God Gave Her a Stable

In the last year and a half my husband and I have lived in three different homes, none of them our own. In none of these places did I have my own furnishing or things and in none of these places did I hang my own pictures on the wall.  As the New Year approaches, I am once again packing a suitcase to live out of for the next few weeks until we once again move into a home we will use but that is not ours.  As a woman, this has been hard on me.  The constant transitions, moves and travel make me feel unsettled and like I can’t “make a nest” or “put down roots.”  I miss being part of a more permanent community of faith.  So, like I often do, I was complaining to God about it the other day.

Gently, and with much kindness, the Father directed my attention to the Christmas story and more particularly to Mary’s story.  In Luke 2:7 we read “She gave birth to her first child, a son.  She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them”(NLT). Some translations use the phrase “there was no room at the inn.” 

I began to reflect.  How did Mary feel about not being able to give birth in her own home, with family all around?  How would I have reacted had I been Mary?  Honestly, I’m pretty sure I would have been complaining, frustrated and a bit angry about this.  Angry with Joseph for not providing me a better place, for not planning ahead more. Angry with God- Is this the best you can do for me LORD? When I was obedient and submitted to your will? A stable and a manger?  Really God?  I thought you were good! 

Not Mary though.  She shows no indication of anger at God’s unusually simple and temporary provision for her at this time.  She was content. It was this contentment that enabled her to recognize and enjoy the incredible miracle of her son’s birth.  It was her submission to God, her acceptance of her situation, that released the grace to delight in the Presence of Jesus and in His miraculous birth.

How many miracles do I miss because of my dissatisfaction, anger, sense of being unjustly treated, my offenses with others, my lack of contentment and my longing for something I don’t have instead of delighting in what God is currently giving me? 

God’s provision was very basic.  He gave her a stable.  Why?  That is easy for us to see now, thousands of years later.  The stable makes it possible for anyone to relate to Jesus.  He is a King, but was born in a humble and very simple place.  It was part of God’s much bigger plan, something so much bigger than Mary and Joseph and their personal desires and needs.  So it is for me, and for you.  God’s provision is always best, is always good, and His love is always there for us.  Sometimes we don’t understand why our circumstances are such as they are.  Like Mary though, I want to trust God and be grateful for his goodness, even when it is different than my fleshly ideal.  I want to receive from him the grace to be content in every circumstance. Then I won’t miss the miracle of His Presence. I won’t miss the history changing events He is working all around me.

This Christmas, I want to rejoice in the miracle of His birth as Mary did; as the shepherds, the angels and the wise men.  Lord, please don’t let us miss the miracles you are working all around us.  Let us surrender to your cosmic plans and purposes that are bigger than our understanding.  Let us be fully at home in You; content, grateful, and with hearts full of joy and wonder as Mary’s must have been.

Discipleship isnt a weekly meeting

Discipleship doesn’t happen in a weekly meeting.  Discipleship happens when we do life together, when we become a community of Jesus followers who challenge, encourage, support, push and help one another to grow in following Jesus, becoming more like him, and in making more disciples in our spheres of influence.

Im a great lover of strategies and structures.  They help a lot.  Having the right system, the right structure can facilitate a lot of good things being released.  Weak and ineffective structures can harm teams, relationships, churches and ministries creating unnecessary conflicts, problems, gaps and issues.  Controlling structures can quench the Spirit of God among us.  So structures are good.  If we need to change our structures and systems to be more releasing, or more effective, I believe we should.  Structure needs constant evaluation based on fruitfulness (effectiveness).

Having said that, I also firmly believe that changing structures without changing heart, attitudes and beliefs really doesn’t accomplish much.  They are the foundation from which true discipleship and fruitful ministries flow.  So I want to address a belief here.  The false belief is- We can make strong disciples if we meet people once a week and teach them something.  The new belief I’d like to suggest is this- Making disciples requires time and effort to build deep and intimate relationships with one another.   

Many of you know that in the last few years I have been promoting something called T4T (Training for Trainers).  It’s a great system….a great structure.  I really like it.  The T4T meeting structure includes all the important elements that are so vital to multiplying disciples; celebration/accountability, member care, worship, the Word, goal setting, fellowship.  Like I said, I really believe in and like this structure.  Not only do I like it, but it’s a proven structure that has produced great fruit around the world.

Having said this, T4T is just another structure that will not produce fruit if it is not overlaid upon a deep commitment to relational discipleship- to going deep with those in that T4T circle.  If there is no time spent with those disciples outside of the T4T meeting, if no intimate and real relationship of love develops between those people in T4T, Im pretty convinced it won’t work or produce a lot of fruit.

Making disciples requires a lot of us.  It means taking a risk to love people deeply and pour your life into loving them.  That is what Jesus did with his disciples.  They lived together, spent lots of hours around the fire cooking fish and eating together, they did ministry together and Jesus spoke into their lives not only as a group, but one on one.

Part of YWAM’s success in making disciples has been the DTS model.  What is it about the DTS model that has worked so well in leading to transformation of lives?  Is it the topics?  The quality speakers we bring in?  No, it is the relational aspect of discipleship.  By living together in DTS, doing work duties together, praying together, learning together…deep relationships of trust are formed.  In this environment, students are able to be confronted and held accountable, loved on and ministered to, prayed with, challenged to grow, etc.  This is one of YWAMs great strengths.  Most people find their DTS a life changing experience having never been a part of that kind of a “community” before.

