Leadership Integrity

In speaking with Ambassador Dr. Clyde Rivers for Burundi concerning the subject of what it means to grow a nation. It is not the political maneuvering and mere titles that affect a nation to become something better than it currently is. It all starts somewhere and it begins with leadership INTEGRITY.  The integrity of leadership is the rock which a country anchors itself to. It provides stability, protection, and a hope for a better future. Interestingly, forces for change are found within leaders whose character doesn’t change. How does a nation such as Burundi experience peace between two opposing tribal factions? How are they progressing out of abject poverty. How will they continue this upward movement within their society? It does not happen automatically as a big bang theory of national success. It begins with leadership and their integrity! President Nkurunziza has championed and epitomized how influential integrity is.

When an earthquake happens you will see yellow caution tape placed around certain buildings, warning of the possible danger of collapse. The authorities will use the phrase “the integrity of this building has been compromised.” It is now to dangerous to interact with it. Integrity is measured by how much pressure the individual or thing can withstand before compromising and becoming weak which can lead to collapse.

Leadership of nations need the cooperation of the citizenry to accomplish the vision and goals it has set before them. People willingly follow when they can trust leadership. The foundation of trust is integrity. Charisma grabs the attention of people but character sustains their gaze. Ultimately they follow in agreement because of character and integrity which has produced in their heart “I trust you!” Even when they may not understand completely all of the “ins and outs” of legislation and political tools to get somewhere, but because they trust you, they will share the dream.

Integrity is not created overnight but is the result of being forged in the fires of adversity. When a person does not agree with you on a certain subject, they will respect you because of your integrity. That gives you the opportunity to be heard at all times.
Integrity is attractive. For example, when a fruit tree bears fruit it does not bring you the fruit. You are attracted to the tree. It in itself becomes a force of influence that draws people to you and your vision instead of driving them away.

Remember, a thousand right acts can be nullified by one wrong. One lie can call into question every truth I ever told. Integrity is worth every storm of temptation you have to endure to maintain the necessary influence.

Worth Dying For?

What makes something worth dying for? What makes a person willing to expend their life for someone or a cause?

We may love our job, but would we die for it? We may love giving to a charity, but would we die for it? Most people would not die for their job or for their favorite charity or many other things for that matter. Then where does it cross over into a passion so deep that we would literally die for something instead of sacrificing principles and saving ourselves?

John 10:11
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

17-18
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Jesus was willing to die for the people of this world. Evidently he saw the worth of mankind as more than his personal convenience. The Lord was convinced that the cause of salvation was worth everything he would be called upon to endure and even death when required.

Paul had a similar view when it came to dying for something and/or someone.

Philippians 1:21-24 (KJV)
²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
²² But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
²³ For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
²⁴ Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

Notice he says that if he remains alive it is beneficial for Christ but if chose to die it would be gain to himself. Paul was willing to die for what he believed in and ultimately he did just that. He was equally willing to live inconvenienced if it meant the Philippians would receive benefit.

This really comes from being so persuaded that the person and cause is of such worth, that dying for it/them is a contribution and not personal loss. It’s something bigger than yourself, and you are a part, not the whole. In other words, the person or cause doesn’t exist exclusively for you, but you exist for the person and/or cause.

Luke 9:23-24 (KJV)
²³ And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
²⁴ For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Jesus takes care of this when we are first saved. He requires us to pick up our cross and follow him on a daily basis. This means we must believe this is a cause worth dying for. I have to believe it’s bigger than me and I’m a part of something larger than myself. When I lay my life down, I have not lost, I have gained.

If you want to determine for yourself what things in life are worth dying for then simply consider your ideology and the weight of the values you hold contrasted with the consequences and implications of death.

Resilient–Be Encouraged

The word resilient means

• Marked by the ability to recover readily, as from misfortune.
• Capable of returning to an original shape or position, as after having been compressed.
• Flexible is a synonym

Resilience is the process of facing adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or extreme stress and “bouncing back” successfully without becoming too negatively affected by the experience.

Victoria Ruvolo was driving home from a niece’s piano recital one wintery evening in 2004 when a large object smashed through her windshield, hitting with such force that it broke every bone in her face. The object turned out to be a frozen turkey. The thrower: a teenage boy named Ryan Cushing, out for a joyride with friends in a stolen car. Ruvolo’s passenger managed to grab the steering wheel, push Ruvolo’s foot off the gas pedal and steer them onto the shoulder. After being rushed to the hospital, Ruvolo remained in an induced coma for two weeks.

When it was safe to operate, the doctors began painstakingly putting Ruvolo back together. The then-44-year-old office manager from Long Island was left with three titanium plates in her left cheek, one plate in her right cheek, and a screen holding her left eye in place. Her family was told that she might have permanent brain damage and was unlikely to be capable of living on her own.

But that wasn’t a prediction Ruvolo was ready to accept. She had survived tragedies before. Two of her brothers died in separate incidents when she was a teenager. At age 35 she miscarried a much-longed-for child. Somehow, she had found the strength to come through those losses, and she was determined that she would make it through this one, too.

With a devastated face, and a questionable future ahead of her, Ruvolo had plenty of good reasons to sink into anger and depression. But she didn’t. Instead, even as she was still undergoing a series of reconstructive surgeries, she told herself, “This moping isn’t going to get me anywhere.”

Contrary to her grim prognosis, she was back at work within eight months, living on her own, and speaking regularly to at-risk youths about ways to improve their lives.

