True leadership in a Christian Service.

Everyone walks into the church sanctuary with a feeling of expectation.  The room is no different than it has been every week before this, but as people enter they seem to sense that this day is special.  They speak quietly, if at all, when taking their seats.  Around the sanctuary most people are praying or reading their Bibles.  This is a Holy Place.

The hour comes to start the service.  The room is full of praying people.  Minutes pass but no one stands to lead in a song or even an opening prayer.  Everyone waits patiently. 

Finally 15 minutes into the service, Jesus steps up to the pulpit.  All eyes go to him as he raises his hands in welcome.  His smile seems to light the room and lift the hearts of everyone.  He speaks in a soft loving voice that fills the room.

“Katie, would you share what the Lord has placed on your heart.”

A young girl nervously stands and walks to the front.  Lifting her eyes from her hands grasped tightly together in front of her, she looks out over the crowd of people.  A tear slowly flows down her cheek as she smiles.  “I love Jesus with all my heart.”

Those few words seemed to ignite something in the hearts of everyone.  The Holy Spirit moves in people hearts in a powerful way that none there had ever experienced before.

Does this story sound possible?  Has any Christian gathering you attended ever been like this? Why is it we don’t see services like this?  Whether you are in a house church or a mega church, this scenario can be a reality.  The key is found in who is leading.  Is the clock leading what and when worship is done?  Is the Pastor leading or some other church leader?  Is your church bulletin the Bible of what takes place in a service?

The only leader in any gathering should be Jesus.  If he does not lead when you think he should, then wait for him.  Don’t feel uncomfortable with silence.  We should be uncomfortable with words and songs that are just filling the silence.  Jesus must lead or we will sound like a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

“I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.” Psalm 130: 5-6

Seven Keys to a Dynamic Revival

We have had revivals in the past which have affected the world.  Revivals  which have shaken nations and changed history.  What are the keys to having a revival that permeates the lives of everyone and is inescapable?  Where the Holy Spirit comes in power, not just to one church but to the world.

Key One.  God First. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

If you are seeking a revival so you might see healings, miracles, great worship, soul wrenching sermons, or any other way the power of God can be manifested, than you desire something other then God. Revival is to bring us closer to God. We should be seeking to see His face first and foremost. Yes, God will manifest His power when He comes but that is just a side benefit to the real blessing of having His presence in our midst. We are to seek Him and not any signs or wonders. They will come, but God is the true blessing.

Key Two.  God is in control.  “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6 

You can make your plans and order of worship, but be ready for when God steps in and changes everything.  The best sermons I have heard are ones where the preacher throws out what he was going to say and speaks what God had just spoken to his heart.  The most worshipful songs are the ones where God throws out what we planned and inserts what He desires to hear.  God might say, “No sermon today.  I want my people to worship me.”  Let God have control and the spirit can work miracles.

Key Three. Human Sacrifices.  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1

You’re uncomfortable praying out loud.  People might think you are some kind of fanatic if you witness to them.  God desires you to do something you never did before (such as dance in worship or stand up and say a word to the congregation) and it scares you.  God pushes us to do things we find uncomfortable and sometimes even painful.  Put your flesh on the altar to die and He will raise you up to see His glory and power.

Key Four.  Inconvenient prayer.  “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Keep your heart in tune with God’s heart at all times.  Pray in church, at work, at home and everyplace else.  Pray if you are eating, sleeping, talking or relaxing.  Pray when you are arguing, someone stabs you in the back, the world is falling apart, or your mind is numb from the beating this world gives you.  At all times pray.  Pray for your enemy.  Pray thanksgiving when your world is upside down. Pray when you’re too exhausted to speak.  He will listen even to your groaning.

Key Five.  God Sends us out. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Revival is not just for you, but for everyone.  If a revival comes to a church and God powerfully moves then that church should be sending out others in that power.  The spark has been lit but there are others worldwide who need that spark as well.  Pray over the people and send them out to spread the word of God.  Don’t advertise that God is here so come to our service.  Advertise that God is here and He can be where you are also.  Breathe the breath of God upon all who visit and send them back in the power of God to spread the revival back in their home church.

Key Six.  Do not  Fear.  “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12

You are called to follow Jesus, and it is promised that if you do, you will be persecuted.  Do not make any decisions based on your fear of what others may say about you.  That does not mean you ever ignore what they say.  Even the most vile person can say something that is true.  When someone condemns you, pray about it, see what The Bible has to say and follow God’s leading on it.

Key Seven.  Love.   “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:35

There is nothing in all of Scripture that God did without the motivation of love.  Let this be our motivation as well.  Love for our Lord Jesus.  Love for our Christian brothers and sisters. Love for the lost.

Photo Credit: Skeleton Keys by Peatbogyeri

When Will We See Christian Growth?

My son-in-law’s blog Pursuing Glory asked the question “What will it take to see a rapidly reproducing movement of Jesus' followers take root in the West?”

It would be easy to answer with “When God brings a revival.”,  “When Christians churches preach about winning souls instead of about money.” or “When the government starts to pass laws, which are more Christian friendly.”  We can put the burden upon God, The Church, government, society and just about anything else in this world but I feel the right answer is: “It requires me to repent.”

