Men of the Church

Judges 9; 10; Psalms 49; 1 Corinthians 16

Scripture:
1 Corinthians 16:13 'Be on guard, stand firm in the faith, be men of courage, be strong. 14. Do everything in love.

Observation:
What a statement by Paul. He challenges the men of the church to be stand up and be counted. He challenges them to be on guard, to stand strong and courageous for the faith. and then he declares that this be done through love. The word love at the end does not seem to match up with the words 'on guard, stand firm, be courageous'. The average church in America is filled with 70 percent woman and 30 percent men. Men don't want to go to church, and maybe the reason is because church has become to feminine. Paul does not even write to to the woman, he speaks directly to the men, and his words are challenging and strong. We need this kind of language in the church, we need to draw men back to the house of the Lord.

Application:
This morning I'm reflecting a lot on my messages, and I find myself asking the question, "How much of my messages lean more to the feminine, emotional side versus challenging the guys". There is nothing wrong with speaking to the ladies, but at the end of it all I must guard from creating a feminine culture or vibe at urgency. We draw a lot of guys at urgency, and so I believe we are on the right track, but we need the guys to step up and become leaders. We need more guy leaders, we need men that can be great role models to our young men. The devil is trying to emasculate men, we need warriors in the church, just like the men Paul was speaking too. It starts with me. I will step up for my God for my church.

Prayer:
Lord thank You for this word. I pray this morning for the men of Jubilee. Raise up the men in our church. Raise up men that will be strong, courageous, on guard for the kingdom. I pray that You will send men to me that are warriors, armor bearers, leader, movers and shakers. I pray that the church would become strong. May it be filled with men that lead their homes, lead their marriages and kids, lead their community and lead in the work place. I pray for men of integrity and devotion. Start with me today. I accept the responsibility to lead my home, my wife, our finances, our calling and to stand strong in integrity and devotion. I pray that Lord You would give me wisdom and discernment. I pray for favor and protection. I bind the plan of the enemy and speak death to his work. I thank You for Your angels watching over me. Bless my marriage, my home and ministry. I know only You can. So I thank You today for blessing us and for making us a blessing to all. Go before me today and lead me.
Amen.

Integrity

Judges 4,5; Palms 39,41; 1 Corinthians 13

Scripture:
Psalm 44: In my integrity You uphold me and set me in Your presence forever.

Observation:
David knew what pleased the Lord, integrity of heart. He knew that people would say what they had to say about him, but at the end all David cared about what was what God has to say. As far as it concerned him, he always sought to be right with God. Integrity kept him in the favor of God and God would always come through.

Application:
God knows I love Him. I have a deep passion to please God and walk in His ways. I believe that integrity produces favor. God is looking for me to be a man of character and righteousness. As I evaluate my life I feel the need to commit to integrity in certain areas of my life. It is not as if I am living in sin, more like I am lethargic in certain areas of my faith. My prayer life and study time have lacked integrity. I know I have been busy over the past few weeks, but still that is no excuse for me to be lazy. I must be diligent and guard my rocks. AS I go into the next week, I choose to focus refreshing and stop time. I thank God for grace, for discipline and for forgiveness.


Prayer:
Father thank You for grace. I ask You to forgive me of my sins and laziness. I pray You refresh me and speak to me. I pray for rest and joy to fill my soul. Bless mt wife and home. Thank You for the incredible gift in Cindy You have given me. Bless my team and keep them close to You. Bless Manafest and his team and thank You for using them in such a powerful way. Thank God for this word today and I ask You to help me to grow in character and integrity. May I be fit for Your work.
Amen.

Remember to Love Him

Joshua 23; Joshua 24, Psalm 44; 1 Corinthians 11

Scripture:
Joshua 23:9 The Lord has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to stand against you. 10. One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as He promised. 11. So be very careful to love the Lord your God.

Observation:
Joshua reminds the people that every victory, every provision, every blessing has come from God. He has given them favor and honored His promise. He ends in verse 11 with a great truth and call to reality, 'be careful to love the Lord your God.' It would seem that just like me, to often the Israelite's forgot Who brought them to their blessing.
A wise man once said, "The blessings of God can so easily become a curse"

Application:
I know in my life that sometimes the most closest times I felt to God was when I was desperate. Desperate for Him to open a door, desperate for Him to do a miracle, make a way or provide. My prayer life would be phenomenal,my lifestyle righteous and pleasing to the Lord. My heart and focus was solely on Him. And then the breakthrough came, the blessing came. Once the pressure was off, I got relaxed, forgot about the thing God had done for me, the thing only He could do. Sad to say, but scripture is true, 'a man's heart is wicked.' The great news is that today is a new day. 'This is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice in it!' I declare today that God is Good! That God is Faithful! That God has blessed me! That God has forgiven my transgressions and He had restored me. I declare that I love Him and choose to give my life to Him. I declare that there is no one like Him!

