Day Seven - January 17, 2012

The power of the Holy Spirit helps our weakness.  We can know what the Word of God says and yet lack the power to fulfill it.  But the Spirit of God comes and helps us do what we cannot do.  The Spirit of God enables us to serve God.


Often, I've been asked if I ever feel inadequate, and my response is "you'd better believe it!"  In fact, I feel inadequate in almost everything I undertake.  That is why we must depend upon the Holy Spirit if we are to accomplish anything for God.  If I am full of the Holy Spirit I can enjoy the benefits of that fullness.  We should saturate ourselves with the Word of God and be filled with the Holy Spirit, together they are an unbeatable combination.


Friends, if we have ALL WORD and no HOLY SPIRIT we will DRY UP.  If we have all Holy Spirit and no Word, we will BLOW UP.  But when you have a balance of the two, you GROW UP!


God seems to confirm this in His Word...2 Corinthians 3:5-6 "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the later killeth, but the spirit giveth life."


We are weak in the flesh under sin.  But we are STRONG in the Spirit having been washed and cleansed.  We must be weak in the flesh as to dependence on our own strength.  But we must be endued with power and be filled with the Spirit so we can utilize the Spirits gifting and in His presence follow His promptings and enjoy His fellowship.


So you see, the power is to support you in your weakness.


PRAYER
Lord, may my heart be opened to receive the entirety of Your Spirit and all the benefits of Your Spirit's leading in my life.  I recognize my weakness today and embrace Your strength.  Come Holy Spirit...I need You.

Day Six - January 16, 2012

One thing most of us have in common at the start of a brand new year is making resolutions.  


One young boy asked his father what his new years resolution was, and his father said he was going to do everything possible in the new year to make his mother very happy.  The boy asked his mother what hers was and she said, "To do everything possible to make sure your father keeps his resolution."


Why do we make those anyway?  We make them because there are areas in our lives we are either unhappy with or areas in our lives we want to be better.  They did a survey a few years back and the number one resolution in America was to lose weight.  



A wife came into the bathroom to see her husband standing on the scales with his stomach sucked in.  She told him that sucking in his stomach wouldn't make in any better.  He said it would, because if he didn't pull his stomach in he couldn't read the numbers.  


Today, consider what you should leave behind...


#1 Leave it COMPLETELY behind

• We are notorious for asking God for help in dealing with our problems...and then what do we do?  Instead of leaving them with Him, we take them back with us as we finish praying.
• Anything in our lives that keep us from fully focusing on the Lord should be left behind.

#2 Leave RESENTMENT behind

• Each of us resent something.  We might resent something we have said or done or we might resent what someone else has said and done.  But along with resentment comes unforgiveness.  Unforgiveness is a very dangerous thing to keep in our lives.
• Now understand...to forgive does not mean the same thing as forget.  We cannot erase our memories, but we can erase our resentment.
• Instead of looking at your resentment from the negative side, start looking at it from the positive side.  In other words, when you remember those things, as you surely will, look at them as an example of what not to ever feel again.

#3 Leave WORRY behind

• Worries are very much like rocking chars.  They give you something to do, but they never take you anywhere while you're doing it.  We only worry about two things:
• Things we can change and things we cannot change.
• Why waste time doing something that not only hurts us and never helps us?
• When we worry, it ends up taking over our every thought and it becomes the predominate thought of our lives.
• Yet, it is also worry that causes mental illness, stress, and many other things that destroy our lives.
• Worry has killed more people than hard work ever did.  Worry is the cause of fear.

#4 Leave FAILURE behind

• We try so hard to be the best we can be, but we don't always succeed.  And it is in those times when we don't succeed, that we get discouraged because we have failed.  But what have we failed in?  We may not have achieved just what we originally set out to achieve, but we haven't failed.
• The only time you fail is when you don't try to do anything!  We need to understand that God has called us to have faith long before He ever called us to achieve.  We are called to be in Christ, and as long as we are in Him, we are successful.

