Servant-Leader

John 13:3-17
Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God. So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron.

When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, "Master, you wash my feet?" Jesus answered, "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later."

Peter persisted, "You're not going to wash my feet—ever!" Jesus said,

"If I don't wash you, you can't be part of what I'm doing."

"Master!" said Peter. "Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!"

Jesus said, "If you've had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you're clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you're clean. But not every one of you." (He knew who was betraying him. That's why he said, "Not every one of you.") After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table.

Then he said, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as 'Teacher' and 'Master,' and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other's feet. I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do.

I'm only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn't give orders to the employer. If you understand what I'm telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.

Here you find Jesus operating as servant-leader.
Knowing who He was, and who's he was,
Jesus did not find it difficult to serve in the seemingly lowest positions of the servant.

Most people believe that servant-leader is one with a poor mentality. When I say poor mentality I am talking about people who don't know their value, who don't hold their head up, but this is a misconception. A true servant-leader, knows exactly who they are. They have no problem with holding their heads high.

Servant-leaders are people who know who they are and who's they are, insomuch that they can step in and out of seats of positions without any problem at all. They can put on scrubs and clean the toilet one day, and the next day put on tailored best and preach to the masses.

Servant-leaders are those who do not allow positions, callings, honors or wealth go to their heads. They are able to set with Kings one day and go to the kitchen and eat with the hired kitchen help the next, never showing partiality.

Servant-leaders use their influence to change people, communities, cities, states, and nations for good.

Servant-leaders are never self promoting, but God promoting.

Servant-leaders continually strive to be trustworthy, self-aware, humble, caring, visionary, empowering, relational, competent, good stewards, and community builders ... according to: The Center for Servant Leadership at the Pastoral Institute in Georgia.

Ten characteristics of servant-leader according to Larry Spears are:

1. listening
2. empathy
3. healing
4. awareness
5. persuasion
6. conceptualization
7. foresight
8. stewardship
9. commitment to the growth of others
10. building community

Come on Church let's lead by serving!

Jesus Praises Children's Workers

To all of those who work with children ... this blog is for YOU!

There is a growing need for children's workers in the local church as well as in other areas of our earthly duties. Many have viewed children's ministry as less important than other areas. This is such a misconception. Children are precious in the sight of God and every new born babe will eventually be a young man or woman. Who will have mentored them? Who will have encouraged them to their seats of greatness? If not those in the body of Christ, then who?

Jesus had a take on the importance of children and children's ministry. Let's take a look.

Mark 9:34-37
34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all (including the children).
36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.


Jesus set the children's worker in the category "Greatest". He did not take this ministry lightly, he was serious about every people group being looked after, telling the disciples, if you receive one of these little ones, you have also received me.

I recall a time when I was working in the local church. I did not know my importance as a children's, worker. I was serving in the nursery, and often being ask to watch children for parents who were working, or had other things to do. Because I was a young mother of two myself, I was feeling like all that I was good for, was to watch children ... (can you hear the frustration ... the low self esteem from not understanding the greatness of my service).

Surly God had a call on my life for something far greater I thought. After all, I had looked after children ever since I was a child, and I was tired of it! I wanted to be important. I wanted to be valued. I wanted to do something effective! I wanted to be in the Light! And then one day ... Jesus came, and put me in the Light.

I had spent Sunday in the nursery, and now Monday had come. I was home with three children. After getting one off to school, two others had to be fed, bathed and dressed. And I was in tears (not knowing my value or the importance of this calling).

As I was finishing up with the last child, I had gotten to the place of rubbing him down with lotion, and dressing him as he was just a baby. As I was putting lotion on that little body, I picked up two little feet and kissed them. I loved the children, but I was frustrated.

I had tears running down my face and I was murmuring and complaining to God. God I know I have a calling on my life, and yet here I am just watching children again. And that is when Jesus came into the room and put me in the Light.

Sherry, he said, today you have fed me, you have bathed me, dressed me and kissed my feet. As you do unto the least of these have you done unto me. And he was finished ... and so was I.

I was finished murmuring; finished complaining; finished feeling sorry for myself; finished feeling unimportant; finished hurting. Matter of fact I felt great. I felt great, because Jesus had just put me in the light, and placed me in the category of "Greatest".

Children's Ministers, YOU are valuable.
YOU are important.
YOU are called to Greatness!

Just keep remembering that everything you do for the children you are doing for Jesus! Know that you are Center Stage with God. You are nominated for Greatest of All!

To all who do not value children.
To all who abort, neglect, abuse or mistreat children in any way ...
Take heed and repent ... for you have just done your deeds unto Jesus!

Mark 11:23-24

Mark 11:23-25 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Five keys from Mark 11:23-25

• Whosoever shall say (a Word must be delivered out against what you are up against).

• Does not doubt in his heart (do not waver between faith and doubt and fear).
  

• Believe that ye receive them (you take hold of, seizing with a grip, taking with much force) that which you desire.

