I Believe in...

Someone asked me how I would describe my outlook on life as a Christian. Below is a partial answer.

I Believe
1. In a passionate pursuit of knowing, experiencing and enjoying God and in bringing others along on the adventure;

2. In equipping, mending, nurturing, building up, challenging,
releasing, mentoring, inspiring, motivating and encouraging the
people around me;

3. In being a servant leader who will be responsible and accountable to the team I am a part of;

4. In the unfolding, creative, and fresh work of God for every group of people;

5. In dreaming and praying big while being faithful with those who are around you;

6. In allowing, encouraging and supporting others to follow the calling and dreams in their life;

7. In working hard to do my part and allowing God to do His;

8. In the wonder of God's endless, creative and unique style of accomplishing His will among people;

9. In one day hearing Him say, well done you who have been a good and faithful servant.

10. In the local gathering of believers (Church) as the starting place to accomplish all that Jesus began to do and teach.

You can find more information about me and the Equippers Network at my blog sites:
The Equippers Network Ministry Hub http://equippersnetwork.com/ this site is the home base for all of my blogs and has the Equippers Network ministry Mission and Vision spelled out.

It is all by His Grace
The Equipper

Artwork, Walking in the Light by Graham Braddock
http://www.christian-artprints.com/

The Lost Art of Practicing His Presence

The Presence of God in the Life of each believer is to be enjoyed as well as cherished. We would do well to develop our relationship with God above all others. When we do we will not be blown about by every new wind of doctrine or be influenced by the opinions of others, instead of being influenced by the Word of God.

Passionate Spirit filled and led disciples will thrive as they learn to dwell in the presence of God and the truth of His Word. These must become more important to us than the influence of friends and the current fad or ways of the World. There are several good classic books on God's presence.

A new book that will help you build up your walk with God is"The Lost Art of Practicing His Presence"by James W. Goll.

Your heart has been created for the Presence of God, and it is not complete without His Presence living within. Nay-sayers try to convince you that His Presence is elusive and subjective, but their voice is silenced by the desire yearning from within for a union with your Lord and Creator. As a credible response for those who want to fill that inner void with His perfect union, The Lost Art of Practicing His Presence was written.

Click on the link below to read my whole article on theis book. http://equipperstoolbox.blogspot.com/

Catch a Vision of Him then You can Fulfill His Call

What is your perception of God? Is it grand and full of wonder? Or is it small and common place. The Bible gives us several glimpses of God that reveal his majesty power and greatness. These passages display the wonder of His might and His Glory.

Catch the Vision
If we are to grasp the Call of God on our life we must understand His majesty and greatness. We some times say He is the creator and sustainer of our faith in quoting from the Book of Hebrews. But when is the last time you had a reminder of God as Creator of all that exist?

Job 38:4-5 Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Declare to Me, if you have and know understanding. Who determined the measures of the earth, if you know? Or who stretched the measuring line upon it? AMP

Read all of Job chapters 38-42 to get the full picture.

My Job Encounter: Can you keep your lungs and eyes working? Early in my walk with God I had made a bad choice and I had a God encounter that forever changed my walk with God. God reminded me of what I had learned in high school about the workings of my eyes in all of the details. Then He asked if I wanted to keep them working? He then went on to my lungs and once again reminded me in detail of how they worked and He asked me again if I wanted to keep them working. Realizing that on my own I could not I was struck with awe and fear. My relationship with God took a giant step on that day. I had a renewed and clear understanding of His might, majesty and holiness.

Rev 1:12-16 Our next scriptural view of God's Majesty today is this passage.
12 Then I turned to see [whose was] the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lamp stands, 13 And in the midst of the lamp stands [One] like a Son of Man, clothed with a robe which reached to His feet and with a girdle of gold about His breast.

Dan 7:13; 10:5. 14 His head and His hair were white like white wool, [as white] as snow, and His eyes [flashed] like a flame of fire. [Dan 7:9.] 15 His feet glowed like burnished (bright) bronze as it is refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters.

[Dan 10:6.] 16 In His right hand He held seven stars, and from His mouth there came forth a sharp two-edged sword, and His face was like the sun shining in full power at midday. [Ex 34:29.] AMP

Read all of Revelation chapters 1-5 to get a start of this inside look at the wonder of God and His workings. Answer the call Isa 6:1-3 and 6:8 This passage brings the majesty of God into a new context.
...I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying: 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" NIV

The end result of a clear revelation of the majesty and power of God should be awe, fear and a willingness to do what He ask of desires with all of our strength and might. It should fire us up to run the race that is set before us!

Run the Race to Win and Fulfill the Call
When we begin to have the eyes of our heart opened and begin to comprehend the power and work of God within us, when we review the great cloud of witnesses that have gone before us and are reminded of the price Jesus paid for His victory on our behalf we are motivated to not grow weary and lose heart but to look to Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith and the originator of our Call for all that is needed to Fulfill the Call!

Ephesians 1:18-22 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

Heb 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. NIV

Will you answer His call today?

He is waiting to hear your reply!

Artwork "Manifold Majesty" by Graham Braddock @ http://www.majesticartworks.com/

Equippers Network Ministry Hub Launch

Equippers Network Ministry Hub has been launched. You can click on the link below or above to read the whole thing. Below is the beginning. http://www.equippersnetwork.com

MINISTRY OBJECTIVE/OVERVIEW

"Empowering churches, Individual believers, Market place and Ministry leaders to fulfill God's heart in the earth today according to Ephesians 4:11 -13 To:
1. Fulfill their call to release the Life of Jesus among the people of the earth.
2. Build up fellow believers/followers of Jesus.
3. Encourage and assist believers to grow into maturity, reaching the full stature of Christ."

