Psalm 90:12 – “So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”  NASB

As the song of years gone by, ‘Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die,’ we often live our lives with a sense of permanence that is deceptive.  Most people I have dealt with or worked with in my years of ministry seem to believe that they will have ‘more than enough tomorrows’ to do the things they either did not do or did not want to do today.  Too often people neglect the vital, focus on the important or trivial, and demonstrate little concern because they believe that they will have time to do it later. We call that Procrastination!

Any student of the Bible knows that there are a number of promises from God in His word that are seldom claimed, appropriated, and stood on in individual lives.  It has been my observation that too many live ‘beneath their privilege’ in God.  I’ve had people tell me that I focus too much on God’s Promises but I fully believe that God gave them because He wanted us to enjoy, appropriate them, stand on them, and live them in this present world.  I believe that each step closer to becoming ‘like Jesus’ we find more Spiritual Power in our lives, touch more Souls of men, and experience more Victory in our daily lives!

This Psalm is attributed to Moses.  He is interceding for God to remove the curse that every Israelite over the age of twenty would die before the nation could enter the Land of Canaan.  He even identifies that most are dying at seventy though some are reaching eighty years of age.  If verse 10 could somehow be attributed to us as a gauge of longevity it would produce an interesting possibility.  [80 years or 16 – 5 year segments].  I wonder how we would live if we evaluated our lives in 5 year increments?  How many have you lived?  How many do you have left?  (Please understand I do not believe that this means we only can live 70-80 years but I use it as an illustration).

Time is either the greatest asset or enemy that we have.  Paul urged his listeners to redeem the time.  Time is one thing we must learn to use effectively if we are to become the most effective in our lifespan.  We are notorious time wasters, at least most of us are.  In order to tap the resources available to us and utilize the ability and power God has given us there are three things that must take place.

1. PERCEPTION – – – We must Perceive.

We must perceive ‘who we are.’  Initially we were sinners in need of God.  We are created in the image of God and as John 1:12 tells us we are sons/daughters of God.  Romans 8:17 identifies that we are ‘heirs of God’ and Galatians 3:29 that we are ‘heirs according to the Promise.’  We read of the Promises of God in Deuteronomy 28 and find in Hebrews 8:6 that we have a ‘better covenant established on better promises.’

We must perceive where we are.  Or the condition or level of maturity we find ourselves.  Some of us are like the little boy that fell out of the bed and when asked why he replied, ‘Because I stayed to close to the edge.’  Some of us have stayed to close to the condition we were in when we first came to Christ.

We must perceive where we are going.  That applies both spiritually and in this natural life.

• PREPARATION – – We must Prepared to get where we are going.

It is vital that we Know the promises of the Book (Bible).  It is imperative that we understand that the Bible is a tool, a weapon, a light, and a resource.

It is vital that we Know our inheritance as children of the Most High God.  We must prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually.

• PROCEED – – We must Proceed on the Planned and Purposed way.

It is important that we see our potential in God, understand and believe the possibilities, and trust God!  If God says we are to be a Moses, Elijah, Paul, John, Peter, or Daniel why can’t we?  The thing that made them unique was that they were fully surrendered and teachable.

It is important that we believe we can be overcomers because God says we already are in Jesus.  It is important that we believe that God can work miracles through us.  Remember who God says you are – – ‘A Child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.’  Remember that His charted destiny for you is to ‘do His will in this generation.’  Therefore, it is important that we allow God to guide and guard our hearts, thoughts, and lives.  Remember, ‘except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it.’

So as you go through the rest of your life will you go as a Possibility or a Procrastinator? The choice is yours.  

May God be with you as you go through your day!

Proverbs 29:18 – “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law.” NASB

For a number of years, I have been keenly aware of the pressure associated with public ministry.  There is incredible pressure in public ministry that many do not realize.  The pressure is applied from ‘expectations’.  The expectations of others, of self, of our perception of what others expect, and of our perception of what God expects.  The pressure felt by preachers is also felt by many in the congregation and has resulted in far too many become casualties in the cause and moving into secular employment rather than continuing in the labor of the Kingdom. 