A lesson from the lawn.

Imagine if a blade of grass decided it had had enough. It was done with having its head snipped off every weekend and its seeds – its future – cut off in their prime. Who could blame it? Yet, what does that ole’ blade of grass do? It doesn’t say:  “I give up! I’m getting nowhere!” 

It just keeps on growing. It continually takes in the energy from the sunlight and magically converts carbon dioxide from the air into food to make more leaves and more seeds.

A blade of grass is resilient. You too, can learn to be as resilient as the grass.

You may be cut down on a regular basis, yet your strength is in standing up, dusting yourself off, and starting all over again. Even when grass is covered in concrete, it finds a way to grow up through the cracks.

And, so must you.

Proverbs 24:16 (KJV) For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Source for Ruvolo story  https://experiencelife.com/article/the-5-best-ways-to-build-resiliency/

Different Does not Mean Importance of Value.

Our value is exclusively determined by our creator and no one else. The tendency of most people is to determine one’s worth by how much human attention one receives. However, that false standard of value creates an environment of competition and division. The mistake being made that certain gifts are more valuable and can intrinsically stand alone with no connections for support.

Romans 12:6 (KJV)
⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

Different here does not mean levels of importance or value but simply they are different.

Acts 9:23-25 (KJV)
²³ And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
²⁴ But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
²⁵ Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

The disciples here would have had no idea that the man they were saving would write two thirds of the New Testament. Paul would go on to become the preacher to the gentile world and do some of the greatest exploits known in the early stages of Christianity. But, if it was not for the role of these disciples, he would have never came to the place of fulfilling the plan of God for his life. These men, will receive the rewards of this Pauline ministry as well as it’s namesake.

1 Corinthians 12:12-26 (KJV)
¹² For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
¹³ For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
¹⁴   For the body is not one member, but many.
¹⁵ If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
¹⁶ And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
¹⁸ But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
¹⁹ And if they were all one member, where were the body?
²⁰ But now are they many members, yet but one body.
²¹ And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
²² Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
²³ And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
²⁴ For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
²⁵ That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
²⁶ And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

The heart is never seen, it’s not beautiful, but it is responsible for the blood flow throughout the entire body. If it is ever exposed outside of the body, the entire body dies. In other words, when it moves out of position it harms the body instead of helping it. The face cannot brag upon itself as being self existent and no need of any other members. If it wasn’t for the unseen support of the heart and countless other supporting members, it wouldn't exist.

Find out what God has called you to do and the gifts he has placed upon you to fulfill it. Then remain in that function contributing to the health of the whole and do not make it about you but all for the Lord’s glory and his purpose. I promise you, if you do this, it will be the most rewarding and fulfilling life. It will take away all competition, jealousy, selfishness, and remove opportunities for Satan to use to gain a foothold in your life.

Don’t Lose it!!!

Hebrews 12:16 
Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

2 Samuel 1:21
Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.

Matthew 27:5                                                                                                          And he (Judas) cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

Here are  three individuals who have prominent backgrounds, present privilege, and promising futures.

• Esau the son of Isaac
• Saul the first king of Israel
• Judas a disciple of Christ

They all had in their possession something valuable but eventually they lost the appreciation for the worth of such treasure Esau had the privilege of having the birthright and Abrahamic covenant. Saul had the kingship and a kingdom, while Judas had the apostleship and heaven. With these kinds of possessions and privileges you would think they would be protected and fought for. However, Esau sold his birthright, Saul disobeyed and rebelled, and Judas sold Christ.

As a result, an opportunity, anointing, and a soul, were not lost momentarily but for eternity. When we forfeit our God given privileges then our potential remains as just that – potential but never released to manifest a future. Think about what could have been and how different these stories could have been. Each of them had the potential to have a different ending. 

• Esau might have been in the Messianic line
• Saul might have died in peace and been a great king
• Judas might have become a great apostle

In baseball when a team leaves one or more runners on the bases after the third out he announcer will say “they left two runners stranded.” I wonder how many people at the end of their lives leave potential stranded because of decisions made that thwarted the plan of God for their lives?

The church needs to stop dying with potential and anointing still in its bones like Elisha did. When Elisha died, he still had the anointing and potential still unused lying dormant. It was supposed to be transferred upon another but that person forfeited the right to have it, and thus Elisha died with it. What would have been written about Gehazi if he would have made the right decision and remained faithful? We will never know but he could have been the greatest prophet that ever lived.  

Your opportunity in life is great. Your choices determines your destiny. What you are and what you may become are two different matters. All may become living examples of what the grace of God can do for a person. Choose wisely and fulfill the script God has for you. Don’t die with a “what could have been” but with a

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith

Rebuilding Trust–Yes it’s Possible!

How do you rebuild trust after it has been broken? An age old question that has left many destroyed in its wake. The usual end result is frustration and coming to the conclusion it is an impossible feat to reconstruct relationships, after they have been decimated by the hurricane of broken trust.

However, there is hope and it is not an impossibility. Here are a few pointers to help the reconciliation process and rebuild the relationship to be even stronger than before.

• In order to restore trust you have to stop arguing about the details of the past and start talking about the design/blueprint for the future.

Arguing about what happened yesterday and focusing on who is at fault becomes an endless and futile venture. It yields nothing positive for the future. Concentrating on the past removes all ability to build a future.

