Well, we are 2 Bible studies into Radiate Church and I am seeing God already move in the hearts and lives of those attending. I am so honored to be the pastor of this ministry!
Today I was doing my daily study and it is taking me through Nehemiah again - for the 1000th time! I LOVE NEHEMIAH! But I ran across something that I've read 20-30 times before, I'm sure, and it never quite made sense like it did today. (funny how that happens isn't it?)
In Nehemiah 9 you see where Israel began declaring their past failures/sins. You see the stories of ancestors putting God on the "back burner" and not worrying much about following Him. I began to see an overlying theme in verses 27-31. A principle that is such a powerful thing, yet such an incomprehendable concept.
God stuck beside them, even when they didn't want Him to. See they were using God as a security blanket. They used Him simply as something that would comfort when needed, help when called upon, and restore when asked. He was simply someone that was bigger than they were, and was able to be used when they felt the need. (as we know God doesn't command this type of love for Him... he commands a sacrificial love that requires Him to be above all else.)
Nehemiah 9:31 is where it hit me hard: "Nevertheless, in Your great compassion You did not make an end of them or forsake them, for You are a gracious and compassionate God." (emphasis mine)
Wow... The emphasis added part... I began to think about how I relate to the Israelites in this part, and the other tribes represented. How often do I take advantage of God? How often is He a security blanket to me? When do I sacrifice for Him? I mean REALLY sacrifice!? And to think of the words of Jeremiah - "you did not make an end of them or forsake them." wow!
Why in the world do I deserve for Him to stick with me? I don't... it's his creation that does! I personally don't deserve it... it's the fact that He's perfect, and I'm created in His image - which means that there is greatness and goodness locked up deep down inside of me. And because of that - He doesn't make an end of me! For that matter, if you're reading this - there's a reason He hasn't made an end of you too!
Because YOU MATTER! Think about it.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
The Life God intended: Salvation/Success
Wow... we are a little over 1 week away from beginning the small groups of Radiate Church! I can't believe that God has given us this opportunity! I want to start a series of blogs that explain a little of the vision of Radiate Church. You will hear more in depth explanation on October 16 @ 6:30pm. Come check us out!
The mission statement of Radiate Church is: "Introducing People To The Life God Intended"... so what in the world does that mean?
God intended HIS children, His people to live a life that matters. John 10:10 "...I came to give life, and give it to the full." How powerful. This holds many truths and promises that we can't even comprehend.
It is our mission to introduce people to the full life of Salvation! Your life will never be as full as it should/could be without the salvation of Jesus Christ, and the forgiveness of God. God looked into your future, saw a messed up, screwed up past, and decided that Jesus could and would take it all for you. Why? So that you would have the opportunity to be with Him... for eternity! It's a simple concept that's extremely difficult to grasp.
Your life won't be lived to the fullest until you have received salvation. Once salvation is a reality to you - a life that is lived as God intended is a life of success. Colossians 3:23 says to do everything as if you are doing it for God and not men. God demands, and expects success. NOTHING about God is a failure. NOTHING of God is an accident. NOTHING that concerns God can fall short. NOTHING with God is impossible! Your job, your family, your finances, your hobbies, your church...anything that involves God will succeed! What does that success look like? I have no idea? For Moses, it was leading the Israelites out of the wilderness. For Noah it was finishing the ark and saving animals. For Nehemiah it was finishing a wall and rebuilding a city. For Paul it was completing missionary journeys and seeing people come to know God. I have no idea what success looks like for you, but I do know this... With God success is inevitable.
Well then why haven't I been promoted? Why can't I get ahead in my finances? Why are my children disobedient? Simple question: Is GOD at the forefront of it all, or are you and man? What GOD touches does not fail! People have freedom of choice, and some will go against what God leads, but YOU will be taken care of... you will succeed. Why? God promises provision/protection/help... IF you are seeking/serving/loving Him and not man! It's all a matter of the heart.
Again, you will hear more on October 16... however, my next blog will finish up this mission statement and will contain instruction on: Excess, and Loving Others!
(leave us a comment and let's hear from you!)
The mission statement of Radiate Church is: "Introducing People To The Life God Intended"... so what in the world does that mean?
God intended HIS children, His people to live a life that matters. John 10:10 "...I came to give life, and give it to the full." How powerful. This holds many truths and promises that we can't even comprehend.
