A name is something huge!! Whether it’s a child or an event, when you put a label/name on it, it begins to live up (or down) to its name. That’s the power of naming.
In my opinion, everything that is born of God deserves a good name. In giving a name to your youth ministry or event, it is important to think about what it says about who your are and how it will appeal to both churched and unchurched teenagers. Here are ten names* that have significant spiritual meaning, yet are not religious sounding, that I have come across over the years.
1) Revolution - God has called his church to revolt from sin and rally people to His cause.
2) Flood - Isaiah 44:3 says, God will pour water on him that is thirsty and floods on dry ground.
3) Ten-Ten (10/10) - John 10:10, hence “ten-ten” promises abundant life to those who serve Jesus.
4) Flo - An acronym for “Forever Live On” based on the John 11:26 promise of everlasting life.
5) Young World - Isn’t this what every youth group ought to be?
6) Everfree - whom the son sets free is free indeed.
7) Fish - Jesus said, “Follow me and I’ll make you fishers of men.”
8) Last Rain - Joel prophesied about the day of the latter rain, which we now are in.
9) Slam - “Students Living A Mission.”
10) Awake - The scripture tells us to awake from our slumber.
For example, our high school ministry name is “Force”. Our middle school ministry name is “Impact.” Our college ministry name is “explosion.” They all center under Matthew 11:12: “the kingdom of heavens suffers violence and the violent take it by force.” These are aggressive, action words to describe how we are going from our local church to reach the unreached.
*You may want to check out trademark and copyright protection on these names before using them.
Hope I helped,
pg
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
5 Stages Of Effective Vision Transference
If you are going to successfully pass on a new area of vision to your student ministry, you must walk through each of the stages one at a time and in this order:
1) The Personal Stage. This is the stage where the Lord puts the vision firmly in your heart through careful prayer, study and practical research. Long before you ever get it out of your mouth, it should marinate for a long time in your heart. “out of the “abundance” of the heart, the mouth speaks.” In other words, your heart, head, and hands should spend many many hours, days, weeks, and months allowing this new shift to get “in you” before it comes out of you.
2) The Pastoral Stage. This is where you submit your new area of vision to your Senior Pastor, seeking his support, input and refinement. Staying under authority is critical with vision casting from a secondary leadership position. “di”vision is not a God-thing. The word “di” actually means “2.” Your vision should always fit in your pastor’s vision. If it doesn’t, it’s probably not God’s vision for that House of Worship. If it does fit, then make sure you can show direct lines of connection between what your pastor is trying to get done, and your new vision approach. Rebellion is not an option.
3) The Leadership Stage. This is when you meet with your key staff and volunteer leaders, giving them the inside scoop on what you’re about to introduce. Everyone like to be “in the know.” There is nothing more demoralizing to key leaders then to hear a “new” shift with the “commoners.” It’s much harder to come off the mountain alone, then to have a entire leadership buy-in. Take the time to get it to your key influencers. They can be the “Paul Revere’s” of your student ministry.
4) The Student Stage. This is when you present your idea to your students in your weekly meeting. Approach your students with a “I believe this is where God is leading us” approach verses a “thus saith the Lord.” Trust me. After years of demanding change and nothing happening, the softer public approach is much more of a morale boost.
5) The Community Stage. This is where you create city-wide awareness for your vision by promoting it effectively with the schools, the media, and the business community. This is where most people blow it. How do you market this new vision in a way that people outside of your church can buy-in. Walking billboards are HUGE in advertising. Find a way to get it on a shirt, on stickers, on cars, on tattoos, whatever it takes to get this new vision out.
Hope I helped,
pg
1) The Personal Stage. This is the stage where the Lord puts the vision firmly in your heart through careful prayer, study and practical research. Long before you ever get it out of your mouth, it should marinate for a long time in your heart. “out of the “abundance” of the heart, the mouth speaks.” In other words, your heart, head, and hands should spend many many hours, days, weeks, and months allowing this new shift to get “in you” before it comes out of you.
2) The Pastoral Stage. This is where you submit your new area of vision to your Senior Pastor, seeking his support, input and refinement. Staying under authority is critical with vision casting from a secondary leadership position. “di”vision is not a God-thing. The word “di” actually means “2.” Your vision should always fit in your pastor’s vision. If it doesn’t, it’s probably not God’s vision for that House of Worship. If it does fit, then make sure you can show direct lines of connection between what your pastor is trying to get done, and your new vision approach. Rebellion is not an option.
