Jim's teching was humorous and with grace. His three finger stock figure was soon replaced by love.
As his friend, I bless him!
lee
The Body of Christ, which part are you? Read Romans 12:3-11
Administration Apostle
Encouragement Prophet
Giving Teachers
Hospitality Evangelist
Mercy Pastor / Shepherd
Serving
Teaching
Prophesy
I would like start by us looking at our human body Romans 12:4 NLT
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special
function, 1 Cor 12: 18 But God made our bodies, and He has put
each part just where He wants it.
(Draws body on the board.)
So it's by God’s own design that are bodies are made the way
they are. We say 2 heads are better than one, why don't we have 2?
How many times have you heard "I wish I had another pair of hands,"
or sometimes “I wish I had eyes in the back of my head.”
And we read in Gen 1:26 and could said, Let us make man in our
own image, in our likeness. You see God made us perfect and
that’s the way He intended the body of Christ to be. Him as the Head,
and born-again believers to make up the rest of the body. It is
up to each one of us to find our place in the body.
1 Cor 12:11 NLT Reads It is the one and only Holy Spirit who
distributes these gifts, He alone decides which gift each person
should have. 12:31 And in any event you should desire the most
helpful gifts.
We should seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in finding our place in
the body of Christ
TALK ABOUT THE GIFTS
Lets look what we call mega church Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyers,
David Wilkerson and Benny Hinn. The people here in this room are just
as important to God as them. You see there churches are made up
of just what we have here.
Talk about the lives.
They may have their name up in lights, but if they didn't have all
the rest of the body, the people behind the scene, the ones we don’t
see they couldn't function as they do.
What I’m trying to say is that, not one part is less important than
the others, not one part is less important in the Eyes of God.
Romans 12:5 so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of His body
And each of us has different work to do. And since we’re all one
one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs
all the others.
Tell about my brother.
You see my brother lost part of a thumb and part of his fore finger,
after he healed up he would find himself trying to use the part of the
thumb and finger that were not there so he had to adapt and overcome the loss of his fingers
What I am saying is he could still function? Yes. Is he 100%? No.
The same is with the body of Christ, it will continue in it's work
but, you will have to find a way to fill in the parts that are missing
that’s why it is important that we use the best gift that God has given
you, no matter if we think our gift not important in the body. All
parts are equally important to the functioning of the body of
Christ.
Romans 12:6-8 NLT God has given each of us the ability to do certain
things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out.
when you have faith that God is speaking through you. 7 If your gift is
that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good
job teaching. 8 If your gift is to encourage others do it! If you have money,
share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the
the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift of showing
kindness to others, do it gladly.
You see what is the most important is that whatever your gifts may be
do it whole heartedly; give a 110% in everything you do. Does God
deserve any less? NO! He deserves our best all the time.
And don't think that serving is less of a gift than the others. Here's
two examples. Read Acts 6:1-8
We see here that Steven was called to serve, does that mean that God
couldn't use him to do other things? NO! God used him to do
many signs and wonders. No matter what your gift is if the Holy Spirit
can still use you in another the capacity.
Matt 20:28 NLT Jesus speaking For even I, the Son of Man, came here
not to be served, but to serve others, and to give My life has a ransom
for many. You see even Jesus came to serve, the King of Kings
and Lord of Lords came has a servant. SO you see no gift is any
less important then the others.
(Go to board an erase body.)
I'm going to leave you with this.
All I have said here to day is nothing, it's meaning less with out this
Read 1 Cor 12:31 And in any event, you should desire
the most helpful gifts. First however, let me tell you about some
thing else that is better than any of them! LOVE
You see it's a commandment from God. John 13: 34 So now
I am giving you a new commandment, Love each other. Just
as I have Loved you, you should Love each other.
What has Love got to do with the gifts of the body of Christ?
Everything! If we serve out of selfish gain, to be up front teaching,
preaching, leading worship, for any other reason than the love of
God and the building up of His body then we're doing it for the
wrong reason. It has to be from the heart or its meaning less.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Overtaking a community for God
Hi folks:
Only a handful are getting this letter. People I think might believe the way I do on some levels. (Feel free to pass it on.)
Ever since I moved to Springfield, I have felt that God wants to overtake this community. Maybe you have similar feelings about your community. Or perhaps a region. So many people feel this way and yet there is no practical move to bring it to pass or at least not a huge one. Christianity has conformed itself to Christian ghettos, meaning we never leave the comfort of our homes. Good meetings do not a church build nor a region or a city taken.
I have studied so many books on the overtaking of a community. I have watched Transformations and believe it still has a shot. About 10 years ago, I began to watch what was happening in Elk River. I have studied it. A little about it can be found here. http://www.rickheeren.org/the-elk-river-story.htm. You can buy the book by clicking on our website here. I have been with some of the people from here. Peter Wagner, Linda Rios Brook, etc..
As you know we have been working on the business ministry. (I hope you have shared about this with your friends.) and a lot of thoughts have been jumbling around my head. This morning they started to get clearer with the idea that we could really overturn a city. (Visit the The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference) For years we have said, "people do not care how much we know, until they know how much we care." A friend of mine says it a little differently. "You will never overturn a region, a city or a country until you solve their problems." And the answer is Jesus. But probably not like most want to think. Jesus sent out people into the region to overturn the culture. And yes, there was prayer, BUT, there was a sending. If we want our inheritance, we have to "follow the rules."
What is the purpose of affluence defined as: A plentiful supply of material goods; wealth. A great quantity; an abundance. A flowing to or toward a point; Wordnet defines it as "abundant wealth." (Hmmm...I think I have heard that somewhere. John 10:10.) You and I will not change an economy without abundant wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for [it is] he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as [it is] this day. Deu. 8:18. And I believe that this is possible. But first I believe we must embrace a vision for a cultural change. Do I believe healing is from God? Then I must work towards seeing it manifested in my own life. Do I believe wealth is from God, then I must do what it takes to see it directed towards me. I must reach out for what God has promised and never relinquish nor give up. It has a requirement of course, my will for His.
2 Chronicles 20:15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, (We must listen to what He is saying.)Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle [is] not yours, but God's. (We must remove fear by moving ahead.)To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. (We must face our enemy.)Ye shall not [need] to fight in this [battle]: set yourselves, stand ye [still], and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD [will be] with you. (God is with us when we follow His instructions.) And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with [his] face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD. (worship and prayer are critical to the process.) And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high. And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. (The Lord never does anything without revealing it to His prophets.) For us to get what God wants for us to get, we must first get what it is He wants us to get(Hmmm...Strategy and understanding and that He is Lord.).
We can change the culture if we will get "out of bed." We must shake off the slumber, the disappointments, the misunderstandings, and lift ourselves up. While we are unraveling our lives, the Lord uses us to affect the lives of others. God will not use "ghetto dwellers" in this coming move. How can He? There is nothing in His word to assume He would. I would like to see a culture revived, a city transformed. It begins with me and you. I am going to trumpet this word at every chance I get. Our inheritance is at stake. What is it worth to you? Can you believe for and work towards an Acts 2 or 4 community? If you can, perhaps it is time to do something about it. Our worship must be violent, our prayer the same. It is time for the people of God to declare what is to be instead of accepting the status quo. It is not how much we have to do, but what we are doing...is it the Lord?
Just a little tidbit for some close people.
Lee
88 WCFR Drive
Springfield, VT 05156
802-885-2885
Only a handful are getting this letter. People I think might believe the way I do on some levels. (Feel free to pass it on.)
Ever since I moved to Springfield, I have felt that God wants to overtake this community. Maybe you have similar feelings about your community. Or perhaps a region. So many people feel this way and yet there is no practical move to bring it to pass or at least not a huge one. Christianity has conformed itself to Christian ghettos, meaning we never leave the comfort of our homes. Good meetings do not a church build nor a region or a city taken.
I have studied so many books on the overtaking of a community. I have watched Transformations and believe it still has a shot. About 10 years ago, I began to watch what was happening in Elk River. I have studied it. A little about it can be found here. http://www.rickheeren.org/the-elk-river-story.htm. You can buy the book by clicking on our website here. I have been with some of the people from here. Peter Wagner, Linda Rios Brook, etc..
As you know we have been working on the business ministry. (I hope you have shared about this with your friends.) and a lot of thoughts have been jumbling around my head. This morning they started to get clearer with the idea that we could really overturn a city. (Visit the The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference) For years we have said, "people do not care how much we know, until they know how much we care." A friend of mine says it a little differently. "You will never overturn a region, a city or a country until you solve their problems." And the answer is Jesus. But probably not like most want to think. Jesus sent out people into the region to overturn the culture. And yes, there was prayer, BUT, there was a sending. If we want our inheritance, we have to "follow the rules."
What is the purpose of affluence defined as: A plentiful supply of material goods; wealth. A great quantity; an abundance. A flowing to or toward a point; Wordnet defines it as "abundant wealth." (Hmmm...I think I have heard that somewhere. John 10:10.) You and I will not change an economy without abundant wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for [it is] he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as [it is] this day. Deu. 8:18. And I believe that this is possible. But first I believe we must embrace a vision for a cultural change. Do I believe healing is from God? Then I must work towards seeing it manifested in my own life. Do I believe wealth is from God, then I must do what it takes to see it directed towards me. I must reach out for what God has promised and never relinquish nor give up. It has a requirement of course, my will for His.
2 Chronicles 20:15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, (We must listen to what He is saying.)Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle [is] not yours, but God's. (We must remove fear by moving ahead.)To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. (We must face our enemy.)Ye shall not [need] to fight in this [battle]: set yourselves, stand ye [still], and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD [will be] with you. (God is with us when we follow His instructions.) And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with [his] face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD. (worship and prayer are critical to the process.) And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high. And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. (The Lord never does anything without revealing it to His prophets.) For us to get what God wants for us to get, we must first get what it is He wants us to get(Hmmm...Strategy and understanding and that He is Lord.).
