Category: My Thoughts

The Future of the Church

The future of the Church, which has such a dynamic and vastly rich heritage, has been literally saturating my mind recently. Pondering deeply and seeking answers of what could be down the road of such richness and complete dedication of people. I must admit this containment of thought has imprisoned me; yet, I was comfortable with each moment. Loving the Church the way I do does not give me a voice any louder than many others but the concerns that I have must be shared to as many that will read this blog.

What will the Church look like in the next ten to twenty years? I am very burdened and on the other hand very hopeful that the young ministers of this generation will be able to adapt to the changes in this society. A society, which has begun to and yet, has always been searching for a way to control the Church’s values and morals. The values that are presented in the Bible along with morals that are adhered to by scriptural doctrine are constantly under assault. Doctrine, as sound as it is, has proven itself over and over again against the wind of critics. Those that are always looking for a more commonsensical answer to the miraculous. Never do they believe that what the Bible declares through the writers and the speakers is a truth that should be lived and loved.

The ministers of this generation that are young and have successful ministries throughout America certainly have to be ready with a praying heart and a wise mind. They will have to handle what is moving rapidly in the lanes of the Church with patience and scriptural based decisions. Everyone must be aware of the rapid growth of violence, which is becoming more and more horrific in this generation. The immoral attractiveness of sexual identity becoming an accepted lifestyle and in some churches they are invited to be on staff. Hollywood along with the media, using e-Media avenues, has promoted violence as an entertainment brought about in sitcoms. Reality shows improperly using the moral standards of this era and pushing further into a darkness of lust. Truly this generation is the turning point of which way the church will go. Moving into liberalism like we have never witnessed before! Embracing sinful life as it is a shoe that fits. Fitting scripture to tie the lace of those shoes of liberalism and pasting lies as a polish that the shoes would shine with the brightness of mottled humanism.

Yes, I could very easily look into the Book of Revelation and see the words given to the Seven Churches. The combination of those churches could be the culmination of where we are heading now at full speed. Again, let me say with great burden and hope, I am praying for these youthful and very talented pastors, teachers and such, that they will not falter in the scripture but stand for the Truth of God with great enthusiasm and doctrinal soundness. I am literally afraid, if not horrified, at what could happen if they do not stop and learn how to covenant with God on these matters of immorality and deprecation. In the matters of knowledge, all should know that times are upon us that bring confusion and wonder all at the same instance. The recent acceptance of sin with a bandage of grace wrapped around it makes the Word look as though its existence is historical but not present in purity and legitimacy. Absolutely, “Grace” is a pertinent part of salvation and given to us by the Lord. However, it is not a bandage to keep the sores of sin from reaching out and infecting others. There is a grip on grace and that grip is God’s hand itself.  This grip of grace is reminding always of the holiness and magnitude of His promises. It not so much that we can say we know, yes we know, but it takes us to that confession of faith, which acknowledges Him as Holy and Righteous. This example of His love to us absolutely must be shown to all mankind! At what cost should this be? Certainly not at the cost of cheapening Calvary’s showing of the Son of God, Jesus, giving up His sinless life for mankind so they could continue in their sin! There must be a boundary set and that is around the Mercy Seat of God. Remembering always to pursue His mercy and grace with the hope that salvation will not be resisted nor modified.

Can these ministers of today’s generation be able to take their calling into what is begun? I desire so much that the answer by yes and amen. Never surrender to anything but the Word of God. So many men and women of God, who have now been translated into the Kingdom of His Son, have trodden down the road to make a highway that could easily be followed. Take time and stop to learn how to minister in power and love to this generation of people whom simply want to be understood. Teach them how to walk in the Word and with the Word. Sharing with the witness of holiness and the mannerism of a believer that will walk the paths of righteousness for His namesake.

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Remember prayer moves the hand of God.

The Raging Storm

Storms are never easy to go through! So many storms that have been on the news in these past several years have amazing results on human life.

  1. Tsunami
  2. Hurricanes
  3. Tornados
  4. Earthquakes

With all these testimonies of devastation there is a hope that overshadows any storm and yet it has a peace, which surpasses all understanding! We must always remember that storms do come but often times we do not receive the warning signs soon enough! All these storm just mentioned have had an incredible impact on people and whole countries.

