One of the definitions of power is "the capacity to influence other people or the course of events." In my last teaching titled "Decision, Determination, and Destiny"
(the story of Ruth) we saw that Ruth was propelled from poverty to
status as a world class influence because of her willingness:
1. To change;
2. To learn; and,
3. To receive.
Once she obtained her position of power as the wife of Boaz, she
maintained it and ultimately became a member of Royal Ancestry: it was
through her seed line that the Messiah Jesus was born. Through her
progeny ... because of her decision to make major changes ... every person on Planet Earth has the decision making ability to choose to go to Heaven and live with God forever.
Question: What are you doing with the talents,
skills, and abilities which Almighty God has given you? What are you
doing in your position of power . . . or ARE YOU in a position of
power?
When I'm in my home area I walk out in the mornings on the patio and
see some of the most beautiful buildings in the world: great challenges
of engineering, architecture, and construction; inspiring and aesthetic
grandeur. I think of how God gave men the skills, the wisdom, and the
materials to make such awesome objects of beauty. How much more
excellent is the universe which God created ... and how wonderful the
human body which God created?
I then think about the buildings, as beautiful as they are, being in a
CLOSED SYSTEM. Then I see the trees near the buildings: gorgeous palm
trees, even evergreen trees, and also some deciduous trees. And, I
realize the new trees - while growing - are in an OPEN SYSTEM.
Once the last weldment, the last wall board, the finish trim are in
place ... a building is then in a CLOSED SYSTEM. It starts the process
of deterioration, and through the years needs maintenance ... possible
restoration ... until it has seen its last days.
A fetus in the womb of its mother is in an OPEN STATE. It is developing
and growing, but as soon as it parts the womb it is then on a path of
limited number of years and becomes a CLOSED SYSTEM.
The Bible tells us that our average life span is 70 to 80 years; of
course, some people – like my mother – live much longer ... and of
course, some people live much shorter. We should at the least expect
this average longevity and believe God for it.
"The days of our years are threescore and ten; and if by reason of
strength they are fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and
sorrow; for it is soon cut off and we fly away." [Psalm 90:10]
This Psalm, of course, was written under the Old Covenant (or,
Testament). Thank God, when we know Yeshua ha Meshiach (Jesus the
Messiah) personally we can experience JOY every day of our life, even
in times of trial and heartbreak. We can LEARN how to create an open system ... that will develop from and during the closed system of this mortal life on earth ... through parallel goals that will endure throughout eternity.
We hear a lot of talk today about having an "exit plan," especially
with reorganization in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. It is
important for us to have an exit plan. Our exit plan should be EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN our long term goal(s). We should also have parallel goals:
one of which is consistently the same. The goal which is always the
same is this: to honorably represent Messiah and give glory to God.
The other parallel goal will be determined when we spend time with God in His Word and in prayer as we RECEIVE His will for our lives. If we are in the PERFECT CENTER OF HIS WILL, then what we do ... God does!
When the children of Israel were at the edge of the Red Sea, being
chased by Pharaoh and 600 of his chosen chariots of war, God told
Moses, "But
lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide
it; and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the
middle of the sea." [Exodus 14:16]
However, in verse 21 we read, "Then Moses stretched out his
hand over the sea: and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong
east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the
waters were divided."
After you have heard from God, you have to take the "step of faith."
When the children of Israel were at the Jordan River ready to go into
the promised land, the water did not part until the priests put their feet into the water.
Other than finding Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) as your personal savior, here's one of the greatest things you can learn in life:
IF YOUR PLAN FITS INTO GOD'S PLAN ...
.......... YOU WILL HAVE GOD'S FAITH ...
.................... AND GOD'S FAITH ALWAYS WORKS!
That's why some people never fail permanently. They may hit the pit 10 or 20 times, but they always rise up victoriously! "For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief." [Proverb 24:16]
If you are not in an open state at this time, then ask yourself: "Why?"
Don't blame someone else. If it is a problem of sin, then pray and ask
God to forgive you. Repent ... turn from the situation or practice that
is keeping you from spiritual growth and development. If you do not
know yeshua as your Lord ... then pray and ask Jesus to take control of
your life ... to save you and lead you the rest of your time here on
earth.