• You will never rebuild trust on the ashes of the past.
• You have to replace your view of the past with a vision for the future and realize it’s going to take time to rebuild that trust!

Speak more about where you are going instead of where you have been. In other words, fix NOW so you have a FUTURE.

• Don’t make a monument to your failures and give your past permission to ruin your future.

Stop making it as reference points in the life whether in your own life or the other person’s. Throw away the black book! A fatal mistake is revisiting the monuments of the past as if they occurred yesterday when in reality it could have been 20 years ago. Let it go and never go back!

• Don’t allow the Devil to trap you in a world of misery that you cannot change.

Satan’s favorite place to visit is a person’s past. If he can lead you there and get you to build a house and dwell there – it will be a world of total misery. Nothing changes in that world. The best policy is to leave it and close the door and throw away the key!

• Go through the Cross and forget the past’s existence, because the future is waiting.

The power of the cross is to remove the guilt and shame of past sins. If God has forgotten about it, why shouldn’t you? A life that is refreshing and guilt free is waiting on you today. Let it go so you can take hold of a bright future.

You Might be a Pharisee if…

I’m sure you remember the iconic phrase made famous by Jeff Foxworthy some years back “You might be a redneck if…

• You ever cut your grass and found a car.
• You've ever used a weed eater indoors.
• You come home from the garbage dump with more than you went with.
• You fish in your above-ground pool, especially if you catch something!

These were just some to name a few. Recently, that phrase came to my mind while I was sitting in a revival waiting to speak. However, the word “redneck” was exchanged for “Pharisee.” Within in minutes I was writing on a sheet of paper the following statements.

You might be a Pharisee if…

• Love your religion more than Christ.
• You don’t practice what you preach
• You judge everyone by outward appearance
• You elevate man-made traditions to equality with God’s Word

However, this religious sect who were comprised by the most self-righteous religious leaders of the day were

• Religious but lost.
• They were good at converting people to religion but not to Christ.
• Good at making monuments and museums of the past but not life in the present.
• They couldn’t recognize Christ or an ordained move of God.

Pharisees were long on talk and short on practice. Jesus said: "All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not after their works: for they say, and do not" (Matt. 23:3).

Pharisees majored on minors. Jesus said that they "left undone the weightier matters" and "strained out the gnat, and swallowed the camel" (Matt. 23:23-25). Brings new life to the old saying “making mountains out of mole hills.”

I could go on and on about the Pharisee but the bottom line is that they were the epitome of hypocrisy. If they simply would have been sincere worshipers of the true and living God then all the infectious spiritual disease they were propagating would have been averted. However, their pride crushed any opportunity for humility to gain a foothold and they continued injecting their poison of man-made religion into the masses. People were turned off by their pompous rituals without life, and their attitude of arrogance sickened and repulsed those who otherwise may have come to the true God of Israel.

I began thinking of today, and wonder why more people are not wanting or receiving this wonderful free gift of salvation. It doesn’t take long to realize that the spirit (attitude – disposition) of the Pharisee is alive and well today. Is it possible these attitudes and characteristics that are listed above are still resident among God’s people? How many times do we judge the outward appearance and it hinders our response to that individual? How often has sinners said about the church “they talk one thing but they don’t live it.”

I am thoroughly convinced that we hold the keys to opening the love of God to the masses of unsaved people in our communities. When we speak the Word in Love – what does that actually mean?

It means we:

• speak the truth without compromise
• realize our human weaknesses and it translates into such compassion towards them
• see them as more precious and valuable than anything else in the world
• guard our own life and practice what we preach

If we DO these things, the faucet of Phariseeism will be turned off and the true love of God will flow like a river. It will sweep the sinners into its flow of love and a true lasting revival will ensue.

A Willing Heart

Psalm 110:3 (KJV)
³ Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

The word “willing” here means “volunteer, freewill offering, willing, and plentiful.” Look at the following verses using this same concept.

Exodus 25:2 (KJV)
² Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.

Psalm 54:6 (KJV)
⁶ I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.

Many times while preaching, the temptation to force people into compliance is ever present. Pastors will tell you that one of the leading frustrations of ministry is the lack of willingness in many to participate in doing the ministry and sharing the responsibility of the gospel. People can be manipulated into obedience by being guilt riddled by a fiery condemnation or embarrassed by the shame. However, the Lord is interested in the person making up their mind clearly, being inspired by an inward desire and “want to.” We as ministers are to present the truth, facts, and the case, but then it is up to the individual to make up their own minds. We can’t

• force
• manipulate
• spiritually whip
• taking out our frustration on them by brow beating them with the Word

Where the motivation to do service for God comes from, determines the success of the person as well as the rewards given.

Luke 18:11-14 (KJV)
¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
¹² I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
¹³ And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Notice that what the Pharisee did was not wrong. Praying, fasting, and giving, are good things but it was the motivation that was wrong. His motivation came from looking pious and holy in the eyes of people. If you would have taken away the audience and his self-importance, he would not have prayed, fasted, or gave. His love for God was not willing based on a loving intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, but came from a place of pride and self-exaltation. The spiritual success and rewards were completely different for the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee left church spiritually impoverished and no rewards, while the tax collector left church spiritually rich and rewarded by God promotion.

Let’s pray until our hearts become willing to do anything God wants us to do. May we come to the place that long before the offering plate comes by, our hearts already gave willingly and with great excitement. Instead of praying because its something we should do, let’s pray because of wanting to and desiring more of Him. When it is time to fast, instead of doing it simply because someone told us to, let’s do it because of why Jesus said it should be done. The Lord said when the bridegroom would be taken away, then they would fast in those days. This was the result of an inward desire to want close fellowship. That is much different than the Pharisee doing it out of mere ritual.