The Equippers Network exists to help you fulfill God's calling and to minister His revolutionary life today. We are experiencing a dramatic change in ideas or practice in the Church today as we seek to fulfill God's plan to make disciples of all nations.

George Barna states in Growing True Disciples; "We need to be igniting and nurturing people’s passion for God and get out of their way.” Those with a unique Vision, those who are called by God need continuous mentoring and training if they are to be sent forth as radical, healthy people of the Spirit who are focused on accomplishing what Jesus has called them to at all cost.

The Equippers Network Vision is to mend, equip, train, mentor and release people into cutting edge Spirit led ministry that flows from God's heart. My passion is to help believers fulfill to the fullest measure God's Call on their life by Coaching and Training them as God works in them, so that they can fulfill Ephesians 4:12-13 to:

1. Birth, Develop and Mature the calling or assignment God has given them vision for.
2. Build up believers by means of connecting them with others who are seeking to fulfill God’s vision for their life.

3. Bring believers to Maturity as passionate followers of Jesus the Messiah by means of Relational Discipleship, Coaching, Mentoring, and Hands on Training and Teaching.

God the Great Creator has given us the His unique ability to create and have the vision to create ministry. These Creative Visions for Ministries flow from His calling in the believer’s life and all that he has created us to uniquely be by His grace and power working in us.

Go to Equippers Network new Ministry Hub @ http://www.equippersnetwork.com/ to read all about it!

It is All by His Grace
The Equipper

What Does Success Look Like at Your Church (Revisited)

When you look at your church and its core values and vision how would you define success?

How would you compare the success of your church's core values and vision with the priorities of Jesus and the teachings of scripture?

When people meet you or the people that attend your church do they want to come and see what Jesus is doing among you?

Has your church gotten stuck in a cultural or generation version of the Christian life that is no longer appealing to those seeking Jesus?

One place to evaluate success in the local church is to examine the priorities of Jesus and the New Testament writers. Another way to evaluate Biblical success is to study the lives of people in the Old Testament who were considered pleasing and favored of God.

Scripture points to two specific areas that make a person pleasing to God in the Old Testament.
1. The first is having 'a heart after God' 1 Sa 13:14: But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command." NIV.
2. The second is obedience to God's Word. 1 Sam 15:22: Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. NIV

Jesus also came 'to do the will of the Father' powered by the Holy Spirit.
1. In fact Phil 2:5-11 says that Jesus humbled or emptied Himself. 'Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. NASU'
2. He operated by the father’s authority and the Holy Spirit's power so that he would be the perfect model for us. Jn 17:4 “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. NASU
3. Mt 3:16-17: 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." NIV

The next two places we need to look are the command of Jesus and teaching of the Apostles.
1.First, to continue His work by making disciples of all nations. Mt 28:19-20, Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."NIV
2. Second, to equip God’s people. Eph 4:11-13, And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. NASU
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If you evaluate what we are doing and compare it with these verses, how is your church doing?
Is the next generation of leaders flourishing among us or are they being driven away or held in captivity to our old ways of doing things?
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We are commanded to be making, equipping and releasing into leadership the next group or generation of disciples on a continual basis.
We should follow the model of Paul and continue our relationship as partners and co-laborers with the next generation of leaders as we release them to lead and make disciples of all nations.
This will assure them of support and help them to continue the work that Jesus began to do and teach us about!
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We will need to allow them their vision and their God inspired methods. New wine needs new wineskins! God is raising up young Davids and Debras. They should be doing Great exploits for God and not starting God's work over again.

Can it be said of us that we are equipping the next generation to do great and mighty things and become men and women of valor as they do the will of the Father, empowered by the Holy Spirit in our world today?

IF WE CAN SAY YES, THAT IS SUCCESS!

His Presence = His Solutions and His Victory

This article was previously titled "The Imprint and Authority of His Presence." This reprint contains more of the material originally given as part of my introductory teaching in the area of Fulfilling the Vision and Assignment You Were Created for Series.

There is a time and place for each of us who follow Jesus, in which the dream he places in our heart presses us into action
to fulfill the assignment he has birthed within us. If we are not careful we will look for solutions or formulas that others have found to fulfill the dream or assignment which God has placed within them. We seem to be comforted by quick fixes and pre-packaged answers. The statement below sums up what we experience.

"God has Called, You have answered yes, You have been preparing, Now you want to Build it, but where do you start? "

So how do we Go From The Dream or Vision to Reality?
To begin I have listed some brain storming notes on going from the dream to the reality. These are from my teaching notes from a college class I taught on "Planting a Church and Starting a Ministry."

What do we need to think about when starting or renewing a ministry or church?
Dream the Dream
Listen to Your Team
Write Out the Vision
Dream Big Start Small
Where do You Start
Develop a Plan-Work the Plan-Make it Real
Define who and what you need to make it happen.
Job Descriptions and the gifts and skills necessary to do them..
Sow the Vision or Cast the Vision
Understand the Financial reality. Where will the money come from?
Pick Team Members and Board
Communication and Marketing
Work Toward Birth or Launch
Location, Location, Physical and Spiritual
Write a Timetable
What is next as you grow?
Long Range Planning
Ongoing Evaluations of your progress toward your vision goals
Make adjustments as needed to continue to fulfill the Vision

But Wait!

