Behind the Scenes

We are so blessed to have willing and faithful volunteers at BFWC.  They clean our church building, change light bulbs, refill paper products, take out the trash, disinfect equipment, shovel walkways, vacuum carpets, scrub toilets, mow the yard, etc.

For years, we've been extremely blessed to have these types of people in our congregation.  One of those people was Rev. Robert Penny Sr.  Bishop Penny was an elder at our church and our visitation Pastor.  He would show up at the church unannounced and do whatever project needed done.

Why was this prominent leader cleaning and working on projects?  Bishop Penny understood this role as fulfilling Paul's calling in Philippians 2:5-7 "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant."

The behind-the-scenes care of church facilities and operations isn't glamorous.  At its heart, it means being a servant. 

Teachers, custodians,  landscapers and service teams rarely receive an ovation.  Their work, however, is no less important and no less a ministry than any other ministry in the church.

Rushing in to church this Sunday will be a single mother who hasn't had a moment to herself all week.  She'll pass through a clean hallway that isn't cluttered with toys, shoes or coloring books thanks to a cleaning crew who volunteered their time to tidy up his week.  Just before she enters the Worship Center she'll realize her babies diaper needs changed.  She'll rush to the restroom where she'll find a changing table fully stocked with the wipes she had forgotten to bring from home.  Finally, she thinks to herself, we've found a church that cares.

Earlier, a deacon has lead a crew of volunteers at 7:00 am, shoveling snow from the sidewalks around the church and sprinkling salt so that the elderly don't slip and fall.

Sometime before Sunday, the media ministry is preparing bulletins for the video screen that will provide information for the congregation.

Picking out light bulbs, mixing mopping solution, or sprinkling salt is about as glamorous as washing feet.  But that's the point isn't it?

Taking care of our church's facilities and operations is noble work.  Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12:22-23 "those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor."  Or as Matthew 23:11-12 says, "the greatest among you will be your servant.  For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Are you called to facilities and operations?  If so, don't let anyone demean the value of this ministry.  It may not seem to produce the spiritual fruit that other ministries so readily do, but give this ministry its due.  Through cleaning, mowing, fixing, budgeting and hundreds of other facilities and operations tasks, doors will open in the hearts of frazzled mothers, wayward sons and people through the church will consider the needs of others and learn to meet those needs.

Thinking and acting on the needs of others defines the spirit of servanthood.

Tithing...a Way of Life (Part 2)

Tithing is one the most important principles taught in the Bible. God has commanded each one of us to tithe, just as He has commanded us not to: kill, steal, bear false witness against our neighbor, and to keep the Sabbath holy. Just as there are no degrees of sin, (meaning sin is sin and a lie is the same as murder), tithing is no less important than the Ten Commandments.

We live in a “me first” society where greed is good and everyone looks out only for himself. We have forgotten that God commands us to put Him first, including in our finances.

Tithing is not a "get rich scheme" or even a "get out of debt" formula.  However, I would be willing to say that the number one reason God's people aren't debt free today is because they are robbing God of the small portion that He asks.

Everything on earth and in heaven already belong to God and all that He requires from us is a mere 10%.  The manifestation of God's blessings cannot come to your house if you are robbing God.

Have you ever heard of the 80/20 rule?  That's where 20% of the people of the people in any given congregation pulls 80% of the load.  In other words, even though tithing is taught by every major denomination and  most every independent church in America, most Christians, by far, do not tithe or give offerings.

Tithe simply means "a tenth."  The word tithe equals ten.   Some people say they give 20% tithes or 8% tithes.  However, that is impossible because a tithe, by definition, equals TEN.  Anything more than 10% is not a tithe, it is an offering.  Anything less than 10% is not a tithe, it's disobedience.

The Bible also uses terms such as First Fruit.  This refers to the tithe as a first fruit, a first thing, a firstling and a first law.  This is what God expects from each of us.  He wants your tithe to be the first fruit of your increase, not the second, third, fourth or fifth of your increase.  Tithing requires FAITH.

Question:  "Should I tithe on the gross income or the net income?"
Answer:  Gross amount.

There are two reasons for this.  One, the gross amount is your increase.  Two, what kind of blessing do you want?  Do you want God to withhold a part of your blessing just as you withheld a part of His tithe?  The answer to that question is NO.

