Just as you cannot eat next week's bread, so you cannot travel next week's journey. You can only be where you are. Pay attention to where you are. Pay attention to who you are, where you are. Pay attention to who is there with you, where you are.
+ Bishop Marque E. Duncan +
Sent from my BlackBerry® handheld device
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Re: St. John 4:23-24: Worshiping in Spirit and in Truth
Here is another exegetical article sent by my friend that I found interesting & profound enough to share.
From: "MarQuentis X. McNamara"
Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 15:47:41 -0400
To: <bishop@bereanmadison.com>
Subject: St. John 4:23-24: Worshiping in Spirit and in Truth
+ Bishop Marque E. Duncan +
Sent from my BlackBerry® handheld device
From: "MarQuentis X. McNamara"
Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 15:47:41 -0400
To: <bishop@bereanmadison.com>
Subject: St. John 4:23-24: Worshiping in Spirit and in Truth
In St. John 4:23-24, Jesus states that the kind of worshipers God seeks are those that worship Him "in spirit and in truth". However, it is probably not immediately obvious what this phrase actually means. It is a rather literal translation of the Greek, but because English grammar is quite different from Greek grammar, the English phrase fails to express the same idea with the same force. The grammar of the underlying Greek clearly indicates that this phrase describes the manner in which we should worship God - it answers the question "How?" How do we worship God? - "In spirit and in truth" - or much better: "spiritually and truthfully". The next question is what does it mean to worship "spiritually" and "truthfully". Worshiping spiritually means our worship is generated from our spirit. Going through the motions, performing ceremonies, eating the Lord's Supper, singing songs or praying with little or no thought is not worship! These things may be used to express worship - but they are not worship. Worship comes from the depths of our spirit, as we recognize and bow before the greatness and awesomeness of God. To worship God truthfully means that our worship must be real and not pretentious – it must be sincere! Therefore, St. John204:23 would be better translated: "God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship with their spirit and with sincerity".
Re: Proverbs 22:6a - Recognizing and Appointing Young Leaders
A friend of mine shared this exegetical article with me and I found it to be rather interesting and quote profound, so I thought I would pass it on to spread the understanding.
From: "MarQuentis X. McNamara"
Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 15:43:17 -0400
To: <bishop@bereanmadison.com>
Subject: Proverbs 22:6a - Recognizing and Appointing Young Leaders
+ Bishop Marque E. Duncan +
Sent from my BlackBerry® handheld device
From: "MarQuentis X. McNamara"
Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 15:43:17 -0400
To: <bishop@bereanmadison.com>
Subject: Proverbs 22:6a - Recognizing and Appointing Young Leaders
Proverbs 22:6a says, "Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it." This proverb has been long understood as advice for parents on the way to raise and educate their children. However, this understanding (and translation) is based on some very dubious word studies. The Hebrew word translated "child", does not carry the concept of age, but rather status – in particular, high status! The same word refers to Joseph at age 17 (Genesis 37:2) and age 30 (Genesis 41:12). The person being referred to may be a young man but the point is not his age but his status and responsibility. In light of the way this word is used elsewhere in the Old Testament, and the context of Proverbs, the so-called "child" is a young adult who is NOT a rank novice with little or no experience. It is someone who is outstanding among his/her peers, but has not yet reached their full potential or maturity. "Train" is also incorrectly translated from the Hebrew. There is virtually no evidence that the Hebrew word means anything close to "train" in the Old Testament. Rather, it refers to initiating someone who has already completed his or her training, for a new position or responsibility. Also, "in the way he should go" appears to be an idio m for "according to a service that best suits his character and skills". Therefore, this verse would be better translated: "Initiate a young cadet according to a service that best suits his character and skills, and when he is old, he will not turn from it." This verse teaches that a young outstanding Christian who has been suitably trained, should be recognized and initiated into a position of responsibility and given the full respect that accompanies that position. It also teaches that when such a person is given the recognition and responsibility due to them, they will continue to serve and persist even when they get older.
Some Thoughts On Prayer
Simply defined, prayer is two-way communication between God and us. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing and this is done by remaining in an attitude of prayer and to be instant in prayer. Being in an attitude of prayer is thinking and doing with an awareness that God is present.
When one is speaking to God, he is engaged in the highest activity of the human soul. Prayer is limitless in space, touching three worlds. It touches heaven, earth and hell simultaneously and instantaneously. Prayer...
When one is speaking to God, he is engaged in the highest activity of the human soul. Prayer is limitless in space, touching three worlds. It touches heaven, earth and hell simultaneously and instantaneously. Prayer...
- Motivates God as no other endeavor.
- Touches man as nothing else that we can do.
- Worries the devil more than any other enterprise.
Through the limitless reach of prayer, we can stand in the "Now" and influence the "Then". We can stand in the "Here" and touch the "There". Prayer breaks through the borders of time and stands firmly in eternity.
Prayer is essential to the life of the believer. No believer's spiritual life will rise above and remain constant beyond one's prayer life.
