Leadership Qualities
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The Tabernacle
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The Tabernacle
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G.K. Chesterton
IN the city set upon slime and loam
They cry in their parliament 'Who goes home?'
And there comes no answer in arch or dome,
For none in the city of graves goes home.
Yet these shall perish and understand,
For God has pity on this great land.
Men that are men again; who goes home?
Tocsin and trumpeter! Who goes home?
For there's blood on the field and blood on the foam
And blood on the body when Man goes home.
And a voice valedictory . . . Who is for Victory?
Who is for Liberty? Who goes home?
- G.K. Chesterton
English Journalist, Author, Poet
(1874 - 1936)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
They cry in their parliament 'Who goes home?'
And there comes no answer in arch or dome,
For none in the city of graves goes home.
Yet these shall perish and understand,
For God has pity on this great land.
Men that are men again; who goes home?
Tocsin and trumpeter! Who goes home?
For there's blood on the field and blood on the foam
And blood on the body when Man goes home.
And a voice valedictory . . . Who is for Victory?
Who is for Liberty? Who goes home?
- G.K. Chesterton
English Journalist, Author, Poet
(1874 - 1936)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
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DONNIE MCCLURKIN GOES OFF ON THE CHURCH!!!
Pastor Donnie McClurkin
Perfecting Church, Freeport , New York
This past week, popular preacher, recording artist and pastor, Donnie McClurkin, went on record to declare his deep disappointment with what he sees as pastoral abuses in the body of Christ. His comments have raised a legitimate question about abuse and excesses in the body of Christ and has brought attention to a topic that has largely been ignored in the church community.
In an article appearing in Essence this past week Pastor McClurkin is quoted as saying:
"As pastors, we have to link arms and have bi-partisanships. The [Black] church has always been the face of the community. Now we have to take on the responsibility of becoming true servants to the people from all walks of life. I get so mad when I see these pimpin' preachers driving Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, flying around in their private jets, and making it seem like prosperity and money is the way of God when 90 percent of your congregation is on Section 8 or can't figure out how they are going to keep their lights on or feed their kids. I'm big on perception, and what would it look like for me to live so lavishly if the people in my church are struggling?" says Pastor McClurkin in the article."
In venting his frustration over the behavior of some in the church community, Pastor McClurkin reveals his own humility and sense of service to God and God's people, by outlining his own relationship, financial and otherwise, with his church and his refusal to take revenue from a congregation that he has built from the ground up.
"I've done great in gospel music, and only a few of us have accomplished what I have, and guess what? I live in the 'hood, not some place on the outskirts of the 'hood. There ain't no gate around my house; I have a white fence because the people I pastor live in that community. I have one vehicle and it's not a Mercedes, it's a Lincoln Navigator. I don't receive a dime-not an Abraham Lincoln copper coin-and haven't for the last seven-and-a-half years because I'm okay." He tells Kenya Byrd of Essence Magazine.
As such, Pastor McClurkin has become a model and an example for others to emulate. His mentality and actions, that places a greater emphasis on service than profit, can only be admired by all of those who love the Lord and are seeking to do His will to the best of their ability. Pastor McClurkin makes it clear that he has options, but chooses to live a modest and humble lifestyle because that's what God has called him to do.
If I wanted to buy a Phantom or Bentley I could and not hurt my pockets, but I'm okay with what I have. I can sing and work and I have all that money go back into the church so we can buy the delicatessen on the corner, or the house next door to make it state-of-the-art low-income housing. We've trained our people to put their leaders on pedestals, and some people want to live vicariously through their pastor and say, "My pastor has this and he's on television and so on," but then what do you have? How have you prospered and grown? So when I hear other pastors say, "My people take care of me," I'm thinking, But you're supposed to be taking care of the people. I just don't get it. Pastor McClurkin goes on to say.
What is best gleaned from the wisdom and honesty of Pastor McClurkin is his healthy attitude about the church and who it belongs too. His "ecclesiology", which is worthy of our consideration, perhaps best represents what Christ had in mind when He gave pastors to the body of Christ in the first place.
I don't have a church, but I do have a church that I pastor. I can't name something the Donnie McClurkin Temple because the people do not belong to me and if they did that would mean I have slaves. I am simply a vessel to deliver God's word. At the end of the day, it's God's church, not mine advises Pastor McClurkin.
AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!
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Friday, August 21, 2009
Lifting
Did you know that every time the moon's gravity causes a ten-foot tide at sea, all the continents on earth rise at least six inches. Wow! For me this adds a new level of understanding to the words “A rising tide lifts all boats.”
Today, I would like to for us to think about this principle in our leadership path: Who are we lifting. Too often in our Western idea of leadership; it is about what people can do for us, rather than what we can do for people. Simply put, if we are not lifting, we are not leading. Anthony D’Angelo puts it this way, “Build your reputation by helping other people build theirs.” John D. Rockefeller states it this way, “Good leadership consists in showing average people how to do the work of superior people.”
I have always been blessed by the experience of King David—particularly his experience in the cave of Adullam. In I. Samuel 22: 1-3 we are told that four hundred men came to him. However, they were “distress, in debt, and discontented. But later many of these men become David’s “mighty men of valor.”
David lifted them! Average people—with all of their issues, under his leadership did the work of superior people. We do well to notice, David did this while he was running for his own life! He did this while dealing with his own issues! Wow! That’s good leadership.
So, today let’s commitment to lifting and who know, the person that you life today; may the very person that has to lift you tomorrow! Anthony Payton, Pastor/Teacher
-- Post From My iPhone
Today, I would like to for us to think about this principle in our leadership path: Who are we lifting. Too often in our Western idea of leadership; it is about what people can do for us, rather than what we can do for people. Simply put, if we are not lifting, we are not leading. Anthony D’Angelo puts it this way, “Build your reputation by helping other people build theirs.” John D. Rockefeller states it this way, “Good leadership consists in showing average people how to do the work of superior people.”
I have always been blessed by the experience of King David—particularly his experience in the cave of Adullam. In I. Samuel 22: 1-3 we are told that four hundred men came to him. However, they were “distress, in debt, and discontented. But later many of these men become David’s “mighty men of valor.”
David lifted them! Average people—with all of their issues, under his leadership did the work of superior people. We do well to notice, David did this while he was running for his own life! He did this while dealing with his own issues! Wow! That’s good leadership.
So, today let’s commitment to lifting and who know, the person that you life today; may the very person that has to lift you tomorrow! Anthony Payton, Pastor/Teacher
-- Post From My iPhone
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Who Has Your Ear
1 Kings 13:15-19 (HCSB)
15 Then he said to him, “Come home with me and eat bread.” 16 But he answered, “I cannot go back with you, eat bread, or drink water with you in this place, 17 for a message came to me by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water there or go back by the way you came.’ ” 18 He said to him, “I am also a prophet like you. An angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord: ‘Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.’ ” The old prophet deceived him, 19 and the man of God went back with him, ate bread in his house, and drank water.
This morning for my devotional, I was reading I. Kings 13. I invite you to read it as soon as you can. It is the story of a prophet who is told one thing to do—by God, and does another. Why? An older prophet lies to him. As a result of following the false prophet, the prophet loses his life! Whether prophet and/or leader, we must be careful of who has our ear. Lies to you and about you will often come on the heels of your most successful moments. Today, please remember; you are in a war, and in the words of Aeschylus, “In war, truth is the first casualty.”
As a leader, there are always forces attempting to take you out. The bible says that in the multitude of counselors there is wisdom. Make sure you have people around you that will tell you the truth in love. These are wisdom keepers, and transmitters. We need them. The interesting thing in this story is that the “prophet of God” is bamboozled and loses his life and the false prophet, lives to bury him!
Today, watch out for lies, stay the course. Do not be bamboozled!
Anthony Payton
-- Post From My iPhone
15 Then he said to him, “Come home with me and eat bread.” 16 But he answered, “I cannot go back with you, eat bread, or drink water with you in this place, 17 for a message came to me by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water there or go back by the way you came.’ ” 18 He said to him, “I am also a prophet like you. An angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord: ‘Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.’ ” The old prophet deceived him, 19 and the man of God went back with him, ate bread in his house, and drank water.
This morning for my devotional, I was reading I. Kings 13. I invite you to read it as soon as you can. It is the story of a prophet who is told one thing to do—by God, and does another. Why? An older prophet lies to him. As a result of following the false prophet, the prophet loses his life! Whether prophet and/or leader, we must be careful of who has our ear. Lies to you and about you will often come on the heels of your most successful moments. Today, please remember; you are in a war, and in the words of Aeschylus, “In war, truth is the first casualty.”
