Psalm 103:1-5 – “Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;  3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases;  4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with loving-kindness and compassion; 5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” NASB

Often when I am around other believers the topic will turn to Praise and how important and valuable it is. Unfortunately, too often we make it an option rather than an essential in our walk.  For some, it is a part of the Sunday morning ritual rather than a cornerstone of our daily life.  It is relegated to a brief time during the Sunday service rather than a fixture in life.  That strips it of much of its power and benefit and robs the individual of an endeavor that God has offered to lift us into His presence in a more pronounced and powerful manner.

Praise is a natural and normal part of life.  In fact, it is only considered abnormal or in need of restriction when it is associated with Religious Gatherings.  Manufacturers praise their products.  Parents praise their children.  Men praise their automobiles.  Women praise their hairdressers or wardrobes.  Children praise, sportswriters and coaches praise.  Politicians praise, preachers praise.  If you think about it, life is filled with praise of one kind or another.  It is normal and natural.  It is ingrained into our nature to spontaneously give praise to whatever or whomever we value.  Therefore, if God is among the things we value it is normal and natural to release our inner being in praise to Him!

It is not because God needs our praise but because we need to offer Him praise.  We need to hear our selves praise Him. There is a release in our spirits that is incredibly powerful as we do.  Something happens inside of our innermost being in the activity of praise!

Let me give you an example in the natural.  The crowd at a football game would, virtually if not literally, go crazy were they not allowed to express themselves when their team scored a touchdown.  The team did not need the praise to score they scored before the crowd began praising.  It was the spectators who benefited by clapping, yelling, standing, waving their hands, hats, and/or banners.  Yet, when it comes to religious gatherings that is sometimes forbidden and frowned upon as being inappropriate!  Did you ever question how a touchdown is more deserving of an outward demonstration of appreciation than God?

I’ve noticed that it is the humblest of souls, the most balanced and open-minded that praise the most and the cranky, malcontented praise the least.  Praise seems to be inner health made audible.  The very word Hallelujah demands an outward demonstration of praise.  Hallel – praise.  Oou – Our.  Jah – God.  Praise is an expression of inner health, but it wasn’t inner health that caused the crowd to praise at the ballgame.  There was an outward stimulus!  The praise was in direct proportion to the stimuli.  That is another reason why the more we talk about Jesus, focus on Him, His person and work the easier it is to Praise Him!

Praise,for most people much of the time, does not flow easily.  It is something that has to be pressed into because most people begin in the outer court.  The temporal is so large in our thinking and living that Praise and entering into the inner court requires an act of our will.  It is when we instruct our flesh to come to attention and determine that we will praise the Lord!  We make the choice to rejoice and enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.  We have to allow the Holy Spirit to help us bridge the gap between the heavenly and the earthly realms and this is accomplished through Praise!

If we could grasp the truth that Praise brings pleasure to the heart of God, it would dramatically affect how we view it.  We read in Psalm 149:41 – “For the Lord takes pleasure in His people.”  Psalm 104:1 – “Bless the Lord, O my soul.”  In Revelation 4:11 – “Thou art worthy, O Lord to receive Glory and Honor, and Power: For thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.”  Then in Ephesians 1:12 we read that we are to be the Praise of God’s Glory!  I want you to understand that God literally derives pleasure, gratification, and enjoyment out of our praise.  Imagine that, we can do something that brings pleasure to God not to mention what it produces within our inner being.

I urge you to allow Praise to become a normal natural part of your daily relationship with God!   Blessings as you go through your day!

Proverbs 12:25-28 – “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. 26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray. 27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession. 28 In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death.” NKJV

Proverbs offer a plethora of wisdom that too often we read for quantity rather than quality and skim over some incredibly powerful words of wisdom.  I have been guilty and I’m reasonably sure that most of you have as well.  The Spirit of the Lord has been challenging me more and more to cease doing that and carefully muse upon each word, sentence, and paragraph as I read and study the scripture.  It has proven to be a dynamic endeavor and I’ve gleaned more from passages that I formerly only gave a cursory reading to.

