INTENTION - The Apostolic Voice of the Third Day Church

Focus on Being Loved
Dr. Kluane Spake
http://kluane.org
http://the-Q.org

What is love to you? They asked Jesus, “Teacher, which is the GREATEST commandment in the law?” Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your sol and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is LIKE IT: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the laws and prophets hang on these tow commandments.”

1. Love God
2. Love others.
3. Love yourself as you love others and God.

LOVE GOD: This is a huge topic but one that Jesus summed up when He said, “If you love me, you will do what I say.” We must learn to obey the Scriptures and DO them.

LOVE OTHERS: The Scriptural purposes of prosperity are ultimately about loving others - social transformation brings about the reform of the Kingdom. This is the God kind of love that confers blessings to others. With a loving state of consciousness we can transform society. This transforming love has no expectation of return.

This form of prosperity should be a central part of our meditation and confession. We must love others in the same way that Jesus loves us. Jesus came, died, and rose again to demonstrate the Father’s love to us. We are imitators of God and He gave Himself up for us (Eph. 5:1-2).

Remember — faith works by love. Love is the fuel for your life of success.

Understanding the Divine purpose of your life is the imperative that will navigate the rest of your life!

LOVE YOURSELF: Well, the first two parts seem easy for believers. It’s that last one… “love yourself” where most fail. Most of this book will be dedicated to changine your mindset about yourself and your surroundings.

We can’t truly love others without FIRST loving ourselves (love others AS you already love yourself). Most of us wonder HOW God could love us at all - it’s a wonder! Especially when we know who we really are. But, if you don’t love yourself, then Prosperity will be difficult. Without loving yourself, your purpose on earth can never be fully activated.

Right now, do you feel unreservedly loved and cared for?

How does it “feel” to be loved? How do you know when someone loves you?

What it means to you to love someone else? How do you express love?

What you believe about being genuinely, unconditionally, and eternally loved will create your belief system and your character.

Your concepts of love come first from your parents and environment. Your perceptions about how you were loved and treated as a young person have created a “mind set” within you - that is the main factor that formed your personality and character right now. YOu mindset it the expression of who you are.

If you mindset believes that you have to make everyone happy for them to love you, then you will just always run around trying and failing to make them happy.

Experiences of rejection, guilt, and shame can profoundly affect you. If you think you have to conform (mind, obey) to be loved, or have to earn love by “doing” something, it will prevent you from understanding your purpose.

When you learn to love yourself, the way you relate to others will change. Your environment will change. You are unique and one of a kind. When you realize who you are, your soul will shout, sing, and dance! Knowing you are LOVED gives you identity. It gives you hope in your future.

1. God loved you when you were a sinner and still spiritually dead.

2. Jesus died for you because HE loves you.

3. The final prayer of Jesus was, “I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have LOVED THEM EVEN AS YOU HAVE LOVED ME” (Jn. 17:23). Did you see that? God loves you as much as HE loves …. Jesus! How can you fathom that? We must absorb the truth that Christ is IN US — in you and me.

Our all-powerful God doesn’t prefer some people more than others. In the book of Galatians 2:6-9, Paul talks about Peter, James and John as the pillars of the church. Yet, he said about them, “Whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no one.”

IF you don’t love yourself and think of yourself as special, you are saying that God is wrong in dying for you. Learning to love and accept yourself changes the way other people relate to you! You’ll find a huge difference as you progress in this self-love.

Out of a God of Love, all things were created. He knew you before the foundation of the world and He ALREADY wrote your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. The Holy Spirit is calling you to a finished place. There is no pushing or tugging — just a call to come closer.

You may not always “feel” loved, but God simply promises that NOTHING will ever separate you from His love (Rom. 8:35-39).

God created you exactly you. You are incredibly special. Psalm 139:13 (NLT) explains that…Every day of your life was recorded in God’s book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Notice that God has a great plan for every day of your life.

God can and will do the impossible through you, or He isn’t God. Loving yourself is a PIVOTAL understanding for you to obtain your full spiritual heritage!

The purpose of life itself is all about learnng to love and be loved! The Greatest factor in obtaining a prosperous life, is to know without doubt that God loves you, listens to you, cares for, accepts, and connects you to Himself, His unfathomable love, and His sincere care continually reach out to fill you with Himself.

If you don’t “KNOW” you are loved, you will not be able to fully express love or properly dispense Prosperity. Loving yourself brings harmony and synchronicity to your life. Everything else will fall into line.

Prosperity means that you intentionally align yourself with the SOURCE - which is the God of Love. Align yourself to His holy Word and dare to believe it!

Your beliefs, expectations, and feelings about who you are will create your world.
You cannot focus on Kingdom prosperity until you have an awareness of already being fully accepted by God - right now. Unworthiness, doubt, and pessimism limits the possibilities of your future. Negative thoughts about others wastes energy and short circuits your success.

You are individually created with God’s image and likeness. The primary reality that each believer must have is to know that the God of love dwells within. You are not God, but you can be the manifestation of God on this earth.

Jesus told us His LOVE secret two thousand years ago, and it still is the only answer. If you choose to view your life as one of LOVE, you activate everything to respond back. Reciprosity is Kingdom language - you reap what you sow.

God’s ultimate purpose for you and through you is to know yourself IN CHRIST and Christ IN You. When you are secure in being loved, you can focus on what your purpose!

We’re not talking about being self-centered and selfish. This is not about being SELF serving. We’re talking about you learning to love yourself so that you CAN fully love God and others. Only then, will you have a right motivation to be able to proceed into obtaining your destiny!

Loving God, loving yourself, and loving others is the Great Commission of your life.

Having success in life demands that you love yourself, love others, and love God. That’s how you you fulfill your God planned destiny.

It is not more holy or more noble to deny your mind, deny your soul, or deny your body. We are supposed to integrate ourselves and co-exist as one functioning unit.

It does not make you closer to God to be poor or sick. If you live in unexpressed potential or function, you will be unhappy. It is absolutely Scriptural that you would want to enjoy your life.

You must totally get rid  of any trace of the notion that there is or may be any force in the universe - or any poverty minded deity who wants to keep you poor and/or sick, or who is able to make you poor, or who’s objectives can possibly be served by keeping you in poverty or sickness.

And also, you need to illuminate all fear that YOU have to “GET GOD’S APPROVAL” He already does love you, accept you, and approve of you. It is His ultimate desire that you finish your course and be successful.

CONFESSION:
“The Bible says I am as important to God as Peter, James and John. God loves me as much as He loves Billy Graham. YES, He does!

The cloud of witnesses stands on tiptoe looking over their heavenly balcony just waiting to see the astounding things I will achieve for the glory of God. I am as spiritually blessed as anyone else. I expect to be blessed. The Lord wants to make me a powerful force in His Kingdom.”

Love is not a state to be achieved, but a recognition of a condition. You are already loved and therefore, you are love.

Dr. Kluane Spake, http://kluane.org

A message to leaders

Let’s not keep going round and round on the endless farris wheel ride of same-ol’  ministry. It really is a New Day! And EVERYTHING has changed.

Most leaders know that Church is different. What worked before, just isn’t as effective as it was.

For sure, we know that believers are earnestly looking for “MORE.” They want to see the real deal and gather with real people. They want to experience God at church, in their lives, and at work. People are tired of the “hype.” They are more than tired of the false pretenses and evang-elastic words.

Hebrews 9:10 says, “They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings-external regulations applying until the time of the NEW ORDER.”

MESSAGE BIBLE says, “Under this system, the gifts and sacrifices can’t really get to the heart of the matter, can’t assuage the conscience of the people, but are limited to matters of ritual and behavior. It’s essentially a temporary arrangement until a complete overhaul could be made.”

Do we sit like blind Bartamaus not listening to what has been taught for centuries? Or do we hear the shift - God is blowing the whistle and gathering a people unto Himself. Jesus is releasing us into this new season of believing and leading.