3) The Leadership Stage. This is when you meet with your key staff and volunteer leaders, giving them the inside scoop on what you’re about to introduce. Everyone like to be “in the know.” There is nothing more demoralizing to key leaders then to hear a “new” shift with the “commoners.” It’s much harder to come off the mountain alone, then to have a entire leadership buy-in. Take the time to get it to your key influencers. They can be the “Paul Revere’s” of your student ministry.
4) The Student Stage. This is when you present your idea to your students in your weekly meeting. Approach your students with a “I believe this is where God is leading us” approach verses a “thus saith the Lord.” Trust me. After years of demanding change and nothing happening, the softer public approach is much more of a morale boost.
5) The Community Stage. This is where you create city-wide awareness for your vision by promoting it effectively with the schools, the media, and the business community. This is where most people blow it. How do you market this new vision in a way that people outside of your church can buy-in. Walking billboards are HUGE in advertising. Find a way to get it on a shirt, on stickers, on cars, on tattoos, whatever it takes to get this new vision out.
Hope I helped,
pg
Friday, August 20, 2010
8 SECULAR BOOKS EVERY LEADER SHOULD READ ASAP
Charles Tremendous Jones said, “You are the same as you are today five years from now, except for two things: The people with whom you associate and the books you read.” We should grow every day of our life by learning something new. Here are 8 books that will help you achieve your maximum potential. Don’t be alarmed that they are secular. If the principles they teach are working, it’s because they are based upon Biblical principles.
1)7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey will help prioritize your life around what is truly important.
2)“5” Where will you be five years from now by Dan Zadra will help you create a purpose that starts your mission that helps you get aligned for the next 5 years all based upon your personal values.
3)The One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard will help you motivate your leaders in less time.
4)Lincoln on Leadership by Donald Phillips will give insight on the characteristics and principles of what it takes to become a great leader.
5)Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki will help you develop a plan for financial independence. It’s easier to focus on your leadership faith when you don’t have to focus continually on your finances.
6)All Business is Show Business by Scott McKain will help you understand that presentation and promotion is HUGE in every single thing you attach your leadership energy too.
7)The Purple Cow by Seth Godin will help you to become “remarkable” and distinctive in what you are doing verses very other student ministry around you is doing.
8)The Disney Way by Bill Capodagli and Lynn Jackson takes you into the creative giant of Disney and empowers you to unlock your creative genius.
hope i helped,
pg
1)7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey will help prioritize your life around what is truly important.
2)“5” Where will you be five years from now by Dan Zadra will help you create a purpose that starts your mission that helps you get aligned for the next 5 years all based upon your personal values.
3)The One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard will help you motivate your leaders in less time.
4)Lincoln on Leadership by Donald Phillips will give insight on the characteristics and principles of what it takes to become a great leader.
5)Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki will help you develop a plan for financial independence. It’s easier to focus on your leadership faith when you don’t have to focus continually on your finances.
6)All Business is Show Business by Scott McKain will help you understand that presentation and promotion is HUGE in every single thing you attach your leadership energy too.
7)The Purple Cow by Seth Godin will help you to become “remarkable” and distinctive in what you are doing verses very other student ministry around you is doing.
8)The Disney Way by Bill Capodagli and Lynn Jackson takes you into the creative giant of Disney and empowers you to unlock your creative genius.
hope i helped,
pg
Friday, August 13, 2010
6 Things To Bring To Every Brainstorming Meeting
Brainstorming meetings have the potential to create brand new programs, outreaches and systems that can cause your ministry to explode. Make sure you show up with the following in order to see the results you want:
1) Bring your faith-filled, wide-open imagination.
If you are not open, well rested and excited, why would your team be??
2) Bring at least 3-5 of your key leaders or students with them same kind of imagination.
TRUST ME!! The last thing you want in a brainstorming session is a negative or unimaginitive person
3) Bring a large tablet and 3-4 colorful markers to record all your ideas without prejudice.
It's a "storm" no idea is bad.
4) Bring your most important ministry priorities for discussion and planning.
Creativity is a lot less spontaneous and random than we realize. Stay on task otherwise you'll be wasting hours on stuff that is irrelevant and probably irreverant, as well. Experience is talking.
5) Bring a $20.00 bill as reward to the person with the “best idea of the day” to provoke participation.
High expectations should be matched with high rewards!!
6) Bring a notebook for each person to record their assignments at the end of the session for follow-up research.
What's the point of the meeting if there is nothing to leave and do? What's the point of the people in the room to create something they can't go to work on, as well??
hope i helped,
pg
1) Bring your faith-filled, wide-open imagination.
If you are not open, well rested and excited, why would your team be??
2) Bring at least 3-5 of your key leaders or students with them same kind of imagination.