PRAYER

• Lord, thank you for a brand new year and a brand new start!  During this time of corporate fasting and prayer, I'm asking you to help me focus on the future and release the past.  You have a marvelous plan for my life and I'm wide open to receive it in detail.  Thank you for keeping watch over my life and for PUSHING me forward toward my destiny.  I choose today to leave behind those things that would slow me down.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Day Five - January 15, 2012

In 1 Samuel 1 the bible tells us about a man named Elkanah who had two wives.  

• Hannah, whose name meant "Grace / Favor" and 
• Peninnah, whose name meant "Jewel, Ruby, Precious and valuable." 

Anytime you have two wives...you know there's going to be trouble.  


Hannah was favored by her husband.  Although her name meant Grace & Favor - she was unfruitful, barren and her womb was dead.


When Elkanah gave out portions he gave to Penniah and all her sons and daughters portions.  But to Hannah he gave a "worthy portion" (DOUBLE PORTION)


Elkanah had come to the conclusion that it didn't matter if Hannah ever bore him any children because Peninnah was very fruitful.  So Elkanah was adjusted to the situation and so was Hannah.  She was satisfied with the circumstances because she knew she was the FAVORED wife and she had Elkanah's attention and affection.


Everything was FINE.

• They had an arrangement; they had it all figured out (ever been there?)  You thought you had everything figured out, you had all your ducks in a row, it was perfect but you knew you could make it serve your purposes.
• Then out of nowhere (SHAZAM!) something happened that messed everything up!  All your plans and schemes and networking and tweaking and playing just "aint" working anymore!
• Peninnah starts to PROVOKE HANNAH over her barrenness, her words are harsh and hateful, filled with resentment and jealousy and her words are like arrows that stick in Hannah's heart.
• At first they just seem to bounce off and have no effect, but Penniah does not let up and eventually it becomes clear the arrows have hit their mark.
• Now we see that Hannah is now disturbed over the fact that she is barren and has not borne any children to Elkanah.
• But Elkanah tries to pull her back and get her to settle down...and just enjoy what they have.
• In fact, he says "Am I not better to thee than 10 sons?"

But Hannah has been AWAKENED (she has become UNCOMFORTABLE and DISSATISFIED and DISCONTENT with things as they are!

• And now DISCONTENT and DISCOMFORT and FRUSTRATION change into a DESIRE and a CRAVING and EXPECTATION and a need for more!
• Hannah begins to realize..."there's more than this, I was created for more than this!"
• Now she looks past Elkanah, all the love, all the favor, all the material blessings cannot satisfy her, they cannot open her womb, they cannot meet her need!

Friends, inside the womb of every child of God is a cry for the miraculous, for signs and wonders and miracles, a cry from your spiritual womb for the MANIFESTATION of the power of God...to be fruitful, to birth souls into the KINGDOM!

Peninnah provoked Hannah!  She was her adversary...her thorn in the side...she made her feel uncomfortable...she irritated her...she couldn't stand her!

Yet, Peninnah provoked Hannah OVER her barrenness!  The point is this... Hannah had more in her but she was satisfied to have the love of her husband and be blessed and favored and never reach for more or believe for more to expect more.

UNTIL...SHE WAS PUSHED....UNTIL...SHE WAS PROVOKED!

Friend, the most valuable thing in Hannah's life was the thing that provoked her to CRY out to God for more!

Elkanah loved her but he wouldn't push her...he wouldn't provoke her...he didn't want to upset her.  it's nice to be loved and appreciated and pampered...but sometimes you need somebody to PROVOKE you!

Remember...Peninnah's name meant JEWEL.  The jewels in your life are the most valuable things in your life...and the people that PUSH you and provoke you to become the best that you can be!

I am what I am by the grace of God.  I would not be where I am today if my spiritual leaders and teachers always patted me on the head and agreed with everything I did and never CORRECTED me or REBUKED me.  

If it hadn't been for some men and women of God that told me the truth, and corrected me, even when it made me mad, I would have spent my life just going through the motions, holding on and hanging out waiting for the RAPTURE BUS.

But thanks be to God, I had some people that loved me enough to tell me the truth and instruct me in the way of righteousness and PROVOKE me!

Today, there's a SAMUEL in you trying to get out!