TIME OF THE NEW ORDER. = diorthosis NT:1223 dia: reformation: NT:1357  diorthosis (dee-or’-tho-sis); from a compound of NT:1223 and a derivative of NT:3717, meaning to straighten thoroughly; rectification, i.e. (specially) the Messianic restauration.

Jesus introduced this NEW ORDER.

He gave the world everything that we needed to bring it forward. Much of these truths have been lost in the Dark ages and Middle ages. A sequence of reformation has continued up to our lifetime. Now, we stand at the fullness of time. At the brink of  the dawn of a new day - chosen to user in this apostolic order of higher perception that brings forth LIFE. It is an order of wisdom, knowledge, and stability. Of greater manifestation. Correct focus.

What is NEW in your way of ministry?

Our assignment is not to find fault or criticize what has gone on before. We only need to learn from it, use what we’ve learned as stepping stones, and move forward. We can appreciate the value of each passing renewal that brought us to our fabulous new day.

Do you realize that you are hand picked to live and to lead in this hour? To be the first ones in the door with new understanding and new relevance! My God… your and I are the most fortunate people.

The task now is to get to where the cloud has already moved…

Principles of Reformation
Matt. 16:27
Ep. 2:20
1 Cor. 12:28
Ep. 4:11-13

We’ve learned from the mistakes of even our recent past.  Inaccurate emphasis and imbalances. The “me” selfish mentality. Mendicancy vs. Name it and claim it. Searching for the Spiritual without applying it to the temporal. Controlling and haughty leaders.

Great apostolic leaders must create an environment where the unique potential of each individual can be actualized. People will follow an ethical leader(s) who release(s) them.

Godly authority cannot be fully released to those who are not accountable for their actions and behavior.

Leaders must be consistent. Practice what you say — or don’t say it!

You must have credibility.

You must be Trustable.

You must genuinely care.

The only thing in the universe that grows without sustenance is the human ego.

Gal. 2:1 “Fourteen years after that first visit, Barnabas and I went up to Jerusalem and took Titus with us. I went to clarify with them what had been revealed to me. At that time I placed before them exactly what I was preaching to the non-Jews. I did this in private with the leaders, those held in esteem by the church, so that our concern would not become a controversial public issue, marred by ethnic tensions, exposing my years of work to denigration and endangering my present ministry.  (another translation, “I wanted to make sure they did not disagree, or my ministry would have been useless.)”

Apostle Paul understood the necessity to communicate and be understood by other leaders. Do you do that?

Paul was able to say FOLLOW ME AS I FOLLOW CHRIST. Can you say that?

Well… it is a new day! Effectiveness IS dependent upon character.

HOW do you treat others?

WHAT do YOU do when they come to you for reconciliation and help? Are you a reconciler? Or do you hold hurt and unforgiveness?

Is there unresolved misunderstanding or offense with someone - that you have not deeply addressed (with them)?

Do you need to talk to someone who is waiting for you to call?

Do you look for WHY things happened and perhaps even sometimes admit the blame?

HOW do you talk and act behind their back?

HOW do you pray for them? Do you really care?

Is Koinonia real in your life?

Is loyal friendship an imperative?

Do you actually care about anything besides our own success and that of your ministry?

Is ministry a job or a passion? Is it routine or exciting?

These are things that believers are looking for! That’s what your ministry friends want to know too…

Gal. 2: 19 “What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn’t work. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be “God’s man.” Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The LIFE YOU SEE ME LIVING IS NOT MINE, but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.” (MSG).

Prov. 14:28, The mark of a good leader (king, monarch, ruler) is loyal followers; leadership is nothing without a following.

Leaders must move past what has been previously defined as “revival.” As wonderful as it is to experience these revivals, we need to see that the next real revivals will ADD something new - they will enable us to change our world!

There is a reason for the visitation of the Holy Spirit - to inhabit us! The Holy Spirit comes to change us into His image. And… there’s purpose in these Divine encounters! Sure we can enjoy the Presence and moments of mystery and delight. And… when the gold dust fades away, we are supposed to get up OFF the floor after being “laid out” — and then GO OUT and make a difference.

Authority means that certain individuals are permitted to give vision and instruction to others.

Authority requires a vision - you can’t lead unless you are going somewhere!

Anointing is more than a “feeling” it is the power to accomplish God’s purposes.

Responsibility means that each person is accountable to someone for the performance of tasks assigned to him. Was it completed on time? Satisfactorily finished? Etc. WHY? To get somewhere!

As soon as leaders align with new genuine character, they can lead the way to dynamic influence in the world systems. Believers will want to imitate them and work alongside. Together, they can affect change in the world. God gave you the authority to make a difference. Selah

“You can start again in 2010!”

Dr. Kluane Spake htttp://kluane.org spake@mindspring.com Perfection of Divine Order Begins in 2010 This last decade has been one filled with terrorist attacks, shock and awe, dread, war, numerous alarming failures in church leadership, Enron, Afghanistan, Iraq, political leaders in dreadful scandal, scam artists, hucksters galore, economic disaster, and of course, Tiger Woods. Where is safety? Honor? Respect? Who can you trust? As believers we are learning that we are “in the world, but not of it!” We have found many blessings midst all the troubles. Many are thankful to start a new decade and begin with fresh hope. 2010 - do you say two thousand and ten, or twenty-ten? The number 10 is very significant. Noah lived through the antediluvian age which was the tenth generation from creation. The Ten Commandments contained all that Israel needed. The Lord’s prayer contained ten clauses. Optimum giving is usually based on tens. The magicians and astrologers were 10 times weaker than Daniel in matters of wisdom and understanding (Dan. 1:20). Egypt suffered ten plagues, Jesus spoke ten parables, He told of ten virgins. In Luke 15:8 Jesus told a parable about ten coins and how when even when one was missing, the owner tried to find it. 10 Brothers (Gen. 42:3) 10 Cubits (Ex. 26:16) 10 Years (Ruth 1:4) 10 Loaves (1 Sam. 17:17) 10 Virgins (Mat. 25:1-13) 10 Talents (Mat. 25:28) 10 Lepers (Lk. 17:11-19) 10 Minas (Lk. 19:12-27) 10 Horns (Rev. 12:3) Ten is a phenomenal number that is defined as the perfection of Divine order, commencing, as it does, an altogether new series of numbers. Ten means the completeness of a past order, marking the entire round of anything, and it is, therefore, the ever-present signification of the number ten. It implies that nothing is wanting; that the number and order are perfect; that the whole cycle is complete.[i] Luke 24:46-48 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to risefrom the dead the THIRD DAY, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” What this means is that “You can start again in 2010!” The cycle of the old wineskin of your life is complete - the New Day is come! It is the perfect time to begin with a new series of hopes and dreams. The Third Day was resurrection and LIFE. After you get that part, it is time to be endued with power from on high! This is the real deal! What if you’re someone whose ideas are completely outdated? Have you had prophetic Words that have not happened… yet? Do you stand in faith waiting, and nothing happens? Are there steps that you need to take to come into your destiny. Nobody like you has ever lived before. It is time for you to regain stewardship over ever area of your life! It is time to come into resurrection LIFE and be that witness endued with power. It has been said that perhaps the 11th commandment is, “CHANGE.” Everything around us is changing — fast. Are you changing? Are you relevant. Is your understanding increasing?  As this new year approaches, are you ready to really begin a new fresh start in a new cycle? “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” –George Bernard Shaw “All the breaks you need in life wait within your imagination. “Imagination is the workshop of your mind, capable of turning mind energy into accomplishment and SUCCESS.” –Napoleon Hill SUCCESS is different for each one of us.  But, the fundamentals for achieving success are the same for all of us.  If you concentrate on your weaknesses, you will be average and be limited by boundaries of your own making. Don’t allow yourself to re-taste the bitter experiences of failure and quitting again and again. Making excuses must end. FAILURE = TRADING YOUR DESIRES AND GOALS FOR WHAT YOU WANT RIGHT NOW. REMOVE all hindrances. Throw off every weight. Let go of anything that doesn’t have God’s LIFE in it. ——– Success = Becoming the best you can (the perfection of Divine order). Success = keeping commitments to yourself and others, What is DREAM IN YOUR HEART? WHO PUT IT THERE? Success = BEING what and who are you BORN TO BE! CONSIDER that God allows you to be the architect of your own life. Where are you going this year? Life Will Not Go According To Plan If You Do Not Have a Plan RESOLUTIONS are a profound message about who you are and what you are capable of. It is a decisiveness to proceed to your dream. Resolutions should be GODLY DESIRES THAT MOTIVATE! Do your resolutions align with your life’s vision?  How? Do your resolutions align with your values? Do your resolutions belong to you? Are they authentic or are you trying to be someone else? Do your resolutions have resurrection LIFE in them? Hope? Do they make your heart leap? Your baby jump? Do they generate excitement, expectation, and momentum in your life? FOCUS your efforts on the smallest number of activities that will produce the largest amount of productivity. Make all your decisions based on your vision and goals not on your income ability or current situation. “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt. —– Beloved, whether you feel like it or not- YOUR LIFE IS taking a huge turn. The veil is rent and the sea has parted. Make way to cross over to the Promised place. This next year YOU will begin to converge into a greater NEW and LIVING WAY. As the heavens and earth SHIFT into this New Day, you will see more clearly how to ALIGN. For the Lord your God will perfect that which concerns you. The hand of the Lord and His favor is upon you to impact this generation. Get excited and ignited for you are hand picked to live NOW. BE-come a manifestation to this generation! This next year can affect possibly the next 10 years of your life! Behold, this marriage brought forth sons. Do you hear the sound of the manifestation of these grown-up sons? They are the willing volunteers in the womb of the morning coming forth. At last, the First Fruit Company is reproducing. The Glory of God comes forth - Christ in YOU, Christ AS you. “You can start again in 2010!”