TRUST ME!! The last thing you want in a brainstorming session is a negative or unimaginitive person
3) Bring a large tablet and 3-4 colorful markers to record all your ideas without prejudice.
It's a "storm" no idea is bad.
4) Bring your most important ministry priorities for discussion and planning.
Creativity is a lot less spontaneous and random than we realize. Stay on task otherwise you'll be wasting hours on stuff that is irrelevant and probably irreverant, as well. Experience is talking.
5) Bring a $20.00 bill as reward to the person with the “best idea of the day” to provoke participation.
High expectations should be matched with high rewards!!
6) Bring a notebook for each person to record their assignments at the end of the session for follow-up research.
What's the point of the meeting if there is nothing to leave and do? What's the point of the people in the room to create something they can't go to work on, as well??
hope i helped,
pg
Thursday, May 20, 2010
"The Ghost" - A 2 Week Series Worth of My Notes
THE major distinction between us, as pentecostals, and other churches and denominations simply is found in the present-day Move of the Spirit. I just finished a 2-week series on foundational/scriptural truths about the "present" move of THE GHOST. A lot of the students I am priviledged to pastor are from diverse backgrounds. It was important for me to show them the Word through this distinction. Many of them has asked for my notes from the past two weeks for further study, so i thought i would just post them as my BLOG entry this week. Both weeks' notes are in this BLOG.
Hope this helps,
pg
GHOST—1
THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
4 On one occasion, while (Jesus) was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit…”8 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."
Acts 1:4-5, 8
Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,
Ephesians 5:18
12But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into[c] the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:12-17
1. What it is Not
i. NATURAL TALENTS.
ii. GIVEN TO THE ELITE FEW.
iii. SIGN OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY.
iv. SOMETHING TO FEAR.
2. What does it look like
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Galatians 5:22
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:6-8 NLT
7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 NLT
3. What does the spirit-filled life do or become?
dunamis (doo'-nam-is); a force; a miraculous power, the explosive power of God.
HOLY SPIRIT GIVES YOU THE POWER
1) TO SHARE CHRIST BOLDLY.
4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
2) WHEN YOU ARE WEAK.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me... For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
3) TO HAVE HOPE IN A HOPELESS WORLD.
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
4) TO EXPERIENCE ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19
------------------------------
THE GHOST—2
THE INFILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT “INITIALLY” WITH TONGUES
A. SPIRIT-FILLED & TONGUES
On the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit fell upon the assembled believers and "all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues" (Acts 2:4).
Later, as Peter was preaching at the house of Cornelius, "the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message" and they were "speaking in tongues and praising God" (Acts 10:44, 46).
Again, as the apostle Paul was ministering to the Ephesians, "the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied" (Acts 19:6).
It is evident also that Paul himself was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17) and spoke in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:18)
2For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:2 NIV
B. WHY “TONGUES?”
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26
4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, 1 Corinthians 14:4a NIV
14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 1 Corinthians 14:14-16 NIV
17But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." 19These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 17-21 NIV
- How I know the moment my wife transitioned from "Clay" to a "Walters" was when the minister used his TONGUE/MOUTH/LANGUAGE to declare, " I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU...."
C. HOW DO I RECEIVE??
Scriptures referring to the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and a prayer to receive...
13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” Luke 11:13 NLT
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”Acts 1:8 NLT
2 “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them. “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:2a NLT
D. WHAT IS “NOT” GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME?
1. God is NOT going to JUMP DOWN YOUR THROAT & make you “talk in tongues.”
2. God is NOT going to JUMP INSIDE OF YOU & make you fall, spin, run, or jump in a baptismal pool
These 2 are examples of POSSESSION. God doesn't do that. He's a gentleman
3. God is NOT going to PRETEND you are in tune with Him and give it to you, anyway
He doesn't just wink at your sin and throw you a bone, either.
4. God is NOT going to FORCE Himself on you.
That is called RAPE. Ghost WILL NOT force anything. Again, He is a gentleman. As long as it takes you to be "open" to Him.
E. OK. BUT WHAT DO “I DO” TO POSITION MYSELF TO RECEIVE?
1. You are in “relationship” with Jesus
2. Focus on God, not the godly (iow's Don't get focused on tongues or a song, be focused only on Him)
3. YOU HAVE TO SPEAK/PRAY?SING OUT LOUD
4. Listen for “crazy syllables” coming into your head
5. Speak those syllables by Faith OUT LOUD
6. Then let it flow
F. Is it necessary TO KEEP my prayer language after my “initial” filling?
YES! The result of a “FILLED” life is full of FRUIT and GIFTS that are to do GIVEN for the benefits of others.