We can change the culture if we will get "out of bed." We must shake off the slumber, the disappointments, the misunderstandings, and lift ourselves up. While we are unraveling our lives, the Lord uses us to affect the lives of others. God will not use "ghetto dwellers" in this coming move. How can He? There is nothing in His word to assume He would. I would like to see a culture revived, a city transformed. It begins with me and you. I am going to trumpet this word at every chance I get. Our inheritance is at stake. What is it worth to you? Can you believe for and work towards an Acts 2 or 4 community? If you can, perhaps it is time to do something about it. Our worship must be violent, our prayer the same. It is time for the people of God to declare what is to be instead of accepting the status quo. It is not how much we have to do, but what we are doing...is it the Lord?
Just a little tidbit for some close people.
Lee
88 WCFR Drive
Springfield, VT 05156
802-885-2885
Sunday, November 18, 2007
The possible weaknesses of the gifts T Johndrow
1.) Serving:
Strengths
A. An ability to see practical needs and a desire to meet them
B. A joy in serving when it frees others to do more important things
C. A willingness to sacrifice time & resources to serve others
D. A special enjoyment in providing for physical needs and comforts (can remember likes and dislikes)
A strong desire to be with others, providing more serving opportunities
Weaknesses
A. Neglecting home responsibilities to help others.
B. Accepting too many jobs at one time (cannot say ‘no’)
C. Wear themselves out physically.
D. Sometimes too persistent in giving unrequested help to others.
E. Going around proper authorities to get job done.
F. Interfering with God’s discipline by premature help.
G. Excluding others from helping on a job (difficult to delegate)
H. Getting sidetracked while working on an assignment.
I. Being hurt by ungratefulness of those helped.
Giving :
Strengths
1. A keen ability to discern wise investments in order to have more money available to give away
2. A desire to give quietly without public notice
3. A desire to give gifts which are of high quality
4. An ability to see financial needs which others tend to overlook
5. A desire to use giving as a way to motivate others to give
Weaknesses
1. Giving too sparingly to own family.
2. Causing family to resent those to whom gifts are given.
3. Listening to unscriptural counsel on money management.
4. Putting pressure on people who have less to give.
5. Failing to discern God’s promptings for giving.
6. Judging those who misuse funds rather than aiding them.
7. Controlling people or ministries by giving.
8. Corrupting people by giving too much.
9. Investing in projects that do not benefit people’s lives.
3.Mercy:
Strengths:
1. Ability to sense and express genuine love (1 John 4:8)
2. A need for deep friendships in which there is mutual commitment (John 13:23)
3. A greater concern over mental joy or distress than physical concerns (1 Jn 3:17)
4. A tendency to attract people who are having mental and emotional distress.
5. A desire to remove the causes of hurts rather than to look for benefits from them.
Weak
1. Failing to be firm and decisive when necessary.
2. A tendency to react harshly when intimate friends are rejected (Luke 9:53-54)
3. A greater vulnerability to deeper and more frequent hurts from the lack of love (can take up offenses for hurts of others).
4. Basing decisions on emotions rather than on reason.
5. Promoting improper affections from the opposite sex.
6. Cutting off fellowship with those who are insensitive to others.
7. Reacting to God’s purpose in allowing people to suffer.
8. Sympathizing with those violating God’s standards.
9. Establishing possessive relationships with others.
4.Exhortation:
Strengths:
1. A motivation to urge people to their full spiritual maturity in Christ.
2. An ability to discern where a person is in spiritual growth and to speak on that level.
3. A desire to give precise: steps of action in urging people toward spiritual maturity.
4. A drive to explain truth with logical reasoning, in order to make it accepted.
5. An ability to visualize spiritual achievement for people and to use this to motivate them to action.
6. A desire for face-to-face discussion in order to determine and insure a positive response.
7. An ability to identify with people of different types and backgrounds in order to gain a wider hearing.
8. A motivation to bring harmony between diverse groups of Christians, and an awareness that harmony is basic to spiritual maturity.
9. An ability to welcome personal tribulation as a chief motivator of spiritual growth
Weaknesses
1. Raising the expectations of others prematurely.
2. Taking ‘family time’ to counsel others.
3. Treating family and friends as “Projects” rather than people.
4. Sharing private illustrations without permission.
5. Jumping into new projects without finishing existing ones.
6. Encouraging others to depend on them rather than God.
7. Trusting visible results rather than true change of heart.
8. Neglecting proper emphasis on basic Bible doctrine.
9. Giving counsel before discerning the type of problem or person.
5. Administration :
1. An ability to visualize the final result of a major undertaking
2. An ability to break down major goals into smaller, achievable tasks
3. An ability to know what resources are available and needed to reach a goal
4. A tendency to remove himself from distracting details in order to focus on the ultimate goal
5. A willingness to endure reaction from insiders and outsiders in order to reach an ultimate goal
6. A need for loyalty and confidence from those who are being directed and served
7. An ability to know what he should and should not delegate to others
8. An ability to inspire and encourage workers by cheerfulness, approval, praise, and challenges
9. A joy and fulfillment in seeing all the parts come together in a finished product
Weaknesses
1. Viewing people as ‘human resources’ rather than human beings.
2. Using people to accomplish personal ambitions.
3. Showing favoritism to those who seem most loyal.
4. Taking charge of projects that are not God’s direction.
5. Delegating too much work to others.
6. Overlooking serious character faults in valuable workers.
7. Being unresponsive to suggestions and appeals.
8. Failure in giving proper explanations and praises to workers.
6. Evangelism
Strengths:
Have a heart for the lost
Have an intuition for the persons relationship with the Lord
Weaknesses
Can be dogmatic
Take it personally when someone isn't ready for salvation
7. Pastor/Shepherd
Strengths
Never give up
Gentle when needed
Weaknesses
Overlook the sin issues
Take on more than they should
Guilt
8. Prophet
Strengths
See right to the heart of an issue.
Motivated to reveal what is true
Concerned with revealing the other person's motives
Have a natural discernment
Weaknesses
It is hard to keep quiet when they feel the truth is being twisted, hidden or offended
They usually lack tact
They need to learn to speak the truth in love
They need to know “when” to speak and who to speak to
9. Teaching
Strengths
Is motivated to validate the truth
Wants to know “why”, “how”, “when”, “where” details
They put the details in order
Weaknesses
They can be really boring
They have to tell you “why” they are qualified to do what they do
They place a lot of importance on “degrees”
They won't listen to you if they feel you are “qualified”
More info than you could ever use
Not practical in every day language
Easily offended and critical
Strengths
A. An ability to see practical needs and a desire to meet them
B. A joy in serving when it frees others to do more important things
C. A willingness to sacrifice time & resources to serve others
D. A special enjoyment in providing for physical needs and comforts (can remember likes and dislikes)
A strong desire to be with others, providing more serving opportunities
Weaknesses
A. Neglecting home responsibilities to help others.
B. Accepting too many jobs at one time (cannot say ‘no’)
C. Wear themselves out physically.
D. Sometimes too persistent in giving unrequested help to others.
E. Going around proper authorities to get job done.
F. Interfering with God’s discipline by premature help.
G. Excluding others from helping on a job (difficult to delegate)
H. Getting sidetracked while working on an assignment.
I. Being hurt by ungratefulness of those helped.
Giving :
Strengths
1. A keen ability to discern wise investments in order to have more money available to give away
2. A desire to give quietly without public notice
3. A desire to give gifts which are of high quality
4. An ability to see financial needs which others tend to overlook
5. A desire to use giving as a way to motivate others to give
Weaknesses
1. Giving too sparingly to own family.
2. Causing family to resent those to whom gifts are given.
3. Listening to unscriptural counsel on money management.
4. Putting pressure on people who have less to give.
5. Failing to discern God’s promptings for giving.
6. Judging those who misuse funds rather than aiding them.
7. Controlling people or ministries by giving.
8. Corrupting people by giving too much.
9. Investing in projects that do not benefit people’s lives.
3.Mercy:
Strengths:
1. Ability to sense and express genuine love (1 John 4:8)
2. A need for deep friendships in which there is mutual commitment (John 13:23)
3. A greater concern over mental joy or distress than physical concerns (1 Jn 3:17)
4. A tendency to attract people who are having mental and emotional distress.
5. A desire to remove the causes of hurts rather than to look for benefits from them.
Weak
1. Failing to be firm and decisive when necessary.
2. A tendency to react harshly when intimate friends are rejected (Luke 9:53-54)
3. A greater vulnerability to deeper and more frequent hurts from the lack of love (can take up offenses for hurts of others).
4. Basing decisions on emotions rather than on reason.
5. Promoting improper affections from the opposite sex.
6. Cutting off fellowship with those who are insensitive to others.
7. Reacting to God’s purpose in allowing people to suffer.
8. Sympathizing with those violating God’s standards.
9. Establishing possessive relationships with others.
4.Exhortation:
Strengths:
1. A motivation to urge people to their full spiritual maturity in Christ.
2. An ability to discern where a person is in spiritual growth and to speak on that level.
3. A desire to give precise: steps of action in urging people toward spiritual maturity.
4. A drive to explain truth with logical reasoning, in order to make it accepted.
5. An ability to visualize spiritual achievement for people and to use this to motivate them to action.
6. A desire for face-to-face discussion in order to determine and insure a positive response.
7. An ability to identify with people of different types and backgrounds in order to gain a wider hearing.
8. A motivation to bring harmony between diverse groups of Christians, and an awareness that harmony is basic to spiritual maturity.
