Equipping Thoughts

When my wonderful wife graciously confronted my negative attitude with her loving, truthful words and eyes, the Holy Spirit revealed my numbness. Yes, I had grown calloused and numb to my own negativity. It’s amazing that someone as positive as I am (right Honee Beckie, smile!), could fall into the trap of numbness of negativity.

Negative situations, decisions, attitudes can deplete my heart and drain my energy…like it can for most of us. I don’t know anyone who loves being around negative people or circumstances.

I’m not promoting positive thinking - solely. I am an advocate for positive thinking that is rooted in Christlike faith and an eternal perspective!

My heart and perspective shifted a bit when I read:
Numbers 11:1 The people fell to grumbling over their hard life. God heard. When he heard his anger flared; then fire blazed up and burned the outer boundaries of the camp. (Message)

Begin with me O Lord…change my heart, mind and attitudes! (& Beckie said…amen!) I have so much to be thankful for! Besides, I don’t want to get You angry!

A recent email I sent to some men that came to mind as I as praying for my own heart - to be a man of C.A.R.S. for Christ!

a man of Godly…

1. Character
2. Attitude
3. Relationships
4. Service

WOW…Stephen was a C.A.R.S. man of God! I’ve been looking at Stephen’s life, reflecting on my C.A.R.S. and questioned the depth of my faith, while meditating on the verse below.

I know God is with me, I know I love Him, I know He is my all in all – but put in Stephen’s scenario, would I be praying for those who are murdering me!!

Acts 7
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

I am enflamed with conviction, to grow deeper in love with Jesus!!
I want my character, attitude, relationships and service to be deeply real, violently strong, outrageously passionate!!!

GOD – HELP ME…HELP ME…I want to be LIKE YOU!!!!!
I’m desperate because I’m lacking!
I’m hungry because I’m lazy!
I’m weak because I’m complacent!!

Lord – deliver me from ME!
I decrease, that you may increase!
I yield and surrender so that You may have the right of way in my ENTIRE LIFE!!!

In my 20 years plus of being involved in ministry, I’ve had my share of dealing with territorial people. I myself can be one. There are some characteristics I’ve found that describe a territorial person.?Characteristics of a territorial person (wearing masks of Godliness) :

• •possessive (mask of shepherding)

• •controlling (mask of leadership)
• •involves inner circle people to protect their leadership (mask of loyalty)
• •surrounds themselves with people they can manipulate (mask of trust)
• •gossips about other people, leaders (mask of love)
• •makes “lone ranger” decisions (mask of teamwork)
• •involved in many church activities, lacking submission (mask of godliness)

How do I help people overcome being territorial?

• •Ask them to give leadership away and delegate decisions.

• •Be committed to shepherding them through change.
• •Help them to identify that they are territorial.
• •Hold them personally accountable for offenses they cause.
• •Ask other people to hold them accountable.
• •Commit to uphold their good/Godly decisions and leadership.
• •Show support and unconditional love for them.
• •Communicate your desire for them to succeed.
• •Rotate responsibilities; rotate people and positions. Provide cross training among the team.
• •Be an example in lifestyle, speech, love, faith, trust, discipline and coaching.

1 Timothy 4:12 Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

Sean is an associate pastor at New Hope Windward under Pastor Dave Barr’s leadership. He recently spoke at our School of Church Planters class and I was reminded of a few (of the many) gems I discovered through his experiences.

Some of Sean’s goals as a servant and associate pastor at New Hope Windward:

1. Protect his leaders reputation.
2. Support the God given vision of his pastor.
3. Take responsibility to communicate honestly with his leadership.

Most of us in life, are submitted to someone, a leader, a boss, etc….
The art of submission starts with a heart of submission. I find that the heart of submission is lacking as I observe & assist many relationships and situations. So I’ve turned Sean’s goals into questions:

1. Are you protecting your leaders reputation or planting seeds of discord?
2. Are you supportive of your leaders goals, vision, aspirations (yes, even in the marketplace-when you don’t agree with or like them)? Remember, it’s your heart of submission.
3. Are you communicating honestly with your leader?

Develop your heart of submission in the tough places, among tough situations and even among leaders you may not agree with…as UNTO THE LORD!

Ephesians 6
 5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,

What a high calling…to develop and equip leaders and the work of discipleship!

But how frustrating it can be when people just don’t get it!!! Sounds familiar? I wonder how Jesus felt with his disciples throughout His journey with them? Disciples fighting for a “great seat in heaven” while Jesus is preparing to give his life and the host of other examples.

Then I hear the excuse, “But I can’t…!” (Some call it weakness or not being called or I’m tired or that’s not my gift or …) It’s more like, “But I don’t want to …submit to the hardship…!”

I think we decrease God’s worth in us when we say “we can’t!” The Holy Spirit’s work in me is Powerful - but I minimize and shrink His worth down, when I beat myself up with excuses and a sense of unworthiness.

We need to stop beating ourselves up – the devil does enough of that! God is worthy in us - and “YES WE CAN!!”

So…Decrease me Lord, so You may increase in and through me!

When my wonderful wife graciously confronted my negative attitude with her loving, truthful words and eyes, the Holy Spirit revealed my numbness. Yes, I had grown calloused and numb to my own negativity. It’s amazing that someone as positive as I am (right Honee Beckie, smile!), could fall into the trap of numbness of negativity.

Negative situations, decisions, attitudes can deplete my heart and drain my energy…like it can for most of us. I don’t know anyone who loves being around negative people or circumstances.

I’m not promoting positive thinking - solely. I am an advocate for positive thinking that is rooted in Christlike faith and an eternal perspective!

My heart and perspective shifted a bit when I read:
Numbers 11:1 The people fell to grumbling over their hard life. God heard. When he heard his anger flared; then fire blazed up and burned the outer boundaries of the camp. (Message)

Begin with me O Lord…change my heart, mind and attitudes! (& Beckie said…amen!) I have so much to be thankful for! Besides, I don’t want to get You angry!