The cup illustration with a hole in the bottom
Hope this helps,
pg
GHOST—1
THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
4 On one occasion, while (Jesus) was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit…”8 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."
Acts 1:4-5, 8
Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,
Ephesians 5:18
12But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into[c] the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:12-17
1. What it is Not
i. NATURAL TALENTS.
ii. GIVEN TO THE ELITE FEW.
iii. SIGN OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY.
iv. SOMETHING TO FEAR.
2. What does it look like
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Galatians 5:22
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:6-8 NLT
7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 NLT
3. What does the spirit-filled life do or become?
dunamis (doo'-nam-is); a force; a miraculous power, the explosive power of God.
HOLY SPIRIT GIVES YOU THE POWER
1) TO SHARE CHRIST BOLDLY.
4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
2) WHEN YOU ARE WEAK.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me... For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
3) TO HAVE HOPE IN A HOPELESS WORLD.
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
4) TO EXPERIENCE ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19
------------------------------
THE GHOST—2
THE INFILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT “INITIALLY” WITH TONGUES
A. SPIRIT-FILLED & TONGUES
On the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit fell upon the assembled believers and "all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues" (Acts 2:4).
Later, as Peter was preaching at the house of Cornelius, "the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message" and they were "speaking in tongues and praising God" (Acts 10:44, 46).
Again, as the apostle Paul was ministering to the Ephesians, "the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied" (Acts 19:6).
It is evident also that Paul himself was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17) and spoke in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:18)
2For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:2 NIV
B. WHY “TONGUES?”
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26
4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, 1 Corinthians 14:4a NIV
14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 1 Corinthians 14:14-16 NIV
17But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." 19These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 17-21 NIV
- How I know the moment my wife transitioned from "Clay" to a "Walters" was when the minister used his TONGUE/MOUTH/LANGUAGE to declare, " I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU...."
C. HOW DO I RECEIVE??
Scriptures referring to the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and a prayer to receive...
13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” Luke 11:13 NLT
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”Acts 1:8 NLT
2 “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them. “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:2a NLT
D. WHAT IS “NOT” GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME?
1. God is NOT going to JUMP DOWN YOUR THROAT & make you “talk in tongues.”
2. God is NOT going to JUMP INSIDE OF YOU & make you fall, spin, run, or jump in a baptismal pool
These 2 are examples of POSSESSION. God doesn't do that. He's a gentleman
3. God is NOT going to PRETEND you are in tune with Him and give it to you, anyway
He doesn't just wink at your sin and throw you a bone, either.
4. God is NOT going to FORCE Himself on you.
That is called RAPE. Ghost WILL NOT force anything. Again, He is a gentleman. As long as it takes you to be "open" to Him.
E. OK. BUT WHAT DO “I DO” TO POSITION MYSELF TO RECEIVE?
1. You are in “relationship” with Jesus
2. Focus on God, not the godly (iow's Don't get focused on tongues or a song, be focused only on Him)
3. YOU HAVE TO SPEAK/PRAY?SING OUT LOUD
4. Listen for “crazy syllables” coming into your head
5. Speak those syllables by Faith OUT LOUD
6. Then let it flow
F. Is it necessary TO KEEP my prayer language after my “initial” filling?
YES! The result of a “FILLED” life is full of FRUIT and GIFTS that are to do GIVEN for the benefits of others.
The cup illustration with a hole in the bottom
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Who am I? No, this is Who I am...
From a recent message.
I had kids go home an write these over the mirror in permsnent marker. That way they had to see who He says they are verses what they are looking at at that moment.
Hope it helps!!
pg
The Message (Matt. 10: 38-39)"If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me.