As a leader, there are always forces attempting to take you out. The bible says that in the multitude of counselors there is wisdom. Make sure you have people around you that will tell you the truth in love. These are wisdom keepers, and transmitters. We need them. The interesting thing in this story is that the “prophet of God” is bamboozled and loses his life and the false prophet, lives to bury him!
Today, watch out for lies, stay the course. Do not be bamboozled!
Anthony Payton
-- Post From My iPhone
Monday, August 17, 2009
The Breakfast of Champions
I like old comics. They could tell a joke that could stay with you for years. W. C. Fields is a classic example of this. He always did his act with a drink in hand. He once said with (a drink in hand), "Once, during Prohibition, I was forced to live for days on nothing but food and water." I like that joke.
Speaking of food, Would you believe that the breakfast of champions is not cereal, but opposition? That's right, opposition. Chances are you tried to skip breakfast this morning. However, please allow me to remind you that this breakfast is not self-service, but forced fed! Go head, ask any one that has achieved anything and you will receive a healthy and hearty amen to that fact!
But you know what? You can handle it. Correction, please, with and through God you can handle it. The duty of Opposition is very simple... to oppose everything, and propose nothing. A champion views resistance as a gift of energy. Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds.
So, go head, eat your breakfast, and say amen! Anthony Payton
-- Post From My iPhone
Speaking of food, Would you believe that the breakfast of champions is not cereal, but opposition? That's right, opposition. Chances are you tried to skip breakfast this morning. However, please allow me to remind you that this breakfast is not self-service, but forced fed! Go head, ask any one that has achieved anything and you will receive a healthy and hearty amen to that fact!
But you know what? You can handle it. Correction, please, with and through God you can handle it. The duty of Opposition is very simple... to oppose everything, and propose nothing. A champion views resistance as a gift of energy. Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds.
So, go head, eat your breakfast, and say amen! Anthony Payton
-- Post From My iPhone
Sunday, August 16, 2009
“I’ve Got Your Back”
When someone says, "I've got your back," it means that they are watching out for you. A true friend is someone who cares so much about you that he's watching your back to look out for you. He's a back watcher.
We want to look at the life of someone almost everyone has heard about, King David.
David was a mighty warrior.
David killed the giant Goliath.
David became King of Israel, conquered many enemies, and ruled effectively.
David was a "man after God's own heart".
David had many friends who "watched his back".
David's friends were back watchers. You and I can learn to be good "back watchers" from these friends of David. Also, we can learn from these people if the people who say they are our friends really are. A friend will mess up once in a while, but if a person isn't watching my back on a regular basis, he's not my friend. If I'm not watching his back on a regular basis, I'm not his friend.
So, let's find out what makes a person a good "back watcher".
- BACK WATCHERS LOVE
King Saul was King of Israel when David was a boy and a teenager. He started well, but rebelled against God. God, through the Prophet Samuel, had told Saul that he disqualified himself as king. God announced that Saul and his family would lose the crown.
Then came the days when Israel was challenged by a mighty giant named Goliath. Goliath terrorized Israel on the battlefield for many days until David, the shepherd boy, stood up to Him. David challenged the giant and then slew him with his sling and one rock guided by God into the head of Goliath. In true warrior fashion David took Goliath's own sword and cut off Goliath's head.
Someone was watching David that day. That someone was the king's son and supposed heir to the throne, Jonathan.
Jonathan was a brave warrior and a godly man in his own right. When David slew Goliath, there was an instant rapport between these two men, although Jonathan was probably about 20 years older than David.
1 Samuel 18:1 - And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
As we'll see in a few moments, Jonathan would become one of David's "back watchers". But this friendship began with a brotherly love that was as strong as a person's love for one's self.
Jesus tells us how important a back watching friendship is. Matthew 22:37-40, John 13:34-35
We are to love each other as Jesus loved us. Jesus loved us enough to watch on backs. He died on the cross so that we might have forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. That's love! That's friendship! That's back watching!
1 Samuel 18:3 - Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
A covenant is a pact. It is an agreement. It is a commitment between two individuals or families. Because Jonathan loved David he made a covenant, an agreement to watch David's back.