I wonder what God could do with one or more willing hearts?

In the past he

• brought down the walls of Jericho
• sustained a widow woman through a severe drought
• fed 5000 people
• brought countless revivals throughout history

Romans 12:1 (KJV)
¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

What could He do with you? 

Helping Me on the Inside!

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (KJV)
⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
⁸ We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
⁹ Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

 2 Corinthians 4:16 (KJV)
¹⁶ For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Never judge what’s happening in me by what’s happening to me outwardly.

The opposite of what you see happening around me is happening in me.

• You may see me being torn down outwardly but I am being renewed and built up inwardly.
• You see me going through demonic attacks outwardly but I am being developed by the Holy Spirit inwardly!
• I may be weakened physically outwardly but I’m being strengthened inwardly!
• I may be being humbled outwardly but I am being lifted up inwardly!

Look at Jesus for an example:

• On the cross, he looked weak physically, but he was as strong as he had ever been on inside.
• In the Garden of Gethsemane his body was exploding corpuscles through the sweat glands…. Looking weak… but he was rising up on the inside and he overcame!

Satan controls much of this world’s activities through the fallen will of man. He creates adverse circumstances and uses people to perpetuate his plan of destruction concerning your life. However, as Christians, we are under the control of the Holy Spirit on the inside. Everything Satan has designed to bring about failure in your life is reversed in it’s effects by the Spirit of God. Hardships may bring about a weakness in your physical strength or body, but it’s purpose changes when it comes to your spirit. As the body gets weaker the spirit gets stronger.

Fasting is a good example as well. As you abstain from food, your body gets weaker but simultaneously the spirit-man is getting stronger.

Now you know what is meant when Paul said in

2nd Cor. 12:10  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

If you are facing hardship, surrounded by adversity, being attacked by gossip, and enduring opposition on every hand, then let patience have her perfect work. You will be stronger on the inside when you come out the other side.

All or Nothing!

Mark Batterson said

Whether you are a sinner, backslider, lukewarm in your Christian experience, or caught in an unfortunate place in life... I want you to know one thing - you are only one decision away from a totally different life! However, the first step is always the longest and the hardest to make. And, you can’t just take a step a step forward into the future. You also have to eliminate the possibility of moving backward into the past.

Philippians 3:13 (KJV)
¹³ Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

One night I was flipping channels on TV and I came across a poker final. It was down to the final three players and one of them was placing ALL his chips in the center of the table. The announcer exclaimed “he’s going all in!” This guy didn’t hedge his bet and keep a little back for reserve, this was it. It was all or nothing. He knew he could lose but one thing for sure – he was not going back! Spiritually speaking, I couldn’t help but think of us as Christians needing to go ALL in and not keep a back door option open if things don’t work out as we had thought or planned. When you go all in there can be no going back.

Recently I was listening to a minister speak on the following Scriptures and he exposed something I had never thought of.

1 Kings 18:30-35 (KJV)
³⁰ And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.
³¹ And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:
³² And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.
³³ And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.
³⁴ And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.
³⁵ And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.

Israel was in a three and a half year famine produced by a severe drought. The most precious commodity in a drought is water. Elijah decided to “Go all in” and give of the most precious thing, even if it meant no more water was left. He knew if you go all in with God that you have just set the stage for the Lord to do something amazing in your life. At the end of this chapter, there comes and abundance of rain, the very thing that was consecrated to God was now overflowing in their lives.

You may be thinking “that’s just an isolated instance” but you can see it all through Scripture. Every time a people would go all in, the Lord would do something astounding. Consider the following:

• when Joshua and the people of Israel consecrated themselves – the walls of Jericho fell.
• When Elisha destroyed his plowing tools – he became the successor to one of the greatest prophets of all time.
• When Aaron let go of the staff – God performed an amazing feat before the eyes of Pharaoh.
• Peter was not a swimmer, yet he went all in by leaving the safety of the boat – became the second man to walk on water!

Of course the list is endless but what about you? Are you missing out on God doing something amazing in your life? The answer is – go ALL in – be totally committed! Eliminate all options to retreat.

Have you ever wondered why God said in Malachi 3:10 to prove/test him by giving of tithes and offerings? God wants to prove and demonstrate his faithfulness. His greatest pain is to not be believed, his greatest pleasure is to be believed!

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

Go ALL in you wont be disappointed! He promises.

Romans 5:5 (KJV)
⁵ And hope maketh not ashamed (disappoint); because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Relationship Success God’s Way

“Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude.” – William James

Some years ago, an evangelist told me about his first date with his future wife. When she got in the car, he took notice she placed a bible between them on the seat. He asked her why she put the bible between them and she responded “if you are going to get to me, you will have to go through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John first!” I never forgot that and I appreciated her placing God at the beginning and center of this possible relationship. I believe all new relationships would benefit greatly if they started out on this proverbial right foot.

The value of the Word of God is inestimable. Like food is to the physical body, so is God’s word to the spiritual man. It is referred to in 1^st Timothy 4:6 as food that nourishes the spiritual person. When the bible is kept alive by a husband and wife practicing its principles, then success is guaranteed. Their marriage will be nourished and be healthy instead of famished and dying. Colossians 3:16 says “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” When it lives in us then it creates sustained joy, peace, love, and develops our strength.