It is our mission to introduce people to the full life of Salvation! Your life will never be as full as it should/could be without the salvation of Jesus Christ, and the forgiveness of God. God looked into your future, saw a messed up, screwed up past, and decided that Jesus could and would take it all for you. Why? So that you would have the opportunity to be with Him... for eternity! It's a simple concept that's extremely difficult to grasp.
Your life won't be lived to the fullest until you have received salvation. Once salvation is a reality to you - a life that is lived as God intended is a life of success. Colossians 3:23 says to do everything as if you are doing it for God and not men. God demands, and expects success. NOTHING about God is a failure. NOTHING of God is an accident. NOTHING that concerns God can fall short. NOTHING with God is impossible! Your job, your family, your finances, your hobbies, your church...anything that involves God will succeed! What does that success look like? I have no idea? For Moses, it was leading the Israelites out of the wilderness. For Noah it was finishing the ark and saving animals. For Nehemiah it was finishing a wall and rebuilding a city. For Paul it was completing missionary journeys and seeing people come to know God. I have no idea what success looks like for you, but I do know this... With God success is inevitable.
Well then why haven't I been promoted? Why can't I get ahead in my finances? Why are my children disobedient? Simple question: Is GOD at the forefront of it all, or are you and man? What GOD touches does not fail! People have freedom of choice, and some will go against what God leads, but YOU will be taken care of... you will succeed. Why? God promises provision/protection/help... IF you are seeking/serving/loving Him and not man! It's all a matter of the heart.
Again, you will hear more on October 16... however, my next blog will finish up this mission statement and will contain instruction on: Excess, and Loving Others!
(leave us a comment and let's hear from you!)
Friday, September 30, 2011
First Bible Study!
The time has come to let everyone know when we are meeting for our FIRST EVER for Radiate Church! Here's the details:
Sunday, October 16
6:30pm
Killian Park (Off of Killian Road just off I-77)
1424 Marthan Road Blythewood, SC 29016
We want any and everyone to attend this meeting! Learn about Radiate Church... Why YOU belong there... HOW you belong there... and let's grow together!
This will set off a series of blogs over the next week that will let you know a little of the vision for Radiate Church.
Trust me guys, you DO NOT want to miss this... this is the beginning of something HUGE in the Kingdom. Email me at: radiatechurch@gmail.com for more information!
Can't wait to see you with us on October 16!
Sunday, October 16
6:30pm
Killian Park (Off of Killian Road just off I-77)
1424 Marthan Road Blythewood, SC 29016
We want any and everyone to attend this meeting! Learn about Radiate Church... Why YOU belong there... HOW you belong there... and let's grow together!
This will set off a series of blogs over the next week that will let you know a little of the vision for Radiate Church.
Trust me guys, you DO NOT want to miss this... this is the beginning of something HUGE in the Kingdom. Email me at: radiatechurch@gmail.com for more information!
Can't wait to see you with us on October 16!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
LOGO!!!
A few days ago I unveiled the new Radiate Church logo. I figured I would post it on here and give you the information of the man that created this great logo for us. James Atwood of Faveur created this logo. If you would like to contact him for any needs you may have, please feel free to check out his line of clothing at: www.getfaveur.com or if you would like information on custom orders/logo creation please check out www.faveurink.com - let me know what you think of the new logo!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Transition
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..." Ecclesiastes 3:1
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 discusses and drives home the point that for everything within the earth, and for everything God created, there is a season. Seasons are interesting... the weather is different in a season, the growth rate is different, and the reactions to each is different. Plainly put, seasons bring about difference.
God has given me the ability and calling to see things a little differently than just a typical ministry mindset. For years I have dreamed and envisioned huge things. 2 years ago, when God brought my steps in line with Ebenezer PH Church in West Columbia, SC I felt a big picture being painted. Pastor Gene felt the same. To me, ministry is much bigger than announcements, music, preaching, go home and do it all again in 7 days. I believe we are to get fueled up on Sundays and then live the church the other 6 days.
With all of that being said, God has shown Megan and I a new season. I have dreamed for years about planting a church and beginning a new, different ministry. Megan has not always seen the same things I have - which is totally understandable. However, over the past months God has brought her vision for ministry/life into the same alignment as my vision for ministry/life. So, therefore, with that we spent A LOT of time in prayer, worship, and discussion. And feel as if God has led our season to a certain place that will consist of a lot of work and a longer season.
God has chosen to release us to begin a brand new church plant in the Northeast Columbia area - most notably Killian Road/Blythewood. We have HUGE plans/vision for this great ministry. These are things that we believe are not man-made, however, God-breathed. We have been spoken over by MANY people, some that know us some that do not, that we are making a very wise decision and God is going to bless this. This step of faith is met with a mix of emotions.