- BACK WATCHERS PROTECT
1 Samuel 19:1-2
And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. [2] But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:
You would think that David's life became easier after he became a national hero having slain Israel's biggest enemy, Goliath.
But that was not so. It wasn't long before King Saul figured out that the person who was going to succeed him as King was David. Saul didn't like that. He wanted to remain King in spite of what God said. He wanted his descendants to reign in his stead.
Saul became David's enemy. It wasn't long before Saul "put out a contract" on David's life. He told Jonathan and all his servants to kill David.
Because Jonathan loved David, he was watching his back. The first thing he did was to tell David to hide or "lay low" for a while. He warned David to stay out of sight so he didn't get himself killed.
In 1 Samuel 19:4-7, Jonathan went and spoke up to his father in David's behalf. He went to his father and spoke of David's innocence and faithfulness.
The end result was a temporary reprieve for David. For a time, the death wish on David by Saul was suspended. David was back in King Saul's good graces.
Jonathan watched David's back by protecting him. Part of protecting somebody is warning them.
Just as Jonathan warned David, you and I as good back watchers need to warn our friends when they are in danger.
You are not being disloyal to a friend when you tell him or her the truth! You are protecting them!
Galatians 6:1
Notice also that part of protecting a friend is to speak up in his or her behalf.
Jonathan not only warned David, but he spoke up for him. Jonathan approached his father, King Saul, and pointed out that a death wish against David just wasn't right! He pointed out what David had done to prove that he was a loyal servant. He championed David's innocence.
There are times when we are to speak up for our friends to protect them. Back watchers protect their friends by warning them and speaking up for them.
- BACK WATCHERS ENCOURAGE
1 Samuel 23:16 - And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
We are skipping a bunch of history here. Saul's antagonism against David escalated. David's life was in danger big time. David had no other choice but to flee. While Saul was doing all he could to kill David, David was hiding. Jonathan made a secret and dangerous trip to David in order to encourage David.
If Saul found out what Jonathan had done, Jonathan would have been in big trouble! Jonathan went and encouraged David in the things of God. David was getting pressured by Saul. David was probably getting discouraged. Jonathan, watching David's back, came to David and encouraged Him in the things that mattered, the things of God. You call yourself a Christian. A Christian uses the Word of God with the help of the Spirit of God to encourage his or her friends. If your friend is not a Christian, you should encourage him or her to become one, even if that person becomes angry with you. If your friend is a Christian, encourage him or her using the principles of God's Word. Watch your friend's back by encouraging him or her!
- BACK WATCHERS ARE TESTED
2 Samuel 15:19, 21 - Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile. [21] And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
David did eventually become king. Many years later after his kingdom was well established, his son, Absalom, staged a rebellion against David. David again had to run for his life.
Many of David's loyal subjects fled with him. One of those people was a relative new comer and someone who was an exile from his own country, Ittai the Gittite.
I don't know whether he meant to or not, but David tested his friend. He told his friend that he could back and be loyal to the new king. David was saying, "This isn't your battle Ittai. Go on home and don't worry about me!"
Sometimes you will be tested by your friends. They will tell you "Don't worry about me. Go live your own life. This isn't your battle. It's mine. Don't get yourself involved." And sometimes we tell our friends the same thing. The temptation, the test, is to distance ourselves from the problems of our friends and not get involved.
That is not what Ittai did.
2 Samuel 15:21 - And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
Ittai told David, "As God lives, I'm with you wherever you are!" Yes, we will be tested and tempted to distance ourselves from the problems of our friends. But a real friend, a real back watcher sticks with his or her friend to the end!
- BACK WATCHERS ARE FAITHFUL
Having said what I just said about friends sticking with friends, sometimes we help our friends best by not being right with them, but by supporting them at a distance.
The religious leaders, the high priests, were on David's side. So they picked up the most sacred piece of religious furniture, the Ark of the Covenant, and left Jerusalem!
David would not allow them to do that! 2 Samuel 15:25-28
David was basically sending the priests back for two reasons. First, he was sending them back to be faithful to God. God had called them to be priests and in Zadok's a prophet. They were to remain faithful to God.
They were also to be part of David's intelligence system and report to David through their sons, what was going on in Jerusalem.
