During my quiet time I was reading Genesis 12 & 13. As I started reading, this was dropped in my spirit. I’ll give you the first 4 verses of Chapter 12 and then share what was dropped in my spirit:
Genesis 12:1-4 says this:
Now the Lord had said to Abram:
“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
Now many times we talk about prosperity, and all that when we read those verses. Let's look at this from a leadership perspective. Abram was called out of his comfort zone (or we could say comfortable place), leaders when they want to be effective, will step out of their comfortable place. Abram had faith in God to obey; leaders step out into the world of the unknown. But a leader that's grounded in Christ can leave a legacy like Abram.
Let’s look deeper into those verses: God said to Abram that He will make him a great nation, bless him and make his name great. Sometimes when God wants to bless you, He has to get you away from your comfortable place like He did with Abram. Abram had nothing to lose but everything to gain when He stepped out and left his country. Leaders when they’re going for something big, they have nothing to lose going in. I’m sure Abram counted the cost before leaving. They say that leaders aren’t born, and every leader that has left a legacy counted the cost. So I ask every child of God, do you want to be used to the fullest? Count the cost and be open to His Spirit and what He’s trying to say to you. Don’t be alarmed if He pulls you from your surroundings. He has so much for you. I’m willing to believe that every leader can testify to that.
Let’s look down in Chapter 13 (I promise you that I won’t be long). Let’s start at verse 10 when Lot and Abram split up. I want you all to see this.
Verses 10-13:
And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.
I want to stop here for a minute. As you are walking with the Lord, don’t think that everything that looks good is what is supposed to be in your life. Pray, get alone with God, fast, before making a hasty decision. Leaders carefully count the cost and discern before making decisions that could have an impact that’s either good or bad. Lot lifted his eyes and saw that the land was well watered. And he went for it. Now Abram gave Lot the first choice. That is what you call serving – giving other people a voice. That’s what good leaders do. But I also want to bring out here is the power of choice. We live and die based on choices we make.
Now watch what God does after Lot leaves Abram (starting at verse 14):
And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.”
A godly leader always gets alone to let God speak to Him because he knows that God is a leader’s provision. It doesn’t get better than that. In fact, faithfulness to God always brings promotion. Think about it, Abram left his country, and always trusted God as his provider and God elevated Abram – which you’ll find as you read on in Genesis.
But what I wanted to show was that in order to discover that God is not a man that He should lie, that He watches over His Word to perform it; He will fulfill every promise to us, we have to take that step of faith to Him and allow Him to direct our paths and be obedient to Him no matter the cost. That’s how you can be a leader after God’s heart and get this: in the Bible, when Abraham, Isaac & Jacob passed away, you’ll find that people always made reference to the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac or the God of Jacob. They’ll remember you and want to serve the God that you serve.
Blessings.
The Mayne Man
Thursday, May 28, 2015
What Leaders Can Learn from Abram by Tremayne Moore
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Don't Forsake Your Purpose because of Your Past by Tremayne Moore
Don’t Forsake Your Purpose Because Of Your Past
During a prayer call with some of the SANA member and when #SANAMama Mary Smith was speaking near the end, this topic dropped in my spirit. Considering we have over 1200+ members and we only hear from a very few, one has to wonder what’s going on. As a man with Aspergers Syndrome, I have a tendency to ask a lot questions within my own mind. So with that, here’s what is floating through my mind as it relates to this wonderful group: I believe many of you are here with the purpose of growing in the knowledge of God, how to be a leader in your community as a single man/woman of God. If this is you, then you’re definitely in the right group. Some of you are here for the mere fact of trying to sniff out the brothers to snag (or to sniff out the sisters to snag one). On behalf of the leadership, men’s prayer team and women’s prayer team, you’re in the WRONG group. Now, here’s the final reason why some of you are here (which will be the focus of this blogpost): I believe some of you reading this are sitting on the sidelines holding onto a lot of baggage stemming from multiple things (abuse, divorce, used, neglected, low self-esteem, personality/mental issues, and the list could go on). Some of you have a phobia of rejection, and a need for acceptance.