Dr. Kluane Spake

“BE anxious FOR NOTHING, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV).

Every believer knows they need to be thankful, so we usually just say, “Lord, thanks for the food - and thank you for all the missionaries in the whole wide world, amen!” Now we are thankful!

Last week I stood at my kitchen counter peeling an APPLE and heard this little internal conversation with the Lord.

“Are you thankful for this apple?” The Lord asked.

“Okay, sure!”

“Are you thankful for the grocer who unpacked it and put it out on the display for you to buy it?

“Yeah.”

“My daughter, are you thankful for the truck driver who drove those crates and hauled them into the grocery store?”

“Hummmmm… I see what you mean.”

“Are you thankful for the farmer who planted the seed and watered and cultivated the ground so that you could have food?”

“I am now, Lord.”

“Are you thankful for that seed? It had to die to reproduce - so that you could eat?”

“I’m learning to be thankful right now. Yes.”

“A seed that won’t die, just rots! Are you willing to be my seed?”

———-

Of course we know that Jesus is the seed of God. He had to die to be reproduced in us. Are we really thankful? Do we just say words or do we know the power of thanksgiving.

Do we know that the seed dwells within us? It grows day and night and we don’t know how! The seed was created on the Third Day. Seedtime and harvest are the Third Day truth that we need to grab hold of today. It is the intention of God that those of us who actually live in the Third Day (3rd thousandth year from the cross) know the power of the seed of thanksgiving.

Thankfullness is a much underrated FORCE for believers. It is the MISSING LINK. Thanksgiving is the power cord to finding contentment! It is the avenue to our peace. When we TRUST God, we can be truly thankful. Godly thanksgiving give us immunity to depression, worry, envy, anger, and resentment. It heals our sorrows and disappointments.

Thanksgiving will change your future. Losing your worries will open you up to be more clearly guided by the Holy Spirit. Renew your MIND to this concept(Rom. 12). Allow your thoughts to create a nowness of revelation and purpose. This continual process is known by scientists as imprinting or modeling.  Whatever you call it, start now and just do it!

Thanksgiving is not an action nor is it an emotion. It is a state of awareness - of heightened consciousness of the Goodness of God.

Thanksgiving is a kingdom perspective that allows us to FULLY POSSES our INHERITANCE THROUGH GRATITUDE. It brings us into a MANIFESTATION of Who GOD is in us and for us.

You have been given 365 days of 24 hours a day to LIVE. Are you thankful? That’s - 720 hours a month of LIFE to enjoy! That’s 31, 638,000 seconds a month to enjoy RIGHT NOW! It’s time to rejoice with sincerity and purpose.

Paul said it this way, “Thanksgiving is our dialect” (Eph 5:3 MSG).

It is my prayer that today you actively realize the good things in your life. Begin to have a conscious awareness of having abundance. It’s about persistent faith and unrelenting focusing on being thankful. Jesus taught us the principle that to those who are conscious of much, more will be given! (Lk. 12:48). The energy of thanksgiving causes wonderful new things to manifest in your life. Sometimes, it may seem like nothing is happening - but something is always happening when you are thankful.

Be thankful about what you have gained - not what has been lost (the water glass being half full not half empty).

Be thankful about what you have rather than pondering about what you don’t have.

Be thankful for what works in your life right now.

Be thankful for the times when you win and don’t remind yourself of the times when you failed.

Be thankful for those things that make you happy and put behind you thoughts about being sad.

Be thankful for those who love you and forgive those who have hurt and disappointed you along the way!

Be thankful for your talents and don’t worry about what you can’t do.

Be thankful to be part of the Body of Christ and enjoy being who you are in that Body.

Be thankful for the Goodness of the Lord and how He longs to bring blessing to you right now!

—-

Here are a few thanksgiving Scriptures to enjoy over this season.

The reason God brought judgment was that Israel was not thankful. They did not serve the Lord with joy… for the abundance of all things (Deut. 28:47).

And when you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, offer it at your own will (Lev. 22:29).

PS. 100:4 ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANSGIVING -INTO HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE AND BE THANKFUL UNTO HIM AND BLESS HIS NAME.

“It’s the fruit of our lips giving thanks” (Heb. 13:15).

Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened (Rom. 1:21). IF hearts are darkened because of lack of thankfulness, then it means our hearts our enlightened by giving thanks.

For men shall be lovers of their ownselves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy (2 Tim. 3:2).

What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? [How can I repay Him for all His bountiful dealings?]I will lift up the cup of salvation and deliverance and call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord, yes, in the presence of all His people. Precious (important and no light matter) in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints (His loving ones). O Lord, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid; You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call on the name of the Lord (Ps. 116:12-17 mSG).

I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among a mighty throng (Ps. 35:18).

They removed the stone (from Lazarus’ grave) and Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and prayed, “Father, I’m grateful that you have listened to me. I know you always do listen, but on account of this crowd standing here I’ve spoken so that they might believe that you sent me” (Jn. 11:41 MSG).

With dawn about to break, Paul called everyone together and proposed breakfast: “This is the fourteenth day we’ve gone without food. None of us has felt like eating! But I urge you to eat something now. You’ll need strength for the rescue ahead. You’re going to come out of this without even a scratch! He broke the bread, gave thanks to God, passed it around, and they all ate heartily—276 of us, all told! With the meal finished and everyone full, the ship was further lightened by dumping the grain overboard (Acts 27:34 MSG)^..

I thank God through Jesus for every one of you. That’s first. People everywhere keep telling me about your lives of faith, and every time I hear them, I thank him. And God, whom I so love to worship and serve by spreading the good news of his Son—the Message!—knows that every time I think of you in my prayers, which is practically all the time, I ask him to clear the way for me to come and see you. The longer this waiting goes on, the deeper the ache. I so want to be there to deliver God’s gift in person and watch you grow stronger right before my eyes! But don’t think I’m not expecting to get something out of this, too! You have as much to give me as I do to you (Rom. 1:8 MSG).

[ A Love That Will Grow ] Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. 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 (Phil. 1:3 MSG).

