prophet crying out, by the voice of the Holy Spirit, ‘Hear ye the rod!’

Beautiful Old Testament examples depicting the loving, yet powerful authority of God, at work in the life of his people.

Again, we see the same spirit of love in the apostle Paul, as expressed in the shepherd psalm, ‘Shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love?’

Yet, the man of God who brought this teaching for leaders being raised up (or held in place), by the hand of God, told this story:

In the middle east, is is a common sight for an elder, or a shepherd, to carry a staff. The staff was used in sometimes rough terrain, after a rain perhaps, the ground would be muddy, the footing unsure, so a seasoned leader would use his or her staff, to poke the ground in front of his path, to ensure good footing before walking and leading God’s people there. These rods were often cut from papyrus, or bamboo, and in both cases, the time of the cutting of the staff was important.

When the rod was the correct thickness and straightness, it could be cut, and carefully dried, to become a strong staff, but here is an interesting fact. The bamboo, or wood selected as a staff, could not be bent over or broken at any point in its length, for this would cause a bruise in it, that when dried, became a permanent weakness in the staff. If one leaned upon it, or put any weight upon it, it would break.

2Ki 18:21 Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.

No, a bruised reed, could be splinted, and propped up while it was still green and supple, and as it grew, the bruised areas, would heal themselves through growth, and would actually become stronger, in the areas of weakness, after they were healed.

Placing weight upon a staff, is symbolic of the responsibility of leadership. People place pressure on leaders, and if they were cut and dried while still bruised, they break under pressure.

God does not promote prematurely, there is an anointing for leadership, then there is an appointing for leadership.

Moses was called and discovered his calling at age 40. He was commissioned in his calling at age 80.

Joseph had his time in prison, Paul out in the desert, and if you are called, surely you are being training and developed at the feet of Jesus, probably in another man’s ministry, as God is gently exposing, revealing, and healing your deepest pains and weaknesses, while you are still green, so that while still growing, you can become strong in your weak areas, before you are cut, put aside, carefully dried, and prepared to accept the weight of responsibility your calling must carry.

To be honest, I have seen this process in my own life. As I have thought I was a lot more ready for leadership, than I actually was, I have often stepped out prematurely, to discover that there were yet bruised areas of my life, areas that would not yet bear weight. In my earlier years, I put painful splinters in my pastors’ hands, as they have carried me through some of the wonderful messes I made! Ugh! Never my intention to ever hurt God’s servants, nor to add to their problems, rather always, to take weight and problems from them…

So it is with leaders.

A smoking flax:

I read this quote by the famous Charles Spurgeon:

‘Sometimes a candle smokes, not because it is newly lit, but because it is almost extinguished. I know that I speak to some Christians who have been alight with the fire of Grace for many years and yet they feel as if they were near the dark hour of extinction. But you shall not go out. The Lord will not quench you, Himself, nor will He permit the devil to quench you. He will keep you alight with Grace.’

Well, for those of us still green and growing in our gift and calling, let us grow strong in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s Pray:

‘Father, help me to grow! May I continually press towards the mark of the high calling of God in You Christ Jesus. Help me to honestly face the bruised areas of my life, that need to be splinted, before being pressed into service for the King! May I never seek promotion, only responsibility and service…in Your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen!’

 

Mining for Gold!

Mining for Gold!

I have an uncle in Northern Canada (Whitehorse, Yukon) that is a heavy equipment mechanic, and a gold miner in the summer. From what I understand, over the past couple of hundred years, prospectors have panned most of the creeks to retrieve nuggets and easily recovered gold deposits, but there is still much gold in the north. In order to retrieve it though, one must move tons of earth, and run it through huge sluice boxes, that separate the dirt from the gold. Since the price of gold is so high currently, it is worth the time to fly bulldozers and earth-moving equipment, deep into the bush, to carve into the gold rich soils. Fortunes have been made in doing this.

Well, I am mining a different type of gold, the more precious gold of spiritual revelation and truth, eternal in its worth and consequence.