Can I take a moment and be transparent with you as a single man of God? I know this is not the norm for a man to be transparent in front of everyone, but you know there’s nothing wrong with testifying of the goodness of God. Some of the items I mentioned above I have actually lived through and yes, I still have struggles (which I’ll share some of them with you). OK, I grew up in a two-family home (my parents stayed married until the day my father passed – September 2012), and I have a younger sibling. Things seemed pretty normal until I was psychologically tested in pre-school; the end result was that I had Aspergers (a lower version of Autism). When I was 8, my mom’s half-brother came to live with us because he failed 4th grade. Although he’s two years older than me, he started physically abusing me, and two years later, he started sexually abusing me (which lasted for 7 months). Now keep in mind, I was on the verge of thinking this lifestyle was normal. It wasn’t until I was 11 that my female cousin introduced me to sex. Now watch how God does something in me. Although this was going on, there was always a hunger for me to know who Jesus is.
Now let’s stop and take a look for a minute at what’s going on: here’s a child at 11 pretty much being sacrificed to the devil (my mother handing me over to my uncle) in the natural. But in November of 1986, my female cousin & I stopped being involved – which brings me to my first testimony: since that month to the time you read this blogpost, I’ve been abstinent. Now, I lived my teenage years pretty much alone and I started writing poetry to get what’s on my heart out. I did graduate high school (my second testimony). Many kids who have been abused struggle with life. My mother was against me reading the Bible every day in the home, so God provided me a way of escape via the military in 1994 and I got saved in 1996 (my third testimony). In 2001 I graduated with my degree in Accounting.
So far, it sounds like God really brought me out. I know many people have stories similar where God brought them out.
What are some of my struggles? In 2008, I was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of the abuse I suffered from childhood. So, I’m in therapy. Even with that diagnosis, I released my first book a year later and would share a fictional version of my story 4 months before my father passed away.
The message is not to promote me, but to promote God and to encourage you to not forsake your purpose because of your past.
P.S. Perhaps you’re on the sidelines because you believe you need a mate to complete your purpose? That will come, God will provide as you get moving on your purpose. If you continue to sit on the sidelines, you are not only robbing God, you’re also robbing yourself and others your gift! God will give you more, as you get moving in your purpose.
In closing, know that in order to be effective in your community and fulfill the great commission of Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:18-20, you have to GO!!!
If you’re hurt because of what happened in your past, you’re in the right group. We want to pray with you, fast with you, intercede for you, because we are family!!!!
Besides, you can’t say you’re part of the team if you’re constantly on the sidelines. Get in the game, we need you!!!!
Blessings.
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
The Gift of Encouragement by Lin Johnson
Lin's Lessons:
"The Gift of Encouragement"
To make (someone) more determined, hopeful or confident. . . . This is how Webster’s Dictionary defines the word encourage.
It is said that a word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success. No matter who and where we are, our lives will always have a need for encouragement. It acknowledges our efforts, supports our passions and validates our humanity.
At some point (often many points), in our lives, we seek the hope that encouraging words gives us. And at very pivotal times, it can be as necessary to our heart as oxygen is to our brain. The RIGHT word will revive us. It will drive us. We rest in the sweet savor of its strengthening power.
I remember a few years ago, I encountered someone who was facing an obstacle on their purpose road. They made a decision that made them feel like “This is it”. I distinctly remember one of the many conversations we had. In the midst of their tears, I said “you are still who God created you to be. That mistake doesn’t change your purpose.” Well, I didn’t give that conversation another thought. Years later, I ran into that person. As we began to converse, they said before I miss the opportunity, I wanted to say thank you. Of course, I replied, for what? They began to say that even with all of the support, prayers and encouragement they received during that period in their lives, what made the difference was the encouragement that I gifted them. They said it gave them the confidence to go on. It took me by surprise to say the least. But more importantly, I was grateful. Because, unbeknown to them, in that moment, I was
in need of encouragement. I am a firm believer that God does ALL things well. He allowed the very same words and person to pour back into me what I poured into them. And it was I, who walked away with renewed hope and encouraged to go on.
We often, unfortunately, THINK they’ll be okay but neglect to SAY you’ll be okay. We often overlook the difference between thinking they’ll win and telling them you can win.
Can you remember a time in your life when that material gift was nice but it didn’t make a difference? When gift of physical presence was always appreciated but it didn’t move you. But it was the gift of encouragement, the empowerment through a word that gave you strength.
For the believer, the Bible does this for us. God’s word, instruction and support is the CPR to our dying souls. Likewise, are our words to our brother at home with us, our sister on the phone miles away, the little kid next door or the stranger in the grocery store. Our words have power and when we make the deliberate choice to gift them to someone with remnants of love, we become change agents in their lives.