9. An ability to welcome personal tribulation as a chief motivator of spiritual growth
Weaknesses
1. Raising the expectations of others prematurely.
2. Taking ‘family time’ to counsel others.
3. Treating family and friends as “Projects” rather than people.
4. Sharing private illustrations without permission.
5. Jumping into new projects without finishing existing ones.
6. Encouraging others to depend on them rather than God.
7. Trusting visible results rather than true change of heart.
8. Neglecting proper emphasis on basic Bible doctrine.
9. Giving counsel before discerning the type of problem or person.
5. Administration :
1. An ability to visualize the final result of a major undertaking
2. An ability to break down major goals into smaller, achievable tasks
3. An ability to know what resources are available and needed to reach a goal
4. A tendency to remove himself from distracting details in order to focus on the ultimate goal
5. A willingness to endure reaction from insiders and outsiders in order to reach an ultimate goal
6. A need for loyalty and confidence from those who are being directed and served
7. An ability to know what he should and should not delegate to others
8. An ability to inspire and encourage workers by cheerfulness, approval, praise, and challenges
9. A joy and fulfillment in seeing all the parts come together in a finished product
Weaknesses
1. Viewing people as ‘human resources’ rather than human beings.
2. Using people to accomplish personal ambitions.
3. Showing favoritism to those who seem most loyal.
4. Taking charge of projects that are not God’s direction.
5. Delegating too much work to others.
6. Overlooking serious character faults in valuable workers.
7. Being unresponsive to suggestions and appeals.
8. Failure in giving proper explanations and praises to workers.
6. Evangelism
Strengths:
Have a heart for the lost
Have an intuition for the persons relationship with the Lord
Weaknesses
Can be dogmatic
Take it personally when someone isn't ready for salvation
7. Pastor/Shepherd
Strengths
Never give up
Gentle when needed
Weaknesses
Overlook the sin issues
Take on more than they should
Guilt
8. Prophet
Strengths
See right to the heart of an issue.
Motivated to reveal what is true
Concerned with revealing the other person's motives
Have a natural discernment
Weaknesses
It is hard to keep quiet when they feel the truth is being twisted, hidden or offended
They usually lack tact
They need to learn to speak the truth in love
They need to know “when” to speak and who to speak to
9. Teaching
Strengths
Is motivated to validate the truth
Wants to know “why”, “how”, “when”, “where” details
They put the details in order
Weaknesses
They can be really boring
They have to tell you “why” they are qualified to do what they do
They place a lot of importance on “degrees”
They won't listen to you if they feel you are “qualified”
More info than you could ever use
Not practical in every day language
Easily offended and critical
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Mike Kohler on the Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual Gifts
1 Peter 4:10 NLT
God has given gifts to each of you from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity (grace) can flow through you.
Gifts- Special abilities given to believers through the grace of God
Most of you know what my spiritual gifting is and as I work on developing my gifts I am learning a lot. One of the things I am starting to do is reach out to other churches and ministries in the area. I went and met pastor Dave, who seems like a great guy. I liked him because he was bigger and balder then I was. If you want to see how God orchestrates things his study for the group that night was “Bringing our gifts together in the body”
exactly what we are talking about this month. I am going to try to get to meet the other pastors and leaders in our community because as we grow to 700 they will also grow. PVBC also has a vision and it is 700, Springfield can easily support 10 churches of 700.
Who knows what the 5 fold ministry gifts are? Apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor-shepherd, and teacher.
Read story from PVBC
Use the blender explain how each part is needed even plugged in which is our connection to the holy spirit
In the last few weeks God has been shifting things around. We have taken test and looked at what our spiritual gifts are. Our teachings for the month is how they work together with each other. And our body of believers is shifting and lining people up with their gifts to use them as God has intended. On a construction job you do not take a mason and have him do the wiring. He may have a knowledge of electrical but that is not where he is skilled at. A mistake in wiring can burn down a house. And it goes the other way if an electrician laid the blocks it is possible for the foundation to crumble. That is the same in the church and may be a reason why the church at large has had problems. If the person who is in charge who most likely in all churches is called the pastor and he is not gifted in that area then you may have a mason doing the wiring. The church needs all the gifts like a job site needs an electrician, mason, carpenter, plumber and so on to work in their trades. You take one of those out and the home does not get built correctly. If someone is trying to do all of it themselves the job may never get done or take years to complete. Each person has to take charge of their own responsibility. How many churches do we see the pastor is doing all things for all people. How many of those churches do we see people getting hurt or those who don’t understand their gifting just sit there and stay frustrated or jump from one church to the next with whoever has the next good idea. We need everyone working in their gifts to build this house. It is like a building inspector checking the house. If the mason is doing electrical the inspector is not going to give approval. If God sees the same is he going to give His approval or grace on a building that may be weak. God wants the mason to lay the block, it may look wrong to the other trades but he has the ability to use what God has blessed him with. And sometime a couple of bricks may fall out before the mason gets a good understanding on his work. Mistakes are where Father daddy teaches us.
A properly built home does not have future problems when the builders work together in their gifts. It will be a home that can last for generations without major problems. Sure there will be an occasional light bulb burn out or a plumbing leak, sometimes the furnace goes but when these things are maintained and repaired or even replaced the house keeps on going.
1 Are we using our gifts to the fullest abilities? And don’t be afraid to make mistakes, that is how we learn.
2. How much more will those around us be blessed if we are using our gifts?
3. How much more will we be blessed using our gifts?
4. What are the possibilities of a church body if we walk out fully by faith in the gifts the father has given us.
This was a very cool teaching! lee
1 Peter 4:10 NLT
God has given gifts to each of you from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity (grace) can flow through you.
Gifts- Special abilities given to believers through the grace of God
Most of you know what my spiritual gifting is and as I work on developing my gifts I am learning a lot. One of the things I am starting to do is reach out to other churches and ministries in the area. I went and met pastor Dave, who seems like a great guy. I liked him because he was bigger and balder then I was. If you want to see how God orchestrates things his study for the group that night was “Bringing our gifts together in the body”
exactly what we are talking about this month. I am going to try to get to meet the other pastors and leaders in our community because as we grow to 700 they will also grow. PVBC also has a vision and it is 700, Springfield can easily support 10 churches of 700.
Who knows what the 5 fold ministry gifts are? Apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor-shepherd, and teacher.
Read story from PVBC
Use the blender explain how each part is needed even plugged in which is our connection to the holy spirit
In the last few weeks God has been shifting things around. We have taken test and looked at what our spiritual gifts are. Our teachings for the month is how they work together with each other. And our body of believers is shifting and lining people up with their gifts to use them as God has intended. On a construction job you do not take a mason and have him do the wiring. He may have a knowledge of electrical but that is not where he is skilled at. A mistake in wiring can burn down a house. And it goes the other way if an electrician laid the blocks it is possible for the foundation to crumble. That is the same in the church and may be a reason why the church at large has had problems. If the person who is in charge who most likely in all churches is called the pastor and he is not gifted in that area then you may have a mason doing the wiring. The church needs all the gifts like a job site needs an electrician, mason, carpenter, plumber and so on to work in their trades. You take one of those out and the home does not get built correctly. If someone is trying to do all of it themselves the job may never get done or take years to complete. Each person has to take charge of their own responsibility. How many churches do we see the pastor is doing all things for all people. How many of those churches do we see people getting hurt or those who don’t understand their gifting just sit there and stay frustrated or jump from one church to the next with whoever has the next good idea. We need everyone working in their gifts to build this house. It is like a building inspector checking the house. If the mason is doing electrical the inspector is not going to give approval. If God sees the same is he going to give His approval or grace on a building that may be weak. God wants the mason to lay the block, it may look wrong to the other trades but he has the ability to use what God has blessed him with. And sometime a couple of bricks may fall out before the mason gets a good understanding on his work. Mistakes are where Father daddy teaches us.
A properly built home does not have future problems when the builders work together in their gifts. It will be a home that can last for generations without major problems. Sure there will be an occasional light bulb burn out or a plumbing leak, sometimes the furnace goes but when these things are maintained and repaired or even replaced the house keeps on going.
1 Are we using our gifts to the fullest abilities? And don’t be afraid to make mistakes, that is how we learn.
2. How much more will those around us be blessed if we are using our gifts?
3. How much more will we be blessed using our gifts?
4. What are the possibilities of a church body if we walk out fully by faith in the gifts the father has given us.
This was a very cool teaching! lee
Sunday, September 02, 2007
The Tax Collector's Church
Many of you know that what began as a "funny" story is percolating and resonating deep in my spirit. Today we discussed.
I started with the scriptures:
Matthew 9:9-13
And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
And when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
But when Jesus heard [that], he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
But go ye and learn what [that] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Hosea 6:6
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
1 Timothy 1:15-16
This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
ESV
But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
(Bold is mine. Will get to it later.)
Our group suggested that a gathering of this type would be "average." Farmers, bikers, "tax collectors," those hated and sinners. We discussed the reaction of the church to this type of "church." The church of Jesus' day asked "why?" His answer was these people were "sick" and needed a healing.
James 1:27 tells us that
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.
So we discussed that the church that allowed for "tax collectors" would:
We discussed if we were ready to deal with the "why" of the conventional church. Where would we hold meetings. Could we hold meetings in the bank. Or as one person said, "we could start the tax collector's pub." Would we keep Sunday to hide and be refreshed? :-)
How would we, after reading James 1:27 be "unstained" by the world. I have to tell you something. This is the hardest part of being a Christian. While I am not naive or a prude, there is something about profanity from believers that knocks me for a loop. Doesn't matter when I am around unbelievers. A church "unstained" or untouched by the world will look like HIM. I think perfect patience is the one I see that is going to be hard. And whatever we do, are you and I going to be able to be in situations where lines of legality are crossed over? Like the man smoking pot when I was somewhere. Advancing the Kingdom is a lot different than "playing" church. My usual take on the church is they are a lot more comfortable being huddled up with one another(Christian ghettos) than they are being with people who sin, swear, cheat, lie, sleep around, etc.
I have friends who have been prostitutes, strippers, porn stars, murderers, child molesters, bad bikers, etc. I can not see them changing any of that really quick. I think about bringing them into a Christian setting and I get nervous (And so would you!). So, we need this thought out. I do not see them and some of you in the same room. We have to think out the kid's side of things, as well.
