Mercy Seat Ministries- Evangelist Pat and Karen Schatzline

3M-#17- Weeping Lions and Roaring Lambs-

2011-12-05T16:03:00.000-08:00

Weeping Lions and Roaring Lambs

3M- #17- Ministry Mentoring Moments

Proverbs 28:1, John 21:15-16, Psalms 34:10

Recently, while speaking in Phoenix, AZ at a men's conference God began to speak to me. At the time I was lying on my face worshiping. I heard God say to me, "Son, I am looking for Lions that weep, and Lambs that roar!" Therefore I must share this message!

Proverbs 28:1, (msg) The wicked are edgy with guilt, ready to run off even when no one's after them; Honest people are relaxed and confident, bold as lions.

Boy I love that! I picture a lion standing on a rock! Overlooking the landscape! Piercing eyes, stone hard jaw, paws in position to pounce, ready to defend or offend. Lions are the fiercest beast of the jungle. I love the old song "In the jungle the lion sleeps tonight."

Yet, God told me he was looking for lions that weep and lambs that roar! At first I wanted to say to God "you got that backwards Jesus! It doesn’t work that way… I didn’t understand this." Then I began to realize what God was saying.

I have always considered myself a lion. It is my favorite animal in the jungle. I have always wanted to operate as a protector of the pride!

OOPs there it is Protector of the Pride! We have been protecting our pride too long!

Yet, as a lion I have found that in the season we are in I must seek God. Boldness and passion are amazing, but I feel God calling me to brokenness and desperation.

Recently, God spoke to me, “son I am not looking for those who finish the race first, but those who can finish the race with a limp called brokenness.

There is a call from heaven for the strong to be broken and the weak to lift their voice in triumph. The church has operated as a place where the strong at heart blurt their opinions, run their committees, voice their desires, while so long those tender of heart have sat on the sidelines, waited their turn, and wept in their pillows!

There is a supernatural shift taking place. We are moving into the land of the opposites. The land is crying out for the wanderers of Holy Ground to arise with a holy passion and for the prowlers of Spirit to weep and wail.

Recently- I stood on a stage in front of thousands in FL. The powerful and very pure worship band had just finished its set. It was now my turn to speak. My heart was heavy. The night before worship was incredible. Thousands of students were crying out for God. Yet, when the speaker began to speak the students were inattentive. As I began to speak God told me to share with the thousands of students that if they were not careful they would be the Saul Generation. They love worship because it soothes their demons, but when the word comes they pick up spears to kill the Davids. Instead of soothing our demons we must get free of them. My prayer is that while worship is awesome we must have the word. That day I felt as a weeping lion. Students ran to the altars wailing, and many had supernatural miracles take place. Many of the cutters in the room had their scars disappear.

***Thus I must share weeping Lions and roaring lambs.

Mass confusion has infiltrated the body. We no longer fight for he unborn, we vote with our greed on our sleeves, we are careful to not say right from wrong so that the wind doesn’t shift in our direction…. Today I say enough is enough.

1 Tim. 4:1-2, The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

As I recently stood in Singapore I asked a crowded room of hundreds- How many are first generation Christians? -90% were first generation Christians- I began to weep- I knew this meant a very tough life was in front of these champions.

There is a stirring in the atmosphere: As Israel’s winter begins while it is being surrounded by the Arab Spring, while occupy wall street protesters defecate in the streets with a starbucks and Iphone in their hands, while our nation ponders a secularist or a Mormon for the office of president, while the stock market rises and falls on corporate whims, while the homosexual agenda invades every child media outlet, while the church has no trouble with winning the world as long as they can continue to look, act, and smell like the world, preaching shallow holiness and weak grace…

Key verse- Amos 3:4, (message) Does a lion roar in the forest if there's no carcass to devour?  Does a young lion growl with pleasure if he hasn't caught his supper? 

In other words why are we roaring if we haven’t done our job?

Where is the call for holiness! Where is the roar for defining salvation on every level? Most do not even know when they got saved, or what they gained through salvation. Oh that God would remove our roar until we hearing the bleating of the lambs!

Part 1- Weeping Lions:

There seems to be very few voices to stand tall for Jesus.

Psalms 58:6, (NASV) O God, shatter their teeth in their mouth;  Break out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD.

I believe the eyes of the Lord are roaming. He isn’t wearing bi-focals so he can see some from a different perspective. Choosing which way to tilt his head. God see's us all the same.

II Chronicles 16:9, (message) God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him.

#1. Lions have grown weak?

You see we are called to protect the pride. We are called to stand firm!

Psalms 34:10, The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

We have all grown tired and weak, but if we seek Him!

#2. The Lion surrounded by worshipers!

Rev. 5: 4-5, (message) I wept and wept and wept that no one was found able to open the scroll, able to read it. One of the Elders said, "Don't weep. Look—the Lion from Tribe Judah, the Root of David's Tree, has conquered. He can open the scroll, can rip through the seven seals."

The scroll is the title deed to earth which Jesus snatched back from the Devil . God the Father is holding it - seven seals means completeness. Who is worthy? - no one, so John wept- John WEPT!

But the Lion of the Tribe of Judah is because he has prevailed in His mission!

But what is the significance of calling Jesus the Lion of the Tribe of Judah?

Judah 4^th son- (4 means creation or universal truth) son of Jacob who fathered the 12 tribes

Why didn' t Jesus descend from the 1st son Reuben? Well, Reuben committed incest with his father's wife. The 2nd & 3rd sons (Simeon & Levi) had the blood of the Schechemites on their hands after avenging their sister Dinah's rape. So the birthright fell to the 4th son Judah

Judah- means -Praise, praised, thankful

King David was also from Judah's bloodline which is why Jesus is called the Root of David about whom it was prophesied, the throne of David shall be established before the Lord forever (1Kings 2:45)

But the first prophecy of the never-ending Kingdom of Jesus was given by Jacob on his deathbed- Genesis 49:8-12, “Judah, your brothers will praise you;  your hand will be on the neck of your enemies;  your father’s sons will bow down to you.  9 You are a lion’s cub, Judah;  you return from the prey, my son.  Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?  10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,[b]  until he to whom it belongs[c] shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.  11 He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch;  he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.  12 His eyes will be darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk

Judah means praise- Judah is a lion's whelp- lions cub

KEY: Lions that weep- represents the brokenness that must fall once again on the worshipers!

John the revelator was weeping and therefore the Lion stepped up to open the seals! The Lion of the tribe of Judah is the one who receives worship! We are his cubs and we must worship!

Part II- Roaring Lambs!

#1. The Lamb of God has come!

We know that Jesus was both Lion and Lamb! We know the lamb has always represented that acceptable sacrifice! The lamb skin would cover the nakedness of man in the garden. It would cleanse the people of their sins when the priest would make sacrifice.

Jesus was the Lamb! He came wrapped in flesh! He was born at an Inn- to show that he would be staying only for a short time- Just behind the Inn was a stable (manger) where the animals ate- He was born in filth and poverty.

II Corinthians 8:9- ⁹For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Facts about lambs- Lambs- Up to 20 percent of newborn lambs can die soon after birth unless they are given improved conditions. Some starve if their mothers reject them! Many farmers will have special areas for ewes to give birth in so they can keep the lambs warm and fed. Sheep have a flight zone, which is the space they like to keep between themselves and others. Sheep don't like to walk in water or move through narrow openings. They prefer to move into the wind and uphill than down wind and downhill.

#2. Shepherds must find the lamb!

Who did the angels speak to first- Shepherds abiding in the fields watching- God always uses the shepherds. Look at Moses and David they were shepherds. They were shepherding when their lives were interrupted. The night Jesus was born the shepherds were looking for a lamb! A shepherds job entailed looking for the lost lambs! They also encountered a lion! In essence they were searching this time for a lamb that would save them and a lion that would rise again! They were probably running- They were probably weeping- here these lowly shepherds were the first evangelist!

Luke 2:812, And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Can you imagine? As the shepherds approached the manger? God chooses the simple things to confound the wise. He chose the watchers of the lambs! These shepherds were going to find the Head Shepherd.

1 Peter 2:25- For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Mom and Dads you are the watchers of the lambs!

The shepherds could hear the animals, they could feel the excitement in the atmosphere, the night was lit up, but there under the wooden roof lay a king. A lamb that would take away the sins of the world. A lamb who would later roar like a lion!

#3. Disciples must declare the Lamb!

John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way. He declared the lamb of God.

John 1:29, The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world

Then the next day John declared it again! This would cost John two disciples!

John 1:35-37, (message) The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.

#4. The Lamb must be led to the slaughter!

Isaiah 53:7, He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,  so he did not open his mouth.

The Passover Lamb was to be observed from the 10th day until the 14th day of Abib (This is the new moon of he new year when the barley is ready for harvest)

Exodus 12:3, (NIV) Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household

Jesus Christ was the Passover Lamb that the priests sacrificed.

Matthew 25:27-31, Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

Matthew 27:25 (NIV) All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"

#5. The Lamb Roared!

Matt 25:45-46, From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

The lamb was in such agonizing pain! His father turned his back on him. Isaiah was right! He was being slaughtered. The noise reached the heavenlies!

Matt 25:50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

So Jesus was the lamb that roared!

The Lion and the Lamb- While it was the Lion of Judah who was deemed worthy to open the scroll, it is actually the Lamb who sits on the throne and opens each of the seven seals

III. Jesus died as our lamb and arose as our lion!

Let me set the scene. Jesus has died on the cross. He was the lamb led to the slaughter! The disciples were scattered. Simon Peter- The Rock- The big mouthed disciple who had rejected Christ at his worst moment

Mark 14:72, Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.[a] Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Peter would become the lion of the church! The one who would lead, preach, and exhort! But for now he had broken the heart of God!

Now three days have past. Peter and some disciples were now out fishing.

John 21:4-5, Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

John 21:7- Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

Peter swims to the shore to see Jesus. They then shared breakfast.

John 21:15-16, (message) After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Master, you know I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16 He then asked a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" "Yes, Master, you know I love you." Jesus said, "Shepherd my sheep."

Key- When lambs are hungry! A lamb bleats the loudest and longest when it is hungry. The lamb is dependent on food constantly, and as it grows, is always foraging for food. Appetite is an indicator of health.

Jesus was saying- you were a weeping lion, but now you must feed the roaring lambs! The lambs are hungry! He is the Lion of the tribe of worshipers! We are his cubs! We must weep again! Roaring lambs are the ones who hungry for freedom!

We must get back to weeping! The lambs are roaring! They are hungry, but we are so busy roaring we cant hear their cries!

The lion and the lamb shall commune together in the millennial reign! Isaiah 11:6-9

IV. The lion and the lamb awaits his bride!

Rev. 19:9, Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

Today, it is time for us to weep again and listen for the roaring of the hungry lambs! Let the lions weep and the lambs roar!

3M-#16- UnMasking Mormonism!

2011-10-10T17:15:00.000-07:00

Unmasking Mormonism!

(The Truth About the Church of Jesus Christ LDS!)

By Patrick Schatzline

(To hear the complete teaching on world religions listen to the apologetics message “The Only Way” on mercyseatministries.com/podcast.php.)

Is Mormonism a Cult? My goal in this blog is to share the truth and to help mature Christians understand what it is that Mormons believe. Last weekend I was in Salt Lake City, Utah speaking at a men’s conference. It is the Mormon mecca of the US. Many evangelical pastors in Salt Lake City would assure you that Mormonism is a cult. I am reminded of what John the Baptist said in John 1:23, “John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.’’ Let me say up front I believe we should use wisdom and show respect to everyone regardless of their religious affiliation.

It is my heart that our nation be blessed!

Psalms 33:12, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance." That is a promise we must remember during this season of hot political debate. Recently, religion took center stage once again. This was due to the rise of prominent Mormons such as TV personality Glenn Beck, and the two Mormon presidential candidates Mitt Romney and John Huntsman. At a recent political gathering for candidate Gov. Rick Perry a Baptist Pastor named Robert Jeffress declared that “Mormonism is a cult!” He spoke these words as he introduced Candidate Rick Perry, and was referring mainly to Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney. The pastor spoke the truth, but according to the media and other candidates he was wrong to say those words. Political correctness is the rule of thumb in our nation. But when it comes to Christianity Jesus declared in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

We must be very careful of walking in ignorance concerning all religions:

Romans 12:2, (MSG Bible) “Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”

Rather than share opinion only I will share some facts from my study on world religions series called “Taken- Apologetics for a generation!” Let me be very clear that I am a values voter. I will vote for the person who protects life, sanctity of marriage, declare the protection of Israel, and whom I believe will best lead our nation. However, I do believe that we must look at a persons religious affiliation. It is not politically correct today to discuss religion with politics, but I do not believe you can separate the two. In politics many times people use God to win votes and then rule by way of secularism. There also are a lot of leaders who claim to be Christian, but their values in office do not reflect the bible.

Here is what President Barak Obama has stated in 3 different speeches: "Somehow, somewhere along the way, faith stopped being used to bring us together and started being used to drive us apart. It got hijacked. Part of it's because of the so-called leaders of the Christian Right, who've been all too eager to exploit what divides us,"

Romans 16:17-18- “I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. ¹⁸For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.”

As a member of the “religious right” I realize that I might be the enemy when it comes to speaking the truth. Nevertheless, I still believe that truth when smashed to the ground will arise undaunted! The media and most of the candidates have tried to paint the pastor as a bigot. I believe that Pastor Jeffress spoke the truth! I also know that many of the Mormons I have met are very kind people.

The truth about Mormonism:

The Mormons are very good at sounding like Evangelical Christians. The “Mormon Machine” is very powerful in America and other nations. Their commercials and rhetoric sound very hotdog and apple pie on the surface. In fact Mormonism has a very dark past that is deliberately ignored. They didn’t even believe African Americans could go to heaven until Sept. 30, 1978. Their founder and Prophet Joseph Smith and Brigham Young believed that all blacks were a cursed race. Mormonism is a highly financed religious organization that is backed by some of the largest companies in the world from Marriott to Coca-Cola.

American fact: 72% of Americans believe the Mormon Faith is the same as Christianity.

Fact: The doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) are very peculiar. Most of the 'odd' mandates of Mormonism are not initially taught to potential converts. Instead, "they are revealed later as one matures and gains the ability to accept them."

Fact: Mormonism started 1800 years after the birth of Christianity, and the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Fact: The LDS Church tries to make its official doctrines appear Christian but what underlies those Christian sounding terms is far from Christian in meaning.

Fact: Mormons believe Mormonism is the restoration of the gospel.

Fact: The Mormons believe that their chosen prophets can change their doctrinal bi-laws when God speaks to them. To date the book of Mormon has had 666 amended changes made to its original doctrine.

Fact: Mormons believe Joseph Smith is the one true prophet.

More Facts as taken from Mormon Doctrines:

1. Atonement- Jesus paid for all sins while in the garden of Gethsemane.

2. Salvation- "One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation," (Miracle of Forgiveness, Spencer W. Kimball, p. 206).

3. Baptism for the dead- (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. II, p. 141). This is a practice of baptizing each other in place of non-Mormons who are now dead. Their belief is that in the afterlife, the "newly baptized" person will be able to enter into a higher level of Mormon heaven.

4. Bible- "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. . ." (8th Article of Faith of the Mormon Church).

5. The book of Mormon- The book of Mormon is more correct than the Bible, (History of the Church, 4:461).

6. The Devil- was born as a spirit after Jesus "in the morning of pre-existence," (Mormon Doctrine, p. 192).

a. Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers and we were all born as siblings in heaven to them both, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 163).

b. A plan of salvation was needed for the people of earth so Jesus offered a plan to the Father and Satan offered a plan to the father but Jesus' plan was accepted. In effect the Devil wanted to be the Savior of all Mankind and to "deny men their agency and to dethrone god,"

7. God- God used to be a man on another planet, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 321;)

a. "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s..."

b. God is in the form of a man, (Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, vol. 6)

c. "God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!!! . . . We have imagined that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea and take away the veil, so that you may see," (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345).

d. God the Father had a Father, (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, vol. 6, p. 476; Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, vol. 5, p. 19; Milton Hunter, First Council of the Seventy, Gospel through the Ages, p. 104-105).

e. God resides near a star called Kolob, (Pearl of Great Price, p. 34-35;)

f. God had sexual relations with Mary to make the body of Jesus, (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, 1857, p. 218; vol. 8, p. 115). - This one is disputed among many Mormons and not always 'officially' taught and believed. Nevertheless, Young, the 2nd prophet of the Mormon church taught it.