Everybody would say that they want the complete and full blessings of God - the best that He has.  So why do God's people withhold their best from God?  It is not God's problem that the government does not trust you and takes out its part before you receive it.  We are to tithe on the gross.

Question:  "What if someone else gives me money or I find money on the ground?"
Answer: You tithe on that amount because that is added to your INCREASE.

Anything that God gives
increase on, you tithe on.

Leviticus 27:30-31 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's:  It is holy unto the LORD.  And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.

Verse 30 says everything belongs to the Lord.  Surely we can see the fairness in this verse.  Since God has created everything that exists and everything belongs to Him, it seems very generous that He allows us to keep 90% and only requires us the first 10% (the first 10% of everything).

Some people would say, "I believe it's all mine.  I worked hard for my money and I don't believe I have to give any of it to God."  Friend, if the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, then, unless He gives it to us, what really belongs to us?

If God wanted to, He could charge a price for the air you breathe, the house that you live in or the sunlight that keeps you warm.  Would you like to be billed monthly or annually?  What do you think would be a fair price for air or life?

Another part of this verse is quite unique.  It says not only is the tithe UNTO the Lord, but that "it is HOLY..." 

Holy means separated unto God.  Holiness is more than just the perceived "no make-up and long dresses..." rules of men.   Holiness has to do with our CONDUCT and BEHAVIOR.  There will be plenty of people with no make-up and long dresses in Hell.  The bottom line is this:  holiness is being in total agreement with God, having one MIND with God, and submitting to the WILL of God.

More to come on HOLINESS in respect to tithing.

God is a Covenant Keeping God

We see through the gift of salvation that God is not a LEGALIST.  How do we know this?  The Bible says in Genesis that everything must reproduce after its own kind, but when God sent His Son to redeem us, He rewrote the rules and sent His Son through a virgin.

This means that He did not come through the seed of a man but He was conceived of the Holy Spirit.

God is a not a LEGALIST.  Satan, the adversary, is very much a legalist.  When Lucifer fell from Heaven his name changed to Satan.  Names represent personality.  The names of Satan and Devil both mean ACCUSER OF THE BRETHREN.  One means false accuser and the other means true accuser.

When Adam and Even sinned in the garden, they bestowed on Satan the legal authority to this world.  It did not come from God, but from man.  Before the battle in the garden took place, God had given Adam dominion over the world.  The Bible says Eve was beguiled by the serpent, but Adam was not deceived.

When Adam took of the fruit he transferred OWNERSHIP of the world to Satan.  As long as Adam was under God's authority, he had dominion over the world to multiply and subdue.  When Adam broke the covenant, he released his authority of the world to the enemy.  Now, Satan is the prince of this world.

From that time until today, Satan has been constructing an order of things that are diametrically opposed to the will of God.

Satan then attempted to do the same thing to the last Adam (Jesus) as he did to the first Adam.  In Luke 4 Jesus is led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.  Satan is tempting Jesus to "sell out" just as he did with Adam because if he can get Jesus to fall to him like Adam did, then man will have no hope to be redeemed.

Jesus, who is sinless, being both God and man, is the only one that can make covenant with God.  Since Jesus is our elder brother and was totally man, He brings us into covenant with God.  Satan knew he had to get Jesus to sell out.  He was hoping Jesus did not realize the power of His ministry and the anointing that God had given Him.

Satan takes Jesus to a high mountain peak and shows Him all the kingdoms of this world.  And yet, Jesus already has full possession of the earth and the fullness thereof. (Psalms 24:1)

The earth belongs to God.  Not only the earth, but also everything upon the earth.  David makes a distinction between the earth and the world.  Why?  Because the world is always changeable.  The world is nothing but decor or a prop.

The real wealth of this planet is not in the world.  All of the real wealth is in the earth.  That is why when God talks about what He possesses, He never uses words like "I possess all the money in the earth" but He talks about possessing the earth itself.

All of the real wealth is in the earth.

Tithing...a Way of Life

Your obedience in tithing is the thing that ensures you to receive the blessings of Malachi 3:8-12.  If you are robbing God of your tithes, you nee to understand that these promises cannot come to you.  No matter how much prayer, fasting or believing you do, you cannot receive these blessings because the Bible shows us that only our OBEDIENCE ensures the blessings are operating in our life.

Many people are not obtaining what God wants for them due to sheer disobedience.