I think about the Gadarene demoniac showing up at the house of "Mrs. Jones" saying, " I am really sorry about eating your cat and dog, and running around naked in front of your family, but I met this man Jesus and I decided to get dressed and he made me the head evangelist of this outreach here. Can I tell you about Jesus?"
I am not quite sure some of us can grasp the idea of someone being bad yesterday and leading a group tomorrow.
Needless to say, a move like this will not be "popular." I would like to believe some for people for bringing Sunday together for prayer, worship and instruction. Could you think about that? I need a place to worship. A place to pray. Could some of you consider running the church of Sundays? My goal is that there would be a safe place for Sundays that someone else keeps watch over. (I have some brothers and sisters I know who pastor the XXX church. They actively go into strip joints, porn theaters, etc..That is not the place for the average church goer. On the other hand I see Jesus going there. And I want to go where He did.) Once I know Sunday is secure with some I will carefully move into the next realm, which will be the Tax Collectors Church. And I have to tell you that I feel time is short on this.
We also had a word about Oklahoma. I did some research as the thought was it had to do with the Sooners.
"In 1889, the Indian Territory was opened to settlers. Thousands of people lined up on the border and, when the signal was given, they raced into the territory to claim their land. Some people went in early to claim their land. They became known as Sooners. Hence, Oklahoma's nickname today is �The Sooner State�.
THIS IS A MAJOR WORD. OCCUPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I lay it in your hands to think about, to percolate. I think we are getting ready for a wild ride.
Blessings,
Lee
88 WCFR Drive
Springfield, VT 05156
802-885-2885
I started with the scriptures:
Matthew 9:9-13
And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
And when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
But when Jesus heard [that], he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
But go ye and learn what [that] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Hosea 6:6
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
1 Timothy 1:15-16
This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
ESV
But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
(Bold is mine. Will get to it later.)
Our group suggested that a gathering of this type would be "average." Farmers, bikers, "tax collectors," those hated and sinners. We discussed the reaction of the church to this type of "church." The church of Jesus' day asked "why?" His answer was these people were "sick" and needed a healing.
James 1:27 tells us that
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.
So we discussed that the church that allowed for "tax collectors" would:
- Operate in mercy
- Have perfect patience as that is the pattern
- Meet with the "sick"
- Visit the fatherless and the widow
- Hang out with the hated
- Go to where the sinners are and hang out
We discussed if we were ready to deal with the "why" of the conventional church. Where would we hold meetings. Could we hold meetings in the bank. Or as one person said, "we could start the tax collector's pub." Would we keep Sunday to hide and be refreshed? :-)
How would we, after reading James 1:27 be "unstained" by the world. I have to tell you something. This is the hardest part of being a Christian. While I am not naive or a prude, there is something about profanity from believers that knocks me for a loop. Doesn't matter when I am around unbelievers. A church "unstained" or untouched by the world will look like HIM. I think perfect patience is the one I see that is going to be hard. And whatever we do, are you and I going to be able to be in situations where lines of legality are crossed over? Like the man smoking pot when I was somewhere. Advancing the Kingdom is a lot different than "playing" church. My usual take on the church is they are a lot more comfortable being huddled up with one another(Christian ghettos) than they are being with people who sin, swear, cheat, lie, sleep around, etc.
I have friends who have been prostitutes, strippers, porn stars, murderers, child molesters, bad bikers, etc. I can not see them changing any of that really quick. I think about bringing them into a Christian setting and I get nervous (And so would you!). So, we need this thought out. I do not see them and some of you in the same room. We have to think out the kid's side of things, as well.
I think about the Gadarene demoniac showing up at the house of "Mrs. Jones" saying, " I am really sorry about eating your cat and dog, and running around naked in front of your family, but I met this man Jesus and I decided to get dressed and he made me the head evangelist of this outreach here. Can I tell you about Jesus?"
I am not quite sure some of us can grasp the idea of someone being bad yesterday and leading a group tomorrow.
Needless to say, a move like this will not be "popular." I would like to believe some for people for bringing Sunday together for prayer, worship and instruction. Could you think about that? I need a place to worship. A place to pray. Could some of you consider running the church of Sundays? My goal is that there would be a safe place for Sundays that someone else keeps watch over. (I have some brothers and sisters I know who pastor the XXX church. They actively go into strip joints, porn theaters, etc..That is not the place for the average church goer. On the other hand I see Jesus going there. And I want to go where He did.) Once I know Sunday is secure with some I will carefully move into the next realm, which will be the Tax Collectors Church. And I have to tell you that I feel time is short on this.
We also had a word about Oklahoma. I did some research as the thought was it had to do with the Sooners.
"In 1889, the Indian Territory was opened to settlers. Thousands of people lined up on the border and, when the signal was given, they raced into the territory to claim their land. Some people went in early to claim their land. They became known as Sooners. Hence, Oklahoma's nickname today is �The Sooner State�.
THIS IS A MAJOR WORD. OCCUPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I lay it in your hands to think about, to percolate. I think we are getting ready for a wild ride.
Blessings,
Lee
88 WCFR Drive
Springfield, VT 05156
802-885-2885
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Lonely
So often I hear about 'loneliness" in the body of Christ. I often find myself lonely. I often find myself thinking about how few friends I have. I find myself thinking "is this ever going to end?"
As the internet progresses and it's easier to find a "friend" but never have an encounter, I think the human need to be connected is either going to go cold or get stronger.
And the Lord has dealt with this in me to some extent. There are now 8 people living in my home.
Some of you will not remember that program of 25 years or so ago. Eight's Enough. One of the stars was a man named Grant Goodeve. His father in real life was our bookkeeper. The basis of the show was 8 children in one home.
As I was showering this morning, (My present retreat.) I was reminded of that show. In my case, it is now myself and Tina, Cass, Matt, Alyssa and 3 grandchildren. the two bedroom house is full. Alyssa and her children occupy the living room and we might have room for one more child in our kitchen. Yesterday, they left for a few hours to go to the library and I turned up the worship and spent that two hours with pounding drums and bass lines and songs of revival and deliverance. I am a rejoicer. But I still need my "quiet" times.
So, is eight enough? For this little house on the mountaintop, I would say it is. Ironically, the Lord gave Tina a word about getting a big house, because the children would return. I do not think she saw it like this. Loads of laundry, dishes and food. Constant activity. I am waiting for the Beatles song, "Here Comes The Sun," so that I can take off here and there! My grandchildren love to rough house, so one must accommodate them.
Eight is often seen as the number for new beginnings. With the selling of the store this week, I feel I have a new beginning. I have received a flurry of prophetic words describing this time to come. All of them run the same thought process. But the reality of it is we all have a new beginning, each and every day. His blessings and mercies are new every day. That is what HE says. The question is whether we will go with God or with what our feelings are. I choose God on this one.
My house is full with children, grandchildren and my wife.
Lonely. Not right at this minute. But, being lonely happens for a couple of reasons. One is that we have not sown into other's lives. We are always expecting others to come to us. In my life, this was self centered approach to get me to feel better. But what if I sowed? What if I made the calls or the visits? Just this morning I sent out a bunch of letters and got a bunch back. A friend of mine is starting a company. It is called ME. Why? Because he said "it is about me," and he meant it. He is in pre-Christian mode, so I indulge him.
Sunday, a friend I have ministered to for over 10 months showed up in church. He needed a friend...and prayer.
So, we can fix loneliness by sowing into other's lives. And we can always change loneliness by developing a perspective of "how does the other person feel?" When I treat others as I want to be treated, I will develop something called humility. Humility is not "what I have been through and all the horrible things," but living my life as the Lord intended it. Doing His will. Serving others for Him. Saying to the Lord "NO" tells the Lord I am not His. He is not my Lord. It is when I come under His yoke that change comes.
And with serving others, anxiety disappears as well, for what is anxiety but a case of "me" and "what if the Lord does not do things my way. So many I meet are anxious, because they think the One who will get them to heaven "cares so little" as to make them complete. I know over 50 Christians popping anti-anxiety meds. I think it is about trust. The Lord commands or addresses the issue of anxiety when He says "be anxious for nothing."
I am still in the process of getting me out of the way. Doing all that He asks of me. I need to invest more in other's lives. I know that. I have the ability to bless others. To help. To change the atmosphere. And in that relm I have no anxiety, fear, shame or loneliness.
Blessings,
Lee
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
An afternoon on the river
I am going to share my afternoon excursion into the prophetic. It has a lot of meaning to my friend. It has a lot to do with changes coming locally and regionally. And it really opened my eyes.
It was a beautiful afternoon. A friend and I had planned to go last week, but the wind was going to be too much. So, when I was not able to make it yesterday morning, we agreed to go out on the river at 3:30. I met him at the boat launch. I looked at my watch 3:31. Because it was the 7th day of the month I felt led to view the scripture in the book of Judges. (And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel. One of my all time favorites. Right Paul?) He had brought his daughter. We unloaded the boat. It started(For the first time this year.) and as the smoke from setting all winter drifted across the water, I thought this is going to be a prophetic afternoon. My friend later shared that He felt the Lord told him that I had to go; no excuses. So, we headed down the river for a little while, letting the boat warm up. (It is a 350CI, appx. 250 HP, inboard outboard.) Turning around we headed up the river. As we passed the bridge, I felt like we just crossed over. Like the river Jordan. There was a change. We cruised along, admiring all that was around us. And as he adjusted the trim, (Trimming provides increased speed and better visibility, just as trimming our "wicks" or hearts would in the spirit realm.) we leveled out and cruised.
Now, I will tell you, that I spent all my young summer life on lakes and water. We always had a boat. We went water skiing, fishing and camping in our boat. And I love the water. I have asked God for years to release me to Burlington or Lake George or something. Please. So going out on the boat was "heaven" to me.
As we went up the river, everything was going fine. As we neared a friend's property on the river, I was explaining to my friend about why he had left the area, etc. We began to turn around and were just heading down river, when the river went into high revs with no forward motion. Shutting down the motor, we went to the back of the boat. Our first thought was that the prop had come off. But as I crawled over the motor, I could see that was not the case. But the motor was not connecting to the prop. That was for sure. And we were shipwrecked.
