When do you stop being loyal?

This is a really important question.

So many of us from the older generation can quickly respond and say we will always be loyal – that is what we are trained and designed to be and do.

The younger generation seems to always hold leadership in accountability and if you do not measure up – loyalty is lost to the new guy.

That seems to be the case these days with Blackberry and Apple.  Blackberry’s problems started when they couldn’t deliver as they promised.  That broken promise and their inability to speak into that lost the loyalty of thousands of customers to another brand product that had been keeping their promise.

You will notice that while the older generation will still do their grocery shopping at their most favorite grocer, the younger generation has no problem shopping at all of them – for the best deal, price and quality.  There might be a different grocer that can deliver on each of these separately and if they should lose their trust, off they go finding another grocer that can deliver.  So it is common to hear of younger families shopping at three different grocers as opposed to just one.

Then there is myself and others in ministry that get really confused on this issue.  Your leader is messing up, he is leaving God and prayer out of the equation and is running the ministry like a secular business.  God has become outdated in business practice and making money is determined by the wise business decisions of those employed.  Yet if God called you there to serve, how does He call you out or how does He call you somewhere else?  So at times it feels like the dysfunctional structure is swallowing you alive and yet you feel too guilty to leave?

What about all of us in our church lives?  How often do the older generation stick with their one church and never leave, and I mean never leave.  Their children leave and are no longer following God because of their relationship with the church, but the parents will not leave.  Why?  Blind loyalty and a built-in mechanism that says that one should be loyal unto death.

So, when do we stop being loyal?

First of all, I come with only one rule on this issue – I am loyal to my Saviour, and Lord, Jesus Christ - and to no one else.

He calls me to and away from on many occasions.  The Holy Spirit calls people who are required at a certain time, at a certain place, for a certain task, for a set amount of time for an important job to be done.  God chose a person to do it and the Spirit gave that person the needed power and ability.

Secondly, that loyalty comes as a servant of the most high God.  Everything I own comes from Him and I am privileged to be a steward of such amazing gifts.  My family and I need to be part of the family of God.  We want to be around people who believe that same thing – they desire to see God’s will done, they are experienced in hearing and following those whose reputations have them laying their lives for the cause of  Christ.  We are all drawn to those who know who they are in Christ and are brave, determined and faithful.

That makes me loyal to only two things on this earth – my wife and my children.  So when my activity or the activities of our family in this journey of following Jesus are threatened in any way shape or form, I need to come before Him and ask for a plan of action.  The action plan is rather simple – do I become part of the system and change it, influence it, guide it from within, or do I leave, needing to either grow in other areas, be developed in other gifts, become a leader myself in another situation.

Loyalty for the sake of loyalty is dysfunctional at best.  It makes us convince others to die at this crossroad and keep them bound.   The guilt put on us by others makes the choice of leaving almost impossible.  The fear of the future and of change makes this a great excuse to stay put.  The desire to please and rescue enable the dysfunction to continue.  Loyalty can trumps God’s call, even when we see our family dying around us and our friends lives being messed up.

When you see your life dying on the inside and starting to show visible signs of that decay on the outside, think about what or who you are being loyal to and why.  Even if it means a short recess away to get a better perspective, take the time to pray it through, spending more time with Jesus and getting a sense that maybe its time to stop being “loyal.”

Related articles

• Loyalty – To Live life without Rose colored glasses (mamadoveonabox.wordpress.com)
• Faith – Part 1 What is Faith? (preciousprodigal.wordpress.com)
• Exposing the Deog Spirit (ericj2.wordpress.com)

Stout-hearted

“Courageous or unyielding – having or showing courage and resolution”

All my manly instincts kick at the word “stout-hearted” that I was taken back with this painting of Mary at the feet of Jesus and the artist arrested me immediately with the image of a very courageous woman who was determined to do what she came to do regardless of the whispers.

I am sure that in her lifetime she heard many whispers about her actions, but this one was a good one and nothing was going to stop her from being a follower of Jesus Christ and demonstrating that great love.

There are times I think that to be known as wise is a great attribute of a leader.  I strive for that, I pray for wisdom every day.

Followers can trust a man of wisdom but would die for a man who is courageous and determined to be the man God wants him to be.

Men are challenged, deep down inside, when they meet with such a woman who has determined to follow Jesus.  It energizes them to do amazing things.