Here in America recently with tornados recess through the Midwest and parts of the south. The tsunami that raged in Japan recently, not to mention what happened in New Orleans just a few years ago. My wife and me were in the San Francisco Bay Area when the 1989 earthquake shook the bay like a feather in the wind. The earthquake had a dreadful affect on the people then and is remembered as such to this day!

These storms are what I would define as natural storms that have bruised history and marked the lives of thousands with memories, which are not pleasant. The media surrounds our minds with pictures and the screams of the devastation that is loudly and boldly presented to us across the world. I realize that what has just been mentioned are the “outside” storms of life. Those storms that happen through seasons or abruptly and without warning and then leave us devastated and confused. The clean up and the rebuilding begin with great hope and strength to dream again.

Viewing these media releases brings me to a thought that permeates my heart and soul. The storms that go on in the lives of the people that we are so closely related to in the Church or even in our families. Even the storms that permeate our own lives, which we also keep private. Yes, of course we can refer to Job and see that great storm he faced in his life. His life made public for all peoples to see and hopefully learn from. But let us come up to this modern day where raging storms are tearing the families apart and the future hope of obtaining goals is being diminished!

The Church is very good at watching storms go on in others lives and judging them from a distance. Not really loving and helping them go through difficult moments in their lives. We can talk such a great religious talk but really it is weak verbiage. These are times when actions, not words, need to be applied. Often times we worship and realize the person standing next to us is really going through a raging storm in their heart but we just keep worshipping, concluding that the Lord will work it out. We must be a Church that loves and cares for each other in such a way that the world will see us as Christ-like and highly motivated to be involved with hurting people. The command that we have from the Lord is to love one another as we would love ourselves. To keep reaching and comforting the hurting and deeply wounded that come into the church where we attend. Actually, we should be doing this type of “Christian” interest even in our neighborhoods.

Do we, instead, just grandstand this faith we have so we can hide our own inabilities to really love as we are commanded? To embrace and be a shield of sorts, to those just needing a kind word or a helping hand. Maybe even a phone call to pray with them or to give an encouraging word from a friend. I really want to challenge the Church to get on the playing field of life and activate that faith that the Lord has given her. To run to obtain and pick up our hurting and carry them to the finish line.

Le us refer to the storms that affect you and I, which we carry in our hearts as heavy weights, often to heavy, and they are crushing us. The pain so strong that it rages into our souls like a badger loosed to hunt and destroy! We must look to Scripture to obtain some promises to relieve such agony.

The Word details keenly how we must have a dedicated and faithful prayer life. Calling out to Him who can deliver you from the storms of life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

Psalm 91 speaks of the protection from the enemy and the pestilence that may occur in ones life. Sharing where one must dwell and find safety. Proverbs speaks of the name of Jesus being a strong tower and the righteous run to it for safety.

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

Psalm 121 declares that there is help and protection from the One who is the Lord God of all. When I read Psalm 4:8, I am reminded of the safety I have in Him always.

8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;?For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

There are promises that the Bible details for us that will help us understand and have peace through the midst of a terrible storm!

Take a look at this instance of storms that involves all three mentioned: Storms Outside, Storms in Others, and Storms in You!

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” Mark 4:35-41

Jesus knows that a storm was coming, a natural one, which would be horrific to everyone. Fear would grip the hearts of the disciples and they would wonder why He was sleeping on a pillow in stern. Other boats had come alongside to cross with them and they were in this great raging storm, all of them together. Yet all felt as though they were alone in this. A common reaction to a definite difficulty that man could not fix, without help. They wake Jesus up and He immediately addresses the storm and also the storms raging in the hearts of the disciples and those on the boats along side. Peace covers the atmosphere where a storm, just moments ago, raged and fear was the ruling characteristic in so many hearts.

He speaks and gains their attention even further with two questions that filters through the fear and seizes the heart. . But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” Now their fear was changed to a fear that was reverential and focused on the matter of faith and the faithful One. We must always remember to extend our faith and to pray. To keep our minds stayed on Him. He will keep us in perfect peace. Let’s not ever loose focus during a personal storm or during the witnessing of a friend or neighbor storm. Being reminded daily that we need to care, even as Jesus cares, for everyone.