Feed on the word by

• Being committed to church and hearing the word preached.
• Read it daily
• Meditate on every day on what you read. Meditating is the mind fermenting what it is thinking upon. When something ferments then it becomes intoxicating and a person will be under the influence. The word of God, not the world, should be influencing our decisions and life.
• Practice it everyday

The following is a list of verses to enhance the quality of your relationship. If acted upon, the rewards will be protection, seeing things before they happen, avoiding pitfalls, and exposing what are my responsibilities in the relationship.

Be careful of what and how you say things.

Proverbs 12:18 (KJV)
¹⁸ There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

James 1:19 (KJV)
¹⁹ Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

Remember, there are always two sides to every story.

Proverbs 18:13 (KJV)
¹³ He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

Speak words that encourage the spouse.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (KJV)
¹¹ Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Let love rule.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)
⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
⁵ or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
⁶ It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
⁷ Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Allow no competition to make the spouse feel less than your priority.

Genesis 2:24 (KJV)
²⁴ Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Grow up and become mature by putting away the childish pursuits.

2 Timothy 2:22 (KJV)
²² Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Remain committed to each other and accept each other’s family as your own.

Ruth 1:16 (KJV)
¹⁶ And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

Be careful of who your friends are.

1 Corinthians 5:9 (KJV)
⁹ I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NASB)
³³ Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."

Be honest and open with each other. If there is a misstep, be willing to forgive and permit healing to take place.

James 5:16 (KJV)
¹⁶ Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

1 Peter 4:8 (KJV)
⁸ And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Keep God at the center of the relationship at all times.

Psalm 46:5 (KJV)
⁵ God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

Looking for the Rapture

Hebrews 11:14 (KJV)
¹⁴ For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

Hebrews 13:14 (KJV)
¹⁴ For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

Today, many are accusing those who believe in a rapture as escapists who are turning a blind eye to the present needs of humanity. That somehow, if you believe this concept of a rapture that you instantly become a spiritual recluse who is selfishly looking for an escape, with no feelings for the lost who remain.

However, the opposite is true. The rapture – the unannounced soon coming husband in the air for his bride – actually will quicken the heart to be motivated to win the lost.

Looking at the two verse above tells us that both the patriarchs and the early church were intense in their focus on Heaven and reaching its shores. This unrepressed desire was the motivator in living out the plan of God for their lives and in the early church, it was what propelled them forward in their winning of souls. 

2 Corinthians 4:18 (KJV)
¹⁸ While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Paul is explaining what kept him going during times of hardship, persecutions, and afflictions. It was the spiritual sight that concentrated on the hereafter. This unbroken focus fueled his will to keep going in spite of the trials of this temporal life.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (KJV)
¹³ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
¹⁵ For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
¹⁶ For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
¹⁸  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The famous scripture on the rapture concludes with Paul saying that the knowledge of such an event provides a comfort to those who are being persecuted. The Thessalonians were persecuted for their faith, however, knowing that a better tomorrow was approaching would be something to comfort them.

If you are going through something today that is a hardship and you are a believer… I’ve got good news, it wont last forever. Jesus is coming and where he is taking us there is no more

• pain
• death
• sickness
• hardship

It will be worth it all!!!!!

Colossians 3:4 (KJV)
⁴ When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 (KJV)
¹⁰ And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

The Prayer Burden

Attending church in Kentucky, we watched an especially verbal and boisterous child being hurried out, slung under his irate father's arm. No one in the congregation so much as raised an eyebrow -- until the child captured everyone's attention by crying out in a charming Southern accent, "Ya'll pray for me now!"  - Jean McMahon (Dyer, Ind.) in Reader's Digest, April 1980.

I fear John Knox's prayers more than an army of ten thousand men. - Mary, Queen of Scotland

The angel fetched Peter out of prison, but it was prayer that fetched the angel. - Thomas Watson

Psalm 55:22 (KJV)
²² Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

We must be able to discern and accept the burdens of the Lord. “Thy burdens” are they which we are not designed to carry which he has already borne. Just like a wagon designed to carry 100lbs and we put 200lbs on it… what happens? If we attempt the same fate, of carrying more than we are designed to, we will break down. These burdens consist of

• trying to live someone else’s life for them
• carrying someone else’s responsibilities
• worry about tomorrow
• worrying about things you can’t physically change

However, there is a “burden of the Lord” we must ALL carry.

A. Ezekiel 22:30 (KJV)
³⁰ And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

He’s looking for co-laborers to carry His burdens.True God assigned prayer begins in the heart of God and is transferred to you. His burden in prayer will not promote worry or anxiousness. If I am worried in prayer, then it’s my burden and not God’s burden. God’s burden will promote zeal to accomplish change in someone or further the plan of God with passion. Some call it a spirit of prayer. Have you ever had a person laid on your heart to pray for and it was strong? It wasn’t the result of just thinking about them, but it happened suddenly, and with it came a surge of inward boldness to pray. This is what we call the “burden of the Lord.”

Prayer is so powerful that as we exercise this privilege, it not only changes things and people, but it changes our own perspective. We go from impossible to a convincing that all things are possible.

Let’s accept the transfer of God’s burden of seeing souls saved. Allow the spirit of prayer to envelop your life with a sacrificial anguish of soul for the lives of people who know not the Lord. The rewards are out of this world!!!!

Remember – Prayer changes things and people!!!!