Too many have become broken-hearted, distressed, and discouraged to the point of total exhaustion and have been robbed of the fruit of their labors that God so desired for them.  It is not a new occurrence but one that, I believe is growing even more pronounced today.

There are many reasons for this but the one that stands out to me, especially with regard as to how to avoid discouragement and defeat is Vision!  However, I must add to that list Purpose. If you include those two factors you will discover a wonderful antidote for discouragement and defeat in spiritual things and in life.  Vision & Purpose play incredible roles in the life and health of the individual and the local body as well as the Body of Christ.  Yet, I am convinced that little is truly understood about this vital element whose absence is a major contributor to Discouragement, Disillusionment, and Defeat!

Look at the passage above:

            NASB “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained…”

            NKJV   “…cast off restraint…”

            KJV     “the people perish…”

            NLT     “the people run wild…”

         Another  “… the people become demoralized…”

Every Christian minister with any degree of experience knows that all of those are true.  For a Church or ministry to go forward, the Body must become ‘yoked’ or ‘harnessed’ together by a singular vision.

Vision is like a ‘yoke’, it links two or more together so that they are able to pull in tandem.  I heard an illustration years ago that resonated with me powerfully. It reported that through research it was discovered that if one horse could pull 9,000 pounds, two horses did not pull 18,000 but pulled 27,000 pounds are the equivalent of a third horse. 

Without the yoke of vision, there is no restraint, either in our personal lives or in the church.  We tend to pull in all directions at the same time and often are working against each other in so doing.  It is like a stampede of horses or cattle running in all directions.  It produces discouragement in the leadership and ultimately in the flock. 

When everyone has a different vision about what to do when to do, and how to do it failure is guaranteed.  Too often, it has been my observation, that there are either Too Many Visions or No Vision. When there is No Vision the people are left to formulate and attempt to initiate their own visions. God’s design and desire is that we plug our individual visions into the corporate vision making it stronger, more complete, and more viable. The result is that people continue unrestrained and pull in differing directions which creates chaos and lack of continuity.  Success is impossible in that condition and situation.

Without Vision or Vision from God, none of us can stay on course.  We will become too easily distracted or sidetracked.  But if we have a Vision from God and develop a determined Purpose to fulfill that Vision we can stay on course and accomplish the purposes of God in our situation and according to His timing and plan.

I encourage everyone to seek to know what the Vision of your fellowship. Once you understand it I encourage you to evaluate your personal or individual vision to determine if it is consistent with the Vision of the Body.  If it is not talk to the leadership about your vision, and if you can find a way to incorporate it into the overall vision that will prove to be powerful. However, if they cannot and you are totally convinced that this is a Vision from God for you then it may be that you are in the wrong fellowship.  I am not trying to get anyone to leave any church but I believe that most pastors would agree that ‘two cannot walk together unless they be agreed.’

God bless you as you discover God’s Vision for you and God’s Vision for the Local Body!

2 Timothy 2:1-2 – “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” NASB

It has been my observation that one of the best ways to test someone’s character and determine if they are truly a servant having Jesus’ Heart is to let them know you ‘recognize’ the call of God on their lives. Then give them a task such as:  Janitor, Chair set-up detail, Greeter, Usher, or something of the like.  Let him who would be the greatest among you be servant of all.  Then watch them and listen to them.

THE KEY IS THE HEART:

Qualification is not enough!  Faithfulness is the critical element!  This message and ministry is to be committed to ‘faithful men’ who shall be able….  The word Able – [he-ka-nos] speaks of sufficiency.  ‘Who is sufficient…’  Simply, those faithful people who may not be qualified right now but because of their heart will become Sufficient. Whatever God has called you to do He will make you sufficient if you are faithful!