Our T4T groups, the churches we plant, need this same kind of relationship and trust so that those we are discipling to disciple others, are truly transformed people who are becoming more like Jesus everyday- in heart and in actions.  The T4T group has to have that kind of loving relationships or we can’t really call them churches.  We want to reproduce disciples who are absolutely transformed people, who regularly have deep encounters with Jesus, who love one another deeply.  Please don’t think that a new structure will create that, no matter how wonderful it is.

If you only have time to run a T4T group once a week, but you don’t have time for any further relationship with those in the group, I am pretty skeptical about whether or not you will see the results you hope for by using this “system.”  Our busy lifestyles are one of the greatest barriers to us making strong disciples that will reproduce, that will multiply and make more disciples. 

In the midst of structure and system changes in YWAM and in FM, let’s make sure our hearts and beliefs are also changing and that we don’t loose our greatest discipleship strength- intimate, open and real love relationships between disciples.  T4T together with relational discipleship…wow!  That is a very powerful combination that can lead to some incredible increase. 

Needing Strength?

“Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him” Psalm 105:4. 

What comes into your mind when you hear the word STRENGTH?  I think of Samson and how he pushed on the pillars and made the temple collapse.  I think of a huge ox plowing a field, or a long distance runner finishing a long race running hard and strong.  I think of the martyrs who refused to give up their faith and were stoned.  I think of a single mother, raising a child alone.

There are many kinds of strength we need; physical strength, emotional strength, strength to endure, strength to overcome, strength to fight, strength to believe, strength to start again.  Whatever the strength you need today, He is the source we must turn to. We can’t do it alone.  Our strength comes from Him alone; from taking time to be in His Presence, to worship, pray, hear His voice whisper words of love and affirmation to us once again. “You are my beloved child.  I love you.  I accept you.  You can do this.  I am with you.” Can you hear him speaking these words to you today? 

The enemy wants us to remain weak, defeated and fearful. He continually accuses us and tells us lies about ourselves and our situations.  God wants to strength us, refocus our perspective and to fill us with fresh hope.  He wants to enable us to look beyond the natural into the supernatural.

Let us continually seek Him! May He strength you today; body, soul and spirit.  May He fill your mind with truth and give you peace that passes understanding.  Declare with me out loud- The Lord is our strength! He has given me victory!

Beliefs exercise for Church planting teams

What do we believe?  Not what do we say we believe, but what we truly believe deep down inside.  Sometimes its hard to acknowledge what we truly believe inside.  Identifying our deep beliefs is really important.  If we aren’t seeing the results we want, we need to look deeper than just at what we DO, we need to examine what we THINK and BELIEVE.

-          Do we truly believe movements of Jesus followers in our people group and location are God’s will and desire?

-          Do we believe they can and will happen?  Yes or no?  Why or why not?

-          Do we believe God wants to use us to release them?

-          What do we believe is necessary to see the release of a movement in our location?

Some Common answers to the last question:

-          Someone with more gifting and anointing than me is needed for a movement. I don’t have what it takes.

-          This place is too hard and the people too resistive to ever see a movement happen

-          If we had better believers with more talent and commitment, we could see a movement

-          Im content to just see a small church started here.  Its okay if we never see a true movement.

-          I need a bigger and better team and more financial support to see a movement happen here.

What we believe dramatically affects the results we see. What we declare and speak out makes a difference. How do the above common answers reflect false beliefs?  What scriptures do we know that say something different?

I encourage you to do this exercise with your teams.  Examine your beliefs.  List the answers to these questions. Try hard to answer honestly.  Then pray and ask the Holy Spirit to shine His light on these things. As he shows you some areas that are false, repent of false thinking that is not in line with God’s word. Choose to truly turn from them. Begin to declare the truth into your team, location and situation.

For example, if you said “this place is too hard and the people too resistive to see a movement happen” you might declare out the scripture “Jesus said- lift up your eyes and see the fields are ripe unto harvest!”  Or you might declare in prayer, “Father you are releasing movements in places much more difficult than mine, in places like Iraq and China.  I know you can do that among these people too. Your word says, Nothing is impossible for those who believe.”  You get the idea.

Stir up your faith by declaring the truth and getting rid of the wrong thinking (lies) we are so tempted to believe. 

As we reallign our minds and hearts with God’s truth and begin to believe the truth, His Kingdom and power will follow. We will see a change in our actions as well as our results.

Thankfulness Exercise- Remembering the Goodness of God

I’m stuck the last few days in Psalm 103.  I’ve been meditating especially on verses 2 and 5 which say “Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me…He fills my life with good things.  My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!”-NLT

Being Thankful on a run together!

How important it is that we take time to remember THE GOODNESS OF GOD!  If you are like me, sometimes we forget the good things He has done for us.  We forget or don’t really think about all the ways He has filled our lives with good things.  Thanksgiving is a powerful weapon of spiritual warfare and truly important as we encourage ourselves in the Lord! 

Sometimes my husband and I find ourselves grumpy or complaining, especially when we feel tired and weary.  The problems seem large and overwhelming.  I wonder if they will ever be able to be solved.  Then we remember the goodness of God in my life and He renews our strength.  We’ve started doing what we call a Thankfulness Exercise.  Sometimes we do it while going on a walk or run together.  I ask him “What are you thankful for?”  He says one thing then asks me “What are you thankful for?”  We go on like that for 5 or 10 minutes and suddenly life seems better.  Take time to remind yourself of His Goodness.  Speak it out loud.  Let praise fill your heart.

Keeping ourselves encouraged in the Lord is SO KEY in having the strength to press forward toward Supernatural Increase, Greater Fruit, many generations of believers, and the release of hundreds of Movements.  He is good!!