• When ye stand praying (to be and remain in a prayer stance).
  

• Forgive if you have ought against any (if anyone has hurt or wronged you and you are holding it against them ... forgive).

"Failure to operate in any of these
will result in a mountain moving failure "

The Lost Coin

Luke 15:8-10 ... imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it?

And when she finds it you can be sure she'll call her friends and neighbors: 'Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!' Count on it—that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God."


In his parable Jesus is speaks concerning the lost souls of men, let's notice the emphasis of the search:



This woman recognizes that something precious is lost, and with this realization, the woman gets her candle out and lights it, then she gets her broom and begins to sweep the house; seeking diligently for the lost coin.


She carries the candle from room to room. With a broom in hand she sweeps ever corner. Her eye searching as she goes, not letting anything that looks like the coin go unnoticed.


This woman puts great effort into finding the lost coin. She does not glance and say, "oh well, I guess it's just not here, or oh, well it will should up one day." No she was searching.


How long has it been since you went "searching" for God's lost, precious, and valuable processions of souls?


Pr 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise

Are you praying psychic prayers?

My heart hurt deeply today as God revealed to me how many psychic prayers were going up in the midst of local congregations. Prayers that should never be uttered...psychic prayers that never reach God's realm, but instead are intercepted by Satan.

A psychic prayer is any prayer that does not line up with the Word of God. When you pray outside the Word, you are praying in a familiar Spirit realm, a realm that opposes God himself.

When anyone does this they are putting themselves into the realm of Satan. And although they may give Satan the opportunity to loose demons to hinder God's people and their purposes, psychic prayers will result in a self proposed cursed, and the children of God (those whom are doing his will) will in the end remain free and blessed.


Pr 18:21
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

James 3:8-10
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Psychic prayers are prayed by those who desire control. They are against the work of God, and/or against the pastor and the church. They often pray against the pastor and their vision. They do this thinking they know more than the Pastor does, and think that by praying like this they will get to control what happens in the church. They believe themselves to be wiser than the ones that God has set in office.

These are usually sick, hurt and/or bitter people. They are people who want to be in ministry or positions of power. They need to be healed and set free, but instead of allowing God to move in their lives through their pastors and leaders, they fight against the very hand they desires to help them.

Sometimes a person in leadership will yield to this seducing spirit because they want to be moved to higher places of authority, or they get hurt, angry or frustrated with the Pastor. When this happens they will begin to pray wrong prayers, again thinking they know more than the Pastor concerning the church.

What they should be doing is getting under the vision of the Pastor, asking God what assignment they have in the fulfillment of the vision. If they do not agree with the Pastor, then they need to leave the church and go to a place where they believe in the Pastoral vision.

Prayers prayed like this are a simple hindrance to the work of God, but will never be a defeat to the pastoral vision. God himself will fight on the behalf of those who align with His Word. God will not go against the vision that he has sent into the man or woman of God. He will stand and fight for that man or woman.

When things are coming against the man or women sent with a vision,
it is from Satan,
and not from God.

I have heard people pray things like, "make that person sick if they smoke a cigarette" that is a wrong prayer. To pray a person sick is wrong, no matter how you pray it! And when a person is praying like this they will continue to pray in such manners over other things, like the pastor and the church. Prayers like this will infect the church. But those prayers will not prevail, nor will those pray-ers! Both the prayers and the pray-ers will come to nothing in the long run. Matter of fact anyone who prays like this will soon find that those prayers have opened a curse upon their own heads.


I recall a time when the last Lester Sumrall was in a room and a demon had came into that room and begin to move things about. Brother Sumrall had to deal with the demon...which was a hindrance, but not a defeat. Brother Lester begin to command that spirit back into that room to make things right. He had to obey. All this thing could do was hinder Bro. Sumeral's, sleep and time, but could not overpower him or stop the vision.

When Bro. Hagin was pastoring he begin to recognize a spirit in the church. He begin to pray and God exposed that demon that lurked in the church. Brother Hagin then took authority over that spirit and it had to leave the church.

Another encounter with another minister:
He had been on the mission field and a witchdoctor decided to send a curse over the pastor and his vision. That witchdoctor wanted control, and was loosing that control with the people.

He begin to speak out curses over the pastor, and the pastors physical body was attacked severally, but it was not unto death. Prayer was lifted up over this pastor and the enemy was pushed back into submission. That pastor not only lived, but continue successfully with his mission, and those curse words went back upon those who sent them. The witchdoctor came to nothing of course and the work of God continued.

Psychic prayers will always come back to bite the one who voiced them. Jesus is Lord, and we as his children are victorious. In Him there is no defeat, just life and abundance.

What God has blessed no man can curse in the sense of putting an irreversible, unstoppable curse. Yes, words carry death and life ... but those who love it are the ones who eat the fruit thereof. In other words. Those who curse others will eat the curse themselves. Those who love life, and pray words of blessing and peace according to God's Word will eat the fruit of blessings and peace.