God does not come looking at our Qualifications, after all they come from Him anyway!  He comes looking at our Hearts!  Ministry (real ministry) does not being in the pulpit or on the platform – – it begins in Service!  Faithful Service!

In truth, none of us are really qualified.  God does not call us because of our natural talents.  He calls us because of our Hearts!  If a person’s heart is right and willing to be taught, this ‘faithful’ person can become More Than He Now Is!

All of us have been burned or hurt in life.  All of us have a call on our lives. All of us need a close covenant of committed friends. All of us need to be a part of a covenant community.  All of Us!  For you and me to stand in our commitment to Christ We Need to establish a Covenant Relationship with God.  For our families to stand and not become fragmented and destroyed we need to develop a Covenant Relationship in that family order.  For the Fellowship or local Church to stand and possess the land there must be committed covenant relationships established within that body. 

We are engaged in a Spiritual War and to be prepared we much be Committed and Faithful! We have God’s Promises.  Now as we more fully understand His purposes and receive His power we must be united in a Covenant Family and always stand Faithful!

God bless you as you go through your day!

2 Timothy – 2:1-2 – “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”  NASB

In studying the directives of Paul to Timothy, his son in the faith we come to some powerful revelations and directives. Paul’s charge to Timothy was to find, teach, train, and impart that which was in his heart, received from the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul.  This was critical to the founding and grounding of the New Testament Church. 

There are Three Critical Areas in which Faithfulness is Key:

1. Faithfulness to God is Absolutely Essential.
2. Faithfulness in Relationships is Vital.
3. Faithfulness in Service is Indispensable.

FAITHFULNESS TO GOD.

This needs little explanation or discussion as most would readily acknowledge the need and the essential aspect of this.  However, if we are genuinely faithful to God it will be manifest in the other areas or dimensions as well.

FAITHFULNESS IN RELATIONSHIPS.

This is an area that many Christians do not work on and but need to give attention to!  Remember Timothy’s mistake or potential mistake – ‘Choosing people who were possibly qualified and influential but UNFAITHFUL.’

FAITHFULNESS IN SERVICE.

This is absolutely indispensable!  We must learn to be Servants. We must learn and become willing to do what is asked when it is asked and how it is asked even when the flesh rises up and resists or the ego says that is beneath me.  Even when your ego raises its ugly head and declares that is not using my gifts or abilities to the fullest.  Even when you feel that you are not appreciated and recognized as you should be.

God’s way is to first ‘make the man’ then He ‘releases the ministry’.  Tragically, the Church has gotten the cart before the horse too often.  We recognize ‘gifts’, ‘charisma’, ‘talent’, and ‘ability’ and immediately send forth into ministry! 

PERSONAL TESTIMONY.

I was released wrongly but God taught me the necessity of Serving. I was almost immediately sent out because people could see the hand of God on me and God gifted me with passion and ability to convey the message.  So my response was Go Out!  I should have been sitting and experiencing nurturing, but within weeks after my conversion, I was sent out.  I saw in Bible College and have observed it in my 40 years of ministry the dangers of that approach.

When a person is called or God uses them in some degree or measure of success and instills a vision in their hearts along with His promise people take note.  Too often those individuals mistakenly develop the idea that they should be immediately released to pursue that vision but they are not ready.

• They are overcome with the Vision.
• They expect to be Recognized.
• They become more Spiritual than anyone (in their own minds).
• They make sure everyone knows they are Anointed, Appointed, Called, and Commissioned.
• They demonstrate an inability or unwillingness to listen to others without a Critical Attitude believing in their hearts they could do a better job or they just know better.

They have not learned one of the key traits for Leadership is being a Servant and Serving Others as well as the Lord! If we do not learn how to Serve we are not qualified to Lead.

God bless you as you go through your day!

