I've Taken All I Can Stand, and Me Can't Stands NO MORE!

¹¹ Many years later, when Moses had grown up, he went out to visit his own people, the Hebrews, and he saw how hard they were forced to work. During his visit, he saw an Egyptian beating one of his fellow Hebrews. ¹² After looking in all directions to make sure no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid the body in the sand.  Exodus 2:11-12

If you remember there was a cartoon by the name of Popeye, where a sailor went around defending the helpless.  He'd meander through his day it appears, but when he saw that situations were getting out of hand, or maybe even he was being abused to a pulp by his adversary Brutus, he'd first say " I've taken all I could stand, and me can't stands no more!" He'd pop a can of spinach, ingest it...and he'd become empowered to defeat the forces of evil.  In the book Holy Discontent by Bill Hybels, in the chapter the Question That Started It All he talks about people that had a POPEYE MOMENT like Moses & Martin Luther King, Jr. and how they all asked themselves " What's wrong with the world, and what can I do to fix it." Not only have they asked the question...they've taken steps to resolve it.  Now I'm not telling anyone to go murder someone because they see somebody doing wrong, but I am asking you to be Spirit led instead numb and dumb.

Don't like the way the way things are at work....ARE YOU REALLY SALT AND LIGHT or you just parsley that only is good for looking good, or a mushroom...a growing fungus that doesn't have any real
flavor?

Don't like how no one comes out to play and kids staying inside....take your kids out and play catch, start up kickball in your neighborhood....ENGAGE THE PEOPLE YOU LIVE AMONGST.

Don't think your church has ____________________ well instead of coming in, eating the cookies, juice, bagels and scarfing down the WORD, actually sign up to help where it is you CAN!

In the cartoon POPEYE there are 4 main characters.   Olive Oyle who is always the sweet helpless victim.  Wimpy.....(outside of begging for money..the poor you'll have with you always) need I say more.   Brutus the abusive aggressive adversary to all, and Popeye the series hero...who seeks to live peaceably among people, but will handle business, when there's business to be handled.  I honestly believe there is some life truth in these characters....and the question I leave you with is WHICH ARE YOU?  LGLP  

Dependant on Our Abilities or Desperate for His Spirit's Help?

³ They began saying to each other, “Let’s make bricks and harden them with fire.” (In this region bricks were used instead of stone, and tar was used for mortar.) ⁴ Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous .......(Genesis 11:3-4b)

In the book Radical by David Platt, he's given a chapter (through God's Spirit) called The Importance of Relying on God's Power because as a culture, especially Western, we have come to attempt to rely on our abilities.  Don't get me wrong great planning is Biblical, but the one thing we cannot attempt to do is (as seen in the scriptural example above) SHOW GOD what we can do?   That's like your 2 year old attempting to show you they don't need you. David says " We have convinced ourselves that if we can position our resources & organize our strategies, then in church as in every other sphere of life, we can accomplish anything we set our minds to. "  The people of Babylon was known for being highly intelligent and one of the most technologically advanced societies so they too believed they could show GOD........but the truth is, the creation will never be greater than the CREATOR, nor should we attempt to climb or create that ladder.

This is week nine for me as the Pastor of Calvary Church Connections Campus, and while there are a wonderful staff of personnel that is hard at work (while I am still working at SSM Homecare) to plan through each of our services at all of our campuses there have been a hiccup here and there, that have forced me to remember a few scriptures:

Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.  Matt. 16:18  First, while I may be the Pastor, GOD is in charge, and He's ultimately the one who is building His church, I am privileged to be on His plan.   My responsibilities while they may appear to be many, are really simple.   Walk humbly with Him (Loving Him) , prepare through prayer/studying, show up and feed His sheep (Love People).

and

Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.  Zech. 4:6  No matter all the planning in the world, we will never be able to account for what His Spirit's power will do in morning worship, but it is wise I leave enough wiggle room for the Spirit of God to move His people.

As the weeks continue, and situations arise from counseling to programming hiccups.....I have FAITH (Forsaking All I Trust Him) that GOD will continue to do what He's been doing before me, since me, and will long after me.......BUILD HIS CHURCH.   As one of those "precious stones" I am (We all are) responsible for LOVING GOD, and LOVING PEOPLE and it's not possible without His Spirit!

What Do You Really Want? REALLY

⁶ Please come and curse these people for me because they are too powerful for me. Then perhaps I will be able to conquer them and drive them from the land. I know that blessings fall on any people you bless, and curses fall on people you curse.”

⁷ Balak’s messengers, who were elders of Moab and Midian, set out with money to pay Balaam to place a curse upon Israel.^[a] They went to Balaam and delivered Balak’s message to him. ⁸ “Stay here overnight,” Balaam said. “In the morning I will tell you whatever the Lord directs me to say.” ¹² But God told Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse these people, for they have been blessed!”¹³ The next morning Balaam got up and told Balak’s officials, “Go on home! The Lord will not let me go with you.” Numbers 22:6-8, 12-13

covetous:  1. inordinately or wrongly desirous of wealth or possessions; greedy.