There is nothing that is done in the dark that will not be exposed in the light. It is time for all the psychic pray-ers to understand this, and move over to the winning side. Side with Jesus ... He is Lord!

Pray in line with God's written Word, act in accordance and You will get the victory! All other prayer will come back to bite you, because Satan is a devourer.

If you suspect that anyone has been praying against your pastor or vision, or over your life.


Pray in this manner:

We forgive those who knowingly or unknowingly are praying or speaking against us, break any curses or soul ties, send the demons back to those who sent them, and pray that their eyes will be opened. In Jesus Name ~ Amen

When God is for us ... WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?

Let Us Do Good

Ac 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

The words "do good" here means to be philanthropic, which defines as charitable and generous; devoted to helping others, especially in offering aid. Jesus had came to us anointed of God with the Holy Ghost and power to be charitable and generous to us, devoted to helping us, offering us aid.

John 3:16 says:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God so loved us that he sent us one that would be charitable and generous to us. One that would be devoted to helping us. One that would be selfless and willing to lay down his own life for us. One that would go face to face with the enemy and come up with keys to help us to make it to the other side victorious.

Jesus had no selfish agendas, no wrong power motives. He was not pressing for position. He wasn't hungry for fame. He was just out to do the will of the Father. And the Father's will was that none perish.

Jesus did good to all He met.
He befriended Mary, and Martha.
He raised Lazarus from the grave.
He gave sight to the blind.
He opened deaf ears.
He loosed the tongue of the mutes.
He healed a withered hand.
He caused a bend women to be straight.
He aided the invalid at the pool.
He gave peace and counsel.
He educated.
He fed the hungry.
He blessed the children.
He defeated death, hell and the grave for our eternal good.

Jesus did good!

Don't you think it is time to be like Jesus ... and do good!

Prayer = Stress Free Living

Science tells us that stress is your body's way of responding to any kind of demand.
It can be caused by both good and bad experiences. When people feel stressed by something going on around them, their bodies react by releasing chemicals into the blood.


These chemicals give people more energy and strength, which can be a good thing if their stress is caused by physical danger. But this can also be a bad thing, if their stress is in response to something emotional and there is no outlet for this extra energy and strength.


The Word of God tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully created. Anyone that has ever looked at a biology book or watched as the body fought to heal itself of wounds, can see that this is true. We also know from the Word of God that we are created from the the dust of the ground...which is chemically loaded. And that Life is in the blood. [Ps. 139:14; Gen.2:7; Lev. 17:11]


To argue with the scientific facts concerning the chemical releases into the blood would be foolish. However, there are still many things that the Word releases and reveals to us that science has not yet discovered or marketed.


Although science has it's place in the earth and it has been valuable to many, there is still a greater truth that science keeps proving over and over, "the truth of God's ways."

Psalms 16:11

Thou wilt shew me the path of life:
in thy presence is fulness of joy;

at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

The days that we are living are often called 'high stress times' ... but our times are no more stressed than those of the Apostle Paul. He were beaten and left for dead in the street, bit by a poison viper, shipwrecked, left in prison with bleeding strips down his back? Not to mention his missionary journeys, and the cares of the oversight of new church plants.

Stress is said, to be caused by:

• fears and worries over loved ones
• being in dangerous settings
• noise, crowds, pressures
• heavy work loads

Paul dealt with all of these things, and yet ran his race and finished it with joy.

• He lived his life on a higher plain.
• He lived God's way.
• He refused to be a candidate for stress.

Instead he chose a higher position, and took the seat of prayer.

Paul was a man given to prayer. [I Thess. 5:17; II Tim. 1:3; Ro. 1:9; Acts 12:5]

• He prayed without ceasing (walking in an attitude of prayer at all times). Any time something came up that wanted to bring stress into his life ... he prayed.
• He knew how to cast his cares (worries), things that concerned him, over on the Lord.
• He understood how to release his fears to love who cast out those ugly culprits.

And when things became to large for his understanding; when his own natural words and intellect failed him ... he yield his natural man over to the Holy Spirit within him and allow Him to take over. [Romans chapter 8]


No stress living is found in God.

A life given to prayer and obedience to God, is a live filled with joy, pleasure and all manner of prosperity. It is stress free living. However, a life given to prayer and obedience in a disciplined life.

When things are gett ing overwhelming, step out and pray.

When fears rush in, speak the Word of God in prayer.

When worries and cares come to flood your mind, cast down those imaginations and take those thoughts captive to the truth of God's
Word in prayer confessions.

When the world you are in gets to loud, move out to the solitude of quite meditation (the prayer of silence and listening).

Walk with an attitude of prayer at all times and refuse allow stress to invade your life.

Cracked Pots

Today I was speaking with someone about how every person is unique and different. Each having their own strengths and weaknesses. And how important it is to embrace each person for who they are in Christ.


