Why is God Hiding Me?

Isaiah 49:2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;

Have you ever felt like your life or ministry was on hold? It seems that everyone around you is being promoted and you're not. You turn on Christian TV and view the trendy, modern and culturally "up and coming" ministries and say to yourself, "They're doing it...why can't I?" "Here I am, stuck doing the same thing over and over." "Why do I feel like my life is in 'pause mode' instead of 'play mode'?" "Why do I feel like God has put me in hiding?"

Friend, serving the Lord in any ministry capacity requires patience and endurance. If you have answered the call of God, then there will be a specific season in your life that God will "hide" you. When He does, realize that it's for your perfection (maturing) and development. God ultimately knows, that the "hiding" He allows now will produce a greater anointing later.

I liken this to the process of wine making. One stage of the wine making process is when the wine is placed in an earthen vessel in a dark place similar to that of a cellar or a basement. It has to learn to settle and be still in order for the fermenting process to be completed. Another way of looking at it is, if the wine continues to be stirred-up the the fermenting process will be delayed.

Isaiah declared that the Lord hath "Hidden him in His quiver." Understanding the quiver experience can be a challenge especially when you feel the pressure of other people trying to get you to make a flesh move rather than a spirit-led shift.

You may ask, "But what if I feel I've already taken the necessary steps of preparation to be elevated to leadership promotion?"

You may have successfully overcome painful experiences or have even learned valuable life lessons in how to respond correctly to your calling, your preparation, your hiding under God's hand and even the polishing of your personality and now you're asking "Why the waiting period now?"

As a servant-leader, this is the time you learn patience. This is tough and rough to hear. However, not only is God stretching you, He is using this experience to sand off your rough edges and get you to the place of 100%!

The "quiver experience" is more internal than external. This is almost always the hardest test for any leader, but it is necessary to learn the timing of God.

I like what Paul said in Galatians 4:4 "But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law."

Jesus was sent forth "in the fullness of time." He came to earth at the perfect moment in history. This arrow, Jesus, had been waiting for the right time in which He would be made known to the world.

Consider David...he was anointed and destined to be the next King of Israel. He was just a teenager when the prophet Samuel anointed him, but he did not take the throne of Judah until he was thirty. David had to wait in the quiver for an estimated ten to thirteen years. In fact, he was thirty seven before he reigned over Judah and the entire nation of Israel.

Several times, David could have killed Saul to gain the throne by natural means, but the Lord gave him the grace to know that He would open the throne to David in His own time.

David chose to wait for God’s timing, not man’s or his own.

You have a special season set aside by God in which you must hide in the quiver. Your ministry will only be revealed at His appointed time. Temptation and pressure will come to every "called" man or woman of God to run ahead of God's timing. However, God's sons must take great care to avoid tampering with the perfect timing of the Lord.

There is no set age for the release of an associate, assistant, or leader in training. There is no set pattern to follow for the "release into ministry." The time and manner of release is different for every leader. This is why you can't compare yourself to other people, especially those you see on TV. Wait patiently for the timing of the Lord, for He is the only perfect "marksmen."

If you are a Joshua, then serve your Moses.
If you are a David, then serve your Saul.
If you are an Elisha, then serve your Elijah.

Serve like it's the last thing on earth God wants you to do. What you make happen for someone else, God will make happen for you. In fact, it will open the door for future ministry.

Luke 16:12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?

I also view the "quiver experience" as a time when God straightens us out. In other words, whatever is lacking in our life, whether it's a disobedient spirit, laziness or an unwillingness to be spiritually fathered or mothered, He chastens us in that area until we make the necessary corrections.

If corrections are not made, this delays our future ministry potential and we are left in the quiver longer. The quiver experience is initiated by God, but the length of time we're there can be shortened once we settle it in our hearts that we're going to allow the Lord to shape us during this process.

Decide today that even if God hides you in His quiver, you'll remain faithful, fruitful and full of zeal during the process. Give 100% to the Lord's work, His leaders and your assignment.

You may have served someone or somewhere faithfully for the past ten years - but if you drop the ball at the end of the game, by losing steam or floundering in your purpose, that's what people will remember.

My advice...stay the course, run with fervency, keep the faith, make necessary internal corrections, improve your serve, adjust your attitude, honor God in your lifestyle, serve and honor your leaders as a true son and daughter, walk in humility and refuse to get out of God's timing.

Grace and peace to you!

Trying Times Are Not The Time To Quit Trying

At some point in your life, you will feel the effects of depression and want to give up or quit. With emotions high, you’ll say “I’m leaving this job, this church, or this family, and they’re going to miss me! They’ll wish they had treated me better!”

We’ve all said things like this: “Why continue? It seems the more I try, the worse things get. No one is helping me, I feel like I’m just spinning my wheels and nothing’s getting accomplished. With all this stress, I wonder if it’s worth it.”

Friends, I’ve been there. There are times when you need another Word from the Lord to sustain you through this “slump.” You are not the only leader who’s thought about giving up. Consider the following:

Moses – He is handpicked by God and experiences countless miracles as evidence of his calling. And yet he declares in Numbers 11:15 And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.

Joshua – Moses’ protege, who is also handpicked by God to take Israel across the Jordan river into the Promised Land. However, in Joshua 7:7 he says And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!

He felt like quitting! Thankfully, he got over it.

