It Might Be Idolatry

We all remember the comic series, “You Might Be a Redneck if …”  It was very successful, because it was actually funny.  It dealt with real stereotypes and forced people to laugh at themselves.

In the church, we also have some stereotypes that, unfortunately, are based in some truth.  In this case, though, it’s not a laughing matter.  No is the time to cry aloud and spare not like never before.  Idolatry is very real and very common.  God’s people must expose it, change it, and put God back on the throne in HIS OWN HOUSE!

For example:

If the pastor demands royal treatment and expensive gifts, while there are members struggling to pay bills, IT MIGHT BE IDOLATRY!

When a person is "anointed", because they always follow and agree, but labeled a "demon" when they disagree or leave, IT MIGHT BE IDOLATRY!

If the people will drop everything to follow a leader around the country, but won't sacrifice the same to pray, IT MIGHT BE IDOLATRY!

If the people will go broke to buy new suits for the next conference, but fail to pay the same month's bills, IT MIGHT BE IDOLATRY!

When the leader demands to be addressed by a title, but isn't moved by hearing the LORD's name used in vain, IT MIGHT BE IDOLATRY!

When someone rebukes others for not supporting them, but never holds them accountable to holiness, IT MIGHT BE IDOLATRY!

When the women of the church disobey their husbands, but call him disobedient for not listening to the pastor, IT MIGHT BE IDOLATRY!

When the people fear being called to the pastor's office more than they fear God, Himself, IT MIGHT BE IDOLATRY!

When the people shout the church down every time hands are laid on them, but have no private prayer life, IT MIGHT BE IDOLATRY!

When the people always advertise their pastors and leaders, but have never introduced someone to Christ, IT MIGHT BE IDOLATRY!

When the people raise thousands for a new church building, but have never given to the sick or poor, IT MIGHT BE IDOLATRY!

When the people quote, "My pastor says...", but can't quote the Scriptures, IT MIGHT BE IDOLATRY!

When the people pay $50 for the pastor's birthday banquet tickets, but have never given more than $10 in offering, IT MIGHT BE IDOLATRY!

God Doesn't Cause Confusion

1 Corinthians 14:33
"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."


Being led of the Spirit, while not choreographed, always brings order, correction and power. Don't be deceived. The label can be "prophetic" or "apostolic", but if it's unorganized, confusing and bears no fruit, it's not God. If it brings glory to any man, rather than God, it's not ord...ained of Him.

God is exposing empty entertainment. We must remember that when God does a thing, there is always a counterfeit. Don't fall for the illusion. Don't be mesmerized by the gifts, but look for the fruit. Confusion is NOT of God, no matter what it's called or how it's advertised.

God's TRUE apostles and prophets are not soothsayers, gossipers, and emotional masters of control. They are HOLY men and women of God who carry His word with POWER. Amen.

ORDER IN THE CHURCH!!!

You Must Choose a Side

James 1:6-8"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."


James 3:10
"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be."


People of God, we cannot continue to praise God when we need Him, then render our services to the enemy when we just want to have fun.  Instability is NOT of God.  Pick a side, but don't straddle the fence!


Revelation 3:15-16"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."


This is NOT the NCAA Championship or the SuperBowl.  You MUST choose a side!  ORDER IN THE CHURCH!

Trayvon Martin... It's Not the First Time... and May Not Be the Last

Like so many others, I have been praying for Trayvon Martin, his family and everyone directly affected by the entire tragedy. In the midst of that prayer, God reminded me that He also had a Son who was murdered without cause. He was judged unfairly and fell victim to a failed justice system. Rather than a hoodie, he wore a crown.

As we pray for Trayvon, let's not forget CHRIST. Trayvon Martin died too soon, because this nation is broken. There is only ONE way to fix a sick and broken nation.

2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and WILL HEAL THEIR LAND."

Until we return to Christ, there will always be a Trayvon Martin. His face may change, and the situation may change, but the root cause will remain the same.

Psalm 9:17 "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and ALL THE NATIONS THAT FORGET GOD."

ORDER IN THE CHURCH!

The Bride of Christ... REALLY?

Is this the best we can do?

As embarrassing as this photo is, the LORD instructed me to preach in this outfit on last Sunday.