1- Excitement! : We cannot wait to begin this tremendous kingdom work. It will not be easy, and it probably won't be a matter of a year to see great results, but we truly believe God is going to bless this work! We cannot wait to begin the beginning phase of small groups within the community. We cannot wait to begin our first service. And we cannot wait to equip people to love God and live God! We are so honored, and so pumped for this chance. The church will be contemporary, modern in every way. We will target 20-40 year old young couples, but the church, we believe, will appeal to others as well!
2- Sadness: we are sad to leave our current church/ministry family. We love Ebenezer and the people that are here. They are our family now! We appreciate their hearts and the support in which they have received this news and spoken life into this! I will continue to serve full time through the end of my contract with Ebenezer, and I will love every second of it!
3- Nervous: this is a GIANT step of faith. I'm talking - stepping out of the boat to walk on water faith. We have approximately $100k to raise within our first year of existence, and preferably before our first launch service! (If you would like to contribute contact me!) But we KNOW this is God's plan for our life, and season for our ministry and we cannot wait to see what He has in store.
What can you do? PRAY, JOIN, INVEST... 1- PRAY FOR US! We need your prayers. We are seeking to raise $100k within our first year, and we are praying for God to send us people, and workers, but we are more than anything praying that God will anoint us to make a difference in this generation with the Kingdom! 2- JOIN US! We begin our small groups phase on October 16. I will give you a time and location soon, but pray about joining. If you are interested you may contact me at: radiatepastor@gmail.com. 3- INVEST. What you invest in you believe in. What you believe in you benefit from! If you feel a need to help us reach our $100k goal please do so. Again, you may contact me for more information!
In closing, you will be kept up to date through the blog, our Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/groups/233740423343049/?notif_t=group_r2j), and our Twitter (@RadiateChurch) account of updates. The church will be called: Radiate Church - "Loving God and Radiating It" Psalm 34:5. If you would like more information, you may contact me at: radiatepastor@gmail.com as well. I will fill you in on vision and goals as deemed appropriate, but just know - God has HUGE things in store for this ministry... things that make me cringe sometimes, honestly... but if I could do it alone, why would I need God?
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 discusses and drives home the point that for everything within the earth, and for everything God created, there is a season. Seasons are interesting... the weather is different in a season, the growth rate is different, and the reactions to each is different. Plainly put, seasons bring about difference.
God has given me the ability and calling to see things a little differently than just a typical ministry mindset. For years I have dreamed and envisioned huge things. 2 years ago, when God brought my steps in line with Ebenezer PH Church in West Columbia, SC I felt a big picture being painted. Pastor Gene felt the same. To me, ministry is much bigger than announcements, music, preaching, go home and do it all again in 7 days. I believe we are to get fueled up on Sundays and then live the church the other 6 days.
With all of that being said, God has shown Megan and I a new season. I have dreamed for years about planting a church and beginning a new, different ministry. Megan has not always seen the same things I have - which is totally understandable. However, over the past months God has brought her vision for ministry/life into the same alignment as my vision for ministry/life. So, therefore, with that we spent A LOT of time in prayer, worship, and discussion. And feel as if God has led our season to a certain place that will consist of a lot of work and a longer season.
God has chosen to release us to begin a brand new church plant in the Northeast Columbia area - most notably Killian Road/Blythewood. We have HUGE plans/vision for this great ministry. These are things that we believe are not man-made, however, God-breathed. We have been spoken over by MANY people, some that know us some that do not, that we are making a very wise decision and God is going to bless this. This step of faith is met with a mix of emotions.
1- Excitement! : We cannot wait to begin this tremendous kingdom work. It will not be easy, and it probably won't be a matter of a year to see great results, but we truly believe God is going to bless this work! We cannot wait to begin the beginning phase of small groups within the community. We cannot wait to begin our first service. And we cannot wait to equip people to love God and live God! We are so honored, and so pumped for this chance. The church will be contemporary, modern in every way. We will target 20-40 year old young couples, but the church, we believe, will appeal to others as well!
2- Sadness: we are sad to leave our current church/ministry family. We love Ebenezer and the people that are here. They are our family now! We appreciate their hearts and the support in which they have received this news and spoken life into this! I will continue to serve full time through the end of my contract with Ebenezer, and I will love every second of it!