The Hebrew word "maasrah" means "the tenth."  This alone shows us that God has determined what our tithe is.  It is a tenth of our increase.  Tithing is not giving what we want to God and calling it "our tithe."  It is already predetermined and preset at 1/10th of your increase.  Increase is your GROSS pay not your NET.

I've been asked many times..."do I tithe on my gross or my net?"  The answer is simple, do you want a GROSS BLESSING or a NET BLESSING?

Anything required by God is required by FAITH.  We are told in Proverbs 3:9-10 to "Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: so that thy barns be filled with plenty and they presses shall burst out with new wine."

Look at the words "honor the Lord" in verse 9.  The literal meaning here is "to mark out a place for God."  It has the connotation of digging a hole to be filled.  How do we honor the Lord?  By digging a hole for God with our substance or the first fruits of our increase.  Then we are giving God a place to pour into our life.

If there has been increase to you, you must tithe from that increase.  Make sure you have dug a hole so God can say, "because of that hole and because you have honored me, I will fill it for you!"

Why do this?  So that your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats may burst out with new wine.

That which is not of faith, is sin.

The problem with many Christians is that they do not understand that whatever God requires of you is required by FAITH.   According to Romans 14:23, anything that is not of faith is sin.  Tithing is done by faith. 

Anyone who adds up their bills FIRST to see if they will have 10% left and then pay tithes, even though it is 10%, is not tithing.  Tithing is a FIRST FRUIT; it must be done before anything else by FAITH.  It must be FIRST to be accepted by God.

God is a covenant God and a covenant keeping God.  he is the one who says, "IF and THEN."  He does what He promises He will do based upon our meeting His conditions.  "if you do this, then I will do that."  If you obey Him, He will keep the terms of the agreement or covenant.  If you disobey Him, then you cannot expect Him to honor the terms of the agreement because you are a covenant breaker.

Some Christians wonder what God being a covenant God has to do with their financial situation.  Once you are born again, you have a new RELATIONSHIP with God.  This relationship is much different than the one you had before.  With this new relationship, God has already DETERMINED TO BLESS YOU.  He paid a price for your soul and since you accepted His gift of salvation, you are now qualified to receive all the other blessings He has in store for you!

More to come on this subject...

How Do I Help My Leader? (Part 2)

I must keep my leader alert at all times.

• The word discernment means to be able to pick up on something, to have insight, good judgment and wisdom about things. 
• In essence...spiritual sharpness.  Staying alert will help me keep my leader informed of any potential dangers, problems or pitfalls.

I must carry and handle my leaders affairs resourcefully.

• This will require wisdom and being detailed oriented. It is my goal to carry out every plan with success and perfection.  Nothing will thrill my heart more than to assist my leader in all their activities and undertakings.

I must move quickly alongside my leader and keep the pace.

• The battle requires endurance.  I must remain spiritually fit so that I do not lag behind in the heat of the battle.  My leader must be able to count on me when it really counts.  My level of endurance should keep me in the race from start to finish.

I must protect and watch out for my leader continually.

• Like Hercules, I must be a mighty warrior on behalf of my leader.  My motto will be "if you want to get to my leader, you'll first have to get through me!"
• I will not let the enemies of gossip, slander or disloyalty advance to cause my leader harm.  I will fight for my leader and route out enemies swiftly and forcefully.
• As a good soldier, I will keep one eye on my leader and one eye on the enemy - anticipating the actions of both.

I must rescue my leader from difficulties and hardships.

• I will continually look for solutions and become the best problem solver I can be.

I must remain on duty at all times.

• Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday.  As a loyal son, I will serve my leader in matters both small and great. 
• As a son, I will help my leader remain organized in their activities while preparing and caring for their belongings and supplies.

I must submit to my leader, trusting and obeying without hesitation.

• Submission isn't always easy but it is absolutely necessary as a son.  Of course, submission is done out of love not demand.  If I trust my leader, it will not be a hardship to submit to their leadership.

I must anticipate my leader's needs and demands.

• Furnishing and supplying what is needed will remain on the forefront of my heart.  As I think ahead I will plug up any possible holes and bridge any potential gaps.
• This will require an eye for detail and the ability to recognize vital information that my leader should be made aware of.

I must bring an acceleration in growth and promotion to my leader's progress.

• My concern is not to promote my own ministry or dreams but rather to enhance my leader's position, guarding against any personal jealousy, envy or selfishness.
• My goal isn't to promote myself but rather the welfare of my leader.
• It is my desire to see my leader "get ahead" by sharing his dreams, goals and visions.

