So often we hear about Jesus being our friend that his role as leader usually gets put aside. But Jesus' true role in the gospels was that of a leader.
Think about this, Jesus went out and recruited men. He knew what their abilities were. He later trained them. Then in his absence, he left it up to them to repeat the process. In the old testament, we saw many men prophecy, but actually go out amongst men and teach them how to spread the gospel of Christ, well that didn't happen, because he hadn't arrived yet.
In modern day businesses, we see similar examples of shall I say, Jesus' business model. There is a coporation who has a program and they need others to help them with it. After spending weeks showing recruits the ropes, leaders will allow workers to proceed with little, if any, supervision.
Now in between the whole process of recruting and training his team, Jesus displayed a good-hearted nature, patience, kindness, and other similar attributes. He also made certain that all members of his team rested and were well-fed. Think of how many leaders nowadays are less like Jesus and more like Pharaoh.
Are you one of them?
Nicholl McGuire
Sunday
One of the Churches I Enjoy Visiting
When I am vacationing in Pittsburgh, I always make a point to visit the Covenant Church of Pittsburgh. This church is non-denominational. I personally like the multi-cultural atmosphere, the sense of humor of Bishop Joseph Garlington and Pastor Barbara, and the overall worship experience. If you are ever in the Pittsburgh area, you must check it out. You can always watch a live service at 8 a.m. or 11 a.m. on Sunday or previously recorded videos. See here.
Wednesday
A Word from the Lord to those of You in the Medical or Law Professions
If you thought that man's knowledge was all you needed to be a success in these fields, then you know that this kind of thinking is incorrect. Not only do you need education, but you also need the right connections. Now I'm not talking about your fraternal associations to help you increase your income; I'm talking about a Holy Ghost connection.
Here's what the Lord says,
"You are not called to be a servant of people, but a servant of me. You must understand that God is not in the business of making money. He is in the business of saving souls. Since you were a child you were called to the profession you are now in. You have spent much money and time seeking to be the one who God has called you to be. For some of you, the time is now to make the move! You have asked about relocation and that has been confirmed by voices around you who have been supportive in your quest to be a success in your field. The Lord will not bless supernatural hands that believe that they are gods. Rather, he will bless those who spiritually seek him in buildings designated for his glory. You have been invited to church, so go. You have been in church, but fell away, go back. You have been told to stay in church, stay. Learn how Jesus heals. Learn how Jesus acts as an advocate on one's behalf. Understand what it means to judge and be judged. Know how leaders like Moses and Aaron interacted with God's people. Study the prophets. Learn healing as it relates to the Bible. You are not in your profession by happenstance. You were called, set aside for the Lord. Therefore, act like it! Rejoice in knowing that you are special in Jesus name."
Nicholl McGuire
Here's what the Lord says,
"You are not called to be a servant of people, but a servant of me. You must understand that God is not in the business of making money. He is in the business of saving souls. Since you were a child you were called to the profession you are now in. You have spent much money and time seeking to be the one who God has called you to be. For some of you, the time is now to make the move! You have asked about relocation and that has been confirmed by voices around you who have been supportive in your quest to be a success in your field. The Lord will not bless supernatural hands that believe that they are gods. Rather, he will bless those who spiritually seek him in buildings designated for his glory. You have been invited to church, so go. You have been in church, but fell away, go back. You have been told to stay in church, stay. Learn how Jesus heals. Learn how Jesus acts as an advocate on one's behalf. Understand what it means to judge and be judged. Know how leaders like Moses and Aaron interacted with God's people. Study the prophets. Learn healing as it relates to the Bible. You are not in your profession by happenstance. You were called, set aside for the Lord. Therefore, act like it! Rejoice in knowing that you are special in Jesus name."
Nicholl McGuire
Tuesday
Watered Down Gospel from Watered Down Ministers
If I haven't mastered something myself, then I stay away from the subject area until I have mastered it. If I can't get my act together in one area, I can't afford to stand before a congregation of people and say, "Oh yeah, church I'm good!" I wonder if self-proclaimed ministers of God think this way before telling others what they ought to do in their lives.
We have witnessed ministers of God preach a good message, but later find out in the media that they have relationship problems, sexual issues, and weird childhood fantasies. We are perplexed. How can they tell the world something when they don't have it together at home? They do it by watering down truth.