This all sound like the beginning draft for a good teaching, but there is a missing element without which this is a person or group of people attempting to fulfill the Supernatural Vision God has given them with the plans and ideas of mankind. It might even be a good plan, but without the "Fire of God's Presence", it is a plan that will not produce the fruit God has desired! Throughout the Bible fire is seen as bringing purity, representing the glory of God, or the results of God's presence. In the Bible whenGod's people seek Him for solutions, wisdom and deliverance he provides the plan and resources for victory.

Today we are often so busy 'doing the work of the ministry', that we fail to spend time in with God's where the Fire of His Presence can accomplish its work in making us like Him. What do I mean by this? The following points will help us in our understanding.

1. When Moses came down from the mountain after spending 40 days in God's presence or Glory his face was aglow 'literally' with the Glow or Glory of God's presence.

2. In the New Testament, the word that is used when speaking about the baptism in the Holy Spirit, has within it the the imagery of a garment which is dipped in dye or the making of a pickle from a cucumber.

3. Although there are certain text that speak clearly to the baptism in the Holy Spirit and Fire there are additional text which speak about additional fillings with the Holy Spirit experienced by the disciples.

From these verses we can say that the more continously you are filled with His Spirit the more like Him you will become. The more we are in His presence the more we not only become like Him but the more we know His heart and His mind and His ways. This knowing the Heart of the Father, the Mind of Christ and the Power of the Spirit comes as we learn of Him and obey what we see and know Him to do and be.

His Word plays a key role in this but we must be wise in using His Word as it can be a weapon of both life and death. We must read, meditate on and study His word.

Prayer plays a important role as well. When we communicate both in prayer and fellowship with him by meditation on His Word and His Ways we build a relationship from which we can know His heart.

Worship, praise and adoration in word, in song and with instruments lift Him up and help us come into proper alignment with Him.

We could go on to speak of all of the Spiritual disciplines, but the point is, we must have a relationship in which our whole being, Spirit, Soul (mind, will + emotion) and Body is moving toward maturity with Him. This relation must be on His terms as declared in His Word (the Bible).

Our relationship with Him must be one in which we begin to realize these two truth:

1. We are in the world but not of it.

2. In Him we live and move and have our being. It seems that we want a relationship with God that is based on our preferences, but a review of the interactions of God with people in the Bible are varied in many ways. What is never varied is that He is a Supernatural being interacting with His creation.

So, let us seek Him, 'the author and finisher of our faith.'

So, let us make Him and not our labor for Him our number priority.

So, let us spend time in His presence as outlined above.

So, let it be known far and wide that we continue this relationship through out the day and not just in a devotional time or place.

In closing we can have an exciting relationship with Him every day all day without being so 'Heavenly Minded that we are no Earthly Good." The more we are in His presence the easier it is to hear His voice, know His ways and see His power displayed in the lives of people.

Then His plans and the Visions for ministry that He gives us will have the Owners Authority and Imprint!

This teaching is also important for groups of believers as well as individuals. The major difference between the individual and group application of this teaching is that the birth of and fulfillment of the assignment within a group requires an understanding of the unique combination of gifts, personalities and experiences within the group and a willingness to seek the Lord together for the carrying out or fulfillment of that assignment or vision.

If we believe that He is the head of the Church or Body of Christ then we must also believe that it is from the Fire of His Presence that we will receive all that is needed to fulfill His vision and assignment for each local group of believers!

Lead Like Jesus

Lessons from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time

"The more I read the Bible, the more evident it becomes that everything I have ever taught or written about effective leadership over the past 25 years, Jesus did to perfection. He is simply the greatest leadership role model of all time." Ken Blanchard

Effective leadership-whether on the job, in the community, at church or in the home-starts on the inside. Before you can hope to lead anyone else, you have to know who you are. Every leader must answer two critical questions: Whose are you going to be? Who are you going to be? One deals with your relationship to Christ. The other with your life purpose.

With simple yet profound principles from the life of Jesus, and dozens of stories and leadership examples from his life experiences, veteran author, speaker and leadership expert Ken Blanchard, guides readers through the process of discovering how to lead like Jesus. It really could be described as the process of aligning two internal domains-the heart and the head-and two external domains, the hands and the habits. These four dimensions of leadership form the outline for this very practical and transformational book.

Materials from Thomas Nelson
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=0849900409

Lead Like Jesus
http://www.leadlikejesus.com/templates/System/default.asp?id=36749

The Servant Leader

The Servant Leader by Ken Blanchard & Phil Hodges

Effective leadership starts on the inside. Are you a servant leader or a self-serving leader? From the creators of Faith Walk Seminars comes a thought-provoking look at a management style modeled by Jesus Christ: servant leadership. This book is a tool to help you to take God out of the spiritual compartment of your private spiritual life and give Him free reign in all your daily actions and relationships, especially your leadership roles. Beautiful hardback cover makes this a great gift.

Best-selling author of The One-Minute Manager, Ken Blanchard, along with Phil Hodges, reveals the meaning of servant leadership modeled after Jesus Christ. Based on Blanchard's and Hodges' Faith Walk seminars, business leaders come to realize that teams are more powerful than the sum of the individuals and to recognize their people as appreciating assets.

Servant Leader summarizes the Four Dimensions of Leadership:
the head (leadership assumptions and methods)
the hands (application and leadership behavior)
the heart (edging God out)
the habits (solitude, prayer, study of scripture, unconditional love, etc.)

The thousands who have attended his seminars witnessed the transforming power of this unconventional approach. Readers seeking to grow as leaders and business executives will find Servant Leader nothing short of life-changing.