Develop the habit of asking the Holy Spirit to teach you something from
the Bible every day that will help you in learning about your two parallel goals:
GOAL #1 – To honorably represent Messiah and give glory to God.
GOAL #2 – To accomplish the GREAT WORK for which you were created; the thing that is the DEEP DESIRE within your heart.
Once we have established a position of spiritual power, we need to maintain it. As in football, basketball, baseball, rugby, or any sport ... our best defense is a good offense! Build relationships with other people ... don't burn them! Rabbi
Shaul (Paul) was constantly building good, permanent relationships by
leading people to Messiah and by training them to be disciples and
followers of the Lord.
We need to be soul winners. I know some rabbis and ministers who go a
whole day never telling anyone about Messiah ... and then use the
excuse that their job is only to equip the believers. The real JOY of
life is helping people find eternal life through Yeshua and then
helping them to grow and be productive leaders.
In a previous teaching, Keys To Foundational Relationships,
we discussed that sometimes it is God's will for us to break off
relationships, but that is surely NOT the case all the time! If you
have a problem constantly breaking off relationships with people, then
ask God for healing.
Usually such problems arise out of insecurity or out of "fear
of failure" to handle situations: insecurity that is usually imbedded
from childhood; or, "fear of failure" resulting from repeated past
negative performance. Also, the problems may occur sometimes
because of a bad spirit (a demon) and must be dealt with by prayer,
confession of the Word of God, and sometimes counseling accompanied by
exorcism.
Remember, with Messiah Yeshua you have a new start every day. Learn to cultivate good friendships with people. Show them . . . and yourself ... that the Holy Spirit lives in you.
King Saul was a classic case of a "bridge-burner." King David was a
classic case of a "bridge builder." [1 Samuel Chapters 10 through 31]
"Bridge-burning" usually results from insecurity, fear, or jealousy ...
or a combination of them; and often manifests with the OLD order trying
to "spear" the NEW order to the wall. King Saul was jealous of the anointing from God upon David! He was mad at David and afraid of him because God was with him. [1 Samuel 18:5-12]
Be aware of something: The "new order" does not necessarily mean young in age or seniority ... or inexperienced.
The "new order" can be older people ... seasoned, experienced people
... breaking away from established form: form that was once fresh with
the Spirit.
If we find ourselves in the "old order", we need to build bridges with the "new order" to establish UNITY for the Lord's sake. This will accomplish two things:
1. It will assure that we are open to what the Spirit is doing; and,
2. It will place us in a position of blessing to receive a new
anointing, and to receive God's best as a "peace-maker" for unity's
sake [Matthew 5:9]). This way we maintain a position in an OPEN SYSTEM.
When we pray the suggested guidelines for daily prayer as the Lord
suggested (the disciple's prayer [Luke 11:1-4]), we are asking for
God's will ... and IF we mean what we pray ... we will be open to what
God WANTS and what God DOES. God wants unity among his people and He honors "bridge-building" [Ephesians 4:3]. To fulfill your service to the world and to maintain your position of power in an OPEN SYSTEM, you must build bridges!
Maybe you have had a problem with this in the past ... or maybe you are
having a problem with this NOW. Your situation may be one where a
person is angry with you ... maybe rightfully so, or maybe wrongfully.
Well ... I've got good news for you. It's "turn around" time. Here is a promise you can claim:
"Surely the wrath of man shall praise you [God]: and the remainder of wrath you shall restrain." [Psalm76:10]
Pray and ask God to turn the situation around and make the past anger,
or wrath, turn into praise to God. Let the situation PRAISE HIM! And
then, ask God to RESTRAIN the remainder of the wrath so there will be
no more anger. It works; I've used that promise many times.
Two other things that are very important in maintaining an OPEN SYSTEM, and of which we should be cognizant, are as follows:
1. To ACKNOWLEDGE the help and work of those with whom we are associated.
2. To develop the ability to graciously RECEIVE.
Now YOU ... like Ruth
... can be a world class influence: operating in an open system of
spiritual power, and changing nations and generations for eternity!