3- Nervous: this is a GIANT step of faith. I'm talking - stepping out of the boat to walk on water faith. We have approximately $100k to raise within our first year of existence, and preferably before our first launch service! (If you would like to contribute contact me!) But we KNOW this is God's plan for our life, and season for our ministry and we cannot wait to see what He has in store.
What can you do? PRAY, JOIN, INVEST... 1- PRAY FOR US! We need your prayers. We are seeking to raise $100k within our first year, and we are praying for God to send us people, and workers, but we are more than anything praying that God will anoint us to make a difference in this generation with the Kingdom! 2- JOIN US! We begin our small groups phase on October 16. I will give you a time and location soon, but pray about joining. If you are interested you may contact me at: radiatepastor@gmail.com. 3- INVEST. What you invest in you believe in. What you believe in you benefit from! If you feel a need to help us reach our $100k goal please do so. Again, you may contact me for more information!
In closing, you will be kept up to date through the blog, our Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/groups/233740423343049/?notif_t=group_r2j), and our Twitter (@RadiateChurch) account of updates. The church will be called: Radiate Church - "Loving God and Radiating It" Psalm 34:5. If you would like more information, you may contact me at: radiatepastor@gmail.com as well. I will fill you in on vision and goals as deemed appropriate, but just know - God has HUGE things in store for this ministry... things that make me cringe sometimes, honestly... but if I could do it alone, why would I need God?
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Judgement
Over the past several weeks and months I have heard the phrase "Don't judge me!" or "Only God can judge me." A LOT!!! And to be quite honest, it's usually from people that are being criticized for questionable decisions. So, I figured that I would look at and think about the topic of judgement. This may be quite controversial and I realize that, but I'm quite honestly, tired of reading these phrases as a justification of actions. You will be judged... one way or another, so be careful of your choices.
Now, we all know that the final judgement is given by God Himself. We will be judged upon desire, dedication, love, and commitment to Him.But, what about judgement today and with others.
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7:1-2, NIV)
Well, well, well... there you go! Don't judge! Isn't that what Matthew just said, and we know that Matthew was writing under the unction of the Holy Spirit which inspires and reveals to us the thoughts and mind of God Himself. Oh, but wait...
"By their fruits you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit." (Matthew 7:16-18, NIV)
Here's what we have: we have one portion of scripture telling us NOT to judge, and then another portion of scripture saying we will be recognized by what we do. Here's what I think on the act of judging based up these portions of scripture.
1- We cannot judge spiritual matters.
As "professionals" on loving God, a lot of times we like to think we tell how much someone loves God by how much they attend church, how passionately they worship, or how fervently they seem to pray. And for us Pentecostals, how loud we are when we say "Amen!" (haha) We seem to think we can tell if they really love God whether or not they dress, talk, present themselves a certain way. The reality is this: We have no idea what someone's heart, spirit, and relationship with God looks like! NO IDEA! They could be new to the whole Christian scene, and may just be learning. Maybe their style is totally different from yours. (notice: I said "different", not "wrong".) No matter what happens, if someone says they love God - we MUST take their word for it, because we have no clue! Because if we judge their hearts based upon our own precedences, then we shall also be judged upon those same criteria... and chances are - we wouldn't pass our own critique either!
2 - We can recognize you by your fruit.
Fruit. It's the product of the very nature of a tree. An apple comes from an apple tree because, well, it's an apple tree! I may not be able to judge your heart, but I certainly can recognize good fruit or bad fruit! YOU are defined by your fruit. If you don't want people to think, say, or recognize you in a negative way - don't feed people bad fruit! If you want people to see you as someone with great potential, incredible love, and great passion - serve good fruit! See the deal is simple: when people get mad about someone "judging" them, it's usually someone that passes their judgement upon the fruit they were just served. If I'm served a lemon, I make a face...why? It's sour and I don't like lemons. To me, lemons are bad fruit and I react to the serving of them. Don't justify your actions based upon "judgement"... simply understand that every decision, every action, and every thought creates a fruit! The question isn't "is someone judging me", the question should be "what kind of fruit am I serving?"
3 - Build a correction relationship.
If you have not earned a voice into my life, then you have not invested in my life enough to correct my actions! Plain and simple. There are a lot of loud mouths out there that love to correct others actions, simply because they love drama. Don't listen to that. I would take some merit in the fact that obviously I served them bad fruit. Is it legitimately bad fruit, or is it just a fruit they didn't prefer? (refer back to my lemon illustration) There IS, however, an exception. There are people I may never meet that have never personally invested in my life... but because of their God given authority, revelation, and position - I will listen. The Bishop of the IPHC - I have NEVER had him take me to a restaurant to pour into my life. But, if he were to correct some of my decisions, I would listen. Why? Because of who he is! I trust him, God trusts him, and my life should be corrected by proven men of God!