Prayer:
Father if I have not You lately, I tell You now, I love You! Lead me in Your steps Lord. I will follow You! You are my God and I am Your servant. Bless this day, make me a blessing. Speak and I will obey. Let me hear Your voice. I pray for wisdom to lead, discernment to know Your will and favor as I stand before men. I pray as Jesus taught me, Your will be done. Lord may I surrender to Your will today. Bless my wife. Thank You for anointing her and for the songs that are following. Give her strength and energy to keep on pressing forward. Be with my sister today and baby Jemma. I pray for protection and a calling on Jemma life. May she grow up strong in the Lord. Give Marko and Mandy wisdom to train her up in the ways of the Lord. Father bless my Pastors today, Pastor Dick and Adam. Refresh them, anoint them and pour out blessings on their home. I pray all this in Jesus Name. Amen.

A Focused Race

Joshua 18; Joshua 19; Joshua 20; 1 Corinthians 9

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Observation:

Paul reminds us this morning that we are in a race. Our lives have a purpose and a calling. He calls us to discipline, focus and training, just like an athlete. He reminds us of the incredible reward in heaven one day, the reward Christ will give to those who were willing to lay down there lives for Him. Paul challenges me this morning to run the race harder, to push through the pains and cramps, to cut out the negative voices.

Application:

I am reminded today life is truly all about, it is about reaching the lost and living as a light to the world. It is sad to see how passionate Muslims are about their faith. They fast, they eat certain food, dress a certain way, pray a certain time, don’t partake in western garbage like pornography, media etc. They are devoted to their god and live for him. Most of the times I look at them and think how boring, or how radical they are. But this morning, I realize they reflect Paul’s scripture a lot more than me. They are running their race, even though it is the ‘wrong’ race, they are running it to win. Their minds are focused on paradise and they do not live for themselves. How much of my life is all about me? How much of my life is all about Him? I feel as if Christianity is moving in a direction of Hollywood and less in a direction of devotion. The relevance is a great word, but relevance in the sense of dilution of the power and presence of God is dangerous. I must balance it all out. Paul declares in this passage that we are to become all things to all men, but he balances it all. ‘To those under the law, I become one under the law,’ but then he states that he is not under the law. ‘To those not under the law, I become one not under the law,’ but he declares that he is a slave to Christ. Paul always had balance, he always ran his race with Christ in mind.

Prayer:

Father help me to lead well. I pray that my leadership would be more like that of Christ. Help me to lead with balance. Help me to lead with compassion and grace, yet with discipline and truth. Help me to lead with love and peace, yet with direction and strength. I pray for wisdom to lead. In these times of change I pray that my heart would be in check and that my motive pure. I pray that I would always speak truth in love and that those under my leadership would see my heart. Father as we engage on a new challenge, I pray for protection of our team, keep us as one, and keep us untied. May be always remember that where there is unity, God commands His blessing. Lord keep my heart in check. May my motives be clear and Holy Spirit convict me when I am wrong. I pray for wisdom and discernment to know what Your will is. To act on it, to obey it. Bless my pastor today and speak Your vision and will into his life. Fill him with fresh passion and energy. I pray Your blessing on this day.

Amen.

Obedience

Joshua 7; Joshua 8; Psalm 69; 1 Corinthians 5

Scripture:
Joshua 7:¹²What they stole was supposed to be destroyed, and now Israel itself must be destroyed. I cannot help you anymore until you do exactly what I have said. That's why Israel turns and runs from its enemies instead of standing up to them.

Observation:
Joshua's men were disobedient and this resulted in them been beaten, chased and hiding. God told them to destroy the city of Ai but they refused. Disobedience always results in sacrifice. God speaks to Joshua and instructs him on what to do, God's grace is once again extended to His people. you would think that would have learned from the 40 years in the desert.

Application:
It is so critical to be walking in line with the Lord. When we are out of line with God the blessing and favor of God is held up. God's plans are halted until we get in line with Him. It is so critical to not rush ahead of God, but to consistently wait on Him and realign to His will. Prayer and discernment are critical to my life. They keep me in line with the will of God and the steps He has ordained for me. That's what made king David a great man of God. He spent lots of time worshiping God, sitting in His presence, getting direction. God does not have favorites, He has intimates. The routine and scheduling of my life is getting better and I can sense that I am must healthy with the pace of life. I must guard my rocks and schedule. There will always be another meeting, another appointment, another person needing my time, but I cannot forsake the importance of being in God's presence. This will keep me in check and in His will.