He said I needed to dress myself as the Bride of Christ, in its current state.  Notice how every item is stylish, in its own right, but clashes when brought together?  God spoke and explained that many in the Body feel they are “okay” because they see the beauty and the righteousness in themselves, but refuse to work with others.  So many desire to be seen so badly, that they refuse to step back, "out of the spotlight" even when the anointing is flowing through someone else.  They feel they are living right, but refuse to lift up, encourage and support those in the Body that are not as strong.  Humility is often missing as so much seek their own glory and attention.  As a result, this is a picture of the bride we are presenting to our Savior – uncoordinated and random, lacking harmony and beauty!

The word of God says that Christ’s church is made of many people, with many gifts, all from the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4).  The purpose of diverse gifts is not for us to compete with one another, but for us to feed and support one another (Ephesians 4:16).

We are spending too much time trying to stand on our own, rather than operating in accountability and working together to build God’s Kingdom.  As a result, we are CLASHING IN THE SPIRIT, and causing even the very gifts of God to be out of place and confusing!

In all of this, the LORD finally reminded me – the only parts of my outfit doing their job were those things underneath the surface that could not be seen!  Selah.

Virtual Identities

God's people are a people of integrity. We are not two-faced or schizophrenic. We do not follow every wind of doctrine, nor do we suffer from identity crisis. With that being said, true people of God don't hide behind the likes of Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.

It is not "prophetic" to create an identity online that has not been proven. It's very easy to attach a title to one's name or profil...e when accountability is not present. What does God call you? What does your own leader call you? If that differs from your online, fantasy profile, you are out of order.

When we carry multiple identities, either we are perpetrating a position we do not hold or we are ashamed of the call God has assigned to us. Either way, NOT good!

On the other hand, we as God's people MUST hold one another accountable. Look for the fruit, not the gifts. Look for the works, not the title. Seek out the anointing, not the seduction.

Let's do better! ORDER IN THE CHURCH!!!

Stop Being Mean!!!

It takes a special anointing to share the TRUTH without being MEAN. Yes, we must stand firm on the word of God. We must preach the truth without compromise. BUT, no man or woman of God has the right to be rude and evil toward others.

We so often fight the wrong battles. My fight is against principalities, demons, spiritual wickedness in high places... it's NOT against people. My job is to literally love the hell out of those who miss God!

Does the truth hurt? Oftentimes, YES. The truth can be very painful. So, there's no need to add attitude and arrogance to the word of God, which is already sharper than any two-edged sword.

Ministry is not about arguing who's right or who's wrong. NO ONE is called to engage in vain arguments and label it "ministry." It's about SERVING God. Never in my life have I seen so many mean and arrogant servants. People of God, we must wake up. We are not drawing the world to Christ... we are pushing them away. We must follow the word of God in order to preach the word of God. When men see our GOOD WORKS, they will glorify our Father who's in heaven.

Where is the LOVE? Remember Jesus? He's our model. His message cut, but His love healed! ORDER IN THE CHURCH!

Hate the Sin, but Love the Sinner (Like God Does)

To all who have felt hated or discriminated against by Christians, I APOLOGIZE!

As people of God, we are not to hate or despise anyone, but we are called to LOVE. Yes, God does hate sin, and so should we. However, mature people of God understand that this does NOT justify hating or mistreating a person, despite anything they've done. We all do things that God hates, yet He loves us... so much ...so that He sent His Son to die for us, despite that sin (John 3:16; Romans 5:8).

We have ALL sinned! So, whether you are a homosexual, a drunk or a prostitute... Even if you are a rapist or a murderer... a TRUE child of God will HATE the sin, but LOVE you. They won't turn their back on you when you want to know Christ. They will tell you the truth - that repentance is required - and they'll help you to change rather than talking about you or putting you down. When you find that relationship with God, they won't despise you and won't envy your promotion. They won't hold your past against you when you are pressing toward your future.

No, I do NOT promote or support sin. Yet, I know that true LOVE, which comes only from God, covers a multitude of them. ORDER IN THE CHURCH!

The Suffering of the Prophet... In the Church

Matthew 5:11-12

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

 I will admit, I always expected to be ridiculed by the world. Yet, I am astonished that most of it actually comes from the church. It's amazing how many people in "ministry" don't know one another by the spirit at all. It's amazing how many people in "ministry" don't know the Spirit of God.

