Where Do I Stand?

Recently I have found myself riveted by a verse of Scripture. It is a simple yet profound verse found in Luke 1. Listen to how Gabriel introduces himself to Zecheriah. 

And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. (Luke 1:19 NKJV)

Gabriel declares himself to be one "who stands in the presence of God."  What a powerful job description. I cannot think of anything better to be able to say about what I do. Imagine handing someone a business card that says you stand in the presence of God. Instead we always give cards that declare that we stand in various positions for God or for ourselves. 

Gabriel is God's messenger who He sends to declare important information to His people. That is because he stands in God's presence. 

If you are one who stands in the presence of God, you will be one He entrusts to stand in the presence of men with a message from Him. 

As a pastor I have the privilege of preaching God's Word, but that is not what I mean. Am I one who stands in His presence and am I therefore sent by Him with His message?  My heart is challenged by this idea. I do not what to declare my ideas. I want to declare God's message. I can do so if I am one who stands in His presence. 

The Top 6 Mistakes Pastors Make

I recently conducted a survey among pastors about the mistakes we often make in ministry.  In the survey I gave twelve mistake options and asked the ministers to rank them in the order in which they made these mistakes or saw them being made.  I was pleased with the number of responses, and the honesty with which many shared their mistakes.  There were also a few comments left on the survey as well in addition to the ranking of the mistakes.  What I will do is briefly list those which ranked from twelfth to seventh place.  After that I will share some comments from the survey.  I will then conclude with the top six mistakes and a summary of each of those mistakes made in ministry.

12. Not taking myself seriously enough.  Not many in ministry have much of a problem with this one.  :)
11. Not having a hobby.  I was concerned this one would rank higher.  I was pleased to see it does not.  Unfortunately, I struggle in this area.
10. Taking myself too seriously.  Interesting to see that self does not rank highly among those who were polled.
9. False assumptions.  I cannot tell you how many times this one has gotten me into trouble.
8. Setting wrong goals. I heard Tommy Tenney say once that many times we find ourselves racing toward false finish lines.
7. Paying too much attention to money.  It can be very easy as a pastor to view yourself as a hireling and get focused on what you do or do not make in your job.  This trap is often bigger than many realize or care to admit.

Some feedback comments:

This was "difficult to do.  None of these are good.  Most are 'little sins' that would be easily overlooked."

"Working too many hours during the week and not giving enough time to sleep and body recharging."

"Majoring in minors.  Failure to delegate."

"Letting my personal experiences as a church kid define what I would and wouldn't do as a pastor."

"Not understanding how to motivate people is my frustration."

"Being sloppy or inconsistent."

"Allowing other folk's opinions to define me."

Now we get to the top six responses.  I realize this list of twelve is not all inclusive.  Some things that we do wrong we would never want to see on a survey and have to admit to doing.  :)  Nonetheless, I feel this gives a nice snapshot of what goes on in the hearts and lives of ministers.

6. Putting unfair expectations on others.

I have come to realize that while I will always have wishes, hopes and desires for others, I only have the right to put expectations on myself.  I do not ever want people to feel like they cannot live up to what I expect.  Instead I want them to understand and realize their potential.  Expectations is about the here and now, but hopes and desires is about the future and where a person is going.  As a leader, it is my privilege to help people realize their potential and begin to expect more of themselves.  When I get that wrong, and place unrealistic expectations on them, I find the effectiveness diminishes greatly.  And the person often resists or pulls away.  Expectations focus on efficiency.  Hopes and desires focus on effectiveness.  People need my effectiveness with them more than my efficiency with them.

5. Giving place to a competitive spirit or attitude.

We wrestle not against flesh and blood.  However, we are supposed to wrestle in harmony with flesh and blood against the kingdom of darkness.  A minister friend of mine told me about a gentlemen in his general area who was beginning a new church.  He decided it was a good idea to call the existing church and say, "You've got competition!"  How ludicrous.  There is no place for that in the Kingdom of God.

This attitude and desires stems from such a strong focus on numbers and results, and it does nothing but feed the natural man's ego.  In a cutthroat, competitive world, Jesus would be only an average leader for having only discipled twelve men - especially when you consider one of them sold Him out.  We base our success on what we do.  However, in God our success is based on who we are in Him.  When I do my part to exalt Jesus, and you do your part to exalt Him, we are both successful.  Neither is more nor less.  I should never want to succeed more than you.  I should desire to succeed with you.