In India there is a story told about a water bearer and his pots. I would like to share this with you today that you might get a picture in your mind of how someones weaknesses can offer beauty to your world, if you will allow it.

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his shoulders. One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.

At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house.

Of course, the perfect pot was perfect for the task for which it was made, and proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you. I have been able to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without your being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace my house.

Each of us have our own flaws, we are all cracked pots. But it's the cracks and flaws that make our lives together interesting and rewarding. You have to take people for what they are, and look for the good in them. Not one of us are perfect outside of the blood of Jesus. And in our strengths we are to bear the others weakness.

• We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ~Romans 15:1

• Let's remember to appreciate all the different people in our life.
• To embrace the cracked pots.
• Oh ... and don't forget ... your weaknesses embraced by others will bring beauty to their lives as well.

Faithfulness/Character/Promotion

A church is not totally about what the minister does. A minister is to equip, however it is what the members being to say and do, that will make the church what it is. A church can be healthy, vibrant and alive, or it can be sickly, colorless, and dead.

When I say healthy, vibrant, and alive. I am talking about more than Sunday Morning Sermons and Shouts. I am talking about lifestyles of the people, about the fruit that is being produced throughout the week.

I am talking about well rounded lives. I am talking about personal devotions of the Word and prayer times. Quality time given to family, friends, church and community.

I am talking about acts of kindness, healthy communications, and godly relationships. I am talking about contentment with godliness.

Even simply things like, the we care for our self and family, keeping the laundry, house, car, yard and so forth.

Things like: Men laboring as head of their homes, women loving their husbands, children being trained instead of provoked to anger whereby they lose the faith, and the way you handle your finances.


The Late Rev. John Osteen once said, "I can go into any home and find out if they were called to be in the ministry." He also said, "I never ask a staff member how they are doing, if I really want to know, I ask their spouse." Rev. Happy Caldwell, said, "I can tell a lot about you just by looking inside your car or garage."

Any minster that is worth his weight will not put a member into pulpit capacities until they have served faithfully in helps positions. Helps positions are training fields, and God's character building firms. These are the places the real you come out. Just ask Joseph, who by the way ... did it right.

Promotion will not come to those who refuse to be faithful over their little lives. In Luke 19:17
Jesus says: ...Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

It is the ministers jobs to teach, to instruct, correct, and to reprove unto edification and growth, but it is a personal responsibility to receive and become doers of God's Word. When our character and lives line up properly with the will of God, He will promote us.

So begin to position yourself for promotion by getting your personal life in order. Add a corporate connection of excellency in serving within your local church and soon God will reward faithfulness. Promotion will come, but remember ... it comes from God, and not man. So don't be striving with God and yourself for positioning. Don't strive with your Pastor, other minsters or ministries.

Psalms 75:6-7
For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.


I Cor. 12:28, tells us that God sets the gifts into the church. And when it comes to the nine-fold gifts of the Spirit those will be upon the believers who covet them and upon whom God can entrust. So show yourself faithful in the little things and then let God promote you to much.

At the End of Your Will

Luke 22:41-42 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.


Today my question for you is ... "Have you came to the end of Your Will?"
Once we have finally surrendered our will over to God everything changes.

• Our priorities change.
• Our temporal residence means little.
• Our family become those who will do the will of God.

In Luke's Gospel, Jesus was struggling both mentally and emotionally in the Mount of Olives. This was a pressing place, an intense prayer time; He was being pressed out like the Olives himself. His natural will was being pressed out through much prayer, that the will of God for his life might be carried out.



When we finally come to the end of our will, all the mental and emotional turmoil ceases. The frustration gives way to faith, and disappointment to new appointments. And the greater works are about to break forth.



Once we are living in center of His perfect Will, we no longer make decisions based on material comforts. We make our decisions upon the leading of the Holy Ghost, and not by the sight of the eye, or the present comforts of the flesh, that the perfect will of God for our lives might be carried to the full.



Joh 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.


The message translation says this: Jesus said, "The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started.

1. Aren't you getting tired of the frustration, disappointment, and the lack of appointments?
2. Aren't you fed up with the mental and emotional anguish?

If your answer to these two questions are yes,
It is time to surrender your will for His.

Pray Pray Pray

Luke 18:1

And he spake a parable unto them to this end,
that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

I recall a time in my life when I was hungry to do the will of God. I was so ready to be in the center of God's will, that I would have stood on my head in the corner of the assembly if that would have helped.

During this phase, an evangelist came to our church and called me forward. I was sure that I was going to get a spectacular word from him. A word that 'I was going to be the next Aimee Semple-Mcpherson, or a female Hudson Taylor.' Maybe, he would say that he had a vision of me going all over the World, and wanted to be the first to extend an invitation for me to go with Him and speak at his next overseas service.


But instead, my message from this evangelist was:
"Pray, Pray, Pray, Pray. Pray, Pray, Pray, Pray. Pray, Pray, Pray, Pray. Pray, Pray, Pray, Pray, Pray. That's your way ~ PRAY!"