Watch out!!! Don’t be Deceived

Satan will lull you into a false sense of security that everything is going ok even though you have left off reading and praying. However,  you are getting weaker and weaker and when something hits, you are too weak to overcome it. Then their is a rush to prepare, or go to counseling, and all of it could have been avoided if we wouldn't have been relaxed into laziness.

As darkness increases, the less of the dirt that sin is creating and depositing in our lives will we be able to see. If I live in a room without little to no light, I will not see the dirt accumulating and pay no attention to it. When someone walks in and turns the light on I will be shocked at what I have been living in. I simply didn’t know up to the point of the light being turned on – in other words I was ignorant of it. The whole world lives in filth and the depravity of sin but they don’t realize it because they live in darkness – ignorance.

Ephesians 4:17-18 (KJV)
¹⁷ This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
¹⁸ Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

Knowledge of truth is equated with light in the bible while the absence of it is synonymous with darkness. Notice the following:

John 1:4-5 (KJV)
⁴ In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
⁵ And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

The threat of deception is ever present everyday of our lives. It’s the only weapon Satan has to defeat a Christian. Knowledge coupled with acting upon what is known will set people free from all bondage perpetrated by darkness or ignorance.

Hosea 4:6 (KJV)
⁶  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Notice the rest of the verse deals with a people who possessed knowledge but rejected it. They turned the light switch off and yielded to darkness. This brings me to the next point: People can choose to believe a lie... i can shine the light but they have to accept that which makes free. I can’t force people to change, nor can I simply rebuke the devil out of their lives and command them to live spiritually. They must want to change and by achieving it they must first accept the the truth.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (KJV)
⁹ Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
¹⁰ And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
¹¹ And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
¹² That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

God has the light turned on but many people like their darkness better than light. When we witness to our family members, friends, and co-workers, the fact that must be remembered is that just because you spoke the light into their lives doesn’t mean they will automatically be saved. Some of them unfortunately has chosen to re,main alienated from God by rejecting the truth. Do not take it personally, its not you they hate – its God.

John 7:7 (KJV)
⁷ The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

What we can do is pray against the spiritual forces that harass them and maintain a bondage in their life. We also can live a righteous life before them which means we are glowing with the light of truth every time we get  around them.

One Generation Away

There is difference between how you were raised and why you were born. David was raised to be a shepherd but he was born to be king. How many times do we resort to the excuse making of “that’s the way I was raised” so we can excuse our not fulfilling the plan God has for us?

Even though David was not raised or groomed by man to be king;God used his circumstances to develop character and trust. The lion and the bear were smaller conflicts building up to the day of his match with Goliath. This means that in spite of how we are raised God will break through and be involved with the destiny of a person if they merely remain yielding and obedient.

However, That’s Not To Excuse Parents From Fulfilling Their Responsibilities 
 
We as parents are to raise our children into being moral reflections of God’s Word. Parents have the greatest responsibility in the world.

Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)
⁶  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
The word “train” means to

• initiate
• discipline
• structure and form as a building
• construct 

“The way” is referring to the way of wisdom which is submission to the Lord. The question is – who’s responsibility is it?
First we must understand that children are born with no

• Values
• Morals
• Love for others
• concept of others not to be used for one’s own satisfaction

This sounds harsh but it is the truth. Children are born in sin and so instinctively they are debased in attitudes and thought. Children cannot be left to themselves or their generation will become extinct from the total depravity imploding them out of existence. We are always one generation from total chaos and barbarism.

The parents have a huge responsibility to mold, shape, and change them, or the next generation will be barbaric.  The only reason success and the perpetuation of the human race continues is because of the previous generation fulfilling its responsibilities.

New Converts Need The Same Principle of Parenting

1 Corinthians 4:15 (KJV)
¹⁵ For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

The church is one generation away from no authentic connection with God. Though young converts have been born with a new nature, a new inclination and tendencies, that doesn’t mean they are to be left to themselves. Their life which is compared to a building needs to be constructed and formed. Yes, their decisions ultimately have the last say, but like children, they need the parent to lay out the blueprint and design of what is expected.

There are always exceptions to the rule which is rare, but the norm is that parents are the ones who form, shape, and construct the life, into that which the Spirit can lead and carry the legacy through them.

I can’t give what I don't possess. I cant instill values in my child if i don't possess them. I must first be in possession of the things needed to impart into the child.

Jude 1:12 (KJV)
¹² These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

Nothing worse than someone saying they have something they don’t! How many parents demand a standard out of their children that they themselves do not adhere to. When a person speaks something their life doesn’t back up – what’s said loses impact. It can also create an atmosphere of rebellion. Why? What’s said or demanded is spoken in rebellion since the speaker is not listening to it either.

Let’s be

• authentic
• responsible
• willing
• involved

Let’s present the next generation the best possible opportunity to go beyond we ever thought or dreamed of. In other words, be ready to work, but God said our labor will be rewarded. How? By another generation carrying the torch of the Gospel and representing Him in all things.

Going for the Pillars

Matthew 17:1 (KJV) And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

Now, look at the below verse on how these three were viewed in the early church. Not only Paul thought so but the church at Galatia and all churches at the time.

Galatians 2:9 (KJV) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

These three were pillars of the early church. Pillars are the support of the building, platform, or multiple stories. Their condition and strength have everything to do with whether the building stands or not. If you wanted to conserve your weaponry in a a war you would not have to hit the building per say but hit precisely the pillars and the building will collapse.