A more detailed look can be found at the link below.
http://content.silaspartners.com/383/59692/383_59692_CMRApril2005.blanchard.pdf

Thomas Nelson Ministry Services
http://www.nelsonministryservices.com/nms/product_detail.asp?dept%5Fid=2&sku=0849996597

He Has Not Given Us the Spirit of Fear

Each morning when I wake up I am thankful to God for a lot of things.

Things like:
1. New Life in Christ
2. My family
3. God's grace, favor and continued work in and through my imperfect life.
4. The wonder of His creation and beauty of each new day. Along with my ability to enjoy these things.

There are days when I stand in awe of God and His ways. Today is one of those days when I am also amazed at how small and fearful we can be as humans and as Christians.

I have had an email conversation with a person recently who is passionately fearful that certain believers are being deceived by certain leaders and people who claim to be working for God. This person strikes me as truly passionate about helping other believers but also as a person who is consumed with fear that somehow these other believers might miss out if they follow certain 'false Teachers.'

What grieves me and I believe the Holy Spirit is that we as Christians spend so much time promoting fear instead of trusting God and believing that He is more than able to protect us from any teaching that will keep us out of heaven or even from accomplishing what God wants in our lives.

The book of 2 Timothy 1:7 says 'He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound or well ordered mind. '

The book of Job shows (the last several chapters) us that God is much more powerful and knows far more than our little minds can comprehend.
1 Co 13:12-1312 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. NASU

There is such a thing as Godly fear of the Holiness and Majesty of God as demonstrated in the Old Testament Isaiah 6:1-8 and the Book of Revelation 1:17. But fear is more often a tool of the devil than of God.

It is said that Godly fear brings conviction and that ungodly fear brings condemnation. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts us of sin. It is the devil who would condemn us and make us believe that there is no forgiveness of din or escape from its shame.

If we a Christians could use the passion and resources God has given us to build up those who are in His Kingdom and do the work of the ministry instead of using these things to protect the saints from anything that is different from our worldview of the Kingdom of God we might have won the world by now or at least have made more progress at getting the Gospel to every tribe and people group.

We do have a responsibility to let people know when someone is teaching another Gospel or Messiah but we can keep more people in truth by teaching it and modeling Christ like passion for winning, restoring, teaching and equipping people to fulfill Ephesians 4:11-14 than by constantly pointing out all those we might believe to be in error.

I have been a believer for 38 years and seen many new movements come and go. But I have never seen a person permanently deceived when they did not want to be. Some have been hurt and taken up an offense which leads to anger and bitterness which some times leads them away form God. This however is their choice and not the other persons or doing of God.

It comes back to seeking to have more each day of;
1. The mind of Christ
2. The heart of the Father
3. The power and working of the Holy Spirit.

Most of all it comes back to you and I trusting God and allowing others to follow Him according to the understanding and conviction of their own heart. This does not mean that we ignore obvious sin or doctrine that is not Biblical. We need to focus on Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.

There will come a day when all believers are judged and our works will be determined to be of value or not so valuable.

The spirit of Fear is not God's way of getting us to live a life that is pleasing to Him so let us put off childish things!

1 Cor 13:11-13
11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. NASU

Wisdom for a Fresh Move of God (part 2)

Wisdom for a Fresh Move of God by His Spirit Today Part 2

This article is a continuation of our series Wisdom for a Fresh Move of God by His Spirit Today. Today we will examine having the Pillar of God's Fire leading us and abiding with us. Often I hear about people who are praying and diligently seeking God for His fresh fire, for Him to be with them and lead them without considering what that will mean if and when it happens.

The sending of the Pillar of Fire that was with and led the people of God in the Old Testament can teach us much about having God awesome power and Glory among us day after day.

The Pillar of Fire (preparation and readiness)

God calls on us to be ready to wait and ready to go.

Ex 13:19-22; Neh 9:11-12; Neh 9:19-21; Ex 16:10

When we look into this example of God's Supernatural intervention into the events of human history we are tempted to only see the obvious or stated truths.

1. The people were to make themselves clean before they left Egypt.

2. They had to be ready to go at all times.

3. The people were protected and comforted by the power of God made real by the Pillar’s majesty and by the visible demonstration of God presence of with them.

4. The people were organized by tribes but it was the priest-levities who watched for any changes in the status of the pillar and blew the Shofar to announce to the leaders of each tribe that God was on the move or that He was stopping.

Some of the truths that might escape us as we look into this part of our study are.

1. Moving approximately 3.5 million people took time and patience. Once the first tribe arrived at the new destination it would be a while before the last of the last tribe arrived. This is true of any new work that God does among His people. There are those who are aware and move quickly and those who get there at a latter time. The Leaders of God's people must lead as good shepherds, realizing that God may be leading but that we as leaders must allow the people to go through the same processes that have given us awareness that God is on the move. We must also be aware that people no matter how dedicated and committed move at different speeds in following the Lord. There are also some who will refuse to move at all and while we may be concerned for them and make every effort to encourage them to participate in what God is doing we cannot disobey God and refuse to follow Him if they will not.

2. Waiting at the appointed place may take more effort and strength than moving ahead to the next big or little thing God is doing for many people. It is the responsibility of leadership to minister to and train God's people when they have reached that next stopping place or plateau and to help them to grow in God and be ready to go or stay as called on by God.

3. Miracles, Signs and Wonders are given as God directs and not as we might desire in the flesh. They are also not to be denied as a part of God's provision and direction either. Since he is a supernatural being we should expect Him to be and act supernaturally.

4. There is a purpose to the Supernatural manifestations of God and while they are not for entertainment or fleshly fulfillment of His people we must seek God who is supernatural and expect Him to work supernaturally. If we fail to seek the whole counsel of God for His people we will never attain the full level of maturity He desires. Eph 4:12-14.