I have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.  I have not lived my life as He desires.  If I live my life as God has designed me to live, then my witness would be bringing others to Christ.  The fault, that we do not see a rapid reproducing movement of Jesus' followers, is mine.

I have not followed the great commission of Matthew 28: 18-20.  I let the evangelist, preachers and Christian Organizations do my evangelism for me.

I do not love my neighbor as Jesus commanded in Mark 12: 30-31.  If I did love them, they would know about my Jesus, because I would love every person I met and want them to hear about the wonderful gift of Salvation which Jesus desires to give them.

I am unwilling to die to my own will and live for Christ as Jesus required in Luke 9:23.  I want to be called Christian and be known as a follower of Christ, but I am unwilling to take up His cross daily and truly follow him.

The fault, that there is no rapidly reproducing movement of Jesus' followers in the west, is mine.  Until I repent and start living my life as Jesus commanded me, nothing is going to change and millions of lives will spend eternity in the everlasting darkness of Hell.

Photo Credit: Prayer is the Language by Lel4nd

Tenth Commandment: Be Content

“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.”
Exodus 20:17

Advertisements try to get you to break this commandment.  Their whole purpose is make you want something that you don’t need.  “You deserve to enjoy our product.”  “Our product tells people you’re rich and successful.”  “Women will fight over you if you use our product.”

You want a house in a certain neighborhood because successful people live in that area.  You want a car because the woman in a bikini who stood beside it was HOT!  You want to buy clothes at a certain expensive store because people in fashion use that store.   All these things are examples of coveting, which are caused by the advertisement companies.

Even without advertisements we do a good job of coveting.  Just seeing something a friend has bought causes us to envy having it ourselves.  Our neighbor’s new car sets our mind into thinking how nice it would be to have a new car ourselves.  It doesn’t seem like something big to want something we don’t have, but actually, it is a case of not trusting God.

First off, let's remember that Christians do not own anything.  We have the honor to be caretakers for the things God has put into our possession.  We are not our own, and neither are our possessions.  The possessions we have are to be used for His honor and glory, not for ours.

When we covet something, we are saying that we want to own something for ourselves.  We don’t trust God to take care of us, and so we want to have something that will glorify us, make us happy, or make us feel fulfilled.

Our glory is not found in this world.  When we see Jesus face to face, He will shower us with His glory.  Happiness in this world is fleeting, but when we reach Heaven, we will have joy forever.  Fulfillment in this world is temporary, but serving God is eternally fulfilling.

We need to covet only one thing, knowing God.  Desire to love and serve Him with all your heart.  Everything else is garbage.  Be content with what God has placed into your care and use it for His glory.

Photo Credit: The Collection 02 by VOD cars

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Ninth Commandment: Impress God.

“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” Exodus 20:16

Anyone who wants to know God and have Him in their life, should love the greatest creation God has fashioned, your neighbor.  God loves every person whoever lived far more than you have ever loved anyone in your life.  If you want to make a good impression on God, then love your neighbor.  Don’t lie about him.  God hates lies.  He is the God of Truth.


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Eighth Commandment: Trust God, Be Content

“Thou shalt not steal.” Exodus 20:15

Stealing is not simply a case of taking what someone else owns.  It is taking into your own hands the opportunity to get what God has not said you could have.  In essence, you are saying that God does not understand what you need so you have to go get it yourself.

We steal when we do not trust God to provide for our needs.  We steal because our relationship with God is lacking trust.  If we knew God and how much He loves us, we would never steal.  We would rest on His love and promises.  Stealing is wrong because we are putting ourselves in God’s role.  We are saying that we can do a better job then God.

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Appreciate God’s Second Greatest Gift to You in this World.

“Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14

The greatest gift God has given to us is Jesus.  He is the most precious blessing we could ever have.  Having Him means receiving so many other blessings and gifts but, even without them, He is far greater than all the universe.

The greatest gift in this world I think is God’s word written down in the Bible.  It is the greatest book ever written because it shows us who God is and how we can find Him.  It helps show us how to find Jesus.

The Second greatest gift given to a person is their spouse.  God is entrusting an eternal soul to another person when two people marry.  Each person is to help and encourage the other in this life.  God has given them someone to share the good times and the bad.  Someone to help when one is sick.  Someone to lift up the other when the world seems to be falling apart.

Your spouse is a gift from God, and you are a gift to your spouse.  Believers have no rights to their own lives because they have given their lives to Christ.  Christ in turn gives some of that responsibility and ownership to your spouse.  You do not belong to yourself, but you belong to God and your spouse.

When we start to think about others, in a way that should only be reserved for our spouse, we commit adultery in our hearts.  Our hearts look for someone else to satisfy our desires outside of our marriage.  Doing this, we are telling God that He made a mistake.   “God, this woman (or man) is a better choice for me then the person you gave to me.  She/he can fulfill my desires, and I have decided to do this my way and not yours.”

If you want a relationship with God, where He answers your prayers, then you better be one with your spouse.

“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7

You cannot expect to have a close relationship with God while telling Him that one of the greatest gifts ever given to you was the wrong gift.  If you are not right with your spouse, you are breaking your relationship with Christ as well.

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