See, there is no shame when one is not convicted by truth in all it's forms not only in the Bible but those miracles, signs and wonders in one's personal life too! No one around this person will confront others with truth for fear that they might get kicked out of the minister's chosen group. Therefore, the minister gets away with lies and half-truths.
Anyone preaching any message out of the Holy Bible is a minister with or without a title. That is why one must watch what he or she says and does around others. Are we watered down ministers with a watered down message spreading it to a watered down flock? If so, then we are held accountable.
Preaching messages that deviate from God's warnings in his Holy Bible to lost, back slidding men and women is wrong! Skipping over text in the bible so as not to offend is wrong! Re-wording scripture so that it is easy for people to follow is wrong too! God's word is simple enough without adding to it weak commentary.
It isn't any wonder why there is no staying power with the new Christian at a conference who gets saved. What I mean by staying power is a desire for a new Christian to continue to maintain a personal relationship with Christ. A new believer doesn't stay with a powerless group of watered down Christians. How can he keep attending church services with watered down messages that don't prosper him spiritually, physically and/or mentally? Who wants to continue to fellowship with weak-minded believers who are more interested in what you have on, then what you are saying?
If you are a minister, don't ask why people don't stay with God after attending your services. Could it be that you are more interested in growing the flock rather than tending to it in such a way that makes the flock want to go out and spread God's word? Maybe, for some ministers, it is more important to keep the flock at home, because if you do, the money will stay home as well.
Just something to think about.
Nicholl McGuire is the author of Laboring to Love an Abusive Mate
We have witnessed ministers of God preach a good message, but later find out in the media that they have relationship problems, sexual issues, and weird childhood fantasies. We are perplexed. How can they tell the world something when they don't have it together at home? They do it by watering down truth.
See, there is no shame when one is not convicted by truth in all it's forms not only in the Bible but those miracles, signs and wonders in one's personal life too! No one around this person will confront others with truth for fear that they might get kicked out of the minister's chosen group. Therefore, the minister gets away with lies and half-truths.
Anyone preaching any message out of the Holy Bible is a minister with or without a title. That is why one must watch what he or she says and does around others. Are we watered down ministers with a watered down message spreading it to a watered down flock? If so, then we are held accountable.
Preaching messages that deviate from God's warnings in his Holy Bible to lost, back slidding men and women is wrong! Skipping over text in the bible so as not to offend is wrong! Re-wording scripture so that it is easy for people to follow is wrong too! God's word is simple enough without adding to it weak commentary.
It isn't any wonder why there is no staying power with the new Christian at a conference who gets saved. What I mean by staying power is a desire for a new Christian to continue to maintain a personal relationship with Christ. A new believer doesn't stay with a powerless group of watered down Christians. How can he keep attending church services with watered down messages that don't prosper him spiritually, physically and/or mentally? Who wants to continue to fellowship with weak-minded believers who are more interested in what you have on, then what you are saying?
If you are a minister, don't ask why people don't stay with God after attending your services. Could it be that you are more interested in growing the flock rather than tending to it in such a way that makes the flock want to go out and spread God's word? Maybe, for some ministers, it is more important to keep the flock at home, because if you do, the money will stay home as well.
Just something to think about.
Nicholl McGuire is the author of Laboring to Love an Abusive Mate
Thursday
The Has-Been Christian: Once a Soldier for God, Not No More
How do you talk to a Christian that thinks he or she is good with God? How do you tell this person that he or she has not been doing much these days that exemplify the character of Christ? Could this person be plagued with a spirit that keeps telling them, "You are okay." Is this person in the early stages toward having a reprobate mind?
There are many has-been Christians. The type of people who lived victoriously at one time in their lives. They walked around with an anointing. They witnessed to the lost. They may have sung in the choir, attended bible studies, and taught fellow believers at one time, but now? They are like one-hit wonder celebrities, has-beens, the kind of people who use to be great.
These, in my experience, are the hardest people to talk to. Years ago, I wanted to know what position in God's church am I supposed to play when it comes to witnessing about Jesus. The Lord told me, "You are to remind the back-slidden Christian to come back home." I started doing that in 1997 when I printed and distributed a newsletter in Pittsburgh Pa and then later in Cleveland Oh for a season. Then I too, became like the has-been, I reveled in the past victories, while God asked, "What have you done for me lately?"
