The only Q that matters... GOD Q...

For the past several months I have been immersed in an intense leadership development program hosted by my employer. I have been introduced to topics I have never heard about. One of the most interesting topics I have studied thus far is Emotional Intelligence(EQ). In essence emotional intelligence means having a clear understanding of our emotions, not to mention the emotions of others, and an understanding of how our emotions influence our lives. To truly improve our emotional intelligence (EQ) there are four intelligence skills one needs to understand and take action.  One of those skills is self awareness.

Since I have been in the pursuit to live a life, where to live is  to worship and to worship is to live, I have used some of these secular nuggets to become aware of my soul, spirit and journey with the LORD.
 
Is it possible that many of us live unaware of the errors inside of us? Do we realize how many of our actions are manipulated by our desire to be accepted by others? Are we aware of fears that influence our decisions? The truth is most of us are ignorant of how we appear outwardly to others.  How much more are we unaware of how we are inwardly towards the Lord.

The good news is those who are IN HIM have the Holy Spirit and the Word to bring awareness of the hidden foes. The scriptures tell us the heart is more deceitful than all else. The Psalmist said,

Who can discern his lapses and errors? Clear me from hidden [and unconscious] faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then shall I be blameless, and I shall be innocent and clear of great transgression. Psalm 19;12-13

As humans we barely know the world around us how much more do we know our own soul. What's the remedy?  Search after God's heart as we do we will be searching our own. As we find Him we discover who we are in Him.  As we pursue the Lord we can repeat the words of King David:

Search me thoroughly, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

  
What can be more important than seeking God? Join me in taking a day, a month and run after Him once you find HIM don't let him go.

IN THE MIDST OF "DELUSIONAL" MEN

Years ago there was a young man in our fellowship that decided he was going to venture out and start his own business. Throughout his being a part of our community my husband had encouraged and supported this man in his endeavors. In spite of the fact that others considered him socially awkward my husband saw a man in need of affirmation and fellowship. One day this man came to our home offering his professional services and after some consideration we had to decline. The moment my husband let him know we were not interested his demeanor changed. Obviously offended he decided he was going to tell my husband what he really thought of our community and his pastor. Sitting in our living room he looked straight at my husband and said, "When are you going to realize you are delusional?"  He went on to question the call of God, in my husbands life, and "exhorted" him to give up.

Why did this man think my husband was delusional? Was it because our community was not in the hundreds or thousands? Could it be my husband did not fit a certain mold for today's pastor or leader? Was it that my husband never managed a successful business or served as an executive in a fortune 500 company? It was obvious his words, spoken from hurt and rejection, were meant to humiliate.

Since the month of October is pastor appreciation month I thought I would give a big shout out to all the men and women who have been told they are "delusional" for following the call of God. 

Just this past week I was in Kalamazoo attending a conference with pastors from around the country. During one of the breakout sessions I heard the stories of men and women who have given their lives to serve God and others. As these servant-leaders shared their stories, with authenticity and transparency, tears starting streaming down my face. But, why was I crying? In each story there was a common denominator that spoke to a deep place within my spirit. What touched me were the hearts of shepherds who are willing to give anything and everything to answer the call of God.

Story after story I heard the familiar burden of true shepherds. These are the unknown soldiers, serving in the trenches, who cannot abandon the call to serve. Many of these men ,according to western church thinking, fall into the category of delusional, unsuccessful, ill-equipped and failures. But I would suggest the following:

• These are the men who have prayed and pleaded, before God's throne, for our families. Would any person selflessly do this?
• These are the men who study God's Word so, above all else, our souls prosper. Is that not worth more than gold? 
• These are the men, with the eyes of a shepherd, who see us wandering before we realize we have strayed. Are not their words of counsel and wisdom worth paying attention too? 
• These are the men who in spite of adversity, disappointment and hardship endure to the end. Shouldn't we encourage and support them along the way?
• These are the men who give of their own limited funds to help you pay your bills when your in need. Did you know that?
• These are the men that rejoice with you when your child is born, you get a job promotion and your children marry. Ask yourself, when was the last time you rejoiced for your pastor?
• These are the men who will admit they are far from perfect and, at times, will make imperfect decisions. Are they not worthy of our mercy and patience? 
• These are the men that, when the phone rings at 5:30 am, are willing to get out of bed and meet with you as well as minister to your need. Would we do the same?
• These are the men that, when they are on vacation, will always answer your distressing phone call and never let it go to voice mail. Are we on call 24-7?

• These are the men that sacrifice their lives, and family needs, for a salary that rarely covers their living expenses. Would we do the same?

NO ROOM FOR HORSES AND CHARIOTS

When we read the psalms we find over and over again: don't trust in horses, don't trust in chariots, put your trust in the Lord. The simplicity of the statement, "put your trust in the Lord", yet so complex to walk out in our every circumstance.