Like anyone else, I make mistakes. Yet, when I speak as unctioned by the Holy Ghost, I take the assignment VERY seriously. I wish someone had told me that when someone is rebuked or corrected, even in love, I would be labeled a witch, warlock and false prophet.

Why am I sharing this? I share because I want other prophetic voices to know the price that must be paid for the TRUTH. Even as Jesus experienced, the church can hurt more than the world. Yet, we forgive and continue to love. One who has the heart of God can't help but to continue in love and prayer, especially for those who don't understand.

People of God, let's just repent and do better. Let's love one another, and be very careful about labeling God's people as workmen for the enemy. ORDER IN THE CHURCH!

Don't Get Mad... Get Delivered!

James 1:19-20
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."

Life happens. As it does, people and situations make us angry. The Word of God instructs us to be angry and SIN NOT. A sign of maturity is a believer's ability to hold the tongue. Oftentimes, when our emotions fade and the Spirit of God reveals, we find the energy was wasted in wrath. We musn't be led of emotions, but by the Spirit of God. ORDER IN THE CHURCH!

Walking in Favor

Romans 8:28
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."

Do you KNOW God? Are you called for His purpose? Then, don't worry about it. Even those things, people and events that challenge us in life must bow to the will of God. Hallelujah! We all make mistakes, but God has ordered even those steps that cause us to trip, that they too will work in our favor. That's what a REAL relationship with God will do - FAVOR! Rejoice and thank our God! ORDER IN THE CHURCH!

Why Can't We All Just Get Along?

Romans 12:16-18, AMP
"Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits. Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

Why can't we all just get along? No matter what been done to us, we must be kind to others. Backbiting and unforgiveness are NEVER okay. People who truly love the LORD learn to be a peace with others. ORDER IN THE CHURCH!

Train Up a Child...

Proverbs 23:13-14
"Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell."


 I thank God for my children. They are very mannerly and well-behaved. Even more, they love God. It grieves me to see so many parents, in the church, who are turning away from biblical principles in raising th...eir children. Abuse is NEVER okay, but physical discipline birthed out of love is wisdom... and the Bible! Follow the word of God in ALL things. Tantrums, disobedience and rebellion are NOT okay, especially in God's house. Taking our children to the pastor for prayer every Sunday is not the answer, if we refuse to follow God's word in raising them. Time out is NOT in the word of God, I promise. ORDER IN THE CHURCH!

Can You Keep a Secret?

Matthew 6:5-6, 16-18
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. And when you fas...t, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you."


We all agree that these are times of prayer and fasting. Yet, hear the word of the LORD. We should be seeking HEAVENLY benefits. Therefore, we must be careful not to boast of these works, as it negates the purpose. It is a good thing to encourage one another in prayer and fasting. BUT, it is a prideful thing to boast in doing these works.  The internet, including Facebook, Twitter and others, can quickly turn these intimate acts of worship and petition into boasting. We must be careful. Prayer and fasting are PRIVATE matters. It's no wonder we are so easily interrupted by the enemy and his plans, particularly when we tell the world what we're doing in the realm of spiritual warfare. Keep your battle plans SECRET. Amen. ORDER IN THE CHURCH!!!

There's POWER in Discipleship!

Luke 9:1-2 "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick."

There is power in DISCIPLESHIP! You don't need a title or a certificate to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus sent His disciples (followers, students) to preach the Kingdom of God and bring souls into the Kingdom. Not only that, but they had POWER to heal the sick and were given AUTHORITY over devils. There are signs that follow those who BELIEVE (Mark 16:15-18).

Let's be released from the false doctrine that only those who carry ministry titles have spiritual power and authority. Remember, the Five-Fold/Ascension gifts, along with Bishops, Elders, etc. are called to the church. ALL DISCIPLES are called to the world - as salt and light. It's a NEW SEASON!

It's a Murderer

Today, I found myself just praying for the institution of the local church.  I mourn for the acceptance of sin and egotistical leaders... And for those who haven't sought God enough to gain the discernment to know the difference between witchcraft and the miraculous.

"God, help! We need to experience TRUE revival, hearts that burn for You and satisfaction in those eternal things greater than what our eyes can see, our minds can imagine and our thoughts can lust over."