Prayer:
Father I pray today for Your voice in my life. Guide my steps and thoughts. Help me to walk out the steps You have for me today. I pray for todays meeting and for Your presence, without You nothing will happen. I pray for my faith and obedience to Your will. Help me to be fresh and relevant through Your Holy Spirit. I pray today for freedom. I pray for breakthrough. Bless my leaders and students today. Refresh them all by your Spirit. Bless my team and help them to serve You with passion, vision and discernment. I pray for my wife today and ask You to refresh her. She has served so faithfully this week and I pray You refresh her by Your spirit.
Thank You again for calling and choosing me. It is an honor to be used by You.
Amen.

Joshua - Obedience

Joshua 1; Joshua 2; Psalm 37; 1 Corinthians 3

Scripture:
Joshua 1:5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful

Psalm 37: 4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:23 If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;

Observation:
Moses has died and now Joshua is called to lead the people of Israel. These people have been in the wilderness / desert for 40 years. The people who grumbled against God and leaving Egypt with Moses are dead. It is time for a new leader to emerge and for the fulfillment of God's promise. The Lord encourages Joshua, He points him to obedience and the role of the Word in his life. He calls him to faith, boldness and courage. God gives him an incredible promise, the promise that He will be with him. Joshua desired 40 years ago to take this land, and now God is giving him the desires of his heart. AS David declared in Psalms, God delights / orders the steps of a man.

Application:
I am entering a new season of leadership. God has shown me this years ago. I do not have all the answers, the strategy, the wisdom and influence needed, but I know God is calling me to trust Him and obey. As I reflect on today's passage, I know that God is with me. I know that He is before me. I know that He has ordered my steps. I am to trust and obey His word and voice in my life. I am to lead boldly and courageously. No fear, no insecurities, no reminders of the past. This is a new day, this is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice in it and be glad.

Prayer:
Father I stand before You today and pray for wisdom and discernment to lead. I feel inadequate, but I know that You have called me and chosen me. Thank You that You are with me. Thank You that You know the needs and my weakness. Thank You for anointing me for the task at hand. I pray today for patience in my team. I pray that You would guard the unity and the spirit of our team. I pray for my pastor today and ask You to fill him with revelation, wisdom and vision. Give him favor in this new venture. I pray for my wife today and ask You to refresh her and keep her safe. Draw her close to You and guide her every step. Thank You today for grace. Thank You for forgiveness of my sins. Wash me clean today and renew a right spirit within me. I desire the spirit of Christ to reign in me. Father bless this day and make me a blessing to others. Amen.

Stepping out in the Holy Spirit

Deuteronomy 32; Deuteronomy 33; Deuteronomy 34; 1 Corinthians 2

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 12 :4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, ⁵so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.

1 Corinthians 12 : 10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹²We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

Observation:

I am so blessed to have the Holy Spirit in my life. He is my Teacher, my Guide and my Counselor. He reveals to me the hidden mysteries of God and guides me in the steps God has for my life. I do not have to walk like a blind man through life, trying to feel my way around, bumping and crashing into the pains and disappointments of life. God is for me, He is taking me to a destination, He is molding me and equipping me, He is shaping my character. The Holy Spirit has done so much in my life. Times where things have seemed impossible, He makes a way. Times where I feel like giving up, He gives me the strength to carry on. Times where I needed direction, He speaks to me. As I reflect on today’s scripture, once again I sense a stirring in my spirit to see the gifts of the Holy Spirit in action.

Application:

Without the Holy Spirit’s work in the life of a person, change is so limited. We can change our thought life, make better decisions, but only the Holy Spirit can change the heart of a man. As I reflect on my calling today, I see the need to step out more in the gifts. Part of me feels afraid, because man has done such a bad job when it comes to the Holy Spirit. There has been great teachings, but then fleshly manifestations, lack of character has resulted in abuse. I know though the need for the Holy Spirit, I know what He is calling me too. I pray today that the gifts of the Holy Spirit would be stirred up in me. I pray today that I would become the man the Spirit showed me. I know my character and heart are there. Maybe it is just time to step in faith.

Prayer:

Father thank You for this word today. I know I have followed You and obeyed You in the ministry. I pray today for the power of the Holy Spirit in my life. I have seen many visions and dreams of the power of the Holy Spirit flowing through my life. I pray today for boldness and the gifts to step out. Lead me today, make me sensitive to the will of the Father, Holy Spirit. I pray for wisdom and discernment to know Your will and ways. I pray for the work load today and ask You to bless everything I do. Bless my team. I pray for the urgency leaders and ask You to refresh them and to encourage them. I pray for our students and ask You to protect them from the evil and his temptations. Fill them with boldness and wisdom today. Thank You for my wife and I ask You to release songs in her life. Bless her and make her a blessing. I pray for Pastor Dick and Adam today, I ask You to guide them by Your hand. Thank You for today, may I serve You with integrity, passion and humility.