Why do we do what we do?

Why have we given our lives to the cause of seeing unreached people hear good news?

It’s not a bad question to ask ourselves from time to time. Knowing why we do what we do is important.  We need to remind ourselves! It’s not money, it’s not success. It’s not status. It’s not even the excitement of seeing miracles or great progress that motivates us to do what we do. No, it’s not those things.

Paul summed it up well in Romans 1:5, “Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.”-New Living Translation

Passionate prayer changes lives

We do what we do… because it is a PRIVILEGE.  We have been chosen by God as His ambassadors, His apostles- as Sent Ones.  We go everywhere and tell the unreached what God has done for them!  What an honor to be chosen for this task. Today, do you see this as a “privilege”?

We do what we do… because we have been given AUTHORITY.  As sons and daughters of the King of Kings, we go with His power and anointing to bring about change in people groups and communities.  As we find the person of peace, as we heal the sick, as we proclaim the Kingdom of God…things happen!  Lives change!  The Kingdom is manifested through us. Today, are you exercising your apostolic authority?

Lastly, we do what we do… because HE DESERVES THE GLORY and praise of all peoples and nations.  As the song says, “He is Worthy of it All.”  Our passion for His glory motivates us to continue, to press on, until we see all nations bow before His throne. Today, how strong is your passion for His glory?

Staying Focused on our Primary Callings

“Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people” Jesus told the fishermen (Mark 1:17).  This call of the Master was a major turning point.  It began Simon and Andrew on their journey of learning from Jesus- both how to live, and how to “fish for people”. 

Along their journey, Simon (later renamed Peter) and the other disciples had many high and low points.  They saw the deaf hear, the blind healed, the dead raised.  They saw five loaves and two fish feed five thousand.  They saw their Master attacked and killed by the religious leaders of their day.  At times their faith was high and at times it was low.  There were also times when they were deeply saddened by their own personal failures to follow the Master well.  The call of Jesus never changed though.  He continued to call them... Follow me and fish for men. 

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, in his discouragement, Simon Peter declares “I’m going fishing” (John 21). He went back to what he thought he knew how to do.  He wasn’t very successful.  He fished all night and caught nothing.  Then Jesus showed up on the beach and told them to throw their net on the other side of the boat.  Suddenly- lots of fish!

After eating breakfast, Jesus takes Peter aside and repeats once again his two primary callings to him.  Follow me…and feed my sheep. In spite of his failures and mistakes the Master calls him back to what’s important.

 

It’s easy for us to be distracted from these two primary callings. Our disappointment with ourselves, with others, lack of progress, or even our excitement about the miracles we see can cause us to forget the basics.  Follow Jesus and Make Disciples. (fish for men, feed his sheep). 

We must continually refocus our lives on these two things.  It’s not about how many meetings we attend, or programs we run, or even how many church members attend our fellowships.  Are we Following Jesus (doing the things He did and acting like Him?) Are we making true Disciples who also follow Him well?  Disciples that both follow Him and also make more disciples?

Qualities of Effective Leaders: Hungry to Learn and Grow

I've been thinking lately about the most important qualities of a leader.  There are important qualities that we must develop in our lives as we seek to be the kinds of leaders God will use in bringing about a Supernatural Increase of His Kingdom.

Over the coming few weeks, I'll be writing about a few different qualities of leadership.  We can look at these related to our own lives. But also look at how to develop these characteristics and values in the lives of those you mentor, in the lives of those we are developing as leaders around us.

AN EFFECTIVE LEADER IS HUNGRY TO LEARN AND GROW.

As I look at who I'm most likely to invest time and energy in mentoring, this quality is one of the first things I'm looking for. 
These leaders:

• Ask good questions and listen well (often taking notes)
• Seek out a variety of input into their lives (mentors, friends, people who think differently then them)
• Read books, articles, and/or listen to podcasts on a variety of topics
• Evaluate what they are doing rather than go about routines without change
• Are open to new ideas and new ways of thinking
• Set aside time and make it a priority to keep learning rather than continuing to draw from past training and experience only
• Are willing to risk feeling like "a beginner" (or novice) in order to learn new skills that will help them be more effective

The best way we can encourage this in the leaders we are mentoring is to model this kind of lifestyle ourselves! 

Which of the above points do you find easiest to do?  Take a minute and rank yourself 1-10 on how strong you are in those areas. 

I've been so impressed by the models of various mentors in my life who are continually Hungry to Learn and Grow.  My father learned how to do web design when he was already retired.  One of my YWAM leaders was constantly reading new books and discussing them.  I've watched people with much experience and status humble themselves to learn a new language.  I've seen pastors with successful ministries ask me what I thought about what would make their church more effective.

I'm convinced that leading as a learner is more effective than leading as a teacher.  Humble, open, learners will lead the way toward growth and increase. Let's be that kind of leader and develop these qualities in those we lead!

When Nothing at All Becomes More Than Enough

The devastating earthquake in Nepal has been in the news, and the focus of many of my prayers in recent days.  No words are adequate to express comfort to those who have suffered such great loss.  My heart breaks for our friends, colleagues, and for the many we do not know.  In these days of prayer for my friends, I’ve been drawn to a truth we find often in God’s word.  When we have nothing, we actually have more than enough.

What?  That sounds like the words of a crazy person.  But with God in our lives, this is our genuine reality.