Well let me tell you, I came out of my shoes as I was slain in the Spirit. I couldn't get up off the floor. I was stuck there. I couldn't move. But I wasn't happy. I was totally disappointed, and seriously frustrated. The last thing I wanted to hear was that I needed to pray more.


I had spent most of my past ten years praying. I prayed at home. I prayed at church. I prayed in the car. I prayed in the Spirit. I prayed with the understanding. I prayed for me, and my household. I prayed for the church. I prayed for the Nations and Governments, and I was in every intercessory prayer service that we had. I prayed!


I was sure that it was time for me to move on to something more. And now I get this message to PRAY?! I couldn't believe it. No, I didn't want to believe it.


When I finally got up off the floor, I was not jumping up and down for joy over the Word I had received. I resigned to the fact that this man (notice now, it was just a man ... forget evangelist), must have surly missed God. I would soon be headed out to Mission School, and things would be different there. But I am here to tell you that God doesn't change his mind, and when he has a working plan for your life, he sticks to it.


When I got to mission school, I not being one to sit around doing nothing, was there with my hand up when they ask if anyone could help with the cleaning. But I wasn't chosen. Then they offered other opportunities of service. Over and over my hand was up, but never chosen. I resigned this incident to, "God must simply want me to be here to rest from my labors and learn more about my great calling in life!" I was wrong again, imagine that!


Soon, I was in a meeting and a leader handed me an application for the prayer department ... there it was again Prayer!


I half-heartily surrendered, and filled it out, and after turning it in, of course was called. Once again, I found myself praying twice a day in regular mission classes, as well as Wednesday nights in regular corporate services. Friday night was prayer for the nations, not to mention once or twice a week for missionaries, as well as special meeting times with those whom I communicated.


Later we begin to spend time praying out our futures in mission class. Everyone was joining up with others and praying out their great callings, and overseas departures. At this time the Holy Ghost would lead me to join my prayers in getting them over into their destinations.

But ... WHAT ABOUT ME!!!!!

I was more frustrated than ever. I had given myself to prayer, and service to others for over eleven years, and still it seemed I was no closer to what I believed to be my destiny. Until one day, The Holy Spirit spoke to me ... yup ... you guessed it while I was in prayer. And this is what He said, "Sherry, part of your destiny is helping others pray out their plan."


After I graduated mission school. I still did not have a huge oversees assignment. However, I did make a group trip overseas to get my feet wet in foreign soil, and then I received an assignment to go help a Pastor in a neighboring state for about a year.


By this time, I had begin to appreciate the prayer seat, and I was asked by the Holy Ghost to once again take a prayer position in my local church, but this one turned to into a seat next to the Pastor in pulpit capacity. Which latter turned to license and ordination as well as core and executive leadership positions.


Since I have come to both understand and appreciate the prayer seat. My life has been on course. I have prayed out mission trips both across boarders and seas. I have prayed for many to fulfill their plan in life. And I am still praying. Because ... Prayer is My Way!


I hope after reading my testimony, that you gain an appreciation of prayer, and also find rest of any frustrations that your preparation time has seemed to bring you ... because in the end, you will find as I have it is very beneficial to your successful future.


Oh, and by the way ... If Rev. David Ellis happens to read this blog, "Thanks for not missing God when you spoke ' Prayer' over my life!"


Shalom

SPIRIT SOUL BODY

Many people say things like:

• You need to listen to your body.
• You need to follow your feelings.

For the Christian those two statements are not accurate. We should learn to listen to our heart, and tell your body and feelings what they need to do.



What is the heart?



When I say heart I am not referring to the physical heart. I am speaking about the inner man. The unseen central part of man. Often in the Old Testament the word 'heart' refers to the center of man's being. I Peter 3:4 calls it the Holy Ghost the 'hidden man of the heart.'



The proper dividing of our psyche is: Spirit; Soul; and Body.
Most people never offer this biblical truth. They to tend talk about the Body and the Soul, and just lump the Spirit in with the Soul. This is error.



They also talk about Listening to the Body, and finding Soul Mates.
To listen to the Body would be to allow the carnal man to dominate.
And to find a Soul Mate would be to find someone that the flesh nature is satisfied with for a period of time, but when the Soul is swayed, the relationship comes to a devastating halt.




To ignore the Spirit Man, or the hidden man of the heart, is detrimental, as it is the most vital part of a person.

• The Spirit is the real you (the life giving part)
• The Soul is the mind, will and emotional you
• The Body is the carnal (flesh/physical) vessel that houses the Soul and Spirit

Each person is born with a human spirit, a soul, and a physical body, and until we are born again and receive Jesus into our hearts (the central part of our lives), we are dictated by either the emotions or the physical body, under the dictatorship of sin.