My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving (Col. 2:6 MSG).

Our prayers for you are always spilling over into thanksgivings. We can’t quit thanking God our Father and Jesus our Messiah for you! We keep getting reports on your steady faith in Christ, our Jesus, and the love you continuously extend to all Christians. The lines of purpose in your lives never grow slack, tightly tied as they are to your future in heaven, kept taut by hope (Col. 1:3 MSG).

So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This “insider world” is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come. Let’s take our place outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus’ name (Heb. 13:15 MST).

Don’t allow love to turn into lust, setting off a downhill slide into sexual promiscuity, filthy practices, or bullying greed. Though some tongues just love the taste of gossip, those who follow Jesus have better uses for language than that. Don’t talk dirty or silly. That kind of talk doesn’t fit our style. Thanksgiving is our dialect.(Eph. 5:3 MSG).

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus(1 Thes 5:16).

In EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS, FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS CONCERNING YOU (1 Thes 5:16).

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks (2 Thes. 1:-5 MSG).

I looked again. I saw a huge crowd, too huge to count. Everyone was there—all nations and tribes, all races and languages. And they were standing, dressed in white robes and waving palm branches, standing before the Throne and the Lamb and heartily singing: Salvation to our God on his Throne! Salvation to the Lamb! All who were standing around the Throne—Angels, Elders, Animals— fell on their faces before the Throne and worshiped God, singing: Oh, Yes! The blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving, The honor and power and strength, To our God forever and ever and ever! Oh, Yes! (Rev. 7:11 MSG).

More Thoughts on Tithing and “Tithing UP!”

Dr. Kluane Spake

I heard this story about how George drove through a small country town. George was a top sharpshooter for the FBI. Everywhere he drove, he saw bull’s eyes with bullet holes right in the center. As a championship marksman, this shooting was amazing to George. Every billboard, tree, wall, and fence was filled with centered bullet shots that hit the bull’s eyes.

George asked to meet this amazing marksman. Surprisingly, the shooter turned out to be the “village simpleton.”

“Your shooting is amazing - it’s the best I have ever seen.” said George. “How did you do that?”

“It weren’t nothing,” the simple man answered. “First, I shoot and then afterward, I draw the circles!”

Isn’t that a lot like us? We build our Biblical doctrines first — and then we look for isolated Scriptures that will support our views.

____

In the past, I have written many articles about tithing. Much has been misunderstood and misused. We must learn to accurately hit the bull’s eye FIRST. FIRST we find accurate Biblical principles about subjects like tithing and “tithing up” and then develop our corresponding responsible responses.

The small country town seemed to support the myth that the simple minded fool perpetrated. They allowed the tourists who passed by to believe in the appearance of great marksmanship. Most of those who drove by vastly misunderstood. Most Christians have heard the stories about tithing and “tithing up” and they know the folklore and tradition that has been perpetrated. Now, they ignore the whole topic — let’s not talk about it anymore.

Be assured that the bull’s eye of TRUTH is not about giving to promote a pyramid scheme or hierarchical domination. It’s not about giving money to the manipulating charlatan trying to trick you.

THE ISSUE of TITHING:

It should not embarrass us or anger us to talk about proper giving. Jesus talked more about giving and stewardship than any other topic. As a matter of fact, Jesus talked more about giving money to God than He did about the Kingdom of Heaven

How much money does Jesus want from you and me? Let me share two options with you.

Option ONE: You can tithe. You can say, “If I give $11.42 as 10% and then I’m through with my giving because that is what I have to give and my obligation is satisfied. This giving is often thought to be mandatory, under the hard task-master of the Law and is often given without much joy.

1. While tithing is not emphasized (or taught) in the New Testament, it was assumed. The early church were Jewish believers who practiced Jewish customs (Acts 2:5, 21;20).

2. Tithing is not totally legalistic. It predates the Law and was the practice of Judiasm before and after Jesus. Tithing was a vow of Abraham and Jacob before the Law (Gen. 4:4; 14:20; 28:2022).

3. The tithe was a measuring stick or a starting point. Remember that is “Is the Lord’s” and it was called “holy” (Lev 27:30).

4. We know that tithing an essential “part” of the Old Covenant Law, it provided the way for the priesthood to function. Clearly, the ordinance of tithing funded the Levitical priesthood. And… The Levitical priests did “tithe up” to the high priest.

However, we don’t see Jesus extending the Levitical priesthood in the New Testament Church. He never appointed one single priest (we are all priests because of Him). The New Testament Church is not intended to be a Levitical system in any way. Therefore, the Levirate structure is not the intended way to run or to finance New Testament Church.

Option TWO: Ask the Holy Spirit what you should give.

There’s a problem with step two. Oddly enough, people who choose this option of being “free from the Law” and personally “led” to give, often tight-fistedly stop giving! They say they are “not under the Law” and use this as an excuse to why they don’t/won’t support the church or ministers. Those who choose this option to take their money and give it away as they see fit, often leave much damage and sorrow to the Kingdom.

If you really do hear from the Holy Spirit and ask what to give, that number will generally be far more than 10%. It will support ministries and ministers. What being free from the Law should mean is that the TITHE IS THE LEAST WE CAN DO. Yes… it means you and I should now give MORE than the tithe.

I believe that we do great disservice when limiting our giving to a “tithe.” Do I believe in tithing? Yes. It is the start of giving for when we are first Christians. The Law was the School Master to teach us what is right.

But, New Testament giving should not be out of “legalism” or “obligation.” Nor should our giving be because of reward, or given out of fear of Divine retribution. Tithing should not be to “open the windows of heaven.” Those windows are now open and never shut.

Limited mindsets can actually stunt our spiritual growth. The Law was satisfied in Christ and we don’t need a School Master (tutor) when we are grown up. Together, we financially help build the Kingdom.

THE PROBLEM:

The focus of this article is giving to spiritual leaders and ministers. Of course we agree that … there has been horrific misuse about money these days. And we have seen how these unethical manipulations have driven people away from Christianity.

Today we continue to hear those who promise that if you give to God [meaning "to them"], God will give you a what you want - it’s the over-the-top opportunistic marketing mentality. I heard one guy say, “If you don’t give to me, your prayers cannot be answered.” Or how about, “Give to me and… expect your brand new car, your swimming pool, and your new gorgeous wife.”

They say: tithe to me and become my son, be protected, and get a blessing. Many leaders claim that their “Spiritual covering” or “Apostolic oversight” demands a payment. They quote practices from the Levitical system (Numb. 18:21-30). It is true, tithing did support the Levites (Num. 18:24, 1 Tim. 5:17). But, as we saw earlier, that this system is no longer in force.

The 11th century Johann Tetzel came up with the idea of priests issuing “indulgences” to those who gave. This money was thought to cancel all divine punishment. Manipulation for money is nothing new and indulgences was one of the big reasons for the Protestant Reformation.

CORRECTION NEEDED

Since our focus here is about giving to your spiritual leader, we’ll use the term “tithing up” because that is the most familiar phrase used today. Truth is:

1. We can’t “tithe up” in order to get or maintain true relationship - or to become a “son.” Godly associations are formed regardless of financial transactions. Money doesn’t MAKE the parent/son relationship.

2. “Tithing up” doesn’t “give us a blessing.” We are already fully blessed because of the cross.

3. “Tithing up” does not protect us or is it the way we satisfy our spiritual parental obligation.

Ø Philippians 4:16-18 says that apostles were supported by freewill offerings and also by those to whom they ministered (Gal. 6:6).

Ø Ministers’ needs were met by those they preached to (1 Cor 9:4-15) and they lived by means of preaching the Gospel.

Ø Apostles did not charge anyone for ministry (Tit. 1:11, 2 Pet. 2:1-3, 15, Jude 1:11).

Ø Paul sometimes worked to provide for himself (Acts 20:33-35, 1 Cor. 9:12).

Ø Money was thrown at the apostle’s feet for distribution to needs (Act. 4:35).