May we pray for the men and women in our lives – introduce a new word into our prayer life today – Lord, make us stout-hearted in following you today!

http://youtu.be/1vjqfvZVReM

Power Encounters

Even when the miraculous happens in our lives, there are those, who having seeing the power of God evident and real, will try to rise up against Him and fight Him.  What happens when we come up against these “powers” that wish to take on the things of God?

“Jesus is Lord” means more than that He is Lord of the individual convert’s world view, standards and relationships, and more even that He is  Lord of culture.  It means that He is Lord of the powers, having been exalted by the Father to universal sovereignty; principalities and powers having been made subject to Him – who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Those from Asia, Africa and Latin America have spoken both of the reality of evil powers and the necessity to demonstrate the supremacy of Jesus over them more so than our North American and European Church family.

For conversion itself involves a power encounter.

People give their allegiance to Christ when they see that His power is superior to magic and voodoo, the curse and blessings of witch doctors, and the malevolence of evil spirits, and that His salvation is a real liberation from the power of evil and death.

Some are questioning today whether a belief in spirits is compatible with our modern scientific understanding of the universe.

I wish to affirm, against the mechanistic myth on which the typical Western world view rests, the reality of demonic intelligences which are concerned by all means, overt and covert, to discredit Jesus Christ and keep people from coming to Him.

It is vital in evangelism to all cultures to teach the reality and hostility of demonic powers, and to proclaim that God has exalted powers,  and to proclaim that God has exalted Christ as Lord of all and that Christ, who really does possess all power, however we may fail to acknowledge this, can (as we proclaim Him) break through any worldview in any mind to make His lordship known and bring about a radical change of heart and outlook.

I want to emphasize that the power belongs to Christ. Power in human hands is always dangerous

Recurring theme in Paul’s two letters to the Corinthians – God’s power, which is clearly seen in the cross of Christ, operates through human weakness. Worldly people worship power; Christians who have it know its perils

It is better to be weak, for then we are strong. We honour the Christian martyrs of recent days who have renounced the way of power,

and followed the way of the cross.  Love the stories from SAT-7 where the “would-be” martyr has also been saved by God’s amazing right hand saying, “no, not today.”

http://youtu.be/FqMDEVbRMTs

Related articles

• God Encounters / Transformed (j4man.wordpress.com)
• “But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil” (worryisuseless.wordpress.com)

Family can be the last ones

Funny isn’t it – the ones who should know you best, love you most are the last ones at times to hear you out and believe in you.  Unfortunately, in many cases, they are the ones to join forces with others to make sure you are excluded.

At some point they might become ashamed of their conduct, make sure you take no notice of their infidelity, but rather to place confidence in them, that their confidence in you might be naturally excited and supportive.

No matter what happens, don’t stir things up until you receive your invitation.  Our Lord Jesus rules in our hearts when we invite Him to the throne in our hearts, and not till He is invited.

Challenging God or challenging us?

This is something that I have been thinking about for a while – coming to terms where I stand when I am challenged and is that challenge directed towards me or to God?

Since I entirely depend upon God in all things, what if He withdraws His help?  Will I be so bold and daring?  How will I know He is with me or not with me?

I think of Jonathan and his body-guard putting a fleece out there to see if God was with them or not before they went and killed 600 men of the opposing army.  Also David, knowing without a shadow of a doubt that no one defies a follower of God – and he went to take Goliath on.  Just a few expressions of how different we can approach God – maybe based on our relationship with Him.

I remember falling love with an Amy Grant song when we were both 18 years old – My Father’s Eyes.  I wanted people to look at me and see my Father’s eyes from that day on.  I believe they do.

So I have taken the position that when I am challenged for who I am, my character, my personality – the challenger is challenging God.  If it is a Christian doing the challenging, I always pray and ask God to forgive them, they do not know what they are doing.  If it is not a follower of Jesus Christ, I ask God for an extra dose of love so that I can show them what they see – in other words – make God’s love visible.

On the other hand, us super-sensitive or hypersensitive types need to take a pill and chill because it is not always about us, it probably has to do with resentment of seeing God in us in a special and unique manner that makes people lash out on any given day.

Thank God you are challenged, because if you were not – maybe you do not have your Father’s eyes – yet.

 

Related articles

• Be (bdaniel17.wordpress.com)
• For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (leadmeintheeverlastingway.com)
• The Immanuel Principle (holyminestrone.com)

Your decisions

I have always liked the idea of being called or separated to do a task or accomplish a mission and in that process, I like the anointing of oil and prayer to be part of the ceremony.