5. Teaching that God is supernatural and that He works supernaturally must be a continuous element in the instruction, training and everyday life of the believer in Christ. We must not shrink back from teaching the wondrous and glorious ways in which God has and does work when we are waiting for a long season for the pillar of Glory to move again, or for a fresh outpouring to be given. As we shall see in the book of Acts, there were many fresh outpourings or moves of God's Spirit among His people then and throughout Church History. We may not hear about them because their impact may have been limited geographically. We also may not have heard about them because those who wrote the history may have not understood or have been threatened by them. There are many times when God has poured out His Spirit on people only to have that outpouring of fresh fire hindered by the church, the ineffectiveness or corruption of the people involved or the lack of favor a particular movement had during a certain historic period. History after all is written by the victors.

6. There is a danger in wanting to camp out or constantly be in the glory or experiencing a fresh outpouring of God's presence. There is work to be done. These times of God's manifest presence are meant to change and motivate us, as we shall see when we examine Isaiah 6:1 and the verses that follow and the mount of transfigured experience recorded in (Matt 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36)

Questions we need to ask ourselves.

1. Are you seeking the majesty and wonder of God?

2. Is your walk with God blessed with fresh manna or stale bread?

3. Have you tried to store up manna or hoard it so that you do not have to seek it daily only to find it rotten?

4. Do you proclaim or say you believe in a supernatural God without having a fresh and supernatural relationship with Him?

5. Are you seeking the signs and wonders or the giver of the wonder?

6. Has the pillar been stationary at you church or in your life for a while?

7. When the Pillar is in one location for a longer period of time are you getting mended (made whole) and helping others to get mended as well?

8. Are you growing in your relationship and knowledge of Him so that when the pillar moves, His work among you will be accomplished?

9. Are you seeking the fresh and living water that flows from His presence?

God's Unfolding Battle Plan

The Spiritual Warfare Movement is not as visible or as distinct an element in the christian seminar circuit as it once was. Now, it has become part of the mainstream of the Third Wave, New Apostolic, Charismatic, Pentecostal, Prophetic Movements and many Evangelical Churches. We now understand the Battle that rages for the souls and cities of the Earth in a greater way. Knowledge of the importance of prayer walking and strategies for taking cities back from the evil one are well known. But, what is God unfolding now and in the days ahead? What do we need to know and do in the days ahead to be completely useful to the Lords plan to establish His kingdom in the lives of people and in the Earth in the days ahead?Chuck Pierce's new book will have you crying out for more of God and for His grace and wisdom to take your place in establishing the Kingdom in the exciting and powerful days ahead!

God's Unfolding Battle Plan by Chuck D. Pierce

In this season of war that we have been living in, the Lord has released much revelation.

THE SPIRITUAL WAR AROUND US IS UNFOLDING.

A people without knowledge perish. God's Unfolding Battle Plan and the revised Future War of the Church will help you understand how to stand in victory in the times we are living in. God's Unfolding Battle Plan: A Field Manual for Advancing the Kingdom of God will point you into an understanding of the warfare we are presently fighting and what is ahead for us in the future.

In God's Unfolding Battle Plan, Chuck Pierce continues to empower Christians to face the exciting present (and future) for the Church that he began to lay out in The Future War of the Church. Yes, we are in the midst of a battle that will only increase in strength, but the victory has already been promised. Outlining the next seven-year period of spiritual war (2008-2015), Pierce shows how God will advance His Kingdom, causing the faithful to rise up and God's will to be done here on Earth as it is in heaven.

God's Unfolding Battle Plan offers a glimpse into what's ahead as well as encouragement to triumph over the attending forces of lawlessness, hopelessness and violence.

Discover what God has said to Pierce about the upcoming period and learn how to prosper through strategic intercession, worship warfare and a powerful new weapon of intercession: the four watches of the night.

Remain hopeful, knowing you are a part of God's unfolding battle plan and that the best is still ahead. This book will also give you great insight through the next 20 years and beyond!

The chapters are:Chapter

1 - Becoming a Warrior in a Season of WarChapter

2 - The Mind War: Critical Times Require Critical ThinkingChapter

3 - The Blood War: Empowered in Soul and SpiritChapter

4 - The Time War: Praying to Reorder Your DayChapter

5 - The Presence-and-Glory War: Is Your Lampstand Burning?Chapter

6 - The Power War: Who Are You in Agreement With?Chapter

7 - The Wealth War: Defining Your BoundariesChapter

8 - The War of the Nations: Will the Real Ruling Nation Please RiseChapter

9 - The Harvest War: Keep Praying and Prophesying

Buy this Book at The Arsenal Book Store.http://www.arsenalbooks.com/prodinfo.asp?number=9780830744701

Or at the Glory of Zion store,http://gloryofzion.org/webstore/Scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=438

Wisdom for a Fresh Move of God Today

What do we need to understand to have Wisdom for a Fresh Move of God by His Spirit today?' Part 1

When we examine the history of revival movements and the outpourings of the Holy Spirit in Church History we see that God has poured out His Spirit and moved among His people continually in every generation since He began to pour out His Spirit on the day of Pentecost in the book of Acts. We can also see in scripture that God has supernaturally interacted with His people throughout history and that we have many examples in the scriptures both in the Old and New Testaments.The interactions of God with His people throughout scripture serve as both examples and wisdom for us as we seek to be apart of what God is doing in the earth today.