In the book Drawing Near, by John Bevere there's a chapter " What Hinders True Intimacy" where we are like our teenagers at times that we want God to give us what we selfishly desire, rather than seek His will, or demonstrate the fact that we already do.   For instance He says " there are some things we don't have to pray about."  pg 100  Now on the surface one would think....this is ridiculous....we ought to pray about everything.  I'll ask you to pause for a moment.   When you were 14, did you ask you parents for keys to the car?   When you were 16 and raging with hormones did you ask you parents to allow you to have the house to yourself, or would it be ok for you to skip school and hook up with........?  Oh ok......maybe not ,how would you respond if I asked you would you pray that God would put in on your heart to give me your check for two months?   I hope you understand where I'm going.....sometimes we already know the answer before we ask, but the truth is WE DESIRE something different than what WE KNOW the will of GOD is.

So we pray foolishly (knowing full well God's desire), but because we want what we want, we don't slay the covetousness in us.

How is this true in the scripture....well Balaam was a very powerful and respected prophet of God.  He already knew that Balak didn't have the best interest in God's people, so much so he wanted God's prophet to pray that He'd allow him to overtake them.   So what does God's prophet do......pray?  Really, man is wanting to curse what God has blessed?  And Balaam shows you his heart in his response after having heard from God:  “Go on home! The Lord will not let me go with you.”

What is it?  What do you really want?  Do you have some covetousness in your...so much so that you feel like " The Lord will not let me go (to do, to have, to get what you want) with you?"  Just like it's frustrating to you when you teenager asks you for or to do something that they already know the answer....are your prayers frustrating you, and God?  Are you so focused on what you want, that what God wants becomes a distant second?  Here's what God's will is.........that you'd seek Him, love Him and Love people and do so through a servants heart.  Trusting He will provide your needs& desires according to His wisdom & will concerning you.  I pray your covetousness will cease to hinder your (walk with) intimacy with God.  LGLP

NEED TO REPENT? I DO

⁸ You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. ⁹ Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.  (JAMES 5:8-9)

In the book "Driven By Eternity" by John Bevere, as I was scanning through it ( looking for what did I highlight when I read this, and led a group of people through the group study) my eyes fell on page 10, where I highlighted in hot pink and put stars around this passage:  " What I sad about him is the truth."  This is often  said when people are talking in a negative light (gossip or slander) about a fellow co-worker, friend, boss, etc.  They may act as if they love or are concerned, but in fact it is still slander.  The fact is you can be 100%  right and still be wrong according to eternal standards.  If you recall Noah's youngest son, Ham, reported accurately to his brothers his father's nakedness & drunken state.  However, a curse came on his lineage & lasted generations as a result of his dishonoring father."

Now for the record Ham was cursed not because of what He said, but rather because he humiliated and dishonored his father, and attempted to draw in his other siblings.  In a day and age where people say, " I want the truth...or the whole story" YOU can't help, WE can't help but want to give it to them.  We want them to stop asking questions, and gossiping behind clothes doors.   But the REAL TRUTH is this....people often don't want the truth, they want to have their feelings or perspective confirmed.  I have to refer to the statement in the movie " A Few Good Men" where Nicholas emphatically says, " You can't handle the truth!"  

See there is a way of giving people the truth without grumbling, or slandering the individual which is really what today's post is about......how?  STATE THE FACTS, not your FEELINGS.   Let me say this again....STATE ONLY THE FACTS, not your FEELINGS!  See Christ never gave His opinion....why because your opinion is motivated by your feelings, which are not always factual.  He rather pointed people to what the WORD of GOD said on whatever it is they were "inquiring" (I put this in quotations because often they really didn't want to know....but rather wanted to try to TRIP CHRIST up on something....and honestly I believe people still share that same heart from time to time.) about.  

As believers, followers of Christ, we would wise to 1) Repent of any behaviors that may have been contrary to the perfect model.  2) Apologize to those you may have offended when possibly injecting your feelings, into what were probably truthful communications which became slanderous or grumbling. 3) Forgive yourself, and seek to live peaceably with those Christ has blessed to be in your community (work, church, neighborhood....abroad).  Let's get back to LGLP in our words and our deeds.

If you are reading this blog, and I have communicated to you my feelings about___________________ (you insert here whatever you heard from my lips to your ears not through another party) rather than just the TRUTH through the lenses of scripture,  I publicly apologize to you, and pray your forgiveness.   I want my life to lead people to CHRIST not to drive them away.  You are free to call, email, text...or schedule time to even meet with me.....I'll make time to make it right!  GOD BLESS and know that I loved, and still love you.