Elijah – One of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament whose anointing was characterized by fire, wasn’t afraid to confront the Idolatry of his day. Yet, in 1 Kings 19:4 he said, But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

Job – What a man of patience and faith! He had a great beginning and a great ending, but his in-between was tumultuous. Even he wished he had not been born, became suicidal and extremely depressed for a period of time. Job 3:3 Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived

Jonah – He desired for God to kill him. He was depressed and had no desire to rejoice with the new converts in Nineveh.

Paul is no different!

In Acts 18 he is continuing his second missionary journey and arrives in Corinth at an all time low in his life. He says in 1 Corinthians 2:3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

Paul was fatigued, lonely and tired. Paul had given himself to the ministry and at times felt unappreciated by the people he was serving. (2 Corinthians 12:15)

At this point on this trip alone, he’s been beaten and jailed at Philippi, persecuted at Thessalonica and Berea, ridiculed in Athens and now he hast to face SIN CITY – Corinth. At a low point, a crossroads in his ministry, he is considering quitting.

BUT GOD! Then God speaks to him and in essences says “trying times are not the time to quit trying!”

Acts 18:11 declares that not only did he NOT quit…he continued another year and a half at Corinth. God told him in verses 9 and 10 “it’s too soon to quit!”

I receive phone calls routinely from friends, associates and spiritual sons who are considering quitting the ministry. I do my best to help them spiritually while being empathetic to their emotional distress. It seems at times that pastors, ministers and leaders are dropping off like flies. Honestly, that’s a tough pill for me to swallow to hear someone say they want to “quit the ministry.”

It’s kind of like the story I heard recently about a guy who attends our church who had invited a co-worker to attend. The co-worker enjoyed the church and attended for several weeks until their unbelieving spouse discouraged them from coming anymore. When asked about their lack of attendance, the co-worker said “church should only last for one hour.” Our member said to them, “How dare God ask you to attend service for more than an hour.” “Who does God think He is to expect so much out of us?”

Friends, who are we to “quit” the ministry when God has given us so much! He’s the reason I’m breathing right now. I have air in my lungs at this moment because of Him. Who am I to say to God “Sorry, I don’t feel called anymore. I would rather do my own thing. I’m taking the reins of my life back. I gave you a try God, but things didn’t go like I thought they would or should, so that’s just how it’s going to be God. Hope You understand?”

Notice how God intervenes in Paul’s circumstance.

1. God sends him the promise of His presence.

Acts 18:10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

• Jesus has promised never to leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)
• He is Emmanuel – God with us.
• Even in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) Jesus promises never to leave us.
• No matter what happens, He is with us.
• When friends come and go, He is with us.
• He is closer than a brother!
• In the valley, He is with us.
• When defeat comes, He is with us.
• When discouragement comes, He is with us.
• When sickness comes, He is with us.
• When financial reverse comes, He is with us.
• When heartaches come, He is with us.
• When family problems come, He is with us.

Did you hear the story about the little boy who came home from school very sad? He told his mom that his best friend Billy, who had been absent for three days, came back to school today and told his friends that his dad had died. He said Billy was so upset that he put his head down on his desk and cried. His mom asked him, “What did you do?” He said, “I didn’t know what to do, so I just laid my head on my desk and cried too.”

Isn’t that just like Jesus? He too is touched by the feelings of our infirmities! He cried at the news of Lazarus’ death. Even though He was going to raise him from the dead, His heart was still broke in the meantime. That’s the great thing about God – He walks through the valley with us.

2. God sends him the promise of His protection

Acts 18:10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

• God didn’t say that He wouldn’t experience adversity, just that he would not be harmed.
• They might have killed the Apostle Paul, but not until he was able to say, “I have finished my course.”
• The claimed to have killed Jesus, but not before He said, “it is finished!”
• God has a purpose for your life!
• That purpose is greater than your career choice!
• If you choose to, you can live it out, fearlessly…though there will be persecution, trials and hardships.
• Until your work is done, God is not finished with you.
• The devil may harm you, but he can’t hurt you!
• There are no accidents with God.
• He and He alone will call you home when the time is right.
• Nothing can happen without the Lord’s permission.

It’s too soon to quit!

• Ahead of us, He’s our guide.


• Behind us, He’s our guard.


• Under us, are His everlasting arms.


• Above us, if we’ll look up, He’s ever present with us in all of His glory!

3. God sends him the promise of His potential

Acts 18:10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

• How could God say that? There were no more than a handful of Christians there.
• Yet God speaks with the voice of potential!
• God saw the people of the city as what they would be…not what they presently were.

In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 what they would become is stated by Paul: 9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

God saw them for what they would become!

God is saying the same thing to you and to our church – “I have much people in this city!”

When you walk down the street or shop at the mall, look at the people you pass and ask “is this who God is speaking about?” “If so, what can I do to bring it to pass?”

Married to a Minister

When married couples enter into ministry, particularly pastoral ministry, there are not only practical lessons that must be learned but also spiritual principles that must be followed. Answering the call of God is a serious matter. Paul reminds us in Romans 11:29 that “the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” Serving in ministry is a great privilege! At times, you’ll doubt that privilege, especially when pressures come and responsibilities mount.