In 2 Kings 4, we find the story of a devastated woman.  She had suffered tremendous loss.  Her husband, a man who feared the Lord and was a prophet of God had died. She’d lost the one she loved. Now she faced terrible threats from those she owed money to.  The oppression was so terrible that she faced the horrible possibility of losing her sons to slavery on top of just losing her husband to death.

She cries out to the prophet Elisha.  Elisha asks her a surprising question, “Tell me, what do you have in the house?”

Her response is honest and true.  “Nothing at all” she says. 

When we are experiencing grief, devastation, loss and threats, we can feel much like her.  I know I have! There is nothing left.  Our lives, homes and hearts are empty…void. Numbness takes over.  But then she adds a key after thought, “except for a flask of olive oil.” 

Elisha’s ongoing instructions are strange.  He tells her to borrow emptiness from her neighbors.  “Go and collect as many empty jars as you can”, he says.  Then the miracle starts.  As she begins to pour out her oil, the little that she has into other’s empty pots, her own needs are supplied in abundance.  She goes from “Nothing at all” to having “more than enough.”

God, turn my "Nothing at all" into "more than enough" today.  Make me willing to pour out the little bit of oil I have left into the empty pots of others.  Thank you God that in you, my nothing is always more than enough.

What Makes It Worth It?

I was thinking this morning about What Makes It Worth It- the sacrifices and the grief of this crazy life we have chosen.  We often feel like few people understand us- the pain, the difficulties, and the joys and victories we have the privilege of seeing here on this side of the world. Here is a glimpse into my heart.

Sometimes it is incredibly hard to live and work among the poorest of the poor and the unreached. It can be quite painful and rather uncomfortable. Often, my heart is grieved.  I grieve for the dreams God put in my heart that are not yet fully reality...for the communities where there is still a lot more of hell then heaven on earth.  For the widows who still remain hungry and uncared for.  And for the millions who still havent heard the good news that there is a Father who loves them and an incredible friend and elder brother Jesus, who died to make healing, salvation and forgiveness possible for them.

What makes it worth it?  What is it that keeps us daring to dream the dreams of God for India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and other parts of South Asia ? What is it that makes us willing to continue to embrace the pain God feels for the people and places that are not yet reached, where despair and darkness still have the upper hand? What makes us willing to keep looking into the eyes of the poor rather than turning away?

Its those God moments.  Like the other day in the taxi on the way from the

airport to our where we were staying . I had a conversation with the Bengali driver about Jesus.  He had heard of Jesus and said he liked Jesus.  He had even seen a movie (maybe Passion of the Christ?) about Jesus.  He said he liked Jesus but he thought it was terrible how he had to die.  I asked him if he knew why he had died that way?  He said no.  I asked him if he'd heard the good news that Jesus didn't stay dead but that 3 days later He rose again.  His eyes got big and a look of surprise and awe came over his face.  HE HAD NEVER HEARD THE GOOD NEWS THAT JESUS WAS ALIVE.  NEVER.  He had no idea, whatsoever, that the reason Jesus died was to provide salvation for him or that he could have a real relationship with a living God.

Having the opportunity to share this good news with just one person who had never, ever heard, would have made it worth it for me.  Millions like this man wait to hear of a Jesus who loves them.  How could we not go?  How could we not train others to go? How could we content ourselves with limited growth of His kingdom that barely keeps up with population growth when God wants to bring massive supernatural increase of His Kingdom, when he wants to see movements of Jesus followers released who go everywhere sharing this good news.

Valuing His Word in our Gatherings- A challenge and key to Supernatural Increase

I enjoy being around people who value me.  You can tell can't you?  How much value people around you place on who you are, what you have to offer?  I don't think I'm particularly proud or strange in this way. 

Have you ever been in a group conversation but no one seems to notice you are even there?  Or if you jump in with a comment, it goes ignored?  No one asks any follow up questions or expresses interest in what you said...they just go on with their own thoughts and agenda, ignoring your contribution? 

I don't know about you, but when I'm in that kind of a situation, I tend to withdraw and not try to speak too much, my mind drifts to other things and as soon as I can, I find a polite way to exit that group, going on to more important things or to involvement with those who recognize my value and want to hear what I have to say or dialogue with me.

My point here is not to make you feel sorry for me! :) We all face these situations.  My point is for us to ask ourselves what Value we put on the Word of the Lord; on God's contributions to our meetings, conversations, even church services.  How welcome does He feel to speak and share what He thinks, or add to the dialogue?  When God does speak, and some kind of prophetic word is given, do we pay attention?  Listen?  Ask Him follow up questions in prayer?  Ask Him to go further and deeper in what He has begun to say?  Or do we carry on with our own thinking and agenda, giving polite assent to His Word to us, but not really taking it very seriously or deeply? Do we treat it as if it could be the most important thing being said so far (which it probably is if it is from Him)?

As a leader I have the privilege (and sometimes burden) to sit in a lot of meetings and attend many corporate gatherings.  Some of these meetings don't make any space for God to speak.  Some allow for that kind of "interruption" during specific slots designated for prayer or worship.  Few make room for and invite His ongoing dialogue with us throughout and within all that we do.

Jesus said that if we wanted to bear much fruit, we must abide in Him, stay constantly connected to Him, continually aware of His Presence.  If He is Present, He definitely has important things to say to us, and His Word is worth stopping to reflect on, stopping to meditate on and dig deeper on.

In the meetings I have the privilege to provide leadership for, I want to develop a culture that places an extremely HIGH VALUE on the PRESENCE of God among us and on the WORD of God spoken to us- both the Word of God (the Bible) and his prophetic Word spoken to us through prophetic gifts.  I am firmly convinced that only as we develop a culture and habit that reflects these values will we see Supernatural Increase and Fruitfulness.