I must get along with my leader and make them feel comfortable in leading me.

• Even if my leader makes decisions that I don't understand, I will follow with absolute loyalty and keep my heart pure.  The last thing I want to do is cause my leader to be stressed out or drained by my behavior, lack of zeal or slothfulness.
• I will sacrifice my own well being for the betterment of my leader.

I must demonstrate longsuffering towards my leader.

• I will forgive my leader for any offense immediately and without harboring resentment or anger.  I refuse to hold a grudge against my leader for any reason.
• I will demonstrate extreme loyalty to my leader, even unto death.
• I will complete and compliment my leader and esteem their leadership highly.

It is the Heart of a Son to Serve

Anyone who desires to fulfill his or her God-given call is encouraged to help serve a leader.  You will never arrive at a place where you do not have to submit to anyone.  It is the heart of a son to serve.

Questions to consider:

1. Who are you serving now?
2. Has it been easy serving?
3. Are you lifting the hands of your leader?
4. Are you keeping the way clear for your leader?
5. When can assisting a leader be difficult?
6. Can you lift up another, even when you feel you've been treated unfairly?

Like everyone, I too have had to deal with the temptation of getting into strife and a stubborn refusal to submit in some areas of life.  However, the Lord has given me grace and I learn to call upon Him and trust Him completely for my steps.

When you determine to take on the sonship spirit you will be set free from rebellion, strife and contention. 

Think back to the times of ministry when rebellion knocked at the door of your heart.  Look back at times when strife and contention were a part of relationships around you in the ministry. 

Take time to ask the Lord to heal you from any wounds that may have been caused at these times.  Ask the Lord to forgive you for any sins you have committed in reaction to others.  Release those leaders from any anger or bitterness your heart harbors towards them.  Ask the Lord to give you a sonship spirit.

How Do I Help My Leader? (Part 1)

I must provide strength.

• My presence will display and produce an attitude of faith and peace.
• If I'm successful, my leader will sense joy and victory by being around me.
• It is a relief to my leader when I add instead of subtract from them physically and emotionally.
• I will remain strong and active so that my leader will not be stressed in their mind and body worrying about my needs.

I must respect, accept and understand my leader.

• I will not argue or challenge my leader's decisions but rather work with them in achieving their objective.

I must understand my leader's thoughts.

• I will become like minded and receive my leader's spirit early rather than later.

I must walk in agreement and submission to my leader.

• I will hold to Romans 13:1-2 and settle my heart that all authority is ordained of God.
• I will make up my mind to submit to my leader in the same way that I would submit to Jesus.
• I realize that anything less than full submission is rebellion.
• I understand that God will never establish me as an authority until I have first learned to submit to authority.

I must make the advancement of my leader my most important goal.

• I will do what Jesus did.
• I will sacrifice my own desires in order to fulfill the Father's will.
• I believe if I do this, God will exalt me, no matter what circumstances I face.

I must follow orders immediately and correctly.

• I will follow orders to the letter.
• I will ask my leader to explain to me what I do not understand.
• I will treat their orders as my highest priority.

I must support my leader.

• I will become an: upholder, sustainer, comforter, maintainer and a defender of my leader.
• I will understand that my leader is human.
• I will remember that my leader hurts like everyone else and faces discouragement as well.

I must be an excellent communicator.

• I will learn how to communicate and present information in a way that my leader will understand.

I must have a disposition that will eagerly gain victories for my leader.

• I will always strive to represent my leader well before everyone.
• I will remain reachable and teachable.
• I will help others understand my leader's words because I know my leader's heart.
• I will represent my leader well because I know them well.

I must have the ability to minister strength and courage to my leader.

• I will maintain courage and faith in God.
• I will remain built up in the Word of God so that I can minister with the same assurance my leader does.

The Most Important Body Part

Serving someone else's vision is a natural part of sonship.  This not only requires faithfulness but also fruitfulness.  Fruitfulness is a visible indication of the maturing process in a son's life.  When a son embraces the vision of their father, they will seek to see that vision fulfilled into future generations.


We see this modeled in how God is working to make known His Son in the earth today.  Look at what Paul says in Romans 8:18-19 "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God."


When the sons of God begin to manifest on earth, there will be signs of labor pains.  Creation itself will visibly respond to the "age of the sons of God."  What we're seeing in the world today in natural disasters, wars and rumors of wars, increased violence, crime and rebellion against authority are nothing less than visible birth pangs that the sons of God are ready to appear to the world.