• There's a prophet in you trying to get out!
• There's an apostle in you trying to get out!
• There's an evangelist in you trying to get out!
• There's a pastor in you trying to get out!
• There's a teacher in you trying to get out!
• There's a song in you trying to get out!
• There's an author in you trying to get out!
• There's a deacon in you trying to get out!
• There's an elder in you trying to get out!
• There's a businessman in you trying to get out!
• There's a book in you trying to get out!
• There's music in you trying to get out!

PRAYER

Lord, I'm going to thank You for my adversary today!  I'm praising You that you allowed me to be provoked...else I'd still be stuck in the land of nowhere!  Lord, thank You for believing in me and challenging me to rise above my place of comfort and casualness!  Thank you for putting leaders in my life who not only love me but correct me...even when it doesn't feel good.  I'm a better person today...because I've been provoked!

Day Four - January 14, 2012

We read in the Scriptures where Jesus says, "The works I do shall ye do also and greater than these shall ye do.  And these signs shall follow them that believe.  In my name they shall cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues, if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them, and they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover." (John 14:12; Mark 16:17-18)

• We are told to desire spiritual gifts...
• We are told to be the salt of the earth... 
• We are told to be the light of the world...  

And yet, we look around us and we see a tremendous lack of DOING the works of Jesus.  We look around and see a tremendous absence of Spiritual presence (Spiritual Gifts) and the lack of DESIRE for the gifts of the Spirit to be used to do the WORKS of Jesus.


What we need is a DESPERATION to see at least some measure of God's power manifested today!


It is my heart that everyone reading this would become DESPERATE enough for an encounter with the power of almighty God!

• Desperate beyond comfort.
• Desperate beyond reputation.
• Desperate beyond tradition.
• Desperate beyond cosmetics.
• Desperate beyond emotions.
• Desperate beyond reason.
• Desperate beyond good fellowship of friends.
• Desperate beyond family who are satisfied to stay in the boat.
• Desperate enough to risk ridicule.
• Desperate enough to risk failure.

If you haven't risked anything then you have never become desperate.

• When you become DESPERATE people will criticize you.
• You will lose a certain amount of religious standing.
• You will be looked at as OVERBOARD, EXTREME, UNUSUAL and WEIRD.
• People will try to hold you down and shut you up.
• You may get your fingers stepped on.
• You for sure will get your feelings stepped on!

But the bottom line is this...if you truly become DESPERATE then you will get what you are asking for!

BLESSED ARE THE DESPERATE FOR THEY WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET WHAT GOD HAS PROMISED THEM!

PRAYER

Lord, I'm desperate for a move of Your Spirit.  Nothing will satisfy me but You!  Nothing will fill me up but You!  Not entertainment, not friendships, not material possessions, not position, not notoriety!  NOTHING BUT YOU!  Lord, shake me...shake me...shake me...shake my foundation  and release your FIRE in my soul!  I give you all praise and all glory!  Amen.

Day Three - January 13, 2012

Are you desperate enough for God?

• Desperate people do not care what anyone thinks.
• Desperate people do not care what anyone says.
• Desperate people will go where no one else will go.
• Desperate people won't let anything stop them.
• Desperate people will do desperate things.

Emptiness is the prerequisite for desperation.  Desperation is the condition that exists when a recognized need is present.  All of God's people are needy, but few are willing to acknowledge that need.  It is when the need is acknowledged that a condition of desperation begins to be developed in us.


Why desperation?
Desperation only comes when there is a recognized need that is beyond our ability to meet.


Desperation:

1. Dangerously reckless or violent as from urgency or despair.
2. Showing extreme courage; especially of actions courageously undertaken as a last resort.
3. Showing extreme urgency or intensity especially because of great need or desire.

Contrary to the way we view things, desperation is not a bad thing.  We have let the world define things for us and by the worlds definition desperation is a condition to be avoided at all costs.  But from a divine perspective there are many blessings and even promises of God that cannot be obtained apart from being desperate.

It would be according to the will of God today that everyone of us should reach some measure of desperation conceding the huge gap between what God has made available to us, and what God expects of us, compared to where we are actually at. 