However, even with the pressures, demands, loneliness, stress and endless responsibilities, serving in God’s Kingdom is still the most rewarding calling I know of. Having your heart “fixed” and your mind “made up” will carry you through the difficult times. God never intends to withdraw His gifts or calling once they’re given. He doesn’t change His mind about those He gives His grace or He sends His call.

When you grasp this, then you realize that no matter how discouraged you get, you can’t quit. Regardless of how either spouse feels, once you’ve committed to the call – there is no turning back. This is important to know, especially in marriage. You’ve often heard it said, “behind every successful man, there is a good wife.” That’s true in ministry too. Every successful minister, who’s married, must have a good spouse that is ready to remind them of their calling and be readily available to offer support especially when doubts about ministry surface.

Spouses of ministers have an incredible ministry call! Your role is to “pastor” the pastor. You’ll have to encourage him, build his confidence and learn how to deal with the negative in a positive way, because that’s what matters.

With the increase of ministry demand and ministry growth, new challenges will arise that will cause you to have to encourage yourself in the Lord. When David’s wives were kidnapped at Ziklag, the Bible says he “encouraged himself in the Lord.” (1 Samuel 30:6) In the absence of his wife, he had to do what she would have done for him. The Bible teaches us that “two are better than one.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) If a minister does not have the full support of his spouse than greater are his chances to “fall” out of ministry and miss his destiny.

Support is essential especially when people say things that hurt you. You’ll be criticized, ostracized, envied, hated without cause and even attacked by bold people. Not to mention the mistakes you’ll make on your own. But if you and your spouse are committed to the call – you’ll weather it. The problem comes when you both become discouraged at the same time. This is where I’ve seen ministers and their families fall apart. When both are down, neither of you can lift each other up and that’s when you must cling to the principle of learning how to encourage each other in the Lord.

If your husband is a minister, it your duty and responsibility to be his biggest fan, friend and supporter! More than likely, you may be the one who either keeps him in the ministry or causes him to leave the ministry. Your attitude is so important! There are many men who are not in the ministry today because they had a wife who didn’t encourage them when they needed it and who didn’t remind them of their calling and responsibility to God.

You’ll have to pull out all the stops if you’re going to be married to a minister. Like it or not, you’ll live in a “glass house” and it won’t always be glamorous or fun. But you must learn to make the best of every circumstance. If you wallow in self-pity because you feel lonely, taken advantage of, treated unfairly or even unjustly criticized you’ll cave in to the enemies strategy. You must realize that if you weren’t doing anything credible for God, the enemy wouldn’t be trying to defeat you.

A minister’s wife also has the responsibility of the children. Your first responsibility is to your husband, and your second responsibility is to your children. Your third responsibility is to the ministry God has given you as your husband’s helpmeet in the ministry. Careful planning will help you navigate through your role as a wife, mother, and a co-laborer in the ministry.

If your husband is called – then you are called, because you and your husband are one. If you don’t sense that calling to the ministry, talk to the Lord about it, and He will make it real to you. But you need to have the call established in your heart to carry you through times of pressure.

Both Beverly and I grew up in a pastor’s home. The calling for either of us wasn’t hard to grasp or understand. Beverly has made multiple sacrifices throughout our marriage to ensure our success. Even when she may not have been as comfortable with the transitions we’ve made in ministry, whether it was evangelistic or pastoral, she learned how important it was for her to carry the calling with me. Without her flexibility and willingness to adapt, discouragement would have easily settled in my heart.

Being in the ministry with your husband doesn’t mean you take over his duties. You may not have a “pulpit” ministry to preach, but you will be called to complement one another – not compete with each other. You don’t take over your husband’s responsibilities in the ministry, but you do get involved and help him in the ministry. I have personally witnessed ministries in which the woman did not participate in any of the functions of the ministry and chose to be a “silent partner.” Guess what happened? The couple grew apart.

If the wife doesn’t get involved, there is a part of her that is unfulfilled. Her husband will get all the attention, and she will feel left out. This can not only cause discord but they will end up with nothing to talk about. When the kids are young, a husband and wife can talk about the kids. But eventually a day will come when the children will be gone and she’ll find herself married to a “stranger.”

When a man is in the ministry, that is his whole life. Often that will be all he wants to talk about. And if his wife doesn’t participate in the ministry with him, it leaves room for the devil to come in. For instance, let’s say another woman in the church does assume some type of leadership role. Then the pastor, as the head of that church, has something in common with that woman. Since he has the responsibility of the church, at times he’ll discuss things with her. Do you see how this can give place to the devil in your marriage? Thoughts will enter into the wife’s mind and she’ll begin to imagine the worst, with the help of the devil.

That’s why it’s so important that minister’s wives be the one your husband is conferring to concerning church matters. Then together you can plan projects or implement changes. Regardless of whether or not you feel you’re “qualified to lead” or not, it would behoove you to begin leading.

The devil never goes off duty. I’ve seen him destroy marriages of people who have been in the ministry for over 25 years!

One of the reasons I do not counsel women alone is because the Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 and Ephesians 4:27 to shun the very appearance of evil and to give no place to the devil! If I have to visit a woman in the hospital, Beverly goes with me. She enters the hospital room first and makes sure that the woman we’re visiting is presentable. There are even occasions, that she’ll have to pray without me especially if the lady we’re visiting doesn’t feel presentable and would rather I not see her like that.