Who I Am In Christ
I AM GOD'S…
· possession Genesis 17:8/ 1Cor 6:20
· child John 1:12
· workmanship Ephesians 2:10
· friend James 2:23
· temple 1 Cor 3:16/ 6:16
· vessel 2 Timothy 2:2
· co-laborer 1 Timothy 5:18
· witness Acts 1:8
· soldier 2 Timothy 2:3
· ambassador 2 Cor 5:20
· building 1 Cor 3:9
· husbandry 1 Cor 3:9
· minister/instrument Acts 26:16 / 1 Tim 4:6
· chosen Ephesians 1:4
· beloved Romans 1:7/ 2 Thess 2:13
· precious jewel Malachi 3:17
· heritage 1 Peter 5:3
I HAVE BEEN…
· redeemed by the blood Rev 5:9
· set free from sin /condemnation Rom 8:1-2
· set free from Satan's control Col 1:13
· set free from Satan's kingdom Eph 2
· chosen before foundation of world Eph 1:4
· predestined to be like Jesus Ephesians 1:11
· forgiven of all my trespasses Col 2:13
· washed in the blood of the Lamb Rev 1:5
· given a sound mind 2 Timothy 1:7
· given the Holy Spirit 2 Cor 1:22
· adopted into God's family Romans 8:15
· justified freely by his grace Romans 3:24
· given all things pertaining to life 2 Pet 1:3
· given great and precious promises 2 Pet 1:4
· given ministry of reconciliation 2 Cor 1:22
· authority over the power of enemy Lk 10:19
· access to God Ephesians 3:12
· been given wisdom Ephesians 1:8
I AM…
· complete in him Colossians 2:10
· free forever from sin's power Romans 6:14
· sanctified 1 Cor 6:11
· meet for the Master's use 2 Timothy 2:21
· loved eternally 1 Peter 1:5 /
· eternally kept in the palm of his hand Jn 10:29
· kept from falling Jude 1:24
· kept by the power of God 1 Peter 1:5
· not condemned Romans 8:1-2
· one with the Lord 1 Cor 6:17
· on my way to heaven John 14:6
· quickened by his mighty power Eph 2:1
· seated in heavenly places Eph 1:3
· the head and not the tail Deut 28:13
· light in the darkness Matthew 5:14
· candle in a dark place Matthew 5:15
· city set on a hill Matthew 5:14
· salt of the earth Matthew 5:13
· his sheep Ps 23 / Psalms 100:3/ John 10:14
· a citizen of heaven 1 Peter 2:11
· hidden with Christ in God Psalms 32:7
· protected from the evil one 1 John 5:18
· kept by the power of God 1 Peter 1:5
· secure in Christ Jn 10:28-29
· set on a Rock Psalms 40:2
· more-than-a-conqueror Romans 8:37
· born again 1 Peter 1:23
· a victor 1 John 5:4
· healed by his strips Is 53:6
· covered by blood of Jesus Rev 12:11, 1 Pet 1:19
· sheltered under his wing Psalms 91:4
· hidden in secret place of the Almighty Ps 91:1
I HAVE…
· access to the Father Romans 5:2
· a home in heaven waiting for me Jn 14:1-2
· all things in Christ 2 Cor 5:17
· a living hope 1 Peter 1:3
· an anchor to my soul Hebrews 6:19
· a hope that is sure and steadfast Heb 6:19
· authority to tread on serpents Luke 10:19
· power to witness Acts 1:8
· the tongue of the learned Isaiah 50:4
· the mind of Christ 1 Cor 2:16
· boldness and access Hebrews 10:19
· peace with God Romans 5:1
· faith as a grain of mustard seed Luke 17:6
I CAN…
· do all things through Christ Philp 4:13
· find mercy and grace to help Heb 4:16
· come boldly to the throne of grace Heb 4:16
· quench all the firey darts Eph 6:16
· tread on the serpent Luke 10:19
· declare liberty to captives Isaiah 61:1
· pray always and everywhere Luke 21:36
· chase a thousand Joshua 23:10
· defeat (overcome) the enemy Rev 12:11
· tread Satan under foot Rom 16:20
I CANNOT…
· be separated from God's love Rom 8:35-39
· be perish or be lost John 10:28, John 3:16
· be moved Psalms 16:8
· be taken out of my Father's hand John 10:29
· be charged or accused Romans 8:33
· be condemned 1 Cor 11:32
Romans 8 is emphatic when it says, "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifies. Who is he that condemns? It is Christ who died, rose again, and sits at the right hand of God making intercession for us."
Too often I believe the lies and accusations of the enemy. I either am ignorant of what God has said or I willingly disbelieve it based on my "feelings." I do not need to "feel" anything! God's truth is God's truth. "Let God be true and every man a liar." (Romans 3:4 )
I am learning who I am in Christ and I am confessing the same out loud.
I am what God says I am regardless of how I feel about myself. My feelings cannot change the absolute truth of God's word. I must see myself in the light of God's word.
Once I have heard and seen God's truth I am to RECKON it to be so.
"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." – Romans 6:11.
The word reckon is "logizomai" in Greek, which means to calculate, count it up, logically sum it up as so. I sum up what God says about me as truth and refuse to allow anything less than His words to get close enough to me to doubt who I truly am.
List all of your faults, failures, hurts, wounds, scars, etc and "reckon" them against eveything God says about you. God's point of view wins everytime!!
I had kids go home an write these over the mirror in permsnent marker. That way they had to see who He says they are verses what they are looking at at that moment.