Notice what happens in the following verses and watch the strategy of Satan at work.

IActs 12:1-3 (KJV)
¹ Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
² And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
³ And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
⁴ And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

Satan orchestrates behind the scenes an attempt at collapsing the church. He does not go after just anybody but he precisely targets the pillars. He kills James and immediately goes after the next pillar. In these verses we see a

• plan (1,2)
• process to carry it out (3)
• purpose (4)

The purpose of Satan was to publically humiliate Peter and destroy him before the eyes of all the people.

In the natural, this looks inevitable. The plan so far has succeeded and the pillars are going to fall like dominoes. However, the church is not left without recourse, it has something in its arsenal that is more powerful than any plan, process, and purpose, that Satan has. Its called PRAYER!

Acts 12:5 (KJV) Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
⁶ And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
⁷ And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
⁸ And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
⁹ And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
¹⁰ When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
¹¹ And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

As Herod readied to take him out and execute him, God sent an angel to break Peter out of jail. There is NO weapon, plan, or purpose, of the devil that is able to overcome the power of God in his response to intercessory prayer!! God will disappoint the appointments Satan has designed for you.

Changing Feelings w/ the Eye

Sometimes life feels

• hopeless
• hard
• painful
• impossible

and our minds can become overwhelmed by the surrounding of adverse circumstances. Life to some can be an unforgiving experience. However, much of what we “feel” is produced by the focus of our attention.

What I look at has the power to generate feelings. A person can initially have no feelings concerning something but if they look at it long enough they will begin to have feelings about or for it. For example, have you been going through the day and not hungry or even thinking of food and you happen to look up and see an advertisement with a beautifully arranged meal? As you stare at it, feelings of hunger begin to erupt and you go and satisfy the craving.

What we look at determines how and what we feel as well as our desires.

Luke 9:16 (KJV)
¹⁶ Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.

Notice that Jesus does not look and concentrate on the limitation of five loaves and two fishes to feed and entire crowd. Instead, he looks up and sees the possibility of God. What would have happened if he stared at the bread and fish? Feelings of hopelessness and despair would have been generated.

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
²  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 John 4:35 (KJV)
³⁵ Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

Feelings and desires are what motivates us into action. It’s interesting that Jesus says for them “to lift up your eyes” which implies they were looking down and not at the harvest. Looking at themselves and their own situations robbed them of the feeling of compassion needed for the lost.

2 Corinthians 4:18 (KJV)
¹⁸ While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Our spiritual eye must be the dominate eye over the physical eye. Yes, we see things here in the natural, but we do not concentrate on them, but rather we focus on the spiritual. As we concentrate on the Word, faith arises in the heart and it renders the feelings of hopelessness and despair impossible to be felt. Why, by not looking at temporary things, they have no ability to generate these adverse feelings.  

If a person comes up to me and they are full of despair, hopelessness, bitterness, and unforgiveness, I will show a person who is wasting their life looking at the wrong things.

Look unto Jesus today and let him fill your heart with joy that is indescribable and filled with his presence!!
  
An old Cherokee told his grandson, “My son, there is a battle between two wolves inside us and one is Evil. It is anger, jealously, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies, and ego. The other is Good . It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy, and truth.”
The boy thought about it, and asked, “Grandfather, which wolf wins?”
The old man quietly replied, “The one you feed.”

Thank you for your patience

I have had computer problems recently but it is back from repair. I hope to get back into writing short articles - stay tuned

Revival you say?

We hear about its promised coming over and over throughout the pulpits of America. It is promoted as the answer and solution to all of society’s ills as a nation. Now, this antidote, seems to be the last hope for a society that is slipping more and more into self-indulgence. What am I talking about – revival.

How would you define “revival?” Our perception of revival will conclude what evidences it needs to prove to oneself that what I’m looking at, is or is not a revival.

But what does revival look like

·      People running to an altar to be saved

·      Lots of physical commotion during a church service

·      A feeling that you get

·      The decibel level of the preacher’s voice

·      Huge numbers in attendance

Or is it none of or all of the above mentioned things? The bible has documented revivals throughout history and gives insight concerning evidences of their existence.

2^nd Kings 18 and 2^nd Chronicles 29 walks us through a revival from beginning to end. King Hezekiah assumes the reigns of leadership at 25 years old over the people of Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel.

2^nd Chron. 29:4-6

4 And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the east street,
5 And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.
6 For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs.

First, the king gathers the spiritual leaders and lays the responsibility for spiritual change upon their shoulders. He demands that they take the lead in repenting and reassuming their God ordained calling of representing God and his message accurately.

29:11 My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense.

This is a necessary component of revival! Spiritual leadership is required by God to not be like Aaron of old and give to a fleshly people what they want, but rather give to God what he wants. Remember the story of the golden calf? Aaron had the power to lead them into a deeper appreciation of what God was doing on the mount but instead chose to compromise and give the people what they wanted. Instead of revival they fell into sin and idolatry. Ultimately, who was responsible - Aaron!

When King Hezekiah got the Levitical leadership consecrated and committed then revival was going to be forthcoming. How can I be so sure? Because leadership is the power of influence and becomes the pattern for those entrusted to their care. In the New Testament there is a verse that says “the blind leading the blind and they both fall into the ditch.” What if the one leading was not blind? It speaks for itself.