In marriage and in ministry, there is a right and a wrong time for a woman to speak. It is important that you choose the right time to speak or voice your opinion. Never embarrass your husband in front of others. This is so important. For instance, don't contradict your husband in public. If you work in the church office, your husband is always right! When other people are present, your husband is always right! When the two of you are alone, you can give him your opinion, but never contradict him in public.

I try to share a little bit about everything with Beverly. I don’t want her to be surprised or caught off guard when she is approached by people who want her counsel and assume she already knows about their situation. This keeps her in the loop and prepared to answer questions that come from “out of the blue.”

In your marriage, strive to build a relationship with your husband. Be his best friend. Marriage is never easy, just as the ministry is never easy. Both of you will have to build both your marriage and your ministry! You need to learn how to communicate with each other. In the ministry, there may be times when your friendship with your husband is the only friendship you have.

Learn to fight for your husband’s ministry. Solomon describes a virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:10-31.

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

• To find a woman who willing to give up all self to serve the Lord first, and then her husband is very rare.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

• What God is saying is that the husband can trust in her decisions and knows that he can depend on her for support.
• It is hard for a man to have such a responsibility for a family.
• A wife’s support is a necessity.
• I believe that " he shall have no need for spoil" means that his wife makes him complete.
• There was no need for outside influence, be it financial needs, sexual needs, emotional needs, or physical needs.
• Besides having God as deity the wife helps to make the man feel complete.
• Believe it or not women but God did not give you your husband so that you can make him who you think he should be.
• God gave you your husband so you could pray for, hold up, strengthen and uplift this man, while God was tearing down, uprooting and creating him into the man of God that he was called to be.
• It is vital that woman are on their knees in prayer doing warfare for their Husbands so that they can be the leader that God has called them to be.

12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

• A wife's responsibility is to be a spiritual support for your husband.
• If you are not seeking God's will for your husband, doing warfare for your husband, than you are doing evil towards your mate.
• A wife’s responsibility is not making the decisions, but it is praying for your husband that he makes the right decisions.
• A wife and Mother's job never ends.
• It is twenty four hours a day seven days a week.
• So be instant in season and out of season.
• Never let the devil steal your victory or your family.
• You are the strength and foundation that God will stand on to lift your Husband and your children up into the Heavenlies to fulfill the call of God in their lives.

Ladies, pray for your husband. Men don’t always talk. They don’t talk about the secret struggles that they are going through. Stand in the gap for your husband! Battle for him…not with him. Lift his hands and keep him encouraged.

Every minister’s wife feels discouraged, confused and isolated at one point or another. Depression is very common. Minister’s wives aren’t perfect, and some do not conform to ridiculous expectations, to be a preacher, piano player or a gourmet chef.

Minister’s wives must know who they are and what their priorities are – not mold themselves into what other people want them to be just to please people. Your number one goal is to please God.

No Turning Back

Elisha was one awesome prophet of God! His name means ‘my God is salvation’ and the whole ministry of Elisha would prove to be an outworked testimony to the meaning of his name. You see, Elisha lived in dark times. Apostasy abounded and Israel’s enemies were circling. Yet through countless situations, Elisha stood as a light… a voice in the wilderness… showing through his life that the God of Israel was well and truly alive!

In fact, Elisha performed more recorded miracles than anyone in the Bible other than Jesus. Let’s look at how it all began. Let’s start at the beginning with the call of Elisha…

Forgetting that which is behind…

1 Kings 19:19-21 19So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. 20And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? 21And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.

The first thing we see about Elisha is that he was a plowman. Here he was, plowing with his oxen to break up the tough rugged ground. He would remain a plowman to the end of his life although God had a whole new ‘ground’ in mind for Elisha. It wouldn’t be the hard natural ground that would concern Elisha after this point… Oh no! God had an even harder ground for Elisha to plow! It would be the hard hearts of the Israelites themselves that Elisha would now be concerned with.

So Elijah comes up and throws his mantle around Elisha. Elisha didn’t have to ask ‘what’s going on?’ He knew exactly what that meant. Mantle’s were typically made of animal hair (not overly popular today!) and were generally worn by kings and prophets. They were symbolic of the owners calling, position, and authority. So Elisha didn’t have to ask Elijah what was going on. He knew. This was a passing of Elijah’s calling and position onto Elisha.

God’s sovereign choice

From the passage we see that God choice Elisha. Elisha was simply going about his normal daily business of plowing the fields, when God came through his prophet Elijah and sought him out. In like manner, we read in the New Testament that ‘the son of man came to seek and to save that which is lost’. And, as Jesus said, ‘You did not choose me, but I have chosen you.’

Can I explain God’s sovereign choice and man’s free will completely?
No. Do I understand it completely?
No. But have I experienced it?
Yes. No doubt about it.

When we arrive it Heaven God can explain it all to us … until then, Christians should thank God that He has called and chosen them while still believing and agreeing with the call that ‘whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.’

Counting the Cost

We see also the seriousness of Elisha’s response. How seriously did Elisha take this call from Elijah? Well, this is answered above where we read the Elisha slaughtered his oxen as a sacrifice and burnt the plowing equipment to cook the meat! No going back for this guy!

In doing this we see a great example of someone leaving behind the old life when the call of God comes. He knew this was a new beginning for him and there is no compromise with his past life. Jesus said it well (as normal) “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62).

