Marriage & Ministry

Key for those desiring to go into ministry:  You can’t go full speed ahead into your ministry if your spouse is not with you (in agreement, on the same page).  You will jeopardize everything your word stands for, the Word of God you represent.  Pray for them, be gracious, decline invitations, use wisdom – call on it.  The timing is wrong for you to move on if your spouse is not with you.  God’s full manifestation of power in you will not be present until you have unity in your house.  Stay where you’re at, keep still, or you will bring on unnecessary battles that will only make your journey harder.

Culture

Dr. Chand, a brilliant coach, (watch the video on his home page at http://www.samchand.com its great!) visited our church www.newbirthcal.org recently and spoke on “culture” and how important it was and how to have the right culture.  Os Hillman, http://www.marketplaceleaders.org also spoke recently at New Birth speaking on culture also.  Then, on a conference call last week our CEO spoke on “culture” and said similar things to what Dr. Chand said.  “Culture is underestimated.  It’s creates loyalty, purpose and success.  Hold people accountable to behavior consistent with our culture.”  He also said… “Our competition is noticing us and paying attention.  Keep focused on clients, culture and values.”  Now change the word “competition” to “enemy” and change “clients” to “the Lord” and re-read that.  Culture is something we need to cultivate in the church.  Dr. Chand says a "toxic" culture is like carbon monoxide - it's an invisible killer.  Watch his web video. 

Old Testament God

My husband and I usually read from the New Testament or we read Proverbs for wisdom or Psalms for peace and strength.  But lately we have been reading the Old Testament.  I specifically requested this because I want to know the heart and ways of God not just Jesus.  Don’t misunderstand, I fall in awe of the work Jesus Christ did in the New Testament but I want to know the God of the Old Testament.  The God who directed Moses, Joshua, Josiah, David, Samuel and Nathan.  THE God who took care of His people and directed them.  I want to know Him.  Lead us Lord… “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:” King James Version of the bible www.biblegateway.com Exodus chapter 13, verse 21.

The Cover

No longer will I cover them.  I used to shrink back or remove myself if I knew someone didn't want me around, to make it easier for them, and also so they wouldn't have that offense against them.  God has revealed to me that I am not to deny who He said I am to make others feel comfortable or remove their offenses - that's Gods job! Be who He says you are, don't apologize. Be kind, but be you.  Walk in confidence no matter who looks at you funny or says, "Who are you?" or "Why are YOU here?" Ignore them. You honor God when you acknowledge what He is doing in your life. Let him deal with the people around you.  Another revelation from the Wednesday night service at http://www.newbirthcal.org/.  It was so packed with practical principles that I'm still learning from it!

Mediocrity

If we don’t believe for anything purposefully then years go by in mediocrity.  We need to do what our Bishop Carl Smith www.newbirthcal.org said last night, “Faith has to be in two places, in your heart and in your mouth.  Now faith is.  The spirit of faith never says, ‘it’s coming.’  The spirit of faith says, ‘I have it now’ and is confident in the spoken word.  We need to be agreeing with what God says.”  What do you need to do... seek out what is in your heart’s desire, the things God has purposed you to do.  Then start believing for them.  Speak in agreement with these things coming to pass.  Set your heart, mind, mouth and actions in agreement with what you are believing for.

Dream - repost

I have to post this again to put myself in remembrance of how God promises us we will not lack.  He gave me a dream in 2009, then I got to church and a preacher visiting from Atlanta confirmed it.  Here’s my July 12, 2009 blog repeated…  I woke up at 5am to get ready for church and was reminded of the dream I had during my sleep. I thanked God for bringing it to my remembrance. There were two storms hitting a large mass of water. Each had a funnel coming down to the water. The “tornado” (I’ll call it) on the right was smaller and had a smaller effect on the water causing ripples. The “tornado” in the exact middle of the water was much larger and its billow from the sky appeared huge, powerful and scary. As the middle tornado hit the water it was causing a tidal wave. As it got closer the waves got larger and larger. We were floating on a little piece of driftwood. The only way to minimize the effect was to stay as far left as possible in hopes that we could survive. As the tornado got closer and waves larger, we just slid by the left side and barely felt anything. It was like a small little speed bump. So I get to church and Bishop Gary Hawkins http://www.voicesfaith.org/bishop_hawkins.htm was a guest at New Birth Pittsburg California www.newbirthcal.org and he says “You’re in it but it won’t affect you” God is so amazing. I don’t know how but I know that I know He will make a way for your and my situations!!!