The LORD began to show me that the institute of the church is being used by the enemy to murder His own people.  We have been warned that "...there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Matthew 24:24).  After that reminder, this is the poem the Holy Spirit gave me to share...

It’s a murderer…

Stealing life to make oneself fat

At the expense of the innocent and young
Deceiving many and destroying hope
With a loose and violent tongue

Gathering those who are hurt and confused

Empty promises of hope and love
While all the time roaming as Satan’s wolves
Looking innocent as a dove

Abusing trust and stealing money

From those who work so hard
Then shunning those who choose to speak out with
“Touch not mine anointed, do my prophets no harm!”

Twisting scriptures and misquoting God’s word

To manipulate, abuse and control
While becoming idols and collecting fans in God’s house
To assist in playing a role

Creating a system of politics and fame

Hierarchies, titles and clichés
Yet forgetting the blood of our Savior and LORD
Shed to cleanse us from our evil ways

A murderer…

Could it really be the church?

Those who have forgotten the purpose for their call

The people God desires to use
Those who were instructed to teach and protect
Now will to neglect and abuse

Could it really be the saints?

Bishops, elders, deacons and the five-fold

Many turn to such destruction and shame
Quenching the Holy Ghost through lies and deceit
All for a popular name

Could it really be the ecclesia?

There were those who preached with boldness, strength

Messages full of conviction and power
Who now fulfill the prophetic words foretelling
That evil will rise in this hour

Could it really be the preachers?

Many who were true have now become false

Claiming Christ only when on stage
The same have caused God, who sits high on the throne
To bring judgment with His holy rage

A murderer…

The church could be, though the Church is not

So determine to which you belong
The true Body of Christ, the Bride of the King
Or the club that justifies its wrong

Religion or relationship, tradition or holiness

You have the freedom to make a choice
Will the true Church of God please stand up?
God REALLY wants to use your voice

To stop the murder… NOW!

 

1 John 3:15-16

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.  Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Hurt Feelings Can Breed Blasphemy

Micah 3:5 (NLT)

This is what the LORD says:

“You false prophets are leading my people astray!
You promise peace for those who give you food,
But you declare war on those who refuse to feed you.”
 

Since early this morning, God has been telling me to declare these words to His people.  He began reminding me of how easy it is for us to tie our emotions into ministry, rather than hearing and speaking by the Holy Ghost.

I began to think of all the times I’ve seen prophets prophesy according to their hearts.  Just as it was in the days of Micah, so it is today in the church.  We’ve all seen the faithful church members who were blessed while they served, and cursed as soon as they went away.  For some reason, we have felt justified in blessing and cursing based on our own personal feelings about a person or a situation.  God refers to those who do this as FALSE prophets and teachers.

The LORD is reminding us today of what a TRUE enemy is.  An enemy is more than just someone who doesn’t agree with us.  A true enemy is more than just someone who has made us angry or disappointed. A true enemy extends far beyond the mere realm of disagreement. Even more, just because someone is an enemy to us doesn’t necessarily mean he or she is an enemy to God. 

Enemy = One who feels hatred toward, intends injury to, or opposes the interests of another; a foe; A person who is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.

One who makes us angry is no more an enemy than one who makes us smile is a best friend.  Anger does not give us the right to pass judgment.  Neither does contentment or satisfaction give us the right to exalt.  We must know one another by the spirit, not after the flesh!  We must then act after the spirit, and speak as led of the Holy Ghost.

Many of us who claim the name of Christ have made a habit of rejoicing at the thought or idea that our enemies will be defeated.  In our minds, that tends to mean God will set a table of blessings in the midst of those who disagree with us… God will make a footstool of those who don’t support my ministry… All who didn’t recognize my anointing will be cursed… No weapon, or rebuke – even when justified, formed against us will prosper…  What do these things REALLY mean?  It’s about more than just our preferences.  Just because we don’t like a thing doesn’t mean it’s a weapon that won’t prosper.

My point is this.  Many are allowing emotions to make their ministry FALSE.  The integrity of many will be compromised due to emotional instability.  High emotion is not the same as high anointing!  That applies in praise, worship and every other facet of ministry, including our WORDS!  Emotions are separating us from God when we speak things we feel, rather than what God said.  Walking by the spirit requires that we be led by the Spirit, not our feelings.  Selah.