Once we are born again through receiving Jesus into our lives, we can then begin to allow him to lead us into Biblical truth which keeps us free. As Jesus leads into God's written Word, we find that he promised to send us a helper (one just like himself to be in with us and in us). This helper is the Holy Ghost. John 14-16



Once we receive the Holy Ghost (which is our Spirit teacher), we allow Him to aide us in the training of our Human Spirit. How does this happen?



Our Human spirit is trained just like any other teacher/student relationship. We naturally yield to a teacher who teaches from books, we apply ourselves and we learn.
In the supernatural realm, we yield to the hidden man of the heart (the Holy Ghost teacher), and let him teach us from the books of the Bible. We then apply ourselves to the teaching of the Word and begin to be spiritually educated, and developed.



If you:

• rebel against,
• refuse to listen to,
• refuse to participate with,
• fail to ask questions and hear answers,
• neglect to read materials or show up for class,

... you never get to your next level of development.



God communicates with us through our Spirit and His Word, and as we subjugate ourselves to the Holy Ghost (teacher), we begin to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

• To follow or feelings is to be an unstable mess, emotions are fickle and change continually, and can lead us from super highs, to devastating lows.
• To listen to the body is to follow that which is weak and corruptible.

According to II Cor. 4:16 The outward body is perishing, but the inward man is being renewed day by day.

• Jesus is called the light
• The Spirit of man is called the candle of the Lord
• The Word is called a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path

If we allow Jesus into our hearts, and let the Holy Spirit lead us into the light of God's word, then apply it to our lives, we will be safe, stable, productive, happy, prosperous and healthy.

But to continue to be led by the Body and emotions is to be unstable, sad, weak and sickly, unsuccessful, and poor all of our lives.



If people only knew the truth that comes from being doers of the Word of God, they would not reject it. They would embrace it and cherish it.



I challenge you today to open your human spirit, and if you have not received Jesus as Lord. Do that now. Ask him to come into your heart (inner most parts). Ask Him to be Lord of your life.



Challenge number two:
To those who have received Jesus (whether just now, or previously); now is the time to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of other tongues. Tell the Lord Jesus that you desire the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

Ask Him to lead you to another Spirit filled believer or a Church that of Spirit filled believers, and hen receive and welcome the wonderful helper (Holy Spirit) into your life. Evidence that that you have received him is the evidence of other tongues. Don't be deceived by people who tell you that you have the baptism of the Holy Ghost even though you do not speak in tongues.



Once you receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of other tongues. You are equipped with power to be a witness in the earth, and you also have a teacher, counselor, prayer helper, comforter and one to stand by to help you in your Christian walk.




Challenge number three:
is to yield to the Holy Spirit (teacher), and allow him to bring you into all truth that will set you free and cause you to prosper every area of your life.



If you have read this today and feel overwhelmed because you have never heard of Jesus, or in the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Take out your bible and with a sincere read 'The Gospel of John.' This will lead teach you of Jesus and of the Holy Ghost whom he promised to send to us (the one just like himself).



Then turn to The Book of Romans Chapter 10:9-10; The Book of Acts and read Chapters 1-4 ~ Acts 10:34-43 ~ Acts 19:2-6. This will be a good start and then ask The Lord to lead you to a Church that is right for you. From that point the Pastor of the Church will be able to help you (if you will allow it).



P.S. If you are reading this ... I have already prayed for you today!

Is It Love or Something Like It

Everyone seems to be looking for Love these days.


But is it love they are looking for just something like it?


I Cor. 13 gives us a colorful and detailed picture of what True Love looks like.

• Love never gives up.
• Love cares more for others than for self.
• Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
• Love doesn't strut.
• Doesn't have a swelled head.
• Doesn't force itself on others,
• Isn't always "me first,"
• Doesn't fly off the handle,
• Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
• Doesn't revel when others grovel,
• Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
• Puts up with anything,
• Trusts God always,
• Always looks for the best,
• Never looks back,
• But keeps going to the end.
• Love never dies.

If what you are looking for is not on the list above. It is not Love that you are seeking.


If what you are offering to others is not on the above list. It is not Love that you are offering.

Selah!

Dreams; Visions & House Prophets

Joel 2:28-32

28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. 32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.


These are the words of Joel the prophet, who prophesied the days of which we are now living as Spirit filled Christians. Days when there will be signs and wonders, dreams and visions. All of which has came to us with the person of the Holy Ghost.


One thing that we have to understand as spirit filled believers is that we are first and foremost led by the written Word of God. The Bible is our general road map for living successful victorious lives. And yet we also have a navigator, the person of the Holy Ghost whom was sent to us after Jesus returned to heaven and took his seat at the right hand of the Father.



How does the Holy Ghost lead? Usually by a still small voice within. Although at times His voice can be more authoritative coming as audible to us.




To believe that we are lead by dreams and visions is not a Biblical accuracy. According to the New Testament we are led by the Holy Spirit and God's Word. Dreams and Visions are very much a part of our Spirit filled lives, but they are not to lead us. They are supplements to leading or knowing that we already have, or an aid a leading.