Amen.

Cloth Yourself in Christ

Deuteronomy 19; Deuteronomy 20; Deuteronomy 21; Galatians 3

Scripture:

Galatians 3: ²⁶You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, ²⁷for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Observation:

In the kingdom of God there is no dominating church or denomination, we are all called children of God. There is unity and we are all clothed in Christ and His Spirit. A lot of times today I see Christians clothed with attitudes that are not that of Christ, or behaviors, that are not of Christ, even their motives, are that not of Christ. I am a son of God through the work of Christ and He is clothing me to be like Himself. I am called to follow the example of Christ, to be a reflection of His glory and love.

Application:

I know at times that I do not reflect the image of Christ. Many a time I get so busy and people feel like I do not have time for them, or I am unavailable. I am challenged today to change this trait in my life. Jesus was always on time at the right hour. The bible talks a lot about hour, when it talks about Jesus. ‘For this hour…’ etc. I want to be one that is leading at the right hour and doing the right thing. I do not want to be one that reflects business resulting in those going through tough times not approaching me. I want to have a freshness about me, a love about me, a compassion about me that shows others that I genuinely care about them. Jesus attracted all kinds, from the young children to the old, His compassion and love drew thousands. I pray that my leadership is clothed with the spirit of Christ. I pray that I do not cloth it with the spirit of man or with what man feels is important. I am called to represent the kingdom and to be an ambassador for Christ.

Prayer:

Father thank You today for the incredible doors You are opening for me and the team. It is an honor and a privilege to serve You and to be Your hands and feet. I pray for wisdom today and ask You to guide my every step. Help me to lead with compassion, sensitivity, discernment and wisdom today. I pray for a greater sensitivity to be on the right time. Help e to shift through the crowd to see the one’s You have called me to minister too. I pray for urgency today, bless every student and keep them close to You. I pray for our adult leader and ask You to refresh them and to provide their every need. Give them wisdom in this time of their life to make the right choices. I thank You again for today and I ask You to guide my steps.

Amen.

All for the Audience of One

Deuteronomy 13; Deuteronomy 14; Deuteronomy 15; Galatians 1

Scripture:

Galatians 1: 10Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Observation:

Paul was very clear and to the point about his motives. He knew God had called him, and he was following God 100%. He did not care about the praises of man, he was way beyond that, all he knew what the touch of God and the need to share it with others. Everything he did was for an audience of One, God! It is so easy to get wrapped up in the popularity game in church. We are dealing with people that we can touch and see and a God we cannot. So in our fallen state the praise of man can so easily become a drug to us. Jesus declares that the praise of men will be our reward on earth and that there will be no reward in heaven. We got to look beyond our insecurities and always point people to the true One Who deserves the praise and glory, and that is Jesus.

Application:

I have been maturing in this area of my life for a good season now. It has become easier for me to look back on my life and see the insecurity of people pleasing. I had so many attitudes, insecurities and devices in my life that would set me up for the praise of man. I was young and naive. Today I am learning to focus more on heaven. I want the praise of my Father. I want to hear Him say well done, to know I pleased Him. I want my life to be a sweet aroma before my God. Paul to his core was all about obeying God and living for Him alone. He did not do this with arrogance or pride, no he lived with this intense commitment to God in humility. A humble and confident leader, that is what God is calling me to. I am learning to let go and not to fight. To let God open doors and close them. I am starting to get the truth that character, righteousness and integrity produces promotion. We live in a time where God is sifting His church, and it has to start with the leaders, I pray that as He sifts me that my heart would be like gold before Him.

Prayer:

Father You have brought me a far ways. I can clearly see Your hand at work in my life. I am learning to step out in my leadership and authority. You called me from a young age. I do not need man’s approval, I need Your Spirit. Forgive me for the times I lean of man’s approval instead of Yours. Forgive me for the times where I have failed You and turned my back on You. I want to be a confident leader who leads out of humility and anointing. I see so much of man’s ego and insecurities around me. At times I have been affected by this, but I thank You for keeping me safe. Help me to pray for those who are struggling in this area. May I be a light to them. Lord I stand before You today and know that You are my God. My future is in Your hands. I know that You ordain the steps of the righteous, and I have seen this time and time again in my life. I don’t want the big things for the sake of achievement. I want the big things because You chose me. Lord lead me today. Lead me in this season. I pray that I would come back to the heart of worship, where truly it is all about You. I ask for wisdom today, discernment, a guard over my words and thoughts. I pray today that I would be sensitive to those around me. Holy Spirit I ask You to go before me today. I pray for blessing over my wife and for Your wisdom and plans to be unveiled in her life. Protect her heart and mind. Let her stand in the authority You have given her. Amen.