8. You as a god- After you become a good Mormon, you have the potential of becoming a god, (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345-347, 354.)

Jesus- The first spirit to be born in heaven was Jesus, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 129).

a. Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers and we were all born as siblings in heaven to them both, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 163; Gospel Through the Ages)

b. Jesus' sacrifice was not able to cleanse us from all our sins, (murder and repeated adultery are exceptions), (Journal of Discourses, vol. 3, 1856,)

Closing thoughts:

So should we vote for a Mormon? I believe that our nation is in a very serious place in history. I would actually vote for a leader who is Mormon if they are the nominated candidate that promises to protect the unborn, the sanctity of marriage, and declares that they will back and protect Israel.

We must remember amidst all of the noise in our culture that Gods word does not change:

Galatians 1:9, As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!

We must remember that God does not deal kindly with those who add or take away from Gods word.

Revelation 22:18-19, I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

#15- "Branding the vision!" (3m- ministry- mentoring- moments)

2011-09-12T14:04:00.000-07:00

3M #15- “Branding the Vision!”
By Pat Schatzline, www.mercyseatministries.com
Lyall Mercer, www.mercerpr.com

The following is teaching that has burned in my heart for a while. I asked my dear friend from Australia name Lyall Mercer to contribute. I pray you are blessed!

Branding- The desire to authenticate, manufacture, and publicly proclaim your vision or idea.

Proverbs 29:18, (message bible) If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.

Is it possible to create a brand and vision that could change cultures, environments, and lives? It isn’t unholy to create a plan for your vision that gets the attention of the church world while developing a “hook” for the drive by seeker or lost person.

Habakkuk 2:2, (message bible) And then GOD answered: “Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. 3 This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time.

We have seen that done in every aspect of community. The church is no different. We must create an idea/ vision that sticks. Whether it is a vision to love your city, serve your arena of influence, or establish a safe place of corporate worship people are looking for something to belong too. In the church arena we must compete with the cultural noise around us. There is a constant onslaught against our values and beliefs. Today’s, media is mostly owned by secularist, or social driven groups whom always have an agenda. Most of the time works against our core values. I truly believe that the church is just now catching a vision for branding. Social groups have done this for years.

Why can’t the church have an agenda? I believe our agenda trumps the worlds. Our goal is to populate heaven and depopulate hell! Oops! I mentioned hell. It is a very real place that we compete against for the very souls of mankind.

Christian influenced social media has taken off with an attempt to brand our services, our vision, and our newest outreach. It is a great start. We can now website and twitter our newest sermon, blog our most recent revelation, face book our big gatherings, and e-invite people to join our newest cause. We are Branding!

I honestly believe that this generation is looking for churches, movements, youth ministries, and Christian arenas that will proudly proclaim truth. What if we branded our vision like the backrooms of the environmental headquarters? What if we shouted our plans of invasion like the gay and lesbian culture? What if we stood tall upon the mountain of misinformation given to the students of universities and declared truth? God has chosen us to “Brand” the truth! If you don’t believe in your vision, dream, and purpose who will? There is a reason why super bowl adds cost 1.5 million for 30 seconds. Advertising works. But it isn’t just advertising it is branding your concept. Living your Brand!

We want to share with you some guidelines and principles for branding your vision.. I will tell you that if you brand your vision the right way you will see eventual growth in the area of team, congregants, and community recognition.

Part 1- "12 Guidelines for Branding your vision”
By Pat Schatzline, follow @patschatz, www.mercyseatministries.com

1. Getting started: Pray! Dream! Consult!
2. Ask yourself and your team what do you want to be known most for in your city. It maybe that your ministry is “a thriving place of encounter for the entire family,” or a place that is known for “loving everyone regardless of history”, or maybe a place that “rescues the lost, heals the hurting, and empowers the least of these.” Establish what it is that creates the very “pulse” of your vision!
3. What is your pulse? Define and simplify!
4. Make sure your if your idea is borrowed you have done the leg work to secure the right to use it!
5. Create the artwork that defines the vision. Remember: keep it simple! Easy to read on the go? Leaving the passer with curiosity, but understanding.
6. Make sure the vision is simplistic in nature, but deep in meaning!
7. Many times the “brand” will come from the heart of a leader or team. It can be a sudden vision that comes, or is birthed over a long period of consistent ministry
8. Develop a plan and calendar that will answer the “brand.”
9. Get as many as possible on board who can begin to help in the best way of advertising “Word of Mouth.” In other words sale your vision to your inner circle! Excitement always starts at the core!
10. Dream out a way to share it with your church, company, ministry, city, or nation. Ask God for inspired ideas, look at what others are doing, and don’t be afraid to start small.
11. Sell it to you! How we push the vision and brand truly determines its success. Does it mean you have to stretch and put on a new wine skin. The greatest hindrance to a vision is when the leader sends mixed messages. Sometimes we ourselves must be willing to die on the hill.
12. Your “brand” should emulate the ultimate goal of your vision. Many times people “brand” off their history, but most of the time this brings little or no influence. Brand for today and tomorrow!

Part 2- “Practical Rules for Branding”
by Lyall Mercer- Follow @Lyallmercer, www.mercerpr.com
(Lyall Mercer is a former church planter, Christian speaker, crisis and talent manager who also owns a successful public relations firm called Mercer PR.)

1. Your brand must be authentic. It must be you. It must reflect your values and passion.
2. There is no right or wrong way to “do” youth ministry, just as there is no right or wrong way to “do” church. However the values and principles cross all styles and methods
3. If all you do is copy others – you are not being true to yourself or obedient to God. It’s OK to get ideas from others but God has called you to be you.
4. Know your market. Are you targeting Christians or the unchurched? I see a “community” identity as one that connects with the community, so speak and act in ways the community understands.
5. Do you want to preach at people or connect with them? Jesus connected and so should we.
6. Connection takes understanding. Don’t pretend to understand the way the unchurched thinks if you never associate with them. If you have gone from school to bible college to church ministry you probably have very little understanding of the way unbelievers think. Church “cool” is not enough if you want to connect with the un-churched.
7. Is your marketing directed at Christians or the un-churched? If you think “awesome worship” is a term that will attract the un-churched this is a sure sign that you are on the wrong track.
8. Connecting with the community means to accept people whoever they are and whatever they are into. It means to rise above judgment and understand that they are being true to their world-view and have different priorities and values. As Christian leaders our role is to respect the views and values of others not degrade them. This doesn’t mean we have to share their views and values – on the contrary we need to be influencers of the truth. But the first step to influence is respect for others.
9. Know your message. Everyone has a message that they are passionate about. My message is that the church is the connection point between the world and eternity and that we must live lives of connection not condemnation. I want this message to define my ministry. What defines yours?
10. Your message becomes your “brand”. It must be reflected in everything you do. The words you use, the graphics in your logo and the programs you operate. The leader sets the culture, the message and the course. Your leaders will follow you and eventually reflect the culture you set.
11. Do not allow others to vary your message or culture. If they see things differently allow them (even encourage them…) to take a different course. Your culture, direction and message is non-negotiable because this is the message and culture God has put into your heart.
12. Think of the youth ministries and churches that are huge and doing great things. They are originals. They didn’t follow someone else’s path but blazed their own trails. This is what separates the remembered from the forgotten.
13. Do things that relate to the community. Be a part of bigger community projects and events. Promote what you do through local media and throughout it all, stay true to your message and brand.
14. Look at your self and your ministry through the eyes of an unbeliever and ask if you’d be interested. Be honest.

Part 3- "18 ways to Implement the plan" By Pat Schatzline

1. Begin to the put the “brand” in place via meetings, services, encounters, and gatherings that resemble what you plan to “brand.” In other words be doing it before you reveal it!
2. Let your plan begin to grow by constant communication.
3. Once the artwork is in place bombard all of your avenues of influence, marketplace, web traffic, and street traffic.
4. Have others model the vision by way of communication, t-shirts, social media, touch cards, and text.
5. Create the write signage. Banners and yard signs create excitement.
6. Let your theme be known at every level. Act it out at every level. Create ways to be seen, heard, and watched.
7. Guard your “Brand” from outside interference. In other words make sure that you own your brand. Your brand defines your mission statement.
8. Constantly look for ways to improve your brand!
9. Your brand should say everything there is to know about you.
10. Never be afraid of over exposure.
11. Realize your brand is not in competition with the church, but rather is competition with the outside noise.
12. Your brand will take on a life of its own. Get out of the way and let it work for you.
13. Be prepared to always defend your vision!
14. Make sure your team always makes decisions that will bring honor and integrity to the brand.
15. Constantly look for avenues to increase the vision without de-simplifying your vision.
16. Make sure your vision can carry the load of expectation.
17. Make up your mind to not deviate from the plan. This is who we are, and until God changes our direction this is who we will be!
18. Your “brand” will define your next 5-10 years. Let’s quit playing catch up! Have fun! This is your chance to be at the helm of the boat! Make up your mind to lead to a revolution! Let history declare you didn’t sit back, you never played second, but you desired to impact your world. Go Glocal!

Invade your world with the good news!

3M-#14- Healing!- The Backside of the Cross!

2011-09-06T08:43:00.000-07:00

3M- Ministry Mentoring Moments- By Patrick H. Schatzline

Title: The Backside of the Cross… Where healing stained the cross!

There has been a deep stirring in my heart for some time concerning miraculous healing's. For years I have seen crazy physical healings across the world. From Cancer to Blindness all healed in services. In factsSince writing this word we have begun to see supernatural healings.

My journey: I have always so deeply desired the suffering of others to be healed. Where is our authority? When I see a child afflicted with twisted limbs from a palsy I want to walk up to that child and lay hands on him. Alas, most of the time I question my own faith! There has been times where people have stood in altar lines for me to pray for them… I would see the wheel chair and almost want to run. I wanted to shout father I don’t have the faith….

Story of Nate: I must admit to you something so deep I thought I would never share this with anyone but Karen… It concerns my son Nate. He was injured playing college football. He has two crushed disk that are causing his spine to be out of place. The only way to fix it is major surgery. I had a personal battle with healing- I have prayed for my sons back- We prayed and prayed and he wasn't healed! This caused me to go on a journey. Seeking out how to walk in a healing anointing. He still hasn’t been healed. It caused doubt in my life until I began to study. Then I realized healing is divine! Now I am waiting on God as I walk out this journey. I know God has got him!

*I am learning that sometimes in our doubt the door of discovery shines much brighter! It is when doubt shifts to expectation that miracles begin to happen*

Psalms 103:1-4 Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.  2 Praise the LORD, my soul,   and forget not all his benefits—  3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,  4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,

I have thought at times that maybe there is a formula…. But really it is about walking in faith, prayer, and His word!

Healing isn’t just New Testament!
Exodus 23:25,  Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you.

Psalm 107:20 He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.  

Jeremiah 30:17, But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,' declares the LORD, `because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.

So healing was promised before the cross, but brought into completeness at the cross! I know God still does miracles!

"Expectation is the birthplace of a miracle"!

I. God loves to heal His children!
God doesn’t punish the righteous! Sickness is the result of the curse!

In John 14:9 Jesus told Philip that if you have seen me (Jesus), then you have seen the Father.

I John 3:1, How great is the love the father has lavished on us that we should be called his kids!

It says later in the New Testament that everything that the Father wanted to show us about Himself, He revealed to us in Son, Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 1:1-4, In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven

I love the story of the prodigal son. He was so hungry he desired pig slop. He settled for less than his fathers table!

Luke 15:16-18 (The Message) 16 He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any. 17-18"That brought him to his senses. He said, 'All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day, and here I am starving to death. I'm going back to my father.

I love it! I says that when he saw what he was settling for in this life, that that is what brought him to his senses.

So many times we look at this as someone that has completely walked away from God. But I believe this passage also applies to those that are believers but have settled for a life that is less than what God ever intended for them.

John 10:10 (The Message) A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

I find it amazing that so many believers actually believe the opposite of this verse. Oh, we don’t verbalize it that way and say that God came to kill, steal & destroy & that the devil, or thief, came to give us abundant life.

Religious people say…. God has given me this disease to teach me a lesson. That is not possible. He is not the author of sickness.

We live like the prodigal son before he came to his senses thinking that God has put us in this situation or allowed us to be in this situation.

But can I tell you, if you did to your kids what we accuse God of doing to us, you would be put in jail for child abuse.

There is a law of seedtime and harvest. If I am a giver he will bless me back! What I sow I reap!

Genesis 8:22, As long as the earth endures,  seedtime and harvest,  cold and heat,  summer and winter,  day and night  will never cease.

If I am sowing seeds of gluttony, then I will most likely reap the harvest –heart failure, diabetes, etc. So much of our disease is caused by our choices. Yet, other diseases are just that- DISEASES.

Somehow, we have begun to believe that God has given us this affliction to teach us something and we won’t lose it until we learn the lesson.

Well, if everything that the Father wanted to show us about Himself, He showed us through Jesus…then let’s look at the life of Jesus.

I never saw where Jesus went up to a person that needed healing and said, “Hey bro, I would love to heal you right now, but my Father is trying to teach you a lesson right now and you still need more time. Maybe come back later.

It’s difficult to imagine how much the church has fallen in 2,000 years. What has happened to the miraculous?

Acts 10:38 (NKJV) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were
oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

If you look back over church history, the John Alexander Dowie’s, Amiee Simple McPherson’s, & Smith Wigglesworth’s…people who had incredible healing ministries. One thing they all had in common, one common denominator, was that they believed ALL sickness is from the devil.

Not everybody believes that…but they also don’t have any miracles in their life. So do the math.
If we go back to the Garden of Eden in Genesis 1 & 2. There was no sin in the Garden until Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit. Likewise, there was no sickness or disease up until that time.

Acts 4:11-12, Jesus is “the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

The New Testament was written originally in Greek, and the word for salvation is literally translated as to:
1. deliver one from the penalties of judgment
2. to heal from sickness and disease, make well, restore to health.

Psalm 103:2-3 (NIV) 2 Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases

Sickness and disease are mentioned again in the same breath as sin. So in other words if he can forgive my sins then he can heal my diseases.

It’s a transformation of how we think regarding healing and miracles

You say, ‘Well my Great Aunt got cancer and died and it really brought our family together. Well God can win with any hand. He can win with a pair of twos. He’s big enough that He can win with any hand. That’s the greatness of God. It’s not that He ordained calamity or difficulty.

And it’s that kind of thinking has given so much room for the devil to come and steal and destroy and we say God has allowed it. No He hasn’t allowed it…the church has allowed it.

We have reduced the cross to merely a get out of jail free card while missing the messages of freedom surrounding the tree of forgiveness and power!

There is a battle against everything we believe. It is a constant war. God is calling his church to experience complete freedom. The law is always at work with us.

II. Jesus broke off the chains of law for us!
What began as a selfish act under a tree ended with a selfless act on a tree!
Galatians 3:13, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole! (Deut. 21:23)

Romans 8:3-5, For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,[a] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
We broke the law and Jesus was condemned to death for it. The problem is we still live in bondage to what he destroyed!

The Cross…He gave us freedom over sin!
He gave us freedom over death, hell and the grave!
He gave us freedom over our thoughts! (crown of thorns)
He gave us freedom over what we do with our hands- (nails)
He grafted us to him- (piercing in the side)
But now slide to the backside of the cross….(look at His back)

III. The Backside of the Cross mandated my healing!
2700 years before Christ would go to the cross a prophet would foresee the future! He would declare the most horrible and most powerful day to fall upon humanity.

It would be the day that the sin in the garden would be abolished.
It would be the day that separation from God would be amended.
It would the day that healing would be ripped into a savior!

Isaiah 53:2-6, (message) The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling,  a scrubby plant in a parched field. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look. He was looked down on and passed over, a manwho suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum. But the fact is, it was our pains he carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself,  that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him,  that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong,  on him, on him.

Is 53:5- By His stripes we are healed! (on His back he took my sickness)

They took Jesus and tied him to a whipping post and beat him with a cat-of-nine-tails that had shards of metal and glass. And every time he was struck with this whip, it would attach itself to His flesh. And then the Roman soldier would yank it off his body pulling massive amounts of flesh off with it. They would do this 39 times (40 death) until he was completely unrecognizable.

I used to read the passage in Isaiah that I read to you earlier and I never understood why it would say, ‘by his stripes we are healed’ right in the middle of all the reasons why we are forgiven of sins.

Then I began to realize something…sin is to the soul, what sickness is to the body.

