Thursday, July 24, 2014

How Is God drawing people to His spirit?

What a powerful but very important question...






Ephesians 4:11- 13 " HE himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the EQUIPPING of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

"Christian Discipleship is so VERY important to me because its important to God"

Ephesians 12 teaches us that when the church fills the five offices using ORDINARY people God called to TRAIN and EQUIP for the ministry then we have a church with EXTRAORDINARY GOD ORDAINED people living out their calling!


My mentor Pastor Dave Ferranti recognized God at work in my life several years back. W
hen the Spirit is drawing you to the Word the spirit will then charge and edify your life for your specific calling! 


LEADERS FOR CHRIST is amazing, I was so blessed to be part of our annual gatherings last night at Bay Valley Christian Church. When a system is in place it helps keep things accountable and the soil ready for when God is doing His work. Others need to recognize the hand of God in ones life so they may have a firm set of directions and teachings to lead and Grow them in the maturity of the Lord.


 Experiences and Education is key my friends! 

My heart is for the" springs of water"  in the land of churches and communities


When we come to the waters and DRINK... the word AWAKENS our soul!


JOHN 4:14

"Whoever drinks the water I give them will NEVER thirst. Indee , the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to Eternal life."


Thankful today that God used Pastor Dave in the creation of LEADERS FOR CHRIST. Located World wide. Gods vision is going before Him and He has a heart for all. This is not a politically correct church thing but a unity and relationship tool for all bodies of Christ! 

Please check out His heart in the video link below!

LEADERS FOR CHRIST

If this is working which it is, then my prayer is for God to utilize this in other churches or communities for the equipping of the Saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ!

Ask yourself these questions:
1. What eternally significant growth occurs in the lives of those you lead? (vs 11-13)

2. Do our people understand that your role is to EQUIP them to serve and SEND THEM OUT (vs12)

3. How are your recent followers serving, ministering and studying the Word in all platforms in your church or community for each level of their spiritual growth? (vs 12)

4. Do our people know that involvement in service is essential for growth? (vs12)

5. Do our people grow spiritually mature as a result of their ministry involvement? (vs 13)

6. Do our peoples lifestyle reflect Christs character? (vs 13)

7. What percentage of our peoples faith and involvement is easily shaken? (vs 14)

8. Do our people build up one another in the Word? (vs 15-16)

I would love to just be the connector for your ministry, church or community to Leaders For Christ!

"My gifts, talents and calling would have died or fell to the wayside during a season of my life, But God drew me to the Word and relationships through Leaders for Christ"
Heather Baxter




Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Do you have a Plan?

The person with a PLAN is the person with the POWER 


If we set a plan we will get the history we deserve and the accomplishment and celebration!


 Jesus taught this in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:1-29.


We need to prepare to meet our future. When we prepare it drives us to move toward a goal.


The first part of Moving toward a goal is determining " A STARTING POSITION"


 In today's passage it spoke about individuals and described their starting positions. For example One person had 5 talents, to another two, and to another one. Each was given something according to their ability.


God has given us all special gifts and talents according to our ability and His purpose.


Some may be born in abundance others with less. But what we have does not matter, it's what we do with it that matters.


Life is not fair, but our STARTING CONDITION is irrelevant to our STARTING POSITION.

 I have a great example for you all...


I am a runner, however my starting condition may not add up to the other runners that I know. Another runner may be fit and in shape with a great runners body and abundant motivation and determination..

 Does that mean I should not pursue the goal of becoming a long distance runner?


 We both have the same STARTING POSITIONS at  each race.


How we train and pursue goals is what determines a runners ability to finish their race.


 I am not a fast runner with a lean and trim body but my condition and shape does not determine my starting position.

 The goals I set help me pursue the ability to complete my personal race and drives me to the Starting position.


 A Goal will Drive us and motivate us.


 We must determine our STARTING POSITIONS.


 I know God has entrusted me with the talents of writing and speaking because others in the body of Christ and in my sphere of influence has affirmed that talent in me.


 Now I can make a choice to BURY that talent due to fear, distrust, sin,  lack of faith and lack of resources but then I would allow my starting condition to rob me of my starting position.


If I bury my talent I can push Gods predetermined destiny away from my life.


 If we do not start at the starting line we cannot run the race.


 We need to show up at the STARTING POSITION and push past our fears and shortcomings.


Have you seen the down hill skiers or snowboarders starting position on the X Games? The hill is steep and long, looking rather scary but the individual SHOWED UP to his STARTING POSITION prepared to meet his future.


Do not procrastinate with your life friends, God has given you talents and goods with an expected future in mind so get moving!


.God expects us to use what we have been given.


 If you do not know what God has given to you, I urge you to ask Him to show you the abilities and your starting position.


Step up to the plate and watch God work in your life.


Do you already know your abilities/talents and remember the starting position in which God has called you to but maybe you have gotten off track with life?


 Have you failed to show up due to rebellion, fear, sin, distrust or lack of resources or knowledge?


Ask God today to give you a push and jump start




God knows your hearts desire and if you feel bad that you have buried those talents in the past then Gods grace will dig them up and allow you to SHOW UP AND START AGAIN!


The GRACE of God is what we need and today I am grateful for that!
His GRACE abounds friends so get out of the way and stop making excuses. This is what I told myself today in the mirror.

Abounds= extends and over flows

Blessings,