Today is #GivingTuesday! As I prepared a newsletter I was prompted to encourage and even inspire our ministerial family and fellow workers, our partners, rather than look to our needs to look to the vision and the fruit which the vision has  produced thus far.  As I contemplated this I thought I would use this as an example and encourage you to consider doing what I did. I looked back in order to see ahead.

It's Wise to Make a Regular Spiritual Assessment
 It's always near the back of my mind that I will one day give an account (Rom. 14:12) for how I stewarded my life and that there are eternal rewards (Rev. 11:18 & 22:12 and 2 John 1:8).  My friends, our time here is so short when compared to the riches of eternity.  

Jesus admonishes us in John 15:16 that He wants fruit and fruit that will remain.  In other words long term results.  Lives that are impacted in such a way so that they to impact eternity as well.  In fact, God just doesn't want us to impact lives, Psalm 137:14-17 and Jeremiah 1:5 reveal that God has planned a divine destiny for each person.  You and I each have an assignment.  Vision helps us articulate that assignment.

Use Your Vision and Missions to Look Back
Your vision is your overall target, your overall assignment.  Your missions describe how you will accomplish that vision.  Therefore, I use our visions and missions to judge what is produced.  Are the results contributing to the overall assignment. 

As I look back, I want to consider two scriptures.

1. Philippians 3:13-14 - Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
2. Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

There are somethings that I need to repent of and put under the blood of Christ.  I need to forget those things and think upon the results that produce those things which are praiseworthy.  So I don't dwell on mistakes which I've repented of. I want to learn from the experience without dwelling on it and remember the practices which produce long term fruit.  

So looking back requires discernment.  Don't dwell on things you ought to be forgetting and remember, even meditate upon those things that are praiseworthy.  Think about the results and what was produced that brags on Jesus!  What glorifies His name?  What did you do that perhaps was an answer to a prayer He prayed or exhorted us to do?

Wisdom Gazes into the Future but only Glances at the Past!

We love the scripture in Psalm 2:6-9 that prophesies of Jesus who will sit on Zion and rule over the nations with a rod of iron.  If I've heard prophetic intercessors, prophets or ministers proclaim it once, I've heard it thousands of times. 

But what is it?  I mean, the revelation is powerful! But is there a practical way for us to put our faith in action today and bring this into reality?  If you understand what the word translated "rod" in the Hebrew is and you let the Bible interpret the Bible you can.  

What is it
So what's the rod of God?  It's God's people proclaiming a timely word from our Lord.  

So what is the Hebrew word translated rod and what does it mean?  It's the Hebrew word sebet (Strongs h7626) and it means to branch off; a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or a clan:  a rod, sceptre, staff, or tribe.

In fact, this Hebrew word (h7626) is only translated 'rod' 34 times in the Bible where as it is translated 'tribe' more than 140 times.  It is 7x more frequently translated people and I could easily swap 'rod' for 'tribe."  Then Psalm 2:-9 would read;

“I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a TRIBE of iron..."

The scripture also says; 

It's been two days since the mid-term elections in America and I just saw this newsletter from Mario Murillo "It Happened Again."  Millions of born again Spirit-filled Christians voted for the Democrat Party.  Many Christian's treat discussions about political party like they treat discussions about sex, money and racism because the PC  culture led by the Left leaning socialistic Democratic party has said Christianity and Orthodox Judaism is not welcome there.  

While they may not use those terms exactly, their policies, positions, rhetoric and people they promote scream that.  Yet, many people who claim to be Christians vote for them.  Some are in blind ignorance while for others its an unholy alliance initiated by those whose greed or lust for power blind them to God's word. 

Ministers & the Fear of Man
I've had the opportunity over the last 27 years of ministry to interact with some prominent national and international ministers. I've been shocked at times at what I've seen or heard behind the scenes.  I'm shocked because my moral compass is set by God's word and I marvel sometimes at how far their words and actions veer from God's word.  

I can extend mercy and grace towards the every day Christian who may act in ignorance, but I have no patience for ones who consider themselves ministers of the gospel.  They know better.  As minsters, James 3 makes it clear, we are held to a higher standard.

I can't tell you how many times over the years I've heard a pastor make a statement like this; "Well, we have both Democrats and Republicans in our congregation so we don't talk about politics."  Do you know what the real motive is behind that feigned since of wisdom?  It is fear.  It is the fear of conflict.  It is the fear they might not be liked if the present the truth. It is the fear that people will leave and that means they'll take their money to.    

  So let me ask you a question?  

For years we've sought to mobilize prayer around the world in the spirit of the restoration of David's tabernacle.  Acts 15:16-17 tells us that is what will precede and end time harvest.  Last year the Lord really began to challenge me to prepare for a third Great Awakening!  

What does that mean?  I believe it flows with a prophetic word Bob Jones gave just prior to his death.  He spoke of a "billion soul harvest" of young people starting around the year 2020. 

As believers we are called to make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20).  As a minister of the gospel, I'm called to equip disciples to make disciples (Eph. 4:12).  

So I've been challenged to compile our 26 years worth of ministry experience in a Kingdom Academy. It will consist of a:

• Bronze - Boot Camp
• Silver - Intro to Ministerial Training
• Gold - Advanced Leadership Training

Our philosophy of ministry is teach and do.  Therefore this will not be like a typical Bible school or college in that we'll major on applying what you learn as soon as possible.  We educate and activate!  We train so you can reign!  In other words, we want to see you progressing producing results.  Here's some of the lessons we'll cover.

Matthew 25:34-36 "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...."  

Wisdom Ministries is part of the KLI family of ministries. Apostle Charlene and her team have been ministering at the Washington Corrections Center for Women for years.  It's marvelous to see Christ working in and through these ladies. The last time we were there we saw a transformed woman with a life sentence leading worship.   Truly, those who are forgiven much love much.  

This Christmas eve we'll join her team in a special service and we are giving these ladies and guards 80 copies of our Hebrews 6 Foundations course. Our goal is to equip disciples to make disciples who make disciples and that is how this workbook is designed. It is an equipping tool.  

The Course was Translated into Telegu