When we see in the Word the life that is available to us, and we see in our own lives and churches the low level of spiritual life and the absence of spiritual power it should create a sense of emptiness within us...a recognition of falling short of the glory that has been prepared for us.  This in turn should serve to stir in us a sense of desperation.

Desperation because we have recognized the need of spiritual power to reach the lost, to heal the hurting and to deliver the oppressed.  Only God can give us what we are lacking.

• Blessed are the desperate...for they will tear the roof off if and when necessary.
• Blessed are the desperate...for they will push through the crowd.
• Blessed are the desperate...because they won't be offended (even the dogs eat the crumbs.)
• Blessed are the desperate...for they will gladly give up dignity for an encounter with deity. (Zacchaeus proved that.)
• Blessed are the desperate...for they will break barriers. (lepers, woman with issue of blood.)
• Blessed are the desperate...for they will lay in the dirt or climb a tree or jump in a lake.
• Blessed are the desperate...for they will not argue about what God does or how He does it. (Jesus put mud and spit into the blind mans eyes.)
• Blessed are the desperate...for if it was not for them the presence and the power of God would never be manifested in our churches at all.

It's not religion, ceremony, tradition, methods, programs, preaching or singing that brings the power of God into church...IT'S DESPERATION!

PRAYER

Lord, I'm desperate for You.  I desire a move of Your presence more than ANYTHING else!  I just want You!  I just want You!  I just want You!  Father, I don't ever want to become numb to Your presence.  If You see me growing cold and indifferent, please do whatever it takes to set me on fire again!  You are my hope, life, breath and reason for living!  I give You my whole heart today...I'm desperate for you!  Amen.

Day Two - January 12, 2012

God desires for His people to grow. We are challenged daily with busy schedules, deadlines to meet, and waves of entertainment that can eat up most of our day. As disciples of Jesus, we must strategically take time, energy, and seasons to seek the face of God and His heartbeat.

Each day we must be advancing, growing, and building our lives to be more like Christ. In 2 Peter 1, the Apostle challenges us with these words,


“5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

There are a few key phrases in the text that challenge us as believers to grow. Apostle Peter shares that we must “add to our faith.” Each day we must strategically set ourselves up to grow in the Spirit. Look at the product of daily adding to our faith. Peter shares that we will neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we focus on adding to our faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, etc. we will grow and be fruitful believers.

For those who don’t add to their faith according to Apostle Peter will be shortsighted, blind, and will forget that they have been cleansed from their old sins. Today we have a choice to build our lives in Christ and be fruitful or stay “busy” in life and become dull, shortsighted, and stagnant.

Challenge yourself to grow today. Read the Word of God, pray, fast, display kindness and a heart of service to others. You will grow and be strong as you add to your faith!

PRAYER
Dear Lord, thank You for this day that You have given me. I desire to be more like You and to feel Your heartbeat. Today, I choose to strategically set time aside time to seek Your face and build up my faith. Help me to display the Fruit of the Spirit in my conversations, behavior, and attitude. I desire to advance Your Kingdom. Give me wisdom and strength to do so in Jesus’ name, Amen.


Pastor Hylton

Day One - January 11, 2012

Life really is a matter of choices, choices that bring consequences with those choices.  They can be choices made by a wise person or choices made by a fool.  They can be choices made in the heat of the moment in the flesh, or they can be choices made by the Holy Spirit, as you follow Him to control you.

In 1 Samuel we see choices being made.  When you look at Elkanah, the husband of Hannah, who is going to give birth to Samuel, you see that he makes a choice.  He makes a choice to go up to Jerusalem; he makes a choice to worship the Lord; he makes a choice to have his family there.  You see his choices, and you see God's blessings upon that family.

But you see Peninnah, the second wife, the one that makes a choice to torment Hannah, Elkanah's other wife.  You see a woman who is mean, a woman who takes advantage of the situation, and a woman that taunts another woman.  She makes a choice.  Do you think she's going to get away with that?  Do you think there is a God in heaven that is going to hold us accountable?  Are there consequences to our choices?  