Hope it helps!!
pg
The Message (Matt. 10: 38-39)"If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me.
Who I Am In Christ
I AM GOD'S…
· possession Genesis 17:8/ 1Cor 6:20
· child John 1:12
· workmanship Ephesians 2:10
· friend James 2:23
· temple 1 Cor 3:16/ 6:16
· vessel 2 Timothy 2:2
· co-laborer 1 Timothy 5:18
· witness Acts 1:8
· soldier 2 Timothy 2:3
· ambassador 2 Cor 5:20
· building 1 Cor 3:9
· husbandry 1 Cor 3:9
· minister/instrument Acts 26:16 / 1 Tim 4:6
· chosen Ephesians 1:4
· beloved Romans 1:7/ 2 Thess 2:13
· precious jewel Malachi 3:17
· heritage 1 Peter 5:3
I HAVE BEEN…
· redeemed by the blood Rev 5:9
· set free from sin /condemnation Rom 8:1-2
· set free from Satan's control Col 1:13
· set free from Satan's kingdom Eph 2
· chosen before foundation of world Eph 1:4
· predestined to be like Jesus Ephesians 1:11
· forgiven of all my trespasses Col 2:13
· washed in the blood of the Lamb Rev 1:5
· given a sound mind 2 Timothy 1:7
· given the Holy Spirit 2 Cor 1:22
· adopted into God's family Romans 8:15
· justified freely by his grace Romans 3:24
· given all things pertaining to life 2 Pet 1:3
· given great and precious promises 2 Pet 1:4
· given ministry of reconciliation 2 Cor 1:22
· authority over the power of enemy Lk 10:19
· access to God Ephesians 3:12
· been given wisdom Ephesians 1:8
I AM…
· complete in him Colossians 2:10
· free forever from sin's power Romans 6:14
· sanctified 1 Cor 6:11
· meet for the Master's use 2 Timothy 2:21
· loved eternally 1 Peter 1:5 /
· eternally kept in the palm of his hand Jn 10:29
· kept from falling Jude 1:24
· kept by the power of God 1 Peter 1:5
· not condemned Romans 8:1-2
· one with the Lord 1 Cor 6:17
· on my way to heaven John 14:6
· quickened by his mighty power Eph 2:1
· seated in heavenly places Eph 1:3
· the head and not the tail Deut 28:13
· light in the darkness Matthew 5:14
· candle in a dark place Matthew 5:15
· city set on a hill Matthew 5:14
· salt of the earth Matthew 5:13
· his sheep Ps 23 / Psalms 100:3/ John 10:14
· a citizen of heaven 1 Peter 2:11
· hidden with Christ in God Psalms 32:7
· protected from the evil one 1 John 5:18
· kept by the power of God 1 Peter 1:5
· secure in Christ Jn 10:28-29
· set on a Rock Psalms 40:2
· more-than-a-conqueror Romans 8:37
· born again 1 Peter 1:23
· a victor 1 John 5:4
· healed by his strips Is 53:6
· covered by blood of Jesus Rev 12:11, 1 Pet 1:19
· sheltered under his wing Psalms 91:4
· hidden in secret place of the Almighty Ps 91:1
I HAVE…
· access to the Father Romans 5:2
· a home in heaven waiting for me Jn 14:1-2
· all things in Christ 2 Cor 5:17
· a living hope 1 Peter 1:3
· an anchor to my soul Hebrews 6:19
· a hope that is sure and steadfast Heb 6:19
· authority to tread on serpents Luke 10:19
· power to witness Acts 1:8
· the tongue of the learned Isaiah 50:4
· the mind of Christ 1 Cor 2:16
· boldness and access Hebrews 10:19
· peace with God Romans 5:1
· faith as a grain of mustard seed Luke 17:6
I CAN…
· do all things through Christ Philp 4:13
· find mercy and grace to help Heb 4:16
· come boldly to the throne of grace Heb 4:16
· quench all the firey darts Eph 6:16
· tread on the serpent Luke 10:19
· declare liberty to captives Isaiah 61:1
· pray always and everywhere Luke 21:36
· chase a thousand Joshua 23:10
· defeat (overcome) the enemy Rev 12:11
· tread Satan under foot Rom 16:20
I CANNOT…
· be separated from God's love Rom 8:35-39
· be perish or be lost John 10:28, John 3:16
· be moved Psalms 16:8
· be taken out of my Father's hand John 10:29
· be charged or accused Romans 8:33
· be condemned 1 Cor 11:32
Romans 8 is emphatic when it says, "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifies. Who is he that condemns? It is Christ who died, rose again, and sits at the right hand of God making intercession for us."