1 Peter 2:24, He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.

Today, whatever your sickness or affliction may be, He paid for your healing, your deliverance, your salvation, before He left the story.

IV. His stripes created 5 mandates for your healing!

#1- A life of Faith mandates healing!

Romans 10:17,  Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ

1 Cor. 2:4- My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

Hebrews 11:1,[ Faith in Action ] Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

#2- Speaking life mandates healing!
Matthew 18:19, “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

Proverbs 18:21- “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat the fruit thereof.”

Death and life are in the power of your tongue. Most times we misquote this verse and talk about the power of death and life are in the tongue, but death and life have no power in and of themselves. The power lies in your tongue’s ability to produce or create death or life.

Hebrews 11:3 says, “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God.”
(so frame your world)

Proverbs 6:2 says, “You are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth.

Matthew 12:37 says, “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned

#3 The laying on of hands mandates they shall be healed!

James 5:14-16, 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Jesus often laid hands on people before healing them (Mark 6:5; Luke 4:40; 13:13). Paul laid hands on a sick person and he was healed (Acts 28:8).

#4 The mandates of heaven demands healing!

Luke 11:2-4 (NKJV) 2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”

It is the job of every believer to live in such a way that we see the reality of heaven on earth. (Lifestyle shouldn’t change at all in heaven)

#5- Authority mandates your faith

TL Osborn- “Physical eye site can blind spiritual vision”

We have authority through the cross!

Authority to cast out demons:
Mark 16:17, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils..."

Authority to heal the sick:
Mark 16:17-18, "And these signs shall follow them that believe...they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

Now we must apply this authority and declare healing!

3M-#13- It Ain't Over! By Karen Schatzline

2011-09-05T09:04:00.000-07:00

3 M- Ministry Mentoring Moments #13

It Ain’t Over!! By Karen Schatzline
Text: Rev. 3:2, Phil. 1:6, Mark 5

I feel I must share a word straight from the heart of God.
There is something so powerful that takes place when you realize it isn’t over!

In Revelation Jesus says I have not found your deeds complete!
Revelation 3:2, Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
In other words he was saying- He’s not done! It Ain’t Over!

All of creation is groaning right now… Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Tornadoes, economic collapse, Middle East Spring, elections, mortgage crisis, deflated dollar, sickness, fear….. I have come to declare a word from the heart of God! IT AIN’T OVER!

Where is God? There is a push in our nation to make God obsolete. It is working. I have listened lately to the media and pundits as they spread terror and even spread falsehoods about God! Some say there is no such thing as sin. Others say God accepts all life styles. Others say God has given up on America. Others Just MOCK HIM.

Proverbs 14:34,(message) God-devotion makes a country strong; God-avoidance leaves people weak

I wonder if God gets tired of hearing all that he isn’t?
Malachi 2:17  (message) You make God tired with all your talk. "How do we tire him out?" you ask. By saying, "God loves sinners and sin alike. God loves all." And also by saying, "Judgment? God's too nice to judge

This is the hour where we must rise up with power and authority. It Aint Over!
For all those who feel your at the end, for all those who feel time is up,
For all those who feel forgotten and misplaced- It Aint Over!
For all those who feel relegated to the back of the room- It Aint Over!

I’m a lady, But I’m not fat! I am definitely not singing! The Fat Lady isn’t singing yet! IT AINT OVER! We are just beginning! I am ticked off at seeing the body of Christ act as if somewhere a long the way Jesus gave up his power to be all that you need!

I. The awesome awakening of you!
This morning I feel as if there is about to be a stirring! AN AWAKENING!
Almost the sound of feet hitting the floor in the morning light!
I feel as if God is saying ok this is your moment to realize I am not done!

There is nothing more powerful than when Gods people begin to stretch out of their slumber, call your families back to him, stir the flame which once burned so bright, and you yourself have a fresh revelation!

Ephesians 5:1 (message) Wake Up from Your Sleep! Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.

God knows when you’re weary. He is calling you to His presence.
Matthew 11:28, (message)  "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

He has heard your worldless prayers, and deep sighs of exhaustion!
Romans 8:26, (message) Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

Bethany Hamilton (Soul Surfer) said “God did have something bigger planned for me – What we need to do is trust & believe. If I can help others find hope in God – then that is worth losing my arm for”

God has a massive plan! He’s Not asleep at the Wheel!,
Philippians 1:6, (message) There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

He told me to come and tell you! It Ain’t Over!

Hebrews 12:2- 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

II. When Doubt screams It’s Over! Hold On!
Psalms 94:18&19 (NLT) “I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”
***I want to read to you a passage of scripture that absolutely frustrates me. ***
My patience gets tested in this story.
I have learned that despite my whining, despite my complaining, GOD IS IN CONTROL!

Mark 5:21-30, (message) When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. 30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”

Jesus is at the shore. He is multitasking! He is ministering to the people. The crowd is now a mob. They are pushing on him and shoving him!

Suddenly a man of prominence who probably, up to this point, didn’t like Jesus!
He was a religious ruler. He understood etiquette! He understood being proper!
But now his life had changed. His little sweetheart, his little girl, his relief from the pull of the world, his escape from reality, his pride and joy- His little princess was sick!

On his shoulders sat the weight of everything important!

Little girls have the power to turn a grown man into a dress-up partner, a tea party guest, and the prince at the ball.

Now she was in trouble. When he left the house, her fever was spiking, her breathing was shallow, and her body pale.

He suddenly had faith! He suddenly believed! He was willing to do anything to save his daughter!

He runs to Jesus! He grabs Jesus and says- Help me!
Mark 5: 24, So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him.

Then suddenly a woman touches him! The crowd interrupted this man’s miracle! It’s over! We only had a little time….
III. Maybe your miracle got lost in the crowd!
Just when you think it is your time….

Mark 5: 25-30, And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. 30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
Here is a man who is desperate! Is it really that easy to get Jesus off his game, distracted?!
I mean come on Jesus I was here first!
I am a religious leader!
I do your work everyday! Surely
I am more important than that woman.

Remember this woman had been bleeding for 12 years. She was hemorrhaging.

This woman was cursed! I am the keeper of the temple! I stood outside her house once a week and announced her unclean!

Look what happens- while this unclean woman is being healed! This nuisance! This hindrance to his miracle! Didn’t Jesus know – My daughter is dying!

Mark 5:35, While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”
It’s over! Give up man! She’s gone! This lady has stole your miracle!
We will get back to this powerful moment! First lets talk about…

IV. Those that realized “It Ain’t Over!”
1 Corinthians 1:7-9,  Just think—you don't need a thing, you've got it all! All God's gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that

It really isn’t about those who start the race, but those who finish!
Those who refused to quit! Those who realized against all odds- IT AIN’T OVER!!!
Those who kept the faith regardless of the battle!

Can’t, never could do anything!

Don’t tell Noah no one ever built an ark!
Don’t tell Moses it’s over as the bush burns and his future is marked!
Don’t tell Esther it’s over as she marches into the kings chamber!
Don’t you tell Hosea it’s over as his wife Gomer slips out for the night!
Don’t tell Ruth it’s over as she gleans in the field of Boaz- her Redeemer
Don’t tell David it’s over as Goliath screams insults!
Don’t tell Nehemiah it’s over as he rebuilt the wall!

I am talking about the history makers!
Don’t tell Christopher Columbus there is no new world!
Don’t tell the founding fathers we cant govern ourselves!
Don’t tell Abraham Lincoln all men aren’t created equal!
Don’t tell Thomas Edison you cant make a light bulb!
Don’t tell Rosa Parks she cant sit in the front of the bus!
Don’t tell Dr. King his dream wont come true!

Don’t tell Nelson Mandela South Africa can’t be free from Apartheid.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Don’t tell Pat Schatzline he can’t win a generation!
Don’t tell Auburn that its over when the are down 24-0
Don’t tell ME, I cant go to a distant land and rescue my daughter!

You see history is full of people who should have thought it was over! The greatest was Jesus!

Hebrews 12:1-3, (message)Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

V. Ignore the noise around you!
Mark 5:36-43 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
Get your faith back today!
Your following the master!
Your miracle wasn’t ignored it was delayed!
It may be time for your miracle, but it’s just not your turn!
I believe Jarius had his faith activated by seeing someone else’s miracle!
VI. Change the atmosphere of the house!
Mark 5:37-40, He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was.
Everybody said she is dead! Jesus said she is sleeping! They laughed at him! You know your about to have a breakthrough when everyone around you is laughing at your faith! You have to put them out of the house! Clean out what is stopping your faith! Change your circle of friends!
Mark 5:41-43, He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.
He said give the miracle something to eat! Church we have to feed our faith!

In other words it is time to stand up and declare- IT AINT OVER!

He didn’t forget you! He was working it out!

Your marriage…
Your job….
Your children…
Your finances…
Your future….

He told me to tell you – It Aint Over!

Galations 6:9 (Message) “So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time, we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit!

VII. It’s Gonna Be worth it!

3M- #12 Understanding Spiritual Authority

2011-08-23T14:47:00.000-07:00

3M- #12 Understanding Spiritual Authority
Romans 13:1-7

I wanted to take a moment and explain what it means to place yourself under someone else’s leadership and authority. This is the greatest key to going to the next level of ministry. It is also is the toughest and hardest to learn.

Romans 13:1-7, Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

*Recognizing: The law of the flesh vs. the law of authority
Understanding where your authority begins the enemy ends!

*You will never have power to change the atmosphere until you change your garments! Joel said it best when he said rend your garments!

I. The following is some guidelines concerning walking under and with those in Spiritual authority!

*When self runs into team- self will always search for an exit strategy

• Jesus gave you authority! He understood that authority is given and not stolen. He said everything he did was because His father allowed him to do it!
• Your authority is determined by your brokenness.
• Realize from the beginning of your life self preservation has been driven into you!
• Realize when authority is placed over you- rebellion is the natural reaction
• The mirror will always be your biggest enemy
• True disciples must live daily killing their flesh and resurrecting their Spirit
• The enemies number 1 goal is to make you feel isolated
• When your Spirit is tired your flesh feels free to roam
• Jesus gave us power to change every situation, but our flesh screams your not worthy!
• Spiritual authority is never activated over your life until you are in a position to rebel
• When asked to do what hurts your pride- then your pride will be louder than your humility
• When authority walks into the room the hidden desires try to scream louder
• The biggest moment of change for a disciple comes when they have a knife in their hands and they refuse to use it.
• Spiritual authority has the power to use, abuse, and refuse!
• Realize under spiritual authority is where you actually have freedom.
• Your future depends on those over you and their future depends on those under them.
• When confronted with an opportunity to serve Spiritual authority must recognize those under them as a part of the team.
• Spiritual authority is not removed when the disciple surpasses them, but when it is handed away.

Recognizing those over you! Will bring recognition of what God has done in you!
II. How to react to those in Spiritual authority over you:
1. Authority is only given to those whom have placed themselves in a place to grow.
2. When authority comes in conflict with self preservation there will be a battle.
3. Always ask yourself is there a reason for the direction being given.
4. When being asked to complete a task watch for a moment to take it to another level.
5. Understand the person in authority is also under authority.
6. The next level of ministry is always determined by the foundation of the earlier times of submission.
7. If authority rubs you wrong you must always ask is there something in me that has to change.
8. If authority rules incorrectly then know that God will expose that leader.
9. When asked to complete a undesirable task realize this is the moment for your Spirit to win and flesh die.
10. Remember those in Spiritual authority will always have to give an account before the heavenly father.
11. There is a harvest awaiting those who receive and handle spiritual authority correctly.
12. Once you learn that you must submit and walk under a covering then it opens doors for you to establish a life of authority!

III. Understanding how to walk in Spiritual power and authority!

A solid understanding of spiritual authority is vital to build your faith when casting out demons, healing the sick, and exercising your authority over the powers of darkness.
When we have been given authority to cast out demons, but instead we pray that God brings the demon out instead, we are basically asking God to do something that He gave US the tools to do ourselves! Jesus told US to cast out demons! Nowhere in the Bible does it tell us to ask God to cast out demons!

Mark 13:34, "For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch."

How authority works
Authority doesn't beg; authority doesn't ask; authority commands! We are not told to ask God to cast out demons, we are told to do it ourselves! We are not told to beg demons to come out, we are told to CAST them out!

Matthew 8:8-9, 13, "The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it... And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour."

Authority is exercised through our spoken word. The power of life and death are in the spoken word: Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."

Jesus' own authority
One thing that made it clear that Jesus was the son of God, is because He exercised authority that nobody else had access to in history!

He cast out demons using His authority: Mark 1:27, "And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him."

He cast out demons with His spoken word: Matthew 8:16, "When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word..."

He healed the sick with His spoken word: Luke 7:7, "Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed." Also John 5:8, "Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk."

Jesus has been given authority over everything: Matthew 28:18, "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

Authority to heal
Jesus said to, "Heal the sick"! Matthew 10:8, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." I think it's interesting how Jesus didn't tell us to pray and ask God to heal the sick, He told US to heal the sick!

I have never seen where Jesus prayed, "Father, please heal this person!" Instead, we see that Jesus healed people with His spoken Word! In John 5:8, Jesus told the man to, "...Rise, take up thy bed, and walk."

The early church healed people in this same manner. In Acts 3:6, "...Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." Notice in Luke 9:1 that He not only gave His disciples authority over all devils, but also to cure diseases: "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases."

Authority is exercised when there is a RIGHT to exercise it. They weren't praying and asking God to heal people, they had the authority to heal, and they were exercising it with a spoken word, just as Jesus did!

I want to clarify that I'm not saying that prayer can't heal people... because it can (James 5:14-15)... I'm just saying that we are taught to heal the sick using the authority that Jesus gave us! I have seen and heard of many healings that took place through prayer, so I'm not saying not to pray, or that prayer doesn't work. I'm simply saying that we have authority over sickness, and therefore we can exercise our authority to bring about healing in another person's life!
I also think it's interesting how Mark 16:17-18 tells us that healing can come through the laying on of hands: "And these signs shall follow them that believe... they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

The laying on of hands can encourage the transferring of power from us into the person and heal them, just like the woman who felt power flow from Jesus when she touched the hem of His garment (Mark 5:30)! Jesus said that those who believe will have the Holy Ghost flowing out of their innermost being (John 7:38-39), and even Peter's shadow healed people (Acts 5:15)!

Authority to cast out demons
Notice that we are never told to beg or coax the demons to come out, neither are we told to pray and ask God to remove them, but we ARE told to cast them out! Matthew 10:8, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." And also look at Mark 16:17, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils..."

Luke 9:1, "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils..."

Luke 10:17, "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."

Jesus distributes His authority
Mark 13:34, "For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch."
Jesus is given authority: Matthew 28:18, "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

Authority given to Jesus' 12 disciples: Luke 9:1, "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases."

Authority given to Jesus' 70 disciples: Luke 10:17, "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."
Through Jesus' name

Notice that the authority Jesus gives His people is not to be used in their name, but Jesus' name:

Luke 10:17, "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."

Mark 16:17, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils..."

Acts 3:6, "...Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."
To use somebody's authority through their name is quite an honor! It's like being able to go to the bank and draw out a million dollars on behalf of a wealthy businessman!
Authority has been given to "Them who believe"

Jesus gave His disciples authority to carry out His will here on earth, but they weren't the only ones. He also gave ALL believers authority to heal the sick and cast out devils as well! (Mark 16:17-18)

Authority to cast out demons: Mark 16:17, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils..."

Authority to heal the sick: Mark 16:17-18, "And these signs shall follow them that believe...they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
Mark 13:34, "For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch."

Authority is accessed through faith
It is also helpful to point out that our spiritual authority is accessed by faith. There is a lot to be learned from the story told in Mark 9:17-29 about how faith allows us to access our authority. When the disciples came across an unusually strong demon that wouldn't budge (verse 18), Jesus made it clear that they lacked faith by calling them faithless (verse 19). He also made it clear that some demons are so strong that a higher than usual level of faith is required to cast them out (verses 28 and 29), and that we can gain that higher level of faith through prayer and fasting (verse 29).

Matthew 17:20, "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."

This is your moment to live a life of power and authority!

3M- #11- Is Jesus America's Mascot?

2011-08-17T12:29:00.000-07:00

August 2011
Dear Friends, Leaders, and Partners! It has been an absolutely amazing summer. The staff and I ministered at over 15 youth camps and at so many awesome churches/conferences. It has been the best summer ever here at Mercy Seat Ministries and The Forerunner School of Ministry. We are so honored that God would trust us to minister to this generation. We so appreciate all of the great leaders who opened doors for us to be a part of their vision. We are so fired up for the upcoming fall! Please take time to read the important message below.