So what am I saying? It's simple really: 1- Quit justifying your actions based upon others "judging" you. 2- No one knows your heart but you and God. And those that you reveal those intimate details to. 3- I have to eat/see the fruits you serve. You decide if they are good or bad. 4- Listen to people that invest in your life, and listen well! Surround yourself with people that will direct your life according to the Bible, and God...and listen well!
I hope this clears up some of the "judgement" things. I'm not "judging" you, I'm recognizing fruits. BIG difference! Just because I don't like your fruit, doesn't mean you don't love God, and I don't love you...it simply means that if I do love God, I will do my best to make sure my fruits do line up with God.
Now, we all know that the final judgement is given by God Himself. We will be judged upon desire, dedication, love, and commitment to Him.But, what about judgement today and with others.
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7:1-2, NIV)
Well, well, well... there you go! Don't judge! Isn't that what Matthew just said, and we know that Matthew was writing under the unction of the Holy Spirit which inspires and reveals to us the thoughts and mind of God Himself. Oh, but wait...
"By their fruits you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit." (Matthew 7:16-18, NIV)
Here's what we have: we have one portion of scripture telling us NOT to judge, and then another portion of scripture saying we will be recognized by what we do. Here's what I think on the act of judging based up these portions of scripture.
1- We cannot judge spiritual matters.
As "professionals" on loving God, a lot of times we like to think we tell how much someone loves God by how much they attend church, how passionately they worship, or how fervently they seem to pray. And for us Pentecostals, how loud we are when we say "Amen!" (haha) We seem to think we can tell if they really love God whether or not they dress, talk, present themselves a certain way. The reality is this: We have no idea what someone's heart, spirit, and relationship with God looks like! NO IDEA! They could be new to the whole Christian scene, and may just be learning. Maybe their style is totally different from yours. (notice: I said "different", not "wrong".) No matter what happens, if someone says they love God - we MUST take their word for it, because we have no clue! Because if we judge their hearts based upon our own precedences, then we shall also be judged upon those same criteria... and chances are - we wouldn't pass our own critique either!
2 - We can recognize you by your fruit.
Fruit. It's the product of the very nature of a tree. An apple comes from an apple tree because, well, it's an apple tree! I may not be able to judge your heart, but I certainly can recognize good fruit or bad fruit! YOU are defined by your fruit. If you don't want people to think, say, or recognize you in a negative way - don't feed people bad fruit! If you want people to see you as someone with great potential, incredible love, and great passion - serve good fruit! See the deal is simple: when people get mad about someone "judging" them, it's usually someone that passes their judgement upon the fruit they were just served. If I'm served a lemon, I make a face...why? It's sour and I don't like lemons. To me, lemons are bad fruit and I react to the serving of them. Don't justify your actions based upon "judgement"... simply understand that every decision, every action, and every thought creates a fruit! The question isn't "is someone judging me", the question should be "what kind of fruit am I serving?"
3 - Build a correction relationship.
If you have not earned a voice into my life, then you have not invested in my life enough to correct my actions! Plain and simple. There are a lot of loud mouths out there that love to correct others actions, simply because they love drama. Don't listen to that. I would take some merit in the fact that obviously I served them bad fruit. Is it legitimately bad fruit, or is it just a fruit they didn't prefer? (refer back to my lemon illustration) There IS, however, an exception. There are people I may never meet that have never personally invested in my life... but because of their God given authority, revelation, and position - I will listen. The Bishop of the IPHC - I have NEVER had him take me to a restaurant to pour into my life. But, if he were to correct some of my decisions, I would listen. Why? Because of who he is! I trust him, God trusts him, and my life should be corrected by proven men of God!
So what am I saying? It's simple really: 1- Quit justifying your actions based upon others "judging" you. 2- No one knows your heart but you and God. And those that you reveal those intimate details to. 3- I have to eat/see the fruits you serve. You decide if they are good or bad. 4- Listen to people that invest in your life, and listen well! Surround yourself with people that will direct your life according to the Bible, and God...and listen well!