We have heard more preaching on the subject of "father/son" relationship and order in the past ten years than ever before!  There is an increased pressure on the Church to birth sons!  This birthing of sons is causing pressure in the form of suffering.  This suffering is meant to get the Church ready (mature) to truly reveal Christ to the world.  The suffering that the Church is experiencing is God's way of purifying His bride. 

The Church must rid itself of its manmade traditions and Bible Belt rules, that have hidden God's glory by casting a dark veil on true relationship, so that the truth of God's Word will be revealed in clarity.


We are witnessing a true move of God as He is purifying His Church from flesh (carnality) and mind traps.  Truly, God is desiring sonship (intimate relationship) from His followers so that His personhood is revealed to the world.  In essence, we now reflect His personality through our lifestyle and actions.

I was raised in a very strict religious environment.  Some circles would refer to this as "old time holiness."  To me, that system focused more on rules, regulations, hair length, make up, clothing choice and outward expressions than it did on living in health and inner healing. 

By the way...I'm extremely thankful for where I came from but I'm also glad I kept coming.

I've personally met people who "look, according to their own prejudiced standards, the part of a perceived Christian" and yet they have a nasty attitude towards others.  They are condescending, arrogant, rude and hateful. 

Who are those people winning to Christ?  No one.  Their focus is more on appearance and trying to impress other Christians than relational representation to a lost world. 

Granted, there is something to be said about the inward work of Christ in ones heart.  His inward work will produce an outward manifestation.  However, it will not only be in your appearance, it will also be in your attitude.

Isn't this what Paul was referring to in Ephesians 4:13 ... "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:"


I speak life to the body of Christ today!  I speak life to those who are "dead" in their spiritual hearing, and have like Eli of old received no spiritual word in their ears, to HEAR AGAIN!  I speak UNITY again to the body of Christ...such unity that will reveal Christ in strength to this world through the perfection (maturation) of sons.


We do not need another superstar leader in the Church to take us to the next level or for that matter create a way of escape from this present darkness.  What we need cannot be contained on the flesh rack of a man's ingenuity and marred perfection.  The Church needs to take its rightful position AS THE BODY OF CHRIST!  We are a "many membered" body yet we have one head...JESUS.

We are a diverse body.  Yet, the world hasn't really taken notice of our "head" (Jesus) because we've focused more on other body parts instead of the head.  That's why the spirit of religion has seemingly suffocated a true intimate relationship with Christ out. 

The spirit of religion has us focusing on the wrong body part.  We've become mentally consumed with rules, regulations, procedures, denominations and superstar personalities!  The world can no longer see Christ in the Church because the Church has had the world looking in the wrong place.  We've got people focusing on looking for Him in the clouds rather than where the Bible says He resides...in the manifested lifestyles of His sons.

More on this to follow...

Merry Christmas from Pastors Russell & Beverly Hylton

Beverly and I want to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas. We love you and are thankful that we can experience LIFE with you!

We are blessed to be part of your family and the family of God. Spending time with you each week in service, or even via the Internet, is special to us.

We want to be more than your pastors but also your friends. In 2011, we are believing for more than a “normal” year but an “incredible” year!

Apostle Paul said it best “…exceedingly and abundantly above all we can ask or think…”

Maybe this past year wasn’t what you had hoped, perhaps there are some things you need to release and let go of. Every day with Jesus is a NEW BEGINNING! Allow your heart to be filled with expectancy today and believe for newness this season.

We appreciate you very much! We appreciate your support, your prayers and your faithfulness to us personally and to the ministry of BFWC.

2011 marks “50” years of ministry of BFWC in Indianapolis! We are excited about the good things that will take place this year!

We want to encourage you to keep Christ FIRST in all you do and say while you are going through your Christmas activities. It is important to remember that great ministry opportunities exist at this time of year as many people are struggling with depression and loneliness as memories of what “used to be”, are filling their minds.

By keeping Christ first, we can be sure to reach out to those around us, with the true message of Christmas, and that is Jesus Christ came to earth to seek and to save that which was lost. He came to serve, not be served!

Take time as well to be faithful to Church, as well as remember to pray and read the Word, and you will be ready in ways you never dreamed possible.