Too often I believe the lies and accusations of the enemy. I either am ignorant of what God has said or I willingly disbelieve it based on my "feelings." I do not need to "feel" anything! God's truth is God's truth. "Let God be true and every man a liar." (Romans 3:4 )
I am learning who I am in Christ and I am confessing the same out loud.
I am what God says I am regardless of how I feel about myself. My feelings cannot change the absolute truth of God's word. I must see myself in the light of God's word.
Once I have heard and seen God's truth I am to RECKON it to be so.
"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." – Romans 6:11.
The word reckon is "logizomai" in Greek, which means to calculate, count it up, logically sum it up as so. I sum up what God says about me as truth and refuse to allow anything less than His words to get close enough to me to doubt who I truly am.
List all of your faults, failures, hurts, wounds, scars, etc and "reckon" them against eveything God says about you. God's point of view wins everytime!!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
IronLeader Challenge
Last month, I competed in my gym's annual ironman competition. Now before you call me a liar or get impressed, they give us a month to complete the ironman verses the insane people who can achieve it in 1 day or less. If you don't know what it takes to complete an ironman, here it goes.
112 miles biking
26.2 miles running (marathon)
2.5 miles swimming (180 lengths of an olymplic-sized pool)
Needless to say, I spent some major time in the gym exerting a ton of energy for the ultimate prize of a cookout, t-shirt, and the satisfaction of knowing i completed a goal I set for myself. Noone was standing over my shoulder. there's no one in the stands cheering me on. Day after day, i'd roll out of my cozy, king-sized bed and slide on some gym clothes and commence to sweating.
About halfway through, I realized noone was holding me accountable. The cookout, nor the t-shirt was appealing enough to keep me "excited" about this goal. To be frank, it sucked!! I felt myself begin to make excuses and try and justify taking shortcuts. But every time i would begin to feel that way, something would check me and remind me that the only way to feel true satisfaction in completing a goal is to COMPLETE THE GOAL!
As i saw the end of my goal coming to an end. I saw a tremendous leadership principle i would like to "Challenge" you with this next month. It's what i would like to call the "IronLeader Challenge." The challenge goes like this every workday for a month:
1. Warmup
2. 112 minutes of Biking = "cycling"
3. 2.62 hours of Running = "goal pursuit"
4. 180 minutes of Swimming = "resistance stroking"
5. Cool down
Warmup for 30-45 minutes
Everyday warmup with a leadership book of some sorts. It can be a few pages. For me, I like to read a chapter everyday. Reading is not a joy, it's a MUST for me. Why leadership and not the Bible? 1. The bible is not a job thing, it's a relationship. 2. A leadership book will get your brain thinking like a leader. Secular or sacred, it doesn't matter. Just let your mind grab leadership from a leader.
2. 112 minutes of "cycling"
A large portion of leadership is simply understanding and focusing on the cycle of ministry. Practices, meetings, planning, services, bible studies, discipleship, etc. Cycling is simply putting your butt on a seat and working the pedals. If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail. Every meeting, practice, event, class, or whatever requires 3 things to be effective. 1. Pre planning 2. The event itself 3. Debriefing
If your thing isn't worth getting ready for, don't have it in the first place. If your thing isn't productive enough for you to have to debrief and see what you are doing next, don't have that meeting again.
3. 2.62 hours of "goal pursuit"
"make the vision plain so those that are running can read it clear."
Have an agenda. Let it be a godly agenda. Propaganda is not a bad thing, if it's Gods agenda you are trying to peddle. Everyone like a goal. It's the only way to know whether u are winning or losing. Set what I call "WIGs" ( Wildly Important Goals) they are quantifiable and attainable with a little more effort. Set goals that will make you and your team push a little harder, but not so outrageous they can't be achieved. It's a demoralizing effect on a team when WIGs are unattainable. Especially when it is not from a lack effort. Decide what your WIGs are for you for this month and for 2.62 hours everyday, "run"
4. 180 minutes of resistance stroking
This is something that great leaders work on everyday. Find resistance points in your leadership and make it a point to address them everyday. Don't mistake what I am saying. I'm not saying to deal with problem people for 2 hours everyday. That should be a part of your week. What I am saying, is address those areas where you are weak and begin swimming against your natural tendencies to "go with the flow." 1. Poor communication is always an issue in any team. Return calls. Return emails. For the next month be the example of excellence. 2. What are the "gossip" issues your team is involved in? 3. What are unresolved issues that need resolution? 4. Who are the people in your team and in your congregation who are not sharing your common purpose? 5. Who are the people at church who currently aren't the biggest advocates of your ministry, but with a little attention could be who also carry a lot of weight in your church?