Recommended Reading: History of Charismatic Movements and History of Revival Movements: How has God interacted with His people in history since the New Testament times and what were the results?
1. 2000 Years of Charismatic Christianity by Eddie L Hyatt Strang Communications Company
2. Dynamics of Spiritual Life, An Evangelical Theology of Revival by Richard Lovelace, published by IVP
3. Revival by Winkie Pratney published by Whitaker House
4. Rivers of Revival by Neil T. Anderson and Elmer L. Towns published by Regal

Personal Experience:
I have had the privilege of experiencing the supernatural work of God among His people several times in my 36 years as a believer and know that every new supernatural outpouring of God's Spirit carries with it great blessings and challenges for those who are blessed to be a part of it. Some of these moves of God had local, while others had national and international impact.

This study is designed to provide Biblical truths that will allow us to chart a course during these times when the river of life runs both deep and often fast. This course should take us into greater growth and helps us to allow the deeper encounters with God to produce good fruit for His kingdom among the people we live around and minister His life to.

Church history has examples of those who allowed the fresh outpouring of God's Spirit to grow His kingdom and them and those who were shipwrecked when an outpouring of His Spirit was mishandled and produced error and destruction. Since history tends to be written by the victors, those who were shipwrecked were often seen as heretics and the work God began in them is seen as error.

Let’s look at some Biblical examples of God’s supernatural interaction with people.

1. Pillar of Fire (preparation and readiness) ready to wait and ready to go.Ex 13:19-22; Neh 9:11-12; Neh 9:19-21; Ex 16:10

2. Isaiah in the Temple (Fresh fire, fresh revelation, fresh humility and holiness, Fresh call)
Note Isaiah’s state of mind. Isa 6:1-9
3. The Mount of transfiguration (Let’s build three tents and camp out here) Does the experience lead to deeper call and greater commitment as well as new power for ministry? Matt 17:1-9
4.The Baptism, Fillings and Outpourings of the Spirit; Starting in the Upper Room Conceptual Illustration (Getting pickled or dyeing a garment takes more than a single dip)

The baptism brings us to a new level and the fresh touch (fillings) make us more continually useful as vessels of His Spirit and Glory. Luke notes that people were “filled with the Holy Spirit” (2:4; 9:17), that “they received the Holy Spirit” (8:17), that “the Holy Spirit fell upon (them)” (10:44), that “the Holy Spirit had been poured out on (them)” (10:45), and that “the Holy Spirit came upon them” (Acts 19:6).

These quotes are from the Spirit Filled life Bible.

Finally, (supernatural encounters of God with people have certain elements).

1. What are these elements?

2. What else do you see?

3. Is there a formula and pattern to follow or are they not always in a set sequence?
4. Is there Pattern to Follow or Common Elements to note?

Your study should note.

Preparation for Gods Spirit to Work or the results of His working can include: Cleansing, Repentance, Holiness, Revelation of Man’s imperfect state in light of God’s majestic nature and holiness, a Willingness to die to self and serve God, or making ourselves available for His call. Please read the scriptural accounts listed and ask your self these questions during the coming days.

1. What lessons or truths can we discern or observe from each passage?
2. How do these truths apply to outpourings of God that you have heard about or been a part of?

The Key to the Fresh Fire of the Spirit - Humility

What is it that happens during an encounter with the Most High God that causes such an impact in our lives? What common deeds open the door to people's hearts that causes them to desire this encounter with the creator Himself? What attitude of our hearts prepares the way for His work in us?

These are but some of the questions I was asking after attending three days of meetings held at a local church in a community near me.

These meetings were led by a humble woman whose former ministry assignments looked overwhelmingly tough and whose resources were small and did not seem up to the task at hand. She used humor to poke a little fun at her own short comings and to tell her story of God’s calling on her life and to reveal the strategy of the King to establish His kingdom in people to whom she ministered. God had sent her to some very desolate lands where the Gospel had been forbidden in the past to plant churches with little more than a heart for God and the Fresh Wind of the Spirit. When she arrived she found many poor and down and out people or so we might call them, but God called them His hidden treasure! She began to feed and cloth them and as she did she shared God's message of the Good News about Jesus. She would stay up all hours of the night caring for the people and prayed day and night for the outpouring of the power of God, as they used to say in Pentecostal circles.

This was not your typical church planting strategy, but it was God's plan for this land. Today from among those who were once alcoholics and street people are anointed ministry leaders whose lives God had transformed. When she finished recounting the working of God, it was as if the people with one mind and one heart said, Wow! Lord you make magnificent works out of very ordinary people and circumstances.

There was a sense of anticipation in people’s hearts of what God could do through their lives if they would give themselves completely to Him. The anticipation in the peoples hearts was well founded and revealed as our speaker stood to ask if they would come to the edge of the platform and surrender their hearts and plans to God. Slowly a few came and then a few more came to the front of the church for prayer. Our speaker and the ministry teams began praying with them and those who had come forward began to sob and cry out to God.

Then, in what seemed to be a great wave the people in the church began to run to the edge of the platform. They humbled themselves and were crying out to God and confessing there sins out loud for all to hear for more than two hours. This humbling of themselves and crying out to God for a fresh touch and for His fire and mercy was the beginning and the breakthrough required for the outpouring of the Spirit that went on for three days and nights. During these gatherings of believers there was a significant work of God accomplished in many people from a variety of Churches. There was a very intense anointing present throughout every gathering and people experienced a true outpouring of the living water both in the meetings and outside of the scheduled gathering times as well. The impact of those meetings is still working today in the live of the people who were there.