The raging storms of life come and go like the waves of the sea but He is always there! He never changes, and He is always speaking peace to our storms. It is our faith, which must be applied, in our daily walk with Him. He is not asleep but forever awake to your hopes, dreams and destiny. He will get you to the other side!

Remember prayer moves the hand of God

Expanding Faith

The word “faith” can bring so many different thoughts and dreams into ones mind. I am sure if they could be counted it would be as the sands of the sea. The dreams of the heart are always based and rooted in hope and faith. Prayer that ascends up into the heart of God has wings of faith and wings of hope accelerating them. So often, even when we sit, we ponder the greatness of faith.

Believing in what is impossible to accomplish accentuates this action word found in the Bible. A word that is really not defined as you would think but is referenced with a meaning that implies a sincere hope and trust, Hebrews 11:1. Faith has neither heights nor boundaries when it comes to hoping for something that God has promised in a life of a true believer. On the other hand though, “faith” is not just a religious concept and practice. This word breaks bearers and intellectual levels of thought that science cannot place a web around. Yes, faith expands outside the sterility of the church walls. It penetrates into hearts that simply believe deeply closely coupled with hope and trust. The compelling testimonials of what was believed in and came true are astonishing to say the least. Stories of men and women saved through astounding circumstances by what could only be explained as a phenomenon of nature or the hand of God.

There was a boy, who at the age of seven years, had warts all over his left hand. He was quite embarrassed about this and was verbally ridiculed by friends at school. One evening, while bathing, his father came into the bathroom to see if the boy was ready to go to bed yet. The boy, with great hope in his father, asked if the father could take him to the doctor. He did not want to go to school anymore because of the ridicule he was receiving. The father, without hesitation, told the young boy to wash his hand three times and rinse each time.  He continued to explain that after washing he should go to bed and in the morning the warts would be gone. With quick and trusting obedience the youngster did what his father had suggested. As he went to sleep that night he just knew what his father had told him was true. When he woke in the morning he quickly looked at his left hand and all the warts were gone! Not even a mark where any were growing from his soft youthful skin. He ran to tell his father the wonderful news. His father looked at him and stated, “I knew they would go away if you would just believe me and in your heart also. What an amazing story! I was that boy and this happened to me when I lived in Cleveland, OH in 1957.

When I study the lives of the people in the Bible I truly witness their depth in faith they have with God. Often times being challenged to leave their comforts for more challenging lives that would maintain a constant trust and hope in God. Being asked to do things that were impossible to men but possible to God. Noah was building an ark where there had been no rain. This was not built in a week or two but some indicate 120 years. It most likely was not that length of time but it did take many, many years to complete. God did not give Noah a set of blueprints either. The Ark’s massive scale was roughly 450 feet long by 75 feet wide by 45 feet high. Yet, he built it with belief in his heart and the hope of salvation! There are stories of Abram being asked to leave his homeland of Ur and moving to Haran where God asked him to move out into the “land” of faith.

At the dawn of history, God creating the heavens and the earth without the presence of human witnesses, introduced faith. Even the thought of Moses moving from the position of political clout to live a life that would deny the pleasures of sin in trade for the reproach of Christ! These testimonies reign in the hearts of the Church today. Modern day people living lives that simply believe God at what He has promised They are living out loud what He has asked them to do. The annuals of faith and the names we do not even know are written forever in the heart of God and men alike.

One of my favorite scriptures on faith is found in Mark 9:

23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!”

The father cries out to Jesus “I believe” in response to Jesus’ remark “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”  This is remarkable because it simplifies all the area under discussion surrounding faith. The simplicity of trust, hope, and a reliance on God for the impossible is all we need. Yes, even in this religious generation that claims that God only is allowed to be active in their churches or denominations, you will see God do things everywhere and anywhere people will cry out. “I believe.” God does not need a platform or a popular vote. He does not need pageantry or the largest church in town. He does not need an offering or a fancy lunch. He really does not need anything or anyone. The key He gave to us is faith and that key will open up heaven to all that will use it! He will always respond to those that will believe in what He will do because of the faith, which He has fashioned in them!

Remember prayer moves the hand of God.

A Heart Driven By Compassion

What Makes A Person Compassionate?

Compassion is defined as: sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

Reading the Bible we certainly can understand this definition in so many areas of text. Starting at the very point of future redemption for fallen man: Genesis 3:15.  So many stories and line-by-line actions of mercy found in written history on how man helped other men.