"Is Jesus America's Mascot?"

Recently, while praying I felt God lay on my heart that for so many years our nation has looked at God as our "mascot." I mean this with all integrity of heart. God has to be more than our mascot! Our currency say's "In God we trust." Do we really? This summer in America the stock market has acted like a roller coaster, the debt keeps growing, out of control flash mobs disrupt cities, unemployment edges towards 10%, our soldiers are dying in battle, and politicians battle each other for voting blocks. I think I am one of those voting blocks. Everyone loves their team mascot. Although, mascots do not win games! A mascot is a great cheerleader for a team, but doesn’t actually play. A mascot is someone we look too for motivation and one who stirs-up the crowd. A mascot looks great on bumper stickers, flags, and t-shirts. However, a mascot is just a symbol of an idea. God is not an idea! We have always been known as the land of opportunity! The richest nation in the world! On the inside of the statue of liberty is our nations invitation to the hurting, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." Our Republic has stood for freedom, and liberty as we have restored democracy around the world, fought on the beaches of distant lands, and declared a better way of life. Most of all we have declared that God is who we trust in! That is a awesome mission statement, but do we really trust God? During the turmoil we are now living in, if God is whom we trust, I believe with all my heart the churches of America would be filled to the brim with a nation crying out for God. God must be so much more. He must be our Lord! Psalms 33:12, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance"

Throughout history, when things get rough, a nation can turn in one of two directions. The nation can head down the devastating road of secularism where elitist minded people declare that man can fix our issues, or we can turn to God as our answer. I believe we are so close to an awakening. I see desperation for Jesus in services. I see a generation that has had enough of no Salt and Light religion. There is a cry coming from the mountains, plains, and shores for an encounter with Jesus. We the church must rise up. It is time for a crying out from the pulpit to the pews, from the subway to the dirt roads, from the schools to the courts that Jesus is our Lord. Now is when we truly decide are we a nation that trusts in God, or do we trust in the corners of Wall and Broad Street. God loves America, but he loves all nations on the earth. What separates our nation is that we put God up in plain site. We call on Him for our answers. If we are to be the city on the hill, and the beacon of hope we must open the door for Him to come in. Rev. 3:20 declares He is knocking at our doors. Will we answer?

The wickedness of this world is increasing. The clock is ticking on liberty and justice for all! Israel is waiting for us to rise up while Islam knocks at their doors. From Beijing to Moscow they are watching to see if we truly believe what we have declared for over 200 years. The question is this, is God just our mascot that we parade out to motivate an electorate or is He our King? There are millions in our great nation who are ready to see God pour out His Spirit. From pulpits to bible studies, to students at flag poles, there is a cry for heaven to invade earth. I still believe that “In God We Trust”, but we must not just parade him out to motivate the electorates, and try to win another moral victory. He must become our very breath!

God spoke five things to my heart:

1. We must get our joy back! Psalms 45:7, "You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." The joy of the Lord truly is our strength. No Joy means no strength!

2. We must exercise our God authority! Col 2:10, "and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority."

3. We must realize that we are overcomer's! Luke 10:19, "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you." An overcomer always makes sure to insert their influence in all situations.

4. We must pray and cry out! II Chronicles 7:14, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." We must seek Him and will we find him!

5. Give Him access to move in our daily routines of life. Acts 17:28, "For in him we live and move and have our being!" He wants to interrupt us. That doesn’t mean we have to lose excellence in place of anointing. I love what a dear pastor and mentor named George Sawyer told me about his church "We believe in anointed excellence." We must give him access to the inner sanctums of our offices, living rooms, bedrooms, cars, and sanctuaries.

God is calling all of His pastors, influencers, and churches, with the hand of God upon them, to call for a Holy Spirit revolution! Together we can take our nation back! It first must start on our knee's! For too long the media, the pundits, the philosophers have set the spiritual climate. We must declare Jesus from the roof tops. This is the moment the church has been awaiting! We must be the statue of liberty! Our mantra must be "Give me your tired (Matt 11:28), your poor (James 1:30), your huddled masses (Acts 1:8)yearning to breathe free (Acts 2:4)." Let the breath of God breathe life into the lungs of all believers! He breathed into the lungs of man in the garden and will do so again in their garages! It's great to have God on our t-shirts and money, but even greater to have him on our thrones! Remember to keep your eyes on Jesus! Matthew 24:12-14, "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."

Let's stand together! We love and appreciate you so much! Pat and Karen Schatzline

Patrick H. Schatzline

Mercy Seat Ministries, Inc.

PO Box 1150, Trussville, AL 35173

Office: 205-680-9241

www.mercyseatministries.com

www.forerunnerschoolofministry.com

3 M-#10- Ministry Mentoring Moments, I am Undone! By Karen Schatzline

2011-04-04T12:37:00.000-07:00

3M: ministry Mentoring Moments #10 I Am UNDONE! By Karen Schatzline Dear Friends and Leaders, I am so excited about all that God is doing. He has been blowing our minds as we travels the world touching lives. The ministry is just exploding and we are so honored to touch and minister to lives for Jesus! Last weekend was out annual Forerunner Campus Days. It was called “Undone.” We had an amazing outpouring from God. I wanted to use the months newsletter to let you experience a little bit of our campus days. Below is an unbelievable message from Karen that she shared last Sunday while I was ministering in Indiana. This message rocked lives to the core, and I believe Karen has tapped into the heart of God for people’s lives. This message can also be heard on our podcast. Check it out! It is fire! Please check out our upcoming schedule.
Sincerely, Pat Schatzline I am Undone! For so long my heart has been this one cry- “God make me what you want me to be, and don’t let there be anything of me left when you’re done with me!” I understand that for God to truly change and use someone they must first have an encounter with the Savior! A one on one with God! Where you finally say-WOE IS ME! Where you realize that outside of God, There is nothing good in me. I am talking about a Face to face encounter! Look at 2 Corinthians 3:18, “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” I want my selfish flesh to die so that God Sprit can take over and live in me. Here is Isaiah having a supernatural encounter. Isaiah 6:5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined (UNDONE)! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." “Ruined- Undone”- in the Hebrew- damah (daw-mam'); to be dumb or silent; hence, to fail or perish; trans. to destroy: cease, be cut down (off), destroy, be brought to silence, be undone from past, utterly reduced. I am convinced today more than anything else we do not need just a nice visitation of the Holy Spirit, but we must have a habitation. We all want to experience the Fire of God – but we don’t need in our churches just a “comforting, feel good fire” but rather an “All consuming Fire”. We’ve made church so comforting that people are falling asleep in God’s presence and there is no change. My focus is not on the angels crying holy, it is not on the glory of the throne room. It’s not even on the shaking of the threshold, but my focus today is on Isaiah. He was out of place! Have you ever felt out of place? So often I feel out of place! This message is for everyone that could hear the shouts of the worshipers, feel the beating of the bass drum, watched the twirling of the banners, experienced the jumping of the crowd in the service…But you felt that if you could just stop everything- listen- and wait- you knew that God would speak to you!! Don’t get me wrong – I love the excitement and the energy and passion of Praise & worship. God loves it! But SOMETIMES, I just want to hear the Father’s Voice. God is calling his church back to secret encounters and passionate glances with the father. That is where Pat and I have been lately. We are done with the normal. Tired of not seeing more of the supernatural- Not for the sake of seeing miracles, but so that this generation will take Jesus of the cross on their little necklaces and place Him back on the throne of their life! Lately we have seen supernatural healings. Look at this amazing promise! 1 Cor. 2:9-(message bible) No one's ever seen or heard anything like this, Never so much as imagined anything quite like it — What God has arranged for those who love him. God has already won the victory! 2 Corinthians 2:14, (message) And I got it, thank God! In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Today I want to take you on a journey to encounter God! I believe that Isaiah had to go on a journey to being undone! Let me show you five steps I believe we must take. The five steps to becoming “undone!”

#1. The place of frustration! Isaiah was frustrated and desperate. He had nowhere to turn! His mentor, friend, and king had died. Worst than that the king had died due to his pride! Pride kills – Marriages, relationships with kids, and influence with people. Isaiah had served a King. For years he had simply reiterated what the King had for him to say. He repeated what the king had seen. He was a scribe. He was the king’s personal secretary. But the King had died! Now he is frustrated! - Now he must find God on his own – not second hand information – It had to become personal now. I have learned that God will allow you to get frustrated! It’s time for CHANGE! I’m usually frustrated with Winter by the time Spring comes, but season’s always change. Now King Uzziah (his cousin Uzziah, has just died). Look at I Chronicles 26:16, “But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.” Now we go to Isaiah 6:1, “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.” Isaiah was frustrated: Have you ever needed an encounter before, not just information? It’s usually in my lowest points in life, when I have done everything I CAN DO and finally relinquish it all to God, that I can hear HIS voice. Look at Romans 8:19-21, “The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” Your frustration is a sign that God has something huge waiting on you. Sometimes God will allow you to become frustrated to open your eyes to truth and your need for Him. Frustration leads to desperation!

#2. The place of desperation! Isaiah had declared Woe is me! Look at what the Psalmist declared in Psalms 34:6-7, (Message bible) “When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot. 7 God's angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray.” Desperation leads to revelation! Have you ever been desperate? We are living in desperate times. Times when nations are rising against nations. Days when earthquakes and tsunamis are ravaging the earth. Times when divorce and suicide are at an all time high. This is the hour when the voices of confusion and humanism are infiltrating a generation at every level. People are searching for answers but we never keep quiet long enough to hear God speak. God loves desperate people! Psalms 31:14, (Message) “Desperate, I throw myself on you: you are my God! My desperation has left me speechless many times which opened the door for God to speak.” We must let our faith rise up again! Your faith will be on display. Look at 1 Peter 1:7, (message) “Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.” God is looking for people that simply desire him above everything else. No matter what state you’re in, He can reach in and pull you out. Look at Ephesians 5:14-17, (message bible) “Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! 15 So watch your step. Use your head. 16 Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! 17 Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.” From frustration, to desperation, and now confrontation

#3. The moment of confrontation! Here is Isaiah! He was all alone! No one was there to see him get to enter the throne room. It was a perfect recipe for a supernatural encounter! Isaiah 6:5, "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined (UNDONE)! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." He said WOE IS ME! Not EVERYONE else, but ME! I have no mask or façade to hide behind – I am exposed in all my unclean ways! His presence reveals TRUTH! “Don’t complain about what you are not willing to confront!” There is a moment that has to arise where you’re willing to confront what has held you back!” When Isaiah declared woe is me he was confronting his past! We must learn to confront! Jeremiah 31:19, “After those years of running loose, I repented. After you trained me to obedience, I was ashamed of my past, my wild, unruly past. Humiliated, I beat on my chest. Will I ever live this down?” Some of you can’t let go of the past in order to see your future. You past has become your crutch to remain a victim. You can’t get UNDONE without confronting where you have come from! 1 Corinthians 11:32, (message) “Better to be confronted by the Master now than to face a fiery confrontation later.” I tell my kids that it is better to hear the truth from them to find out later from someone else. Woe to me! He was saying “I have to stop right here! He began to recognize how dirty he was! What are you refusing to confront in your life! You are missing your moment! Look at what Jesus said about confronting: Luke 12:51, (message), “Do you think I came to smooth things over and make everything nice? Not so. I've come to disrupt and confront!” God never called us to be comfortable. He even allows the seasons to change. From frustration, to desperation, confrontation and now revelation!

#4- The moment of revelation! There is a moment in every person’s life where you have to become the one who experiences the encounter with God. You see, Isaiah was no longer writing down what someone else had seen- second hand revelation had died- You can’t live off of everyone else’s revelation! The place where you know that you know God is big! God is real! God is the healer! God is the author! God is your friend! HE was NO longer looking and talking the part, but now he was experiencing God! “WOW – I want to live the God experience, not just talk about it!” The place where you suddenly have an encounter is the place where you receive his revelation and his love! Look what Paul told us: Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I share constantly across the nation that what every girl needs is a personal glimpse from their father! The place where their daddy looks their way! It is that moment when they know they have his full intention! His full Affection – When you see the Fathers glace – You will be changed forever! You see, the fathers love is calling to you! 1 John 3:1, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”Today, it is time to catch the glimpse of the father. I am convinced if you get a hold of this message- it will set you free. You will finally know who you are! This is the way the woman at the well must have felt. This is the way the small children Jesus called to himself must have felt. This is the way Mary must have felt when Jesus looked at her from the cross. This is the way Lazarus must have felt when he exited his tomb. This is the way Peter must have felt when he felt the hand of God as he sank in the water. I am talking about a personal encounter with God! We tend to see the face of the father as maybe how some see their earthly father: angry, condemning, arrogant, unimpressed, or even disappointed. I am here to say, “Take another look.” See the Father’s loving eyes as He looks at You! Isaiah somehow ended up UNDONE? How? It wasn’t the angels, it wasn’t the thunder of the moment, it wasn’t even seeing the train of His robe that filled the temple proving everything must bow to God. What was it? It was an encounter with his father! From frustration, to desperation, confrontation, revelation, and now transformation!

#5. The place of transformation! God has been waiting for this to happen to you! Isaiah didn’t fit in with the room! I love that! God doesn’t use the ones everyone else would pick! He chose the strange wild hair prophet in the room! Romans 12:2, (message) “Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” My favorite part of this scripture is that Isaiah didn’t respond to the room! He didn’t even respond to how the angels were worshipping. He responded to the Lord! He was frozen in the midst of Gods very presence! His response was to acknowledge God and surrender to Him. Isaiah 6:5b, “….my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." My deepest desire it to just see Him and experience His awesome presence and be changed in that moment. Can I tell you passion is awesome. Celebration is incredible. But I loved that Isaiah simply reacted to the very presence of God! He was UNDONE! He was at the end of himself. That is what God is looking for in His people. You see, It is Gods awesome presence that changes a person for good! We must have His presence! God is calling you to an encounter! If you’re frustrated! If You’re desperate! If you’re ready to confront! If you’re ready for a revelation of the fathers love! If you don’t fit in! This is the moment! He is ready to transform you! Isaiah was having a salvation experience! Today God is ready to wrap his arms around! Today begins a new season! God Bless you! Karen Schatzline

To hear this message online check out our podcast and also hear Pat’s powerful message called “Tangled.”

3 M- Ministry Mentoring Moments #9

2011-02-25T16:49:00.001-08:00

3M- Ministry Mentoring Moments #9

Title- “Gone Dark!”
Isaiah 50:10, Matt 3:13-14

Intro- I must admit this particular work/ teaching that I share today came from only recently understanding a place that I have been over the last six weeks. This will be a very transparent and honest teaching. Get ready! So much of what we do centers around a healthy understanding of being a leader who always understands our own barriers and limitations.

Have you ever “Gone Dark?” I have! In the CIA and the FBI when a agent is overexposed they are forced to GO DARK! They have to simply disappeare. In Ministry sometimes we have to go DARK!

Isa 50:10, Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.

*We know that God is light!
1 John 1:5, (message) This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there's not a trace of darkness in him.

*We know we are His lamps!
Psalms 18:28-29, You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.

*We know we reflect him and have to be free-
1 John 1:6-7, (message) If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we're obviously lying through our teeth — we're not living what we claim. 7 But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin.

*God maybe the responsible party!
Isaiah 45:7, (message) I form light and create darkness, I make harmonies and create discords. I, God, do all these things.

Opening: I have stated hundreds of times that although I grew up in a home that battled depression, anxiety, and discouragement I had made up my mind to never allow it in me. It sounded really good from a pulpit or podium. It allowed people to look at their speaker as someone that was proof that you could be free of wrong emotions. For the most part this has been true.

However, a few weeks ago I visited my ailing father. My dad is my hero. He took our family out of a life of secularism, drugs, and abuse when I was just a boy. He pastored the churches nobody else wanted. He did everything he could to provide for us whether it was selling his class ring for my sisters Easter dress, or selling flowers to buy groceries he did it all. I love my dad dearly and believe him to be the most passionate for Jesus man I could know. He and mom haven’t been the same since my sister died about 3.5 years ago. Now over time he is having mini strokes and also had one major heart attack while ministering in New Zealand. This has left him bedridden most of the time. The strong man of power and might is very weak and tired.

Back to my visit! I went to see him as I have done as much as possible lately. It was a good visit of about 3 hours. We laughed, talked, and dreamed. He shared his disappointment with not being able to minister, and also of tired of his sickness. I drove home that day only to return in the early hours to see him after being rushed in to the hospital.