Next time He honors your gathering by being Present and Speaking to you, take time to think carefully about what He bothered to say. Ask some follow up questions to take it a little deeper and respond.  He may just share more.  And what He shares with you may just unlock the problems you couldn't ever solve without Him!

The Mystery and Industry of Kingdom growth

Mark 4:26-27 speaks of the mystery of growth in His Kingdom. "Jesus also said, 'The kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground.  Night and day while he's asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens."(vs 26) It's a MYSTERY.

This can be contrasted with another story Jesus told in Luke 13:6-9- the story of the barren fig tree.  There he tells of a man who planted a fig tree and came again and again to see if there was fruit or not.  When the master saw after several years that it was not fruitful he ordered it to be cut down.  The gardener however asks for another chance saying he will give it special attention and fertilizer.  Then if it doesn't bear fruit after that, it could be cut down. It is INDUSTRY.

Fruitfulness and growth- it is a mystery. Like the farmer in Mark, we don't know or understand how it happens- we just know all life comes from God.  Sometimes when we don't expect growth, it comes.  Sometimes when we feel we have done everything "right" we still see very little fruit for our labors.

I remember one time when I was planting tomatoes in my garden in India.  None of them were very fruitful.  Most of them died.  I guess I wasn't very skillful.  Or maybe it was God's fault? :)  But then one day I noticed a very healthy and producing tomato plant growing out of my compost pile!  What? With no effort, that seed had born fruit!  Mystery.  So should I give up on planting in gardens and working to get tomatoes?  Or was there something I could learn from this?

Holding these two truth's in tension is important in our lives as we partner with God in releasing supernatural increase. 

• First, we know that God is the only one who can make ANYTHING grow or become abundantly fruitful. 
• Second, we know that God has chosen to use farmers to plants seeds and chosen us, his children, to sow the gospel. 
• We also know that while we can not take credit for the growth of the kingdom in anyone's life, it is a work of the Spirit of God, at the same time we can contribute to that growth when we are wise and skillful in our partnering with God in his work in their lives, in that people group, or city or region.

It would be foolish to say to a farmer it doesn't matter at all how skilled you are, what equipment you have, or how diligent and hard working you are- the crop is all and only 100% up to God.  No, that wouldn't make sense.  The farmers efforts, skills and knowledge make a very big difference in his success in getting big and profitable crops!  Though he can not control everything about the weather and some other natural factors...he does have the ability to influence many things and must be responsible to farm in a wise way.  In many ways, his work (though all life from the seed is a miracle from God) is predictable.  The right soil, the right conditions, a good seed, and he can expect good fruit. Likewise, the farmer's lack of skill, laziness or poor equipment can cost him a crop even if all the other conditions are close to perfect.  True?

In the same way, as we work in the Kingdom, what we do DOES matter. Our knowledge and skills and strategies make a difference in how fruitful we are.  To acknowledge that doesn't mean we are taking away glory from God at all!  No, only he gives life.  Only he sends rain.  Only he brings about transformation in lives.  Only He can convict of sin and bring someone to a place of repentance.

But we play a part.  An important part.  We are partners with Him in seeing His Kingdom come and in the release of Supenatural Increase and Harvest.  Let's be wise, skilled and well equipped, and industrious. At the same time, we trust and stand in awe of the Mystery of God who gives life to every seed we plant or water. He is truly the one who makes it grow.

Work and Worship



Worship?

Colossians 3:17 says, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”  I wrestle with this verse as  with the one in John that tells us that if we abide in Him we will bear much fruit.  What does it mean to abide in Him continually?  What does it mean to do everything whether word or deeds in His name?

This past week I was in long meetings with many wonderful leaders, my fellow brothers and sisters.  Often in our meetings we felt the tension between work and worship, between our longing to DO things that would expand His Kingdom and our desire to BE in His Presence, just gazing into His eyes, where all our agenda falls away.  I heard a few people mention the balance of Work and Worship we need in our lives (and meetings). 


Work?


Something about that doesn’t sit right with me.  Is balance really what we need?  Or do we need to learn to integrate, to bring together into one action…work and worship.  Is it worship to lead someone to Christ?  Or dig a well? Is it work to sit at His feet, listening to His guidance and affirmations of love?

I’m convinced in my own life that the integration of this mysterious union is the pathway to fruitfulness.  As the Martha and Mary in me become unified and learn to flow together rather than pull against one another, there God’s anointing will be.

Let’s not try to balance work and worship, but let’s ask for God’s grace to welcome, unify and release both the Martha and the Mary in us.

The Heart of a Mentor

A mentor is focused on seeing others succeed, rather than using others to accomplish something that makes them successful.  This is the heart of a mentor and also of a servant leader.  A mentor develops the person they are mentoring by letting them discover truths for themselves, guiding them and assisting them on that journey of discovery.  Why bother asking questions when you can just tell them what to do?  After all, you are more experienced and you have good answers to give them!

To give them the answers keeps them dependent upon you to solve their problems.  If instead, through wisely asking questions, offering options, and helping them to think about what they can and want to do to solve their problem, you are developing powerful people who will powerfully make decisions to change their own lives and the community they are a part of. 

It can be challenging to keep this perspective and behavior in place, especially when your mentee expects you to give them answers!  But the heart of a mentor is not to help them in the short term and feel good about themselves, the mentor seeks to develop and empower the mentee for the long term.