We began to drift. Slowly but surely the current was bringing us back to our point of entry. It would take forever but we would get there.
Now, I have meditated on this a lot.
My friend who had left the area, had strongly felt he had been called to the area. Appointed. But he left. (Those of you who read my story about Jeremy will recognize the reference to "appointed.") And as we drifted, I could see the cars and houses up on the road. Route 5. {Five biblically means THE NUMBER OF GRACE. Redemption. Israel came out of Egypt 5 in rank (Ex 13:18). David picked up 5 smooth stone to fight Goliath (1 Sam. 17:40). The Holy Anointing Oil was pure and composed of 5 parts (Ex. 30:23-25).
The ancients represented the world by the number 5, the explanation being that in 5 are represented the four elements earth, water, fire and air, plus the fifth essence, ether or spirit. Five became the number of humanity with the five developed senses. It is the great senses, after which the sixth sense intuition develops.
The five wounds of Christ symbolize the suffering endured while in the flesh, which leads us to turn to God. In the parable of the five wise and the five foolish virgins (Matthew 25:3), "They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them. But the wise took oil in Testament their vessels with their lamps." The oil relates to the anointed, or those who had light. Human beings can choose the light or reject it by their actions.}
As we drifted I was seeing the world that I knew (From the road.) from a different perspective. Things were different. There was a lot more "trash" behind these homes. A friend of mine who is an aerial photographer was telling me the same thing, only yesterday. That from the air, a lot of things were trashed. And there was also the sense that you mere moving in a direction. You had no choice. You went where the current took you. Now there are two thoughts on that. One is if you relax you go where the Spirit will take you. The other is that without power you go down the river. Life was different out here on the river. And like the river, the river of God reveals a different thought process. Our life does not always look as pretty as we thought it to be. It reveals what we have been hiding from the world. It also goes where it wants and not where we want. I have always said any "dead fish" can go down river, but it takes the strength and perseverance of a salmon to go up river. Yesterday, showed me the helplessness of no power. I also was reminded that while prayer is the engine that moves thing(When combined with faith.), without a proper channel or used appropriately, all you have is a loud noise accomplishing nothing. That is not the way of the Lord. His word goes forth to accomplish it's purpose. Another fact gripped me. I felt like that motor. All revved up and not going anywhere. Just spinning in place. The motor required a "team" connection to the transmission and ultimately to the prop to accomplish it's will. I am sure I am not the only one who has felt like they were all revved up and nothing was happening.
We called our wives and I called a friend. As we drifted we talked. And then we were just getting ready to get the police involved. When this boat appeared. My friend had come through. He had gone to the boat landing and connected with this fisherman, who agreed to come rescue us. As he hooked up to us, he told us his name. He began to tow us down the river and to the landing. We talked more, all the while my prophetic sense was on fire. As we neared the bridge something happened that clearly indicated witchcraft to me. The young girl began to meditate in yoga style. "Om." She was kidding, but I sensed it was "real" in the prophetic realm. Something that was to come. It had to do with the spirit of new age. There is something about that bridge and it's connection to Springfield. Years ago there was a prophetic word that said the toll booth would remain until the people were not concerned with the money and willing to pay the price for the Lord to come. Many of you know that this city was the place for the Revival of Religion 1834.
I am thinking there is something else about this fisherman. Do I have it? Not yet. There is definitely something about fishing. The fisherman. His name was Terry. The name means "Power of the tribe." As I read that I realized the power of the tribe was the rescuing power. And he did rescue us. Without jeering or sarcasm, he humbly brought us to safety.
For my friend the indicators are the power of a team in a new adventure. I sensed that the Lord was describing the type of attack (isolation and witchcraft) that would come with this call. That there will be assembled a team of humble people with the heart of a shepherd. They will get this ministry to the goal. That the friend who had left the area represented a call not won. That the turning back would not be won without a battle, meaning the restoration of basics in the body. Ironically I originally thought the fisherman's name was Perry and my friend thought it was Harry. So, the Lord guided me to the correct name when I saw his truck below my home this morning. He will see the river of God flow, and it will reveal things in himself and others the Lord will be changing. Some of the irony was that as I was telling him of the prophetic he received an email about being shipwrecked from one of his intercessors.
The church will see a similar line brought about in the regional and local church. Shepherds of humility and fisherman who will go for the lost. Willing to come to the aid of the traveler. Many who have felt trapped and revving their engines will see the repair coming that will connect the to the "power of the tribe." Connections of importance are being made. All parts will be working together. "Every joint supplying..." No more turning around or aborted calls. Overcoming the spirit of witchcraft which has seduced our young. Recovering the power of the Lord that He might be glorified. Taking back that which was stolen. Allowing the river of light to reveal everything that is not God and adapting a willing ness to change it. Observing people and the community from a different perspective. Seeing people from God's point of view and not our own.
There is much more I am receiving moment by moment. My friend who got the rescuer. His last name is Godfrey or "God free," in this case. This was an experience. Even today as person after person came in to the store needing help, a listening ear, a shoulder, I am a witness to the awesomeness of the Lord.
May God bless you.
Lee
http://pcfministries.blogspot.com/
An afternoon on the river(Long)
I am going to share my afternoon excursion into the prophetic. It has a lot of meaning to my friend. It has a lot to do with changes coming locally and regionally. And it really opened my eyes.
It was a beautiful afternoon. A friend and I had planned to go last week, but the wind was going to be too much. So, when I was not able to make it yesterday morning, we agreed to go out on the river at 3:30. I met him at the boat launch. I looked at my watch 3:31. Because it was the 7th day of the month I felt led to view the scripture in the book of Judges. (And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel. One of my all time favorites. Right Paul?) He had brought his daughter. We unloaded the boat. It started(For the first time this year.) and as the smoke from setting all winter drifted across the water, I thought this is going to be a prophetic afternoon. My friend later shared that He felt the Lord told him that I had to go; no excuses. So, we headed down the river for a little while, letting the boat warm up. (It is a 350CI, appx. 250 HP, inboard outboard.) Turning around we headed up the river. As we passed the bridge, I felt like we just crossed over. Like the river Jordan. There was a change. We cruised along, admiring all that was around us. And as he adjusted the trim, (Trimming provides increased speed and better visibility, just as trimming our "wicks" or hearts would in the spirit realm.) we leveled out and cruised.
Now, I will tell you, that I spent all my young summer life on lakes and water. We always had a boat. We went water skiing, fishing and camping in our boat. And I love the water. I have asked God for years to release me to Burlington or Lake George or something. Please. So going out on the boat was "heaven" to me.
As we went up the river, everything was going fine. As we neared a friend's property on the river, I was explaining to my friend about why he had left the area, etc. We began to turn around and were just heading down river, when the river went into high revs with no forward motion. Shutting down the motor, we went to the back of the boat. Our first thought was that the prop had come off. But as I crawled over the motor, I could see that was not the case. But the motor was not connecting to the prop. That was for sure. And we were shipwrecked.
We began to drift. Slowly but surely the current was bringing us back to our point of entry. It would take forever but we would get there.
Now, I have meditated on this a lot.
My friend who had left the area, had strongly felt he had been called to the area. Appointed. But he left. (Those of you who read my story about Jeremy will recognize the reference to "appointed.") And as we drifted, I could see the cars and houses up on the road. Route 5. {Five biblically means THE NUMBER OF GRACE. Redemption. Israel came out of Egypt 5 in rank (Ex 13:18). David picked up 5 smooth stone to fight Goliath (1 Sam. 17:40). The Holy Anointing Oil was pure and composed of 5 parts (Ex. 30:23-25).
The ancients represented the world by the number 5, the explanation being that in 5 are represented the four elements earth, water, fire and air, plus the fifth essence, ether or spirit. Five became the number of humanity with the five developed senses. It is the great senses, after which the sixth sense intuition develops.
The five wounds of Christ symbolize the suffering endured while in the flesh, which leads us to turn to God. In the parable of the five wise and the five foolish virgins (Matthew 25:3), "They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them. But the wise took oil in Testament their vessels with their lamps." The oil relates to the anointed, or those who had light. Human beings can choose the light or reject it by their actions.}
As we drifted I was seeing the world that I knew (From the road.) from a different perspective. Things were different. There was a lot more "trash" behind these homes. A friend of mine who is an aerial photographer was telling me the same thing, only yesterday. That from the air, a lot of things were trashed. And there was also the sense that you mere moving in a direction. You had no choice. You went where the current took you. Now there are two thoughts on that. One is if you relax you go where the Spirit will take you. The other is that without power you go down the river. Life was different out here on the river. And like the river, the river of God reveals a different thought process. Our life does not always look as pretty as we thought it to be. It reveals what we have been hiding from the world. It also goes where it wants and not where we want. I have always said any "dead fish" can go down river, but it takes the strength and perseverance of a salmon to go up river. Yesterday, showed me the helplessness of no power. I also was reminded that while prayer is the engine that moves thing(When combined with faith.), without a proper channel or used appropriately, all you have is a loud noise accomplishing nothing. That is not the way of the Lord. His word goes forth to accomplish it's purpose. Another fact gripped me. I felt like that motor. All revved up and not going anywhere. Just spinning in place. The motor required a "team" connection to the transmission and ultimately to the prop to accomplish it's will. I am sure I am not the only one who has felt like they were all revved up and nothing was happening.
We called our wives and I called a friend. As we drifted we talked. And then we were just getting ready to get the police involved. When this boat appeared. My friend had come through. He had gone to the boat landing and connected with this fisherman, who agreed to come rescue us. As he hooked up to us, he told us his name. He began to tow us down the river and to the landing. We talked more, all the while my prophetic sense was on fire. As we neared the bridge something happened that clearly indicated witchcraft to me. The young girl began to meditate in yoga style. "Om." She was kidding, but I sensed it was "real" in the prophetic realm. Something that was to come. It had to do with the spirit of new age. There is something about that bridge and it's connection to Springfield. Years ago there was a prophetic word that said the toll booth would remain until the people were not concerned with the money and willing to pay the price for the Lord to come. Many of you know that this city was the place for the Revival of Religion 1834.