When we look at Hannah, we see that she was favored probably because of her demeanor.  We see Hannah making a choice, making a choice to trust the Lord, making a choice to give the Lord her son, the son that the Lord gives her in answer to prayer and she does not withdraw from that commitment.  She keeps her vow.

We see Eli the priest, who makes a choice, a choice not to discipline his sons.  We see his sons who make a choice, a choice to defy God, a choice to have sexual relations with the women who come to the temple, the choice to take the fat of the sacrifices, a choice to walk against the Word of God, and yet you see the consequences.  You see the consequences in Eli's sons' lives, and you see the consequence in Eli's life.  You see a man who dies because God has brought judgment upon him, because he did not make the right choice. 

Then you see Samuel stepping to the forefront, Samuel the final judge, the prophet.  You see Samuel choosing to listen to God, Samuel choosing to believe God, Samuel choosing to stand before the people of God and to call them to accountability, not fearing the face of man, but fearing God.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, without You I have no idea where I am going.  The road is dark and I'm uncertain where it will lead.  I believe that You can give me the wisdom to make the right choice today.  You are the illumination to my path and You are the beam of direction that I need.  As I am faced with choices today, I ask for Your divine wisdom and I will follow where You lead.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

21 Days of Fasting Information

Are you ready?  As a congregation, we will set aside 21 days in the month of January to fast and pray.  By starting each year with a corporate fast, we are sanctifying the remaining eleven months unto the Lord as a "first fruit."

Fasting is a principle that God intended for everyone to be able to enjoy.  It's not a punishment; it's a privilege!  Fasting will draw you closer to God and help you grow spiritually.  Fasting is also one of the most powerful weapons God has given us for our daily lives.

As a congregation, we are fasting and praying for a release from the bondage of sin; restoration in our relationships; financial blessings; spiritual renewal and supernatural healing!

We want to encourage you today to fast for your future and your family.  What do you envision yourself doing for God?  As you fast, pray for God's direction and guidance.  See the dream by faith and trust the Lord to show you how you can turn your vision into a reality.

The hour in which we live is perilous.  There are many people experiencing hardship and wrestling with despair.  As we come together to fast and pray, we are believing that burdens will be lifted and blessings will be released!

We have included a fasting and prayer calendar as well as a quick tips for fasting guide.  Please print out your copies and begin this journey with us on Wednesday, January 11, 2012.


We would also like to encourage you to pick up “The Fasting Edge” book by Pastor Jentezen Franklin.


Also, during the fast, we’ll be sharing daily devotions on my blog at www.russellhylton.com.

Who Said Pastoring Would Be Easy?

I really had no idea what kind of life I would have when my father and mother began to pastor a church in the early 80's.  There were a lot of adjustments along the way that included trial and error.  In 1999, Beverly and I followed our heart to Indianapolis to serve as Lead Pastors.  We're thankful to be here and believe the Lord's hand sovereignly guided us. 


Looking back I wonder why there wasn't a class offered to new pastors that dealt with inevitible experiences new pastors would encounter.  Unfortunately, there were some serious situations we would encounter early on that would either make us or break us.


When we came to BFWC I thought everyone would be happy to see us and they would jump on board with the dream.  (Ok...go ahead and laugh...get it out of your system...SMILE)  Even though we were both preacher's kids and grew up in pastor's homes...that still didn't prepare us for the SPIRITUAL BATTLE we would encounter.


Did I miss this "spiritual warfare" class?  I guess I was shielded from the fact that as I grew as a leader, Christian and a pastor, I would become a bigger target for the enemy.  Even as a youth pastor, I didn't take into account the full weight of ministry that my senior pastor had on his shoulders.


It's easy to dream about being the senior pastor of your own church when you're serving with someone else who is carrying the full load and shielding you from the real heat of the battle. Transitioning from an associate role to a Lead Pastor role was definitely an EYE OPENER.


I think the big issue is LACK OF PREPARATION.  Don't get me wrong, there are certain things you will definitely learn from your leader but at the end of the day you're still going to have to learn some things through your own trial and error.  The good news is...if you pay attention to your leader's instruction and remain teachable no matter where you are...you'll navigate through those difficult challenges with TWICE THE WISDOM.