There is no looking back here!
How about you?
Have you been looking back or are you pressing on to the higher calling of our Lord?

Ministering unto the Lord

The last thing that we read in the passage above says ‘Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.’ How true of us this is. Not with Elijah of course, but with our master, the Lord Jesus. We arise, count the cost, leave the past behind, and follow Him! And what’s more, we are called to minister to Him as well.

Pressing on to the higher calling

2 King 2:1-6 1And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel. 3And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. 4And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. 5And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. 6And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.

The next passage I will draw your attention to is 2 King 2:1-6. We saw earlier that Elisha had forsaken all to follow Elijah and minister to him. He was willing to submit himself to the will of Elijah and follow him wherever he went. Now, there are three things that stand out in this passage before us.

1. At each stage Elijah tells Elisha to stop and not to go any further with him.
2. At each stage, Elisha’s determination to press on and not leave Elijah is seen.
3. Each of the four places mentioned are highly significant and symbolic locations in Israel’s history.

Three times in the passage above Elijah tells Elisha to stop and stay where he is! Kind of strange wouldn’t you say? It’s almost like Elijah is testing Elisha as to how far he is willing to go. Actually, there is no ‘almost’ about it! That is exactly what he is doing. And I believe that it applies to us as well.

How far do you want to go with the Lord?
Have you been tested whether you will press on to the higher calling of our Lord?..
Because you will be tested.
Even when the Lord was on earth He tested people to see if they truly desired to be with Him.

Luke 24:13-33 13And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

The road to Emmaus - Testing your desire

Jesus ‘acted like He was going further.’ In the language of modern relationships, he was ‘playing hard to get.’ He had wet their appetite by showing them himself in the law and the prophets, but now He was testing their desire for Him. And sometimes He will do this with you.

Like Elijah testing Elisha, the Lord also longs to see whether we will press on further, following hard after Him, with the desire to know Him better. Had these disciples not truly had a desire for more time in the presence of this man on the road to Emmaus they would have missed out on Christ revealing himself to them further at their home. Don’t miss out!

I really like the words quoted above from 2 Kings 2:6 where Elisha said‘ “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.”

"So the two of them walked on."

There was nothing that was going to stop Elisha from following Elijah no matter where that led him!
And so the two walked on! I hope you are going ‘on’. I also hope that attitude to ‘go on’ is found within me! Whether it is serving the Lord in small or great things, it really doesn’t matter. Whether the Lord seems close or far away, all that matters is that the Lord has His rightful place in your life and that you are ‘pressing on to the higher calling of our Lord’. From Gilgal, to Bethel, to Jericho and to the Jordan…

How far did Elisha want to go? Just as far as Elijah wanted to take him! May we be the same!

I Need a Change

I cannot change what is wrong on the outside of me until I first change what is wrong on the inside of me.

Most of us would like to change something about ourselves. Perhaps a different body shape, nose, eye color, hair color or even our name. We generally start with the external first. However, that is not always the place to begin. If real change is to take place then I must first begin with my heart. Change must be from the inside outward.

How many times have you confronted your spouse with a problem they have that is destroying your relationship and they plead for another chance and promised they will change? But they never change. It is on the outside that they try to change but do nothing on the inside.

As a Pastor, I see people all the time desiring to change their church attendance. They come for several weeks in a row and then they drop off. What happened? They attempted to change the external without first changing their heart. The change does not last.

Real change on the inside happens when God changes me.

God has His part and I have mine. He is the one who gives me a new heart and spirit. When God changes my heart, I become more sensitive as to how He expects me to live.

Last week, I visited the dentist to have a new "on lay" put over some old fillings I received when I was a child. After the visit, for several days, my teeth were sensitive to cold beverages. Something had been done to my tooth and as a result I was much more sensitive.

Whenever I allow God to work on my heart, I become much more sensitive as to how God wants me to live my life. I become more aware of God as I live each day. When I become dull as to how I am to live my life, it is evident that I have not allowed God to work on my heart in a while.

When real change takes place in my heart, God shifts my attention from simply dealing with my problems to building real relationship with Him.

Focusing all of our energy on our relationship with God helps put everything else in it's proper place. If you have a marriage problem, try building a relationship with your Heavenly Father. Then, all the mess in your life will seem to fall in line.

Also, when God changes my heart, I am aware that there are other people with problems equal to or greater than mine. Now, that my heart has been fixed, I can help others rather than just focus on my problems. When I try to help other people with their problems then my problem looks a whole lot smaller.

Sometimes our problems get big because all we do is focus on our problems. God shifts our attention to the needs of others by giving us a heart of flesh.

My success to dealing with my problem lies in God's hands not mine.

If you are reading this today and know you need to change but are not willing to allow God to change you...then know that lasting change will not come. But, if you'll acknowledge God you'll be successful.

Change in my life is more dependent upon God than it is upon me. We all have things we would like to change about ourselves. Any real change has to occur on the inside and that is where God gets involved. When God gets involved, you will easily recognize the signs that your heart has been changed.

Is It Worth It Anymore?

Today, my heart reflects on the goodness of our Lord and all He has done. Even the heat of the sun today is a reminder of God’s beautiful creation and the fact that His mercy endureth forever! (Psalms 136:8)

I’m still feasting on the five decisions that were made for Christ on Sunday! This is what it’s all about for me! SOULS, SOULS, SOULS. Discipleship!!!!! My souls yearns for new believers!