I am thinking there is something else about this fisherman. Do I have it? Not yet. There is definitely something about fishing. The fisherman. His name was Terry. The name means "Power of the tribe." As I read that I realized the power of the tribe was the rescuing power. And he did rescue us. Without jeering or sarcasm, he humbly brought us to safety.
For my friend the indicators are the power of a team in a new adventure. I sensed that the Lord was describing the type of attack (isolation and witchcraft) that would come with this call. That there will be assembled a team of humble people with the heart of a shepherd. They will get this ministry to the goal. That the friend who had left the area represented a call not won. That the turning back would not be won without a battle, meaning the restoration of basics in the body. Ironically I originally thought the fisherman's name was Perry and my friend thought it was Harry. So, the Lord guided me to the correct name when I saw his truck below my home this morning. He will see the river of God flow, and it will reveal things in himself and others the Lord will be changing. Some of the irony was that as I was telling him of the prophetic he received an email about being shipwrecked from one of his intercessors.
The church will see a similar line brought about in the regional and local church. Shepherds of humility and fisherman who will go for the lost. Willing to come to the aid of the traveler. Many who have felt trapped and revving their engines will see the repair coming that will connect the to the "power of the tribe." Connections of importance are being made. All parts will be working together. "Every joint supplying..." No more turning around or aborted calls. Overcoming the spirit of witchcraft which has seduced our young. Recovering the power of the Lord that He might be glorified. Taking back that which was stolen. Allowing the river of light to reveal everything that is not God and adapting a willing ness to change it. Observing people and the community from a different perspective. Seeing people from God's point of view and not our own.
There is much more I am receiving moment by moment. My friend who got the rescuer. His last name is Godfrey or "God free," in this case. This was an experience. Even today as person after person came in to the store needing help, a listening ear, a shoulder, I am a witness to the awesomeness of the Lord.
May God bless you.
Lee
http://pcfministries.blogspot.com/
Jeremy
I have had a lot of time to think about Jeremy and his sudden death this weekend. (For those who do not know, I received a call at about 6:30 Sunday morning from his girlfriend that he had died in his sleep at 29 years old.) It is interesting to me that his name means "appointed by God" or "exalted by God." Now the death of someone is not final. There is something in a name that is important. We think names are casual or just a thought.
Appointed by God. People. God is in the people business. He appoints and never disappoints.
Jeremy's death is significant in the fact that it represents the death of an appointment. I meditated a lot on the fact that this would have been roughly the same age that Jesus would have begun His public ministry as well.
God has an appointment for you. A call. A destiny. Last night I watched a program in which the girl had a "call" or a destiny before her. She said she did not want a destiny but a life. So many look at the callings of the Lord and wimp out because they do not understand His eternal plan. I feel strongly that the Lord did not desire Jeremy to die at 29, in his sin. That was a minimum of 50 years short of what the Lord has laid out for man. Do you understand His eternal plan? Do you see your picture in the brochure for this "conference?" If you do not, you have not understood His eternal plan. Life is not a job, kids and church. Life is the plan of God laid out and encompassing those things in more. Letting your life be an example by the nature of His power working in you. You are on the brochure. You are a speaker in God's conference to the lost neighbors and co-workers.
Perhaps you feel your appointment has died. You have looked at prophetic words and said "well, I guess that isn't going to happen." I am going to challenge you today to remind God of your appointment. Whom God appoints is appointed. Speak the words of that prophecy over your family, your life, your workplace and your home. Remind the devil that you do not have time for him today because you have an appointment.
You have been appointed by the Lord.
United Prayer
Hi folks:
On Sunday I had said that I am feeling strongly about prayer and united prayer.
On Sunday I had said that I am feeling strongly about prayer and united prayer.
There are two areas that I have been feeling very strongly about. One is prayer. I am feeling that we are about to encounter a "crisis" of largeness. I can not explain. I have thought a lot about it. I feel that we can no longer continue on in the prayer mode that we are or have been in. If we have been praying at a 2, then we need to move to a 3. (The numbers are irrelevant. All I am suggesting is an increase in our prayer. There is also the possibility of how we increase the power of our existing prayer and prayer times.
The other thing am feeling a burden for is our prayer time together. I am sensing that we need to pray more corporately. And when I say pray together I am not talking about soaking. Do you need a breakthrough? Then a breakthrough prayer is the answer. Soaking, I believe is our time of privacy with the Lord. I am suggesting that while we have time together that we pray, out loud (What we pray out loud is what changes the atmosphere. Our mouths are atmosphere machines, with the ability to shape and influence an atmosphere.) Why do I say this? Because we have "stalled" in a lot of areas. I am suggesting that we come together and change the atmosphere.
So, some of you are probably saying "I do not like to pray out loud" or "I do not know what to pray." We will have Bibles there. You can just read the word out loud if that is the case. The word does not return void.
I base this on what I saw from the poll results. Worship and prayer. 2 said fellowship. That part will not change. So, we will begin to make adjustments and plan for corporate prayer. We will not add nights or days, just add time for this.
Any thoughts...feel free to write me.
Blessings,
Lee
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Soft launch
HI folks:
We will be launching a "church" soft launch.
We will be launching a "church" soft launch.
To subscribe pcfgathering-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
I think it will be fun. It is moderated. If you would like to be a moderator, let me know.
I am soft launching this to get people on the same page as we launch worship, etc. I will be in touch with my gurus and see what we can do here. I am going to be asking some pastors, prophets, teachers, apostles and evangelists to come on board as we get going. People of counsel and wisdom. We will have guest teachers, etc., that we will work with here.
And we will call it a gathering.
You and I can touch millions.
Blessings,
Lee
This is it! (LONG)
THIS IS IT!
The month of May. Many prophets have spoken as to what this will mean to His people. A time of abundance and prosperity.
I want that to be in the back of our mind as we look at what is happening. For Tina and I, it means working hard to see the store sold and get our business of PPL(isn't it interesting that it means "PEOPLE?") moving nationally. I have many projects on the burners simmering, so to speak. It is a time of harvest. We will see many salvations coming.
Yesterday we met with Darryl and Martha Rodman. Two things came out of that meeting. One was a testimony about the 1,000 member Bible club in a school where gangs ruled and it was a lockdown school. All because of the faith of one 17 year old young lady. The other helped me clarify my thoughts about something that had been bothering me. We have 2 positions we hold. One is blessing people and the other is building with people. I had been wrestling with this. Over "obligation." I feel obligated to "bless" people, but not all of them will we build with or partner with. My thoughts have been on the scripture about fruit that remains. Darryl articulated what I had been thinking.
And that leads me to the next point. Nothing is more disturbing to me than "lack of passion." Be a passionate "sinner" and I hold hope for you. God can steer a moving ship. Be dead in the water, and nothing happens. Except the sharks of the enemy begin to circle. I am beginning a quest for passion and passionate people. I am talking about the person who will stay up till 3AM with me and break open the bread of life. The person who says I have not seen enough of God, I want more. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for they will be filed."
Time waits for no one. God gave us passion. It is up to us to use it. I have recently contemplated some thoughts from the "Jesus Revival." And one of the results I came away from is the computer acronym. GIGO. Garbage in. Garbage out. The contemplations have to do with this. "Inward, Upward, Outward, Forward." What is going on inside? That is part of the reason for Deeper Relationships. To help one another sort of things. Upward-what is our relationship with Him looking like. Outward is how is the previous 2 thoughts shaping your actions towards others? Is it loving? And Forward is contemplating what is to come? What will my future look like as I take on these previous 3 actions. What are my feelings? How do I do this?
My teaching will reflect this passion. My life will reflect this passion. It changes our thoughts about our home here. We have been told it is a place of worship and prayer. It changes what we think about what we are going to do here. We will be looking for passionate people to work with. In the process we will bless those that are along the way, but a recent study of John 6 left me thinking a lot about this. Many witnessed the miracle" of no lack that fed thousands of people. He met them with miracles and food. And when asked how they might do these same glorious works. He said "believe." (6:29) An easy thing many have said. Obviously not, because in a few short minutes, many left him behind.
It leaves me thinking about taking our church to the internet level. Much is happening in that realm. We have people all over saying, "Hey. Let's do this." Imagine the church 24/7 with pastors available and teachers, etc. (My 3 David's-please read this. I need help here.)
I will be returning to my training and teaching schedules. We are going to embrace the words constantly spoken about a training center. We do not know what is will look like. We are not sure what will happen. We just know God is to be trusted.
These are exciting times folks. May is IT! What you have sowed, so shall you reap. The hearts of the fathers turned towards the children and the hearts of the children turned to the fathers. Wild things can be counted on to happen.
So many accomplish the first 2-3 moves but when it comes to FORWARD it seems like the transmission fell out. WE must see this through. Do we want to see 1,000 NEW CONVERTS in a Bible Study? I DO. I do not care what it takes. Do we want to see a Coliseum filled by a church of 500? Oh, they did a special meeting for EASTER and 14,000 people showed up. 800 got baptized and were encouraged to wear their wet clothes to Easter dinner and explain what happened.
I am glad when people seek a change inwardly. I am glad when they expose themselves to God for His care. I am excited about the outward changes that manifest. But the most exciting realm is when passion takes over and the train moves ahead. What does the future hold? Where can we go? When can we go? LET'S GO. My friend Jack Taylor did an incredible teaching one time on "can't stay here. Can't go on. Might as well go ahead. Got to tell somebody." It was about the lepers who were caught in famine. They would die if they stayed. There was nothing back in the city for them. So they decided to go ahead and see if they could grab some food from the enemy. When they got there the enemy was gone. So they ran back and told everyone.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
An interesting couple of weeks
Dear Brothers & Sisters:
Many of you have not heard form me for a while. There are many reasons. Most are pretty good(Though many know I believe GOOD is often the enemy of GOD.). I have been very devoted to some new church things, some travel, family and business. So, feel free to write me if you want more details. We definitely are in the middle of transition.