Something…. Something…. happened to me that day that was not good. I can only describe it as “Going Dark.” This is the term used by the C.I.A. or maybe some other clandestine organization when an agents identity is exposed or when the agent needs to relocate for a while. They disappear until it is safe. I went Dark! Maybe it was my parent’s mortality, a feeling of helplessness, exhaustion, or simply my own mortality that caused a cloud to rest over me. It was as if life stopped and everything went gray. That is simply the only way to explain it.

If you’re a leader out that has ever faced extreme overwhelming emotions that have defrauded you of life then you probably are one of the best lovers of people, brilliant writer, planner, organizer, developer, and visionary. I say that because you are on the devils radar. I literally felt this for six weeks. I would pray, worship, preach, dance, speak life, and wear a mask, but it was still there.

It wasn’t until last Saturday while ministering outside of Tampa on my way to a morning run that I decided to call my dad. He was awake and cognate. We exchanged pleasantries and updated each other and then like uncapping a high pressured well- I exploded! I said, Dad, help me! I need you to pray over me! I am absolutely overwhelmed!” My dad began to speak life and I can say that Spirit got off of me. I call it a spirit, because that is exactly what it is! A spirit of death! It had attached itself to me while at my parents six weeks before. I had gone Dark! It took the voice of my father to break it! It took my dad telling me I am free to get free. I had prayed, worshiped, and done everything right, but it wouldn’t let go. Now I am free. Thanks dad! And thank you to Karen for helping hold on till I got free!

Matthew 11:28- "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
I. 5 Types of darkness a leader may fall prey to:

1. Self depreciation and despair- This is the darkness I will share about ahead.

Psalms 142:3, (message) "As I sink in despair, my spirit ebbing away,
you know how I'm feeling, Know the danger I'm in, the traps hidden in my path.

2. Secret sin- when a leader begins to believe they can secret sin they lose the
ability know right from wrong. The moment we begin to ignore the inner
Spirit man screaming for us to get free is the moment we begin a slow death.

Psalms 7:14, (Message) Look at that guy! He had sex with sin,
he's pregnant with evil. Oh, look! He's having the baby — a Lie-Baby!

James 1:14-15, but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

3. Wrong motivations- Improper ambitions, desires, and covetous behavior-

Matthew 7:16, (message) Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.

4. Offenses that eat away at you from the inside out- hurts caused by others

Proverbs 18:19 - an offended brother is harder and more unyielding to than a fortified city!

5. Pride- when you begin to believe your press! This is what has happened to
so many great leaders!

Proverbs 16:18, (message) First pride, then the crash — the bigger the ego,
the harder the fall.

We could all fall prey to all of these, but I must deal with number 1- Self depreciation and despair. Now that I have walked through this I believe I am able to amply speak concerning what I walked through. I felt lost- helpless-overwhelmed- in fear!

When someone is the CIA or FBI must go dark it is to protect them or guard their identity.
I have found that every leader must go dark at times!

II. Most leaders can’t just get OVER it! OVER can cause going dark!
If you get….
• Overexposed! Elijah- Jezebel wanted to kill him! God will hide you!
• Overwhelmed! Romans 8:26- When we don’t know how to pray the Spirit makes intercession-
• Overthrown!- David faced this with Absolom.
• Overcome!- Rev. 12:11- We overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony.
• Passed-Over! When you feel you have been defrauded. Remember God has the power to promote you! He exalts the humble.

III. 7 Precepts for the Dark Times
1. Leader you will face dark times!
Psalms 107:14, He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains.

Proverbs 13:12- Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

• God word explains in depth that many Moses, Elijah, Elisha, David, Jonah, Simon Peter, Paul, and most of all Jesus faced dark times.
•
• Some were not so lucky at getting free. Saul battled depression and discouragement as the king of Israel. I believe it led to his demise. He eventually gave into the evil spirits. Look what the bible says!

1 Samuel 16:23, (message) After that, whenever the bad depression from God tormented Saul, David got out his harp and played. That would calm Saul down, and he would feel better as the moodiness lifted.

• Jesus came to the point of such despair that he begged his father to let the cup pass him.
• Paul in 2 Cor. 1:8- he despaired of life.
• Look at the Psalmist who used to lead worship!

Psalms 42:3-5, My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 4. These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and My God.”

• The Psalmist spoke of how he used to be a leader. How he used to lead the procession. Now he lives a life of wondering what happened to him.
• There are tens of thousands of leaders who live their lives remembering what it used to be like.
• Job spoke of darkness!

Job 10:20-22, Are not my few days almost over? Turn away from me so I can have a moment's joy. 21 before I go to the place of no return, to the land of gloom and deep shadow, 22 to the land of deepest night, of deep shadow and disorder, where even the light is like darkness."

• Look at Solomon- The wisest of all men!

Ecclesiastes 11:8, However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all.
But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is meaningless.

2. Realize darkness is the enemy’s way of keeping you at bay!
Gal. 5:7- You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you
from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one
who calls you.

• The moment you give in to this Spirit you are effectively removed from battles that lead to victories. You have shut the door of opportunity. You have to rise up and declare freedom until it lifts. If you’re battling this Spirit you are a threat. You are dangerous to the enemy.

• The enemy know that if he can get you to “Go Dark” you have removed yourself from being effective.

3. Leaders must be careful to not allow the plight of man or vision to consume them!
Ezra 9:4-6, (Amplified) At the evening sacrifice I arose from my depression, and, having rent my undergarment and my mantle, I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God, Saying, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads and our guilt has mounted to the heavens.

• God gives you the vision and burden to do something about it, but not let it kill you.
• The moment you take the burden on as you’re the only one that can fix it you have destined yourself for failure.
• Your dying won’t change them.
• A leader has to know when to shut off the valve of ministry.
• Winning others to heaven will not be nearly as sweet if you are lost in the win!
• Ministry is supposed to be fun. We get to be Gods mouth piece, but we cannot become the atoning sacrifice.
• Your building a great vision will be not be remembered as a victory if you die in the process.

4. Going dark forces others to live through your night season!
• Your loss of self will force others whom love you to debate their own purpose.

Proverbs 14:30, (message) A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones.

• Your family will begin to long for better days in a short life.
• Your spouse will live their lives tiptoeing around the house of darkness!
•
5. Your destiny is sitting in the balance as you swim in the darkness!
• Don’t allow yourself to become a statistic.
• The sooner you get free the quicker you understand your destiny!

Isaiah 60:1, (Amplified) ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you — rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!

6. Realize in the darkness God can speak!
Job 12:22, He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light.

Job 29:2-3, "How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God
watched over me, 3 when his lamp shone upon my head and by his light I
walked through darkness!

• The first thing God did in all humanity was speak to the darkness!

Genesis 1:3, (message) God spoke: "Light!" And light appeared. 4 God saw that light was good and separated light from dark.

7. Jesus understood going dark!
• Jesus disappeared from age 12-30 years old
• He was forced to continually disappear when he was with the disciples
• He went dark in the wilderness for 40 days
• He went dark for three days into hell to set you free!

IV. Let the Father tell you who you are!
• The phone call that day to my dad completely freed me of everything! Why? I knew there was an inner cry to hear the voice of the one who made me!
• It is the father that has the power to free you from your drowning situation!
• It is the father who restores hope to the family that seems lost!
• It is the father that quiets voices of failure, despair, and fear!
• There are times when I am the only one that speak peace to Nate and Abby.
• There are times when if I hear my dads voice- I know I am safe.
• Jesus understood this. He lived in anonymity! Nobody knew him. That is until Dad said who he was!

Matthew 3:13-4:1, (message) Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. 14 John objected, "I'm the one who needs to be baptized, not you!" 15 But Jesus insisted. "Do it. God's work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism." So John did it. 16 The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit — it looked like a dove — descending and landing on him. 17 And along with the Spirit, a voice: "This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life."

Jesus had done no miracles. He goes to get baptized. His father showed up.

• In the water Jesus knew that when he came out- out of the very thing that could kill him- out of the darkness of the Jordan- He would hear his dads voice!
• We must get the fathers to declare to this generation- who they are!
• It is the only thing that will break the darkness!

I think today I will take time to tell my kids – They are the delight of my life!
My dad rescued his son! Jesus’ dad ignored his son for me!

3 M- Ministry Mentoring Moments #8

2011-02-01T15:42:00.000-08:00

3M- Ministry Mentoring Moments-#8
My day with Reinhard Bonnke..... Forever Changed!

My day with Reinhard Bonnke:
A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to spend the day with one of my heroes Reinhard Bonnke. I call it “one day in January.” As I flew to spend the day with Pastor Bonnke the Lord impressed upon me to be ready for a shift in my Spirit. I now know the shift was to desire even more of the outpouring of Gods Spirit and the salvation of souls like never before. Here is a man that has led tens of millions to Christ and yet as we sat together I found myself weeping at his humility. It was life changing experience. I sat with Pastor Bonnke and asked simple questions. Here are just a few nuggets of power/ wisdom from Reinhard Bonnke:

1. My heart now is to raise up the sons and daughters.
2. This generation has the most vile vocabulary of any generation in history. Peter prophesied from Joel 2:28 that God would raise up the sons and daughters and they would prophecy. We must get them saved, and filled with the Spirit in order to change their language and fulfill prophecy.
3. Guard your home, heart, and integrity at all times. All of my children love the Lord and are doing ministry. That is a testimony, because I had to be gone so much.
4. Every time I show up to a crusade with hundreds of thousands I understand that God always shows up at his best. Therefore when I show up I should be at my very best. God is always ready to do the supernatural so I must be ready. I never complain and I always expect the supernatural. I live in a state of readiness!
5. I must walk in bold faith always trusting God.
6. When I have a problem I listen for God to give me the solution and he always does. When he gives me the solution I act immediately upon his word.
7. I never run after money, but only after souls.
8. Only what arrives in heaven is what really counts. The real bookkeeping is done in heaven. We must be careful of the numbers we declare. Exaggeration offends God.
9. The only way we will touch Muslim nations is to walk in the miraculous. If we will see blind eyes open and deaf ears healed they will know that our God is real.
10. A leader should always stick with their original call. God doesn’t change his mind, but he will change your course.
11. The body of Christ must stay connected. It doesn’t separate from portions of its body, but only from its waist!
12. We always act like God only shows up in percentages in our services. We say things like “I didn’t feel god today in our service.” This is impossible. He is always there. He doesn’t show up in percentages. He is a whole God. We always invite him in and this is like inviting someone into a place when he is already there. Foolish.
13. Evangelist should be evangelists! They should go for souls. That must be their priority or they are not evangelists.
14. The less Holy Spirit we have in our churches then the more coffee and doughnuts we need.
15. Take steps of faith. I have had crusades that ended not in red ink, but the red sea. God always provides the manna! Your debt to Calvary is always greater than your debt to the bank.
16. Make sure when you are with your family they know that they are all that matters. Magnify your time with them.
17. Paul said he refused to speak about the falling of other ministers. Refuse to even speak of those who do not finish the race. Guard your tongue.
18. Trust God with all you have and he will bless you with all he has.
19. Go to the masses, but first be faithful to the few.
20. It never says to pray for the harvest, but simply pray for the workers. The harvest is ready. Go get the harvest! God will show up!

I wanted to share just a few nuggets from one of God’s generals. My life is forever changed. God is looking for people who will be obedient and simply trust him. Since my meeting I realized that there was so much that I had to change in my own life. I simply want to prove faithful. I pray this blesses you. It is time for a last day harvest like never before. As I headed towards the airport after our time together I could do nothing but weep. I ask that you continue to pray for us as God leads us across the nation and world.

3M- Ministry Mentoring Moments #7- They are Hungry!

2010-12-12T06:44:00.000-08:00

3-Ministry Mentoring Moments #7
They are hungry- will you bring them lunch?
John 6:1-9

Intro.- Have you ever gone to a good restaurant and you are about to take the bite of the best meal ever- Then Somebody wants a bite? That is what this story is about!

I. You are ready to share your lunch!
Will you Stand out when people are Hungry!

John 6:1-4, (message) Sometime after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Feast was near.

The Passover feast was drawing near! Jesus new he would eventually be the Passover lamb!

II. The crowd was hungry!
John 6:5, When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?"

I have learned that hunger and expectation is often dependent upon who draws the crowd!

III. Jesus asks his disciples to see with different eyes!
I love that- he asked the guy with the Faith problem

John 6:6- He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

Jesus knows what he is going to do, but he gives you a chance to buy into the vision!
You have to understand Jesus always gave the disciples opportunities to prove they believe!

TL Osborne- physical eyesight can blind spiritual vision!

IV. The truth and reality are very different!
Look at Philip- he gives the reality answer! He didn’t give the truth!

John 6:7, Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"

Reality is People are hurting- truth is Jesus can heal them
Reality is finances can hinder you- truth is Jesus is the banker
Reality is some kids are born into horrible situations- truth is Jesus can take them out
Reality is you may not be a great speaker- truth is when Jesus gets your life he creates a voice

Reality is you may not have very many gifting- Truth is God looks for availability

Psalms 51:6, Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

(Put leaders around me that know the truth and we will change the world and see the supernatural while the reality speakers live the mundane life of the natural!)

The problem in ministry comes when reality is a brighter neon sign than the faith God has placed in you!

Acknowledge reality on every level- but you fight the devil with Truth!
It sets you free!

Psalms 25:5, guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

God is looking for people in this room that will defy the odds! The enemy will tell you that you will never change lives, you are never going to be great! But you have the truth!

Psalms 145:18-19, The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

I continually live in a state of reality denial! It is an adventure!

Jesus started so many scriptures with- I tell you the truth!

I heard a song called- “Wait and See” by Brandon Heath- I loved it- it described someone who was told he would never be anything- he made so many mistakes!
Here are some of the Words from the song- “He is not finished with me yet. There is hope for me yet cause God's not finished with me yet.”

They were wrong! Prove the world wrong! And God right!

1 Corinthians 1:19, For it is written:"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."

God loves to prove the world wrong!
Romans 3:3-4, What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written:
"So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge."

V. The pointer and the producer!
John6:8, Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, 9 "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"
Here is Andrew- He points out to Jesus the little boy!

Every leader must have around them someone who points out others gifting! In other words he was the facilitator!

Here was Andrew the brother of Simon Peter! He introduced Peter to Jesus! He knew how to bring people to the master.

What do we know about Andrew? Andrew, disciple of Christ, was from the city of Bethsaida near the region of the Sea of Galilee (John 1:44). He and his brother Peter were a fisherman by trade. In fact, it was Andrew who introduced his brother Peter to Jesus (John 1:41-42). According to the Gospel of John, Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist (John 1:35-40) before becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Andrew chased the anointing!

What were some main points in the life of Andrew? We know he pointed out the little boy!
• Andrew (along with Philip) introduced some Greek fellows to Jesus (John 12:20-22).
• Andrew inquired of Jesus regarding the destruction of the temple (Mark 13:3-4).
• He was among the disciples who gathered in the upper room after they had been indwelt by the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:13).

By studying tradition, we learn that Andrew preached in different regions and started a church in Constantinople. One account states that he refused to make sacrifices to heathen gods and was beaten and crucified at Patrae and Achaia.

****Andrew hung for approximately two days and during this time he praised God. (He was always pointing towards Jesus even in death)

Throughout his life, Andrew was a man with whom many of us can identify. He expressed doubt at times, did not always understand or comprehend the Lord's teaching, and he occasionally lacked faith. However, Andrew persisted.

He would point out the CHOSEN! Be a leader that can see the chosen! He saw the little boy!

Many are called but few are chosen! (Matthew 22:14)
Scene- He chooses a kid- can you see the kid- he is about to eat- then a bully disciple says- Hey kid give me your lunch!

Will you show up ready with a bag full of lunch? What is in your bag?

Five loaves! Two fishes! That meal represented so much!
Bread- 5 loaves- (The number of Grace) You better have the word in you! Be ready to share the bread! Jesus always break the bread!

Fishes! – there were two- (represents the joining of two different ones- You and God) that means each one is called to win more than yourself!
We are fishers of men!

If you come prepared he will pull you out of the crowd! You and God with some Grace!

VI. The field was full of people!
John 6:10, Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

VII. Let nothing go to waste!
When you call something leftover- Jesus calls valuable!

John 6:12, When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

VIII. Make Jesus Famous by your obedience! Learn to hide!

John 6:14, After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

Jesus knows how to hide from the peoples desires and requests! He slips away!