2 Timothy 2:1-2 – “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”  NASB

Making disciples as seen in verse two revealed in the words ‘commit to…’ is essentially ‘making a deposit’ in their lives.  It is like putting money in the bank.  You drive alongside or go inside and deposit the money and the money is there when you need it.  But, what about the times when you do that with people and they quit on you, betray you, hurt you, leave you, abandon, you in the time of heated battle?  You say, ‘that deposit didn’t work am I supposed to do it again?’  YES!  Everyone’s been hurt or will be hurt. 

If fear grips your heart you dare not go back into isolation and refuse to risk being hurt again.  If you do then the devil’s plan is succeeding.  The temptation is always there to protect your heart from hurt but when you realize that you cannot if you are to continue in the ministry and fulfill the commission the Lord gave us you will press on.  Always remember you Cannot function in battle by yourself alone and be effective.  This is a Body Ministry.  This is an Army!  This is a Family!  This is not a bunch of isolated individuals or body parts trying to be the whole for that is certain defeat!

In making disciples we quickly learn the power and importance of Forgiveness! We must make the determination that we will forgive, forgive, and forgive.  That will prevent a root of Bitterness from springing up in our hearts and defiling us and others.  It is necessary to maintain order in our lives and keep the battle moving forward.  If we have been ‘abandoned’ in the war zone we need to be ‘healed’ and ‘restored.’  Refuse to allow wounds to fester and become infected.  Healing comes by allowing the wound to be opened, the blood to flow to it and life to be ministered. 

A word of wisdom and warning – “Pick the right friends this time!”  Do not be too quick to lay hands on people.  How do you pick the right ones?  Discernment and testing!  I’ve had people want to be friends and comrades in arms in the battle only to find that they quickly became disillusioned and disappointed.  They had expectations of me that I could not fulfill and therefore they turned on me.  Some have been offended that I would joke, laugh, enjoy recreational sports, etc.  They expected me to be, as they stated “different” which really meant ‘abnormal’ and ‘weird’.  They had not learned that we are all human and even Jesus was anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows. 

It would be easy to say, “Never again. I won’t risk being hurt.”  That would seal the deal making failure certain and limit any effectiveness we might have in the kingdom.  Too many pastors have allowed the wrong people to be made ‘elders’ and ‘deacons.’  We do that in our churches and our lives too frequently. That is why it is vital that we exercise the ‘discerning of the Spirit.’  Always remember that the qualifications for leadership are not ‘community influence’, ‘financial status’, ‘charisma’, or ‘perceived leadership potential.’  It is COMMITMENT! 

We all have the capacity for a great number of friends but only room for a few close intimate relationships.  You are to ‘deposit’ a portion of your life into that person or persons and that deposit is precious so guard it with your all.  You are going to war with this individual so you must Know Them! In war, it is vital that you Know that your fellow soldiers will stand and do their jobs.  Your life may and probably will depend on it.  I am not talking about preferences I am talking about WAR!  Once you have committed your life to Jesus you are a candidate for Front Line Duty!

There is nothing more destructive to a local fellowship than misplaced leadership.  Likewise, there is nothing more destructive to an individual life than misplaced friendships or relationships.  1 Corinthians 15:23 tells us that “bad company corrupts good morals.”  Proverbs 25:19 teaches that “confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint.”  It is painful and can be quite harmful.

In your enlistment in the Army of God, I pray that God not only equips you for battle but enable you to equip others and to have the spiritual insight and discernment to recognize the ‘right people’ to stand with.

Blessings as you go through your day!

Psalm 34:4-7 – “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed.  6 This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.” NKJV

In the first portion of this passage, the Psalmist identifies something that too often we refuse to admit – FEAR.  If I were to go back to my time in Vietnam and tell you that I was never afraid, I’d be a liar.  I knew fear and more than once and am not ashamed to admit it.  In fact, I didn’t want to be too close to people who claimed they never experienced fear because I found them to be careless too frequently and that got people hurt or killed. 