THE REAL PROBLEM w/LIFE IS

People.....seriously.  Remember...it was people who sinned against GOD.   Remember it's people decided when HE didn't do what THEY wanted HIM to do, that they decided to beat, torture, then crucify Him.   It's people that make your job difficult, and get on your last nerve.

But isn't it also PEOPLE who are also there when you have your baby, that help to carry that load?  Isn't it people who you cry over when they no longer suffer with physical ailments and are given the peaceful rest.   Isn't it people who rally around you when you are experiencing your worst, or your best season of life? 

So then what is it really.......Jeremiah 17:9 says “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,
    and desperately wicked.  Who really knows how bad it is?  The truth is folks every last one of us are in need of a clean heart.  A heart that beats for the KING!  A heart that desires light, over darkness.    In the book Your Move by Andy Stanley he breaks down the real problem, and it's matters of the heart is what it really is.   Remember it was the same people who were shouting Hosanna Hosanna that moments later were screaming crucify Him!   You think you are different but the scripture doesn't say..."some humans hearts....." NO...it says THE HUMAN HEART, yours....mine...the lil cute little baby (given them time...if you are a parent you know what I'm talking about) we all have a heart that seems to be DEAD set on pursuing what makes it HAPPY, not what makes it HOLY!

Unless you come to the cross, unless your prayed the prayer of repentance and actually have lived a life of daily repentance of your thoughts, words, deeds and actions...that little heart of your is dead set on ............you name it!  Who have you allowed your heart to mislead you away from?  Is it a church, a friend...a relative?  God desires we would live and love amongst one another.   He didn't reject the cross...as you can see He embraced it....He shouldered the responsibility needed so that you could have access to the FATHER. He's the ultimate parent....you hate to see your children fight, and not talk to one another...imagine this being the case magnified...where tribes have allowed Satan to separate them to the point of Holocausts, and genocides.   Is this you on a smaller scale?  Are you killing the character of a pastor, a mother, a father, a neighbor, a co-worker.......I could go on an on...but you get the point.   Somewhere today, or tonight there will be a service held and I pray you are there.....at the foot of the cross.....and that you remember this tonight as we reflect off of what HE DID!

Ezekiel 11:18-20 (ESV)¹⁸ And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. ¹⁹  And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, ²⁰  that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.  GOD BLESS YOU ALL...LGLP

The 12th Withness: You Need The Holy Spirit

As Sweet attempts to land this 787 of a book, "The 11..................." he informs his readers that sometimes your Jethros fail, Yodas are no shows, Deborah falls asleep on her watch, and your Jerusalem...it's bull dozed and a strip mall ends up being there......so what is or who is really reliable? THE PARACLETE (HOLY SPIRIT)

When Jesus knew that he would be leaving He also recognized that these band of brothers would fail one another, and others would too....so He said before ascending up " But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth." Acts 1:8.

Why is this important....simply put....being human is sometimes a hindrance.  Just like Paul reminds the Corinthians that once you're married it becomes more difficult to devote all your time to serving GOD, because  you have a mate that you must please (Cor.7:32-33), and if you have kids...that further complicates your devotion.  This is not mean, it's the reality...people fail.  Adam failed God.   You fail your best friend, and your best friend even fails you at times....but prayerfully you, we all are mature enough to love each other through our human frailty and fallen nature, so this is precisely why JESUS told His disciples He would be sending them help.

It's the Holy Spirit that one needs simply because He's dependable.   When no one shows up to pray with you....He manifests in you.   When there is a tasks that needs to be done and few folks arrive...her empowers those that do to get the job done, and in record time.  It's the Holy Spirit that provides us the courage needed to GO to the Judaes, Samarias, and even to the ends of the World.   It's the Holy Spirit that gives us the boldness to leave our lavish homes to lay on the dirt or concrete floors of Africa/Haiti/Honduras.  When you don't have you pillow top & comforter, He's your comforter.  Sweet quotes Aristotle, " Courage is that virtue that makes all other virtues possible." pg 233

" The Invisible 12th means we are never alone, never abandoned, never at teh mercy of the worlds whims & wickedness.......The Paraclete Withness enables us (do exceedingly abundantly above all we can or ask or think according to the power that WORKS in US "my scriptural emphasis"Eph.3:20) live our lives to the fullest, to face our greatest fears, to be more than conquerors in life's conflicts and confusions."

I don't know what you are facing today, but whatever it is.....you are to BE COMFORTED by the fact that HE (the HOLY SPIRIT) is available to you if you trust and believe in the power of Jesus Christ, and that, that very same power that rose Him from the grave is dwelling in you.  Despite what the voices of darkness chant....you have the power to LGLP!  Just Do It! LGLP

Withness 11: You Need a Place (Where's your Jerusalem?)

