Watch Out For Charlatans!

“Walk with the wise & become wise; associate with fools & get in trouble.” Proverbs 13:20

We are living in a time where believers must guard themselves from spiritual charlatans.

What is a CHARLATAN? A charlatan (also called a swindler) is a person practicing quackery or some similar confidence trick or deception in order to obtain money, fame or other advantages via some form of pretense or deception. Synonyms for charlatan include shyster, quack, or faker.

Sadly, there are many self-proclaimed "apostles, prophets & pastors" who prey on weak minded believers by enticing their thirst & curiosity for the "supernatural" with a so called "WORD FROM THE LORD"...which really aren't words from The Lord, but rather flesh driven trickery to control, manipulate & keep a cycle of dependency on them rather than Christ.

This is one reason why we need true pastors & true spiritual fathers/mothers in our life. They help guide our discernment through sound biblical teaching. They protect us from charlatans & those who would take advantage of our good nature & innocence.

As a shepherd, you take great care in leading, feeding & protecting those whom you've been entrusted. It pains you to see folks fanged by the teeth of carnivorous wolves who make cloaked promises of positions, titles & familiarity. True spiritual discernment can see through the veil of appearances & anyone with even a natural eye can see a person's track record in both the natural & spiritual. God will reveal it & has.

I caution people to avoid associations with this spirit. It is "another spirit" masquerading around the body of Christ. It longs for the affirmation of fatherhood but was never legitimately birthed. It appears to have the structure of biblical theology but it's foundation is pride & self-promotion. Discerning believers should not let its poison have access to their life.

Romans 16:17-18 "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."

You cannot cover what remains uncovered.

You cannot lead what will not be led.

However, you can continue to teach the truth, model & love unconditionally. Father's don't leave the porch. They remain on the porch with a watchful eye for prodigals on the horizon.

Some more information that is helpful...

Fathering The Fatherless (Part 1)

Sent or Went...that is the Question

The Forerunner Generation (Part 1)

The Forerunner Generation (Part 2)

The Forerunner Generation (Part 3)

The Forerunner Generation (Part 4)

Are you a SON or a HIRELING?

Things A Son Needs From His Father

👊🏽 Happy Father's Day weekend to all the great fathers who handle their business! If you don't handle it, start now! It’s never too late!

💪🏽 Make the most of Father’s Day! If you have one, please bless him in some way. If you don’t, find a father you admire & bless them! Good men need appreciation...& others need encouragement!

🙏🏽 Jesus, at an early age, was found in the synagogue, tending to the Father’s business (Luke 2:49). Why entertain the enemy’s distractions when God’s inheritance is at stake?

I pray Sunday’s & Wednesday’s will be a primary priority in the spiritual rhythm of every father’s life. We get one shot at this! Don’t miss it by chasing tomorrow.

Join me at Bfwc Indy on Father’s Day! 8:30 AM | 11 AM

bfwc.net

What If?

WHAT IF:
• I were the owner of a restaurant, but never ate at it?
• I were the owner of a hotel, but never stayed at it?
• I were the coach of a sports team, but never attended a game?
• I were the leader of a ministry, but never led it?
• I were the pastor of a church, but never attended it?

WHAT IF:
• There was a restaurant convention in town but, as an owner, I didn't avail myself or my team to it?
• There was a hotel convention in town but, as an owner, I didn't avail myself or my team to it?
• There was a sports conference in town but, as the coach, I didn’t avail myself or my team to attend it?
• There was a Childrens/Student/Leadership Ministry conference/event in town but, as a ministry leader, I didn't avail myself or my team to it?
• There was a pastor's/leadership conference in town but, as a pastor/staff, I didn't avail myself or my team to it?

Are you thinking like an OWNER or an EMPLOYEE?
Are you thinking like a SON or a SERVANT?

How you see yourself often determines the words you speak & the actions you take. I would go as far as to say that the way you see yourself is the way others will treat you.

As I've served in ministry & observed business practices...I've learned that we can never stop learning. We must continually position ourselves to learn where we can & when we can.

I've also learned that my actions reveal who I am. This verse has always been powerful to me: Where your treasure is...there your heart will be. (Matthew 6:21)

If the company I work for (which pays my salary & provides my livelihood) succeeds...I succeed.

If the church I attend & serve in (which provides me community, a place to fulfill my calling & spiritual help) succeeds...I succeed...and my family succeeds, too.

When you GRASP this...it's a REVELATION that will affect your actions.

I've always lived my life with this thought, "I must promote what's promoting me." In other words, what ever is adding value to me...I need to make sure I'm adding value to it as well. It's a principle called RECIPROCITY.

I also approach this from another perspective: How can I bring improvements to where I'm at? A lot of times, we get in a rut & need to remind ourselves that we are called to ADD VALUE everywhere we are.

Don't let miscommunication, misunderstanding or misinformation allow you to miscarry your full potential! God wants you to BLOOM where you're planted!

Bring VALUE to the table & be determined to IMPROVE yourself in the process. God will bless you & others in the process.

It's a journey.
One step at a time.
Hit the reset button, but don't give up.

What if you turn your WHAT IF into a WHY NOT?

#BeEncouraged
#YouGotThis

Serving The Way Jesus Did

“I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.”
‭‭John‬ ‭13:15‬ ‭

Jesus washed the feet of those He called to carry His message...even the one who would betray Him. Jesus modeled humility. He taught us to humble ourselves & serve one another in love.

You cannot HONOR one another without HUMILITY.

I’ll never forget this past Father’s Day...when the men of @bfwcindy #fightclub washed my feet & said, “We have you surrounded in strength & we are here to serve.” Tears were flowing & my heart overwhelmed at this display of Christlikeness.

Every pastor needs an army of men & women around them who are committed to the Gospel of Jesus with Red Hot PASSION! It’s an honor to serve & lead people who have counted the cost to take up the CROSS.

May we serve others the same way Jesus served His disciples.

#ROOM

Always Honor

Yes, you're called.
Yes, you're gifted.
Yes, you will make an impact.
You have everything BUT a mantle.
That is gained by HONOR.

MANTLES can't be stolen, negotiated or imitated. Mantles "fall to you" when HONOR is given.

Your relationships with your Leaders, colleagues & followers can't survive the staleness of FAMILIARITY. It must be renewed regularly. Find new ways to HONOR each other.

Never take for granted the relationships afforded to you through RELATIONAL HONORING. You have access TO others, because you were given access THROUGH someone else’s relationships.

☝🏽This is a comprehensive mixture of protocol, etiquette & alignment. If you can learn & live these...you’ll experience opportunities through HONOR.

ALWAYS HONOR.

You don't have to bad mouth, dishonor, cut down or betray anyone to fulfill God’s call on your life. That's an awful seed to sow...and dishonor is a boomerang.

I’ve seen it in my lifetime. People who cause a mess for someone else...rest assured...they will reap a mess somewhere in their own life. It’s a principle. That’s why we should always HONOR.

Keep your mouth & hands off of people. They belong to God...just like you do. Choose to HONOR God, even if someone else is dishonorable. God will HONOR you.

We can’t teach enough about HONOR in the church & our culture.

Here are four things that I now know:
1. Disagreement is unavoidable.
2. Disrespect is unacceptable.
3. Disloyalty is unforgettable.
4. Dishonor is untreatable.

Keep HONORING my friends. God will BLESS you!

Are you a SON or a SERVANT?