The Bible tells us that anxiety weighs down the heart but a kind word cheers it up (Proverbs 12:25NIV). God have given us the ability to make a difference through the words that we speak. Proverbs 25:11 says “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (KJV). When our words are formed as gifts of encouragement, given seasonably and applied properly, it adjust to the need of the person it’s spoken to and agrees with the character of the person speaking.
The gift of encouragement is free and renders no harmful consequence much like God’s unmerited grace towards us.
I will be the first to admit that it is not always an easy task to speak words of life to someone, especially when it is life that may have let us down. But it is our call to duty. Our individual responsibility to live out this divine assignment. Speaking life to anyone, including yourself, must be INTENTIONAL. It is a seed that always bears good fruit.
How will you be an encouragement to someone today? How will you encourage yourself?
My gift of encouragement to all of you:
You were created in God’s image and you are enough. He sees you in the spirit and He sees you perfectly. He considered you and called your name. Be confident in the faith. Be hopeful of your journey. I pray that you are strengthened by these words.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Love Yourself? By Joy Wilson
Often times as singles we are advised to learn how to love ourselves before seeking the love of another. Take yourself to the movies. Treat yourself to dinner. Buy yourself some flowers. Tell yourself you're beautiful/handsome. Well, I've done all of these things, and yet it was never quite the answer. If you're supposed to feel like you have reached some sort of singleness mastery level because you checked these off your list, well... I definitely did not! No matter how many times you punch the “Loving Me" card, it probably will not bring you the love you are looking for.
Where in the Bible does God instruct us, or even encourage us to love ourselves first? Doesn't the Word say “You shall love the Lord with all your heart, and with all your soul, and all your strength?" (Matthew 22:37) Throughout scripture we are admonished to love God first, deny ourselves, and even lay down our lives for friends. So where did all this “love yourself," come from?
The concept developed from the theory that if you truly love yourself, you will not tolerate anyone mistreating you, nor will you abuse others. Nice idea, but contrary to the Word. And I know plenty of people who love themselves, but are still very unhappy. Self-love cannot cure loneliness. Self-love cannot sustain you during your singleness. Self-love cannot heal your broken heart. Self-love cannot rescue you from a difficult relationship. Self-love is not strong enough to pull you out of an abusive or dangerous situation. Only God's love can do all of this.
I John 4:19 says “We love Him because He first loved us." He loved us FIRST. That is the key. You see the problem with loving yourself is you must first be loved by LOVE Himself...God IS love. How can you love yourself, or anybody else if you are not tapped into the endless source of love?
In John 15:4 Jesus said, Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
You cannot love yourself unless you accept His love for you. His love is patient, kind, longsuffering, and fearless. You cannot give, even to yourself, what you have not been given.
God's love is the only love that can rescue you. So whether you are in a relationship or not, good or bad, God's love supersedes all problems and issues and at the same time, God's love bankrolls your life with abundance of peace, and joy. That same peace and joy you're supposed to feel sitting at the restaurant eating a fabulous meal...by yourself.
It's not loving yourself that makes the difference. It's knowing He loves you that does, truly. When you know that all He did was for you. When you know that you are a precious pearl to Him. When you know that he has orchestrated a symphony to play the sound track to the wonderful life he has planned for you. Then, you can love someone else because you are choosing to love them from a full love tank. Self-love cannot heal your emotional wounds and fill your love tank. You must surrender completely to God's love. Take it all in, although you are not even capable of grasping the depth of His love! When you accept God's love you begin to see your true value. Your value to Jesus is the foundation for loving yourself. Not some prideful, materialistic list of activities you do for yourself.
So...yes I take myself to the movies and treat myself to dinner. Not so that I can brag about loving myself. I do it when I want, if I want, just for the pure enjoyment. I only love me because He loves me. He loved me first.
Friday, April 17, 2015
Lin's Lessons by Lin Johnson
Lin's Lessons:
The Leaders's Ship
A leader doesn't have to announce themselves because their presence alone, renders the appropriate introduction.
Do you remember being in school, sitting in the class room for the first time, waiting for the teacher to come in? And when the teacher arrived, he or she appeared to be scanning the students before ever saying a word. It is because the moment a teacher steps into a classroom of children, they have the ability to identify who's leading the pack. There is an innate aura that comes from a natural born leader.
Sometimes, the person leading isn't even aware that they carry that characteristic. As children, the ability to lead must first be recognized. By young adulthood, the power to lead has begun to develop. As an adult the skill to lead is refined.
