Category Archives: Ministry

The Preparation Of The Craftsman

Planing
The planing of materials

I was in worship at our fellowship and while contemplating a picture I began to see this.

A large piece of wood, with planed shavings, all about and a large plane moving across the surface.

I began to have multiple thoughts and saw subsequent pictures, heard various scriptures.

Proverbs 8:30 Then I was beside Him, as a master workman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him,

As the wood was planed to thickness, and the shavings fell to the side, I watched the firm strong hands. I felt the strength, the peace, the meticulousness of it all.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

I saw the process and I was mesmerized.  Why? Because it was “right there.” In the sanctuary. “God-what are you showing me?” He instantly reminded me of the “setting in place” I had seen the week before.

“I am preparing a people for ‘setting.’ Today is the day that some will be set in place if they will let me. Today is the day that I will make them ‘fit’ if they will let me. It is these, the maturity of my body, that is what I said when I said, ‘For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the

revealing of the sons of God.’ “

I felt that the picture I was being shown was for individuals and corporately. (Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men. Proverbs 22:29) That God is doing a might thing in individuals. In the setting He will bring forth a corporate man for this region. (In Jerusalem he made engines of war invented by skillful men to be on the towers and on the corners for the purpose of shooting arrows and great stones. Hence his fame spread afar, for he was marvelously helped until he was strong.2 Chronicles 26:15) That He has

given gifts and talents to be used, that will come forth and shine abroad. (And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called BY NAME (emphasis mine) Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, Exodus 31)

God is specifically calling people to His setting. Ask God to make you the craftsman He has called you to be. To be excellent in your gift, your talent, your calling.

Isaiah 41:7 So the craftsman encourages the smelter, And he who smooths metal with the hammer encourages him who beats the anvil, Saying of the soldering, “It is good”; And he fastens it with nails, So that it will not totter.

Chuck and Anna Maher were visiting our fellowship while this was happening. He then spoke on declaration and decree. On the regional piece.  On the people coming forth. On the connections.

Money and Ministry

Too many seem to focus on what will be, where they will go and what they will do.

There is a reason this is is relevant. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” It speaks of being the change where you are.

I have watched too many make “sacrifices” in the name of Jesus, that have cost them financial freedom, families and peace. Peace is our referee, when He is coupled with wisdom.

If you can’ t take care of dishes in the sink, what makes you think you can do it out there.

I have watched way too many “sacrifice” for selfishness and self serving measures only to bankrupt themselves, lose families and destroy credibility with friends.

On the other hand I am not saying make your “home” so comfortable you never leave it or ever see the value in carrying the gospel to other lands.

Too many friends have gone into debt over the sake of the ministry believing that was God, to the place if He called them for a cup of coffee they would need to borrow it. Too many have walked away from the calls on their lives in disappointment because of the money, the prestige and the “glory.”

I would like to suggest that we can “do this thing” with integrity, long lasting fruit and enjoyment.

It begins with you, then family and friends, communities, regions and then to all the world.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The Cutting Room Floor

CuttingroomLast night as were teaching Catalyst class moving from our study on the 6 important “stages” of Christ, (crucifixion, death, burial, quickening, resurrection and seatedness) I found myself thinking about how much “junk” I allowed in my life that spoke of something less than it “was done” or finished. The result of my “diet” was I encouraged others to engage in the same behavior or mixture.

Last night our sound guy, Chris though that the title of my message ought be “no more squishy gospel.” Perhaps that is truth. What I said was that I needed to lean on something that had integrity. I used the example of the difference between squishy “store bought air” bread and homemade bread. The difference is that one (the first) you could roll up in a ball while the second was so “thick” you could not “squish” it. I need, and so do you, a gospel that is not squishy. We need to be able to look at what we read or believe about Jesus and not be afraid. Continue reading The Cutting Room Floor

Christmas Traditions: A Video by Lee Johndrow

12-5-2012-12-47-32-PM-2789514What is important to you at the Christmas season? I find that a lot of the things I do for Christmas are things that I grew up with.

Advent cards, Christmas Cards, Christmas trees, candles, eggnog, cookies and candies…the list goes on…

 

Continue reading Christmas Traditions: A Video by Lee Johndrow

Education In America Is Needed

Tgrade 12he election opened my eyes to many things. One of those was education.

A couple of recent videos I did have put me on the “firing” line so to speak. I am pretty used to it on some levels, but I was amazed at the response from people I do not know. I was taken back by a Catholic who thought in one sentence it was the job of the government to educate and at the same time for me to pick up the slack. Continue reading Education In America Is Needed

The Morning After Thoughts

Today we wake up to “more of the same” or is it? Folks, we wake up to the America we knew was divided and we see the reality of it. It is reflected in the wins and the losses. What has concerned me more over the months has been what I have described as a “civil war“, an oxymoron in word terms. (Personally, I would like to avoid that!)

My close friends know this is the scenario I saw, though I take no glory in it. 4 years ago much of America began to wake up. 4 years later I envision more to awaken. Continue reading The Morning After Thoughts

November 5th, 2012 The Day Before A Historic Election

george washingtonSo, what are you doing Election Day 2012? Many are rolling that around even as I type. Hmmmm…I have been giving a lot of thought to this. It reminded me of George Washington and what he saw for America…

The father of our country, George Washington, was a man of prayer. We have all read of how he went to the thicket many times to pray during the winter his army was at Valley Forge. However, little publicity has been given to the vision and prophecy he received at that time. The account of this vision was given in 1859 by an old soldier. He gave it to a writer, Wesley Bradshaw, who published it. Continue reading November 5th, 2012 The Day Before A Historic Election

The Results Of Praying For Those In Authority

I am continuing to add to the “series” about praying for one leaders. Last night as the fourth and final presidential debate for 2012, I came to the place where I shut off the debate and began to pray for blessing on the debates, blessing upon the two contenders, moderator and gallery.

So, I have added the newest video on “what will result” when we pray for the men or women in leadership(authority) today. Continue reading The Results Of Praying For Those In Authority

Revelation- Is It For You?

baptizedLots of people seek revelation. The difficulty is where do we get our answers. Revelation is the revealing of Christ in something…scripture, situation, etc… Someone else’s revelation is not necessarily for me, or to be used by me. Even if they are good writers, speakers, etc… (I love some great men and women of God, but not everything they share helps me. Continue reading Revelation- Is It For You?