Isaiah 45:3

and I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

Recently, I saw a Bibliography in the back of one of the ‘Go get em’ motivational business books I had just read, and I decided to photocopy it, and to deliberately read these books, at a rate of two per week. Compared to study of the Word of God, I find them light reading, and I have been able to blaze through many of these books, quickly.

What I am looking for, is revelation, truth, principals of motivation, leadership, and success that are applicable to raising up the strong end time Christian ministries, I am called to develop.

As I was reading a classic entitled: ‘As a Man Thinketh, by James Allen’, I came across the following excerpt that jumped out at me, and I hope it blesses you:

“All that a man achieves or all that he fails to achieve is a result of his own thoughts. In a justly ordered universe, where loss of equipose would mean total destruction, individual responsibility must be absolute. A man’s weakness and strength, purity and impurity, are his own, and not another man’s: they are brought about by himself, never by another. His condition is also his own, and not another man’s. His suffering and his happiness are evolved from within. As he thinks, so he is; as he continues to think, so he remains.
A strong man cannot help a weaker unless the weaker is willing to be helped, and even then the weak man must become strong of himself; he must, by his own efforts, develop the strength which he admires in another. None but himself, can alter his condition. Pages 45,46.

As I thought about this, I had several Scriptures flash across my mind, for your consideration and meditation:

Pr 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

1 Corinthians 13:5

doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

De 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Isa 35:4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

Joe 3:10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.

Ro 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

1Co 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

2Co 13:9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

As I read an article entitled ‘Individual Responsibility before God” I read:

“The practical outcome of this for Christians everywhere was twofold: on the one hand, they were freed from the tyranny, superstition, and oppression of Rome; but on the other hand, with freedom came individual responsibility before God. No longer could the individual Christian rely simply on his membership in the physical organization of a church for the salvation of his soul; to a large degree, it now devolved upon him. Salvation was not something one was physically born into because one’s parents were Christian or because one had received “infant baptism” and made a member of the church before he could even understand what he was doing; but salvation was something spiritual which one had to enter into as the result of a conscience decision he alone had made.
“No longer could anyone else decide this matter for the individual – not one’s mother or father; not one’s priest or bishop; not one’s pastor or elder – it was an individual decision for which the individual alone was responsible. From this point on, no human intermediary could stand between God and man: man now stood naked and alone before his Maker. The frightening words of the Apostle Paul loomed heavily over his head: “Wherefore, my beloved … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling!” (Phil. 2:12)

“Heaven or Hell? – it was his choice! Remaining an “infant in the Lord” or growing up into full Christian maturity? – it was his choice. Being obedient or disobedient? – it was his choice!

“The church could assist by providing the Christian with a nurturing and Biblically-based environment which was conducive to growth in the Spirit; and other Christians could help in their fellowship and friendships – but even here, the individual had to make a conscience decision to avail himself of these “helps.” There was no way other Christians and/or the church could force themselves on the individual and decide for him. In the end, he alone was responsible, and he alone would have to answer for his decisions.”

November 21, 1998
Written By S.R. Shearer

 

This thought is why Paul had us ‘press towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

2 Tim 2:19 ¶ Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

Each of us, will stand before God, alone, to give an account of our lives, personally. Not only for what we did, but I am convinced also, for what we should have done, had we fully obeyed Jesus in our generation.

As I read through these ‘Go get em’ motivational books, I find a blend of Biblical principals (which always bring true success), and humanism, where it seems as if the works of men, will add to the power of God.

While it is true, that works of faith, performed in obedience to the Holy Spirit, will produce tremendous results in both this world and the next, works of man, done according to Biblical principals, may allow a person to amass great wealth in this life, but without eternal reward. God honored His Word in the person’s life, yet the man may or may not have done with the fruits of his labor what God intended, hoarding up for himself the blessings of God, without concern for the gospel,and the needs of humanity. The blessings remain temporal, rather than eternal, and are no indication of that mans true state before a holy God…

So, I exhort you:
Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

I believe, that in this hour, the regular schedule and business of life will not suffice.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