NEW STANDARD:

No more criticizing those current Johann Tetzels type preachers—there is a strong new message of truth, love, honor, and generosity that will trump all man-made and phony frauds.

No matter what your experience has been or what your theology is, the PRINCIPLE remains — we are supposed to support ministers. Your giving of your money reflects who you are, your relationship with God, and those who have loved and cared for you.

What we’re really talking about here is not only liberal giving, but also GIVNG TO THOSE WHO MENTOR and HELP US. We must find the truth about spiritual sonship.

1. There are real genuine leaders who care for you. They mentor, counsel, and train you out of passionate desire to serve God through you.

Everyone needs accountability relationships. You need to find those you trust. You do need mentors and those who truly care. If you have someone, do you appreciate their value? Is the time they spend worth something to you? Does their work in your behalf matter?

Who knows if Jesus would use the WORD “tithe” to teach how to give to ministry leaders today. He does teach giving principles of thanksgiving and generosity!

2. Many of those who oppose “tithing up” say that spiritual parents should support their children. They insist that you shouldn’t have to financially care for your parents, because parents are supposed to care for YOU. Well that’s true when you are an infant! How about when you are a grown up? I don’t know about you, but I financially and emotionally cared for and provided for my parents most all of my adult life.

Ø Obviously, if you quit giving and supporting ministry, then you are not grown up and still need the Law as a School Master!

Jesus commanded that we honor our fathers and mothers (Matt. 15:3-7). Paul added, “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth” (Eph. 6:1-3). The word “honor” means to place a value on something, to give money, to consider it a prized possession. In the original Hebrew, as found in Exodus 20:12, the word “honor” has very interesting roots. It comes from a Hebrew word which means “to be heavy” as in heavy with wealth. Notice this description of Samuel (I Sam. 9:6), “And he said to him, “Look now, there is … a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he says surely comes to pass.”

3.Honor them and who they are in the Lord to you (Heb. 13:7 and 17).

I remember flying to the states and visiting an old famous prophet who had come to Guam. He lived in a one room shabby motel. Every day he put on his dress suit and tie and waited in that hot little motel. He sat at the old chrome table with his Bible in his hand. Every day he sat there all dressed up – just waiting for the phone to ring. Just one more place to preach. Just one more life to change. Just a small way to pay his rent.

We have neglected many older ministers who have helped this generation succeed have never been given honor or thanks. Many live in great poverty and loneliness - without comfort or thanks. We forgot how they have poured out their lives for the Church and for us (1 Tim. 5:8).

Who helps you? Can you let them know what they mean to you? Can you tell them how much you care? NOW, before it is too late? Can you be thankful for how they have encouraged and contributed to your success? Have you noticed how they are always there (Prov. 23:22)? Love should be expressed beyond just a obligatory meager “monthly seed.”

4. Give according to the Melchizedek Principle.

We see the establishment of priority with Abraham tithing to Melchizedek. The “lesser” gives to the greater. The priest king Melchizedek certainly didn’t NEED money. Jesus, our Melchizedek, gives us this priesthood and the way to give “UP” (Heb. 7:2-7, 11-12). This giving continues…

5. Give according to the Stewardship Command.

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down… for with the same measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38). Clearly, giving positions your ability to receive. Consider their needs, and be generous (Phil 2:25, Jam. 2:16).

You and I can show honor and love that is covenantal and unbreakable. We should be able to generously give to those who spiritually care for us without a Law to tell us that it is right to do. Generosity is love. Giving is the mode of the Kingdom. Real love gives.

9/25/09 - a summation of the Word given to ISI at All Nations Church By Dr. Kluane Spake

Beloved - It is time, now is the day to SHIFT.

Just as the natural world shows great change and SHIFTing, this is the time for great SHIFTing in the supernatural.

Know this My child, with every Divine “SHIFTING” there is a corresponding “SIFTING.” Know that not everyone will go with you to this next place.

My hand is ready upon you and the gear-SHIFT of your life.

This SHIFT requires your readiness.

You must engage Me.

Put your foot down hard on the clutch that allows the SHIFT. Put your foot down hard on all past hindrances, past disappointments, and past betrayals. Surrender old habits, old methodologies, and old routines. Leave the doubt and uncertainty behind. Depart from poverty mindsets. Turn away from the never ending obstacles that have become their own self-fulfilling prophecy. It is time for disillusionment to be displaced. Leave that dimension.

SHIFT NOW.

It’s not just about working harder. If your best efforts would or could have done it, it would have happened by now. It’s not just about the limitations of common sense, planning, calculating, and logic.

It is time for a QUANTUM LEAP in the Body of Christ. Allow it to happen.

This is the moment for fresh impartation.

SHIFT into My REST.

SHIFT the way you think. SHIFT your philosophies, your technologies, your ideologies. SHIFT into new realms of supernatural encounters - into new places of passionate access to fresh insight and new revelation. Shift into vital new direction and purpose. SHIFT into true covenant relationships. SHIFT into relevancy and stability. SHIFT into the place where My love is spread abroad into the hearts of people

SHIFT into Grace. Allow the substance of faith to materialize before your eyes!

Expect unusual and unconventional ideas. Watch how synergy and simplicity bring the miraculous. Release your faith for monumental momentum. Breathe in vitality, energy, and success. Discover exponential, unexpected, revelatory downloads. Look for seemingly ridiculous and inconceivably surprising favor!

SHIFT. For My hand is upon you for good. I draw you to a Finished place. Be ready to create significance and do My exploits.

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Laughing Toward a Happy, Abundant, and Meaningful Life

Dr. Kluane Spake http://kluane.org, spake@mindspring.com

In the beginning was the Word (logos, Jn. 1:1). Logos can be understood to mean “the word, speech, or conversation” such as when God SAID, “let there BE.”

Another long lost implied Greek definition of “logos” in this context is that it means telling a joke! Well– that idea makes me happy just to think about. It forces me to look at life from a different vantage. It causes me to consider how much the Lord God wants us to be happy. Even within this idea contains a hint of how life should be.

From original creation, God’s cosmic laughter still resounds. Can you hear it?

Laughing from the beginning shows that God unconditionally accepted us right off the bat. In spite of our mistakes and pratfalls. We were created for HIS pleasure (Rev. 4:11). Yes! God actually created us to freely be joyful — that makes Him happy too! The reason we get confused about the meaning of our lives is because we forgot that God gave us a choice to be joyful WITH Him. The spiritual flash point of creation seems to be pleasure and joy (both for God and for us).

Augustine, John Chrysostom, and Gregory of Nyssa (early church fathers) spoke of how God played a surprise joke on the devil when He raised Jesus from the grave. Since earliest times, Protestant Easter sermons started with a joke. The Greek Orthodox Church sets aside 24 hours of continuous joking and humor because of the joke of Resurrection. The Greek Orthodox Church named Easter laughter “Risus Paschalis” (Segal 2001, 24). Dante’s most famous work was called the “Divine Comedy.” Dante told about how the nearer we get to heaven the wider the smile, and the greater the laughter.

Those who followed St. Francis of Assisi were so outlandishly happy about their salvation they were compared to jesters, street comics, circus performers and were known as “le Jongleur de Dieu” or the tumblers of God.

Laughter is the first thing that babies learn to do. The quality of our abundant life depends upon being able to laugh and find joy. Learning to laugh again is a major factor of greater internal enlightenment and vitality.

Most believers take life too seriously, they have the stoic part figured out - they think they need to be aesthetes to walk in God’s favor. There’s kids, careers, deadlines, pressures, degrees, disappointments, relationships, and endless demands. Do you view life as abundant or a prison sentence? Many of us may need a “Laugh track” to accompany our life — just to recognize what is joyful.

As the saying goes, “Laugh and the world laughs with you. Frown and they think you’re a Christian!”