The best thing you can do as a back watcher is to be faithful to God. When you are faithful to God you will do what is best for your friends!
2 Samuel 15:29 - Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
- BACK WATCHERS ARE TRUSTED
2 Samuel 15:34 - But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
There was a man in David's court whose position was "friend of the King". He was to be a loyal, faithful friend.
Hushai was the man's name. Logically, "the friend of the King" planned on leaving with the King. He was his friend. David sent him back as a spy and as someone to confuse the counsel of a very wise man, Ahithophel. Ahithophel was out to get David. Hushai was to prevent that from happening.
David trusted Hushai. We are to be equally trusted. Our friends should be able to trust us to do what is right and what is best for them even if it is dangerous, unpleasant and different. We watch our friends' backs when we are faithful
- BACK WATCHERS SHARE
2 Samuel 17:28-29 - (They) Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse, [29] And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.
David had friends who took care of the physical needs of David and those that fled with him.
Sometimes we as friends watch our friends' backs when we share with them and meet their needs in tough times.
Galatians 6:10 - As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Are you a good back watcher? Are you watching the backs of your friends and loved ones? GOOD BACK WATCHERS:
• LOVE
• PROTECT
• ENCOURAGE
• ARE TESTED
• ARE FAITHFUL
• ARE TRUSTED
• SHARE
Friday, August 14, 2009
Let Love Lead The Way
Leading plus loving equals legacy. Without love the burden of leadeing will turn into bitterness. Harry Emerson Fosdick once remarked, "Bitterness imprisons life love releases it. Bitterness paralyzes life love empowers it. Bitterness sours life love sweetens it. Bitterness sickens life love heals it. Bitterness blinds life love anoints its eyes." A leader must love as Christ loved, if he desires a legacy that lingers in the heavenlies. So, today let love lead the way. Anthony Payton
Sent from my iPhone
-- Post From My iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
-- Post From My iPhone
Look For Movement
Did you know that Turkeys can see movement almost a hundred yards away? That's amazing to me. Visionary leadership--among many other things is about seeing movement from afar. Yet most of us have eyes and yet not see. When a leader doesn't see movement from afar; he
allows tradition to become the cornerstone of his leadership, and "Traditions are group efforts to keep the unexpected from happening."
So, today, look for movement from afar! Anthony Payton
-- Post From My iPhone
allows tradition to become the cornerstone of his leadership, and "Traditions are group efforts to keep the unexpected from happening."
So, today, look for movement from afar! Anthony Payton
-- Post From My iPhone
Thursday, August 13, 2009
There is an African Proverb that says, "Where there is no shame there is no honor." Christ could not do miracles in his own home town, because of the people’s lack of faith. He later says, "A prophet has no honor in his own home town." so, there was a lack of faith, and subsequently limited miracles, due to their lack of shame revealed in
their refusal to honor the God man.
We don't often link shame, honor and miracles, but the bible does. God gives gifts to us in the persons of His leaders. Failure to honor those gifts is often the results of a lack of shame on our part. You will never truly honor the anointing
on someone's life; until you embrace your own shame! And this is often the result of a failure to embrace and except the shame of one's sin.
Yet, when we do so; we open the door of faith and release our
miracles. So, embrace your shame and deal with your sin and honor the leaders God has given. Your miracles depend on it!
Peace
-- Post From My iPhone
Motives
This morning has been a particular day of refection. You could say that I have been dealing with the man in the mirror. I have been questioning my motives in a number of different areas. Why? Because while a good motive cannot sanction a bad action, a bad motive will always vitiate a good action. Our motives matter in leadership. One's motives can either add value or devalue one's leadership. For me, my motives are filtered through three lenses: 1. Does it glorify God 2. Does it honor God’s word to me and 3, does it validate my leadership? So, what decisions do you have to make today. Check your motives. Try filtering them through these three lenses, Anthony Payton
-- Post From My iPhone
-- Post From My iPhone
Saturday, August 8, 2009
WINSOME TO WIN SOME
It is our being purposely gracious or winsome that will help bring or win people to Christ.
Matthew 5:13 - Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Jesus calls Christians "salt".
Salt is a preservative.
The world is morally and spiritually rotting away.
As Christians we act as preservatives against the rottenness.