The words of wisdom, found in these four verses, are an example of the wealth of pearls to be found in the Book of Proverbs.  Each could be examined solitarily but I will highlight them and allow you to do further study and examination to find that which the Lord would speak to your heart from these treasures.

• Anxiety in the heart produces depression contrasted to a good word bringing a vivacious spirit.

When we allow anxiety, fear, or worry to take a dominant place in our thinking the result will be depression but if we give or receive a ‘good word’ from God’s word we will find that our spirits soar and become alive with excitement and anticipation.  Depression arises from an ‘inward focus’ or a ‘focus on self’ but the spirit soars when the focus is on God.

• Careful selection of friends or those you come into an alliance with is critical because those of ill repute and walk in wickedness will bring you down.

The old saying ‘birds of a feather flock together, and a little leaven leavens the entire lump’ is surely applicable and factual.  I’ve known young people who became so infatuated with a member of the opposite sex that they wanted to immediately marry them.  They thought and declared that they could and would affect a positive and godly change in the other person only to find that the reverse was true and endured a miserable relationship.  It is important to surround yourself with people who demonstrate a positive faith and character.

• The contrast between laziness and diligence.

The translation of this word to ‘roast’, in verse 27 is a most interesting one.  The Hebrew word is ‘charak’ and comes from the primitive root – ‘to braid, entangle, snare, or catch in a net.’  Some translations render it as ‘the slothful man will not secure (keep in his net) what he takes in hunting’.  He will let whatever he gains slip from his hands through a lack of effort and attention.  Laziness produces lack and diligence produces abundance or adequate provision at the minimum.

• Righteousness leads to life whereas unrighteousness leads to death.

No wonder Jesus said, ‘Straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life and few will find it.’  The path of least resistance is almost never the best way to go.  The pathway to destruction is broad and wide with few visible obstacles but the pathway to life is filled with obstructions placed there by the evil one in an attempt to discourage and shipwreck our journey.

I am quite sure that as you read these and give them thought the Holy Spirit will highlight some areas for you to delve deeper into and embark on a journey to implement them into your life. 

Therefore, as you immerse yourself in God’s truth I bid you a good day and pray God’s blessings upon you!

2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”  NASB

I had a person tell me, some years ago, that they didn’t let their co-workers know they were Christians because they feared discrimination in the workplace.  I’ve known a number of people in my Christian walk who are what I call Secret Christians because they don’t want the people they work with or do business with to know about their faith.  I am concerned that is more prevalent than most think.

The problem I have with that is it falls dangerously close to what Jesus said in Matthew 10:33 regarding denying Him before men.  While those individuals I allude to did not actually deny Jesus they demonstrated a certain shame and fear of others knowing about their belief in Him. 

That puts them in the position and condition that prevents them from fulfilling the Lord’s Commission to “Go into all the world…”  In their minds, it frees them from the watchful eye of those observing their behavior and words.  It creates an environment where they could easily lapse into activity or conversation that would not be becoming for a believer without those around them questioning their relationship or Christianity. 

Some have even told me that by doing this they escaped the possibility of becoming a stumbling block to others.  My response was, Really?  They do fall into the category that Jesus described in Mark 8:38 where He said that if we are ashamed of him in this wicked generation, He will be ashamed of us in the Day of Judgment.

If I am ashamed of Jesus and hide my faith, that causes me to wonder if I have faith!  I am not trying to be the judge of others and will leave that to God, but can anyone be comfortable being a Secret Christian?  Jesus told us not to fear those who could destroy the body and in that destroy our livelihood on earth but to fear Him that could destroy the soul.  He also asked pointedly, “What would a man give in exchange for his soul? What would be the profit of gaining the whole world and losing the soul?”  Obviously, there would only be earthly and temporary gain but eternal loss.

