Seeing with New Eyes

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 - 16 Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a [purely] human point of view [in terms of natural standards of value]. [No] even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a man, yet now [we have such knowledge of Him that] we know Him no longer [in terms of the flesh]. 17 Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!

Paul makes it clear that we once viewed Christ from a "worldly" point of view, but we do so no longer.  We no longer view Him as merely "a carpenter's son" from Nazareth, but as the Son of the Living God!  Likewise, the Apostolic Way Makers must also be able to see the lost through new eyes. In order to do that, our minds must be renewed by the Word of God (Rom. 12:1-2).  To receive a fresh perspective, two things are required:

From a Mess to a Message

What does your mess say about you?  I've often said that in the ministry of reconciliation, our testimony is one of the most powerful tools we have; indeed, the one that makes us the most authentic and credible.  It is our life's experiences (especially the most difficult and challenging) that determine the kind of ministers we will become.  It is often the things we suffer that equip us to be more compassionate, sensitive and loving ministers of the grace of God.  The more we can identify with the various levels and complexities of the human condition, the more God can use us to encourage, edify and comfort those who are suffering.  In a tapestry, the mess in our life represents the backside of life that produces a beautiful testimony that glorifies and honors God.

In this life we will have trial and tribulation, but Jesus said, "Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."  Jesus.  The same Jesus who lives in us has "overcome the world"!  That means we have world-overcoming faith and strength on the inside of us.  Greater is He that's in us, than He that is in the world.  Those of us who have suffered and overcome, now have a message to share with someone else.   

The world is looking for overcomers - those who have experienced the fellowship of His suffering AND the power of His resurrection!  Therein lies our message:  how we got over.  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but God delivers us out of them all!  What kind of things have you suffered?  How has God delivered you?  What scripture(s) sustained you?  How did you maintain your peace?  How did you overcome worry and anxiety?  The answers to these questions become the life-giving message God wants to use to bring salvation and healing to the lost. 

Our testimony is the message born out of our own spiritual journey.  Sharing our message prepares the way of the Lord in the lives of the unbelieving.  We become agents of reconciliation, reconciling the lost to God, in a loving, non-judgmental way - not counting their sins against them.  In this, our momentary and light afflictions work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory! 

Celebrate Recovery - A Ministry of Reconciliation

I juat returned from an amazing conference in sunny Lake Forest, CA.  Saddleback Church, under the leadership of renowned Pastor and Author, Rick Warren, (The Purpose Driven Life) celebrated 20 years in the ministry of Celebrate Recovery.  Celebrate Recovery, a ministry of inner healing authored and founded by Pastor John Baker of Saddleback Church, is an international ministry that has significant inroads into almost a hundred prisons and detention centers in the United States!  CR is, at it's core, a ministry of spiritual and emotional reconciliation - a passion close to my heart - that addresses our hurts, habits and hangups based on a biblical course of study and prayer in an atmosphere of a safe community. 

As a Way Maker, I know how important it is that we deal with our issues, our character defects, in order to be prepared and used of God in this end-time hour.  Wounded people, wound people, but it is the will of God that we be ready to hold out the Word of Life and the healing power of our Lord Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world, without being a stumbling block. 

I am more committed than ever to God's purpose for my life to prepare the way of the Lord through the ministry of reconciliation!


"Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health (spirit, soul and body), even as your soul prospers." 1 John

Forgiveness

Nelson Mandela portrayed by Morgan Freeman in Invictus, encourages his aid to embrace forgiveness.

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrather, for it is written, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay", says the Lord.  On the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.  Do not be overcome by evil; but overcome evil with good." 
Romans 12:18-21

Forgiveness is a powerful thing!

Playing to an Audience of One

You are Ambassadors for Christ and therefore, ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  You have been called to prepare the way of the Lord by declaration of the message of reconciliation:  "Be reconciled to God."  The fields are ripe with harvest.  In fact, ministering to the needs of a wounded, lost and dying world can be quite daunting and overwhelming to say the least!  How do we respond to so great a need?

A question was put to me today, "“Is it possible to give too much?”  To which I responded:

"Yes, it is possible to give too much. I’m a newly ordained minister and I have found it necessary to establish healthy boundaries – knowing when to step in and when to remain. It is important that we serve out of a place of emotional and spiritual health. When we are depleted in these areas, we really don’t have much to give to anyone anyway, but we are deceived into thinking that we do. Speaking as someone who struggles with co-dependent behavior/motives, I know how easy it is to serve for the wrong reasons.  Wrong motives in service will ultimately result in feelings of resentment. Ministry leaders on the front lines would do well to do 3 things:

1. Examine our motives for service. Is it to please people or to please God?  Are you serving out of love, or to fill your own need for acceptance, to rescue or to make us feel good about ourselves. 
2. Acknowledge God in all of our ways so that He can direct our steps. 
3. Honor boundaries – yours and others. Sometimes we’re doing things that we are not responsible for doing.

Let's be like Jesus.  He only did what He saw The Father doing.  Play to an audience of One.

"They that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength.  They shall mount up with wings like an eagle; they shall run and not get weary; they shall walk and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31

From Revelation to Action

Well, I am on the move to fulfill the call of God on my life and the assignment I am called to complete.  Having come through a season of intense preparation, God is directing me to act on what He's given me to do: to raise up an end-time army to prepare the way of the Lord! 

This fall, the message that gave birth to this ministry by revelation of the Holy Spirit, will be taught in its entirety.  The object of our study will be a look at the character and calling of John the Baptist - our Bibilical example of a Way Maker! 

My prayer is that God, by His divine Spirit, will so move in the lives of all who attend, that the forces of darkness will be put on notice - "God's army is ready for battle to strategically bring the Kingdom here on earth as it is in Heaven and that we are persuaded, and therefore persuade others to "Be reconciled to God!"

God has some exciting things in store for us:  "Eyes have not seen, nor ears have heard what God has in store for those who love Him."  Join us weekly for audio excerpts of the class, video clips and teaching CDs that are sure to enlighten and inspire you to grow.

So stay tuned!  You won't want to miss one minute!