And when he drew near and saw the city (Jerusalem), he wept over it, saying " Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace!  But now, they are hidden from your eyes.  For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade  around you & surround you and hem you in on every side, and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you......Luke 19:41-44

So here is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, found weeping over a place...this place was Jerusalem, where He had purposed his heart to go, literally to die for the sins of the world.  And trust His tears was not about His own death or dying, but rather because His Great Love for the people, and realizing that some of them ......well their futures are bleak, and He's realizing they won't spend eternity with Him, but rather in a much more grim alternate ending.   In the book " The 11......." Sweet pens his 11th chapter of Withnesses about a place....and the importance of each of us having a place that we would be willing to weep over, and even die for.  He says:

" With what place have you fallen in love?  What place do you have on your screen saver along with what people?  What terrain and food own your your heart.......?   Where do you pray best?" pf 202 and lastly " A territory is your place, " said the drummer boy.  " It's where  everything smells right.  It's where you know the runaways and hideouts, night or day.  It's what you fought for, or what your father fought for, and you feel all safe & strong there.  It's the place where, when you fight, you win."

We all have a place, and it's important that if we don't. we discover that.   I remember as a boy watching the movie " Superman" and how he longed for being on Krypton, but Krypton had been destroyed.  But his parents placed in his pod a piece of Krypton and when Superman discovered that piece of his home planet he planted in a icy patch and out of that patch emerged His place.   It's there where he flew to revisit his heritage, and soak up wisdom from those that lived long before him.  It was there he retreated to.   It was there when no one could find him, they could find him there.  You aren't Christopher Reeves, and this aint a movie...this is your life.   Where is your place that your heart weeps for?   Who are the people that are constantly on your heart?  The scripture says....For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21  It's evident where Jesus' heart was...where his place was.....but where is yours...and have you given yourself for it/ and them?  Mine, is my home, my brother's hous in Plano, TX, SSM HomeCare Calvary Church (and that spans many miles....cause it reaches even unto Malawi, Africa)......I love these people, and if you know me (I give myself to these people in these places)...I'm not perfect...but I LOVE GOD TOO!  LGLP

Who's You VIPS? Your Lydias, Lazuruses, and Your Rich & Poor

Acts 16:13-14 ¹³ On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. ¹⁴ One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.

Paul had been recently converted from Saul, and now was and had given His life to the mission of teaching and preaching JESUS CHRIST.  While doing so....a group of women, one Lydia (a very wealthy woman and a seller of purple) heard the message of Christ, and not only desired to become a follower of Christ's teachings but immediately wanted to fund advancing the message of salvation.  In the book " The 11 Most Indispensable Relationships......" Leonard Sweet pens a chapter that says we need to have people that are "....our sponsor, your patron, your partner, and your provider?  Why?  Because as a follower of Christ the mission He has you on may require people who may not be as driven to go like you, but are driven to give.

I have observed this first hand, over 3 years ago I felt the Lord calling me to Africa to do a short term missions trip.  But after sitting in the planning meeting my wife and I...I have to to admit I was discouraged because $3800 to raise is a lot of money when you have none, and you are essentially living from paycheck to paycheck.   Oh, I forgot...that no. needed to be doubled because my wife desired to go as well ($7600).   So here we are (never having been on a mission trip, never left the country) choosing to trust GOD to make a way out of no way so we began sending out emails and letters to "possible" sponsors......in short one of my first letters back funded the entire trip for one person. ARE YOU KIDDING ME.......the truth is...there are people that aren't as abled bodied to do such a trip, but have dreamt of being a part of making a difference against the poverty and injustices in the world and them catching word of someone going.....maybe their opportunity to make an impact.

Sweet says, " Your success hinges on one thing:  Is there someone out there who believes in you enough, and believes in the mission of your organization, to pony up to the table and put money where your mouth is?  All it takes is one, but the presences Lydia galvanizes others & generates a momentum that enables you...."pg 187  and  " Do we truly hunger  & thirst for righteousness and holiness, or is success for ourselves our lives' main passion and drive?  Are our lives lived for ourselves, which Jesus called a living death?  Or are our lives lived for others........."and last but not least " It is one thing to have a heart for the poor.  It is another to use their bathroom.  Rather, we treat the poor as anonymous recipients of charity rather than engage them as equals." pg 192

To end I say this....don't just give your money....give your time and or your talents.   While in Africa, on a ride to our Safari (Sabbath Retreat) we were riding and literally out of the bushes kids sprouted up and were lunging toward the vehicle echoing "muney muney muney" (money) and the driver talked about how this behavior (he was native there) broke his heart because the truth is what could they do with American dollars out here in the bush?  There are no currency exchanges our there...  But we realized what they needed were people....people willing to come and be with them, like Christ.   To spend time teaching, loving, helping, loving, playing, and loving them enough to invest themselves into them to help them better themselves and be able to help others.   Like Connections to Success.....breaking the cycle of poverty one person/family at a time.  WHERE ARE YOU AT?  WHO DO YOU SPONSOR beyond the WALLS of your CHURCH?  SPONSOR THEIR MISSION FIRST.  WHAT young non-profit business owner do you support?  What young business owner are you helping to become the next________________?  WHAT MISSIONARY do you partner with to keep GOD's mission funded?  Let's continue to leverage our power our abundance to help those that are powerless.  LGLP

Who's Your Rhoda (Your Little One)?"