There were times in my childhood and my adult life when I was gripped with fear.  Sometimes the threat was real and at other times it was a phantom danger that I was afraid of.  Learning to know the difference is important but the effect on your body and your mind is the same and often it will paralyze you so that you are not able to function as you should.  In Vietnam when fear tried to grip our hearts our training kicked in and we reacted out of instinct and as the adrenaline kicked into high gear we were oblivious to fear or pain and focused on the task at hand.

In life, we have fears, some more than others.  Fear can come as a result of “guilt,” and in those cases, it is important to recognize that and run to the Lord for His mercy.  I like what the Psalmist said, “I sought the LORD, and HE HEARD ME and DELIVERED ME from ALL my fears.”  (Emphasis mine)  Then in verse seven, he gives us an incredible hope upon which to hang all our hopes – “The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.”  What a promise!  We have God’s angels setting up a barricade around us who fear the Lord and they come to our defense as the enemy comes in.  No wonder Isaiah said, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of God shall lift up a standard against him.  (Isaiah 59:19b)

Having fear is not the problem not dealing with it is.  Being afraid is not something you have to hang your head in shame over, refusing to admit it is.  I confess there is a certain amount of “fear” or “trepidation” in my heart concerning this nation at this time but at the same time, I am 100% confident in the LORD.  “I know in whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him against that day.”  2 Timothy 1:12 We are living in “perilous times” but our LORD is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and one day “every knee will bow and every tongue will confess” that Jesus is Lord!

What I want to conclude with is this; do not allow fear to dominate your life because you are more than a conqueror through Christ.  Fear like thoughts and temptations will come but you do not have to give it lodging place and can “resist the devil” and watch him flee.  Why – because of Christ in us!

May God be with you as you go through your day!

John 5:30 – “I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” NASB

I’ve said and heard it said – Jesus did nothing He did not see the Father doing and said nothing He did not hear the Father saying.  The basis for that finds root in this passage.  Here Jesus said, “I can do nothing on My own initiative.”  The Only Begotten of the Father felt compelled to have confirmation from the Father before He did anything and if that was His mindset and mode of operation it most assuredly should be ours.  He refused to operate independently from the Father and we should refuse to operate independently from Him. 

Jesus said, “As I hear I judge.”  He waited until He Heard what the Father had to say before he judged, spoke, or acted and so should we.  Too often we put our mouths in gear before our brains are engaged or in this case before our spirits are attune to the mind and will of the Father.  In John 8:28 – “…I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.” NASB. When the LORD says “I HEAR” He is referring to those things the Father has “SHOWN” and “TAUGHT” Him.  (John 5:20).

There cannot be construed in the words of Jesus that had he acted or spoke without hearing the Father on that particular occasion that his acting or speaking would have been wrong. Rather He was in complete harmony and agreement with the Father in all things and would not act independently of that co-counsel of the God-Head.  He, as the virgin born sacrifice for the sin of mankind recognized that His will must be subject to the Divine Will and His life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension was the outworking of that will.  He came to “seek and to save” that which Was lost.  He spoke it in the ‘past tense’ because He saw His sacrifice as a ‘finished work’ and ‘complete.’  There is nothing to add to or take away from His work on the Cross.  It is completely complete!

It would behoove each of us who serve in preaching ministry, counseling ministry, pastoral ministry, or any ministry as well as every individual believer to ‘wait’ for the LORD’s direction before we speak, act, or formulate a doctrine, opinion, or conviction.  We are not islands and without Him we can truly do nothing but in Him we are more than conquerors.  If He holds all the power of creation in His hands and knows the end from the beginning why would we not want to know His Will in the matter before charging in?

My button gets pressed from time to time and I want to give an immediate response, and sometimes do, but my objective is to give a measured response based on what I Hear Him say and See Him do.  If I make that the rule of my life and ministry I will have far less disappointment and reason for repentance and far more reason for rejoicing.  I want what He wants and that is renewal, restoration, and revival.  I want to see Him and His Kingdom manifest in this earth.

Blessings as you go through your day!