Notice the little boy didn’t make the headlines! He wasn’t on the front of Time magazine!

Nope he went home having done his best! The people were fed! Jesus was more famous! Welcome to ministry!

3 M- Ministry Mentoring Moments- #6 Awaken the Shepherds!

2010-11-30T06:14:00.000-08:00

3M- Ministry Mentoring Moments- #6 Awaken the Shepherds

December 2010
Dear Friends and Leaders,
I write you tonight after just seeing hundreds of students touched at a University in Texas today. It is hard to believe that six months ago we launched back to the nations. God has been so faithful. We have been able to see tens of thousands saved, healed, and set free by Gods power. We have traveled over 90,000 miles to cities, states and countries. We simply couldn’t have done it without your help, prayers, and support. Karen and I are amazed at the awesome favor of God. The schedule has exploded.

In this holiday season our heart is to see families restored like never before. The enemies goal at the beginning was to destroy the home! How does he do it? Take out the shepherds! Jesus said when he was speaking to Peter and predicting his own death in Mark 14:27- “I will strike the shepherd and scatter the sheep! Today let the shepherds awaken and go tell the world the Savior is Born! We must stand firm! There is a stirring for the shepherds to wake up!

Awakening the Shepherds!

I want to take you back 2000 years ago on a cold dark night. We know that on the night Christ was born it was in the town of Bethlehem (as was prophesied in Micah 5:2). His family had gone up to pay taxes and be a part of the census. What amazes me is that God made sure a public record would be kept of His son’s birth. We know that he would be born in a manger behind an Inn. Paul said this of Jesus in II Corinthians 8:9, “ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” We know that Jesus would become our shepherd! We know that Jesus is our shepherd. Take a look at John chapter 10:11, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Jesus would be the shepherd that would protect the flock!

I am reminded on that very special night of the birth of Christ who the angels decided to visit to announce the birth of the savior. It was the shepherds! A night when shepherds were slipping into a time of watchful rest! Then the sky lit up! God always uses the shepherds. Look at Moses and David. They were shepherding when their lives were interrupted. “Shepherds- in the Greek is “poy-mane” meaning a herdsman, overseer to which ones care has been committed.” God wants to interrupt the shepherds! He wants to interrupt the ones He trusts with care of others! I want to look at those special first responders. We are called to shepherd those around us. But first we must awaken in the night! I want to give you four things concerning the shepherds that were interrupted on that glorious night by the song of the angels!

4 things you must understand about this special band of brothers!
#1. The Shepherd is always on duty!- Luke 2:8, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.”Here they were living in monotony. They had no idea what was about to happen. They would be a part of the greatest worship service of all time. What made them so special is that God knew they would be obedient. God knew they would handle the message. God knew they were the best ones to interrupt their lives! These were not normal shepherds. These were Near Eastern Shepherds- The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were:- to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep- to defend the sheep from attackers- to heal the wounded and sick sheep- to find and save lost or trapped sheep- to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust.

I am reminded of during World War II, a shepherd was a pilot who guided another pilot whose plane was partially disabled back to the base or carrier by flying alongside him to maintain visual contact.

#2. The Shepherds realized their time had come for their mission! They were awakened from the monotony of life- Peace and favor was here! Luke 2:15-15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” I can see them sharing with each other as they walked along. Dude- nobody is going to believe this. This was an incredible sign of the first church coming together! There was such an excitement- They knew they had been visited by God. They were probably running- They were probably weeping- here these lowly shepherds were the first evangelist! God chooses the simple things to confound the wise. He chose the watchers of the lambs! These shepherds were going to find the Head Shepherd. 1 Peter 2:25- For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Mom and Dad’s, you are the watchers of the lambs! The Shepherds understood they were on a mission. Luke 2:16-18,” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”

#3. When the Shepherd shows up everything becomes ok! Luke 2:20, “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” I bet when they showed up at the manger scene Mary knew everything was OK. Luke 2:19-“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” We have to have some shepherds show up in this generation-These shepherds were the ones who Mary would sit back and say- “I Think everything is going to be ok.” God proved himself thru the Shepherds-

#4- Today let God awaken the Shepherds to the Great Shepherd! 1 Peter 5:1-4, “ To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”The enemy wants to destroy the shepherds- But the angels will awaken you!

Karen, the Forerunners, and I appreciate you so much. Have an awesome Christmas! Let this year be the best ever! God is going to use you greatly! Please let us know if you need anything at all. We are honored to serve you. Merry Christmas! Pat and Karen Schatzline

3 M- #5- Ministry Mentoring Moments

2010-10-27T10:44:00.000-07:00

“Selah”- The Place of Quiet Transition
Text: Psalms 71:23
This blog is for everyone that feels their lives are on hold! You are in a Selah moment!

Psalms 71:23, (message) When I open up in song to you, I let out lungsful of praise, my rescued life is a song.

Today there is a sound coming from the throne of heaven! It is a sound of incompleteness!

God began to burn the word “Selah” on my heart over two months ago!! He said son The church is in the place of the “Selah!” What is that?- The place of transition!

I. Your life is a song to God!
Psalms 104:33-34, (message) Oh, let me sing to God all my life long, sing hymns to my God as long as I live! 34 Oh, let my song please him; I'm so pleased to be singing to God.

Psalms 98:1, (message) Sing to God a brand-new song. He's made a world of wonders! He rolled up his sleeves, He set things right.

Ephesians 2:10, For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Workmanship- Greek- poiema (poy'-ay-mah); a poem, a song, a product (literally or figuratively): thing that is made in unique fashion, of the works of God as the creator and author.

Psalms 9:14, (message bible) I'll write the book on Hallelujahs; on the corner of Main and First
I'll hold a street meeting; I'll be the song leader; we'll fill the air with salvation songs.

II. The song isn’t over!
God is a God of completion! Half finished songs equal unfulfilled promises.
Philippians 1:6, (message) There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

In Revelation Jesus says I have not found your deeds complete!
Revelation 3:2, Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.

All through the Psalms and Habakkuk the writer used a phrase to force the song to stop. This was called the “SELAH.”

It is the place used to show God isn’t finished with the song! God always finishes what he starts! The problem is we sometimes stop in the middle of the song! You must take time to realize God isn’t done!

Selah, [celah], is from the primary Hebrew root word [calah] which literally means 'to hang,' and by implication to measure (weigh). The place of pausing, reflecting, ponder deeply, valued by weighing, the divide of a time-line, the moment of conjunction, the changing of a point in history. [ Amplified bible: pause, and calmly think of that]

There is a Selah waiting on you. Your song isn’t over! In the bible whether it is urging our meditation upon our sinfulness, declaring God is our refuge, or speaking in 'types' about Christ, this word is an exhortation for us to be wise and measure or weigh what has been said that we understand its true meaning. It is a pause- a changing of course!

It is used in the Psalms seventy-three times, and is also used in Habakkuk three times. Each time it is illustrating that we should measure wisely or 'weigh' solemnly what is said.

Can you imagine listening to music and the song stopping halfway through it?

Imagine if these songs never got finished! (CUE: POINT TO BOARDS)

What about this song…. Blessed Assurance
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood. (pause)
…. What if this part was never in the song!

This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the daylong; this is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.

What about this song…. Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.

…. What if this part was never in the song!
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear The hour I first believed.

What about this song…. Blue Suede Shoes
Well its one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, now go cat go….

…. What if this part was never in the song!
Don’t you step on my blue suede shoes. You can do anything but don’t you step on my blue suede shoes!

What about this song…. Wind Beneath My Wings
Did you ever know that you're my hero, and everything I would like to be?

…. What if this part was never in the song!
I can fly higher than an eagle, 'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

There has to be the next part! The part that brings it all together! The part that completes the thought! The part that just makes it work!

It is time to realize there is a quiet moment in the midst of your chaos!
I am here to talk to you about the next part of the song!

The moment in the song where you feel a shift- you feel something has changed- you feel as if we are going to another level- but first there is a pause-

III. The moment when words don’t work!
I have learned that when God gets ready to shift me- everything gets loudly quiet!
It is the quiet transition of seasons! When God begins to take you to the next level!
You can’t describe where you’re at, because words haven’t been created! (frustration)

Romans 8:19-21, For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

Psalms 77:11-12, (message) Once again I'll go over what God has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders; 12 I'll ponder all the things you've accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts.

I’m talking to everyone that has been in a quiet place!
Everyone who has no words to completely say where you have been at!

Romans 8:26-27, (message) Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.

God wants you to know he built this into your song! You are a song that hasn’t ended!

Psalms 42:7-8, (message) Chaos calls to chaos, to the tune of whitewater rapids. Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers crash and crush me. 8 Then God promises to love me all day, sing songs all through the night! My life is God's prayer.

IV. Seven Selah Moments!

#1. The Selah moment forces right emotions!
Psalms 4:4, In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah (think about it, weigh it, then go forward)

Psalms 4:5-8, Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord. Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?"Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. 7 You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. 8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

So in Psalms 4- the Selah- pause- think about your reactions and emotions- then begin the next part of the song- BOOM… The next part of the song says- I will approach God correctly- I will stand in your light! I have your joy in my heart that is more precious than riches and sustenance- and now I will rest in peace and safety!

#2. The Selah Moment establishes Gods sovereignty in your life!
Psalms 62:7-8, My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah (weigh/ scales)

Psalms 62:9-10, Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. 10 Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

#3. The Selah establishes who you trust in!
Psalms 57:6, They spread a net for my feet — I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path — but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah

Psalms 57:7-8, My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. 8 Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.

#4. The Selah moment restores hope!
Psalms 77:6-9, I remembered my songs in the night. My heart mused and my spirit inquired: 7 "Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? 8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? 9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?" Selah

Psalms 77:10-15, Then I thought, "To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High." 11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. 12 I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. 13 Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? 14 You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. 15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

#5. The Selah is the place to realize His favor!
Psalms 67:1, May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us,
Selah

Psalms 67:2-4, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. 3 May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. 4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth.

#6. The Selah takes your worship to the next level!
Psalms 47:1-4, Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. 2 How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth! 3 He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. 4 He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved. Selah
Psalms 47:5-8, God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets. 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. 7 For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. 8 God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.

#7. God also has Selah moments!
Zephaniah 3:17, The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult [Dance] over you with singing.

V. Your life is a song with many conjunctions and grammar!
***Quit thinking your life ends before the comma and conjunction!

We have all had conjunctions- It is the but, and, or….. (you faced divorce… but, you were wounded but, you faced got into trouble ….and, she could have chosen a rough path …..or

What if your life was half a song? We would be in trouble! Conjunction changes everything

Selah, [celah], the moment of conjunction, the changing of a point in history.

In the Hebrew words are assigned a numeric number- the conjunction is numerically the lowest number zero- any time you see but… it is a zero moment… it literally means everything before the conjunction is cancelled out!

Psalms 49:14-15, 14 Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave,
far from their princely mansions. 15 But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Selah

Psalms 66:18-19, If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;
19 but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.
pp. Psalms 73:26, My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

Don’t confuse the comma with the period. God knows his grammar!
Pick up the pen! Wipe your eyes. You stopped at the end of a stanza- god is still speaking!
There are too many incomplete songs in this room!

VI. Make sure your song doesn’t belong to the world!
The enemy wants your song! He will even get you to use them in the wrong places!
Look at Israel. They are in bondage. They are forced to live by the river. They have masters over them. Then the masters cross a line!

Psalms 137:1-6, Alongside Babylon's rivers we sat on the banks; we cried and cried,
remembering the good old days in Zion. 2 Alongside the quaking aspens we stacked our unplayed harps; 3 That's where our captors demanded songs, sarcastic and mocking:
"Sing us a happy Zion song!" 4 Oh, how could we ever sing God's song in this wasteland?
5 If I ever forget you, Jerusalem, let my fingers wither and fall off like leaves. 6 Let my tongue swell and turn black if I fail to remember you, If I fail, O dear Jerusalem, to honor you as my greatest.

Oral tradition teaches- at night the harpist gagged each other to quiet the noise- then they smashed each other’s fingers- and cut off their index fingers- they understood their gifting were to only be played for the King of Kings.

The enemy wants your song!

VII. There is a choir being assembled!
Psalms 40:2-3, He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.

Psalms 118:14, The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

Read- Revelation 5:5-14…….

3Mi- Ministering Mentoring Moments- Understanding and Prioritizing The Call of God

2010-10-11T22:23:00.001-07:00

3M- #4- Ministry Mentoring Moments
“Understanding and Prioritizing the Call of God”

Why me Lord? I know very few people who have ever felt the call of God when they didn’t first say “WHY ME?” In fact is the healthiest question a leader can ask when they feel the stirring to take up the high call of ministry.

I remember as a teenager questioning the call. I have always said the best way you know your called is “You go to bed thinking about it, You wake up thinking about it, and Everything that happens to you would fit great into a sermon illustration!” Welcome to the call of God. So much has been said about doing ministry, but few write about how to answer the call.

One of my all-time favorite verses can be found in Romans 11:29. It is the verse about Gods guarantee and touch upon a leaders life. The verse refers to Gods continued love for the Jew, but it is also a life verse for the Gentile.

Romans 11:29- (message bible) God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty — never canceled, never rescinded.

What this verse tells me is that regardless of your life decision to take the journey called ministry the “kiss” of God is still upon you. The most miserable people I have ever met are those who ignored the call of God. Maybe it was out of fear, insecurity, or even hurts they ran from Gods plan for them. Here is what you must understand the call of God is not for the faint at heart or the angry in Spirit. The call of God is for those who simply have the never ending desire to minister Gods healing power and deliverance. The call can operate in an office, church, or on the open market.
I want to take a few minutes to answer some questions and give some insight to “The Call.” I believe with all of my heart that everyone is called. I believe that every person can walk under the mantle of Gods hand. I also believe that God take the common, and with one command make them a conqueror! Let me give you some precepts for the call. I may intertwine the precepts with scriptures and concepts.

1. The calling of God is always absolute!
God won’t change his mind about you- so don’t change your mind about him!
Realize on your worst day of ministry you are still called!

Romans 1:5-6, Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

Luke 9:1-6, When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He told them: "Take nothing for the journey — no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." 6 So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.

If your called to him today then you must lose what you followed yesterday! Hurts, fears, pains, attitudes! He is calling you to him!

God doesn’t make mistakes. He created you for his purpose. He has unbelievable plans for you. He just wants you to step into the great adventure.

2. It started first for me with the mud and the mirror!
It wasn’t till I realized I was nothing without Jesus that I began to question if he could use me. You see it is at the end of yourself that the beginning of God begins.

I am reminded of Saul (later to change his name to Paul) laying in the mud blinded by a light that he had an encounter with Jesus!

Acts 9:3-6, As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked."I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. 6 "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

Saul had to go to his kness! He was brought down from his thrown of killing Christians, and suddenly left blinded by Gods power. For three days all he could see was his own life flashing through his mind. He was the most learned of all Roman citizens! He had Government power in his hands. Yet, on that lonely road called Damascus he was interrupted by Gods plan.

He was in the mud and looking at his life in a mirror. That is how God grabs people. He allows them to wonder and then in one moment- He interrupts them.

That is what happened to Elisha when Elijah found him working the fields. It is what Jesus did with the disciples.

3. The call begins to consume the called!
I know what it is like to go to bed hearing the screams of the lost. I know what it is like to walk on a stage in front of thousands and wonder “how did I get to do this?” You see when God calls you there comes a period of time where you begin to realize if I don’t answer- I will just die.

It overwhelms you. Everywhere you look you see desperate man in need. In fact the best thing that could happen to you is realize that God can do it without you, but he chooses not too.

The beating heart screams out like an Edgar Allen Poe story. It becomes intoxicating. In fact I will dare say, it even becomes a cross to bear!

4. Your motives are always the first to be tested.
David understood this as his brother sat next to him at the camp fire questioning him for asking about a giant. Peter was criticized by the religious.

Psalms 78:72- And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.

Jesus was asked over and over- who do you say that you are? It is always the enemies plan to question you about the big question of your life. He will always tell you that you don’t belong, or that you will fail, but realize that God started this thing with you. I am reminded as Moses got ready to go meet up with his nemesis and step brother pharaoh. He asked God the powerful question “whom shall I say sent me?” and God said tell him “I AM.” Enough said. I love what Paul said in regards to preaching with the right motives!

Philippians 1:14-18, It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

So if you have accepted the call and your motives are under attack take heart, because you have joined a great fraternity! The fraternity of the Unashamed!