¹² When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. ¹³ Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. ¹⁴ When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”

 ¹⁵ “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”  ¹⁶ But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.  Acts. 12:12-17
 
Ok so in this verse we discover a few things....Rhoda is a child...that is amongst adults locked in prayer, and as Sweet mentions in the chapter " Who's Your Rhoda?" from the book "The 11......." " A determined Rhoda finally convinced the adults to break away from their prayer exercises......and enjoying the holy of haze of "prayer meetings"...to point out to them the reality of answered prayer." pg.162
 
 

See it's the Rhoda's that Christ is talking about when He says unless you come as a child..........you know....where you still believe in the stories that elude to the mysteries of GOD, where you still are excited about the fact that He's so much BIGGER than you, or your situation....and it's not unbelievable that He's really able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all you can ask or think according to the power that works in you.   It's like remember when you had your imaginary friend....where did they go as you got older?   God isn't imaginary by no stretch of the imagination, but when you close your eyes to pray is it dark (is that what you see or visualize), or are you in whisked away....are you in a throne room....are you before His majesty?  See Rhoda's, little ones...help to keep the child in you......alive, although you are physically aging?  They actually tend to see the unseen...while we think it's just ridiculous, and childish thinking.  The monsters are real (to adults that are little Rhoda's this is these are the rulers of the darkness..the demonic forces that are real and at work)......and we must vanquish them in prayer!

 

So what about you....are you still intrigued by "Once upon a times......" and inspired or encouraged by the " happily ever afters"?  Rhoda's can be your own children...if you haven't killed the splendor of life by making them grow up, or Rhoda's could be your friend that actually believes when they pray GOD is actually doing something on their behalf's.    Rhoda's could be that Pastor who when they do an altar call, are doing it knowing, trusting, and believing that someone in the room is actually coming to give their life to Christ.  Whoever your Rhoda is.....LOVE THEM, send them a note appreciating them, or invite them to dinner.  If you are a Rhoda....I say keep coming to CHRIST as a "Little One" and oh how HE LOVES the little ones....they are really the giants of the faith!   GOD BLESS YOU.  LGLP!

You Got to Have a Zacchaeus

So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

 ⁵ When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” ⁶ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.  Luke 9:4-6

In the book " The 11 Most Indispensable Relationships You Can't Be Without" Leonard Sweet felt that of all of the variety of people one needs....one of them needs to be a Zacchaeus.  Someone that is socially akward, someone up a tree, someone that isn't in the in crowd.  Listen as he paints this picture of a Zacchaeus.   " Some people are drawn to thoroughbreds.  Others are drawn to mongrels.  But almost nobody is drawn to misbehaving weirdos gifted in oddness.  Except Jesus, who expects us to do as he did." pg 146

So in your facebook community or real community who's the Zacchaeus?  You know the one who is really up a tree: socially, economically, mentally or emotionally? The truth is....we all are or can be up a tree during a variety of segments of our lives about one thing or another...and this person helps us to keep a good relationship with even our own weirdnesses.  So during this chapter and during your life here's what it's important we all remember as we live, work, and play:  

1.  Zacchaeus are up a tree (or maybe even hiding under a rock). 

2.  They are one of a kind. - there's value you in not being a cookie cutter. 

3. They are out there....meaning...outer space sometimes (radical which remember...Jesus & His followers were branded as radicals)....and who else would get you to explore it, if not them.  Chances are they don't go to your church or even A church.      

4. Be aware that a Zacchaeus is in trouble.   SERIOUSLY...he or she's the one...people are saying "I don't think you should be hanging with, or talking to......"  If you hear this...you got the right one.  Just think had Jesus followed the publics opinion....the disciples wouldn't have been disciples.

5.  Zacchaeus's tend to be inefficient, but don't be deceived they are worth your time...remember Christ was on His way somewhere...but made time to have an intimate evening with Zacchaeus, and evening which was transformational.  When was the last time you spent time with your Zacchaeus...or invited one over for dinner?

No  matter who you are....we need to be following Christ's example of relationship building.  He didn't discriminate or exclude folks because of what OTHER people said....but rather engaged in conversation and or life with least favorable folks. 

Look around your neighborhood, work group, or even church community...surely there's someone you could stand to get to know better, and the goal is only that....NOT TO CONVERT THEM TO BE ANOTHER YOU, for heavens NO!!!!  But to solely get to know them, so that you could value what GOD there creator values about them.  I think that's a challenge...to you......Have them over for dinner......LGLP

Withness 7: You Need a (Deborah) Back Coverer

Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, judged Israel at that time......And she sent and called Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded [you], Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun?