I am not suggesting that you must be out on the streets, knocking on every door you see and giving a specific witness verbally to everyone you meet. That might not be God’s desire, but you can and should always give a silent visual witness by your life, words, and deeds.  You can be and should be ready always to give an answer to every man for the reason of the hope that is within you.  You do not have to and should not wear your Christianity on your sleeve and become obnoxious in trying to convert and witness to everyone. 

Some you meet are not ready, will not receive the Gospel message and your aggressive evangelism might only push them further away rather than bring them near.  Listen to the voice inside and follow your heart but Always manifest the ‘Life of Christ’ and the ‘Character of Jesus’ in your life.  You will be surprised how many people ask about what it is that makes you different.  Some will ridicule but many will come inquiringly and hungrily wanting more than what they have and have seen in others and even churches.  You are letters known and read of men!

As you go through life, go with pride that you are a follower of Jesus!  I did not say being proud, but being proud of your relationship with Jesus!   Know that as you manifest Him others will see, and some will respond favorably to His nudging and tugging of their heartstrings.  

May God’s richest blessings be upon you as you go through your day!

Matthew 28:20 – “… I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” NASB

In the context of this statement, Jesus issued what we call ‘The Great Commission.’ He identified that He had All Authority in heaven and on earth.  He commanded them to “GO” and make disciples of all nations.  He instructed them to baptize and teach them to observe All His Commandments!  It was at the conclusion of that assignment for them and us that He gave this most powerful promise – “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Throughout my Christian walk, I have taken this promise of Jesus as one of my Foundation Stones. It is a Rock upon which I stand and take comfort.  No matter what the assignment, how difficult the task, how large the opposition, or how dangerous the endeavor, I know that I know that He is Going to be With Me Always! 

If He is with me what do I have to fear?  If He is with me what can be too difficult?  If He is with me there is no reason to shy away from any assignment.  The obstacles and opposition are simply possibilities and opportunities for God to demonstrate His incredible power and love.  If I become a casualty in the flesh that is a small thing compared to His eternal purpose.  It would only mean I get promoted earlier than others around me and get to the heavenly party earlier than I would have expected.  That is most assuredly a comfort to me.

He is not with me some of the time, or for a short time, He is with me to the End of the Age!  That means as long as I am on this planet, He is With Me!  As long as I occupy this tabernacle of flesh, He is With Me!  As long as I breathe life naturally, He is With Me!  Each step I take, each difficulty I encounter, each victory I experience He is There!  He is With Me!

My friend, you are not alone!  All mankind could forsake you and you can still know that He is with you!  So, as you go through this day and the rest of your life go in the confidence and comfort that He is With You and He will not Forsake You!  As long as you are here, He is Wherever You Are!  Hallelujah!

It is my prayer that as you go through your day go in the grace, peace, power, and comfort of the Lord! 

May the Blessings of the LORD be upon you bountifully! 

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

As we continue our consideration of Spiritual Warfare, the preparation and the establishing of leaders in the Church, we must look at the Heart! In this passage especially if you take the full context you will find some incredibly powerful truths regarding leadership, service, and life.

I have observed that one of the best ways to test a person’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 and 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. Those 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 Is Now!

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 must 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 facing a Spiritual War in today’s world. We must be prepared, we must be Committed to Him and Faithful to His Purposes. 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

Over the past couple of days, we have considered some aspects of what Paul was telling his son in the faith, Timothy.  The charge was for Timothy 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 essentialness 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 most Christians do not work on and 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.

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 and Servanthood. 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 the response was Go Out!  I should have been sitting and being nurtured but within weeks after my conversion, I was sent out.  I saw in Bible College and have observed it in my 50 years of ministry.