Mother Teresa was once quoted in an AP article as responding to man who happened to see her cleaning out wet soars on a child who was covered with leprosy. The man stated that ‘he would not do that for a million dollars’ She looked up, from a bowed position as she was cleaning out the soars, and said directly to the American man, ‘Neither would I’. What is clearly related here is that she would do it only because of the heart that is driven by compassion. That same type of heart that was in Jesus when he hung on the Cross of Calvary for mankind. The heart that is full of God’s love and mercy can so rightly be involved in ministries of mercy and compassion.

This compassion that is so noticeable in the eyes of those who weep when they see a child or a person in poverty. Clothed with filth and shame, deeply sorrowful and only needing a hand of compassion to reach out to them. Afraid that they will never see the goodness of a day again and the only food they will find is in a dumpster or in the gutter of a street. That heart of compassion that cries loudly when they see a person reach into a garbage can on a public street to find a drink or sandwich, which someone did not finish. These people who cannot walk by a person in desperation! They cannot because the compassion that rules them stops them, and they reach into the soul of the person to guide them to safety and hopefully redemption.

The hurt that they see bypasses the stench of an un-bathed individual and the teeth that are green/gray from the lack of proper hygiene. If their clothes are falling off of them they are willing to give them their belt or even their own coat so that they will be covered. Even at the sight of bleeding and infected feet that have not any socks to cover them, much less shoes for protection, they cry. They reach out and pull that person up to their feet and walk them to a place where care can be applied. Not fearful of catching lice or some infection! The only thought is that they know that their heart cries out to help this person, not matter what! Money could never drive them to do this, only the deep love that is found in their hearts. They see beauty in what other would consider horrid, gross, utterly putrid and untouchable. They see a mother’s child, a father’s son, and a human being, created by God that simply needs a touch of true compassion.

When one is driven by this compassion the policies of this world that dictate the betterment of certain races and greed simply become imperceptible. They do not see color they see the need. They do not see a religion or an inflexible situation, they see a person whose life has become wretched and unexplainable to most. They stand strong and begin a process of restoration and renewal. The time it takes to help and bring this life back to a relation with society is not kept on a watch or wall. Time is not considered at all! What is considered is how wonderful this person will be when they are healthy again: mentally, spiritually and physically.

Yes, the eyes of compassion look through a lens that is not created by men but by God. Can this compassion be learned or earned? Yes, but not by the ways and scales of men, but by God.

What drives a person to such a level of love and compassion? Certainly not, a structured course on Mercy Ministries or a visit to your local shelter or mission. No, this is not a genetic or hereditary, and accepted as a family business or trait. This is the heart of God birthed into an obedient person who simply sees people in a condition they should not be in. The heart responds! It does not know any other way. Nothing can get in the way of compassion! Compassion will find a way through the red tape, the muck, even the financial mountain it often takes to help just one in need. Compassion overtakes the heart and from it births future hope for the desolate people who deeply need a helping hand.

There is great book just published, The Descent To Compassion by Steve Wright.  Steve is a man so full of compassion that he left all that was comfortable and descended into compassion to help people with no hope; those covered in garbage, filth and shame. He brought them a new life, a life full of hope and love. You can purchase the Kindle edition of the book on Amazon’s website.

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

Take A Moment

Listening to people talk this week in groups and hearing the wishes of some it made me stop and ponder: What people need today is to take moment. Yes, a moment in time where they can express their best character and acknowledge the Lord their God. We, most definitely go through life, with plenty of moments. Some moments are defined as difficult, harsh, joyful, thankful, creative, lovable, wishful, and resourceful. When a moment comes that is different from other moments that you may have experienced in your life, take note and ponder on how that moment may have or will change your life.

Moments can be something very public; that is to say, everyone is noticing your moment with you. Then on the other side of the spectrum that moment can be very private. Where the Lord has spoken to you and you caught just what He stated without hesitation. Either side of that spectrum, the moment that you have, makes an enormous impact on your life.