    ⁷And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin's army, to meet you at the river Kishon with his chariots and his multitude, and I will deliver him into your hand?
    ⁸And Barak said to her, If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.
    ⁹And she said, I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the trip you take will not be for your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. (Judges 4:4, 6-10)

In the book " The 11....." by Leonard Sweet he talks about the importance of having someone to cover you back, and Deborah like individual.  He says if you gonna need a guide, you will as well need a guardian like Deborah because it's a guarantee you will get it in the back.  Listen to how he puts this: 

The worlds is filled with people  who like nothing better than to kill- your reputation, your spirit and your mission.........  If your life is on mission for good & God, you'll be the first one fired by enemies and by friends.  It doesn't matter how good  you are; you're going to get criticism, and usually it comes via the back door.   And it's going to be more than back-biting.  It's going to be back stabbing, or worse.  If you recall, it was the religious establishment that gold Jesus His healing was a work of the Devil............The ultimate betrayal is when the back-guard becomes the back-stabber.  Look around you at the your circle of closest friends.  You can be certain of one thing: One of them will betray you.   You say, " No, certainly not! Not my friends." I say, " Are you better than Jesus?"

The truth is, Sweet doesn't say that we need a back-stabber....but the reality is you don't have to hire or recruit for one...they will willingly volunteer for the job.  But what is true you need, you want, we should all desire that someone is willing to keep watch over us while we yet sleep or even work for the greater good.    Jesus was not only stabbed in the back once...but twice by individuals who were in His inner circle.  Everyone is quick to remember old Judas...but what about Peter...and denying him three times?   The difference is that Peter repented and instead of ending his life, decide to really give it to the cause of Christ.   What was AMAZING was that CHRIST actually washed both of their fetes, knowing what both of them would do futuristically.    For my readers today.....take note of Jesus heart even towards the back-stabbers.....He still humbly served them.  So while I pray that each of you have guardian angels on Earth that desire to make sure you fulfill GOD's appointed mission....I pray even more that you love your enemies....or back-stabbers as Christ loved His.  REALLY LGLP!

Who's Your Yoda (Peter/Paul)?

By far, to me, one of the most interesting chapters of " The 11.............." by Leonard Sweet is the chapter titled " Withness 6: Who's Your Peter/Paul?  You Need A Yoda" not because I am a Star Wars junkie at heart, but because if we are honest: " each one of us needs a Yoda- a mentor, a guru, a coach, a spiritual teacher/director --if we are to complete successfully the missions to which God is summoning us........Each one of us needs someone to look up to, a wiser, (usually) older, God-energized guide who can help us find our way through this new and unfamiliar landscape landscape that is not for the faint hearts or weak stomachs." pg 115

And he appointed twelve (whom he also names apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast our demons.  Mark 3:14-15

Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. Acts 16:3

The disciples had Jesus.   Timothy had Paul.  Luke had Yoda.  Neo had Morpheus......but what about you?  Who's voice is it that helps you make the tough decisions, and forces you to pause before making the ones that appear to be no brainers that helps you to listen to what it is or maybe the Spirit is calling you to?  Mine...has been a host of people, from Mark Mueller (a dear brother in the faith), my stepfather Alvin Center, to my old constant brother Dr. Richard Exley, to a few great men and women of the faith that have Pastored me over the years.   Without these individuals....I am certain that I wouldn't be where I am today, nor would I be the person I am becoming.   What about you?  Who's your Paul/Peter/Yoda...who's on your back...in a good way that's talking you through the major decisions of your life?  If you don't have someone......(JESUS is a great first choice....but until you can truly say you know HIS voice) you might be benefited by someone who already does know HIS voice, and listens to HIM regularly, that loves you...and wants to see you be/do your best.  If you already have that person who's "showing your the ropes" bless them today with a email of appreciation or even a shout out....LGLP

Who's Your Barnabas.....Your Encourager?

In the book " The 11 Most Indispensable Relationship That You Can't Be Without" Leonard Sweet mentions the importance of having an encourager in your band of brothers/sisters.  Someone who believes in you, and desires to see your candle stay lit.  Listen to how he paints a picture of the need of such a person when your day or days get dark... 

 " What curls you into fetal position?  Death of a loved one?  Depression? Fear of the unknown?  Collapse of a relationship?  Dreaded diagnosis?  Sickness?   When I'm sick, here's my routine: go home, shut the door, close the blinds, and crawl in bed.  And go into fetal position.  I unconsciously want to re-create the conditions of the womb: darkness (hence the closed curtains or blinds), warmth (hence the hot water bottles, and warm blankets), quiet (turn off loud noises -only simple soothing rhythms), cramped quarters (tuck in the bedsheets or comforter).  I want to recreate that time in my life when I felt most secure and taken care of the womb.  