5. Cool down for an hour
Make your list of things not resolved today that must be addressed tomorrow. Empty your mind of every single thing you can think of that needs to be done and plug it into a time slot on your calendar for about 30 minutes. This will help you relax knowing that you no longer have to remember not to forget!!! Take the last 30 minutes and do something you enjoy, before you go home. Your family will notice a difference when you detox before you get home.
Try this for a month and see if you are an "IronLeader!!!!"
Hope I helped, gw
112 miles biking
26.2 miles running (marathon)
2.5 miles swimming (180 lengths of an olymplic-sized pool)
Needless to say, I spent some major time in the gym exerting a ton of energy for the ultimate prize of a cookout, t-shirt, and the satisfaction of knowing i completed a goal I set for myself. Noone was standing over my shoulder. there's no one in the stands cheering me on. Day after day, i'd roll out of my cozy, king-sized bed and slide on some gym clothes and commence to sweating.
About halfway through, I realized noone was holding me accountable. The cookout, nor the t-shirt was appealing enough to keep me "excited" about this goal. To be frank, it sucked!! I felt myself begin to make excuses and try and justify taking shortcuts. But every time i would begin to feel that way, something would check me and remind me that the only way to feel true satisfaction in completing a goal is to COMPLETE THE GOAL!
As i saw the end of my goal coming to an end. I saw a tremendous leadership principle i would like to "Challenge" you with this next month. It's what i would like to call the "IronLeader Challenge." The challenge goes like this every workday for a month:
1. Warmup
2. 112 minutes of Biking = "cycling"
3. 2.62 hours of Running = "goal pursuit"
4. 180 minutes of Swimming = "resistance stroking"
5. Cool down
Warmup for 30-45 minutes
Everyday warmup with a leadership book of some sorts. It can be a few pages. For me, I like to read a chapter everyday. Reading is not a joy, it's a MUST for me. Why leadership and not the Bible? 1. The bible is not a job thing, it's a relationship. 2. A leadership book will get your brain thinking like a leader. Secular or sacred, it doesn't matter. Just let your mind grab leadership from a leader.
2. 112 minutes of "cycling"
A large portion of leadership is simply understanding and focusing on the cycle of ministry. Practices, meetings, planning, services, bible studies, discipleship, etc. Cycling is simply putting your butt on a seat and working the pedals. If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail. Every meeting, practice, event, class, or whatever requires 3 things to be effective. 1. Pre planning 2. The event itself 3. Debriefing
If your thing isn't worth getting ready for, don't have it in the first place. If your thing isn't productive enough for you to have to debrief and see what you are doing next, don't have that meeting again.
3. 2.62 hours of "goal pursuit"
"make the vision plain so those that are running can read it clear."
Have an agenda. Let it be a godly agenda. Propaganda is not a bad thing, if it's Gods agenda you are trying to peddle. Everyone like a goal. It's the only way to know whether u are winning or losing. Set what I call "WIGs" ( Wildly Important Goals) they are quantifiable and attainable with a little more effort. Set goals that will make you and your team push a little harder, but not so outrageous they can't be achieved. It's a demoralizing effect on a team when WIGs are unattainable. Especially when it is not from a lack effort. Decide what your WIGs are for you for this month and for 2.62 hours everyday, "run"
4. 180 minutes of resistance stroking
This is something that great leaders work on everyday. Find resistance points in your leadership and make it a point to address them everyday. Don't mistake what I am saying. I'm not saying to deal with problem people for 2 hours everyday. That should be a part of your week. What I am saying, is address those areas where you are weak and begin swimming against your natural tendencies to "go with the flow." 1. Poor communication is always an issue in any team. Return calls. Return emails. For the next month be the example of excellence. 2. What are the "gossip" issues your team is involved in? 3. What are unresolved issues that need resolution? 4. Who are the people in your team and in your congregation who are not sharing your common purpose? 5. Who are the people at church who currently aren't the biggest advocates of your ministry, but with a little attention could be who also carry a lot of weight in your church?
5. Cool down for an hour
Make your list of things not resolved today that must be addressed tomorrow. Empty your mind of every single thing you can think of that needs to be done and plug it into a time slot on your calendar for about 30 minutes. This will help you relax knowing that you no longer have to remember not to forget!!! Take the last 30 minutes and do something you enjoy, before you go home. Your family will notice a difference when you detox before you get home.
Try this for a month and see if you are an "IronLeader!!!!"
Hope I helped, gw
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