‘God is calling a people to Himself, and is wanting to be sought out, for His plans, purposes and pursuits in this generation.’ quote from Kenneth E. Hagin

I exhort you to deliberately carve time out of your busy schedule, even if it means skipping a couple hours of sleep each morning, to spend time in the Word, in prayer, in praying in other tongues, in worship, seeking His face, until He speaks to you specifically and clearly about your particular giftings and callings. Your appointment in this life…

1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Let’s pray:
‘Father, help me to discipline myself to deliberately seek you, in prayer, praise and Your Word, daily. Speak to me today, and correct me, and redirect me, where I have gone astray. Meet with me Pappa God, and meet the deepest hungers in my heart with your love and truth that makes me free, as I honor and serve You Lord Jesus, free indeed! Amen!’

The Responsibility of Abraham

The Responsibility of Abraham

Galatians 3:7(KJV)

⁷ Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

God promised Abraham, to multiply his seed as the sand of the seashore, and stars of the heavens. His life is an example of what it looks like when God makes one healthy, wealthy and wise.

For those of us growing as leaders, determined to do things God’s way, I got to thinking about how much responsibility and courage it would take to manage and lead 400 employees and their families…

Gen 14:¹⁴ And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen

Gen 17:²³ And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.
(Not sure how many exactly, from the 318 and decades later, so I guessed 400)

This promise is for us today, too. Yet, I have been meditating on the life of Abraham, and thinking about the responsibility he walked in, before God, and man, so, here are my thoughts…

The responsibility of Abraham: We are blessed with the blessing of Abraham. Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

But something I hear so little about, is the responsibility of Abraham. Sure, he was called of God, and God blessed and multiplied him, but then what? How did he handle the blessing?

Well, let me make a few points:
1. He had the responsibility to establish God’s covenant in the earth.
2. He tithed
3. He had to develop raw land into agricultural use.
4. He raised up an army to secure his land
5. He was given authority from heaven, in the earth
6. He had to look after at least 400 families in his employment.
7. He had a responsibility to believe what God said.

Let’s look at these:

1. He had the responsibility to establish God’s covenant in the earth.

Gen 12:1 ¶ Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
4 ¶ So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

He had to know he heard the voice of God, because it cost him everything initially. He had to leave his religion, his family, his relatives, his nation and his culture to obey God. God told him that He would make him into a great nation, would give him fame and honour, that His power manifest through him would make the earth a better place. Yet, intitially, it cost him everything. Probably, all his relatives even his wife thought he was nuts. No one had ever done this before. Of course, he had Noah to think about, no one had ever built and ark before either… Bottom line. If we want to be like Abraham, we must be willing to leave our father, mother, relatives, nation, and culture to fully obey God in this generation.

Hear the words of Jesus: Matt 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

He may ask us to stay in our community to exhibit His love there, but in my case, He told me to leave my family, my country, my culture, my career, and my fiance, to fully obey Him. As I see prayers answered, and His fingerprints upon the earth through my life, I am keenly aware of the spiritual responsibility I carry. Though no one else on the earth understand me, He does, and it is to Him, I must give an account of my obedience. One day, we will all die. On that day we each have an individual appointment with the king, to give an account of our lives. To whom much is given, much is required…Whatever He says, DO IT!

 

2. Abraham tithed:

Heb 7:1 ¶ For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

It is expected, in the New Testament, that if you wish to claim the blessing of Abraham, you need to be like him. That means, we need to establish the tithe in our lives. Le 27:30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD.
He 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

We give God the first ten percent of our income, and deposit it in whatever ministry He directs, but the act of tithing must between us individually, and God Himself. We will be credited on how we tithe, the men that receive our tithes will give and account to God individually, as to how they handled our offerings. We do it, each time, as a witness that Jesus rose from the dead, He lives!

3. He developed raw land into agricultural use:

Gen 13:6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.
9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
10 ¶ And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.

So Abraham understood the blessing, the anointing, the promise of God, and what it would produce in his life. He willingly chose the more barren land, because instinctively he knew that God, who created the universe, was well able to make his barren land, bloom.