“We spend the first twelve months of our children’s lives teaching them to walk and talk - and the next 12 years telling them to sit down and shut up.” Phyllis Diller

The first mention of laughter in the Bible is when God told Abraham that he would be a father and Sarah, his 90 year old wife, overheard the conversation and laughed. Perhaps we know the story to well to see something else? What if the name Issac (Laughter) was chosen because Sarah’s laughter was from the astonishment of the promise? What if Laughter became his name to remember that moment of discovery? Surely her gladness was unimaginable. Her conception was a miracle.

This response caused a spiritual portal of release and acceptance of the impossible promise! Then, they named their son “Isaac,” and his name meant “laughter.” And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me” (Gen. 21:6).

I like to think about the conversation in that family. “If I told you once, Laughter, I’ve told you a thousand times., quit the rowdy laughter, Laughter. Sit down and stop laughing - be still.” “Laughter, be serious.”

Now, imagine taking Laughter (the child of promise and hope) to the mountain to sacrifice him. Genesis 22:5 “I and the lad (Laughter) will go yonder; and we will worship and return to you.” Did he laugh all the way there? Here, offering up Isaac (Laughter) by pulling a knife up to slay him according to God’s command is called “worship.”

The average Believer thinks of the Sunday morning “Worship Service” as singing music with your eyes closed and both hands in the air. But, the worship Abraham was talking about is “Shachah ” which means to yield and prostrate oneself in reverence. It’s giving everything in joy, trust, and expectation!

All the all the fancy music, all the processional banners, all the graceful dancers, and all the preaching in the world cannot make worship happen. But willing sacrifice with laughter IS worship. There was no promise of reward, no recompense - just do it. No wonder there was a ram in the thicket! It epitomizes the response to authentic worship!

Ask the Lord to show you how to worship in the dimension of joy and laughter - allow His Love to spill out all over you. After all, God sits on His throne and laughs (Ps. 2:4). We’re sitting next to him on His right side.

Why would our latest revivals contain so much Holy Laughter? Because laughter heals us. Laughter spontaneously connects us one with another. People rarely laugh alone. it gives us a shared sense of understanding the world - the essence of the awareness of life.

I had a pastor friend who made me laugh. Sometimes I would fly long distances to minister for him - and he always was outlandishly funny. Laughing with that church made that place one of my favorite places to go. Laughter is a healthy response that provides us with a mini-vacation from stress and difficult emotional situations.

“The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.” Mark Twain

Laughter is the great communicator. It is a witness of our faith, even in hard times. You can’t be unhappy and laugh at the same time. Laughter is a joy INSIDE - it is both a physical and an emotional experience. It is a magnet that draws others to us. It creates relationship bonding. It is contagious and often uncontrollable.

Friendships are only as memorable as the history of laughs together!

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

HEALTH - Countless advantages of laughter are said to help health issues. According to the August issue of Ode Magazine, some of

· heart and stroke risk.

· People who laugh seem to have longer attention spans.

· Immune cells become more activated. It helps us fight disease.

· Laughter cleanses the body of cortisol. (Cortisol is the stress hormone that deposits fat in the abdominal region of the body.) Laughter eases anxiety.

It reduces chronic pain and these are as follows:

· Laughing increases blood circulation. It pushes blood and oxygen though the coronary arteries.

· Laughing is calming. It releases an endorphin rush that produce pleasure sensations.

· Endorphins reduce damage to the increases pain tolerance.

· It adds higher levels of melatonin to breast milk of mothers and reduces fetal eczema.

· It reduces inflammation thought to be linked to heart attacks, allergies, and arthritis.

· It is an escape from stress and emotional situations.

· It causes better respiration function.

· It invigorates hormones called “catecholamines” that raise an alertness of our present moment in time.

· It keeps us from becoming bogged down with the circumstances of life. Plus it burns more calories than worry. Laughter helps control stress.

· Many cancer centers use laughter (old movies, etc.) as a coping and curing mechanism.

· Gastronomical troubles are thought to be related to uncontrolled anxiety.

· Stress is related to damaged endothelium (inner lining of blood vessels - arterial stiffening) that leads to heart attacks. Athens Medical School published results that confirmed the beneficial effects of laughter on arterial stiffness.

· Japanese research shows that laughter helps stabilize blood sugar in diabetics.

Peter said in Acts 2:25-28:  ”I saw the Lord always before me.  Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad (leaps for joy) and my tongue rejoices. –You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”

So try these experiences just for fun. Make the sounds.

EXISTENTAIL laugher: Subdued wary laugh in seemingly uncertain or inappropriate times.

GIGGLES: Contagious response.

CACKLE: Cartoon villains, comic scoundrels, and evil entities.

CONTEMPTUOUS: Scoffing ridicule at those in authority or power. Contemptuous, bullied, or scornful response to idea or person who is deemed worthless.

NERVOUS laugh: Awkward moments, nervousness.

SOCIAL laughter: General invitation to collectively relate socially.

CHUCKLE: Briefly acknowledge comprehension of joke, pun, or event

BELLY laughs: Involuntary explosive response. Guffaw, chortle, or snort.

We are told in Scripture to not be filled with foolish talk or crude joking (Eph. 5:4). While inappropriate humor seems to be rampant these days, we want to laugh WITH God. We are told to not overly jest or mock, but it is wonderful to be happy, amused, celebrant, rejoicing, and smiling.  The Third Day Church will be one of laughter. God even laughs at the enemies of Israel (Ps. 59:8). Israel praised God for the gift of laughter (Ps. 126).

My friend, laugh joyfully at appropriate times and put your trust in the Lord and His Word — nd you will have abiding joy and a leaping up of the Holy Spirit in your heart. There is certain victory in Christ that is accompanied with eternal rejoicing and laughter.

Heb. 12:2 says, ” Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross.” Jesus could endure with joy because God’s people have the last laugh that never ends.

Selah –

Dr. Kluane Spake http://kluane.org

It’s easy to become discouraged these days. Especially during this time of troubled economy, we really need to FOCUS on becoming enthused.

After all, this is your life .. and you and I need to break through past the daily news, beyond what everyone is saying, and far away from all the old religious barriers that speak limitation and opposition. We fail because of false expectations. We fail because of negative thinking. We fail because others try to take away our hope.

The Bible calls the brain the HEART. Scripture says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so it will be.” Therefore, in life, you need to learn how to utilize the greatest success and prosperity tool of all time: the brain. You need to properly engage your brain (mind, heart) and demand right thinking and correct responses.

“It’s faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes a life worth living.”

Oliver Wendell Holmes

It’s time to become enthused by God’s ongoing promises. The word “enthusiasm” comes from the Greek “en theos,” which means becoming God?inspired. Imagine that! Enthused people embrace life with joy and exuberance. They know that God will INSPIRE them with the best in life.

The number one definition in Webster’s Dictionary for enthusiasm is: “Belief in special revelations of the Holy Spirit.”

My friend, enthusiasm is inspiring - it brings “special revelations!” Let this definition change your reality.

Special revelation will change your future. Your imagination can be guided by the Holy Spirit. We must renew our MIND (Rom. 12) with the thoughts that will create a prosperous life. This continual process is known by scientists as imprinting or modeling. Whatever you call it, start now and just do it!

Influencing your mind to think upon certain spiritual truths can create a better future for you. Soooo…. please, get enthused about that!

It means that we decide WHAT needs to be changed in our outlook, our expectations, and our assumptions.

Decide what will go into your personal mind?computer. Enthusiasm is adventurous and dares to reach out past previous restrictions.

“Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Right now, take control of the caliber of information that you allow to enter into your subconscious mind.

Be positive and ENTHUSED about your future.

Build new definitions of what you expect.

Imagine positive and prosperous results.

“All achievements, whether in the business, intellectual, or spiritual world, are the result of definitely directed thought, are governed by the same law and are of the same method. Whatever your present environment may be, you will fall, remain, or rise with your thoughts, your Vision, your Ideal. You will become as small as your controlling desire; as great as your dominant aspiration.” Og Mandino

Once you become ENTHUSED, everything changes. Your revelation expands and your invigorated countenance becomes contagious. You sense new inspiration and motivation. New insights and ideas. You suddenly have greater focus, direction, intuition, and charisma.