I hope this clears up some of the "judgement" things. I'm not "judging" you, I'm recognizing fruits. BIG difference! Just because I don't like your fruit, doesn't mean you don't love God, and I don't love you...it simply means that if I do love God, I will do my best to make sure my fruits do line up with God.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Commercials
In Columbia, SC there's a man that owns several car lots - Jim Hudson. His family are great people. I was riding down the road and I heard one of his commercials, for his newest car lot endeavor - Jim Hudson Ford Town. The name is interesting, but the "saying" at the end of the commercial was the best!
"If you want to be the biggest Ford dealer in town, you don't build another lot, you build a town!"
Wow! Think about the truth of this. What the commercial was essentially teaching - without even knowing it - was the importance of VISION!
A lot of times we prepare for where we are, while thinking of where we want to be. When in all reality, we should prepare for where we COULD be, and think of where we were! As a pastor, it's easy not to prepare for the next place in the vision. It's easy to get so consumed with where I am, that where I'm going is overlooked. For the sake of humanity I'm glad Noah didn't think about this.
In one of the oldest stories in the Bible, we see vision portrayed. Noah was told something by God, and instead of not preparing for the next area of his life and ministry, he prepared... even when it made no sense. When others couldn't comprehend or grasp, he had to prepare. Why? His vision exceeded his current state.
Why in the ministry do we often cease to prepare for what we're striving for, and we instead make comfortable where we are. Being comfortable wasn't in the cards when God called us. Here's the 3 things I believe we, as visionaries, must do:
1. Figure Out Your Vision: Proverbs 29:18 Stop being close minded, and comfortable. Find your place. Find your belonging. What is YOUR purpose? Don't live off the ideas and concepts of others pastors, ministers, or family members. Allow your vision to be unique, specific, and personal. The only way to do that is to get serious about seeking God's face!
2. Commit To Your Vision: Don't compromise! Compromise is easily justified. I don't care how much money someone will give you, or the support they will offer... Your vision was ENTRUSTED to YOU! Stick with it - be confident in it, and commit to it! People will have a problem and a misunderstanding with your vision - but don't give up on it.
3. Prepare For The Vision: If your vision, as a pastor, is to grow your church numerically or spiritually. (and if it's not what is your vision?) My question would be - what are you doing to prepare for the vision? If you have a vision to build a new church building - what are you doing to prepare for that?
God will not bless laziness. If we have sought God for our vision and our purpose, do not hesitate or become lazy in that. Let Him move in your life, and begin TODAY to be prepared!
Just some thoughts from a fellow pastor...
"If you want to be the biggest Ford dealer in town, you don't build another lot, you build a town!"
Wow! Think about the truth of this. What the commercial was essentially teaching - without even knowing it - was the importance of VISION!
A lot of times we prepare for where we are, while thinking of where we want to be. When in all reality, we should prepare for where we COULD be, and think of where we were! As a pastor, it's easy not to prepare for the next place in the vision. It's easy to get so consumed with where I am, that where I'm going is overlooked. For the sake of humanity I'm glad Noah didn't think about this.
In one of the oldest stories in the Bible, we see vision portrayed. Noah was told something by God, and instead of not preparing for the next area of his life and ministry, he prepared... even when it made no sense. When others couldn't comprehend or grasp, he had to prepare. Why? His vision exceeded his current state.
Why in the ministry do we often cease to prepare for what we're striving for, and we instead make comfortable where we are. Being comfortable wasn't in the cards when God called us. Here's the 3 things I believe we, as visionaries, must do:
1. Figure Out Your Vision: Proverbs 29:18 Stop being close minded, and comfortable. Find your place. Find your belonging. What is YOUR purpose? Don't live off the ideas and concepts of others pastors, ministers, or family members. Allow your vision to be unique, specific, and personal. The only way to do that is to get serious about seeking God's face!
2. Commit To Your Vision: Don't compromise! Compromise is easily justified. I don't care how much money someone will give you, or the support they will offer... Your vision was ENTRUSTED to YOU! Stick with it - be confident in it, and commit to it! People will have a problem and a misunderstanding with your vision - but don't give up on it.
3. Prepare For The Vision: If your vision, as a pastor, is to grow your church numerically or spiritually. (and if it's not what is your vision?) My question would be - what are you doing to prepare for the vision? If you have a vision to build a new church building - what are you doing to prepare for that?
God will not bless laziness. If we have sought God for our vision and our purpose, do not hesitate or become lazy in that. Let Him move in your life, and begin TODAY to be prepared!
Just some thoughts from a fellow pastor...
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