Romans 15:1-8 We then who are strong ought to bear with the doubts and fears of the weak, and not just focus on our pleasures. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to building them up. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” For whatever things were written before were written for […]
Monthly Archives: June 2016
Impressing a Witch
In chapter 8 of Acts, as a result of persecution, Philip was driven out of Jerusalem. He went to a city in Samaria and preached and performed miracles until every person surrendered to Jesus as Savior. Even the town magi (sorcerer) got saved. His name was Simon, but his neighbors called him, “The great power of God.” He claimed that he was great. When he saw Philip’s miracles, he was […]
Maturity
My basic understanding of maturity in Believers is measurable by observing how quickly a person responds to a situation with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23). In practical terms of work or ministry, maturity can be measured by stages of commitment/effectiveness: Believer Disciple Servant Friend Son / Daughter In different situations or groups, you may find yourself in different levels of development. Press into the level of Son (Daughter) […]
Effective Ministry Lasts
In Acts chapter 8, Luke wrote about two effective missions by Philip. This was one of the culturally Greek Jews the Apostles laid their hands on to ordain them as food delivery deacons in chapter 6. Stephen was another. The powerful gifts given to them by the Spirit of Jesus through the Apostles made them able to perform miracles. When Stephen was murdered, the ensuing persecution drove all but the […]
Good Leaders Listen
Brad McClendon had a prophetic experience in which he saw Jesus, seated on His throne, with all His leaders gathered before Him. The Lord was sharing things about Himself, but only a small number of the leaders were listening to Him, because it seemed so basic. They were trying to look past Him to see the things that were about to come on the earth. When these things came upon […]
Starting Small
Zechariah 4:6-10 (NKJV) 6 So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts. 7 ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’” 8 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, […]
Rightness or Righteousness
When confronted with a situation that is scary or offensive or combative, our response should be sourced in the identity of Christ – the fruit of His Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23). Basic. Because I sometimes misread a situation or someone’s intentions, I may be responding wrong – my misbelief can be misleading me. Presumption or a stronghold in my mind can make me misunderstand. It is better to be wrong in […]
Like Jesus
We get seriously excited when we get a prophetic word that God wants to make us powerful and effective like Jesus! We sign the agreement by thanking Him and saying “Amen” to His desire. Then, He adds, “But first, I want to use this crucible over here to make your character like His.” Quickly, we are thrown in a pit by our brothers, or insulted by religious leaders, or knocked […]
Values
Recently a gorilla in the Cincinnati Zoo was killed. It had apparently not yet injured a boy who went past 3 barriers to invade its habitat. A decision was made quickly by Zoo officials that attempting to tranquilize the animal, and by doing so save its life, was too risky to the child because they could not be sure what the gorilla would do in response to the pain of […]
Sophomores
Sophos + moros. Wise fool. Our immeasurably wise Author and Finisher has ordained that we go forth with the power of a foolish message to win the inhabitants of His earth from the power of His enemies. 1 Corinthians 1: 22 Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to […]