The 3 Dangers of Prayerlessness
When we do not pray we:
- Sin - (1 Samuel 12:23; 1 Chronicles 16:11; St. Matthew 7:7; St. Luke 18:1)
- Sin against the purpose and plan of God - (St. Matthew 6:10)
- Sin against the pleasure of God - (Proverbs 15:8)
Praylessness is not just merely a weakness, it is sin...!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Captured By The Calling
1 Corinthians 16:13-16...
13... Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
14... Let all your things be done with charity.
15... I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
16... That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
In recent years there has been great emphasis on words like calling, anointing, ministry, vision, purpose, and destiny. While it is encouraging to see the thrust forward with this emphasis I'm concerned that we don't get stuck there and finally press to the next level. We want to move past the point of the realization of our calling into the actuating of our ministry. I challenge everyone to be "captured by the calling". The scripture above speaks of the people of the house of Stephanas and how they had been so captured by their calling that they were addicted to the ministry of the saints. In fact, because of their ministry addiction and diligence in Kingdom work they were recommended by the Apostle Paul to be worthy of being submitted to by the people of Corinth.
When one has learned to and begun to live out the ministry, God will bless them to live by the ministry (not the other way around, mind you). To get to that point one must not consider ministry as a secondary vocation or something one does on the side, but as an integral part of one's life. This sometimes takes a rearrangement of consideration. All else that I do is now considered secondary to my ministry and I do them to live now until I can live by the ministry. This sometimes takes a rearrangement of priority. I prioritize my day based on my calling and not let my calling be "a filler" for the rest of my day. This sometimes takes a rearrangement of duties. Ministry no longer takes a backseat to my other duties.
When I am finally captured by the calling no one has to convince me of it, I just know it...! When I am finally captured by the calling I no longer need motivators, because the ministry motivates me...! When I am finally captured by the calling I don't have to be pumped and primed into action, because I, like Paul, am willing to be poured out as a drink offering for the needs of the people of God...!
Once the calling captures you, you will be situated in your place of provision. Once the calling captures you, you will find your following and those that will submit to the "God leadership" in you. Once the calling captures you, there's not a demon in hell that will be able to stop you from fulfilling your God-given vision and walk in your God-established destiny, utilizing your God-granted anointing...!
Only Believe
"Believe your beliefs and doubt your doubts, but never doubt your beliefs or believe your doubts." (Scottish Seminary Professor - Name Unknown)
+ Bishop Marque E. Duncan +
Sent from my BlackBerry® handheld device
+ Bishop Marque E. Duncan +
Sent from my BlackBerry® handheld device
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Re: Excellence...!
GREAT QUOTE...
From: "-- MarQue --"
Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 18:06:11 -0500
To: Bishop Marque E. Duncan<bishop@bereanmadison.com>
Subject: Excellence...!
+ Bishop Marque E. Duncan +
Sent from my BlackBerry® handheld device
From: "-- MarQue --"
Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 18:06:11 -0500
To: Bishop Marque E. Duncan<bishop@bereanmadison.com>
Subject: Excellence...!
"Excellence is the result of caring more than others think wise, risking more than others think safe, dreaming more than others think practical, and expecting more than others think possible."
-- MarQue --
Fw: For Your Encouragement
A dear friend of mine shared this poem with me as an encouragement for the difficult Mother's Day I just experienced. It was so inspiring that I felt compelled to share it on my blog. Hopefully it will encourage someone else the way it encouraged me.
From: nacqram@aol.com
Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 14:43:27 -0400
To: <bishop@bereanmadison.com>
Subject: For Your Encouragement
+ Bishop Marque E. Duncan +
Sent from my BlackBerry® handheld device
From: nacqram@aol.com
Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 14:43:27 -0400
To: <bishop@bereanmadison.com>
Subject: For Your Encouragement
I said, "God, I hurt."
And God said, "I know."
I said, "God, I cry a lot."
And God said, "That is why I gave you tears."
I said, "God, I am depressed."
And God said, "That is why I gave you sunshine."
I said, "God, life is hard."
And God said, "That is why I gave you loved ones."
I said, "God, it hurts."
And God said, "I know."
I said, "God, my loved one died."
And God said, "So did mine."
I said, "God, it is such a loss."
And God said, "I saw mine nailed to a cross."
I said, "God, but your loved one lives."
And God said, "So does yours."
Robien D. Holt
And God said, "I know."
I said, "God, I cry a lot."
And God said, "That is why I gave you tears."
I said, "God, I am depressed."
And God said, "That is why I gave you sunshine."
I said, "God, life is hard."
And God said, "That is why I gave you loved ones."
I said, "God, it hurts."
And God said, "I know."
I said, "God, my loved one died."
And God said, "So did mine."
I said, "God, it is such a loss."
And God said, "I saw mine nailed to a cross."
I said, "God, but your loved one lives."
And God said, "So does yours."
Robien D. Holt
Monday, May 11, 2009
Every Kingdom Has a King
Jesus is more than a king in the royal line of David; He is the King of Kings...!
While in the world Jesus had no throne, but He has reigned in the hearts of men, women, boys and girls in every century.