The Bible is full of moments that are monumental and cannot be overlooked! The God of all that we are, the Creator of the heavens and earth gave a moment of His time preparing a place for us. Yes, the time that is written in Genesis is six days and then on the seventh He rested. But I really think that if compared to who God is, and what time means to Him, it was but a moment in eternity. Creating a wonderful place for Adam and Eve to live and enjoy in His presence. Yet, it took just a moment to waste the beauty of His presence and too disobey what God expected of them; they shattered the relationship they had with Him. It took but a moment for sin to be birthed in the heart of man. These defining moments that we can find in biblical history are amazing. Throughout the Old Testament there are these moments which cannot escape us such as; The moment the Lord declared that a Savior would come and restore humanity back to Him; The moment Abram changes course in his wonderful and successful life to look for a city whose foundations were built by God; Job has a inconceivable life changing moment; Nehemiah, in a moment, becomes a governor instead of being a cupbearer. These moments show up with great defining character, which changes the present value of humanities dilemmas or struggles into hope that is promised by the Lord. The moment David decided to view from his upper-porch, the beautiful Bathsheba, it changed his future and the future of others.

So many moments to write about but there is one moment in all time that must not be overlooked: The moment Jesus gave up His life at Calvary. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:30 He changed the destiny of man which was corrupted by sin and separated from God. It really is amazing how just one moment can make such a difference in a life or billions of lives. The moment prophesied over four thousand years earlier enters time, as they knew it then, and “bam” destiny is changed and brought back to the purpose of the Creator.

That moment that you may consider a real struggle or a very difficult time is but a light affliction. It has become a moment in your life but it ‘is working for us (you) a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,’ 2 Corinthians 4:17 Keep that always in your heart. Everyone has a moment where they make a decision to call out to the Lord or deny His existence. Do not let that moment in life bring an expression of joy to a halt. Make the right decision in that moment and accept Him as Savior that your joy may be overflowing. It is God’s gift of grace and faith to us that we can embrace the one moment in our lives that will change our destiny for eternity. Everyone has a moment that they can remember.

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

Sharing What You Know

Sharing what you have learned with others is committing to sharing to a generation, truth, which will be a foundation to build upon. Foundational building is exactly what generational connection and regard is characterized as. To take what you know and give it to someone else so they may share it with others. This is not a complicated formula but a paradigm that is historically proven and also biblically established. Traditionally this paradigm of educating present and future generations on the structure of life and social issues is proven to be socially appropriate. We read about social justice issues and all battles of social structure. The consequence of improper training for life socially transports these social issues and allows negative identities to be created. All generations from the past, present and future suffer from the lack of training and the error in teaching to make the right adjustments to have a life lived appropriately and honorably.

As I have studied for years there is a thought and model that I have continued to recognize. Which is giving someone or many the things that the other has learned. A mother teaching the baby, the father teaching the child, the student learning in school, all show this model. Learning a new career from an experienced person is another exact example of generational connections and its characteristics.

I was in a very important business meeting on the subject of “Church Planting” and one of the leaders in the movement that I serve ask this question: How do you define success in planting a church? Many answered with swiftness and made mention of how many were attending and how much funding was in the treasury. The answer they gave was not at all the right one. The leader spoke up and stated that the success of a church plant was who you have mentored/coached in that church plant to follow you when you retire or moved on. Again, the logic of pouring into someone or others what you know so they are able to carry the torch, if you will, defines success.

When Paul was teaching Timothy on the ministry focus of mentoring he stated this: 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2

Timothy followed every word and testimony as he watched his teacher, Paul, as he established ministry throughout the known world. 10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions,… 2 Timothy 3:10-11 Receiving from him what needed to be shared with others that he, Timothy, would teach. The matter of giving knowledge by example through action or by speaking truths should never cease nor be shelved for a better time. Giving the very heart of our education and experiences to the next generation is a must! Throughout Bible history it is very clear, crystal clear, on the importance of transporting truth to each generation: That Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and He is God’s only begotten Son. The truth of the forgiveness of sin and salvation is through Christ Jesus and the infilling of the Holy Spirit is for all who will believe. Never wavering from biblical doctrine that is proven itself throughout time.

Taking this to heart and living it is what I have done without hesitation. Teaching others about the goodness of God by word or by trial through afflictions or perseverance and having the faith to continue on when the “on” did not appear to be possible. My hope is that through life’s journey those generational connections will be part of what you witness and share to all.