So when my son was born and we brought him for dedication at the church, I asked for the inclusion of anointing of oil – it was declined, and there were reasons.

When I accepted my position with the ministry of SAT-7 Canada, whom I serve today, I asked for a ceremony for dedication which was declined at first and then made possible a short while later.  When I asked the person who was to handle the part of the commission service if I could be anointed with oil, it was declined.

My favorite memory of being anointed with oil came just about a year ago.  My wife and I were going through some marital issues and I went to the counselor who was full-time employed at our church.  We had a good discussion and then he anointed me with oil and prayed over me.  I can tell you that I left his office higher than a kite and I can tell you that I knew exactly what God wanted me to do in my marriage and I took a complete 180 degree turn that was completely noticed by my wife in about three days.

It is not such an easy thing to ask for.  I still like it because I believe God likes it.  I remember vividly a time where I knew, with no shadow of a doubt that God had called me into ministry.  I went to Bible College at 16 years of age, finished at 19 and entered youth ministry as full-time employment at 22.  Was let go at 24 because I was reaching out to the poorer district of our community as opposed to the more wealthy part and there was conflict with the rough and tumble verse clean and conservative nature of our parishioners.

So I entered into the world of fund-raising for a Christian ministry through a number of God-driven initiatives.  Six months later I really wanted to know if this was my new calling or was there something else I was to pursue.  I was good at my new job, but was fund-raising really a spiritual ministry?  There was a moment in time when I put a fleece out and God dramatically answered the fleece.  The next morning, as I was in devotions, I remember kneeling and thanking God for His answer to prayer and accepting the role He had given to me to do.  As I was worshiping Him, I felt as if hot oil was being poured over my head and I “heard” God blessing me and setting me apart to do what He wanted me to do.  Through tears, I accepted His love and dedication and have served Him faithfully in this area for the last 27 years.

So when it comes to decision-making, and you have been called to serve God as a follower of Jesus Christ, let me encourage you.  When you need to make a decision, the Spirit of God will come over you and make your decision based on whatever seems best under the circumstances, for the Lord will guide you.

If your church community believes in anointing with oil and offering you to God in prayer – ask for it – and then go boldly where God leads you, for He is leading you.

 

Related articles

• The Anointing Oil of the Holy Spirit (lancelottuckerblog.com)
• You Anoint My Head With Oil (daringlutheran.net)
• Sweet Anointing (mammabloggar.wordpress.com)

Where are our children at?

I recall hearing on the radio that if we neglect in raising our children to have a heart and passion for God, helping them develop an intimate relationship with God for themselves, there is a good chance that by the third generation we would have lost our families commitment to serve Jesus.

Since then I have done some recollection of the many Christian families that I visit each week – to my horror this stat is proving incredibly accurate.  Families are admitting that all they have done was take their kids to church each week, some even signing up their kids to attend Christian schools, but the story is the same – three generations later, no one is attending church or has an obvious affinity to following Jesus Christ.

Then some quick Bible stories about Christian leaders and their families and how so many of the children were nowhere near able to carry on the ministry of their parents.  It speaks well into the lives of our leaders who do have children that are leading lives fully devoted to Christ.  Yet, I trust you all hearing me – I am not judging, only acknowledging the incredible difficulty involved in leadership and raising family.

However, they do speak into each other and we must understand that in pursuing leadership, it must not be at the cost of family, but family reflects your leadership.

Why am I saying all this?  I believe God has called us to be “master of life on earth, sky and sea.” I am worried for those who see that as a call in spite of their families.  It should be among our family first that we are stewards of this amazing gift from God and then, from the strength of the family we move to the rest our world.

Related articles

• Teach your kids about Jesus (missionalrev.wordpress.com)

Make your confession

I am not sure how we think that God doesn’t know…I mean, He is the all-knowing one, the omniscient God.  Why do we not confess?

Confession is an amazing thing – I am sure someone has put together some thesis paper, some sort of study that describes the beauty of this design.  It builds people up, it creates a proper standing of the justice of God, it allows us to understand salvation and grace, and it brings us to a healthy perspective of humility.

God’s specialty is bringing to light the hidden works of darkness.