Thank God today for the men whose feet I sat at.  Their insight and example prepared me for my present and future assignment(s).  I am so thankful for a Father/Son relationship.  Learning how to handle my self with grace while faced with serious issues in the church comes from the example of my leaders whose shoulders I'm privileged to stand on.


Beverly and I look back to those early years when we came to BFWC and wonder "How did we make it"?  There were attitudes, personalities, problems, spirits, etc...that all had to be filtered through with finesse and grace.  We had prayed about this role for a few years and anticipated the good and the bad.  It was in the years of preparation that the Lord was actually testing our sanctification in Him.  That process included lots of waiting, learning, growing and trusting Him.  Then and only then...did God SET US UP to lead this great church in Indianapolis.


After twelve years, (now 24) I feel as if we have not only received ministerial training but also ten degree's worth of knowledge and experience. (Smile)  

Here are a few lessons I'm still learning...

1. Love your peers.  Pray for your pastoral team, elders, deacons, ministry coaches and dream team volunteers.  The people you work with every day are the people you want to make yourself available to as much as possible.  They are just as important as members of the congregation. 


2. Expect to be misunderstood.  Not everyone will receive your ministry.  In general, you will be loved, celebrated and appreciated.  Your gifts, personality and style of leadership will be a welcomed by most people.  However, there will still be some who will respond negatively, some with petty reasons.  Some, including leaders, will leave.  You cannot control that, but you can shepherd through it.  If you will keep your door open to those who are struggling with your leadership, you're more likely to reach a good resolve.  Those who don't want to meet with you are beyond your responsibility.  Remain open to advice, input and counsel.  Determine to grow as a godly pastor and be faithful to the WORD of GOD.  Life is different as a Lead Pastor than an Associate Pastor - you are now the target of stronger opinions, reactions, criticism and rejection.


3. Your role will afford you new friendships.  Even though God uses you to meet people's needs...remember...you are not JESUS.  Pastors should do their job well but not become a crutch for their congregation.  Believe me...there are better preachers than you and stronger pastors too.  Be open to receive positive feedback from your congregation...some of that will include notes, invitations for meals, etc.  Your people will seek you out for leadership.  DO NOT LET THAT GO TO YOUR HEAD.  Keep the cross always before you!  Cling to it!  Believe me, there will be days when you'll feel like you've been punched in the stomach with criticism or news of another family leaving the church.  If you keep the cross before you...you'll have a healthy perspective of who you are in Christ.  Defer all the glory to HIM!


4. Be kind and speak well of everyone you have previously served with.  Believe me, you'll end up eating crow for all the critical, quickly arrived at, ungracious feelings and words you had toward the upper leadership in your previous church.  If we're not careful, we'll end up griping about how we think the elders and senior pastor are missing it.  Like children, we end up seconding guessing mom and dad...until, you become one.  Once you step into that role as senior pastor you'll soon realize that leading a church is not as easy as you thought...teamwork, meetings, unity, spiritual growth in the congregation, balancing family and ministry, sermon preparation, leadership, administration and personal shepherding.  The responsibility is quite demanding and sometimes exhausting.  You WILL struggle with regret at some of the ways you reacted to the "upper management" back at the old place.  Want some advice?  Receive the wisdom from your leaders while you're serving with them.  Be a BLESSING to your leaders and fellow laborers, especially those who are over you in the Lord.


5. It may get bumpy.  I'll never forget the words of Sister Burke, our previous national Indian Missions Director, who said, "It's not all fried chicken."  You will have your "ups" and "downs."  You will suffer persecution and a bulls eye will be placed on your head.  However, stepping up to fulfill your calling is an OPPORTUNITY for God to show Himself strong in the Kingdom.  Think about...you get to preach the Gospel! You get to proclaim the name of Jesus! You get to lead a church forward out of the ash heap of deadness into life!   The devil doesn't like you or the work you're doing.  You are now threatening his dominion and believe me...he'll attack you!  Every leader whose ever done anything GREAT for God has had to deal with the bumpy road.  Satan does not give up ground easily, whether within the church or territory your church is about to take for Christ's name.  YOU MUST PREPARE yourself by expecting the attack, asking for prayer, holding fast to God's grace and aligning yourself with some GODLY elders around you who will FIGHT with prayer, accountability and common strength!