Be sure to stay in tune with all that is happening at BFWC by visiting our website at www.bfwc.net and or reading the bulletin at church. (A downloadable version is available on the website.)

We love you,

Pastors Russell & Beverly Hylton

When God Hides You

Every relationship has a development process.  Growth and change are part of that process.  The relationship I have with my wife has developed over time.  Our relationship has grown and changed as we've walked in mutual exchange.

I wouldn't say that we have a perfect marriage - for there is no perfect marriage - but I would say we have a growing marriage.  Growth has brought change.  Change has revealed a deeper understanding of relational dynamics.

After twenty years of marriage, I guess we could probably offer some humble advice to others.  However, twenty years ago I don't believe our advice would have been received with much merit.  It took time (growth and change) for us to develop an understanding of how a marriage relationship works.  (At least ours anyway.)

We all go through times in our life where our advice is either received or rejected based upon the receptivity of those watching our life.  It seems that we're more apt to receive instruction or advice from someone who has a proven track record than someone who has a reputation of being unstable.

When I'm looking for advice or coaching I tend to be drawn to people who model stability and longevity.  As a pastor, I want to draw wisdom from other pastors whose track record is fruitful.  I realize that they didn't get where they are overnight.  It was a process of development that came through growth and change.  As a husband, I want to draw wisdom from other men whose track record in their marriage is fruitful.  The same can be said for people in business, leadership, etc.

Let's talk about that process for a minute.  The prophet Isaiah spoke about being hidden in the Lord's quiver during his "prep" time.  (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.)

Each of us will have a "prep" time with God where we'll be hidden for a season of time so that when the time comes for us to be "introduced," as a model (minister, husband, wife, leader, parent, disciple, armorbearer, father/son, etc), our level of receptivity will be appealing to others.

When you first begin in ministry, one hurdle you'll have to jump over is public opinion.  Public opinion can make you or break you.  If you are perceived as immature, unpolished, opinionated or unstable it will be difficult to earn respect from your family, friends, co-workers or members of the body of Christ.

Apostle Paul instructed young Pastor Timothy "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."  (1 Timothy 4:12) The fact that Timothy was "young" would require him to set a good example lest anyone should despise him as being too immature to discharge his duties.

If Timothy's congregation couldn't respect him, they wouldn't respect his message. Each of us have the ability to offset this perception by allowing the development process come to fruition in our lives during the "prep" time.

There is great power in setting a good example.  Look at the thousands that have been led away because of the bad influence of a wicked preacher.  How we conduct ourselves does matter.  Are we setting examples of pure behavior, clean lives and moral conduct?  The way we conduct ourselves will either lead souls to Christ or drive them away from Him.

As leaders and sons there is a long period in which we must remain hidden.  It is a period of testing and maturation to prove us ready for our revelation to the world as sons.  We must be hidden "in Christ" before we will ever be able to bring Christ to the world in any measure that reflects His person.

I think of Joshua when he was chosen by his tribe to represent them as a spy in the Canaan expedition.  Evidently he was perceived as a leader or he wouldn't have been selected by his peers for this particular assignment. 

However, what was the level of his influence?  He had influence...just not enough at that time in his life to turn the negative report around.  The ten prevailed with their negativity.  They had more influence than he did.  Perhaps his age was a factor.  Perhaps the other men were more outspoken or skilled in persuasive speaking.  Regardless, they had more influence than he.  

Fast forward...Joshua serves his spiritual father, Moses, and is hidden as a leader in training.  Years pass by.  Battles are won and ground covered.  Through it all, Joshua earns his stripes as a General in Moses' army and gains respect amongst his peers.  Then and only then God pulls him out of his sheath...as a polished sword ready for display and ready to become a visible leader.

Look at Jesus.  When He was twelve years old He was ready to be "about His Father's business."  Yet, from age twelve to age thirty He is seemingly hidden.  It's not until He turns thirty that we see Him walk into His Father's full purpose.  Eighteen years, He remains hidden.  Eighteen years of growing in wisdom and stature to gain favor with God and man.

Being a son does not give us the maturity or sanction to go forth in our father's name.  We may be heirs to everything our father possesses but if we remain as children rather than enduring a process that leads to our growing up as sons, we will remain in bondage to the systems of religion rather than ordered relationship.

Do not bypass this important step!  Until you allow the Lord to hide you in His quiver you'll not reach the next bench mark of development needed to become His displayed sword.

I have much more to share on this....