Let’s face it, we are usually more troubled by our wrong and God finds a way to relieve us of our trouble by exposing it and setting things right.  It’s odd, but I still remember when I was 16 years old and visiting my aunt and uncle in Germany.  I think I went through my rebellious teenage years during that three-month visit – much to the horror of my aunt and uncle.  There were times that I knew that I needed some sort of calling out, something to make me feel better for the poor attitude I had brought to the visit.  My dad sure would have helped me in this area if he had been there.

May our eyes not deceive us, for if we allow them to, we will weep.

May our hearts not deceive us, for if we allow it to, we will exchange our love for the eternal for things that our temporal.

May our faith not deceive us, for if we allow it to, we will trust ill-gotten treasure, we will be deceived that we will even rob God.

So when I am troubled, I need to remember that many times I am not alone.  My family, my work associates or my friends get all pulled in or maybe I should say, sucked into my sin.  I cannot think that I alone am suffering and that my rebellion against God is hurting no one else but me.  My hidden sin is probably exposed all over my face and my attitude.

When we destroy the good inside of us what is left?  Let’s confess and make things right with God, for only then can we make things right with ourselves and then restore our relationships around us.  Let’s not let the progression of sin consume more than it should – just a moment in time – and offer it no history, no testimony.  Let us see how quickly we can return to bringing glory and honour to our Lord and our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Related articles

• confessed to all the community… (thehandmaid.wordpress.com)

listen, obey, live, enter, possess, obtain

Paying attention, even if perceived to be general, any special mentions and expected enforcement of the fundamental principles of the promises made by God to us, including the spiritual nature of the Trinity, and God’s exclusive right to our allegiance, and appreciating His abhorrence of idolatry in every form, and that His choice was us for His followers means we have everything we need to be the stewards of life that God has called us to be.

So we need to be concerned about rites and ceremonies, judgments – all that concerns matters of civil right and wrong.

We do this at the same time remembering the great and good things the Lord had done for us, ever since we made the decision to follow Him.  The times we could have gone hungry, but we did not, the times we should have been harmed, but were preserved and the times we needed wisdom to overcome, it was given -  for nothing is a greater incentive to obedience than the kindness and goodness of God.

So we have the law of the Old Testament, and the Gospel of grace and truth by Jesus Christ given to us not just to hear but to do.  In doing we live and do not think that applies only to our spiritual and eternal life – but a corporeal life, a contented enjoyment of the blessings of our earthly life.

Related articles

• “find yourself a place where you won’t get into any trouble.” 2.0 (escapedfromoz.wordpress.com)
• To oBEy or Not to oBEy? That is not the Question. (impactedbygrace.wordpress.com)

Beginning to mutter again?

I found myself muttering this morning as I left one appointment with no real tangible outcome, just a tad late for my next one – when my GPS lost power.  I quickly noticed the plug had been pulled out of the power jack, just as quickly blamed my wife, just as quickly said, Lord, nothing is working today, just as quickly noticed that having powered up quickly enough – I had missed my turn and was now – late for my next appointment and I muttered against the Lord, my wife, my calling…

Somehow we have the ability to persuaded ourselves that it is our cunning in business, or our artificial setting up of what success looks like, that we fail to discerned when God is calling for our attention.  Worse, when He calls we talk against the Lord and possibly say some things that we should never have been saying in the first place – basically in the very face of justice.

Muttering brings out the most surprising instance of the corruption and depravity of human nature, of the blindness, hardness, and stupidity of the hearts of people, which nothing but the grace of God can remove.    We do not like it when we see it in others but we fall into the same evil, and murmur against others, whether or not they are in authority or not, because we basically are calling into question God’s authority.

Sometimes we even go so far as to call those that rebel against God as people of the Lord, and find fault in the people who are really following the Lord – because muttering is obstinacy and reveals how necessary the grace of God is to change our hearts and lives. Love will do what fear cannot.  We must render good for evil.

Observe especially, that this is a “type” of Christ. There is an infection of sin in the world, which only the cross and intercession of Jesus Christ can stay and remove. He stands between the dead and the living; between the eternal Judge and the souls under condemnation. We must have redemption through His blood, even the remission of sins. We admire the ready devotion of a follower of Christ – shall we not bless and praise the unspeakable grace and love which filled our Saviour’s heart, when He placed himself in our stead, and bought us with his life?

And we have time to mutter…Lord, forgive me once again.

Related articles

• 120312 – George Hach’s Journal – Monday (georgehachmyblog.wordpress.com)
• Never Say Never… (wondersofhislove.com)