4. Poor time management.

I probably do not have time to address this one.  :)  Much of my problem in this area is devoting too much time to the unimportant and not enough time to the important.  Or, I can swing completely the other way and get so bogged down with tasks that I fail to give myself place and time for fun.  I often heard it said that what gets prioritized gets accomplished.  Although my weekly to-do list never gets completely checked off, there are things each week that always get done because of the priority they are given.

I had a friend once who said that on his to-do list he always puts, "Go to the bathroom."  That way he knows that at least one thing per day will be checked off his list.  An ongoing frustration in ministry can be that so many of the things we do are not able to be checked off a list.  Many of them have no true end, but serve as an ongoing reminder of our calling.  The organized and efficient side to us can get bogged down in that respect, causing us to simply let things go undone.

3. Allowing ministry to define me.

I said before and will say again.  We are not defined by what we do, we are defined by who we are.  The problem is that this is a hard pill to swallow.  I have had to learn, relearn, and learn again the importance of putting my relationship with God above my results for God.  Before I am a minister, I am a human being and a man of God.  I have to realize that in my humanity, within the context of who He has made me to be, He is able to reveal His divinity.  The danger I find in allowing ministry to define me is that I find myself trying to do it all on my own and in my own strength.  It then begins to shift from a call to minister to a self-imposed call to be ministry. In other words, I can quickly develop a Messiah complex by thinking the Kingdom rests upon my shoulders, and if I do not do enough in ministry hell will win.

Jesus already defeated every bit of that struggle.  I do not have to be shaped by my service, He has shaped me for His service.

2. Not spending enough time with family.

I was riveted by the words I once heard from a very successful, extremely recognizable pastor.  He said that when his son was about to graduate high school he asked him what he wanted from his parents as a gift.  His son said, "I don't care, pastor, whatever you think."  The dad quickly said, "Don't call me pastor.  I am your dad."  To that the son replied, "I am sorry.  I only know you as pastor."

If that happens to me I have missed the point.  My son told me recently that it is hard to be a pastor's kid.  He is only five.  It served as both a reminder and a wake up call to me concerning the dangers of getting too wrapped up in what we do.  I mentioned earlier that before I am a minister I am a man of God.  Just behind that I am a husband and a dad.  Both of those relational roles must take priority over my occupational role as a minister.  Paul tells Pastor Timothy that if anyone does not provide for or take care of his own household he is worse than an unbeliever (1 Timothy 5:8).  While I realize that is within the context of teaching widows, I cannot deny the application to my own life.

Pastors, let us be honest for a moment.  Regardless of what city or cities God calls you in which to pastor there will always be one common denominator.  Your family will be there with you.  When you turn the lights off at any church for the last time, make sure your spouse and children are still as strong by your side as they ever have been.

1. Putting my service for God ahead of my relationship with God.

There is a statement by Jesus in Matthew that has riveted me for years.  He says that many will declare all the great things they have done for Him, yet He will respond by saying, "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:22-23).  The danger of that becoming reality is much greater than we might realize.  Our work for God can become so much of a higher priority than our own relationship.  And it can happen so very quickly.  I cannot tell you how many times I have justified reading the Bible for sermon preparation as being usable as my own personal time of devotions and study.  I cannot tell you how many times I have justified that time spent praying for needs and people made me a person of prayer.  The pitfall here is very real.

The disillusion sets in quickly and you can find yourself riding the swings of ministry rather than being stable as a man or woman of God.  I personally hit a wall in this area when it seemed my entire Christianity came crashing down around me.  It was based on my perception of failure in what I was doing for God.  I felt abandoned and betrayed and it was all because my safety net of service was removed and there was nothing on which to land.  In that time of despair and confusion, the Lord reached out to me and brought me back into a place of personal intimacy and relationship with Him.  He did so with a simple question of "do you trust Me?"  He wasn't asking me to trust Him for ministry.  He was asking me to trust Him in my life as my personal Lord.  He was asking me to trust Him in relationship with Him and allow that to define me and become more valuable than anything I ever did or could do for Him.

As a result I find myself in a place today where I minister out of a relationship with Him rather than trying to establish a relationship with Him by or through ministry.  The shift has been dramatic and for me personally it has been awesome.  I still wrestle with this slippery slope, but I am able to recognize it more quickly now.  I do not want to go back to that place again.

Easier Said than Done

Ministry is not for the faint of heart.  There are battles and challenges at every turn.  Some of the battles are obviously external.  Many, however, are internal and ones we would prefer to keep hidden from view.  I honor and appreciate the ministers who honestly ranked these mistakes and battles.  I have to admit it was difficult for me personally to honestly rank these areas.  I often pride myself of having it all together, when I obviously do not.  Yet I am reminded that I do not have to have it all together.  I simply must be honest, real, and who I am in Him.