Isa 51:3 For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

Joe 2:3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.

The Spirit of God, resting upon obedient men and women, will literally produce a land, as the garden of Eden was back in the creation story. This is covenant, this is redemption, this is what your faith should be producing, this is your spiritual birthright in Jesus.

https://chrisaomministries.com/2015/02/26/recreating-eden-replenish-the-earth/

Yet, work was involved. Gen 26:15 For all the wells which his father’s servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.

I’ve dug a few post holes for fences in my day, and a couple hours on a post hole digger, is good old fashioned, work. Digging wells is no picnic, nor is managing, fencing and shepherding livestock.

Working with the Lord, is a whole lot different than working for mere men. 1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Now when I work, it is part of my worship. Earning money to provide for my family, and to support the work of the gospel around the world. This work, bears eternal consequence and weight, and is far more than just a job…

Interesting thing I just noticed here though. Lot took the better land, but it was near a wicked city, Sodom and Gomorroh. God is a jealous God, and demands 100% devotion to Him. Notice how Lot was enjoying the benefits of the blessing of God, but did not appear to know or care about God Himself. No sign anywhere of him praying, seeking, or hearing from God himself. God blessed Abraham for separating himself from Lot. Sometimes you need to bless people and get yourself away from them, in order to fully experience the blessing of God upon your life.

He sowed a seed (the best land), walked in love, and refused strife, and reaped everything! When he did, he immediately built an alter to God, and worshipped!

Gen 13:14 ¶ And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.

God promised this land to Abram, but Abram had to believe it, receive it, work it, develop it, possess it, and make it a garden of Eden in his generation.
If we are to walk in the responsibility of Abraham, we too will be given specific promises of land, vocation, and blessing, that like Abraham, we must believe, receive by faith, work at, develop, possess, and make our particular garden of Eden in this generation.
4. He raised up an army to secure his land

Gen 13:12 And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
13 ¶ And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
16 And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

Notice, from the very inception of this land, now called Israel, there was war.

For whatever reason, God knew that man must fight, and He placed a warrior heart in us to protect, defend, and fight for our families and our lands.

This was in the beginning, even in the garden of Eden, we read in :Ge 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

Strongs concordance gives a long definition of the Hebrew shamar shaw-mar which King James translates as:

to keep = to guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life. Even in paradise, Satan was in the earth, an enemy to guard ourselves against. We were to be watchful, vigilant, and to protect our family and land from him.

Here, we see Abraham having raised up a training army of 318 men, that went to battle against a hostile force, to deliver wayward Lot, his nephew. He pursued his enemies, and recovered all.

What is the lesson for us today? There is a fight of faith to be fought in this generation.

Satan is a thief, and will not hesitate to steal from us if he can.

Hear the Words of Jesus:
Mt 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Lu 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

Mt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
There is a warrior heart God has placed in every leader, to defend and protect that which God has given him. This heart will war to deliver captives, and to protect and deliver the defenseless, widows, and orphans. If we claim the blessing of Abraham, we need to be willing to fight for what God has given us.

Interesting thought here about Abraham’s army:

Ge 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
Ge 17:13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
All of these had to obey God in coming into covenant with God, by becoming circumcised. As Abraham increased, and needed more help to manage his estate, he purchased help. Kind of reminds me of employees that I have hired over the years, as long as I paid them, they hung around, otherwise they had no interest in the vision and promises of God being worked out in my life. Yet, Abraham insisted that every one of these come under the covenant of God and become circumcised…
Based upon this, I do not think it unreasonable to establish godly conditions for employment in our lives and ministries. Conditions that we might consider:
a. Are you a tither?
b. Are you a born-again Christian?
c. Are you willing to come to morning prayer at the company headquarters?
d. Do you attend a Bible believing local church?
e. Are you faithful to your wife?
f. Are you living a godly, holy life? (criminal background check and drug test)
g. Are you filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues?