6. Understand that loneliness is part of leadership.  As you lead, you'll be put in a position that may put you at arm's length with those you lead.  It's alright to have friends and it's alright to let people in.  However, you must still remember that you are their leader.  If you lose your ability to lead because of too much familiarity...well, then you've shot yourself in the toe.  Don't be reluctant to have friends...but always remember who you are.  You're not above anyone...but you are held to a high standard so that your testimony will lead people UP not DOWN.  Trust God to provide you with friendships.  He will give them to you AS YOU ARE ABLE TO HANDLE THEM.


7. Position your family for this change.  Like it or not, your spouse and children will be exposed to the ministry as much as you.  They will share in your calling...even if they don't want to.  It's quite acceptable to ask them how they feel about being involved in the ministry.  If you are mindful of their feelings then you'll more than likely have greater longevity through the rigors of ministry life.  Seek out other leaders who can relate to your spouse and children.  Their influence and friendship will help you through the rough times.  Remember, your ministry belongs to your family as well.


If you are a pastor reading this...my friend...don't give up!  God has long range plans for you!  Like the energizer bunny...keep GOING and GOING and GOING and GOING and GOING!

Keep Digging

Water is a necessity of life.  It's not an extra or even a luxury...it's necessary to sustain life.  Without it you die.


In 2 Kings the bible tells us about King Jehoram, King of Israel, who decided he was going to take down the King of Moab.  So, he unites with the King of Edom...and the King of Judah to do just that.  However, they find themselves in a DESPERATE SITUATION...no water!

Have you ever been in a dry place?  

Have you even blamed God for that dry place?

That's what Jehoram did.

He blamed God for his dilemma. 

Jehoram was a bad influence.  Sometimes the biggest problem we have is our friendship circle...(wrong associations). You've got to REFINE your friendship circle and eliminate all the whiners, complainers, doubters, pouters, schemers and plotters.  Friend, you can't afford to be bogged down with people who have no vision or passion and who spend all their time wallowing in self-pity.

Wrong associations will kill you, they will kill your joy, kill your vision, kill your passion and kill your faith.

If it hadn't been for King Jehoshaphat, who knew the power of a WORD from God, they would have all died in the wilderness.  So, he asks "is there not a prophet here that we may inquire of the Lord?"  He knew that ONE WORD from God could change everything!

Elisha gives them a word..."Fill this valley full of ditches!"  That's not exactly what you want to hear when you're in the middle of the desert and your dying of thirst!

Digging ditches is HARD work!  Especially when the ground is hard and dry.  Here they were in the wilderness, a dry, desert valley place, a low place.  And in this place, this low dry desert place, the WORD of the LORD says "dig ditches!"

No doubt their hands were bleeding and their backs were sore!  Their arms were aching and they shoulders too.  To top it all off, their thrust was becoming unbearable!

Is that where you're at?  Are you in a low place?  Is everything around you hard, difficult and strenuous? 

• Do you have to force yourself to praise the Lord?
• Do you have to force yourself to pray?
• Do you have to force yourself to read the Bible?
• Do you have to force yourself to go to church?
• Do you feel dry, empty and ready to give up?

The devil is telling you it's over, it's dead and it's never going to happen.

• He's telling you that your dreams, visions and prophecies are never going to come to pass.
• He's telling you you're never going to launch your ministry.
• He's telling you you'll never see your kids saved.
• He's telling you you'll never get out of debt.
• He's telling you you'll never go to the nations.

Perhaps your present circumstances and what you're feeling inside is telling you to agree with him.  BUT SOMEBODY NEEDS TO MAKE UP THEIR MIND that they are going to hold on to their promise and hold on to that prophecy and hold on to that dream and that vision and KEEP DIGGING!

I know it's hard work.  I know it's difficult.  I know sometimes it doesn't make sense.  I know sometimes you don't feel like it...but YOU HAVE TO KEEP DIGGING!

With every turn of the shovel...YOU ARE BUILDING A LANDING STRIP for God's blessings in your life!