Here are some highlights.
A week ago Friday, our daughter Alyssa gave birth to her third child. baby boy. The difficulty...she did not think she could handle it, so the baby is with pre-adoptive parents. Hope you will pray:-) She is very torn up about this. She has 21 days from Friday to resolve this. God is definitely speaking to her and we are confident in the Lord for His care of her. Personally, I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that she will keep this child. As I told her. God trusted you enough to have this baby, so He must have trusted you to take care of him.
Our store-we are certainly in the middle of transition as we decide how to move into our new business while selling or giving this store away. Feel free to check it out on ebay. Our other business is picking up quickly. Feel free to visit our website. I just added some cool stuff about the revelation, following a vision that I had had 5-6 years ago. This is on our blog listed below.
Deeper Relationships. This is our new group, both online and together. We are seeing lots of cool things happen in this group and it is exciting.
Yesterday I met with a Christian philosopher. While he was there a woman named Therese came in. She and her "partner" (Spelled Civil Union) are here to look at taking over the UU church in town. Despite her leanings we got to introduce her to some of the things of the Lord. I will tell you that her "I beleive anything" statement really took a toll on my thought process. I wanted to jump in, but decided that I want another chance to talk to her:-)
Earlier this week I was a a conference. I got to do my favorite thing in the world. Worship the Lord. Drums...and lots of them. Lots of new friends and new connections. Lots of worship and lots of Him. What else could one ask for. It was a lot of fun and I am thankful for the time away. I had originally planned to be with Alyssa, but she had her baby a week early.
Lately, the Bible has been explosive for me. When I first got saved the Bible would have words turn into fire lit thoughts. I literally would see lights around the wors that the Lord would "highlight" for me. Other things like that are happening. (Feel free to visit my blog at the bottom of the page.) And the result of that is increased faith, believing God to be all that He is in my life. I am not sure "why" it is happening, but it is happening. We are seeing people prophesied over and healed who are not even saved. As much as I have seen really cool with the pre-Christian set, I also see a lot of despair among the brethren. Like where was God when all this was happening. A lot of this is with parents. I think you are going to see a wave of repentance come across America among Christian parents who have placed their church and the related activity above the lives of their children. "Where is the beef" was the old commercial. Christians morphed it to "where is the love?" And I think the next wave will be "where is the real?" I was in a meeting the other day where a young man prophesied that "creativity" was going to come into Christian music and it would not all sound the same. I think it is going to affect all of the church. The application of Biblical principles(Or the lack of.) is what we are dealing with. Not politics or misplaced loyalties. Politics mean so very little, unless we operate without the power of the Lord. In which case we must "legislate" morality. For years I have watched the church. From within and without. What is it that separates the church from the world? It ought to be love. But it ought to be allowing the Lord to move in our lives and the world seeing it. We are going to need it. I sense that there is a big change moving in America. The division between those believing and those not in the church is growing greater. Them versus us. WOW! Where has that come from? Did you know there is a church in Scotland called the "Church of the Holy Rude?" Listen to this..."If James VI's coronation was the highlight of Holy Rude's history, perhaps its lowest ebb was during the long period from 1656 to 1936 when a wall divided the nave from the choir, and the church served two divided congregations. This was originally the result of an argument between the minister of Stirling, Rev James Guthrie and a colleague. The Rev Guthrie had a knack of making enemies and he was eventually executed for treason in Edinburgh on 1 June 1661, his head subsequently being displayed on a spike in the city as an example to others. " Crazy, huh? Is it? we see it a lot in America. One of the reasons we "lose" so often is because our theology is in the way. I have better relationships with many New Agers who "accept" my beliefs. Talk about tongues and we have a problem. Manifestations of the Spirit. Whoops!
We battle not against flesh and blood. Our job is to wield a sword in the heavenlies and wear a towel and serve here on earth. It is the only way we win.
God bless you!
Lee
Friday, April 27, 2007
Another relevant part
Hi folks:
I forgot to mention this part. Years ago we had a minister come in. Her name was Betty Green. She had been in South Korea with Paul Yongghi Cho. His mother, sent her back to the US to begin "Prayer Mountain, USA." When she came to minister here in Springfield, she told us that we would be a Prayer Mountain. We "believed" it for a while. Then when we moved to our present home, people like Wayne Anderson, Timothy Sherman, John Scotland and Tim Trafford, said that we were the "Eagle's Nest." A place of prayer. And I will admit, discouragement over some of these things has set in.
I forgot to mention this part. Years ago we had a minister come in. Her name was Betty Green. She had been in South Korea with Paul Yongghi Cho. His mother, sent her back to the US to begin "Prayer Mountain, USA." When she came to minister here in Springfield, she told us that we would be a Prayer Mountain. We "believed" it for a while. Then when we moved to our present home, people like Wayne Anderson, Timothy Sherman, John Scotland and Tim Trafford, said that we were the "Eagle's Nest." A place of prayer. And I will admit, discouragement over some of these things has set in.
So, yesterday, we came home, and as my wife was thumbing through the mail, she said "Wow. This is a blast from the past. Betty Green sent us a letter." From Prayer Mountain... I am not sure what all this means, but something is shifting. Ther has been a word of acceleration floating over our region. Perhaps...
Blessings,
Lee
A weird word
Hi folks:
The last few days of being back at home has been pretty weird. A lot of things have gone on that are disconcerting while other things are very cool.
Yesterday I met a young woman named Portia. We had a very long conversation about many things. We touched on 2 of the 3 subjects you do not talk about. Religion and politics. She is a liberal. I give her credit. She is a thinking one. She actually worked for our Congressman during his campaign. But the idea of religion, well, suffice to say she was stretched. And it caused me to want to reach out more to people. And there was something prophetic about her. Her name means "Offering" in Latin. WOW! Her last name I will not post, but I will tell you it means "Horn." (And for those of you who think I see too much in things, that is OK.) A horn of offering. This is prophetic. There is something coming down the pike. (BTW-this revelation only came this morning.) The Bible talks of a horn of oil, light and strength. A cornucopia. A horn of plenty. A symbolic, hollow horn filled with the inexhaustible gifts of celebratory fruits. Do you see it?
Last night I took Mike and Carol to the airport to go to FL for business and family. We had an incredible conversation about the Lord and His workings. I think-why would anyone want to talk about anything else? He is it. He is the answer. He is everything. We talked about everything from deliverance and healing to prophecy and church. ( I confess we did not talk a lot about church a lot. Church without God is not the answer.) Is it not true that coming to "church" and not doing the stuff is not God? So, I loaded them off and began the ride home. I went into McDonald's in Manchester and felt like I had left the country. Everyone was speaking Spanish and all the stuff there was bilingual. Culture shock! As I was there I had a vision. It was a weird one. It was weird because I had it 5 or 6 years ago. In both visions I was told that I would have millionaires in my church-8 of them. A few weeks later this word was confirmed by a prophet who said that and a lot more. I said "Lord-where are they?" His reply was "you shall make them." I remember thinking, "great this is going to be harder than I thought." And then I have this vision again. I shared it with 2 people. I was overwhelmed. I had given up on this to be honest. When I shared this with my daughter, she was immediately aware that my friend Mike was going to meet with someone in the business who's husband had been working with a millionaire in FL from this business. She said "that is the first thing I felt." Millionaires coming in. Folks-I sense a change in the air.
So here I am this morning recounting the prophetic words of gems and gold and millionaires. Wondering who it is this will touch. Being forewarned to judge no one by appearance or in advance. Realizing that the business I am in is the answer to helping others and shaping lives. Before I thought I had a "jackknife" of a business, but now I realize I have a nuclear bomb. So, I am overwhelmed(I would tell you speechless, but no one would believe that!). Last night I stopped at a friend's home on the way back to ask him to come aboard. And I am feeling that there is more to this. Only yesterday my daughter Amy, was describing an accident she witnessed and how she just burst into tears of compassion. There is a shift. We have been promised MAY. "As prophesied earlier this year, God has set aside a few months for unusual favor for God's people. The month of May is going to be a time of access and release for those who receive this promise. Kim Clement" I am not trying to explain it, but I do believe it has something to do with sowing and reaping. What we sow in April will be reaped in May.
What can you give? While I was in Massachusetts, I thought about giving away my store. Lock, stock and barrel. I told Tina this morning. At wholesale it would be a 30K plus offering. Pray for me. I am looking for the group or person, I believe. Horns of offering. I realized last night the other business helps people, has the potential to reach millions and I don't have to load furniture in cars. :-)
So to all of you. I love you!
Lee
To join the Deeper Relationships Group-write me.
BTW-I looped a friend of mine, Paul, in to this letter. Right now I am listening to worship by him. Pray for him. He is the generation of worshipper, that is not comin, but is here. He is a BLESSING!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Mentoring
Hi folks:
This is a big one for me. Over the last few weeks I have been sensing the need for a stronger emphasis on mentoring or spiritual parenting.
Last night clinched it for me. There is a real need for this. Mike posed a challenge last week. Will you lay down your life for another?
I have said for years that every Timothy needs a Paul. Every Paul, a Timothy. And every Paul, a Barnabas. I have felt in many cases there is a "fatherless" (And surely a motherless side.) generation coming up. First and foremost I know we must address the true position of a father in a child's life. Even as this generation grwos older we see fears entering into hearts. Having said that, we can do what we can do. The age old thought, "let it begin with me."
"But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that [they be] in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, [To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded."
I have spoken to no less than 4 young women who have no role model in the last week or so. No less than 3 males. I do not want to sound like a jerk, but when will we come to the end of ourselves and realize we have an accountability to this generation. Whether it be our sons or daughters, or the child of the next door pre-Christian couple, do we have a responsibility? Oh, I know some of these kids are difficult to dea with. Some will resist. But, is not Jesus wooing us at our worst, a type or an image of what His expectations are of us to this generation?