The has-been already has some understanding when it comes to the Holy Bible. He or she is not ignorant of the witnessing process. He or she knows to go to church. This person doesn't mind telling you that either. Has-beens believe once saved always saved, yet they don't realize that they too, like the world, have monkies ie.) demonic spirits on their backs. These demons they invited into their mindsets when they decided to partake in worldly experiences. They are like the man who gets ready for work, he bathes and grooms himself only to go to his physically intensive job to get dirty again. How can a man call himself clean when he has been engaging with other dirty people in a dirty world?
Just like one who has once been lost in the world, now has a desire to serve God, the has-been must fall back in love with God. So how does he or she do it? By going to God with a repentant heart, not only praying, but allowing the time to listen to God as well. The has-been must get back to study. Go to bible passages as the Lord leads until he or she is under the direction of someone more knowledgeable. This person must admit before a congregation that he or she has back slid by taking that walk back down the aisle again like he or she did years back. Therefore, witnesses will welcome him or her with love as well as hold the brother or sister accountable to his or her re-dedication to the Lord. Members of the church will also need to pray for the backslider. The has-been Christian most likely will have some "stuff" on him or her from years of dabbling with the world's pleasures. Examples of that stuff include: entertainment that glorify sinful behavior, having sexual relationships outside of marriage, cussing, lying, and cheating others and groups out of time and money, and much, much more!
Unless you or I can admit that we have all been there, are still there, or are on our way to going there (meaning distancing ourselves from God,) we will one day look up, and be like the has-been still naming and claiming like we still have it together with God. Still praying like God is listening. Still sinning while falsely assuming we are good. Still praising the Lord while cussing people out. Still acting like a heathen while thinking we are a saint. The Bible has a name for people like this, "Fool."
Nicholl McGuire
There are many has-been Christians. The type of people who lived victoriously at one time in their lives. They walked around with an anointing. They witnessed to the lost. They may have sung in the choir, attended bible studies, and taught fellow believers at one time, but now? They are like one-hit wonder celebrities, has-beens, the kind of people who use to be great.
These, in my experience, are the hardest people to talk to. Years ago, I wanted to know what position in God's church am I supposed to play when it comes to witnessing about Jesus. The Lord told me, "You are to remind the back-slidden Christian to come back home." I started doing that in 1997 when I printed and distributed a newsletter in Pittsburgh Pa and then later in Cleveland Oh for a season. Then I too, became like the has-been, I reveled in the past victories, while God asked, "What have you done for me lately?"
The has-been already has some understanding when it comes to the Holy Bible. He or she is not ignorant of the witnessing process. He or she knows to go to church. This person doesn't mind telling you that either. Has-beens believe once saved always saved, yet they don't realize that they too, like the world, have monkies ie.) demonic spirits on their backs. These demons they invited into their mindsets when they decided to partake in worldly experiences. They are like the man who gets ready for work, he bathes and grooms himself only to go to his physically intensive job to get dirty again. How can a man call himself clean when he has been engaging with other dirty people in a dirty world?
Just like one who has once been lost in the world, now has a desire to serve God, the has-been must fall back in love with God. So how does he or she do it? By going to God with a repentant heart, not only praying, but allowing the time to listen to God as well. The has-been must get back to study. Go to bible passages as the Lord leads until he or she is under the direction of someone more knowledgeable. This person must admit before a congregation that he or she has back slid by taking that walk back down the aisle again like he or she did years back. Therefore, witnesses will welcome him or her with love as well as hold the brother or sister accountable to his or her re-dedication to the Lord. Members of the church will also need to pray for the backslider. The has-been Christian most likely will have some "stuff" on him or her from years of dabbling with the world's pleasures. Examples of that stuff include: entertainment that glorify sinful behavior, having sexual relationships outside of marriage, cussing, lying, and cheating others and groups out of time and money, and much, much more!
Unless you or I can admit that we have all been there, are still there, or are on our way to going there (meaning distancing ourselves from God,) we will one day look up, and be like the has-been still naming and claiming like we still have it together with God. Still praying like God is listening. Still sinning while falsely assuming we are good. Still praising the Lord while cussing people out. Still acting like a heathen while thinking we are a saint. The Bible has a name for people like this, "Fool."
Nicholl McGuire
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