Stinkin' Thinkin'

“Think you can, think you can’t. Either way you are probably right” is a statement that has been attributed to Henry Ford. The profound truth of this statement is that our thoughts either liberate or imprison us. This truth is applicable to all areas of our lives: relationships, education, careers, hobbies and spirituality. How I think, will determine my level or intensity of engagement: am I capable or incapable? Worthy or unworthy?

Limiting thoughts or beliefs produce strongholds that dictate our lifestyles. These strongholds are carefully crafted arguments that are used to justify or support our underlying limiting beliefs. Each time something happens that supports one of these arguments; it is adding another brick to the walls of our stronghold, further solidifying the “truth” of the underlying belief.

One arena where strongholds are so prevalent is within “the church.” Much of Christianity is built around a certain set of beliefs that are considered sacred and unchangeable. These strongholds affect the way we do church and includes such things as service structure, type of music, programs of ministry and organizational structure. The unfortunate aspect is that many of these beliefs are the traditions of men and not the truth of the Word of God.

To me it is interesting that Jesus first message was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 4:17). The word here “repent” means to “think differently.” Jesus came to a society stifled with a system of religious legalistic conduct: his first words were to change your thinking.

It is my opinion that today, the Jesus is still proclaiming the same message: “Repent, change your thinking because the Kingdom of heaven is here!” It is His desire for us to dismantle the strongholds of limitations and step into the dominion He has provided for His people.

For a more detailed discussion of the limits of tradition, see chapter 2 of Apostolic Authority, Every Believer's Privilege. It can be ordered from Apostolic Missions Inc.

Adam's Purpose

Representative: One that serves as a delegate or agent for another.
– American Heritage Dictionary

Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion…

This scripture gives us wonderful insight into God’s purpose for mankind. Adam was created in the image and likeness of God. Vines tells us that image means; "image or copy" of something in the sense of a replica. According to Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, Likeness refers to the representational aspect of the image.

Adam was God’s image chosen to reveal or manifest Himself to creation. Through Adam, an invisible God made himself visible. But more than a visible image, Adam’s purpose was to be representational of God. As God’s likeness, he was to ACT as God’s representative thereby revealing the nature and characteristics of God by those actions.

Adam’s representational purpose was not manifest when God gave him dominion. It was manifest when Adam obeyed God’s command and named the animals. God’s image and likeness was revealed, not by Adam’s position, but by his obedient actions to the commands of God.

We manifest our King, his kingdom and our purpose when we obey and do what we were sent to do. This results in demonstrating to the world that we are of a greater kingdom than the one of this world

The Real Deal

(this is our most recent Ezine, Apostolic notes)

One day, while at my favorite office (Starbucks) I overheard a conversation of two acquaintances discussing church and youth. There are those who state we live in pre-Christian culture today: the majority of society understanding very little about Christianity. A lack of Bible knowledge has led to a bag of mixed behaviors, many contradictory, all under the label of Christian. The result of these behaviors has produced a generation of young people who are cynical.

When you say to our youth of today, “you need to come to church,” their response is often “why?” Now the older generation would think this is a rebellious attitude. However, it is a sincere and honest question that needs to be answered. Why would they want to come to your church?

Let’s look at the reason for the question. Today's youth have a very good reason to be cynical. They are the product of a generation who’s goal was the acquisition of material things. Subsequently, these families suffered a higher divorce rate, these young people were “latchkey kids” overlooked by their parents as wealth and power were sought. The material things failed to fulfill the need of the young people for love and acceptance. Also, this generation has witnessed the failure of prominent individuals in society. In almost every arena; ministry, government, business, sports and entertainment, we see the fall of those that were considered role models. These figures, who previous generations would look to, have let down the younger generation. Therefore trust is severely lacking.

So this generation has a right to ask Why?

How does this apply to the church? First, the church is not a building, organization or even a local assembly. The church is people: those who have been called out of darkness to reveal a spiritual kingdom and it’s King. This translates into the fact that for the church to be attractive to this generation, WE must act in a way that reveals we are DIFFERENT.

This difference is not in our music style, how we dress for service, how the facilities are decorated or any other cosmetic aspect. This difference must be demonstrated in our DAILY LIVES.

1. How much do I act like Jesus?
2. How much power do I exhibit?
3. Do I resist the temptations of this world?
4. Do I tell the truth?
5. Do I take a stand even when the crowd is going in another direction?
6. Do I exhibit a love and acceptance of people like Jesus did?

Jesus’ first message was: “Repent : for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 4:17). The original text for kingdom means “royal power, dominion, rule” (Vine’s/Thayer’s). Jesus’ first message was that there is a dominion or rule from heaven that has come near. But He just didn’t preach about it, He demonstrated it: “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people” (Matt 4:23). Jesus did not have a problem attracting people to his ministry. He did not use the latest fad or marketing program. He demonstrated what He preached. He demonstrated the power that was within Him.

I submit to you that the answer to the cynicism of today’s young person is the demonstration of the “dominion, rule and power” of heaven in our daily lives. Let’s make Jesus real.

Food for thought:
How do I demonstrate Kingdom dominion in my life?

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His First Message

Yesterday I began reading the Gospels again, this time from a specific mindset: I wanted to see beyond what I believe is a typical mindset. It seems that the common view of theses book is to present the story of Jesus coming, death, resurrection and how it can be made applicable to our lives. In short, it is about how He created a way of heaven for us. This concept simplifies it to the point that we are purchasing fire insurance or a ticket to some destination.

However, for a while now, I have felt there was more to it than just providing an escape for us. Some of my basis for this is the first message Jesus preached, found in Matthew 4:17. It states that" from that time (a point of beginning) Jesus began to preach and say 'Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Notice what He did not say: "repent, confess, believe or be born again and get ready to go to heaven."

The focus of His message was to change your thinking (look up the definition of repent) because the rule, dominion or realm (look up the definition of kingdom) of a spirit realm is here. Jesus first message was one of dominion, authority or power. He then proceeded to demonstrate this kingdom by manifesting it's power.

• Matt 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

Jesus proceeded to demonstrate the authority of His kingdom over the kingdom of this world. Further, in John 17:18, Jesus states that as he was sent into the world, he was sending us. We are to continue to fulfill the mission He started of calling others into His kingdom.

Till next time
martin