Personally, I am struggling with the brokeness of the children I have met in the last week or so. But this is not about me. What about them? There are women in this church who have been broken. They have healed only to the extent they share. I mention women because a lot of the men are plugging in on some level. I copied this from DA. Each one, reach one, Each one, support one Each one, teach one To reach another one.
Let me know what you think and what you feel our "job" is.
Thanks,
Lee
Thursday, March 29, 2007
4:30 AM
I woke up at 4:30 this morning. Why? Not sure. But felt like taking a shower and praying. So by 4:45 I was in prayer mode mode. I have had a revival of prayer in the last few weeks. I have in many respects returned to my "Word of Faith" roots. My prayers this morning were varied, but as I prayed for many, I felt a word of the Lord creeping in. There seemed to be an underlying theme. Speaking to the person's spirit I was praying for. Calling it forth, to the "lead" position. (Maybe it had to do with all of Vanessa's prayers :-p) Anyways, I felt like things were changing in people's lives.
It made me think about prayer and more particularly, what we say. There seems to be a growing belief that what we say does not matter. On the other hand a couple of people asked me about my request about removing Jason from Alyssa's life. So, some do feel that what we say is important. If it does not mean anything, then why do people when we say we are "praying" get concerned. There is no more special time for prayer than any other, really. God is listening in all the time and so is the devil. What we say is relevant. Trust me if I went around saying "sister so and so is a jerk," someone would stop me. (Wouldn't they?)
Another theme that kept occurring was that of declaring that the spirit of fear was removed. How by "perfect love." Or as I have recently been saying "The mature love. Love that has come to it's fullness." I have watched an increase of fear in people's lives. Fear about relationships, situations, the future. It is destroying the health of many individuals. Whatever it is that you are fearing, God is greater. Now having said that, there is a walking out process of these things. That is a day to day regimen. Working on one's self and sharing it with others. A problem shared is a problem halved. People need people. I give you a guideline below to help you. I have had to deal with this in my own life lately. This time my healing has not been instantaneous. It still could be. But as of this moment it has not.
As I prayed I felt like the body of believers in this area had believed the lies of the enemy, about themselves, about others and mostly about God.
I believe you will have a blessed day. Go for it.
8 R's to Freedom
P
athway to Wholeness and Freedom1.
Recognize –You must recognize what it is2. Responsibility –You must take responsibility for What you recognize
3. Repent –You must repent to God for participating With what you recognize
4. Renounce –You must make what you recognize, your enemy, and renounce it
5. Remove –Get rid of it once and for all
6. Resist –When it tries to come back resist it
7. Rejoice –Give God thanks for setting you free
8. Restore –Help someone else get free
The 8R's are from Pastor Henry Wright's book, A More Excellent Way
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Personal Prayer Requests
Hi folks:
I am at a crossroads in my life over areas of ministry and business. I feel like prayer is the answer in this situation. I have a number of requests and ask that you pray as the Lord leads.
The first request is.
Business related-We currently have 4 businesses. One is websites and the related bookstores. Another is a newspaper. Another a store. And finally, the business that provides a great deal of income, our Pre-Paid Legal Business. I also have another art project I m working on. Add to the fact that had I read a certain book(Rich Dad, Poor Dad) I read after the store opening, I would not have opened it. But I did. And even though it makes good money, it is labor intensive, has no residuals, etc. . So, I want to sell it. And I am asking you to pray that God would supply a buyer. I want 30K for all the merchandise. 5K down. I have 3-40' trailers full, a warehouse space full and 2,800 square feet of store. I am going to advertise it in the next week. Just thinking it through. It would be a great cooperative business for ministry, but I do not want to be there with it. I would help anybody. And I could travel selling the newspaper advertising, the websites and the Pre-Paid Legal in different modes all at the same time. I could also combine my travel to include ministry, etc..
My art project. I am joining forces with a former stripper who is a dynamite artist. I am working on some projects right now with her. The money benefits former strippers, escorts, and prostitute. I feel really good about this connection.
2 Web projects-In the last few days I developed successfully, 2 web projects. They would be an ideal starter business for someone. So, I am in thought process wheter I sell or keep/
Ministry related-I really need this one. I(we) need to have an exact opposite of me for this church body. Someone who has the town and it's people at heart. We recently received some prophetic words about a doubling of people in the ministry. I want someone with counseling abilities. Someone who is willing to devote themselves to prayer. Willing to lead groups. Someone to offset the prophetic side of our ministry. Without it we can go no further, I think. It can even be a team of people to come alongside and take on some of the day to day responsibilities. We have people that need biblical counseling. A shoulder to lean on. A person or people to take the direction I see and reduce it to simple, bite size pieces. (Am I making sense) I want to focus on workplace prophetic and evangelism. To focus on prayer and growth. I want someone to watch inside the church, so to speak, while I focus on the outside.
Please devote some time to this. We are rapidly moving into stagnant areas. I am willing to work with you people 8-14, 14-28 and work outside. What I am asking prayer for is that we would have homes to be open. This requires prayer, prayer, prayer. I am willing to do the hard work if someone will do the easier work that is "hard" for me. It is not where I "live." I want to bring in more "outrageous" ministries to work with the young people, like James Levesque.
Also, I have been asked to preach at some biker rallies(10-20,000) and some things like that. Will you pray that I hear clearly?
Thanks for listening.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Young people
Hi folks:
I touched on it yesterday, but Tina and I had a conversation about it today. It is rapidly falling on our hearts. The questions we are faced with; are where do we find the time; what do we do; how do we do it? And probably 20 more.
We could use some prayer about this. Mike and I had a discussion on Saturday about this.
Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night at our home.
Blessings,
Lee
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Persistence-funny story-and some truth revealed
Yesterday was not one of my finest days. With the incoming storm I wanted to get things done. Racing around at the store, just trying to get things done. Bought a bunch of furniture, went through a bad time, and finally decided that as it had started to snow, so I told Cass "we are out of here." And a friend of mine stops in. This is a friend of mine who is trying to find the financing for a movie that he and another have written. (They have already had meetings with people like Jonathan Frakes from Star Trek, but what it comes down to, that unlike most industries where people in the know put their money up, the movie industry does not. So while people like Frakes and Albert Finney have said "yes" the pocketbooks they have say no. Whole 'nother story. Hopefully we wil find him 5 million dollars.) So, Mark comes in and he wants me to show him the business plan for Pre-Paid Legal. Of course, it is snowing, but, hey, he is my friend. So, I do. And then we all get ready to leave. And as Mark goes to leave the front door of the store comes off! So, after some messing around I get it in place, enough to get through the night and hit the road. Well, by now, everything is icy, and I have no "snow tire" left on the car. We barely make the first hill, and the crossing guard jumps in front of us. Slowing to a crawl, I maintain enough momentum to make the hill. But clearly after a few minutes I am sure I am not going to make our 1 mile mountain. So, I begin the long way. Every few seconds the "low track" warning is going off. Cass is quiet. We get to this long hill that goes down. I am very cool doing what ever it takes to go up, but going down snow covered hills is not as much fun. Throwing the vehicle into neutral, I begin a braking strategy that gets me to the stop sign of a 4 way intersection. I make the turn right and begin climbing the moderate mountain. Slipping, sliding and negotiating curves where you can not hit the brakes nor drop into a lower gear, I have my road in sight, only to MISS it. Now I am in an uphill battle looking for a flat turn around with a vehicle tailing me. Does he think I know where I am gong? A half mile later I find the terrain I need, pulling over, waving the truck by and backing around to make another pass. All of this is down hill. I get to the road which is dirt and hope it is not the mudseason of yesterday. Up and down, spinning, sliding, we are nearly to the final stretch. A van races out of it's driveway with out stopping and we are on the brakes. Missing only by inches. She keeps going to pick up her children about 50 years down the road. We are at the top of a long hill down and a long hill up. I am going to have to build some serious momentum and I do and we glide to the top. Down my road and a little too much speed and the sleet/snow/ice nearly lands me in our trees. But, hey, we make it.
And as I sat here last night, I thought about the path of a Christian. Getting home for me was the objective. I am a very persistent person. Keeping my car safe is another. What do I have to do that is necessary to getting the job done. I knew that one approach would be nonexistent (The only thing worse than having to go down a hill forward, is to have to back down it!). Instead I looked for alternatives, remaining flexible to the situation. I think in a lot of respects, the walk of a Christian has to be flexible to avoid "breaking." I have watched dogmatic control destroy people's lives. I do not believe the goal is "getting to heaven," but believe it is to be like Him. While Jesus knew a lot of what was going on, ther was a flexibility in His approach to things. Crowd too much. Stay. Crowd too much. Leave. My physical journey yesterday had the day to day obstacles of hills, curves and stop signs. Nothing changed in that. But what changed was the circumstances. And in my life, what "bugs" me today, with encouragement and friendship does not bug me tomorrow. In part it was fun to have Cass in the car because you get sound effects. On the other hand having her in the car required a greater measure of caution. And that is what people mature into understanding, hopefully, that it is not about me, but about those I take with me. Immature believers can not "take" any one with them without possibly endangering their lives. Maturity wants to take others with them and get them there safely. There will always be obstacles. I listened to an imature believer the other day who decided life was too hard and they were giving up.
In Deuteronomy there is anunusual confession of faith in Deuteronomy 26, verse 5.. And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish [was] my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous: The person who made an offering was to make a confession of faith as they gave their tithe. And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage: And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression: And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders: And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, [even] a land that floweth with milk and honey.
That is the walk of one who is flexible. How we began here from our wanderings as the Syrian to where we are coming to now. We must head home, regardless of the cost. And the mature amongst us, have responsibility. Allen mentioned yesterday that he did not have title or a ministry, but the fact is, he has a love that "requires" a change.
There is a "nomadic" people that God is bringing together to partner with His agenda. And the journey is worth it.
Lee
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