Sometimes, we can become so occupied with “ministry work” we simply forget to BREATHE in the goodness of the Lord.

• He’s the one who placed us in ministry.
• He’s the one that called us.
• He’s the one that enabled us to get out of bed this morning.
• He’s the one we must never lose our LOVE for.

• What is it that motivates me to serve Him with unbridled passion?
• What is it that keeps me going when faced with the fickleness of human emotions?
• What jump starts my dead batteries in the morning?
• What carries me through difficult situations?

FAITH

Simply put, my faith in the unchanging hand of God.
• He has never lost a battle.
• He has never given in to fear.
• He has never compromised His commandments.
• He has never retreated.
• He has never made a promise He didn’t keep.
• He has never allowed calamity and trials steal His victory.
• He has never told a lie.
• He has never thought about quitting.
• He has never regretted dying for my sins.
• He has never stopped loving me.
• He has never talked about me behind my back.
• He has never stopped believing in me.
• He has never ignored me.
• He has never not shown me mercy and kindness.
• He has never needed a jumpstart.
• He has never sold the truth for a lie.
• He has never talked out of both sides of His mouth.
• He has never been intimidated by a mountain.
• He has never lost sleep over bills.
• He has never not answered.
• He has never quit me.
• He has never grown weary of me.
• He has never hated me.
• He has never been impartial.
• He has never held my past against me.
• He has never held a grudge.
• He WILL NEVER stop loving me!

I can’t express in words at this moment the depth of my love for Him.
• Without Him I would have already given up.
• Without Him my past would have dictated my future.
• Without Him the old man wouldn’t have let go.
• Without Him my song would only be sad.
• Without Him my future wouldn’t be secure.
• Without Him my heart would be aching.
• Without Him my stomach would be in knots.
• Without Him my nerves would be shattered.
• Without Him my feelings would stay hurt.
• Without Him I would be a train wreck emotionally.
• Without Him I wouldn’t have the courage to face tomorrow.
• Without Him my pain would be too overwhelming.
• Without Him I’d be most miserable.
• Without Him there’d never be a sunrise or a sunset.
• Without Him my family would be dysfunctional.
• Without Him my earthly plans would derail my future.
• Without Him my imaginations would deceive me.
• Without Him I’d given up a long time ago.
• Without Him my marriage would fail.
• Without Him my child would have no Godly heritage.
• Without Him I wouldn’t want to live in this cruel world.
• Without Him I would have retaliated when my enemies reproached me.
• Without Him I’d be somewhere out of mind right now.
• Without Him I’d been locked up somewhere.
• Without Him I would have repeated patterns of dysfunction that the world declares is normal living.

Oh, but with Him I’ve seen the joys of souls saved.
• With Him I’ve gained courage to keep walking.
• With Him I’ve been held back from sins destruction.
• With Him I’ve seen my family come to Christ.
• With Him I’ve traded my sorrows for His treasures.
• With Him I’ve won the victory.
• With Him I’ve gained freedom from the haunting of my past.
• With Him I can press through.
• With Him I can climb over.
• With Him I can war a good warfare.
• With Him I can command the devil to flee and he must!
• With Him I can enjoy the blessings afforded by grace.
• With Him I can declare words of promise over my generational seed line.
• With Him I can behold new beginnings.
• With Him I can weather the storm.
• With Him I can stop the lions mouth.
• With Him I can run faster and farther.
• With Him I can preach with boldness.
• With Him I can deal with life’s everyday issues.
• With Him I can sleep at night.
• With Him I can rest my spirit and body.
• With Him I can say goodbye to stressful living.
• With Him I will not be defeated.
• With Him I will overcome.
• With Him I cannot lose.
• With Him I’ll keep singing.
• With Him I’ll keep preaching.
• With Him I’ll keep pastoring.
• With Him I’ll keep administrating.
• With Him I’ll keep dreaming.
• With Him I’ll keep feeding.
• With Him I’ll keep leading.
• With Him I’ll keep visionating.
• With Him I’ll take risks.
• With Him I’ll walk on land and water.
• With Him I’ll shut out the voice of naysayers and complainers.
• With Him I’ll keep on doing what I’m called to do.

• Don’t give up.
• Don’t quit now.
• Don’t lay down the fight.
• Don’t surrender to doubt.
• Don’t forget your armor.
• Don’t retreat.
• Don’t shut down.
• Don’t sit idle.
• Don’t burn out.
• Don’t fall out.
• Don’t doubt Him.
• Don’t remain reluctant.
• Don’t forget your dream.
• Don’t forget your calling.
• Don’t forget your YES with God.

I just received word while writing this post that our Youth Pastor led two people to Jesus on the street in front of the church!!!!! They were walking by…he was intentional…AND JUST LIKE THAT…Salvation!!!! Isn’t that what’s it’s all about?????

Is it worth it? I think so.

Leadership Thoughts

CHARACTER is what you are in private. CHARISMA is what you are in public. The further the two are apart, the greater the deception.

A rebellious leader lacks the character required to carry the full measure of God's power.

Choose OBEDIENCE and you'll receive lasting peace. Choose DISOBEDIENCE and not only will you lose your right to lead but you'll short change God's master plan.

REDISCOVER your purpose by RELINQUISHING your will to His.