We should be living in such a way that we are doing what is right. The world should see us as standing against the trends of wickedness. Salt spices things up. When a Christian is "spicy" he is giving excitement to a dull world that only thinks that life is exciting. The Christian has more abundant life in Christ. Salt makes one thirsty. The Christian should make non-Christians thirsty for a better life, for Christ, for having what the Christian has.
Jesus warns about salt that loses its savor or saltiness. If Christians are not salty they are not effective. Also, salt does no good if it's in the salt shaker and not be spread around.
How do we become "Winsome to Win Some" I have a few suggestions.
- BE CONSISTENT
Consistency is something non-Christians lack. In order for us to act as preservatives and to make people want we have we need to be consistent in at least two ways.
- WE NEED TO BE CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE BELIEVE
If we believe in Jesus as our Savior, we also need to believe that Jesus has called us to live a holy life. Titus 2:11-12
You will not win anyone to Christ by being just like them. If your Christianity has not made you different, why should anyone else want it? I'm not saying you should walk around preaching everywhere you go. I am suggesting that the way you live should reflect an element of righteousness that is noticeable. As you live a holy life, one that is different, you will have opportunities to share your faith. 1 Peter 3:15
- WE NEED TO BE CONSISTENT WITH WHO WE ARE.
We will not win anyone to Christ by pretending to be something we are not. People do not like hypocrisy even when they are hypocritical themselves. One of the worst things we can do as Christians is to pretend everything is okay when it isn't. Some have this convoluted idea that Christians are to always smile, always laugh, always appear on top of things even when they are not. They are to never get angry or hurt.
We Christians do have our sorrows. We do have our hurts, trials and disappointments. We do get angry. We do have bad days. Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 - To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; Unsaved people need to see that we are human, we are real. But what should they see that's different from them in this. In our sorrow we should show hope and joy and thanksgiving. In our anger we should show forgiveness. Christians should not be defeated by the sorrows. They should use them as stepping stones towards a closer walk with God and that makes us different from the unsaved. James 1:2-4, Ephesians 4:32
So we need to be consistent with what we believe and who we are.
- BE CONGENIAL
Proverbs 18:24 - A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly…
Not everyone is out going. Not everyone is a back-slapper. Not everyone treats all others as long lost friends. But whether we are introverted or out going, we can all be friendly.
We can take the time to say "Hello". We can take the time to ask how someone is doing. We can show interest in their answers. If a grouchy person gives you advice, are you likely to listen? If a person won't talk to you are you likely to take him seriously if all of a sudden he starts talking to you about religion? If your faith in Christ as not made you a friendly person, why should anyone want what you have?
- BE COMMITTED
One of the most precious commodities we have is time. None of us seem to have enough of it. Our job demands time. Keeping up with the yard and house demands time. Spending time with your family demands time. Church activities demand time. Sitting at the feet of Jesus to hear His Word takes time. Hobbies take time. Friendships take time. Developing relationships takes time. One of the most precious gifts you can give someone is your time! Using our time wisely takes discernment. Ephesians 5:16-18. If you want to win someone to Christ, it will take a time commitment on your part. One of the best things you can do is find things to do socially with an unsaved person. That doesn't mean you have to do things that you don't believe in, such as going to bars. But find things such as picnics, shopping, playing games, and hunting, going to ball games, and going out to eat that allow you to get to know each other better. If we are committed to winning people to Christ we must be committed to spending time with them. Sometimes we will have witnessing opportunities when we hardly know people. However being committed to a friendship will give you excellent opportunities to share.
- BE CONCERNED
Proverbs 27:10 - Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not…
Romans 12:15 - Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Giving time to a friend is not just for social activities. When things are going bad for a friend, a true friend is around to listen, to cry, to help. When things are going well for a friend, a true friend is there to rejoice. Sometimes the only thing we can do for a friend is be there. Sometimes we can just listen. Showing concern begins with just checking on our friends to see how they are doing. Showing concern also means being sensitive to a person's moods, and knowing when to ask if things are okay. Showing concern may also mean tactfully warning someone when we see that they are headed in a wrong direction. Showing concern will earn you a hearing, when you are ready to share the Gospel. If a person knows that you are truly concerned for them, they are more likely to listen.