There are also those who say they are interpreters of dreams, but that is not biblical in this New Testament day either. No more than we need a prophet to lead us in these New Testament Days.


The gift of the prophet is still in manifestation today, but they are New Testament prophets that operate in the corporate body of Christ and not over individual lives. There are no such thing in the New Testament as House prophets or individual prophets that order individual congregations, pastors or their people. No one in this era should be ordering other people's lives. The five fold ministers are put in the body for edification not for control.


When it comes to dreams. If we are given a dream by God, the Holy Ghost will be the first to let us know what it means. We don't need other people to tell us what our dreams mean. Another person may be highly sensitive to the Holy Ghost or perceptive to spiritually discerned things, but there are no New Testament gifts of dream interpreters.


Many times people are sincerely zealous and sincerely wrong. They are hungry for the supernatural and want to be used by God and get way off track. These people are dangerous to others. And they if they need to get under a balanced Pastor and learn the truths about the Holy Ghost and the Gifts.


I am a dreamer and a believer of visions. But my life is mapped by the Word of God and Navigated by the Holy Ghost. The true last day outpouring of the Spirit is wonderful, and the five-fold ministry Gifts, as well as the nine gifts of the spirit are vital to us in these dark times ... but there is a flood of err in the earth concerning these Spirit filled days.

There are two Spirits in the earth today.

1. The Spirit of Truth
2. The Spirit of Error

Be Spirit Smart ~ Don't be deceived!

Winning Over Finances

While the World economy is in a financial crisis, now is the time for the church to rise up and hold on to all that God has given them, and to recover all that the enemy has taken through deception.


To many times we have laid down and played dead when the devil came along to rob us. It is time to treat the devil like the thief that he is, and use our authority against him.


If you were to recognize a thief in your house, you would call 911, when the police came they would use their authority to bind the thief and make him loose your goods. The law would also make him pay for all damages and pay for his crime.


When the devil comes to steal from us it is a criminal act. And our job is to use our words against Him. We to need lift up our voice and get God on the scene. Just like the police come and back up your call. God will back his Word, that is coming out of our mouths.


Psalms 24:1 1 The earth is the LORD'S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.


Psalms 115:16 16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.


Well the earth and the fullness thereof belongs to the Lord, but he has chose to put it into our house, to give it over to us. Since the Lord has put all into our hands today and then delegated us the power and authority over all the power of the enemy it is time for us to:

• rise up and quit playing dead;
• hold on to what is ours;
• put a demand on the enemy to repay double anything he has taken.
• put God’s Word in our mouth
• use our authority In Jesus Name

Exodus 22:7 says: If a man shall deliver unto his neighbor money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.


It is time to posses what is our, and recover all that the enemy has taken or been holding back. It is time to step over into the double portion of God’s truths concerning our finances as well as every other area of our lives.


With this in mind, when we sow our financial seed into God’s kingdom, let us remember that God has Blessed us, and made us a blessing. God is the one who gives us the seed to sow, and He is the one who gives us bread to eat [Is. 55:10]. He is the one who cares for us greater than the birds of the air or the flowers of the field [Mt. 6:25-34]. Therefore, let us sow in faith, not in fear.


Let us remember that we will never lack any good thing as children of God. We will never beg bread, and we always reap according to our faith’s giving. [Ps. 84:11; Ps.37:25; II Co. 9:6].

The Samson Factor

Judges Chapters 14-16 is the written historic events of Samson. A man called of God, yet in a very weak and rebellious flesh body.


In the beginning of this story we find that Samson desired a wife. A woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines. Then we see that his mother and father tried to talk him out of the marriage union. But what they did not know according to these passages, that this was actually of the Lord.


There are times in peoples lives when they have such a flesh inclination that all the advice of parents can not turn them around. This is where we must leave children to the Lord after they reach a set age of accountability. God knows more about the children than we do and knows how to handle them.

It is not always easy for parents to watch as their children make decisions: both good ones and bad ones. But the truth is as parents we must see their victories, and their failures. And just as we rejoice and gloat in the victories, we are cut to the soul over the failures.


As the story continues we find that Samson takes the woman in Timnath to be his wife. And very soon his flesh desire begin to play a toll on the anointing. The flesh nature will always hinder the anointing in our lives and keep us from God's best. God had intended for Samson to go into the Philistine camp and deal with the enemy there. He had not intended for Samson to feed his flesh desires, which he was about to do.


Samson's idea was to go into the land to get a wife. God's plan was that he go into the land to deal with the enemy. But because of Samson flesh motives, he soon found himself manipulated and deceived by the enemy.

When we follow our flesh instead of God's plan we always find ourselves in trouble, and left without the anointing or thing we desired.


In this incident Samson never got to marry the women who had cost him his anointing, as we find in Judges 14:20. She was given to another. But once was not enough for Samson, once the anointing was recovered. We find him again in Judges 16 going after a prostitute named Delilah.