ABANDON your pride and ADOPT humility.

A SUBMISSIVE heart is a SURRENDERED head.

YIELD to the vision of the house and watch YOUR personal vision unfold.

CARRY the mantle of another leader and you'll COLLIDE with double portion anointing.

Is This a Fatherless Generation?

I didn't realize it then, but now I know that early in my ministry, as I served in youth ministry, I was connecting with future generations as a spiritual father. It wasn't until 2005 that I realized God was sharpening this "life call" in me that would propel me forth with a burning passion to make a generational impact.

Honestly, at times, being a spiritual father is taxing to my emotions. In 2005, God spoke to me about mentoring men. I'll never forget the first week I began to mentor 24 men. My heart was leaping within me and my spirit was electrified as I stepped out of the boat to take a step of faith. All I know is that I sensed a great responsibility upon me to impart my life into a group of men who would in turn impart theirs to others.

I was raised in a home with a father. My dad not only provided for us, he imparted Godly principles by his example. Honestly, I can't imagine not having a father in the home. Today, as I consider this generation's fatherless dilemma, my heart breaks. It's as if I can feel God's heart breaking for them as well.

Deciding to function in the role of fatherhood was definitely an easy one due to the passion I felt God bestowed in me. However, I learned quickly that being a spiritual father is so much more than just being a "manager" or a "boss." I guess, if I'd had my way, I'd rather manage. At least I can navigate through that with out much risk. In fact, it's probably safer. However, God didn't call me to just manage...He called me to leave my place of comfort and stretch forward to fathering.

In my travels, it seems everyone is looking for a spiritual father. The Word of God declares that we have many instructors, but not many fathers. (1 Corinthians 4:15) The difference between an instructor and a father is that instructors teach while fathers train. Teaching only prepares me to pass the test at the end of the course. Training is much more. Training involves a personal commitment to develop through experience over and over again until it's "caught."

There are so many people in the body of Christ thirsting for a spiritual father! This generation is looking for someone to not only "teach" them but to also "wake" the potential in them. We need someone to give us a big push towards our destiny. When a spiritual father takes this role to heart they make a promise to their spiritual sons:

1. You can trust me.
2. I'll believe the best about you.
3. I'll be there for you.
4. I'll share my life with you.
5. I'll tell you the truth.

These promises will take a lifetime to achieve. A teacher only imparts for a season of your life. A spiritual father is committed for the long-term.

Unfortunately, not everyone follows through on their promises, you cannot always determine who your spiritual father is until you look back over your shoulder through the process of time and confirm them by those who have fulfilled their promise to you.

You can want to be someones spiritual father but will never be until they claim you as such. If that happens, then and only then do you have access to speak into their life fully. If you accept the role of fatherhood and then fail to follow through on your promises you plunge the "son" into further orphanage. This causes deep pain within your sons' heart and feelings of abandonment begin to surface.

I guess you could say "it's better to under-promise and over-deliver." Young people have been lied to so regularly that they have grown suspicious of anyone that attempts to get close. Only voice the promises you know you can deliver on. I guess we should start with "I'll believe the best in you" and "I'll tell you the truth." Perhaps then, over time, trust will come and we'll be on our way to fathering a fatherless generation.

The Lost Art of Loyalty

When you consider the word loyalty the thought of allegiance comes to mind. The idea is that you wholly commit yourself to an idea, a cause, an industry even a person.

Loyalty is expressed every day in the choices we make as consumers, from grocery stores, restaurants, hotel chains, airlines, theaters, gas stations and more. Our consistent patronage to these businesses establishes a pattern of loyalty. In recent years, many places of business have developed “rewards” for consumers who express routine patronage. These rewards can include discounts, merchandise, free lodging, gasoline, and even cash.

Another way we can express loyalty is through our speech. If you are committed to a cause, an organization, a church or even a person, your communication will express it. Many businesses rely on word of mouth advertising. If you’ve ever bought a home or car, the agent or sales person will give you a handful of business cards. The hope is that you will give these to your friends and family and tell them how pleasant your experience was.

Loyalty at its best will inspire others to make a commitment.

Of course, the flip side of loyalty is disloyalty. What does it mean to be disloyal? Disloyalty carries the idea of unfaithfulness, traitorousness, treachery and even infidelity.

The Scriptures reveal the heart of disloyalty in David’s son, Absalom. He was a man full of offense, hatred, unforgiveness and bitterness. He appeared to be loyal to the king but his words were full of discredit and even revenge.

2 Samuel 15:2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

2 Samuel 15:5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.

David loved Absalom. Perhaps this is why he was reluctant to deal with his son’s antics and rebellion. Dealing with the spirit of disloyalty is emotionally draining especially when you “hold out hope” that a person will hearken to the voice of the Holy Spirit and make the necessary corrections that will ultimately aid their spiritual maturity and ministry longevity.

This spirit is difficult to deal with, often because people become attached to one another emotionally and are blind to the indicators of character flaws.