Passion, confidence, fervor and energy attracts people and incredible opportunities to come to you. That’s the way it works. Those who have, get. Enthusiasm makes you a God inspired “success magnet.”

“Every production of genius must be the production of enthusiasm.”  Benjamin Disraeli, (British Prime Minister & Novelist. 1804-1881)

Enthusiasm ignites your imagination.

The Lord asked Jeremiah, “What do you SEE?” And that is true with us! If we can SEE the possibility, then we can do it. My favorite quote is by Helen Keller, “The greatest tragedy in life is people who have sight but no vision.”

What is your vision? Can you see it? Well, get excited and act like it has already happened! Think about how it would be, smell, feel, taste. Enthusiasm is the energy produced as a result of positive expectation. It’s just that easy. The more you think eagerly, ardently, expectantly, enthusiastically, the greater your results.

This is part of the dominion mandate that God gave to humanity from the beginning. Enthusiasm bonds you to a greater power of the Lord. You become deeply centered in the KNOWING that Biblical principles have a certainty of reality.

Enthusiasm builds your faith. It grows expectation.

Just imagine your soul realm prospering! Isn’t it exciting to think about not being depressed? Not being sad all the time? Your mind is a factory that creates Godly response upon this earth. We pray, “Thy Kingdom Come - Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven!”

What is heaven on earth for you? Imagine those best results for you.

Why are heavens gates made from pearl and the streets made of gold?

Look into the promises of heaven and pull those things into the NOW (on earth). See success and not failure. Confess and rehearse limitless possibilities. Write new vision.

Don’t allow other people to limit your beliefs any longer.

Norman Vincent Peal said, “If you have zest and enthusiasm you attract zest and enthusiasm. Life does give back in kind.”

Walt Disney said, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” What are your dreams? What talents did God give you to be successful? The first Christians lived out of their dreams and hopes.

What you are enthused about can only expand.

What you renew your mind to, is your reality. Paul told us to renew our mind - that was not a suggestion, but a command.

Scriptures about enthusiasm:

· He (Apollos) had been taught the way of the Lord and talked to others with great enthusiasm and accuracy about Jesus (Acts 18:25).

· Since you excel in so many ways–you have so much faith, such gifted speakers, such knowledge, such enthusiasm, and such love for us*–now I want you to excel also in this gracious ministry of giving ( 2 Cor.8:7).

· I am thankful to God that he has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have. (2 Cor. 8:16).

· For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to our friends in Macedonia that you Christians in Greece* were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of them to begin helping (2 Cor. 9:2).

· Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people (Eph. 6:7).

Denominational Ice Cream
Dr. Kluane Spake

htttp://www.kluane.org

People in churches and denominations like all different flavors of ice cream. My friend, would you linger here for a moment and let’s talk about what various kinds of ice cream tastes we have in common?

Every time we go up to the ice cream counter and ask for a scoop, we have to make a decision about what kind we want and how much we want - a single scoop or a double. And what kind? Are there too many choices? And sometimes we may even want to try a triple scoop - one scoop of each of our favorite flavors.

Here in the south its hot most of the time and we have to lick the sides of the cone fast to keep it from sliding down into our lap.

Sometimes, we just want a little scoop — just to save room to eat dinner later.

Some people are more fond of ice cream than others. Me… I eat ice cream only for the chocolate. Lots of people don’t like to eat things that are too cold. My grandkids want the kind with cookies and nuts - or jelly beans - and I don’t like those flavors at all.

This idea of being able to buy what we want seems so normal that we can’t imagine going to an ice cream store that would only sell one flavor or only allow us to buy a double scoop!

But… what do we offer as a church? As a ministry? As a believer? Do we have variety in what we enjoy?

Some people aren’t ready to eat a flavor that they have never tried before…

Maybe they just want a little taste - and try your ideas gradually.

There may be many VALID reasons why you need to appeal to multiple markets.

So what do we do with those who just aren’t as hungry as we are? Maybe they will get more hungry next week, or next year. But… if we don’t offer them a small samples of signs and wonders - perhaps they will never come back to try all of what we have to offer.

Should we take a survey and only serve the ONE flavor that everybody can agree on eating today? How boring that could get? Coach Tom Buford said that we can’t try to appease everyone by finding a middle ground of limited choices — it just won’t make anyone happy. If everything is mild - no miracles, no spectacular intersection with God Himself, then why bother eating at all?

And we already well know that consumer friendly won’t work.

However, we do need to continuously provide a variety of flavor choices.

What about those who want licorice ice cream or hot pepper? Is there a place for them?

One friend who read this said that it sounded like a strong incitement against lactose intolerance! Here are some obvious ideas for creating better church FLAVORS for serving more ice cream:

PREMISE: We cannot sell ice cream if we only offer our favorite flavors. Neither can we gather the promised harvest by using our own preferences and partialities. We must look and listen to the “harvest” and allow them to tell us the flavors that they like.

We must switch the “FOCUS” away from the “Church building” and onto providing the sweet and lingering savor of a SAFE environment with REAL fellowship, koinonia, edification, family, and community.

• We must transition from lofty idealism to genuineness. Believers want to attend a gathering where there are sincere people without facades who are learning and solving real problems.

II. We need to turn away from the sourness of opportunistic and impudent ministries and demand that leaders maintain solid integrity and values.

• How long will believers tolerate being used and discarded like the ol’ napkin around the cone?

III. We must take our previous taste tendencies toward judgmental accusation and convert them into the engaging experience of understanding and compassion. We must transform the condemning flavor of guilt and shame to a ravenous appetite for genuinely caring about others in love.

• Trying to “win souls” by causing them to feel “guilty” or ashamed just won’t work anymore. The frightful stories about the tormenting and vengeful consequences of sin won’t convert many people these days. But by the Goodness of God people are led to repentance.

• Jesus even dined with publicans and sinners.even dined with publicans and sinners. He actually sought out those who seemed more uncomely: the widow, the dishonest tax collector, the Gaderene, prostitutes, the woman caught in adultery, and the Samaritan woman at the well.

• We must change our ideas about effective evangelism to that of actually caring. Belonging and loving are still the answers to what all people need.

IV. We must eliminate the condemning leadership flavors of manipulation and coercion and allow others to be personally DRAWN and led by the Holy Spirit.

Everyone is totally sick of eating too much manipulation. Unbelievers and believers alike have had enough. Exploitation with obvious hidden agendas are no longer going to be tolerated. Believers aren’t stupid - it’s not that difficult to identify a manipulator.

The Spirit of God woos us to freely respond with a self initiated action of self esteem and dignity.

V. We must shift our taste for endless word searches, religious routine, and superstition into reality, truth, relevance, and common sense. We must transition from useless denominational debates to authenticity and living Truth. Most of us don’t want to quarrel anymore about our biases and differences. And most people don’t care about the subtleties of remote inapplicable Scriptures — at least not all the time.

We are all facing problems and need genuine “right now” solutions to what is happening in our lives. We need relationships that work. We need true koinonia - fellowship, communion with God and His Body.

Offer the best teaching available that is pertinent and applicable to today. Package your sermons in levels of understanding (2 or 3 different flavors) that will appeal to both the new and seasoned believer.

• Have non threatening sessions and small groups so that people can ask questions, sample various ideas, and get acquainted.

• Offer lots of opportunities for those who have an appetites for deeper learning.

VI. We must convert our partialities from continuous gravity and seriousness to mutual participation and yes… even play. People everywhere are bored and HUNGRY for some occasional FUN kinds of flavors. If we don’t offer it, they will go to the ice cream store that pleases their palate. The world needs and wants to be happy.

• Let’s have lots more really fun times that aren’t so somber. Play games, go on picnics, laugh, giggle, and enjoy LIFE together. Let’s just BE the flavor for the world.