Jesus had that heart.  It never ceases to amaze me that he said to his disciples that they would do greater works than He did.  He very often didn't give answers, but instead told stories and said "those who have ears to hear, let them hear."  He expected initiative on the part of his disciples and followers.  He wanted them to exercise their minds and spirits to discern truth for themselves. He was developing them for the future- believing in them, that they could be leaders of leaders for His Kingdom.   

Do you get greater joy when you see others you have invested in succeed, or when you succeed?  A mentor, like a Father, delights when their mentee goes beyond them in capacity, influence and success.  We rejoice when our children surpass us; when they get better jobs than we had, when they earn bigger salaries, or when they get promotions at a younger age than we ever did.  Why?  Because we love them and want the very best for them.  We want them to go further and climb up on top of our shoulders to reach greater heights. 

This is what we need in the Christian world.  Mentors who are fathers and mothers in heart. We don't need more bosses and supervisors, those who use people to achieve success and discard them when they fail or when their success threatens to outshine their own.  Pride gets in the way of effective mentoring.  Love makes a way for it.  Love them.  Encourage them.  Stand with them.  Speak truth with grace.  Cheer for their successes.  Affirm them.  Praise them.  Correct them with gentleness and patience.  You'll have the tremendous joy of watching many whom you have mentored go far in the Kingdom, building upon the foundations you've laid, and rising to places in God that you only dreamed of.   

A Major Hindrance to Revival - Living under Old Covenant instead of New

As Good Friday and Easter approach I've been meditating on that amazing afternoon when Jesus died. I've been asking Father for greater revelation as to its impact and implications for me personally, for all of us, and for how we do life and ministry under this radical New Covenant that was initiated on that incredible day.

I've also been asking myself and Father God: what is the foundational belief that needs to be changed in order for us to see a further release of His Kingdom on earth, to see God's will and ways sweep across communities changing and transforming lives?

I'm not content in my heart with what I see happening in the church today.  There is so much more available for us, for the church, for this broken planet!  What did Jesus die to release that we haven't yet taken hold of?

I'm drawn to consider again the description of the incredible events that took place when Jesus died.  Matthew 27:50-54 says that Jesus released his spirit and at that very moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.  An earthquake happened, rocks split in two, and tombs opened.  People rose from the dead and were seen in Jerusalem.  Pretty incredible stuff!  What did it mean?

In the Old Covenant, the ordinary person had no access to God's presence.  Only priests could go before a Holy God after many ceremonies of cleansing and animal sacrifices.  This most holy place where His Presence dwelt, that was only for one very special person (the High Priest), one time a year.

When Jesus died...God himself tore open the pathway to come to Him directly.  He tore open what no human hands could tear...and with that action He said "Come!  Come in and meet me, your sin is paid for, you can now enter my Presence."  Wow!

From that point onward priests were not needed.  Ordinary fishermen could become sons, priests and kings.  Every person had access to Father God, Holy Spirit and Jesus.  The price, the punishment, that kept us from God was paid, once and for all.

Oh that this truth would impact our thinking more fully!  We can come to Him freely now!  No matter what we have done, no matter how unworthy we feel or are. The way is open.

As we come, He then empowers us with His Presence, His authority, His anointing, to carry His Presence out into the world. We invite others to go with us into His Presence, to meet Holy God, loving Father.  Sins forgiven.  Identity changed.  As sons and daughters, not orphans.  As priests, not second class lay people.  As kings, given authority to rule on this earth.

Hebrews 10:14 says "by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy."  We are made perfect and we are being made holy.

The new covenant is such a radical shift from the old! In the Old covenant, only special people had access, authority and were commissioned to do God's work. The Levites. In the new covenant, everyone has access, authority and is commissioned by God for a joyful partnership with Him of "ministry" in this world.

One of the biggest hindrances to seeing church planting movements, or true revival, is when we don't understand the implications of the New covenant.  We still live, behave and think as if we are under the Old Covenant.  We still look to pastors, worship leaders or other more qualified people to help us come to God, to pray for the sick, to take the lead in sharing the gospel and discipling others.

We say we believe that everyday, ordinary believers are now sons, priests and kings on the earth.  But our behaviors, traditions and actions often look a lot more like the Old Covenant than New.

Why did the church spread like wildfire in the book of Acts?  Because ordinary believers acted as sons, priests and kings- ministering the gospel, full of His Presence and Spirit, going everywhere with the good news and making disciples.  There were apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers and evangelists.  But their job was NOT to do all the work of the ministry. Their job was to equip the saints for ministry, to train and send them (Ephesians 4:12).

Until we get our hearts and beliefs in line with the truth that the veil is torn, that we all are now priests of God, we ALL now have access to God, and are commissioned to go, make disciples, baptize and teach others to obey...we will be stuck with limited growth.  We will be stuck with leaders, pastors and full time workers serving as priests and ministers, while ordinary believers sit in seats on Sundays and remain...well...ordinary. 

Will we embrace the extraordinary identity Jesus paid such a price to give us? Will we take on the responsibility to make disciples who know who they are- sons, priests and kings in this world?  Will we see that our role is to train, equip and help those we disciple to fully take hold of their identity and commission? Our job is never to fill churches with believers.  Our job is to make disciples who make disciples who make disciples.  To multiply sons and daughters who are priests and kings.

This is the New Covenant, the radically different worldview and paradigm Jesus paid the ultimate price on the cross to bring to us. How He must ache for us to enter into what He already died to purchase!