Remember, pastors and ministers, God is not afraid of your mistakes.  God does not strike you down for them either.  He is not in pursuit of your hand, your intellect or you ability.  He is aggressively after your heart.  When He has that all things work together for good in Him.

I Am Sorry for Being Pentecostal

I apologize as a Pentecostal for being such. I do not apologize for what it means, but I apologize for what many have made it. For many, it might better be called UNI-costal, because it has been reduced to the place of being about me, myself and I.  That has never been the intention of God. 

God is very much charismatic and supernatural. That is His nature, from beginning to end (which we have yet to reach). You cannot find a stop to His powerful characteristics at work in and through people. Human reasoning has tried to explain that side of Him away, but it cannot be done. Unfortunately, however, many in Pentecostalism have not truly helped solidify or confirm God's powerful nature. What do I mean?  We get too caught up in making Pentecostal or charismatic thugs about an individual or self when that has never been the ideal. Yes, we find men and women throughout Scripture having charismatic encounters with Almighty God, but we do not find them making those encounters about them. Suddenly I see these words of Paul in a much different light. 

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. (I Corinthians 13:1-3 NKJV)

I for one have been guilty of this very thing. It is not that I have not loved or been loving toward people in and from an emotional sense. However, I have been guilty of not displaying the love and compassion toward people that supernatural encounters with God are designed to cause in and through me. These words of Paul follow an entire chapter devoted to gifts, ministries, and workings of Holy Spirit in and through the lives of people. These words declare that it is to be love for others that motivates the manifestation of he supernatural. Jesus Himself was constantly moved with compassion toward others, causing Him to act supernaturally toward them. If I have a supernatural encounter with Holy Spirit I must understand it is not about me. What God does in a person is intended to be done through them for the benefit of others. When we reduce Pentecost to a personal encounter, we become denominational. When Pentecost flows through us to impact the world, we become biblical. 

Think about a few examples. 

- Abraham was "slain in the Spirit" and was brought into covenant with God. That covenant is still a powerful benefit to you and me today. 

- Jacob wrestled with God and had a nature change that propelled God's plan forward in a way it was not able to go prior. 

- Moses turned aside to see a burning bush, and there he received a commissioning from God to lead His people out of bondage. God worked supernaturally in him and through him to bless His people and to destroy the enemy. 

- Joshua came face to face with The Captain of the Host and was given battle plans and insight for a victorious march that brought down walls. 

- I could go through the book of Judges, the life of Samuel, the accounts of kings and prophets to continue my point. God met with individuals in a charismatic, supernatural, or Pentecostal way in order to manifest Himself to people - and not just that person. 

All of these are Old Testament examples. I am not even referencing John the Baptist or his dad's angelic visit. I am not referencing Joseph's dreams or encounters about the Son that would join his family. I am not even a "good" Pentecostal taking you to Acts 2. What I am saying is that GOD IS SUPERNATURAL. He always has been and He always will be. But His supernatural activity has never been about an individual. It has always had broader impact as it's intention. 

All of the references and mentioned thus far have dealt with certain individuals at certain times. That has led us to isolate Pentecostal or charismatic experiences to a select few. The most we can wrap our heads around is the 120 on The Day of Pentecost. Yet, God is not in His nature a respecter of persons. He has not limited His supernatural. In fact, one of His own prophets declared that very thing about Him. 

“And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls. (Joel 2:28-32 NKJV)

He promises "on all flesh."  God desires to give His Spirit to everyone. Not so that we can have an encounter or mark of distinction. It is so that we can be a demonstration of His love and Kingdom power to a lost and dying world. So that as we demonstrate the fullness of God it will lead to many whosoevers calling on His Name and being saved. Being Pentecostal, charismatic or Spirit filled is not about drawing attention to me. It is about drawing attention to Christ and His passion for people. 

As such I say again. I am sorry that I have been denominationally Pentecostal. I vow to be biblically Pentecostal. I am not giving up the power and fullness of God that I am fully confident I have experienced. I am, however, giving up the selfish connotation that far too often accompanies the experience. This promise is for you. The prophetic word of Joel began to be fulfilled in Acts 2, and it continues today. Perhaps when we as Pentecostals begin to display the proper purpose of Pentecost again we will begin to see a second wave of Pentecost sweeping God's people once again. 

My Ministry Mistakes

Time for some transparency. I have made so many mistakes in ministry since starting in 1997. I thought I would outline what I consider my biggest ones in this blog.  This is not an all -nclusive list as there are years of ministry still ahead. Neither is this list in any particular order.  I simply felt prompted to share these with you.