• Preach about craving LIFE and living and not always about the endless dying to self and the despicable and uncontrollable carnal nature!

• Show people how to be supernaturally natural - not weird, religious, and superstitious.

VII. We must change our ideas about hierarchical leadership. People want to be involved.

• Allow participation, questions, and involvement. Cause each member to participate in tasting the incredible taste of camaraderie and belonging.

• Teach, train, and optimize the gifts and talents in the church.

• RELEASE believers to use their gifts and talents. Trust the Holy Spirit to guard and protect.

• Have ways for people to have social interaction to make friends
.
• The NEW DAY is much about the freedom of corporate Body expression!

• Be involved with compassionate service opportunities to help the needy and feed the hungry. Embrace the unlovely.

VIII. Get rid of the poverty mentality.

• Realize the errors in previous Bible translations and also the inaccuracies taught in recent teachings - and then re-teach about the TRUE Godly kind of prosperity!

• Provide opportunities for business minded people to participate and teach others how to improve.

• Allow marketplace people to train others in business.

IX. We must vary our flavor of music!

• Enjoy a variety of music styles… and instruments. The churchy music that always sounds the same really gets old fast. Now, please don’t throw me away when I say that I for one am totally tired of a lot of it!

• You know… we don’t have to sing the same songs in the same styles over and over. God is endlessly creative in His expressions to us.

• We MUST corporately spend quality time in the presence of the Lord - however that happens best.

Sometimes schedules don’t allow a three hour praise and worship service - does that make those who don’t stay unspiritual?

X. Also, you and I need to remember that some people aren’t accustomed to eating ice cream all day. Some don’t like to eat cold things, or endlessly wave banners, or march around shouting all the time, or hear loud music. Others prefer only loud rock music. Can we value their tastebud inclinations too?

Can you allow those who differ in taste fondness with you to express their opinion? Should you start licking that cone from the top or the side - is there always just one way to do things? Or does it really matter?

Can you learn about their newly discovered taste sensations? Or have you become stuck in your own vanilla rut and remain unteachable?

Can you at least give others time before expecting them to totally embrace your new cinnamon waffle cone right away? Or do you get hurt feelings if someone doesn’t like your ice cream choices right away? Some have never tried the New SON-DAY. The Third Day, or Present Truth, or The Finished Work. Some have never considered sampling some restoration, revival, or renewal. Sometimes we have to learn to cultivate a taste for certain new experiences.

Both you and I can still learn many things from them… yes we can. Every person in the world can teach us something that we don’t know.

The power of life and death is in the tongue. How are your taste buds?

What are your ideas? What flavors do you like?

Frankly, we may find that most customers will start trying out more and more varieties of our flavors if we let them have a little sample first - so that they feel in control of their choices and can enjoy their experience. Then, they will ask for more.

Remember, not everyone who walks into your ice cream parlor is looking for a triple strawberry ripple and maple-nut scoop… at least not yet.

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Right now, many conservative Christian churches still don’t allow women to preach in their pulpit or participate in governmental leadership. Most Conservative Christians believe that God has ordained the roles of men and women to be different in the Church.

On September 18, 2008, Gospel Magazine (the most widely distributed urban Christian publication in the country) was pulled off the shelves of more than 100 LifeWay Bookstore across America. The bookstores’ owner, the Southern Baptist Convention, said the problem was that the five smiling women on the cover are women church pastors! Other churches still don’t allow women leaders either – i.e. the Catholic Church and several evangelical groups (such as the Presbyterian Church in America still don’t ordain women.

For years, I attended a church that would NOT allow me to speak at a public meeting, preach to a group in my home, teach a Sunday School class to adult men and women, take an offering, introduce a song, or say a public prayer. They were nice people – doing what they believed was right – that “Biblical order” demands that men alone were chosen to lead in Church government authority, and they alone should run the show!

It’s odd that it seems okay to many of these same Conservative Christian types to support Governor Sarah Palin as potential Vice President… when most of them don’t even think that a woman should exercise co-leadership in her marriage, let alone lead her country!

Whether she wins or not, the question is why are people willing to vote for her as Vice President and still think that a woman is not qualified to serve as pastor of their church?

We must ask, IF the Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin, is supposed to be “UNDER” her husband and to be submissive to him (as so many theologians claim), then how can she independently lead America? Will her husband actually be making all the decisions? Will McCain be her “covering?” Will she just be some “man’s” puppet or figure-head? Or… maybe her husband will relinquish his authority “over” her, so that she can do her job. Or, perhaps she is well able to stand firmly in her right to serve fully to her capacity?

With almost multiple personalities, the extreme Christian Right seemed ecstatic when Sarah Palin was invited to be on the McCain ticket. That was because she is a Christian! But how can she go along with their expectation to remain subservient,” compliant, accommodating, submissive, and deferential to all men — and still fulfill this assignment of Vice President of this great country?

This continued gender bias is a PRIORITY question for all of Christianity. I know! I write this as a woman pastor who has fought a career-long battle to shatter the “Stained Glass Ceiling” for gender equality. I’ve surveyed hundreds of churches to determine their use of women in leadership – and even though some say that it is okay, they usually don’t implement it. OF course there are numerous pastors who champion women’s rights to lead, but statistically they are few and far between.

And of course, during the last decades, there has been a great rise in successful female pastors, evangelists, Bishops, etc. They have endured in spite of it all.

Hierarchical tradition has long maintained that “Women should keep in their proper place,” or as Martin Luther coined, “A woman’s place is in the home.” That saying is not anywhere in the Scripture, it’s a quote from Luther!

Then there was Calvin, who taught that a woman was created in the image of God… “Though in the second degree.”[i] Calvin was certain that women had absolutely no place of impact in society. Earlier Augustine wrote his theory in De Genesi ad Litteram IX.5, cfVII.3,[1] that said the woman was only to be a helper for childbearing, but in every other case another man would be a better help.

Limiting and prejudicial ideas against women in leadership have endured in various forms for centuries.

We can no longer ignore the fact that thousands upon thousands of educated people flatly reject the Gospel because they refuse to accept these ridiculous kinds of preconceived, prejudicial ideas that barrier abilities and squelch potential of another human being.

In this era of heightened gender awareness and sexual revolution, the church must address this issue of discrimination. That’s why we must re-examine Church history that ledgers continuous biased bigotry and closed mindedness against women in leadership.

Praise God! This truly is a cultural, political, social, and theological dilemma! This issue of equality has long gone fully addressed. Sure… some of us women are labeled “exceptions,” but… we still don’t get invited to play golf with the guys!

The doors of full opportunity within the Church have been generally closed to most women. Often, a woman can have ten times the capability as a man, and not be given full recognition. Trust me when I say that even slightly egalitarian ideas are often labeled by many as feminist or a “Jezebel spirit!” If a woman should happen to have ministry success, it is usually met with condescending disapproval and even hostility. Secret subterfuge. Indifference. Or, at best, nuances of patronization.

Thankfully, Jesus was the ultimate rebel! He defended women, revealed truths to them that He had not told another, and appeared to them first after He died. The way He valued women was a concept that shook that culture to the heart. Paul insisted in Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Jesus Christ.” This is a core-essential emphasis. No human being is excluded from service to God.[2]

The question is, can women make independent Church Leadership decisions regardless of their reproductive organs?

Win or not, Govorner Sarah confronts the Church with a great predicament! We are being forced to confront long held standards. Church leaders at large must re-evaluate their staunch posturing against sincere and capable women leading.

If Sarah Palin is elected Vice President, will she (as a Christian leader and a political leader) be able to preach in a Southern Baptist pulpit? Or, in your church? WHAT? Are you open to women preaching in the pulpit? Leading governmentally?

Palin could potentially become President of the United States of America – and have authority over EVERY SINGLE PERSON in America (male and female). Does that mean that God can equally use both women and men in society, church, and home?

Lord God… we excitedly enjoy watching this unfolding reformation of change.