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

To Desire A Generation

When I read the Book of Ruth I always become deeply and emotionally involved with the writings. Here a story is told that may not take hold in some people’s hearts or even notch their interest. The enormous truth in this book details how important it is to keep the generational lines in an exact order so family lineage will generate exact destiny. This widowed wife, Ruth, could have lost all, even her destiny, if she had made a choice to go from Naomi and not cling to her. The clinging to her caused her destiny to be engraved in all human history. I cannot stress how important it is to promote passing on what is important to each generation. Of course the most vital lessons of life and decisions made should concur with what the Lord has designed for all humanity. Yes, I feel that taking the right generational path will bring spiritual results that cannot be weighed in balances here on this earth. As we read earlier in the blog entitled: Generational Promises – In The Passageway Of Faith, how important it was for Isaac to live and become the father of Jacob. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. (Hebrews 11:20-22) The immeasurable truth that is stated in these verses on how Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau on things to come speaks volumes of generational blessings. Then Jacob blessing the sons of Joseph continues in the outpouring of these generational permissions of grace.

Now, generations later, Ruth comes into the picture of designed humanity at one of the most incredible and pinpointed times in history. The lineage of the promised Savior is at a critical generational position. Ruth makes the decision to go after her mother-in-law, Naomi, with passion and determination.  16 But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God.17 Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her. (Ruth 1:16-18) These passages in the story of Ruth contain the truth that stirs me deeply with emotion and great joy. Ruth would not let go of what she knew somehow was right for herself. She had attached herself to the generational approach that would continue the lineage of the promised Savior. “Your God, My God” reaches into history and also looks far down the road of life for the future of God’s promises. His protection and His goodness far out reaches anything that man can give. What did not make sense to Naomi made sense to Ruth. Naomi was so distraught that she changed her name to Mara. She felt that God had brought her back home empty, meaning she had nothing to offer. She also felt that she had been afflicted and had been dealt with poorly by the Lord. The Lord’s plan, on the other hand, was to bring Ruth into the picture of generational attachment, which would produce and continue this line of generations that would bring forth Jesus Christ.

The Lord looks down the road of our lives and plans for us the good blessings that we will keep dear to our hearts if we will obey Him. Our approach to life does not just center on our particular need but the needs of generations that we mentor and instruct to be upcoming leaders. The teaching that we can give about the Lord and His goodness to those whom we come in contact with will keep society knowledgeable of Him in generations to come.

We should always take into deep consideration what we say and whom we decide to befriend in life. More to come…

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.

Generational Promises – In The Passageway of Faith

There is a passageway that the promises given through the Word can be received. I guess if you wanted to brand that name it could be called the “Faith Pass”. Where through times of testing and struggle the promise is never forgotten nor deviated from spiritually or mentally. So each generation receives those promises, which strengthen them to be on guard, and focused on what is promised.

When I look into my family history I really cannot embrace any good promises that were given to me because there was such corruption and lack of trust among the generational passageway. The uniqueness of my writing this tonight is that I met the Lord when I was 27 years old and I was invited into a generation of promises that have been held true through faith and trust in His living word. I am now 62 years old and I have not seen any of those promises spoke through the ages broken nor forsaken. I rejoice when I quote often in prayer and in open testimony that which David spoke of his life with the Lord. 25 I have been young, and now am old;?Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,?Nor his descendants begging bread. (Psalm 37:25)

As I read the Word and begin to process all that is stated to each generation, given by the fathers of the previous generations, I realize that we are sustainable by His mercy and faithfulness. The Lord has counted on us to remember His promises and to share them with each generation as matters of truth and life! Our children may know the words of Lord and know to fear Him: 8 And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day? 9 Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren, 10 especially concerning the day you stood before the Lord your God in Horeb, when the Lord said to me, ‘Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’ (Deuteronomy 4:8-10) The very thought of leaving our generation, which has been produced from us, out of the promises of God is absurd and spiritually abusive to them. Each generation should always stand in the passageway of faith and gather in the promises of God for this world.

Looking into the 11th chapter of the Book of Hebrews, I find this really piercing fact. It not only gives me a “Wow” moment but also wakes me up to the importance of this passageway of faith. Abraham is called from his homeland, which by the way was not a bad place to live with all its comforts. He obeys the Lord and moves out to a place he does not even know where it is, but he goes for it! I love faith like that! It is like this: “Hey where are you going? I don’t know, but God told me to go there. When I get there I will receive an inheritance!” Pour that kind of trust all over me any time!