These conditions seem to me to be much less difficult, than circumcision…

5. He was given authority from heaven, in the earth

Gen 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

There is a lot going on here. Abraham comes back victorious from battle, and meets this strange characture named Melchizadek, king of Salem. Well, a little background here, the Hebrew word for ‘city of’ is Jeru, I am told, and the Hebrew word for ‘peace’ is Salem. Jerusalem is God’s chosen capital of the earth, the holy city, where He will rule from.

1Ki 11:13 Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.

Jer 3:17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.

Mic 4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Zec 14:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

So, here we have a mysterious king, of the city of Salem, or Jerusalem, appearing to Abraham, and he was obviously greater than Abraham, because Abraham gave him tithes. The man was a priest of the most High God, and priests pray, and offer sacrifices to God. In this case, this priest brought forth bread and wine (sound familiar yet), and announced to the earth on behalf of God: ‘Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth.’

Most scholars call this a theophany, a preincarnate appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are many books written about this, where scholars argue that the man that appeared to Joshua as captain of the Lord’s house, or the fourth man in the fire with the three Hebrew boys, was actually Jesus, appearing as God the Son, before He began His earthly ministry. Re 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

What I want to focus upon though, is what He said: Abram, , possessor of heaven and earth.’

This is strong language, only understood in light of blood covenant. To fully understand this passage, one needs to understand what happened in the covenant ceremony, when blood was shed, vows were taken, and destinies were joined irrovacably, unto death.

Many great books are written on this topic. I like EW Kenyons mini-book, simply titled: ‘Blood covenant’, explaining the significance of blood covenants entered into person to person, and more importantly, between man and God. Basically, in a covenant, two parties were saying all I have is yours, your enemies are my enemies, your family is my family, your resources are my resources, and my resources are your resources.

Bottom line: What Melchidek says here literally, is: Abram, because of your covenant with God, all that God has, is at your disposal, to be called upon, in honour, as you require. This makes you, possesor of heaven and earth. The next verse clarifies this, and

Gen 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

See this: God spoke to Abram covenant talk. You are my covenant representative, and your enemies are my enemies. Because of this, I have delivered them into your hand.

Abram, with his little army of 312 soldiers challenged four kings, and emerged victorious in the conflict.

Because of Jesus, the blessings of Abraham are ours. God has given you authority in the earth.

Isa 45:11 Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.

Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

He is Lord. He is our high priest. He has established His covenant with us through His shed blood, enacted through the partaking of the bread and the wine. His enemies are our enemies, His resources are our resources, His joy is our joy. His lands, are our lands, and His power is available for us to enforce His rule and reign in the earth.

Gen 15: 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

So, Abraham had Isaac, miraculously in his old age. Through Isaac came the nation of Israel, and we, the church, have been grafted into this Abrahamic covenant, by faith in Jesus death, burial and resurrection.

This promise of God is our inheiratance, and is still going on. Not only are each of us one of the grains of sand, one of the stars that cannot be numbered, every time we preach the gospel of the kingdom of God, and another person comes into the kingdom of God, and is raised up in the promises of God, does this promise God made to Abraham continue to bear fruit in the earth.

Gen 22: 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

We receive this mighty Abrahamic covenant through faith, and immediately all the promises God made to Abraham, become ours through Jesus. Blessing, increase, prosperity, authority, honour, strength, protection, victory, and wisdom become ours the moment we understand this, and believe it. Again in this sin sick, broken earth, a light shines, a blessing is invoked, and the garden of Eden begins to grow again, through each person’s obedient life, because of the covenant God made all these years ago, through a man named Abraham.

6. He had to look after at least 400 families.
We looked at the 312 men that were born in Abraham’s house that went to battle to rescue Lot. Then we saw that when God implemented circumcision, there were other servants present that Abraham purchased, either as slaves or employees is unclear, but required by God to be circumcised to partake of the benefits of Abraham’s covenant. Yet, having owned a company, and partnered in another, how well I know the pressure of responsibility of having to make payroll each week. I remember one particular week when my little daughter, my princess, saw me on the phone attempting to collect money from clients, so that I could make sure money was in the bank to issue paychecks that week. She said, ‘Dad, the crowd is bigger than you think.’ In the midst of the pressure I stopped and asked, ‘Princess, what did you say?’ She repeated, ‘Dad, the crowd is bigger than you think.” “What do you mean?’ I asked. She obviously understood far more than I thought an eight year old could, what I was actually doing at that moment. “Dad, you are fighting to get money for your men, to give them their paychecks, but there are many more people depending upon you than just them. There are their wives, children, and all of the people they support each week. That is a big crowd dad, bigger than you think’

