thoughts that challenge the status quo of modern, western christianity

Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts

Thursday, January 15, 2009

To Be Different, Do Different

The unique DNA programming of a rainmaker is what allows them to produce when others are not. These individuals perceive their situations different, which causes them to speak different, which results in them doing different.

It is this doing different that reveals the difference of rainmaker. When things are tough, the average continues to operate much the same old way. They may increase the amount of what they do, but is doing just more of the same o’ same o’. Not with the rainmaker.

Rainmakers become innovative, changing their approach to their situations. They think outside the box, creating their opportunities. If the door gets shut in their face they look for a window (NOT ANOTHER DOOR – GET IT). I like what Zig Ziglar says: “If life gives you a bowel of lemons, make lemonade!” Now that’s a rainmaker attitude and actions.

Spiritual Rainmakers

In the kingdom, because rainmakers see and speak different, they do different things. They say “funny” things like: “rise up and walk” and “Be healed.”

After Elijah stated hearing the sound of the abundance of rain, he got busy with prayer. I do not know if anyone else in Israel had thought to pray to Jehovah about the drought probably not, after all they were backslid. Yet Elijah did what the others were not.

Six times Elijah prayed and after each time he sent his servant to look: each time nothing. But Elijah kept praying. After the seventh time the report came back of a small cloud forming. Elijah stopped praying and instructed the servant to go tell Ahab to get going so he would not get caught in the rain.

Because rainmakers perceive different, they can persevere when things are tough. Elijah did not give up after the first six reports. He heard different, he knew different, he spoke different. So he did different – he kept on praying.

Spiritual rainmakers: perceive different, speak different and keep on doing different even in the face of adversity.

Food for thought –

What are you doing different that reveals you are a rainmaker?

Friday, January 9, 2009

Watch' You Lookin' At?

Rainmakers make things happen. They have the ability to rise above the mediocrity of their surroundings and produce when others are not. They have this ability because they are wired different.

The first core principle of a rainmakers DNA is:
They perceive different

Illustration
There was this shoe salesman sent to the innermost jungles of the Amazon. Upon arrival, he discovers that none of the natives wear shoes. Discouraged, he wires the home office and says he is returning because nobody wears shoes.

A competitor sends a salesman to the same place and people. Upon arrival he also notes that none of the natives are wearing shoes. He hurriedly wires the home office and request all the stock possible because the opportunity is unlimited because: “Everybody needs shoes!”

Which one is the rainmaker?

During the Korean War at the battle of Chosin Reservoir. I was reported that the Marine group was completely surrounded by the enemy. To this statement, then Major OP Smith is quoted as saying: “Excellent, we can now attack in any direction!” - That is a rainmaker!

Rainmakers see the same thing as other, yet they see it different. Where others see chaos and limitations: rainmakers see opportunity. How many discoveries have been made because a rainmaker saw more than a problem, they saw an opportunity.

Spiritual Rainmakers
The Kingdom rainmaker also is one that perceives different. This is noted in the life of Elijah. During the time of the drought and famine, God speaks to Elijah and says he will send rain (1 Kings 18:1). It was after the ordeal with the prophets of baal when Elijah states that there was the sound of abundance of rain. Where Elijah? It is still hot, dry and a famine. Others were seeing with the natural, Elijah was seeing with the eyes of faith.

The Kingdom rainmaker is led by the Spirit, so they see things from a spiritual perspective. They are in tune with the desires of the King, therefore they look at the situations and see how they can bring the will of the King to fruition.

Food for thought –
How are your perceiving this current time economic turmoil: fear and helplessness? Or are you looking for the King to show you how to manifest His kingdom?

View Empowerment Moment VBlog - here

Friday, November 28, 2008

Detours & Destinations

On our way to MO a couple of days ago, I did not understand the directions given me by Mapquest, so I took the way I thought should have worked - emphasis on should have! Well, we ran into a detour. So now I am wandering around attempting to find a more direct route to my destination. Finally, I found a road I was familiar with and made it to my destination.

Today I was thinking, how many times the Lord takes us on a detour. We have our lives and plans laid out. We are going places. Yet in the midst of these we hit the orange detour sign. Some are minor, some are major. Maybe it is the lost sale, the change in routine, the relationship break up, job lay off, sickness, disease, maybe even the loss of a spouse or child. The one thing for sure is that they are almost always unexpected and undesired.

The challenge of His detours is that so many times we focus on the detour. We do the www: "why me," "whine" and "worry" about what we are going thru. (come on somebody, can I get an amen!) Oh believe me, I am preaching to myself! In my 48 years of life and 28 years of living for God I have done the www so many times. I am not downplaying the emotions or trauma of some of these detours. They can be rough and down right frightening.

It is so like my human nature to focus on the detour, when I believe it is the destination I should be looking for. Sometimes I may know the destination: other times I may not. Yet if I am His, maybe it is time I just have to trust him (oh now I am preaching - to myself). Unfortunatley or fortunatley in living in His kingdom, I have been thru enough detours that I am begining to learn to focus on the destination: where He is taking me.

I do not like the detour - but I love the destination

It is the holiday season here in the U.S. One of the most stressful times for many individuals. If you find that you are on a detour in life, please try and not focus on the detour. Seek Him to get an idea of the destination - look to see where He is leading you. Oh and check your spiritual shock absorbers.

Lord Bless

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Faith From Our Commissioning

Understanding our commission is crucial to operating in apostolic authority. It defines what we are empowered to do, thus giving us the liberty to operate. It is from this we can derive a faith and freedom to operate.

The centurion in Luke 7 knew his commission and freely operated in authority. It was demonstrated by his confidence in giving instructions to his servants with an expectation they would obey. It was this same authority he saw in Jesus when he stated that if Jesus would just speak it, his servant would be made whole. Jesus responded by saying He had not seen such faith in all of Israel. How did this relate to faith?

The centurion had faith because he understood what a commission was. He knew who had sent him and what he was authorized to do. Because of this, he had a freedom to act.

It is the same with apostolic authority. When we grasp what we have been commissioned to do, we can then demonstrate with faith. As we do what we were commissioned to do, we can expect the Lord to support us because we are operating according to His instructions.

Food For Thought
What is your level of faith? Do you know what you have been commissioned to do?
till next time
martin