A disloyal spirit will often display the following characteristics:

1. They seek an audience.
2. They use love and kindness to steal the hearts of followers.
3. Say things like this, “You are special to me and my friend.” “I love you more than the pastor; I will spend quality time with you – he doesn’t.”
4. They use special treatment to gain followers: gifts, favors, fellowship, food, etc. Everyone likes to be treated special.
5. Nothing the pastor/leadership does is good enough for Absalom. They look for fault.
6. They plant doubt concerning leadership. They make references to minor things to create major issues.
7. They have a hidden agenda. Their motives aren’t known until they manifest and it’s too late. Absalom is sneaky and does things behind your back.
8. Absalom tells you what you want to hear. (A pastor’s job is to speak the truth in love; sometimes that truth hurts and requires change, but is always for our good.)
9. Eventually they become brazen and open about their disloyalty.

Absalom’s downfall ended like that of Jezebel, Korah and Judas. They fell through pride and their lives ended prematurely and tragically. It is dangerous ground to sow strife and cause division in the body of Christ.

Proverbs 6:16-19 16These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

One of the main causes of division in the church is disloyalty to the present leadership. Disloyalty doesn’t manifest overnight. It is an attitude that develops through various stages. If we can recognize the stages of disloyalty then we’ll be able to correct it before it takes hold.

1. An absence of humility and willingness to submit to leadership.

Luke 17:7-10 7But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? 9Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. 10So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

2. Desire for recognition.

Desiring the praise of men can cause you to do things with the wrong motivation. When we begin promoting ourselves in order that we might receive personal recognition, our desire is no long God please but rather self pleasing.

Galatians 1:10 10For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

3. Spiritual pride

When we think too highly of ourselves and our own ministry, we begin to think that our suggestions are the best. If this continues, we will give ourselves over to spiritual pride. As a result we try to impress others with our ideas and comments. This type of behavior cuts us off from others (especially those who have oversight over us) and makes us unwilling to receive suggestions, input and even correction.

Often when we’re developing in our leadership, we can’t see through the eyes of experience. This is why we must allow those who are more mature in the Lord to speak into our lives. With the right information, we too will be able to understand how a particular decision by leadership fits within the totality of the overall vision of the church.

Proverbs 26:12 12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Proverbs 12:15 15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
Proverbs 19:20 20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

4. Cannot be taught or corrected.

When the leadership rejects the ideas of the individual, he takes it as a personal affront. His spiritual pride has been injured. He feels that his whole ministry has been rejected and misunderstood. He begins to speak lies in his heart in regard to himself and others, particularly those in authority.

Proverbs 13:10 10Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
Proverbs 12:1 1Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

5. Critical spirit.

In himself he must now justify his own independent spirit. The leadership has rejected his ideas on this occasion, so he feels there must be something wrong with his judgment and discernment of the leadership. His spiritual pride is at stake. He begins to use his own ideas as a criterion for the judgment of all the decisions of the overseers. As a result, he develops a critical spirit toward leadership.

Proverbs 12:20 20Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 12And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

6. Competitive spirit.

Because of the log in his own eye, this person can no longer exercise right judgment. He begins to develop a competitive spirit in regard to his leaders, and at times must distort facts to feed his ego. By distorting the views of the leadership and contrasting them with his own, he is able to gain a measure of recognition from others around him.

Proverbs 18:10 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

7. Party spirit.

Because of his fear of failure by lack of recognition from the spiritual oversight, he begins to gather to himself others who are discontent and dissatisfied with the decisions of the leadership. In this way he gathers disciples unto himself who will help him feed his ego and his thirst for recognition. Soon he begins to stir up discontent that becomes a challenge to spiritual leadership.

Proverbs 10:17 17He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
James 3:13-16 13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

8. Divisive spirit.

He now begins to feed this group with the things that he has fed himself upon for so long. He accuses those over him of insensitivity to true spiritual authority (namely himself). He gossips against the leadership in progressive degrees of severity. He begins by speaking against those faults and frailties in the leadership that are obvious to all, and not necessarily related to spiritual qualifications. He then moves to more obscure areas. Those around him believe him because he was right about the other things.

Proverbs 29:22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
Proverbs 24:28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
Proverbs 26:21-28 21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. 24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; 25When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation. 27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. 28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

9. Marked by leadership.

He is encouraged by the support he receives on the areas of those minor problems he has emphasized. He feels he is gaining true spiritual authority. At this point it is finally noticed by the leadership, because certain things are beginning to come into public view. It is likely that the leadership will reject him as a disloyal follower. The people who have been following him are forced to choose sides in the conflict.

Proverbs 28:2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

10. Majoring in the Minors.

In justifying his position, he finds it necessary to lay extreme emphasis on those minor grievances which all agree are true. People are hence encouraged to make a decision on minor issues, not really understanding the heart of the problem.

Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Proverbs 20:5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

11. Splintering.

We now have a splinter group that begins to go its own way. It begins to break off from local leadership in disloyalty and rebellion.

Proverbs 21:28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Proverbs 5:11-14 11And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, 12And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; 13And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! 14I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.

We have seen how disloyalty develops and ultimately manifests itself in separation and ruin. Disloyalty is not always easy to see externally, and that is how many times it goes unchecked in the early stages. If disloyalty is not recognized and dealt with, it will ultimately bring division to the work of God.

It is important that we as individuals use these tests on ourselves. We should allow the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts in the pure light of God's Word. If we catch ourselves in the early stages, we must confess, repent and reconcile. We should also seek accountability for our heart problems with those God has placed in authority over us. As we work and live together with the people of God, let us endeavor "to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:3)

Monday Momentum 5-2-10

Monday Momentum 5-2-10