At the time I had 27 people working for me, plus probably another 20 suppliers and subcontractors that needed to be paid. We made it through that week, and everyone got paid, thank God. Probably added a few more grey hairs on my head that day, but it got done.

I think of how that particular dynamic might have looked in the life of Abraham, out in the desert, having to provide leadership to over probably 400 families. All the relational dynamics that entailed, the wisdom and strength of characture it took, and the raw courage to have to see God actually provide for all of them, daily.

Seems everyone wants the blessing of God, but here, I see the responsibility of leadership, very intimately and clearly.

Still want the blessing of Abraham? In my mind, it’s one of those things that you don’t dare live without.
7. He had a responsibility to believe what God said

Ge 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Only believe. All things are possible, if we only believe.

And so we have it in a nutshell, the crux of the matter, faith.
This faith is the entire responsibility of the new covenant, the currency of heaven. The difference between heaven or hell in our personal lives, and the sole determinate as to the quality of life we will enjoy here in this earth, in light of eternity.

Matt 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Ro 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Ga 3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Ga 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

Ga 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

Ga 3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Ga 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Ga 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Ga 3:18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Ga 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Ep 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
11 ¶ Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 ¶ For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Heb 8: 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
Kind of reminds me of that children’s cartoon, ‘The Lion King’ and their circle of life illustration. Abraham believed, and the Jewish people were birthed, through all their generations, until Jesus the Messiah, the fulfillment of all the promises and prophecies came into the earth, and through His death, burial, and resurrection, opened a new and better way to Jew and Gentile alike. A way to come directly to God through His shed blood for all mankind, and to be grafted into this Abrahamic covenant based upon new and better promises. A new covenant God has made with mankind that would believe, and all the promises become yes, and Amen, in Jesus!

God no longer lives with us, but through acceptance of Jesus, literally comes to live within us. No longer to we worship a God that is far off, but One who draws near. Though God our Father forever sits enthroned in the heavens, and Jesus sits at His right hand, God the Son, yet Holy Spirit has come to the earth, to fill us, give us a heavenly tongue, to empower, equip, and direct our lives, that as we now walk by faith, we are not alone. He can literally say, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So the circle of life goes on, generation to generation, as we go from faith to faith, strength to strength, and glory to glory, fruitful, strong, establishing and replenishing the earth, as the increase of His government grows within us, and through us as we progressively submit and enforce Jesus Lordship everywhere we go.
How does faith come? Ro 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Daily we need to hear the Word of God, feeding and growing our inner man, our spirit, in the things of God.
How is faith exercised? Primarily, by words. 2Co 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

What are the works of faith?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Ga 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

There are many. Primarily, we believe, and speak, setting the authority of heaven in motion in our lives. Yet, God is love, and after we have believed, His love beating in our breast will compel us to do some things to help suffering people. We will work, build, teach, equip, train, send, spend, sing, and bless to name a few, anyone that would name the name of Jesus.

It all comes down to our day to day relationship with Jesus through Holy Sprit, and His Word. He is still speaking to people today, our job is to ever seek Him, and obey. Like Mary said, before Jesus first miracle, ‘Whatever He says, DO IT!’

He MUST Therefore We MUST!

He must, therefore We Must!

John 4:3 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.
4 ¶ And he must needs go through Samaria.

Jesus only did the will of the Father, so should we. Brings great responsibility, and freedom. Seems the more I pray, the more I find myself needing to do certain things, that before, were simply choices that I might or might not do.

Seems the more time I spend in prayer, the more clear solid direction I get directly from God, with eternal weight and consequence attached to it.