When God calls a person or uses them in some degree or measure of success and instills a vision in their hearts along with His promise are noticeable. As a result, they have the mistaken idea that they immediately should be 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.
• 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 or Servanthood. 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 ‘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.  Even 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 present to protect your own heart from hurt. When we realize that we cannot if we continue in ministry and fulfill the commission the Lord gave we will persevere and risk. It is important to remember you cannot function in battle 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 the process of 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 your heart and defiling you and others.  It is necessary to maintain order 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 or 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 will seal the deal, and make failure a certainty limiting any effectiveness we might have in the kingdom.  Too many lead 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, you must 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 enables 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!

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

I know what it is like to be in a War Zone in the natural and in the spiritual.  I’ve had some people say to me, “You don’t sound like a preacher you sound like a soldier.”  Well, in truth, you cannot remove the training and experience in the War Zone from my life.  God has used and is using it to shape me into what I am and what He desires. 

There are things I learned and experience in the natural war zone that has proven to be beneficial in the spiritual war zone.  I acknowledge that virtually all believers get a taste of the ‘Spiritual War Zone’ but all do not Function there or at least not effectively.  It takes fierce determination, an understanding of the strategies of the enemy and an understanding of our weapons and equipping.  It takes that but there is one thing more that is absolutely essential and that is Faithfulness!

Consider what Paul says to his spiritual son Timothy in verse 2 – “The things which you have heard from me…”  In the KJV it is rendered ‘of me’ the Greek word is [pa-ra] = alongside, partnership, side-by-side relationship.  It is the same word used to describe the ministry of the Holy Spirit in [John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7] The Holy Spirit reveals the heart of the Father as He walks with us and resides in us.  It is a Covenant relationship!  He is the ‘Paraklete’ and there is no one closer to you than Him!

Timothy had been there with Paul in good times and bad.  He had worked alongside the apostle.  Paul reminds him “the things you have learned by virtue of our close, long-standing, side-by-side relationship.  You have been mentored.”  This was not a teacher-student classroom experience with one lecturing and the other taking notes for a test.  This was an actual ministry.  It was the ministry of covenant. It was walking together in good times and bad.  In 2 Timothy 3:10 Paul declares, “But you (Timothy) have Fully Known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience.”  Paul says in verse two above – “what you have learned, commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

Simply, “Timothy, you know what I’ve done for you.  Now go and do the same for others.  You have been disciple now it is time for you to disciple.”  This is the principle of reproduction.  God always expects reproduction.  What we receive we are to give.  What we learn we are to demonstrate and teach.  Remember Jesus said in Matthew 10:8 – “…Freely you have received, freely give…”

I was teaching on this once and had someone interrupt me saying, “But Timothy had been hurt!”  I paused and asked, “Was Paul ever hurt?  Was Jesus ever hurt?  How is being hurt a justification for drawing back?”  We are supposed to be pulling down strongholds and taking ground for the kingdom not going into hiding or isolation. 

If we faint in the time of adversity our strength is small.  In verse one Paul charges Timothy to be “strong in the grace that is Jesus Christ.”  If we do not have a good connection to the flow of ‘supernatural enablement’ we must ask why?  Is it because of our relationship, trust, revelation?  What?  It is imperative that we truly See Jesus to truly Trust Him!

Making disciples is a commission that each of us has been given and that works at all levels of leadership and responsibility in the kingdom and life.  In Matthew 28 our Lord said, “Go therefore and make disciples…”  That is not a suggestion but a commandment.  That commission cannot be fulfilled outside the context of faithfulness through committed covenant relationships.  It is time-consuming to make disciples.  It involves commitment and sacrifice.  It can be and usually is incredibly painful but equally joyous.  It is risk-filled. 

My question is not if you are in the War Zone but are you a committed warrior?  If you are then do not shy away from the task at hand of making disciples.  Jesus instructed us to pray to the Lord of Harvest that He would send forth laborers into His harvest.  The harvest is plenty but the laborers are few.  Be a committed warrior making disciples who are or will be committed warriors. 

God bless you as you go through your day!