Learn to Be STILL

Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

I am a person who likes to be busy.  There’s something about doing lots of “stuff” that makes us feel useful and valuable.  Yet, I hear God telling His people, “Learn to be STILL.”

Many of us were taught, through word or observation, that ministry is about busyness.  We were taught to find something to do and do it.  We were instructed to be “useful.”  Nevertheless, in this season, God is saying that His people are doing too much.  As my Apostle often says, we are moving with the arm of the flesh rather than by the Spirit of the living God!

Quite simply, if God didn’t say it, think twice before doing it.  We are building so many works, claiming they are for the Kingdom of God, yet God has not signed the building permit.  He has not ordained nor justified the work.  It is, therefore, in vain.

Even in my own ministry, God is teaching me the more to sit in His presence.  What some may view as a waste of time is actually an investment.  It’s during those time of stillness and meditation that God reveals His secrets and unleashes His power.  Sometimes, it’s okay to have nothing to do and nothing to say.  It’s okay to sit and just listen… Let God move, and let Him get the glory!

Just last week, I was praying about many of the online ministry tools that I have used over the years.  They are useful, yes, but God has had me in a place of calmness.  I no longer feel the PUSH to publish a newsletter every month or post words of encouragement and prophecy every week.  What some have seen as disorder is actually the fruit of God leading me the more.  As I mature in the things of God, He’s not releasing me to speak to the Body of Christ just because it’s the first of the month anymore.  He’s freeing me from the schedule and expectations of men.

Many have emailed or called making sure that I’m okay and “still in the game.”  The truth of the matter is that I’m better than ever.  God is perfecting me in certain areas so that I can become a master in my own arena rather than operating in the spirit as a “jack of all trades, and a master of none.”  He is doing the same (or trying) with many…

In this season, God is specializing His people.  Don’t be afraid to BE STILL in His presence.  He really is taking us someplace higher!  That means that a lot of things are being sloughed off in the spirit.

The Lord showed me an embryo.  When a baby first begins to grow, he or she is mass of cells that continue to multiply.  But, as that fetus matures, the cells begin to specialize.  The move to different regions of the embryo.  Some develop into the heart while others become a liver.  Soon enough, the fetus begins to form a face.  The baby grows until birth and suddenly has an identity.

This is what God is doing in the Body of Christ.  He is maturing us as a Body.  Therefore, every piece must specialize in its function and STAY THERE.  When the lungs are breathing, the heart can’t leave the job of beating to go and try to breath.  When a finger is severed, the tongue can’t just stop speaking to go and help pick up a piece of paper off the floor.

Teachers, stop trying to prophesy and let God perfect you as a teacher.  Intercessors, pray and stop trying to build conferences.  God wants to perfect you in prayer.  Apostles, stop trying to teach Sunday school class.  Let the teachers do that and you pray about the order of ministry.  Let God perfect you in wisdom and power.  This is a season of SPECIALIZING. 

“Be still,” says the LORD.  In our efforts to move and “do ministry” all over the place, we are causing great damage to the Body of Christ.  Would you go to a cardiologist to have your teeth worked on?  Would you visit a psychiatrist to have foot surgery?  Selah.

SELAH Moments

More SELAH moments for your meditation and encouragement…
 

·         Luke 7:50 says, "...he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." FAITH STILL MATTERS. You may not be able to explain or exegete everything, but BELIEVE GOD! It's a NEW SEASON!

·         James 5:9 "Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you [yourselves] may not be judged..." It never fails... after Sunday morning services, people flood Facebook and Twitter with their complaints and sarcastic, judgmental messages about the services they attended. There's no power in just seeing the problem. The power is in becoming part of the solution. Those who are anointed DO... those who can't gossip and complain. No complaining church folk allowed in this NEW SEASON!

·         John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." And that's the bottom line... It's a NEW SEASON!

·         "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being and with all your might" Deuteronomy 6:5 (AMP). Don't allow your "heart strings" to pull you away from God. Love NOTHING and NO ONE more than HIM! It's a NEW SEASON! 