But regardless of when or how the leader in you begins to appear, there is always a responsibility that is sometimes joyful and light and often times, tiring and heavy. Similarly, like the cocoa skin you got from your Mom or the never-ending height you inherited from your Dad, there is nothing and I do repeat nothing that you could do to change the leader God created you to be. The only decision you make is how to use it wisely.
Wise leadership....saying it almost feels like an oxymoron and seems so far fetched in today's times. Does it still exists?
There was a time when it was easy to point out the good teacher, the moral abiding policeman or even the truth telling preacher. I am just of the belief that this does NOT have to be the days of ole.
As a leader, who has so often been doubtful about my propensity to lead, I have come to the conclusion that the greatest challenges aren't just about leading but more often than not, being assured of where am I "leading" to. However, being obedient to Christ by lending my ear to His voice of instruction, I have become confident in my walk and it has empowered the leader He created me to be. Through my relationship with Him, I have found this to be true, no leader leads alone. Good leaders are concerned about developing leaders and don't care much about having fans. You must have a set vision but the ability to adjust with the journey. Great leadership WILL test you. It will question your motive, push your patience and toughen your skin. Great leadership will teach you the difference between fruitful endevours and fruitless expeditions. It requires your commitment and transparency. It will evoke humility and truth. Sometimes it will reward you, often times it will not. But it won't kill you! Being a leader isn't for everybody or just anybody. It is for those who are willing to fight for others while sacrificing themselves. For those who know that it's never about looking down to see but looking over to help. It is for those who know that the job is the reward.
" A Leader's Journey"
An "efficient" Leader knows....that you must first be an effective follower.
A "true" Leader knows....NOT to say "go" but "come"
A "committed" Leader knows...... It's not about being fascinated with the journey but being faithful to the destination.
A "wise" Leader knows..... That the loss is not the focus but its lesson is what's fruitful
An "anointed" Leader knows...... that with God your steps are ordered but without God there is no place to go.
Leaders are not always in leadership and being in leadership is not indicative of being a leader. Jesus was the ultimate example of leading with a servants heart. He was dedicated to the plan: life for the follower, the instruction of Heaven and the cost of the call.
Are you a LEADER?
Isaiah 6:8
Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then said I, “Here am I. Send me!”
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Bitter Like Naomi? By Tremayne Moore
Bitter Like Naomi?
This was on my spirit yesterday morning. So many times when we read Ruth, we're focusing on chapter 1 and verse 16; or on Ruth finding Boaz. Rarely do we talk about Naomi, and that's who we're going to talk about today. I believe this is going to set someone free who experienced a loss and is bitter as a result, but as Jessica Reedy said, you must believe it gets better.
In the first chapter of Ruth, we find that Naomi lost her husband to death. A few verses down, she lost her sons. See, when you're grieving, there's a strong tendency to push people away. That's what Naomi was trying to do with her daughter-in-laws. Now, those who have grieved before (or are currently grieving) can testify to what Naomi was doing. I want to encourage those who are grieving (or who need to grieve) to grieve. Granted, I know the loss of my father will come in stages; but anyway, Jesus said blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.
Part of me wants to jump ahead to say something, but I'll refrain for now. When Naomi was pushing her daughter-in-laws away, Ruth was adamant in staying with Naomi. See, Naomi felt that this was the Lord's doing and that she was being punished. When Ruth & Naomi reached Bethlehem, Naomi wanted to be called Mara - which means bitter. Now I will say what I want to say. I know there are a lot of people who might be grieving (or covering their pain with a smile) either the dead or the living. What am I talking about?
You're grieving the loss of a spouse
You're grieving the breakup of a friendship, relationship, marriage
You're grieving the loss of a child
You're grieving the death of a dream
You're grieving a financial setback, bad investment deal.
You're grieving your childhood abuse, the pain yourself to endure.
And for some of you reading, you feel like Naomi and/or walking around with Mara as your nickname (and not realizing it). Believe me, I've walked around with Mara as my nickname so you're not alone. But it's time to get better - in His time. God doesn't want you bitter at the world because of what the enemy has done in your life. The past should not scar your future especially to the point you penalize the future due to your past. God has so much in store for you - the best is yet to come!
Of course, I can't end this blogpost here. There's one more thing that needs to be said: in Ruth 2:20, Naomi declared this to Ruth; "May he (Boaz) be blessed by the LORD, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!" What she's starting to understand is that God never forsakes those He's called. He's called you right where you are. You may feel bitter right now, but you can feel better once you allow the grieving process to run its course.
Blessings:
The Mayne Man