1. I have been guilty of trying to have ministry establish my personal relationship with Christ.  Can never happen. It is much better to minister out of your relationship with Christ.

2. I have viewed people and tasks in the same way.  Not healthy. Tasks deserve efficiency. People deserve effectiveness.

3. I have treated everyone the same. I have learned the way I communicate with someone needs to be adapted based on my relationship with them.

4. I have forgotten that everyone is the apple of God's eye, and the pride and joy of their parents. I really blew this one in youth ministry.

5. I have taken on a Messiah complex. My job is to lead people to the Savior, not be their savior.

6. I have ministered out of preconceived ideas instead of God's Word.

7. I have assumed my own greatness and not been teachable. Not being teachable renders me unable to teach.

8. I have done ministry without God's involvement. At times I didn't even check with Him at all.

9. I have viewed people as enemies instead of allies.

10. I have burned bridges with my words and actions that had taken blood, sweat and tears to build.

11. I have taken myself way too seriously.

12. I have underestimated myself.

13. I have given more attention to the kingdom of darkness than I have to the Kingdom of God.

14. I have forced my agenda while calling it vision.

I am sure this list will grow. For now I will stop. Hopefully my mistakes will help someone.

Do We Work?

Ephesians ^2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast.

We have heard it many times.  We are saved by grace through faith.  I am beyond thankful for that truth.  I do not even want to imagine my life without the grace of Jesus Christ.  I spent so much time trying to justify myself and find some level or sense of peace in and through my actions.  Then, one day I found all that I ever could want or need in the person of Jesus Christ.  His grace was and is sufficient for me to be given life and salvation.  When I chose to put my faith in Him and His finished work everything changed.  For that I am eternally grateful.

Grace is defined as a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ.  It is not something we have or could ever earn.  It is not something for which we could ever be worthy or deserving.  It was the choice of Jesus Christ to come to earth, live a sinless life, die an excruciating death, be resurrected and return to Heaven so that we could experience life and salvation through Him.  It is truly remarkable all that He has done for us.

Verse 9 tells us it is not of our own “work,” so that none of us can boast about how we saved ourselves.  In the Greek “work” is “ergon” which means work, task, employment; a deed, action; that which is wrought or made, a work.  It is a work or worker who accomplishes something, a deed or action that carries out or completes an inner desire or intention or purpose.

In other words we cannot accomplish or complete our salvation in Christ through any deed, action or work.  It simply does not lie within our ability to do the work of Christ in our life.  He is the author and the finisher of our faith and salvation (Hebrews 12:2).  There is no question from a biblical standpoint that we cannot earn what grace has freely given to us.

Nonetheless, there is another verse to consider within this context and discourse by Paul to the church in Ephesus.  We read this:

Ephesians 2:¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

We are his workmanship.  We are made by Him.  A quick look at the account of creation from Genesis reveals that God has never made anything without purpose.  He made the sun to give light to and govern the day.  He made the moon to give light to and govern the night.  He made the sea and waters to house the fish.  He made the land to house man and animals.  You get the point.  Every part of His workmanship has been made on purpose and with purpose.  So, what then is the purpose of the one who has been “saved by grace through faith?”

We are “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”  There is that “works” word again.  Interestingly enough it is the same Greek word as we looked at in verse 9.  While Paul is emphatically saying that we do not work to earn our salvation, he is also emphatically saying that our new creation, our new place of salvation, is for good works that God has prepared for us to do.

The specific usage of this “work” in verse 10 speaks of every good work that springs from piety or righteousness.  To me it is best described as the things we do as a result of what Christ has done in us. I do not work to earn my salvation.  I work and serve passionately because of the salvation I have been given.  I work and serve passionately the One Who is worthy of my best at all times.  I do not want to sit around and take for granted the precious grace gift He has given me.  I want to honor Him in and through all that I do.  I want my life and the work of my life to serve as a living testimony to the grace of Jesus Christ, and not as a dead representation of genuine Kingdom Power. 

I understand many will disagree with me in this.  I understand this is not a popular topic in our “church culture.”  But I gave up wanting to be popular a long time ago.  I want all that my Savior has for me.  I want to be faithful to Him.  I can never earn His grace.  I can never repay Him for His grace.  But I am determined to live my life, and do my work for Him, with passionate intent to honor His grace.  In concluding, consider a few other scriptural thoughts along these lines:

Romans ^2:5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, ⁶ who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: ⁷ eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; ⁸ but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, ⁹ tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; ¹⁰ but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ¹¹ For there is no partiality with God.