No one can keep you from going into that fetal position...but they can encouraged you to uncurl........ pg 103"

²⁶ When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. ²⁷ But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. Acts 9:26-27

See it was the Barnabas in scripture that spoke up for Saul (newly converted Paul) when the other disciples were afraid of him.  It was the Barnabas in Sam that spoke into the life of Frodo Baggins when the days got dark or the road ahead was tough.....that encouraged him to continue.  Who's that person for you; that will not allow the worst day for you, to get any worst?   That when everyone else has given up on you....they still believe in you?  " Someone who, when life takes your breath away and you hold it in, will slap your back and inspire you with the enlivening Spirit who makes you want to breathe again; ......"

As certain as I am you need a Barnabas (and it's important you identify who HE or SHE is) you also need to be a Barnabas for someone.  Here's your challenge today follow these scriptures:  But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness (Heb. 13:3) and 2Cor. 13:11  Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.  LGLP

Who's Your Timothy?

Continuing our study of the book " The 11........" by Leonard Sweet, in the chapter " Withness 4:  Who's Your Timothy?"  he talks about the importance of discipling and that " If the church members have a responsibility to replicate themselves in the form of a new converts, how much more should church leaders replicate themselves in the form of new ministerial candidates?.............Cloning isn't present in the Bible either.  Joshua is not a Moses clone.  Timothy was not a Paul Clone."

The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. Exodus 33:11

¹⁶ “May the LORD, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community ¹⁷ to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
 ¹⁸ So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership,^[a] and lay your hand on him. Numbers 27:16-18

So just as Paul was careful to start his letters off regarding his young apprentice Timothy, you see where Moses was intentional about including Joshua (one of the 12 spies, and only one of 2 that brought back a positive report) to accompany him even when it came to meeting with God, and how he (mentioned in Exodus 33:11) opted to stay in the tent of meeting, in the presence of God.  So who's the younger individual that you are pouring yourself into; that you are discipling?  That when people see you....that person isn't far behind?  That you are passing the baton off to?

The truth is I believe we were all a Timothy once....think about who wasn't that mentored or discipled you?  Now, the expectancy is that you should be doing it for someone else.  Sweet is onto something, because the risk is, if you aren't discipling or mentoring someone, you end up with the book of Judges, where there is no leader (because Joshua discipled no one), and people are doing what they want to do.   Your goal in life she be pretty clear based on scripture...." Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  No need to provide you with any other challenge than this because it (your life) should be about further His Kingdom, not your agenda, for His Glory!  LGLP

Who's Your Jethro a.k.a. - Your Butt Kicker:

Now when many of you read that title you are probably think of maybe your modern day Jillian, Bob, Dovan from biggest loser, someone to get into your head and get you motivated to do the things to actually save your life.  Well that works....see Moses was killing himself trying to do it all, and called for help...and enters Jethro, his father in law.  In the book "The 11......" Leonard Sweet states in the chapter "Withness 3 Who's your Jethro? You need a Butt-Kicker"

"You grow up and don't have parents to kick you out of bed.  But you still need someone to kick you around when you're intellectually/morally/spiritually lazy, dumb and fat:"

Jethro’s Wise Advice

¹³ The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening.

¹⁴ When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”
¹⁵ Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God. ¹⁶ When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.”
¹⁷ “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. ¹⁸ “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. ¹⁹ Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you.

See Jethro wasn't Jewish, and if you really scale this back you notice that Moses and the Israelites were IN THE WILDERNESS wandering around, and Jethro came from his home with Moses wife and kids.  HELLO - Moses's butt kicker wasn't in his religious community, nor was he wrapped up in their wandering.....BUT HE APPARENTLY HAD A RELATIONSHIP with GOD (he was a priest) to come and give Him Godly advice that would save him from an early heart attack.   Your Jethro maybe of a different denomination, they may not be, but what you have to be open to realizing is that YOU NEED THIS PERSON, often times we are so busy trying to be grown....we don't give somebody the authority of a NATHAN to correct us, or a JETHRO to tell us that we are DOING TOO MUCH, and or WE ARE DOING IT ALL WRONG!  See it's when you've done all that you can do, when you education and life experiences have been exhausted that this person is really really important because they offer a fresh GODLY perspective that can help get you over your wall.

CHALLENGE:  Identify your JETHRO or who are you a JETHRO to?  Listen to them...and if you don't have one....become open to the idea of the need for one, and just maybe he/she has been waiting for you to open up to allow them to bless you.   LGLP

"You Got A Friend In ........" Do You Really?

 As we continue in the book " The 11......" the next Withness Leonard Sweet suggests you need is A Jonathan, not just a best friend but a true friend.  He stated:  But most of all, a Jonathan sacrifices himself for  you, even knowing as the original Jonathan knew, that the more your song rises, they more his or her own song fades into the background.  A Jonathan is willing to lead a life of decreasing significance, or as John the Baptist  put it so eloquently about his younger cousin Jesus, " He must become greater; I must become less."