From one man was born many: As many as the stars in the sky and as innumerable as the sand, which is by the seashore. Just think he was hanging out at home and the Lord called him to deliver a promise to generations upon generations.

He goes for years looking for this city whose foundations were not built by men but by the hand of God. His wife Sarah bears the son of promise. They were not even able to bear children because of their age! Then after 13 years the Lord tells Abraham to take this son promise, Isaac, to Mt. Moriah and sacrifice him there unto the Lord. Again, let me point out this passageway of faith and how Abraham was the Father of this transferring faith to faith. He moves out and takes Isaac with him and believing that if he slays this son, God will raise him up because God is faithful and He had promised him this son.

When we get to this place in our own walk with God and we bear the promise that is ours is this thought is present: …whether or not we will push forward in faith or shrink back in fear.[1]

We can never allow fear to stop the processing of the next generation in hearing the truth of God’s Word and its promises. As you look deeply into this you will be quite aware of the fact that this generation-to-generation faith passageway has been the subject of great debate. Throughout history you will find, that the enemy himself, Satan, highlights his days to destroy generations and genealogies, which concur with the promises of God. Seeking to dismantle faith and promise so that a generation will be brought forth who does not even care that God is or is not! …More to come

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.


[1] Posted by Jonathan Stone on January 6, 2012 through WordPress.com (jonathoanstone.wordpress.com/Abraham: What’s the Big Idea?

 

Generations Upon Generations – Truth Not Impaired

As I study generational concepts on how religion is viewed and notice the differences, it is really amazing. To expand word upon word of the differences it would take many blogs and certainly many more hours of speaking. This particular blog is to introduce the thought and to spend time on the importance of giving into each future generation, that which is learned from unimpaired truth.

The Bible is very transparent about the importance of generations. There is even a dynamic and structured statement declared from God about sin being generational: …by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation…(Exodus 34:7c) The nature of this proclamation has been used by preachers and teachers to express the “why” each generation may be serving their emotions in instead of serving God. There is an obvious truth in this and we certainly know why we need Jesus in our lives. Grace is abundant and everlasting to all that will receive salvation through Christ Jesus!

Let us look at a contemplation penned by Ethan the Ezrahite reminding us of the rescue that God promises us in each generation and reaffirming the Davidic Covenant. 1I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.” 3 “I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David: 4 ‘Your seed I will establish forever, And build up your throne to all generations’ ” (Psalm 89:1-4) This is very rich with promise and everlasting to the generations to come. As we know already, or should know, that ‘The Blood Covenant’, fulfilled at the ‘Cross of Calvary’ through Jesus, completes this Davidic Covenant; Giving even a richer meaning to the importance of bringing unimpaired truth to each generation.

Before we embrace the generational ‘mentoring’ we need to look at a powerful scripture that reinforces the danger of not giving into each generation the knowledge and the mercies and grace of God. 10 When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work, which He had done for Israel. (Judges 2:10) After all that Joshua had accomplished, along with the fathers of that generation, there came forth a generation that did not know God nor His works. This is a heartrending truth, which took generations to repair. How marvelous though that the Lord did repair this because He is faithful to all those that call upon His name!

When Paul penned the letter to the Romans he placed a reference to generational ‘crippling’ stating that a people knew God but they did not glorify Him! 1…although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:21) The truth had been impaired in such a way that people began to live against the will of God. This is the cause of so many generations faltering in the reception of God in His fullness: Knowing of Him but living outside of His will and mercies. We must never stop pouring the truth and riches of God into our children and our children’s children, from generation to generation!

Faith becomes the ‘catch’ word in each generation! Seeking the truth of the Word and applying it, or should I say, ‘living it out loud’, is so critical in our ‘mentoring’ present and future generations. When Abraham was called from his homeland of Ur… more to come.

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God

Grasping At Everything To Gain Something

As the population continues to move into cities and be contained into areas that are unfamiliar and sometimes unsafe this question comes to mind: What is the Church doing to win the cities?