Colossians ^1:9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ¹⁰ that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Titus ^1:15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. ¹⁶ They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

2 Timothy ^2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. ²¹ Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. ²² Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. ²⁴ And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, ²⁵ in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, ²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Even God’s Word carries the purpose of preparing us for work:

2 Timothy ^3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Hebrews ^13:20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, ²¹ make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Is this Revival or . . .?

Levels of a Move of God

Joel 2:12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: 16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. 17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? 18 Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people. 19 Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen: 20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things. 21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things. 22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength. 23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. 24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. 25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. 26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. 27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. 28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come. 32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT SIGNIFICANT THINGS FROM GOD ARE PRECEDED BY PRAYER, REPENTANCE, HUNGER AND RELIANCE UPON HIM.  YES, GOD IS SOVEREIGN AND CAN DO WHAT HE WANTS WHEN HE WANTS.  YET, THERE IS A “FORMULA” FOR PREPARING THE GROUND OR ATMOSPHERE.

If you create an atmosphere, it develops a climate.  If you establish a climate, it develops a culture.

Please note that verse 14 indicates that in no way can we ever twist God’s arm or force Him to respond.

Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: 16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. 17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?

This preparation sets the stage for a potential move of God.  Following this preparation instruction is an outline of 4 levels of a move of God.

1. Refreshing

18 Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people. 19 Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen: 20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things. 21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things. 22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength. 23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. 24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.

Stage one is refreshing and this is addressed to and for God’s people.  

This involves a time of blessing and increase to remind God’s people who they are and that He is truly their God.

The Lord fights against the enemy of His people and gives His people rest and refreshing.

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

God refreshes His people and brings them to a place of rejoicing instead of fear – rejoicing because there is a knowing that He is doing and will continue to do great things.

Anticipation begins to build in this stage as God’s people begin to realize there is more to come.  

There is a promise of an overflowing and abundance.  Hunger is not satisfied but sparked and intensified.

2. Renewal and Restoration

25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. 26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. 27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

Stage 2 gets into renewal and restoration.  Not only do God’s people walk in the blessing of His refreshing, they now begin to see lost ground reclaimed.

This transition brings a keen awareness and realization that God is in the midst of His people.

God brings a real satisfaction in His provision.  

Whereas we may not have all that we “want” we are content and pleased in what God has given.  

We will live in praise and thanksgiving, honoring the Lord above our own selves and selfish desires.

The people of God will not lack or be ashamed.  

It is in this time when people will begin to take notice of what God has done and is doing in your life.

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

3. Revival

28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come.

This brings us to stage 3 which is revival.  This is when what God is doing begins to really go beyond the people of God.

Revival becomes multi-dimensional, multi-generational, multi-everything.

God in this place is pouring out His Spirit upon all people and not just the people of or within the church.

“Sons and daughters” is at once a reference to natural children as well as a reference to spiritual children.

This place or stage denotes an increase of the Kingdom of God through salvation.  
From a historical standpoint, anything that has been or can be labeled “revival” has ALWAYS been marked by an increase in salvations and the number of people being ministered to by the Spirit of God.

This also involves an increase in the signs and wonders of God in and through His people and those who have been and are being saved.

Revival involves a quicker maturing and usefulness by the believers.

Acts 19:8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. 9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. 10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

4. Awakening

32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

The fourth stage I see is awakening.  

This occurs when what God is doing goes beyond any one location and has national and worldly impact.

Very seldom does something reach this level, often because flesh, fatigue, frustration or fighting get in the way of what God is doing.

This is the extent of what God WILL DO on His own accord in the last days prior to His return.

In acts 19 (listed above) we find that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus.  This was the early hint of an awakening.

After this took place, the 7 sons of Sceva were humiliated by an evil spirit and God’s Word grew in even greater ways.  The revival was deepening and the awakening was in sight.

Acts 19:21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. 22 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; 25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: 27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. 28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

Each stage in the process is more powerful and wonderful than the previous one.  However, many settle for or never move beyond refreshing.

For Mom

My mom passed away on February 20, and today, Monday, February 24, we will lay her to rest. His is my simple memorial for her.

Thank you for your support and love.  We are honored as a family to see first-hand the number of lives that have been touched and impacted by our mom.  Today we celebrate and appreciate the life and legacy of Janet Burton.  Yes, we are saddened by her passing; but, we are also thankful to have been given the opportunity to be a part of her life.