- BE COOPERATIVE
I realize that some of these thoughts overlap. Being concerned should lead us to the next logical step which is to cooperate with our friend in any way that we can to help. Galatians 6:10 - As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith
Our cooperation should begin with our support for the well being of those who are brothers and sisters in Christ. The demonstration of this active love for the brethren should be such in our Christian churches that the unsaved will take notice. John 13:34-2 But our cooperation is to go beyond those who are of our faith family. We need to reach out also to our friends and even people we don't know with a compassion that says "I'll help if I can." It might be a donation of money or groceries to a family in need. It might be transporting someone to the hospital and/or waiting through surgery. It might be going with someone to a hearing or some other uncomfortable situation. It might be bringing a meal or dessert to someone during a difficult time. You can be creative. There are many ways to cooperate in friendship.
- BE COMMUNICATIVE
This brings us back to what we talked about last week, clear communication. We must be prayerfully looking for opportunities to share our faith, even if it is in little does. We should not rush the process in wanting to witness if the door is not open. However, when God opens a door we need to be ready to move right in and speak up for Christ. Remember, the soul winning is a process.
1 Corinthians 3:6 - I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The Prescription for Unity
Today, we had our annual church picnic in the park. It was an awesome time of worship, and Word and fellowship in the life of this community of believers! Fellowship? This is an idea that is missing in many communities. We have lost a sense of its many and thus, the practical living out of this biblical concept. The Greek word for fellowship comes from a root meaning common or shared. So fellowship means common participation in something either by giving what you have to the other person or receiving what he or she has. Give and take is the essence of fellowship, and give and take must be the way of fellowship in the common life of the body of Christ. Christian fellowship is two-dimensional, and it has to be vertical before it can be horizontal. We must know the reality of fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ before we can know the reality of fellowship with each other in our common relationship to God (1 John 1:3). The person who is not in fellowship with the Father and the Son is no Christian at all, and so cannot share with Christians the realities of their fellowship. John Wesley has rightly suggested—what should be the cry of all of us, "I want the whole Christ for my Savior, the whole Bible for my book, the whole Church for my fellowship, and the whole world for my mission field.
Using the word, UNITY, as an acronym, we can identify several characteristics of Christ-honoring fellowship.
- "U" represents the word uplift. One way to develop unity within the body of Christ and in your home is to make a commitment to follow the commands of God to uplift one another. Imagine the incredible spirit of uplifting these men experienced in this final phase of Jesus ministry with his disciples. He spoke of their great contribution when He said, "Guys, you're going to take my gospel to the world". They're thinking, maybe I'll go to my hometown or to the next village. Jesus says, "I've chosen you because I believe you can change the world. The world is going to know about the love I have for them." Can you imagine how that energized them?
- The letter "N" in unity stands for the word need. God has placed us here so that we can meet the needs of others. My favorite story about meeting the needs of others is about the child who wanted a bike for his birthday. When his dad tucked him in for bed, he prayed with an extremely loud voice, "God, I really want that blue bike from Wal-Mart." His grandparents were visiting, so the father instructed the boy not to be so loud, "Son, God's not deaf." The little boy said, "I know, but grandpa is!" That child knew that God usually meets needs through the lives of other saints. Unity becomes possible when we acknowledge our personal needs and our responsibility to help other with their needs.
- "I" stands for integrity. Jesus says, "I have given them glory" (17:22). Glory calls attention to the holiness and the purity of God. Jesus represented the glory and the holiness of God, and we have received the call to represent that same type of integrity or holiness. Verse 19 says that they would be sanctified in Christ. I John 1:7 says if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another. Unity flourishes when we live holy, clean, and pure lives. The dictionary defines integrity as a state of being that is complete or unified. Integrity means wholeness or completeness. The Bible reveals that Christ fills the longing of our soul, binds up broken hearts, or makes our life complete.
- "T" means trust. When there is integrity, the saints of God are willing to trust one another. The experience of unity is accompanied by a confidence in your brothers and sisters to fulfill their responsibility without being coerced or begged. You can focus on your assigned area because you trust other saints to do their job. In these closing chapters of John, you find Jesus calling these men to be one in Christ by trusting one another with their lives. They are going to work together, serve together, and some are even going to die together.
