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Sunday, November 30, 2014

Culture of Honor

An excerpt from the book Culture of Honor by Danny Silk...

"An apostolic environment is an exciting place, because the focus on Heaven allows prayer, worship, miracles, signs, and wonders to become normal in our daily lives. However, there is one particular area that the role of the apostle is not designed to address directly: the needs of people. Do you remember what the apostle said when confronted with the needs of the people in Acts 6:4? "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the Ministry of the word." They were acting like apostles. Be increasing needs of the people were a distraction to their role and anointing. Its not that they didn't care about the people. They did something to make sure that quality men in their community addressed those needs. But an apostle has to have the freedom to pursue heaven if he or she is effectively going to fulfill the apostolic call.

When an apostle pursues his or her calling without the other ministry grace is in place, several real issues creep into the environment and threatened success for the Apostolic leader. Unusual manifestations not found in the Bible, unprecedented scenarios and styles, and uncomfortable focus on the supernatural, & a noticeable and attention to the needs of the people begin to create friction for any apostolic leader. All the people can see is the distance growing between them and the apostle. And the peoples needs to go unmet, they can begin to resent the way the apostle is choosing to use his or her time. Travel meetings, connection with other apostolic leaders, and prayer seem like a luxurious expenditures of time when the needs of the people are screaming in their own ears."-- Danny Silk

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

JEZEBEL--by Randall E. Burton

There was a 10 year period between the death of King Ahab and the death of his wife Jezebel. Ten is the number of a test. We may have won a few battles at Mt Carmel. We have killed some Baals in our life but the real test is when we throw down on Jezebel. Until she is thrown down out of our stained glass hearts, the church will be weak and powerless in the earth. Elijah rebuilt the altar that was torn down, but Jehu had the guts to confront Jezebel and have her killed. The key to complete victory is; 1. Rebuild the altars in your heart. 2. Don't tolerate that witch, throw her down immediately! John the Baptist said, i must decrease but he must increase. Jesus said, if I be lifted up then I will draw all men to myself. The battle isn't over until there's not a trace left of Ahab or Jezebel left in your life.

Scriptures to ponder...

I Kings 18:19 Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

Revelation 2:22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.

I Kings 22:34-38 Now a certain man drew a bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am wounded.” The battle increased that day; and the king was propped up in his chariot, facing the Syrians, and died at evening. The blood ran out from the wound onto the floor of the chariot. Then, as the sun was going down, a shout went throughout the army, saying, “Every man to his city, and every man to his own country!” So the king died, and was brought to Samaria. And they buried the king in Samaria. Then someone washed the chariot at a pool in Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood while the harlots bathed, according to the word of the Lord which He had spoken.

II Kings 9:30-33 Now when Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of  it;  and she put paint on her eyes and adorned her head, and looked through a window. Then, as Jehu entered at the gate, she said, “ Is  it peace, Zimri, murderer of your master?” And he looked up at the window, and said, “Who is on my side? Who?” So two or three eunuchs looked out at him. Then he said, “Throw her down.” So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot.

Revelation 2:8-11 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:  “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.  Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’

Revelation 2:18-29 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:  “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.  Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow  that woman  Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.  And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.  Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.  I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.  But hold fast what you have till I come.  And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ — as I also have received from My Father;  and I will give him  the morning star. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

Thursday, November 13, 2014

JESUS AND SINNERS--by Randall E. Burton

I recently saw a video post on facebook that ask the question, "which would you rather do, sit on a pew or a barstool?" Its all sad and sappy and berates the church for being like the Pharisees of Jesus day... It decrys and touts love and tolerance but offers no hope or victory for the down trodden. It goes on a tirade like that for several minutes. While it sounds good and noble, it reeks of religion in itself. We've become religious about not being religious. In reality we've become insolent to church leaders and insubordinate to anything that is church structured!

I am growing weary of a younger hot-shot generation taking pot-shots at the church and its leaders for what they tout as "the failed generation" that came before them.

Jesus didn't just hang out with sinners, Jesus hung on a cross for sinners. Yes he dinned with them but he also died for them. He brought wine to the wedding and then became wine for wounded. He was beaten for those who imbibed alcohol but not so they could continue to be bound by it. #getoveryourself

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FATHERS AND SON'S--by Randall Burton

Philippians 2:19-24 If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon. (NLT)

Spiritual sons carry their fathers unique DNA within them. If you as a father sincerely care about your church, then your sons will care just as deeply as you do.

Sons are sent and entrusted with their fathers lagecy. Responsibility given proves relationship worthy.

Sons are concerned about the churches state as well as their fathers condition. (v.v. 19 & 23)

Epaphroditus was a pack-mule for Paul but not a son in the faith. He carried the mission for Paul but he didn't carry the vision of Paul (v. 25)

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RELATIONSHIP OF SONS TO FATHERS:
1.   Carry Fathers DNA
2.   Are proven worthy
3.   Have a servants heart
4.   Are loyal
5.   Are ambassadors sent
6.   Are pursuers
7.   Are good followers

RELATIONSHIP OF FATHERS TO SONS:
1.   See their sons as non-disposable
2.   Not absentee
3.   Allow mistakes
4.   Committed to their success
5.   Desire for their sons to be greater
6.   Proud/defends sons
7.   Acceptance and affirmation
8.   Models
9.   Speaks truth
10. Allows venerable (honor)

☆Barrowed from Larry Stockstill☆
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John 15:15-16 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.  You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. (NLT)

HOW TO SET AN ATMOSPHERE AT CHURCH--by Randall E. Burton

I just thought of a really cool idea on how we can decorate and accentuate our stages in our churches. Wouldn't it be awesome to decorate the back walls of our stages with the formerly used prosthetic devices, cruches, wheelchairs...after healing services? What if the Glory of God lit our stages and replaced our man made attempts to recreate an ambience of light? I think people would go for some real smoke rolling off our stages for a change instead of the manufactured smoke machines of today. Maybe its time that we have a Godufactured church where men step out of the way and point others toward the Holy of Holies instead of the souley of soulies! All of our tips, tricks and tics to get people into our seats have built up our kingdom and have made our names, but not so much His. We've made it about our meity instead of His deity. Its become our thingdom and not his kingdom. I have come to the realization that people dont come to church to hear me, they're coming to see him!