As I have been reflecting on this day and considering what I could possibly say about my mom, there have been several thoughts and ideas come and go.  I was thinking of sharing a story about something and then decided that was the stupidest out.  Another thought I decided against was because it was lob to come out the wrong way.  So I figured I would simply focus on what made mom who she was.

Growing up as one of fourteen children involved some sacrifices for mom and her siblings.  One sacrifice involved a reduction in schooling and education.  Mom’s public education did not extend beyond the 8th grade.  However, anyone who spent any time with her never thought of her as uneducated or under-educated.  Mom was wise and sharp in ways that cannot be taught in books or in a classroom.  

In thinking about this I began to understand some things about my mom and the wisdom in which she walked and carried herself.  Two verses from Proverbs came to light in connection with my mom’s wisdom.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.  Proverb 9:10

Solomon’s declaration here is that genuine wisdom begins with the fear or respect of the Lord.  I cannot think of a better way to describe mom’s wisdom.  She lived with a healthy fear of God and His power and ability.  In fact I remember many times her doing her part to put that fear of God in my own heart.  I am pretty sure I never deserved it either.  

Growing up at 602 South Holland Street I saw many first-hand examples of the fear or respect of the Lord that mom possessed.  Solomon is not saying here that it is wise to be afraid of God.  Quite the contrary.  The fear of the Lord spoken of here and throughout Scripture speaks of having a respect, awe and appreciation for God that causes you to draw near Him, spend time with Him, and devote your time and energy to His Kingdom.

Of all the things I remember from growing up on Holland Street, there is a plaque that hung in the kitchen for years with a simple statement that is forever engrained in my mind.  The plaque simply said, “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past.  Only what’s done for Christ will last.”  That plaque epitomized the life and desire of mom.  It is what drove her.  It is what provided the wisdom in which she lived her life.  That two line statement comes from this poem by C.T. Studd:

“Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way; Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done; Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score; When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep; Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn; Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne; Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, ”Thy will be done”; And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be, If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.”

I cannot think of a more fitting poetic tribute.  Mom lived her life in light of eternity.  She lived in the wisdom that comes from fearing, respecting, and offering herself in worship to her Lord.

The second Proverb that speaks volumes to me in regard to mom’s wisdom is found in the 11th chapter.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise.  Proverb 11:30

The declaration is that winning souls to Jesus is a mark and sign of wisdom.  Many times we spend our time, talent and treasure to win everything else in this world, yet continue to find ourselves empty and lacking.  We often work so hard to take care of the outward man while allowing our inner man – our spirit that has been created in the image of God – to waste away.  Our mom had an uncanny ability to see the value of the inner man in every person she met.  

I dare say that most if not all of us who knew her have had at least one conversation with Janet about the Lord, and about your need to invite Him into your heart as your personal Savior.  I am also confident that at some point mom had a conversation with God in prayer about and for you.  For some, like me, she had MANY conversations with God.  I am honored to speak as a minister and at many memorials because of those many conversations with God about me as well as the many conversations with me about God.

I used to get so frustrated whenever mom would tell me or anyone else that when I grew up I was going to be a preacher.  I promised her many times I would be anything but that.  She would smile and tell me we would have to wait and see.  I was confident she was wrong and I would have the last laugh on that subject.  I am glad she was right.  I am glad she did not give up on me.

In a conversation with my mother-in-law she told me that my mom would often approach her asking her to pray for me.  Rozan was wondering if the prayers were ever going to matter, because she was watching my life and the selfish way in which I was living.  But, my mom was convincing (in case you were unaware of that quality), and assured Rozan that I was close to getting my life right with the Lord.  I have never gotten an honest answer from my mother-in-law as to whether she would have prayed as fervently as she did had she known she was praying me into her own family as well as God’s family.  

Mom had this tenacity about her when it came to sharing Jesus with people.  She carried such a burden to see people open their hearts to the Lord and live for Him.  She lived with the realization that our outer man is perishing and we better take care of our inner man.  I can picture mom praying in agreement for so many what Paul told the church in Ephesus he prayed for them:

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit, in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled will all the fullness of God.  Ephesians 3:14-19

Mom was a soul winner.  For that she was wise.  I sat with mom on February 5 and read to her the book of Ruth, her favorite story in the Bible. I caught a glimpse of mom in the story, in the role and person of Naomi. Naomi had such a profound impact on Ruth that she chose to leave her famIly and all that was familiar in order to stay with her mother-in-law Naomi.  Naomi literally had nothing in the natural to offer to Ruth, yet the impact was so strong that Ruth made this powerful and famous declaration:

But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.” (Ruth 1:16, 17 NKJV)

The impact was not natural or physical. Naomi had left such an impression on Ruth that she was willing to stay with her, follow her God, and model her life after the life of her mother-in-law. That is a Legacy. That  is the type of impact special people have on others. That is the type of impact Janet has had on so many. Mom told me after I read Ruth that she simply wanted God to use her for His glory, to do what He wanted and not what Janet wanted. That was her driving desire. That was her fulfilled purpose. 