This time around we find, not only did the enemy take Samson's anointing, but also his vision. This part of the story is not very refreshing to a parent, but there is a redeeming factor.


The redeeming factor is that when Samson finally came to his senses enough to deal with his flesh, not only was his flesh defeated, but also the enemies camp. Leaving Samson as a Judge over Israel for the next 20 years.


Everyone tells this story as Samson died with the enemy, The End. But that is not how the story ended, no more than it was all over when Jesus died on the cross.


Jesus died on the cross, defeated death, hell and the grave and rose again to live forever more. Taking a high seat of honor. In this case, both Samson flesh and the enemy were put under. And Samson rose to his righteous position.

• The only way we will get a large victory over the enemy and move into our promotions is by dealing first with our flesh weaknesses.

In this New Testament Day that we are living, we must not only be saved and filled with the Holy Ghost. We must learn to yield our human spirit with it's flesh inclinations over to the Holy Spirit to be trained in the way we should go, going God's way which is higher, than the way of our lower flesh nature.


So for every parent that is standing with their children, be encouraged. Put your children in God's hands and entrust them to Him.


Oh ...one more suggestion.
Turn your face just for a moment as God has his way. It may seem really dark for a moment. I say this speaking of Jesus' flesh on the cross. Mary could do nothing, her soul was pierced through, but God was in control and had her son in his loving hands. Although it seemed as if he was being rent by the enemy for a moment. We all know ... victory came when he arose!

Twisted and Bent

Have you ever felt like you were twisted and bent out of shape so to speak?

Well there was a lady in Luke Chapter 13 that knew exactly what it was like to be twisted and bent out of shape.


Luke 13:10-17
10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.


This dear woman was physically stooped over. She was twisted and bent in such a measure that she could not get up by herself. She had been this way for 18 long years. Then one day Jesus came on the scene. He not only came on the scene, He called this woman to himself, and with one authoritative statement and the loving touch of His hands, immediately she was made straight and glorified God. She straightened up!

Now this woman was clearly physically challenged and Jesus healed her body. However, many people are twisted and bent in their emotions. They need to be straighten out.

Have you ever heard anyone say, "man you sure are bent out of shape today!" They say this when a person is verbally sharp, angry, or quick tempered. When people are frustrated and angry on the inside, it manifest to the outside.

I don't know if this woman had emotional problems or not. I am not sure if an inward ailment brought about her physical infirmity. I do know however, that a Spirit was involved. A Spirit of which she obviously needed to be loosed.

I also know, that when we are full of frustration and angry, a door is left open to the devil.
I know this from Eph. 4:26-27 that says:
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Neither give place to the devil.

So unresolved Anger can give a place to the devil, and give him a place where he can manifest a destructive work in our lives. John 10:10 says that he (the devil) came to ... Kill, steal and destroy. But Jesus came that we might have life and that more abundantly.

This bent over woman surly was not living the abundant life. She couldn't even get up by herself, more less enjoy her every day life. Many people today are not able to get up and enjoy life, because they have unresolved anger issues. Issues that keep them twisted and bent out of shape. But Jesus wants to loose them from these emotional prisons, and free them from a spirit that has been given a place to operate in their life.

Jesus is calling people to himself every day. He is ready to speak with authority into lives and touch people with His compassion.

He is well able through His Word to set people free of demonic influence that keeps them bent out of shape.

When people are held captive by Spirits they do not ~ nay they can not glorify God. But once they are set free by the Word and Spirit, they can and will glorify God!

If anger has opened a door to the devil in your life and has you twisted and bent out of shape. Don't continue another day allowing that emotional baggage to keep you outside of the life and abundant living that God intends for you.

Hebrews Chapter 11 speaks to us about:

• What faith is: The substance of things hoped for the evidence of things unseen!
• How the elders received a good report by faith.
• And that God framed the worlds by faith.
• It goes us to list person after person who by faith did great exploits with and for God.
  

Some call this Chapter of the Bible the Hall of Faith.
So how can you get into such a list of Greats? By Faith of course!


Notice none of these people were play it safe people. They were, "step out on the Word of God people."

Each person had to take steps to get to the places that earned them a seat in the Hall of Faith! They each had to obey God; to go where He said to go; to do what he said to do; and to be who He had called them to be.

If we are to do great things for God we will have to take faith steps. We will have to leave our past behind and move fearlessly into our naturally unseen future.

We will have to leave our comfort zones of the seen realm!

So many people are trying to move into their "faith future" with the baggage of their past. But the past must be checked at future's gate, it can't come with you. Often to deal with the past is messy and unpleasant, but until we do we are kept from our destinies.


Others are failing to get into their "faith future" because of fear.
Fear can have no part with faith. Fear must be mastered if you are ever to be one of God's Greats. Fear can be a vicious Spirit, one that can make you feel as if you are swallowed up by it, but it can be mastered by perfect love.

Once you have dealt with the ghost of the past and turned fear out of doors by love. You will be ready to take your next step into the faith field of your New Future!