1 Samuel 18:2-4(NLT)

² From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. ³ And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. ⁴ Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.

 

Who's that guy or that girl for you?  That is like your second self?  You know they could order for you in a restaraunt?  That as they live alongside you they are singing the song...." If we stick together  we can see it through, Cause you got a friend in me." - Randy Newman, Toy Story  Jonathan was so committed to David's success that he defied his own father.   He equipped DAvid with his royal robe, armor, and weapons.......  Friendships play out in pop-culture...Frodo had Sam, Harry Potter had Ron, Laverne had Shirley, Batman had Robin.....Friendships are importan and according to scripture ONLY HE WHO SHOWS HIMSELF/HERSELF FRIENDLY are the ones that have friends....which ultimately means:

1.  You have to be willing to love someone else more than yourself.

2.  Be willing to lay your life down for that individual's life/success.

3.  You have to be willing to be honest (transparent).

 

 

Jesus is our best (truest) friend, and He has demonstrated the top 3 aforementioned things, begin first coming to the reality that He truly is OUR BEST FRIEND, and prayerfully you will warm up to the importance of as believers.....that we must befriend even sinners, in order to reach them for the Kingdom.  LGLP

 

 

Nathan: Who's Authorized To Give You the Finger?

In the book "The 11 Most Indispensable Relationships You Can't Be Without" by Leonard Sweet in the chapter "Withness 1: Who's your Nathan?  You Need an Editor" he is careful to present a new way of thinking converse to the the standard of having an accountability partner, and presents an author editor relationship based on this Biblical account of Nathan and David, as well as the historical failure of accountability as it relates to relationships.

The Biblical account highlighted is 2Sam. 12:7-9a  Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. ⁸ I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. ⁹ Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes?

See Nathan's role was not just to just keep a record of David's wrongs (which is often the guise when one thinks of an having an accountability partner...and who wants that) but rather he was a person that wanted to see David be the best David by :

1.  Getting Under Your Skin - He used a compelling parable, instead of marching in saying you screwed up.

2.  Asking Questions: like an editor they are constantly checking in to make sure your actions are communicating what you really want to get across.
3.  Tell the Truth even if it hurts(radical honesty about everything) - because it is the truth according to the Word of God, not their version of it...and we need to hear it an know it; the truth that is.

Nathan name means gift, and while some may really wonder if they really want this type of person around to "call you on your stuff" just think, David was a King, listed as the man after God's on heart, and even though David was dead wrong....he ended up naming one of his own son's Nathan....why because this person is truly a gift in some one's life.   Who's your Nathan?  Who can give you finger?  If you don't have one, I suggest you find yourself in a community of people (a small group community or intimate relationship) where you give someone, or a few some one's that really genuinely love and care about you, the authority help edit your life story to make sure you stay true to you, and God.  Honor GOD today, by thanking Him for your Nathan, and send a thank you to the person that is your Nathan.  LGLP

Who's Your Team?

In the book  "The 11 Most Indispensable Relationships You Can't Be Without" by Leonard Sweet he spends a great deal of time talking about " The real meaning of life is not a journey questions or an arrival question.  It's a relationship question.  Your journey and your destination are both important, but neither is possible without an answer to this prior question: Who do you have with you?"

¹³ Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. ¹⁴ He appointed twelve that they might be with him.  Mark 3:13-14a

About 3 years ago I had been blessed to be able to fly out to Saddleback Church to sit amongst the movers & shakers of modern day teaching & preaching.   Enters this one guy (via video conference) Leonard Sweet who sounded like an hyper-intelligent madman, that was living in the secluded mountains talking about the importance of relationships.  After mentioning one of his personal best sellers " The Gospel According to Starbucks" he began talking about this new book " The 11......" and I was awakened.  I felt I really needed this book to help me on my own personal journey.  After picking this book up...I was not only encouraged, I was inspired to lead a group of men to read a book on the importance of "relationships" and this group of men and I lives were heavily impacted to awaken to the reality  WE NEED A TEAM to be successful.  JESUS didn't come down off the mountain from standing toe to toe with Satan and say.......I'm ready GOD, to do this alone!!!  No JESUS CHRIST, the son of GOD chose 12 to BE WITH HIM!   In every great movie....theirs a cast to help pull off the show.   In your life....you have a cast some you didn't get to select (parents, grandparents, etc) and some you do (friends, business partners, co-workers, neighbors, parishioners) but nonetheless have you discovered WHY they are in your life?   Have you really put much time in effort in discovering their giftedness, their own personal stories & appreciating EACH person GOD placed in your little world?

For the next several days, I plan to walk your through this book called The 11, because I think there's much to be said about your relationships, and God's design for you to be in community with a group of people that desire to see you, be your best you.  CHALLENGE:  Think about the people you currently have in your life.  Take some time today to pray for those closest to you, praise God specifically for each one of them.  Even the one that may have, or has already betrayed you.  LGLP