Jesus promised it would be a straight and narrow way, and the more we learn, grow, and walk with God, truly we discover that to whom much is given, much is required. There are always people on the other side of our obedience.

Let’s Pray:
Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus, asking you for clarity of direction, and grace, courage, and strength to fully obey you, Amen’

Love My Enemies???

Love my enemies?

Mt 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Lu 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

Two of the hardest verses in the Bible! Heard a business man this morning at men’s prayer ask for prayer for his enemies. I remember a couple of years ago, during an intensely competitive contract negotiation, that I found myself speaking evil of my competitors, trying to get that edge in the bidding process, to be awarded a very lucrative contract.
Heard another businessman, say, ‘It’s a dog eat dog, world, gotta do what you gotta do to win the rat race!’ Seemed like reasonable advice in the rough and tumble of construction contracts and bidding wars, but I was reading a good book one day, when the author made the statement:

‘Some say you gotta do what you gotta do, in order to win the rat race: well, I’m not a rat, and I’m running a different kind of race!”

The author is right. I am not a dog, I am not a rat, neither are you, if you are a blood bought child of the king, called to honor, dignity, respect, and the wisdom of God.

Reminds me of a funny story:
A farm boy got a white football for Christmas. He played with it awhile and then kicked it over into the neighbor’s yard. The old rooster ran out, looked at it, and called the hens to see it. “Now look here,” the rooster said, “I don’t want you girls to think I’m complaining, but I just want you to see what they are doing next door.”
Source Unknown.

Sure we work hard to feed our families, and to fight for our companies and ministries, but we are running a different race. An eternal race, with souls as the great prize we fight for. There are times God Himself will intervene in our lives, and businesses, and we will make decisions by His Spirit, that in the natural appear to be insane, for He may direct us to love our enemies, and to lay our swords down at times, as He has eternity, and eternal salvation on His mind.

We are all in business, the salvation business, the great commission, the harvest of souls. It has been said that Christian leadership can be the lonliness place on the planet, as we make decisions sometimes in love, in secret, in obedience to the Lord, that cost us personal sacrifices that only He can understand. Yet, understand, He does, and He keeps the books. There are things I have done, that at the time appeared business stupid, yet ten, twenty years later, bore much fruit for the kingdom, as He moved, saved, and transformed my previous enemies, and they came and told me about it, and that I was a major part of their salvation, My example caused them to come to Jesus, and change everything.
How we live, before our enemies in the business world, our leadership example in word and deed, will affect future generations.

Ps 73:15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

Authority and Responsibility are simply two sides of the same coin. When we take responsibility to serve, go the extra mile, and pick up the slack to do what needs to be done, (even when it is not our job!), we find that we are promoted by God, and given more authority. Great authority, God’s way, is the grace and ability to serve more people. Dictators want authority, without responsibility. If we give them place in areas we have a God given responsibility to do for ourselves (is Food Stamps, government cell phones, benefits we didn’t earn) then we give them authority, they should never have been given.
I liked Ronald Reagan’s famous quote: ‘Me, I’m simply a servant of all, Guess you could call me the chief janitor in the White House’

Like Spiderman says as Peter Parker: ‘With great power, comes great responsibility’.

In the kingdom of God, it generally goes the other way: as we take more responsibility in serving, our promotion will come, and we will be given more authority, to serve more people.

Jesus summed it up like this:
Mr 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

Let’s pray:
‘Father, help me to be in the world victoriously, but not of it. Help me to gauge my decisions in light of your Word and Spirit, measuring my walk by your standards, not the mere standards of the world system, and business world. Speak to me, where I need to change and go, in your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen’

The lips of the Righteous feed many!

Use your mouth and Words on purpose!

There is a verse in Proverbs that reads:
Pr 10: 21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

As most of you know I owned and operated a carpentry company for many years, and as the company grew, I realized my time was far better spent estimating and bidding work, collecting checks, managing projects, ordering materials, and fixing or getting tools on the right job, on time. (If you do Facebook, and want to see some cool pics of some of the projects we built, check out: https://www.facebook.com/Grace-Interior-Trim-LLC-244907400682/?fref=ts

One day at work, as I was blazing along on my cell phone, doing sales calls, setting appointments, ordering materials, and moving at incredible speed,  a bitter carpenter said to me: ‘Must be nice, you don’t even work any more, all you do is talk on that damn phone all day!”