If mom were here today, I am sure there are many things she might say to you, to me, or to us.  I am convinced she would say that she loves you.  I am convinced she would “declare” something.  I have a suspicion she might offer to make you something to eat – a cheeseburger, biscuits and gravy, chocolate gravy – whatever happens to be your favorite.  

But what if God in His sovereignty allowed mom to stand before us today and say only three words.  What might those words be today?  Knowing mom and knowing the source of her wisdom and strength, I feel pretty confident that what she would say would simply be this:

DON’T MISS HEAVEN.

I say that because that is who she was.  That is the legacy Janet Burton has left behind.  She was a woman after God’s own heart.  She was a woman after your heart for God.  She was a woman that eight of us had the distinct privilege of calling mom.  She will forever be in our hearts.  She will forever be missed.  May we each carry on the legacy she has left behind.

God bless you.

Receive

Something has occurred to me recently about the average Christian.  Few know how to receive from The Lord.  Instead we work hard to earn what God has given for free.  Consider what Jesus said:

Matthew 7:7-11 NKJV

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Jesus declares that our "requirement" for receiving is asking.  Yet in many ways we have added so much to the simple equation.  God says:

ASKING = RECEIVING

We have decided, however, to "fix" the equation.  Think of some of the things we have added to the asking side.  We say

ASKING +

1. Having the right person pray for us = RECEIVING.

2. Following all of the correct theological stipulations = RECEIVING.

3. Begging and convincing God of our worthiness = RECEIVING.

4. Determining the seriousness of our own need as compared to someone else = RECEIVING.

5. Giving the right amount at the right time = RECEIVING.

The reality is that this is a short list that could go much larger.  We have made difficult so much of what God has declared. He says ask and you shall receive. We must quit adding our thoughts and opinions to the equation. 

Soulish Living

In my previous blog I discussed the concept of walking in a soulish manner as opposed to walking in the Spirit or flesh.  In this blog I want to address some common characteristics that accompany walking in a soulish manner.

1. A person who walks in a soulish manner will have a roller coaster life with  high peaks and low valleys.  The peaks and valleys will also happen rather closely together.

2. A person who walks in a soulish manner will quickly neglect sound biblical truth that does not align with their will, desires or feelings.

3. A person who walks in a soulish manner will pull away from or distance themselves from anyone who speaks truth that is opposed to their stance.

4. A person who walks in a soulish manner will attract others by appearing strong, spiritual and authoritative.  In their opinion others need what they have.

5. A person who walks in a soulish manner will assume their desires and wishes are the voice of God in their life as they have superimposed their will into their prayers.

6. A person who walks in a soulish manner will navigate to and return to whatever gives them the highest peak in their roller coaster ride of life.

There are more characteristics that we will consider in the coming days.  God calls us to walk in the Spirit and to not satisfy their flesh.  Yet many end up living in the middle realm of their soul, and that is a dangerous place to be. 

Walking in the Spirit or . . .

How often do we hear the call to walk in the Spirit? Jesus did it and encouraged it. The first apostles did it and encouraged it.  Paul did it, taught it and encouraged it.

Today we talk about it, but do we do it?

We have come to the place where we are convinced a person either walks in the Spirit or they walk in the flesh.  That causes us to believe that as long as we are not pursuing and constantly gratifying our flesh that WE MUST be walking in the Spirit.

But is that true?

How much of what we call walking in the Spirit is really walking in our souls? How much is driven by the soulish side of us - that which makes up our feelings, our will and our emotions?

We may be free of providing for our flesh and the lusts thereof; but what about our selfish desires and emotionally driven will?  We can so quickly and easily become tied to our soulish nature to where every circumstance of life establishes our spiritual condition. And yet we call that walking in the Spirit. 

We tell ourselves to break through in prayer, but the feelings and drive of our soul can become so strong that we superimpose our own will into our prayer and what we "hear" from God. We find ourselves basing God's leading on our own false pretense.

The answer,  therefore, to this challenge is the Word of God.  The writer of Hebrews says this:

Hebrews 4:12 AMP

For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

The Word of God divides the soul and spirit. It brings us to a place of reckoning. It causes us to have our minds renewed. It transforms our lives to a place that is beyond ourselves.