When I began to reflect on these meetings and the magnificent and powerful presence of God which worked in and among the people attending, I began to look in scripture and back both at church history and my own experiences for other times when God has manifested His Glory among His people. I was drawn in the Bible the last four chapters of Job and the first four chapters of the book of Revelation, as well as, Genesis chapter, and John chapter one. In these scriptures we see the majesty, splendor and wonder of God revealed to people.

When we look at Church history both in and out of scripture it is this breaking forth of God’s majesty and power that has continued to capture the minds and hearts of people and kept each new generation crying out to Him and standing in awe of Him!

Lots of questions arise after such encounters with God. How can I experience more of the majestic and wonderful presence of God? Why don’t we experience more of these outpourings? What is of God and what is of man during these encounters? When God does work so powerfully what are or should be the results? I believe the answers start with the material below.

The first step is for us to humble ourselves.

Chronicles 7:14-15; 14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 "Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.

When we have humbled ourselves God will respond and make us ready to be used by cleansing us and then extend an invitation for us to be a part of His plan.

Isaiah 6:1-8 Isaiah 6:1 In the year of King Uzziah's death bI saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. 2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called out to another and said, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory." 4 And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. 5 Then I said, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. 7 He touched my mouth with it and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven." 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

There are Three Keys to Experiencing a Fresh Move of God Every Day

1. Remember: By the Blood of Jesus we have been transferred out of the Kingdom of darkness and in His Kingdom. Col 1:13-14
A. When is the last time you remembered the joy of your salvation?
B. What are you doing with and about it?

2.Consecrate yourselves Josh 3:1-6
A. Every day and in every situation
B. A humble soul and spirit is His goal, because this provides good soil for Him to work in .

3. Choose you this day whom you will serve Josh 24:13-16
A. Death to self and your ways, plans, goals etc.
B. Lay down your gifts, calling and assignment and submit to the master's direction.
C. Say yes to God's opportunities Is 6:8

We will experience all of the majesty and glory He desires for us to encounter as we make ourselves available to Him and His unfolding of His will, which includes His Times and seasons! In the process we may be called upon to do some very ordinary things which open the hearts and doors he desires to open and which are necessary to accomplish His majestic plans.

Artwork from: http://www.majesticartworks.com/

The Case For The Real Jesus

The reality of Jesus as seen in the Bible has been under attack from the moment the angelic host announced His birth. There are many good books which defend the Gospels as seen in scripture and many more that defend Jesus from every false doctrine and lie that has been spoken from the time of the creation of the world until now.

No book since the release of the book, Jesus According to Scripture: Restoring the portrait from the Gospels by Darrell L Bock, has such a clear Case for the Real Jesus been made. In Bock's book it says ’In response to controversial projects such as the Jesus Seminar, in which Bock argues that the Gospels provide a coherent picture of Jesus and his unique claims. This portrait is rooted in history, and yet has produced its own historical and cultural impact.'

For more about the The Case For The Real Jesus: By Lee Strobel , click the link below for my full article and links to a sample chapter as well as audio files.
http://equippersedge.blogspot.com/

equippers network

The Grand Weaver

The Bible tells us that, God has fearfully and wonderfully made us. The unique combination of our DNA, family background, gifting, experience, education and the gifts of the Spirit operating in us makes us truly unique individuals. Over the years I have found myself attacked to and have spoken about this subject because of its importance to the individual believer and the body of Christ. When you weave all of this together with the plan of God and the unfolding of the times and seasons of our lives we begin to see a tapestry which if presented to others with a true understanding of the weaving together of the natural and supernatural would cause us all to stand in awe of God wondrous workings in our lives. This new book adds much the discussion in this area.

I highly recommend this work and hope you will join me in the discussion of it over the next several weeks.

Below are some materials from the Zondervan web site and Ravi Zacharias' own site to give you a good introduction to this wonderful new book.

Synopsis: "With inspiring stories and thought-provoking questions, Ravi Zacharias traces the multiple threads of our lives, describing how the unseen hand of God guides our joys, our tragedies, our daily humdrum to weave a pattern of divine providence and meaning." (from the Zondervan site) http://www.zondervan.com/

"How differently would we live if we believed that every dimension of our lives--from the happy to the tragic to the mundane--were part of a beautiful and purposeful design in which no thread were wrongly woven? That's what Ravi Zacharias explores in The Grand Weaver.
As Christians, we believe that great events such as a death or a birth are guided by the hand of God. Yet we drift into feeling that our daily lives are the products of our own efforts. This book brims with penetrating stories and insights that show us otherwise. From a chance encounter in a ticket line to a beloved father's final word before dying, from a random phone call to a line in a Scripture reading, every detail of life is woven into its perfect place. In The Grand Weaver, Dr. Zacharias examines our backgrounds, our disappointments, our triumphs, and our beliefs, and explains how they are all part of the intentional and perfect work of the Grand Weaver."http://www.rzim.org/thegrandweaver/

Ravi Zacharias
For thirty-three years Ravi Zacharias (MDiv, Trinity International University) has spoken all over the world in great halls and universities, including Harvard, Princeton, and Oxford. He is listed as a distinguished lecturer with the Staley Foundation and has appeared on CNN and other international broadcasts. The author of several books for adults and children, he powerfully mixes biblical teaching and Christian apologetics. His most recent works include Walking from East to West, a memoir, and The Grand Weaver, an exploration of God’s intention and pattern in both the ordinary and the startling elements of life. His weekly radio program, Let My People Think, is broadcast over 1,500 stations worldwide, and his weekday program, Just Thinking, began airing in November 2004. He is president of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with additional offices in Canada, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. Dr. Zacharias and his wife, Margie, have three grown children and reside in Atlanta. Author Website: http://www.ravizacharias.org/
here you will find a wealth of additional links.