- The "Y" stands for yielding. Two areas of our lives require yielding. First, we yield to the Lordship of Christ. Because God has exalted Christ, we submit our life to the authority of Christ. Jesus is Lord. Then, having yielded to the Lordship of Christ, we have the capacity to yield to one another in the glorious cause sharing the gospel. The driving call is "that the world may know." We should be willing to yield our selfish desires to the greater goal of extending the love of Christ to a lost world.
When we consider the reality and reward of this type of fellowship, it's not hard to understand way David said,
Psalm 133:
1 How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron's beard,
down upon the collar of his robes.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
7 Habits of Highly Effective Soul-Winners
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This Sunday I will be sharing the third lesson on the theme "Lost." The title of the message will be "The Soul Winner's Training." In the process of preparing the lesson, I ran across the following article. I thought it would be good to share with all.
Written by Richard S. Church, Jr.
Personal evangelism is the secret to church growth! It is simple, biblical, basic, and any believer can be involved in it. Without it, a church will never grow. I interviewed eight Christians that are considered by their church, pastor, or Christian friends to be soul-winners. I have attempted to discover some of their habits.
They are spiritually prepared.
- They walk closely with Christ and maintain a consistent devotional life.
- They are active in their churches and are members in good standing.
- They attend worship and Sunday School and study their Bibles regularly.
They are trained.
- Soul-winners have been trained in one or more gospel presentation strategies such as FAITH, Share Jesus Without Fear, GROW, or The NET.
- They serve as trainers or mentors and model soul-winning before others.
- They have marked New Testaments and are able to express the central truths of the gospel in simple and understandable fashion.
- They use tracts and other printed gospel materials to enhance their presentation.
Habit 2: Soul-Winners Share Christ Anytime/Anywhere
Soul-winners are open to share Christ
- At the office
- In a restaurant
- On a plane
- Over the phone
- Anywhere the opportunity exists.
Habit 3: Soul-Winners are Adaptable in their Presentation of the Gospel
Most do not rely on mechanical or canned gospel presentations. They each have developed their own particular style which:
· Becomes personal and conversational.
· Uses their own language and illustrations.
· Each witnessing encounter will be unique and different.
Habit 4: Soul-Winners See their Interactions with Other People as Divine Appointments
They begin each day with a sense of expectation.
- They feel a divine sense of mission.
- They see themselves as instruments of God’s grace to others.
- They seek to make the most of their encounter with others by purposely initiating and leading the conversation into the spiritual area.
Habit 5: Soul-Winners do not Worry about the Results
Soul-winners realize that they cannot save anyone. People come to Christ only through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Habit 6: Soul-Winners are Involved in Church Evangelism Programs but are not Limited by Them
- Soul-winners are active in their local churches. Most are involved in their church’s ongoing visitation and evangelism training programs. But they do not limit themselves to sharing Christ only during church-sponsored activities.
- They see every moment of every day as an evangelistic opportunity.
- Soul winners also seek to reproduce themselves in others. Most mentor or train others in evangelism programs.
Habit 7: Soul-Winners Pray Consistently for Opportunities to Share Christ with Others
- Soul-winners pray for those with whom they have witnessed.
- They pray for those with whom they have not yet witnessed.
- They pray for divine appointments and witnessing opportunities.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Forth of July
African Americans entered the MARINE CORP three years after World War II started. The MARINE CORP ended its 167 year ban on including Blacks and finally enlisted its first black Marines in 1942. Records showed that about 17,000 African American Marines served in World War II but were mostly assigned to service units such as depot and ammunition companies.
Let us not forget, this holiday is about all Americans and our belief in the core values of this nation. And let us not forget the men and women of all color, that are standing on that wall for so that that freedom continues to rings. Our prayers are with the men and women and their families that are giving and have given up so much (many their very life) for this dream that is America.
Todays Prayer
https://vr.shapeservices.com/play.php?hash=182db9b4c199b2ce3c550a1774a021416bf7f45aef4ecfd38
may God be with us
___
Sent via VR+
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Pastor, There Is A Strange Man in Your Church
This weekend I will be sharing with a group of pastors in the "Iron Sharpen Iron" conference. The topic that I have chosen is "Pastor, There Is A Strange Man In your Church." I have chosen this topic to try to articulate some reasons why men do not go to church and the reason why we as pastors need to understand these reasons and others.I will be using the word "strange" as an acrostic to share some of theses reasons. Please join us.
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