Hezekiah did something else that need never to be a forgotten component of revival. He restored the Passover.  The King refocused the people’s attention to the lamb. If we have any hope for revival in America today, the spiritual leadership of the land must bring the church back to focusing on the Lamb that took away our sins. The importance of this is beyond words. When a person focuses on Jesus

·      His mind will be at rest

·      Sin loses all appeal

·      Self loses its importance

·      Maintains the reflection of and the example of Christ

·      Becomes and influence to all around him

I would ask you to read 2^nd Chronicles 29-31 which chronicles this revival that is one of the greatest in history. I couldn’t get into all aspects of here due to the word count but let me list some of my observations and see if you come up with the same or more after reading it.

1.   Leadership recommitted themselves

2.   Worship restored to focusing on God

3.   The Lamb becomes the center of the message

4.   Sin and idolatry removed with a vengeance

5.   Ministers are supported financially

6.   A love and hunger for the Word became resident in all the people

Physical commotion, shouting, loud preaching, numbers… is not true evidences of revival. Unless people are changing from their allegiance to the world back to God in complete consecration, then all of the afore mentioned is nothing but a cheap temporal thrill. Don’t settle for brass when you can have gold!  

GotQuestions.org has provided one of the best definitions I have found concerning revival.

Revival refers to a spiritual reawakening from a state of dormancy or stagnation in the life of a believer. It encompasses the resurfacing of a love for God, an appreciation of God's holiness, a passion for His Word and His church, a convicting awareness of personal and corporate sin, a spirit of humility, and a desire for repentance and growth in righteousness. Revival invigorates and sometimes deepens a believer's faith, opening his or her eyes to the truth in a fresh, new way. It generally involves the connotation of a fresh start with a clean slate, marking a new beginning of a life lived in obedience to God. Revival breaks the charm and power of the world, which blinds the eyes of men, and generates both the will and power to live in the world but not of the world.[i]

As we say here in south central Pennsylvania “that’s hitting the nail on the head!”

---

[i] Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-revival.html#ixzz33aajt72I

 

Avoiding Relationship Mayhem!

Relationships are a part or our everyday life and the health of those interactions affect the quality of our life much more than we think. The good news is that we have the Bible which is a book about relationships and gives us insight into

• how to maintain a healthy relationship
• how to discern those that will destroy us
• personal responsibility in relationships
• perfecting our relationship with Jesus Christ

I have complied a few nuggets of understanding that will protect you in relationships.  

1. Most believe – that if I put my best into a relationship it will work.

Not true! The best you can give is not enough for some people. God has given and done everything he knows to do and yet some people walk out of relationship with him. The Lord has given his best sacrifice, salvation, life, blessings… and yet 1000s will walk away from that relationship thinking something else is better. Your best can be rejected as not enough, because many people have unrealistic expectations of others. All of us are human and that means we have limitations. Recognizing that fact is necessary for not setting ourselves up for a fall. Expectations decide our disappointments, so if I unrealistically expect something, then I have just scheduled a date with disappointment. 

2. A third voice has the ability to destroy a healthy relationship.

You will notice below that Paul is saying that at one time their relationship was so good that the Galatians would have plucked out their eyes for him. That phrase is like us saying today “I would give my right arm for you.” However, in the next verse you see the relationship change from intimacy to enemy.

Galatians 4:15-16 (KJV)
¹⁵ Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
¹⁶ Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

The question then must be asked “what changed it?” The following scripture gives us a little more insight to the culprit that produced this change.

Galatians 5:7 (KJV)
⁷ Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Everything was fine until a third voice got involved. I’m sure you have experienced this at some point in your life. It’s when you notice a friend’s demeanor change and they don’t talk as freely or show different expressions that are different than before. More often than not, another voice has gotten involved by speaking things about you that has created doubt in them concerning the relationship between the both of you. Husbands and wives run into trouble oftentimes when one of them begins listening to a third voice which has ulterior motives. Unfortunately, the third voice leads many into divorce.

Beware of the third voice!

3. When two people no longer want the same thing.

Matthew 23:37 (KJV)
³⁷ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Jesus was saying “I want relationship with you but you don’t want what I want!” Two people wanting or expecting different outcomes and goals in a relationship will ultimately put them on two different paths. The word “division” can broken down to “di-vision” indicating the reason for the separation was the result of two different visions.

This proves the importance of unity and maintaining it is a priority to keeping the relationship strong and focused.

4. Know when to let go!

You have to learn to let go or it will become the most tormenting thing you’ll ever go through. You can quote scripture till you’re blue in the face… pray till the cow comes home… and some people still leave. The bottom line is that some leave because they simply want to leave and their mind is made-up. The temptation will hit you – what could I have done differently – said – and the list becomes endless. However, people have their own will and nothing you can do will change their decision. That becomes the moment when we pray for them and move on in life without tormenting ourselves with regret.

A good example is the prodigal son found in Luke 15. When reading the story you’ll take notice that the father does not chase after the boy. He realized the son had made up his mind to exit and there was nothing he could say or do to change it. The father realized that experience will have to become his son’s teacher.

You can’t keep giving them what they cannot receive! Case in point; Jesus and Judas. The Lord made every effort at the “Last Supper” to preserve the relationship between Judas and himself, and yet Judas would not receive it. Like the father of the prodigal, Jesus did not chase after Judas through the streets of Jerusalem.

In other words – you have to know when to let go!

5. Treat others the way you want treated!

Matthew 7:12 (KJV)
¹² Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Nothing else needs to be said