There have been so many models and patterns set in the past 30 to 40 years that it is almost a “grasp what you can” to gain what you can. I remember coming home from seminars and growth celebration meetings discouraged because the procedures offered did not fit my area or ministry style. I would think, “Wow, how awesome it would be to win the city I am in!” I could not bring myself to become a seeker-oriented ministry nor could I change up the service times to meet a contained time limit. I even served as lead pastor for 5 years just 35 minutes from Willow Creek Community Church located in South Barrington, Illinois. Having stated that I also take my memory banks and open them up to the time before moving to Illinois to serve that I saw Bill Hybel’s church in the Sunday magazine as I was serving in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was the beginning of this seeker movement then and I was really hopeful about doing something of that model but I could not fit it into the “rules”, if you may, that define the “seeker” church style.

I began to go to seminar after seminar and joining in with groups that were made up of large church leaders hoping I could glean from them on the “How To Grow an Effective Large, Enormous, Mega-church”. I depleted years on this search and found I was not going anywhere close to that. Made good friends, even to this day, but I could not find the pattern or model that would seemingly work. I was becoming discouraged to say the least. Once in the 1980’s, in a camp- meeting in Fresno CA., I made a covenant of prayer with John Dawson the author of TAKING OUR CITIES FOR GOD How to Break Spiritual Strongholds, as we talked and made friends in the lobby one afternoon. I even remember the days when there were “invitation” only gatherings for “giants”: those have 1000 or more in attendance. I really began to say, “Ouch!” and wondered about growth even more so when mirrored to the dynamics that these churches and leaders were producing. Lastly, when I moved to Santa Cruz, CA to open a church and mission to the disenfranchised I went to a luncheon with several lead pastors who were serving churches with a capacity of 700 to 5000 members. I suggested that they could begin to bring small church leaders into their mentoring/coaching circles. I explained that it would really help these pastors with insight on how to gain a harvest for their local churches. The response was from one “city pastoral father”; “We have nothing in common with the small church pastors,” I simply, not showing it on my expression, gasp!

I have read books on the “Emergent Movement” and wondered if I should change to that sort of style to grow a church. I saw that I could not go along with some the “out-of-the-box” theology that did not line up to he Word of God! Wow, I have really been on a journey!

Writing this makes me realize how much I have tried and also how many people I have spoken with about church growth. I could mention many names that are recognizable nationally; who I have become friends with over the years that serve very large churches, but that is not the point! I had found myself “grasping for everything to gain something” in my journey to grow a church which would be defined as successful because of it size.

I have never ceased seeking the answers for this hope that I have! Recently, on my Facebook page, I had person comment this: “Dennis pastors a whole city.” I took a deep breath and realized that is true! I looked at the pattern that I was using and I considered this statement, very humbly, and deliberated with my spiritual father, whose name I will not state (because I do not like “dropping” names). Yes, I do pastor a city here in Santa Cruz, CA. I also pastor a community of believers in San Pablo, CA. where we are now beginning plans to win the city.

I realize in this writing today I have expressed many thoughts and hopefully not placed and criticism or any degree of cynicism toward anyone or any pattern/model of church growth. I am just being “real” about my journey. Do not ever give up trying to grow a healthy church that will reach a city for Jesus Christ. Be real with God and real with your constituency! Reach your city and get to know the city fathers of your particular location. Maintain your doctrine and accept your fellow pastors who may not be of your particular doctrinal persuasion. Love your city and pray for it daily!

Through my search I have found that the pattern that I have found to grow a church is this:

  1. Make sure you are in the right location (where God has planted you).
  2. Pray for your city.
  3. Know the plans of the secular city leadership.
  4. Seek good counsel from those that have built successful churches.
  5. Study church growth and know it from your heart.
  6. Realize what you gifts have and use them.
  7. Bring people around you who will be your strengths in areas you are not strong in.
  8. Everyone in your city has a place to serve God if they are given an opportunity.
  9. Learn how to regain confidence from your mistakes in your journey of establishing a successful church in your city.
  10. Platform off your success and mentor others as you learn how to win a city.
  11. Have regular meetings, if possible, with city leaders, and share your heart for the city.
  12. Have a compassion for the lost of your city, which is resident in your heart.
  13. Keep your identity and branding and remember whom you are and why you are growing a church.
  14. Be patient with the Lord He is working it out for you.

Stop grasping at everything to gain something like I did for so many years!

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.