Here I am- When God shows up

I often pray this prayer over the many staff that work in hard places across South Asia: May the Lord guide them continually, giving them water when they are dry and restoring their strength.  May they be like a well watered garden and like an ever-flowing spring.  Its taken from a verse in Isaiah 58:11.

In that same passage a few verses before there is an amazing statement made by God.  It says "when you call, the LORD will answer, 'Here I am.'"  In Nepalese the word would be translated I believe hazur.  It is a respectful term that means more than just yes.  It means, yes, I am here and I am ready to receive your instructions.  This word in Hebrew is Hineni. It is the word that is used by Abraham, Moses, Samuel and Isaiah when they responded to God calling them by name.  "Abraham!" God calls.  "Here I am" he replies (Genesis 22). 

So what is so significant here about God saying hazur, or Here I am, in Isaiah 58?  The God of the universe, the Creator of all things, says to us, his followers "Here I am."  The same response that was given by Isaiah to God's call, He now gives to us. Incredible! His Presence, His readiness to respond, His availability is ours to access.  Wow!  I don't know if that excites you, but I find it stunning and a bit incomprehensible actually.  Not only is He saying He is with us, that he is present, but He is saying "I am here, ready to do what you tell me you want done."

How is this kind of "God Presence" available?  When is it possible?

The verses prior tell us clearly.  God is ready to act, ready to move, fully present and available, when he sees us doing the following:
-freeing those who are wrongly imprisoned (hear that lawyers?)
-setting the oppressed free (deliverance)
-lightening the burdens of those who work for us (fair and good employers)
-sharing our food with the hungry (generosity to the poor)
-giving shelter to the homeless (hospitality)
-giving clothes to those who need them (sharing our possessions)
-when we don't hide from our relatives who need our help (ouch! staying willing to engage in other's issues and problems)
(Isaiah 58:6,7)

I long for more of His manifest Presence in my life, in the meetings I lead or attend, in my every day activities.  I know that apart from Him I can do nothing. Here God tells us where he likes to show up, and where he likes to make himself available.  Its where he sees these things are happening. 

How much of my energy am I devoting to these kinds of activities? Whose burden have I lifted?  When was I kind to a service person making their load a little easier? How am I doing at hospitality and generosity, even when I don't feel like it? Or when I've already given a lot?

A Prayer:  Jesus, we long for more of you.  We want to sit at your feet, hear your voice and encounter you.  We want to experience your Presence in increasing ways.  We know that the only way we can ever be fruitful in your kingdom work is as we partner with you in what you are doing.  Use us Lord.  Open our eyes to the ways, small and large, that we can love the poor and imprisoned and oppressed around us.  We know that as we do this, you will come and offer yourself to us, so that when we call, you will answer "Here I am."  Together, we will bring your Kingdom to earth in all its glory. Amen.

Evaluating our Trainings- what is a success?

If you are like me you have both run and participated in hundreds of training schools, seminars, formal and informal trainings, conferences, etc.  How do we measure whether or not the training (school, seminar, conference, etc.) was successful?

It is very, very important to evaluate our trainings if we want to grow in effectiveness and fruitfulness.

Most training, if evaluated, is evaluated immediately after the training is completed.  Very, very rarely do we evaluate trainings several months or even years afterwards.  I'd like to suggest that we MUST begin to do this if we want to be good stewards of the time, talent and treasure we invest in various trainings.

Often I hear people talk about a school, conference or seminar in this way- "It was good.  I liked it.  The speaker didn't cancel.  The food was good.  No one got sick.  The Holy Spirit really touched us.  There were some good worship times.  We didn't have to kick anyone out this school." On it goes.  Is this really our criterion for how we measure our training effectiveness?

Instead, we must look at (measure) things like;  increased fruitfulness, increased skill capacity, changes in thinking/beliefs that results in sustained changed behavior. Another key component of a successful training is whether or not those we trained were able to pass on the training to others or not. Lets ask ourselves: Did those we trained go on to train others in the same things? If yes, what percentage of our students became trainers?

It is important that we not only evaluate our trainings immediately afterwards, but that we also evaluate at the 3 month, 6 month and even 1 year mark as well.  This will teach us the most about how effective we have been and what we might need to change to become more effective. Many trainings themselves are excellent but lack adequate follow up coaching or resourcing of the students.

If we want to see supernatural increase, we must be good stewards.  Wise and faithful stewards evaluate and then adjust, making changes so they can maximize fruitfulness out of what they put in.

How many thousands (even millions) of dollars, ruppes, or other currencies, have we invested in various trainings without adequately evaluating them? 

Jesus didn't call us just to teach, but he asked us to make disciples.  That means training, not just teaching people or running programs.  Lets put our best effort forward, working together with the Holy Spirit and listening to His guidance, evaluating and adjusting, so we will maximize the benefits of what we do in His Kingdom.

 

 

 

 

Only God Assignments

We want to be more fruitful, but are we willing to take the risk of filtering everything we do through the question "Is this a God assignment for me?"  How many things do I do because I feel I should, or because I always have done this, or because someone really wants or needs me to do that thing?  What if I were to stop and pause a moment and ask, "Father, is this what you are assigning me to do? Am I doing this or going there, because you are sending me?"

I've been thinking about that a lot today.  My heart longs for more.  I want to walk in a greater anointing. I desire to respond to His promptings and be led by Him.  Yet my life is so often full of other things. Sometimes there is little room for God to lead, little space to respond to his leading.

Living a God assignment lifestyle requires a high level of trust.  Can I trust God enough to send me if it is important, to lead me if He wants me there?