5. The call of God resonates in the lives of those who are broken and desperate.

The call of God is rarely recognizable on the pompous and self consumed. If it is upon such a person then they usually have a longer journey in the first stages of ministry. The touch of God is not indifferent to personalities or even a persons upbringing, but it is manifest most in the broken and desperate. God is simply looking for those who can stay real and walk in continual desperation.

Psalms 51:6-11, (message bible) What you're after is truth from the inside out. Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life. 7 Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life. 8 Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. 9 Don't look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. 10 God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. 11 Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me.

These are the people whom God can trust to lay down their nets and take up the cross. God doesn’t always use the most talented, but he must use the most broken.

6. The call of God is for those who understand priorities!
John 3:30- I must decrease that he might increase!

Matthew 6:33-But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

In other words you must be a leader who maximizes what is important. You make up your mind to pray, study, and pursue destiny. The call of God is for those who understand that it is a continual growth. You never arrive. You have to continually better yourself in every area.

Stay a student! Be willing to pay the price and grow where your planted. You must be willing to serve and stand by those who believe in you! Ministry doesn’t happen overnight! Learn and learn more!

2 Timothy 2:15, Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Your walk is your first priority! Everyday pursuing Jesus. Everyday you worship harder than others, pray deeper than most, and you continually crucify your flesh. That is why the bible says in 1 Thes. 5:17, Pray without ceasing.

The called must always be sure that their family is healthy in every area. Your family must know that without the church you are ok. In other words with a job in ministry your ok. That way the church/ or a job doesn’t own you.

Roams 14:12- Everyman will give an account of himself.

The called prioritizes the difference between vision and ambition. Ambition is flesh driven, but vision is God birthed. You must always make sure your priorities are right. Keep Gods plan first in everything. He has plans for you. (Jer. 29:11)

God has secrets he wants to share with you. (Jer. 33:3) Seek out advice of those who have accomplished the great and of those who have accomplished the unseen.

Keep people in your life that can speak into your life, and also have those in your life that are simply there to encourage and be your friend.

7. The called must always be aware of the pitfalls waiting on you!
Paul spoke in Romans of the thorn in his flesh. The moment you accept the call you are now on the enemies radar. You now are a threat.

The list of the fallen are usually more recognizable than the list of the proven.

1 Corinthians 4:1-5, So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

You have to guard your flesh at all times. I heard an old preacher tell me once that many times the devil will leave someone with deep flesh flaws alone until they become popular or big in the church world and their fall effects many more because of their prominence and popularity.

Get dressed correctly ever day!
Ephesians 6:10-14, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Remember if you play with the call of God- he will find someone else to take your place – Saul!

8. The called must always avoid being judgmental or flippant!
It is so easy to become callas in hardened in ministry! Guard your motives and tongue!
I have watched young ministers fall into the pit called judgmental attitude.

2 Timothy 2:16, Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
It is easy to stand on the sidelines and call plays. I challenge every leader to guard that demonic spirit called religion which causes a leader to think to highly of himself.

Matthew 7:1-6 (message bible) "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults — unless, of course, you want the same treatment. 2 That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. 3 It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. 4 Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? 5 It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. 6 "Don't be flip with the sacred. Banter and silliness give no honor to God. Don't reduce holy mysteries to slogans. In trying to be relevant, you're only being cute and inviting sacrilege.

9. Realize the called have always faced persecution!
2 Timothy 3:12-17, (message bible) Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there's no getting around it. 13 Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They're as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they are out there, things can only get worse. 14 But don't let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers — 15 why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother's milk! There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another — showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. 17 Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

10. The truly called must live in a constant place of walking in faith!
Hebrews 6:12-15, We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants." 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
The call of God is all about believing in something bigger than you. You have to walk in supernatural faith. That means everything will not always make sense.

I heard someone say years ago that where God guides he must always provide.
Walking in two key components at all times is the priority: Wisdom and Faith!

2 Cor. 5:7- We live by faith and not by sight!

Hebrews tells us you can’t please God without Faith. It is about an assuredness that is mind blowing!

Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
o Washington Carver – success is not what you are but what you paid to get there!

Your calling is to build faith in others!
Romans 10:17, Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

Quote- CS Lewis- faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted in spite of your changing moods.

No one can stand in the way of your faith!

Romans 3:3-4, What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written:
"So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge."

11. The called have a huge inheritance waiting on them!
Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

We are called to finish- not just start something! You are called to complete your assignment!

History is not made by the starters, but the finishers! Heaven is cheering you!

2 Timothy 4:7-8, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

If I can say anything to you it is this one statement: It will all be worth it! You are not your own- You were bought for the satisfaction of the King!

Heaven is your reward. At the Bemus Seat of Christ they will line up and say thank you. Your called because he called you.

3M- Marriage- Running the race together! #3

2010-09-27T10:17:00.000-07:00

3M- Mentoring Ministry Moments #3
“Marriage- Running Together to the Finish Line!”
September 27, 2010
Dear leaders,
This wed Sept. 29, 2010 Karen and I will reach the amazing mile stone of 20 years of marriage. Wow! What a truly wonderful journey. In a time when marriages involved in ministry are under an all out assault from the enemy. Believe it or not according to Charisma magazines poll of ministers the divorce rate is 50%. Karen and I have watched several dear couples we were close to walk away from their marriages. Many just allowed ministry to destroy their marriage or they simply grew apart. In honor of 20 years with my sweetheart I wanted to focus this 3M blog on “Running together to the finish line.” You see we believe that we are called to run together!

Our wedding: I will never forget looking to the back of that little church in Eagle Lake, FL upon the most gorgeous woman in the world. As she walked towards me on her father’s arm down that aisle I began to weep. How could this angel be marrying me? Her smile, her beauty, her sophistication, and her grace was overwhelming. Not to mention….. On that day September 29th, 1990 I started a journey with my lady. Twenty years ago I had no idea what it meant to be a husband. I had yet to truly even learn what true love meant. Karen would not only become my best friend, but she would teach me so much about life, God, and love. Karen would be the one that would teach me how to chase Jesus, how to have grace, how to develop a devotional life, and how to establish boundaries. God brought her to me and she has always been way more anointed. Our entire marriage we have been in ministry. In fact while we were dating I accepted my first fulltime position as a youth pastor near Tampa, FL. Due to the fact that the church also had a retirement community for pastors on sight we were continually encouraged (harassed- Lol) to get married. So we moved our date to Sept. We moved into a small and very old house that was owned by the church. Karen made that little house a home. I remember we tried so hard to clean the 30 year old dingy green carpet, and the mildewed walls. HAHA! I remember us asking the church to change the carpet in that old parsonage. One elderly fella (everyone in the church was over 60) on the board told us our carpet in the parsonage was better than his homes carpet, and we could just live with it. Back then I was as green as the carpet and didn’t know how to stand up for issues. Those were the days. We found out six months after we were married that our son had been conceived. I got home from a college class and Karen greeted me at the door with the news. I remember telling her to sit down and not move for 9 months. While those days were tough financially, and also geographically we had fun together. During those early days Karen was very shy in large gatherings and she would force herself to be a public figure. The thought of speaking publicly petrified her, but at the same time she knew God was going to use her. As small child her mother would tell her over and over someday God is going use you greatly. I remember the first few times she spoke she would break out in blotches from her nerves. Yet, she kept pushing forward. She would say to me “the girls must be told that they are all beautiful princesses.” She knew she had a message for a generation of girls that had to be spoken. She knew my secret. While on the outside walking in bold confidence I dealt so strongly with insecurity and fear. She made up her mind to help me get thru that in my life. To this day when I speak at a gathering she is the first to greet me with-“Sweetheart, that was awesome.” I can’t imagine being married to someone who would tell their minister husband or wife- You could have done better, or you went too long. In fact Karen still laughs at jokes she has heard 10,000 times. You see we learned a long time ago that we would be each other’s biggest fan! I still send her roses wherever she speaks and I always have them attach a bottle of Pepto-Bismol for her stomach. Now it has become a small sign of “look where you have come from baby!” That reminds me I need to call the florist today as Karen gets ready to go to Idaho on Thursday to speak. Let me give you 20 rules for marriage in ministry. These all can be applied to marriages, but my main goal today is to speak into the lives of those preparing for ministry.

20 Rules for Marriages in Ministry:
• Remember, that God never asks us to put the call of ministry ahead of our marriage or children. You see Karen and I believe that marriage done right causes the right kind of ministry. We have fun in ministry. The ministry has allowed us to go and see what we could have never done leading a “normal” life. The ministry has allowed us to accomplish dreams and goals. It is a awesome adventure.
• In ministry it is critical that you never allow the ministry to be a mistress. I remember early in years of marriage I would go to the office late at night, study late at night, and many times use the church as an excuse for being less than focused on my family. Over time I began to realize that the ministry is “constant,” and I that I must draw lines to protect my home and marriage.
• Never allow anyone outside your spouse to be your biggest fan. No one gets that spot. That is reserved parking for the love of your life. Make sure to step outside the mirror and keep an eye on your wedding photo. There are two people in that photo- not one! In other words it is your job to see the person who chose to stand with you that day. Make sure you continually take the time to praise your spouse.
• Guard your home from the continual attack of what is aptly called “the tyranny of the urgent.” You see people always need us. Most of the time people forget that you are a normal family. Somewhere in discipleship 101 that chapter gets left out. So it is your job to say “WHOA.” It is your job to turn the phone off. It is your job to guard the special occasions, and also regular days of life. Your spouse doesn’t mind sharing you, but there is a limit! Be the first one to say, “I would love to help you, but I can’t today. My family needs me!”
• Guard your marriage from the “office chatter.” In other words do not always talk about the church or the people. Instead, talk about each other. Remember, shepherds must always guard the sheep door. Learn what it means that when you are home- BE AT HOME!
• Guard your bedroom. You see Karen and I made up our mind early that our bedroom was a place of solitude and rest. We decided early on that no one else belonged in our room. That means we only talk about us, our family, and our dreams.
• Guard intimacy! OK- here we go! Intimacy in marriage must never stop. Your must make sure the flames of romance stay lit. Enjoy each other. That is God’s really cool plan. REALLY COOL! Sex is pure!
• Serve each other! I think in ministry we serve so many that we forget that we must serve each other. I wasn’t very good at this when I first got married. Many times it is what we see modeled by our parents that determines how well we serve. We come home from the office tired and ready to vegetate. Men in ministry especially have a tough time with this. We lead at the church, but we follow at home. Maybe it is because we get tired and for some reason think we have done enough. At some point the light came on for me. I needed to help around the house. I needed to get up early with the kids. It is not only unfair to not serve our spouses and kids, but is also a great romance killer.
• Stay enamored with each other. Have secret moments that take place in public. Karen and I have little signals and sayings that we share with each other in the biggest of crowds. It is our way of saying “we may be among hundreds or thousands, but we are really one and in love with each other in the crowd.” When she walks in the room it catches my breath. My eyes meet hers and I really don’t care who else is there. I am enamored with her.
• Some of the most dysfunctional marriages are in high profile ministries. They have “Image management vs. authentic living.” They put on the masks in public. So we have made up our minds early that we must show honor, love, and respect in public, and in private. We do not ever bring reproach or offense upon each other. We also do not allow people to cross a line in any manor towards our marriage. We believe that we are Christians first before we are ministers. When you are public people for some reason people think they know you and your spouse. They may even think they can speak into your lives from an outsiders point of view. Learn how to keep offense out of your marriage.
• HAVE FUN! Make sure the most fun you could ever have can only be found in the arms of your spouse. Learn how to get off the spinning world and have a vacation. Our spouses must see that when we are together nothing else matters. This is very hard in ministry. That is about setting boundaries. Also, laugh together, dance together, play together, and enjoy your time together. I will cover this more at the end of the blog. Remember, you were created for each other’s pleasure and joy! Go on dates. Use the 7-7-7-7 plan. Every 7 hours connect with each other, Every 7 days have a date, every 7weeks plan a getaway or really long day, and every 7 months take a long vacation!
• Pray together! This took me a long time to truly appreciate. I didn’t understand the power of agreement as a couple. In fact you really don’t understand this until you walk through tough times. Your children must see that you pray together. They must see that you walk as one as believers. When you pray together get real, and be honest. Disciple each other in the things of God. But don’t condemn! Instead push each other towards the savior.
• Never stop believing in each other’s dreams. In fact the more you believe in each other’s dreams the more your dreams will become one.
• As the priest of my house I must always be willing to serve, develop, and minister to my family first. Learn the power of washing each other’s feet. Learn the power of having a family covenant.
• Realize you married to each other and not the ministry. Jesus is married to the church not you. In other words realize “without the ministry- you are ok.”
• Keep the front door locked! In marriage it is absolutely critical that you are givers and great stewards of your finances. You see we believe we do not have to be broke, because we are in ministry. That means we have to plan for the future- use wisdom in spending- and always be tithe payers. This rebukes the enemy from your home. That means also that when it comes to finances make decisions together. Debt is a love killer. That means when spending don’t use the “God Card,” but rather “agreement plan.” Walk in agreement.
• In ministry we must also learn the power of sharing our spouse. This is hard. Above I talked about the importance of separating from people, but we must also realize that in some parts we belong to the people. If there is balance in the marriage then this isn’t usually a problem. Guard jealousy! Guard walking in tension. In fact God wants his best from you on all occasions. That means when things are tough at home take time to fix it. Karen and I have a rule that we never bring an argument into the pulpit. We fix it.
• Train together. Learn how to work out together. This is awesome in every way.
• Guard your tongue- Ok let’s get honest! When you spend your life using words to continually share the message and vision as a professional speaker- you thus can use the same tongue for evil. You’re a trained orator! That means your tongue can be a double edged sword. Be careful how you speak to your spouse. A huge love chiller is to demean, demand, demoralize, or denigrate your spouse! Build each other up. Don’t criticize. Do not allow yourself to become the church member that destroys churches. Guard being negative. Guard against expecting and demanding more from your spouse than they deserve. You don’t own each other! You are called to build each other up at all times.
• Leave the office! Drive home slow! Pull in the driveway! Get out of the car! Be ready to be life to the ones that matter most!

This entire blog was written to encourage you the reader in God’s plan for your marriage. The devil hates healthy marriages. He hates it when you set a pure example. The enemies goal is to destroy your marriage so others will lose hope. Most of all the enemy can’t stand that you like each other. A few months ago Karen and I decided to start a new adventure. We started jogging together. It is one of the coolest things we have ever done together. We talk, laugh, complain, cry, dream, pray, and plan together on the track in the morning time. Not only has it helped us get in shape, but our marriage has gone to a whole other level. I would not give our mornings up for anyone. In fact we are pretty selfish about our mornings. We won’t plan meetings or appointments during our morning runs. It is our time. It is a daily date! There are more mornings where we simply enjoy each other’s company, and other times we do war with the devil. We fight for our children, finances, ministry, and friends. We pray for miracles for upcoming services. We encourage each other. So I challenge you as a couple to find something consistent that the two of you can do together. GUARD IT! You deserve each other. Our goal is at the end of the next 20 years we will be able to say- “the first 20 was incredible, but the last 20 was indescribable.”

So to my gorgeous wife I say, “Thank you baby!” You turned me into a man, and pushed me to understand true love. Thank you Jesus for my bride of my youth that will someday be my bride of my old age! Together we are unstoppable! A part we would just be half of a perfect plan! God Bless you! Pat

3M- Ministry Mentor Moments #2- Precepts for Revival

2010-09-18T10:31:00.000-07:00

3M- Ministry Mentoring Moments #2
"Precepts for Revival and Change"

September 18, 2010
Dear Friends and Leaders,
I have watched lately as God is stirring churches to go deeper than they have ever gone in him. We have been seeing crazy physical healings and spiritual awakenings. It seems that we are living in a day of refreshing, outpouring, and miracles like not seen in generations. How have we arrived at this place? Maybe it is the political atmosphere of our nation. Maybe it is the financial crisis in our nation, or maybe the fear of terrorism. I am not sure, but I have learned that really it is about the leader. Yes, people can hinder a move of God, but God’s leader has to strive for a deep walk with Jesus. We all want miracles and we all desire to see the lost saved. True revival is when God gets so sick and tired of being misrepresented that he shows up. God is searching the land for places that His Dove can land. Most of my ministry I have felt like the weird one. That isn’t an insecure statement, but rather a reality. You see Karen and I have always been hungry for more. That doesn’t mean that we haven’t at times got lethargic, or that we have not gone through dry seasons. It seems that God continually shakes us. God simply won’t allow us to get comfortable. During one season of ministry God put on my heart the following teaching. You see I desire to see Acts 2 today in our services. I am reminded though that the first thing that happened to those 120 revolutionist in the upper room was UNITY. They were all desperate. They were all trusting. They were all ready to die for Christ. They were all awaiting His return. They were all simply hungry! They were in one mind and one accord. Read the precepts below. These are just a few precepts that will teach you concerning what will stop or bring a spiritual awakening. These are the days when dry bones will live again!