Even though I was writing that man’s paycheck, I took a deep breath, and asked the Lord, what He thought about the man’s comment, because there is some truth, in what the man said: Construction is not for the faint hearted, you gotta bust a move to make stuff happen, because you only get paid, for what you get built, and you are constantly working yourself out of a job. The Scripture is plain: 2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat

When he said, ‘all you do is talk on the damn phone all day’ I was reminded of the verse:

Pr 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

Another version reads: Proverbs 14:23 Amplified Bible (AMP)
23 In all labor there is profit, but idle talk leads only to poverty.

Asked the Lord, if I was wasting time on the phone, when bold and loud Holy Spirit spoke to me: Pr 10: 21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

I wasn’t using my phone for idle chit chat, but it was a weapon of war in my hand, as a seasoned leader.

Besides, I was serving Jesus, and had a covenant with God, and when I did a moral inventory of my work week vs this man’s I realized I worked far more hours, with far more stress and responsibility than that man could presently understand.

How much more, as a minister of the gospel! We have authority, anointing, and the very living word of God upon our lips, opening the door to heaven or hell in a person’s life as we preach God’s Word!

I take this responsibility extremely seriously!

God is not joking when we read: Pr 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Pr 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

I love the power of words! https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2015/02/05/let-your-spirit-free/

My words, spoken in authority in prayer over your life, mine, and my families, are destroying devilish plots against us, and producing acts of blessing, healing, miracles, revelation, wisdom, joy, peace, provision and prosperity in us, and our families!

Though I now serve in full time ministry, and part-time construction, through prayer and the release of my confession of faith each day, My lips, still feed many.

So should yours!

Let’s Pray:
‘Father, set a watch on my lips, and grant me utterance in the Holy Spirit today, as we speak words of faith, power, deliverance, and blessing into the earth, enforcing your love, power, kingdom, truth, will and way in this generation, in your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen!”

Sharpen Your Blade!

Sharpen your Blade!

Pr 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

We walk in love, and operate by faith. This verse reminds me of something I heard some years ago, during a leadership meeting.

The minister read this verse, and made the statement: “Seems God takes great delight, when strong leaders, both moving in the same direction, hit each other a glancing blow, and to those on the outside looking in, sparks fly!

He went on to say, that it reminded him of a cole chisel, that if you hit it from the side, it simply sharpens the cutting edge, that you only dull it if you hit head on.

I am a strong leader, and sometimes in my passion and zeal, in working with other leaders, sparks fly. My prayer is that I never dull anothers edge, but that we continually sharpen one another in the love of God.

Pr 9:8 : rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

I am the kind of guy that would rather have someone confront and correct me when I am wrong, than gossip behind my back about me. Bring it on! If I’m wrong, I will quickly repent, receive instruction, and correct myself, and lets get back in the fight, together.

Pr 27:5 Open rebuke is better than secret love.

Yep, faith produces God’s power, and as we move in the anointing to reap harvests in God, we can cut a wide swath. However, while all this reaping, moving and shaking is going on, the oil that makes the combine move, must be the love of God.

Ga 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Let’s work our faith, but let’s keep love flowing, so that we can continually sharpen one another, even when the sparks are flying!

I have learned in life, that I either grow in responsibility, or I gotta go…

I either allow myself to be instructed, or I become part of the problem.

Here is my question to you today: ‘Who are you going to sharpen today, and who are you going to allow to sharpen you?’

I would love to hear your thoughts…

Let’s Pray:
‘Father, we love you, and are determined to make an impact with our lives, and bear much fruit for the gospel. Let us not be a stumbling block to the people you have called us to walk with, serve with, and support, and may kingdom conflict only produce the sharpening of our blade, as we encourage one another on to even great exploits, for your kingdom and your glory. Amen’