To walk in the Spirit is to walk in God's will. God's will is always found in God's Word.  God's Word possesses the power to get us away from our soulish and selfish desires and into alignment with God's plan.

I Am Losing It

Weight that is . . . .

I had been sensing God dealing with me about being disciplined in all areas of my life, and this was the glaring area of lack.  Therefore, on September 21, 2013, I began a journey of discipline in regards to my eating habits, exercise, and overall physical condition.  I must say it has been the best decision I have made in quite some time.

What Have I Done?

I have not done anything special really.  The primary things that have changed has been portion control and increased exercise and activity.  I have been helped tremendously by a couple of phone apps - MyFitnesPal and Pedometer Pro.

MyFitnessPal has allowed me to track my daily calorie goal and intake as well as cardio and strength exercise.  It helps me to make disciplined decisions on what I eat and how much I eat.  I am so glad I found this app.  I have to give a shout out to Rob Duffie - pastor in Monmouth - who mentioned this app on his Facebook page.  It has been fun to be able to enter lower weight totals and to see my calorie goal shrink as I meet milestones and goals.

Pedometer Pro has been a help in tracking when I walk or jog.  It measures my speed of movement, distance, and calories burned.  When Kim and I first began in September we did quite a bit of outdoor walking and this app was used quite often.  With winter we have not done as much walking, but I am really looking forward to getting back into that come spring.

I must also say that we have "played" The Biggest Loser on Wii as a form of exercise.  This has worked on core, upper & lower body, and even thrown in some Yoga stretching.  I will no longer assume yoga stretching is for sissies.  :)  Recently, we have added a 30-day challenge video by Jillian Michaels.  It is quite intense and I am starting to notice how it is helping tone some areas of my body which is much needed.

I keep saying "WE" because I am excited that my wife decided to join me on this journey.  Very glad we are doing this together.  She encourages me tremendously.

What Do I Eat?

Pretty much whatever I want.  The only thing I have completely eliminated is soda.  I have always been a HUGE fan of Mountain Dew.  Early on, however, I realized a large from Taco Bell was worth 410 of my daily calories and decided I didn't want to drink my daily goal.  :)

Other than that I have become more disciplined in terms of portion control.  MyFitnessPal allows us to see the caloric value of the food we are about to eat.  With that I pre-determine how much I am going to eat.  I have learned that I do not have to leave the table stuffed.  I can leave the table with a slight feel of hunger and that is not going to destroy me.  The hardest portion control for me has been sweets and desserts.  I love desserts.  I still have them from time to time, but not in a binge way like I did many times before.  Moderation is key for me.

Something else I have changed is consistency of having breakfast and adding in healthy snacks.  Who knew I would have such an affinity for granola bars???  Fruit has also become more of a consistent staple in our home.  I do not feel like I am missing out at all in terms of eating.  We still do our fair share of eating out, having pizza, devouring a steak, etc.  I just do not make eating such an adventure any more.  :)

What Are the Results?

Since beginning this journey on September 21, 2013 I have personally lost 35 pounds.  I have gone from a 38 waist pant to a 34 waist.  I have begun buying and wearing Large shirts instead of XL.  I have added many holes to my belts (next on the list to buy).  I have given away suits that no longer fit, as my size changed from 48 Regular to 44 Regular.

Beyond those changes, I feel great.  I have a higher level of energy.  I have more confidence.  I generally feel better.  I have come to greatly enjoy exercise.  I must say that I plan to remain on this journey for the rest of my life.

My goal at the outset was to lose 50 pounds.  I would still like to get to that place, but losing weight has become more difficult.  I find myself focusing in on muscle toning and burning away more fat.  I know if I am going to reach my goal it is going to require greater effort and even more eating discipline.  Plus, I realize it is going to require patience which is not a strength of mine.  :)

I think my most favorite part about this is that I have done this during the last quarter of the year - during holiday season.  I enjoyed Halloween candy, Thanksgiving feasting, and Christmas goodies in a healthy and disciplined way.  I even came home from our Christmas trip to find I had lost 2.5 pounds that week.  That stuff will keep me motivated.

Well, I have had many questions about what I have been doing to lose weight.  I thought this might be the best way in which to give the details and information.  Thanks for your support.  Thanks for reading this blog.  If anyone has any questions or wants more information or even accountability on their own journey, please let me know.  I am not an expert.  I am not a trainer.  I have simply found what works for me and I love it.

Thanks!  God bless!  Happy New Year!
Rodney