15 Things That Will Stop or Hinder Revival

• Leader, where there is no integrity there will be no authority. If God doesn’t trust you he won’t chase you. Signs and wonders should follow!

• If opinion of man far outweighs the direction the spirit to lead. Fear of man - position or passion - title or testimony? You see we don’t need title when we have a testimony! I love what Oswald Chambers said. “Find a man that fears man and he will fear everything, but find a man that fears God and he will fear nothing.”

• Your desire to entertain leaves no room for people to enter into God’s presence. We must do outreach, but we must also teach people to enter in!

• Your fear of manufacturing the Spirit or offending people will hinder God’s direction. You have to trust HIM! You have to make up your mind that people must have an encounter to truly change. Your job is to create the right atmosphere.

• You are building your kingdom in which there is an end! In his kingdom - this leads to building on personality instead of God’s reality-two kingdoms will clash.

• Your support staff lacks ability to lead or doubts yours. Reacting instead of acting upon! Where there is no respect God will not grant responsibility. You can’t lead where you refuse to go! Your team is watching you. Whether they are older or younger staff they have chose to follow your leadership.

• Your desperation level is overwhelmed by your perspiration level! Your schedule has cancelled your appointment with God! Your prayer closet has become a rare closet. There are times where you must hide away with God.

• Your spiritual level and depth is on the shallow end. Go deep. Jer. 33:3 tells us God has secrets for you. Fresh revelation awaits the hungry.

• When you don’t realize a closed door is not correcting you but a correction of direction. Rejection many times is not rejection but protection. Don’t lose heart for the vision when your plan doesn’t work. Hold on and believe. Keep crazy faith! Faith with wisdom is unstoppable. Remember, it is impossible to please God without Faith! Heb. 11:1

• Your home is not a refuge due to the refuse. We must guard our homes. Your family has to see someone real. I honestly believe that God builds our homes before he builds are ministries or churches. Ask your family if they want to be pastored by you. Their response will determine what you must change.

• Offenses have destroyed the defenses. Hurts have taken over your life. You must lay down the offenses. They will destroy your passion.

• Controlling spirits are out of control. Make sure you confront what must be confronted.

• When you do not realize the calling of God without the timing of God will result in the absence of God! You can’t make it happen.

• Boxing God in and refusing to box with the enemy.

• When Spiritual gifts are never unwrapped. Read 1 Cor. 12 and 14, Romans 12, and Galatians. God has huge next level gifts for you and those who are called to greatness.

15 Ways To Set The Stage For Revival and Reformation

• Sometimes we Clean house-don’t protect rotten fruit, we must produce new fruit. Realize that there is a time when we as a leader have to purge our team. Check your team and make sure they are hungry for a move of God.

• Set the climate and secure the environment. Open the door for deep worship and make the house a safe place.

• Refuse to live in the land of lost dreams or pettiness will prevail.

• Preach repentance, refreshing, reaction, and a call to responsibility. Sheep want to be led. If you preach these things with love and compassion there is no stopping the vision.

• Resign in the spirit - allow God to pastor the church. Lean not on your understanding. When I made the decision that God was a better shepherd than me our church exploded. I remained the lead pastor, but I put God in charge.

• Develop strategy - setup diameters with parameters. Guard - establish the groundwork. If God is going to bless the house you have to get things in order. Prepare the people to love the lost, welcome the hurting, and develop the desperate. Remember: God will not stick a healthy baby in a sick incubator.

• Serve your way to the holy of holies. The priest should be the biggest servant of all. What does this mean? Continue in the attitude of gratitude. Show people what it means to be humble, but bold. Live a place of being the least!

• Find a resting place and hiding place for you the leader. Never allow anyone to have your private time. If you preach or lead without a prayer life you will become a salesman. Paul said- “I am not a peddler of the gospel.”

• Build expectation – let your steering wheel be faith- plant vision - be the first one to experience God’s outpouring!

• Color outside the lines! Do things only dreamed about by others. Faith is the key. Ask God to show you ways to touch lives in your sermons, outreach, staff, and vision.

• Love people like no one else is willing. If you will live your life like others won’t, You will change lives others can’t. You may build the vision on the less desirable, but over a period of time with patience and discipleship those same people will become the greatest you could have desired. People who have been rescued always stay close to lifeguard.

• Your circle of influence must never become a cycle. To be pregnant with a vision the cycle must stop. Show me you friends and I will show you your future. Get around the great! Chase those who have something to teach you. Avoid those who could rob you of the next level.

• Break through the wall - Psalms78- every runner hits the wall. When you hit the wall it doesn’t mean God is done with you, but rather God you are being called to push through the wall. The wall usually comes in to play when you are in your 3rd, 5th, and 10th year in a location. You have to press through.

• Go after intimacy to stop illegitimacy. Operate outside of carnality. Guard the anointing. Guard what you say, do, and see.

• Stay in the book of Acts. Remember, Physical eyesight always will limit spiritual vision.

I pray these little concepts help you in a special way. God is waiting to pour His Spirit out in a powerful way. He just needs you to set the stage. Let’s touch a generation. This is our time! Bend Us O’ Lord! Sincerely, Pat Schatzline

3M- Mentoring Ministry Moments-#1

2010-09-09T08:46:00.000-07:00

September 9, 2010
Dear Leaders,
Wow! Last night we saw God rock Lighthouse Church In Peoria, AZ. It was incredible. I am loving being there each Wed. this Sept.

Today I have decided to begin a new series of leadership writings to help bring light to different areas that burn in my heart. There is so much I would like to cover each term with our students, but alas the schedule is growing daily and at the same time I feel a deep burden to better prepare you for your present/ future. Over the next few lessons we will focus on the pragmatics of ministry. We will cover everything from public speaking to discerning Gods Spirit in the midst of services. Sit back, relax, grab a cup of java and learn. I challenge you to save these teachings for future reflection.

Topic #1- Preaching the Gospel and Preparing the way!
I remember years ago sitting in my Homiletics class in college. Homiletics is the preaching or administering of God’s word. I don’t know why they do not just call it “preaching!” LOL! At any rate I remember hearing my professor share all of the times he had made mistakes and the pitfalls of preaching. I thought “there is no way I would do that- I am way sharper- way more cooler” boy was I wrong. You see preaching Gods word is so sacred. I personally believe that when I am writing a message it is a mixture of Jesus and I communicating as one. Although there have been times where he was silent and vice versa. In the day and age if internet drive thru sermons, and podcast duplication there seems to be a void in finding leaders who will simply hideaway and get a “Now Word.” What do I mean? There is something so powerful in getting that Rhema word from the throne room. A word that drives your Spirit to go deeper. A word that leaves the writer’s pen (or keyboard) smoking from use. There is nothing more satisfying to a true preacher than to finish a message and know this message will transform the hearer, and release a time released capsule of self evaluation.

I am reminded of how Jesus woke up each day. He had a mission! He started with prayer. Then he knew he had to Preach the good news. It burned in him. He waited for moments when the people were ready to hear and he would climb a rock, or jump in a boat. He was not to be distracted! It was his mission.

Luke 4:42-44, At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent." 44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Jesus ignored the phone calls, text, and emails. He was focused on a plan. There have been times where I felt something wasn’t right in my Spirit. It was if a anxious anxiety was all over me. Karen usually realizes what is up first. She has said to me on numerous occasions "you need to go write a message." The anxiousness I was feeling was really a tugging by the Holy Spirit to get busy- He had a message for me. I would finally give in- go pray/ write and come out of the furnace with a hot message. By the way it was the last earthly spoken words of Jesus before his ascension:

Mark 16:15-18, He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

I love what Spurgeon used to say- “Put a little fire in the sermon or put the sermon in the fire!"

Smith Wigglesworth was a simplistic man. He would write seven sermons- preach them for seven years- the throw them away and start over. Now we know that would never work today in a generation that must be entertained. In fact preaching is a combination of orator proclamation- sensitivity to Gods voice- dramatic art- and idea development. There should always be a sermon in you.

2 Timothy 4:2-5, Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

I want to give a few cue’s on how to best deliver your on fire message. These are simple, but I believe they will also guide you into becoming someone that causes others to realize you have something to say. God wants to use. He has placed His kiss upon you. Remember Romans 11:29. His gifts and calling are irrevocable.

Preaching for change:
• Remember when you begin a message or sermon- have in mind what your end result should be. In other words when you begin a road trip you need to know where your gonna end up or your just strolling in oblivion. Dream out your altar. See the people responding. This allows you to stay on point in your message. It will help guard from having a wondering pen. I challenge you to know in the beginning what it is you want to say. Also honor the time your given.
• Have fun. Preaching is fun. Sure it is normal to be nervous, but you don’t have to say it. You see those sitting out there are not judging you. They don’t need you to say your nervous. It makes the room awkward. Instead just begin to flow.
• Also never respond to your surroundings. That means crowd size should never determine motivation or passion.
• Minister from your Spirit man. If you truly studied and you developed your thought God will honor your study.
• Trust God Spirit. He will lead you. So many times we get up to speak and we try to make excuses for what god has told us to share. God doesn’t need your help in apologizing.
• When you begin your message prepare your opening according to your audience. If it is a familiar audience that knows your heart you can most always dive right in. In the situation where you’re a newcomer give the message time to grow. Take a few minutes and be funny or be open about you the speaker. This sets others at ease. I continually fight the fire burning in me when I get up and have to remember some of the wood in the audience is wet. So it is my job to get the wood stacked correctly. There have been times where the Spirit of God is moving so awesomely that I can step up and hammer the message immediately, but most of the time the people need to know the doctor they are giving permission to operate on them.
• When writing your message- be mysterious. Meaning lead them down a path that is getting more narrow. People love anticipation. In fact when writing your title don’t always give away your conclusion. Establish the thirst formula. The thirst formula is pushing people to get closer to the well as you keep pouring the salt in their mouth. I have heard young preachers give their entire message in the first three minutes and all anticipation leaves the room as the young leader goes full circle to where he began. BORING!
• When writing your message look for moments to give the audience a breather. It can be by a story, illustration, or dramatic pause. Here is what I found works for me- as Gods word is sinking in I will at times bring the scripture to life with a personal life story. You can almost hear the average hearer say- OH! That is what the scripture means. I also love to use illustrations in the flow of the word- It allows the hearer to experience the “In the moment” understanding. Guard though- too many distractions- AND I HAVE DONE THAT- it will cause you lose track. If you lose track then you better know the listener in the chair is way lost! LOL. Illustrations should compliment and never hinder. They should be simplistic, but real. Your audience enjoys capturing a memory. Most people won’t remember the story, but the illustration sticks in their psyche, and if you bring it right- IT STICKS IN THEIR SPIRIT.
• There are so many times of sermons: Expository (The speaker walks thru usually one text and brings it to life), Manuscript/ story- (The speaker brings to life a message that has been written out in detail), Topical- The speaker flows in different directions, but is focused on bringing one main topic or series to life, Illustrated sermons- This is the dramatic interpretation of a message, and lastly- the- OUTLINE sermon- The speaker generally makes a simple outline and runs with it. Why would I call it the Outline sermon? I guess for me it simply will not work. I have tried it, but I usually chase rabbits, get off course, and most of the time go way too long. It works for some speakers, but not me. I have to manuscript. It allows me to stay focused. Now I will say that when I am doing a leadership teaching- at times I can flow thru an outline. There are many preachers who find a scripture and just go- they don’t plan- they don’t lay it out- and they usually don’t grow a church.
• When writing your message prepare for areas to hover for a while. There are times where you need give room to elaborate or follow the leading of the Spirit.
• Make sure your very organized in your notes. Be able to see them clearly, and make each page easily accessible.
• Every speaker has speaker mentors. Find three-four leaders you can learn from. You will take something for yourself from each leader. In time those leaders may change. Be willing to evolve as a speaker. What used to work for you may not work anymore. Just be sure to never lose your passion and replace it with pandering. I have had many speaker mentors. Each taught me new levels of speaking. After a period of time you will eventually become your own speaker.
• That being said- listen to the Holy Spirit while you’re talking. You can feel God at times interrupt your message. He may tell you to stop and give the call for change.
• The call for change is a moment you must guard to never miss. You can preach your way out of a move of God.
• When speaking always do your best to be up! Never preach from a bad experience or hurt. You will poison the crowd. That means get free before you get up. Never allow the platform to be a bully pulpit, but at the same time you must speak with authority and power.
• Ride the roller coaster. In other words don’t speak flt lined. Flow with the spirit, your emotions, and wisdom. There are “moments in a message” that create memories. Watch for the moment.
• When you trip over yourself make it a fun moment. Everybody appreciates someone who can laugh at themselves.
• People want encouragement and reproof. Everybody knows they need to change, but it is better for you for them to discover that.
• Also, if you’re married- have your spouse be your biggest fan. Never enter the pulpit when stuff isn’t right between the two of you. Fix it! Then preach. Remember to never embarrass your family. That means avoid sharing hurting or private stories. If you plan to use something that could potentially harm your family ask permission first. As your kids get older that don’t always appreciate your stories. LOL. Trust me I know.
• Realize everyone out there won’t listen to you. Never just focus on the ones who dont seem connected with you. Focus on the hungry. The hungry will determine the Spirit you preach from.
• Don’t beat people to death. Instead lead them shepherd to fresh grass.
• When you get ready to close build momentum for the monumental moment of change. Get people excited. Prepare their hearts for change.
• Your preaching must be true to who you are as a leader. Remember, most likely your family and friends are in the room. They know when your being real. Use your real voice.
• Be real- people can see a phony coming from a mile. Be honest at all times. Never lie in the pulpit or the Spirit will lay dormant.
• Ignore interruptions (like a crying baby) or if you have to make a joke and help everyone else relax with the intrusion. Don’t condemn. You look like the bad guy. Plus embarrassing others only allows the enemy to fill the room with anxiety. In fact most interruptions are not intentional. This is where training leaders comes into place.
• Don’t preach for a reward! Preach for the Kingdom. God will bless you in due time. You’re not a salesman.
• Never be crude for shock value. It simply diminishes your influence. Be professional and sharp.
• It is ok to be transparent, but also remember you’re a leader. We must guard against ever giving the audience permission to do something we should have defeated in our lives. Be above reproach. I never bring my family or marriage down to the lowest common denominator.
• When your speaking always honor the leadership of the house. Do as your asked or you will never be asked to do again.
• In your message make sure you have the compassion of Jesus, boldness of Simon Peter, and worshiping heart of John. It is critical the people see you worship during the time before you begin. Get on your face. Be exuberant. Don’t be stoic! It isn’t pretty to look at.
• When you get done with your message- leave it all on the field. You did your best. That is what matters. Never invite a failure Spirit in.
• When you get done be ready for the crowd- show humility, but also show strength. Give praise to Jesus, but accept compliments with humility and graciousness.
• You can touch the world, but first you must touch the carpet!
• Remember it has to be fun!
• Get them in the altar. Be simple in your invitation but bold! Realize it is not your place to judge whether the people want to come to the altar. It is your place to prepare the way and open the door. Don’t miss the moment. Eternity will tell the story.

I remember hearing a powerful story years ago. There was a pastor who shepherded a congregation in a small mid-western town. In all of those years of pastoring in that little town only one person had gotten saved. It was young boy who came to the altar. The young boy eventually moved away. The preacher eventually became discouraged and left town defeated. Years later the now retired old preacher was in a service that a young preacher was ministering and sharing his heart for Africa. After the service the young preacher came up to the old preacher and introduced himself. The young preacher told the old minister that years and years ago his father was saved in his church as a boy. He shared that his father was the first to accept Christ in his family. He hugged the old preacher and thanked him for his faithfulness. The young preacher left and continued itinerating. He eventually made it to Africa to be a missionary. The missionaries name was David Livingston the great martyred missionary who brought revival to Africa.

Team I hope this helps you prepare to win a generation. There is more to come in lesson #2 of 3M!

1 Corinthians 9:16, Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! I can’t wait to hear you bring it!

Sincerely, Pastor Pat