The Zonervan.com site also allows you to read the first chapter.

equippers network

A Life Changing Experience is Just the Beginning

If we are do what Jesus has commanded us to do we must realize that it is not enough for people to have a ‘Life Changing Experience’ they must move on to a ‘Life that is Changed’ and then become ‘Life Changers .’ This requires a plan if people are to grow from new believers to disciples to well equipped leaders who can do the work of the ministry, build up each other and grow to maturity in Christ. Let's start at the begining.

Making Disciples: The Forgotten Secret for accomplishing 'what Jesus began to do and teach.' Ac 1:1-2: In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. NIV

What were those instructions that Jesus gave His followers? Mt 28:18-2018: Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." NIV

The Apostle Paul expands on this command and the responsibility of leadership in Ephesians. Eph 4:10-13 11: And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. NASU

In these verses we see greater insight into 'the making Disciples and the teaching of all that Jesus commanded', and what it means to continue what Jesus began to do and teach.

There are three leadership responsibilities spelled out in these verses that tell us what the church should be doing once people have believed in and received Jesus as the Messiah or Christ.

Equipping the saints (people who have believed in and received Jesus as savior);

1. To do the work of the ministry or work of service (serving God by doing what He commands in His Word).

2. To the building up (mending, encouraging, instructing and giving hope according to the Word of God) of the body of Christ(those who have received and believed in Jesus).

3. To help believers in Jesus the Christ to come into maturity as measured by Jesus Himself.

Where do we start? We must be saints, people made clean or holy by the Messiah. Many churches have stopped proclaiming Jesus as the only way to God as we see in John 14:6, calling themselves Christians without believing in and receiving Jesus as the promised Messiah and only way to God the father. Jn 14:6-7: 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." NIV

Without believing in and receiving of Jesus as the Messiah there is no Christianity! Until this happens we can not continue to do all that Jesus began to do and teach, nor can we call ourselves Christians.

Where do we go from here? Check back soon or sign up to get automatic updates on the right above my profile. Check @ http://equipperstoolbox.blogspot.com/ for a list of suggested reading.

Life Builders Ministries

I am constantly on the look out for effective ministries that have both integrity and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. One such ministry is Life Builders. I have found Charles Hefton, the founder to be a man after God's own heart, a man who is humble and whose cup overflows with the presence of the Living God. I have taken material from his site and pasted it below as well as placed a link to this life changing ministry. I highly recommend this ministry!

http://www.mylifebuilders.com/

Life Builders Ministries

Life Builders is a non-profit ministry that helps individuals, organizations and churches equip and develop to achieve growth, health and balance. Focusing on five areas, Life Builders challenges you to life-changing principles.

Life Builders was founded in 1998 by Charles Hefton. Charles is regarded as a dynamic leader, mentor, motivator and visionary. His diverse career has encompassed professional and community service, including leadership roles in business, church, education and government on both state and national levels. Charles has a contagious enthusiasm and an amazing ability to see to the heart of matters, which makes him a popular inspirational speaker. He can assist in a one-on-one situation or work in a group environment to achieve clearer vision, goals and strategies.

Build Your Life

Do you need a little outside motivation to accomplish a goal or get out of a rut? That is what Life Builders is about - helping people equip and develop to accomplish all God has for them. Life Builders will use a one-on-one coaching approach to help you as an individual:

• Get a clear picture of where you are
• Identify spiritual gifts
• Set goals
• Develop a strategy to achieve those goals
• Eliminate obstacles
• Keep focused and accountable to achieve success

Build Your Church/Organization

Life Builders offers a variety of resources and helps for churches and organizations.

• Leadership Training
  · Goal Setting
  · Conflict Resolution
  · Utilizing the gifts/people in your church
• Time Management Training
  · 3 areas God expects us to manage
  · Establishing priorities
  · 80/20 Rule
• Boards
  · Vision
  · Responsibilities
  · Managing Meetings
• Parliamentary Law
  · Procedures and instruction
  · How to chair a meeting
  · Parliamentary services also available

Email: info@mylifebuilders.com

Becoming True Disciples

INTRODUCTION
Today God is calling Christians to fulfill His plan for our lives, that we become Like Christ and do what He saved us to do, BECOME TRUE DISCIPLES

The Mystery of the Ages

Eph 3:1-10
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles — 2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you; 3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery , as I wrote before in brief. 4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, 7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. NASU

Rescued from the Kingdom of Darkness

Col 1:13-14
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. NASU
Eph 1:13-14 The Holy Spirit in Us is His Promise of His Kingdom within Us
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation — having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance , with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. NASU

A New Heart and New Spirit

Eze 36:25-27

26 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. NASU
2 Co 5:17 A New Creation
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. NASU

Make Disciples…Teaching Them to Observe (do) all that I commanded you

Mt 28:19-20
19 " Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." NASU

The Messiah Is to Be Revealed in Us

Eph 4:11-16
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. NASU

Parable of the Talents

Matthew 25:14-30
" For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 "To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. 16 "Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. 17 "In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. 18 "But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. NASU

What Must We Do To Become True Disciples?
John 3:16, Ephesians 4:11-13, Acts: 17-11 Joshua 24

Acts 17:11
11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. NASU
Choose you this day Whom you Serve"

Joshua 24
"Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." NASU

Every Day we must choose to say yes to Jesus and no to ourselves and the ways of the world.

Artwork:http://www.majesticartworks.com/