Lets get real practical here.  I was trying to apply this to something most of us have to do- fund raising. My husband and I are in that timeframe when it is necessary to call churches that support us monthly and schedule our "5 minute" slots to share next time we are home in our own country.  The particular denomination from which most of our support comes has a system in place that I have been a part of since childhood.  My parents also worked to fund raise for their ministry in this denomination.  Well, its a lot of hard work to get support and you need to be able to get on that phone 9 months to a year in advance and book your services.  That is how it is done.

Hmmm.  Is this truly God's way for us?  Is this system of speaking for 5 minutes in all these different churches in order to raise money for what He has called us to do really His way?  I cant help but question it whenever we are faced with doing this.  I have to ask myself, am I doing something in the flesh or is doing this really a God assignment?  Is He asking me to call these pastors? to book these sharing times?  If God is sending me, won't he release favor and open doors and release provision? Is spending this much time and effort in order to be given a brief slot really good stewardship of the gifts and ministry He has given us? Or are there places we are to go and works he has for us to do that make better use of who He has made us and what He desires to do through us?

To stop doing something that has worked in the past, been your tradition or your "bread and butter" requires faith.  Its risky to apply that filter - that you only do things you know God is sending you to do and that He is in.  Lots of "what ifs?" enter our minds.  What if it doesn't work? What if God doesn't provide? What if people call me foolish for living this way?

How we face fundraising and work with those systems is just one practical example. The application is everywhere in our lives.  Im more and more convinced that if we want to see supernatural anointing for supernatural growth and fruit, we have to be more careful about going through the motions, doing what is expected and the norm.  We have to be willing to risk the question; Is this a God assignment for me now? Is this God's assignment for me still? Is this still His way? Is this still His plan?  We must be willing to let things go if we don't have that confidence in our heart of hearts that indeed it is what God is saying to do now.  We must be willing to trust our loving Father, the one from whom all good things flow; to guide, direct our paths, provide generously, and lead us.

Don't get me wrong.  I don't need a confirmation from God to brush my teeth in the morning! Nor am I asking God when I wake up each day if He wants me to spend time with Him as I start my day.  Certain disciplines and "rituals" are very needful in making progress toward God's purposes and calling. Yet there are also many things we do that flow out of our traditions, past experiences, and past "Words".  Its a new year, lets live a little on the edge- let go of some things, and dare to only take hold of God's assignments for 2015. 

Relationship based discipleship vs. obedience based discipleship

Discipleship.  In many ways, this very important word has become quite common to us.  Jesus commanded us to "make disciples of all nations."  This morning I've been thinking about how many different way that word is applied in Christianity today.  What did Jesus really mean when he told us to "make disciples"? 

Discipleship and mentoring are often seen as similar.  Others see Discipleship as a program one goes through or the teaching of Christian disciplines to a new believer. Some feel they are making disciples if people come and attend their church services regularly. In church planting movement circles, we often throw around the phrase "obedience based discipleship."  We talk about the importance of teaching the commands of Jesus, making disciples who make disciples, who make disciples.  All these things are valid to consider and work toward. Becoming a disciple is certainly more than sitting in a chair in church every Sunday.

This morning however, I have been thinking about the crucial importance of relationship based discipleship NOT obedience based discipleship.  Sometimes an emphasis on obedience based discipleship seems to return us to a following of rules, doing certain duties or to something that is more law based than based on grace, something more old, rather than new covenant.  Jesus came to set us free, not to put us in bondage to a set of rules, not even the rules we call the 7 commands of Jesus (interesting that He never, ever, defined them that way!)  He came giving us his unconditional love, acceptance and grace, his unearned and undeserved favor.  This is what we offer a new (or old) disciple of Jesus. Grace...undeserved, unearned, unmerited.  So why do we emphasize obeying commands in our early discipleship of new believers?

I'm more and more convinced that somehow we are "missing the boat" here.  Before teaching people to obey all these commands we need to teach them how to believe & receive Father's love and grace and to enjoy the gift of their incredible new identity as his son or daughter.  Maybe then, loving Him would flow more naturally, more organically...and more relationally.  Jesus said "Freely you have received, freely give."  (Matt. 10:8).  Because of what they had received from God, they could freely and easily give. They freely healed the sick, cleansed the lepers, raised the dead, drove out demons.

I'm not saying obedience isn't important.  It is absolutely crucial.  We can't swing the other way and make pew/bench warmer Christians who receive and receive and are consumers, not disciples.  But the power and grace to obey Jesus comes out of the overflow of the love, relationship and identity that comes from being connected to Him.

Maybe after teaching "Repent and Believe"  we need to teach "Accept and Receive" then "Be Healed and Abide".  I don't know.  I'm just sure of one thing.  In the midst of an emphasis on obedience to Christ, if we do not emphasize at least as much His grace and what it means to be his child, and the joy of walking in real relationship with an alive and living God who loves us...well, we will just see a lot of performance driven, discouraged and condemned believers who are often defeated and failing at following a new "religion" that in some ways is just as hard as whatever they came out of.

The first step in becoming a disciple is to get to know the Master-the Guru and let Him love you, heal, forgive, and transform you.  Lets not rush over that step and jump straight to a set of rules to follow as we disciple people.  Lets keep relationship with Jesus in the forefront, connecting people to Him, teaching them to receive His love, hear His voice, be made whole, experience His goodness to them, and encounter His amazing love for them on a daily basis in their every day life.  This will lead to disciples of grace, who live in love with Jesus and can't help but pass that joy and privilege on to others.