·         Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." In math, we were introduced to the ORDER OF OPERATIONS. Unless you solve the problem in the right order, you will not get the correct answer. Selah. It's a NEW SEASON! 

·         "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things" (1 Corinthians 13:11). Strive to hear these words, in the Spirit... "My, how you've grown!" It's a NEW SEASON! 

·         EVERYONE has something to teach and something to learn! Never become too scared to lead or too arrogant to follow. It's a NEW SEASON! 

·         WATCHMEN, wake up! God is calling us to watch and pray, even in the night when sleep seems so sweet. WAKE UP! Luke 12:37-38 "Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching... And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants." It's a NEW SEASON! 

·         ‎1 Corinthians 4:20 "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." Don't just talk, decree and declare... DO! It's a NEW SEASON! 

·         Hebrews 13:17 AMP "Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [continually recognizing their authority over you], for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account [of their trust]. [Do your part to] let them do this with gladness and not with sighing and groaning, for that would not be profitable to you [either]." KNOW your leaders. If they don't have time to KNOW you... pray for you... speak to you... counsel you... they are not YOUR leaders. It's a NEW SEASON! 

·         Mark 16:15 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." What is the common theme? GO! People of God, it's time to get out of our comfort zones. Everyone wants to preach to church folk, but where are the SOUL WINNERS? Who is going to save the lost? There's so much more to ministry than another conference, blog, YouTube video or Bible study for the "saints"... It's a NEW SEASON! 

·         ‎1 Corinthians 4:15-16 "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. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me." Good spiritual leaders are hard to come by. When we have them, they should be respected and cherished, not ridiculed, challenged, abused or taken for granted. Believe it or not, there are still some good, sound holy preachers of the Gospel. They are called REMNANT, and God is pushing them forward. It's a NEW SEASON! 

·         Romans 10:14-15a "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?" Being talented and having a gift is not good enough. Were you SENT by God? No such thing as an anointed trespasser... It's a NEW SEASON. 

·         JESUS... Still my final answer!!! 

·         Hear the warning of the LORD - Isaiah 57:12 "I will expose your [pretended] righteousness and your doings, but they will not help you." This is the season of the REAL... diamonds and pearls, rather than cubic zirconia and glass... In the spirit realm, stop everything that is not authentic. It won't help, anyway. God is uncovering... It's a NEW SEASON! 

·         We must be careful not to share and brag about everything we do in ministry. It makes us an easy target for the enemy! Selah. It's a NEW SEASON! 

·         Deuteronomy 10:17 "For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward." We will learn that our God is indeed TERRIBLE. He is not to be played with. God is real. His mercy is plentiful, but His judgment is inevitable. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Don't get it twisted... It's a NEW SEASON! 

·         "...all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come" (Job 14:14). Sometimes, the assignment is to WAIT, STAND and ENDURE. Don't be deceived... Don't miss God trying to be busy, though not led. It's a NEW SEASON! 

·         Intimacy in worship is PERSONAL. Not EVERYTHING that happens in the prayer closet is to be repeated. Some of that rebuke is for YOU. It's a NEW SEASON!

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What Esteem Do You Have for Your Brother?

So by whatever [appeal to you there is in our mutual dwelling in Christ, by whatever] strengthening and consoling and encouraging [our relationship] in Him [affords], by whatever persuasive incentive there is in love, by whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy, Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention. Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.

Philippians 2:1-4 (AMP)


What esteem do you have for your brother?

In the Body of Christ, we often have a hard time understanding that others should always be regarded as “better than and superior” to ourselves. Such a mentality and esteem would certainly help us to remain humble.

Believe it or not, the Body of Christ should be serving one another, not JUST leaders. In fact, every leader called by God is a SERVANT LEADER, meaning that we must serve the same people we are called to lead. Humility is certainly a fine, but rare commodity in the church. Yet, it is necessary.

There is no room for ego within the realm of true anointing. There is no time for showboating within the realm of God’s dunamis power.

Here’s a challenge – Take at least one moment each day to encourage, serve and esteem someone else in the Body of Christ. Despite our own titles, positions, calls or anointings, let’s take at least one opportunity per day to get quiet and listen to someone else. Make someone else’s agenda more important.

AND DON’T COUNT IT AS WEAKNESS!

It’s a NEW SEASON!