For the past several months I have been combing through the pages of the book of Isaiah and learning a great deal about God's desire for us to TRUST HIM and HIM alone.  If you have ever said to yourself I want to read the entire Bible and never have been able to do so, I recommend you read the book of Isaiah. This great book is literally the whole Bible in miniature form.(plug for the prophet Isaiah)

If like Israel we find ourselves struggling to survive in the midst of adversity. We make plans and alliances with others greater than ourselves in order to achieve some type of success or victory. We run frantically attempting to hold all the pieces of this crumbling world system together until we realize, we can't do it. We are not designed to be independent from the ALMIGHTY. Nor are we designed to "falter between two opinions" (1Kings 18:1)

 First and foremost, we are God's people and His message has always been, FEAR NOT I AM WITH YOU. Panic, anxiety, fear, vindication are not the Kingdom way. The scripture tells us quietness and confidence in HIM shall be our strength. When we find ourselves up against the wall with the forces of evil pressing hard all around us, when you know that you know, disaster is coming at the speed of a bullet, quietness and confidence in GOD shall be our strength. 

I think any of us who have walked with the Lord would confess one time or another we have panicked and gone around desperately seeking help anywhere and everywhere. When we took the time to quiet down and seek the Lord we found that in quietness and confidence in HIM there is peace and strength.

The WORD of God is the greatest reminder that HE is with us: 
 
 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18 

Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. Psalm 27:3

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness Isaiah 41:10
 
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. 2 Samuel 22:30  


SHALOM, Jeannette

WE ARE BLESSED

Our fellowship Maranatha Koinonia has been on a several month quest to clearly understand the mystery written in the Book of Revelation.  When my husband decided he was going to teach from this book I secretly thought, that’s not a good idea.   To my surprise not only was it a good idea it was a Spirit birthed idea. Together we meet week after week to search the scriptures from beginning to end, uncovering one treasure at a time; each of us unearthing gems from the WORD of God.

The apostle John wrote in Revelation 1:3 “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near”. The WORD of God is true we are being blessed not in the “western” church way of thinking.  We are being blessed because this book has caused us to examine ourselves down to the core. We are blessed because we are learning how to pinpoint the traps that lay ahead. We are blessed because we are aware that the current world system is crumbling and our Lord is coming to RIGHT EVERY WRONG. We are blessed because we are learning to have a THRONE ROOM perspective. We are blessed because our eyes are starting to see through the lens of an eastern worldview. We are blessed because as a body we are walking in the Apostle Paul’s prayer to the Ephesians 4: 14-15:

that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.  Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

As we comb through the scriptures we have realized this book is not as difficult to understand as we had been told. It’s not a book of dread but one of great hope.

Above all we have realized Jesus has given this book to show us the things that must take place. Why? So that we God’s people endure to the end.

Let us say:

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" He who hears, let him say, "Come!" He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely. (Rev 22:17)

AUDITIONS

There is a casting call that has gone out for roles in the greatest story ever told. It’s an intense drama full of love,forgiveness and faithfulness.  Auditions are open to those who have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise and will endure until the day of the redemption of all things (Ephesians 1:13).  All types of characters are needed and everyone will be cast as the Author has prepared a role for all who come. (Ephesians 2:10)

The name of this stage production:

The Lord's Rescue Mission

Within this great story there are millions of sub plots that have never been heard.  Millions of anonymous prophets, priests, secret evangelists, housewives, business men/women, intercessors and even “outcasts/Samaritans ” at work rehearsing their lines for the day of the great curtain call.

For some reason this past month or so I have been blessed to hear some of these hidden sub plots. These stories have been of great comfort to me; lessons on the mercy and grace of God.  I have learned that the Lord extends His Mighty right hand of fellowship up until a soul is going to cross over into eternity.  Peter’s words saying the Lord is patient with us, not wanting any to perish but everyone to come to repentance is the absolute truth.

Who are these “outcasts/Samaritans” working hard to listen to the Director's cues?  They are the ones who in spite of rejection will continue to play their role knowing that there are many other “outcasts” in need of rescuing. 

 I sat and listened to one of these “outcasts” tell me a story that left me once again saying, “Lord, you are good and your mercy endures forever”.  

The outcast had been walking down a city street and saw a person who looked familiar they suddenly realized as young boys they use to play together. After a quick introduction this friend knowing this outcast had been raised in a Christian home, says I just accepted Jesus as my Lord.   Do I truly believe this was a coincidence? No, it was a God-coincidence.  The young man who had made a confession of faith was a recovering heroin addict and a thief.  As the outcast heard his testimony he offered to spend time with him each night reading the Bible and praying.  The new convert gladly agreed and they spent many nights studying the scriptures.

After months of study the outcasts phone rang with news that the convert had been arrested for theft and possession of narcotics.  By God’s grace the convert was ordered to participate in a one year Christian rehabilitation program.

As time passed the outcast was praying and he felt the Lord tell him to write his friend letters that would cover various biblical topics. His first letter was a seven page “sermon” on how to walk in the Spirit. The outcast wrote these letters knowing he would never receive a response since it was against the rehabilitation centers rules.

Recently the outcast heard his friend has received the letters and they have been a great comfort to him.  In fact, he was told the first letter remains in his pocket everywhere he goes.  

As I hear of these hidden sub-plots I can’t help but think of the words of King David:

When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?

 You have made them a little lower than the angels
    and crowned them with glory and honor.

If you have a hidden sub-plot you would like to share feel free to leave it in the comment section. I would love to hear from you.

In Him,

Jeannette