While in Jerusalem Jesus had no armies, but in every generation there have been Christian soldiers.
While in Pilate's judgment hall Jesus did not take the scepter that was rightfully His, but soon everyone will kneel before His raised scepter.
While in Nazareth Jesus had no palace, but today He's preparing palaces for all His royal people.
On the road to Jerusalem Jesus refused to be crowned King, but one day the grandest coronation the world had ever seen will be held, when Jesus will be crowned King of Kings...!
Jesus is the King of Peace, the King of Glory, the King of this world, the Royal King of Heaven...the King of Kings...!
While in the world Jesus had no throne, but He has reigned in the hearts of men, women, boys and girls in every century.
While in Jerusalem Jesus had no armies, but in every generation there have been Christian soldiers.
While in Pilate's judgment hall Jesus did not take the scepter that was rightfully His, but soon everyone will kneel before His raised scepter.
While in Nazareth Jesus had no palace, but today He's preparing palaces for all His royal people.
On the road to Jerusalem Jesus refused to be crowned King, but one day the grandest coronation the world had ever seen will be held, when Jesus will be crowned King of Kings...!
Jesus is the King of Peace, the King of Glory, the King of this world, the Royal King of Heaven...the King of Kings...!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mother's Day Closure
First of all, I wish all mothers a Happy Mother's Day, even though the wish comes at the end of the day. God Bless All Mothers...I Honor All of You...!
Today was a particularly difficult Mother's Day for me. It was the second Mother's Day since my own mother went home to be with the Lord. Today was much more difficult than last year as I missed my mother more given last year grieving her death was still rather fresh on Mother's Day. This year it reached beyond the actual grieving to really feeling the loss. I am encouraged, however, by reflecting on the memories, the advice, the wisdom, the reprimands, the lessons and all the wonderful moments God allowed me to have with my mother. I honor Delores Duncan...a wonderful mother...the elect lady...! While I miss her tremendously, I thank God that she is no longer in the pain and suffering that marked the closure of her life experience. Mama, I Love You...!
Anyone interested in the tribute page I created for her can find it at... http://www.myspace.com/deloresduncan.
+ Bishop Marque E. Duncan +
Sent from my BlackBerry® handheld device
Today was a particularly difficult Mother's Day for me. It was the second Mother's Day since my own mother went home to be with the Lord. Today was much more difficult than last year as I missed my mother more given last year grieving her death was still rather fresh on Mother's Day. This year it reached beyond the actual grieving to really feeling the loss. I am encouraged, however, by reflecting on the memories, the advice, the wisdom, the reprimands, the lessons and all the wonderful moments God allowed me to have with my mother. I honor Delores Duncan...a wonderful mother...the elect lady...! While I miss her tremendously, I thank God that she is no longer in the pain and suffering that marked the closure of her life experience. Mama, I Love You...!
Anyone interested in the tribute page I created for her can find it at... http://www.myspace.com/deloresduncan.
+ Bishop Marque E. Duncan +
Sent from my BlackBerry® handheld device
Church for the Unchurched
"Churches that are effective reaching people for Christ see the needs of the unchurched, establish ministries that allow the church to be present in the community, and have a process by which they are able to draw these unchurched people into the safety of Christ and a local church." (Gary McIntosh & Glenn Martin wrote in their book, "Finding Them, Keeping Them")
+ Bishop Marque E. Duncan +
Sent from my BlackBerry® handheld device
+ Bishop Marque E. Duncan +
Sent from my BlackBerry® handheld device
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Seasons
Seasons change and so will yours. Seasons of change are essential for growth in your life. Change requires a leap of faith. There is a time for everything. There are seasons to laugh, cry, live, die build and tear down.
Each season has a specific purpose for occurring. The lessons they bring are life long, and they will lead to fulfillment within your life. Among other things, they build your faith and character. By trusting God, you allow Him to complete what He has prepared for you.
Each season that has come and gone in your life is as solid blocks placed one by one upon each other. All are individual and separate, but come together in one solid foundation.
Line upon line, precept upon precept, they have made you - you (who you are). Remember, all things are working together for your good.
Each season has a specific purpose for occurring. The lessons they bring are life long, and they will lead to fulfillment within your life. Among other things, they build your faith and character. By trusting God, you allow Him to complete what He has prepared for you.
Each season that has come and gone in your life is as solid blocks placed one by one upon each other. All are individual and separate, but come together in one solid foundation.
Line upon line, precept upon precept, they have made you - you (who you are). Remember, all things are working together for your good.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
The Need for Passion
As breakthrough believers we must press past "wish" to "desire" ultimately arriving at "passion". A "wish" is a passive, mental thought pattern with the expectation of seeing fulfillment of it sometime in the future. A "desire" is an active, strong-willed effort to bring into fulfillment the expected event or answer. A "passion" is a driving force of spiritual energy that shapes a person's lifestyle, thinking and action until he sees a total fulfillment of what he is passionately pursuing. Every ounce of energy and thought is propelled into that single course of pursuit, aggressively removing all barriers and self-limitations that prevent its ultimate fulfillment. The entire thought pattern revolves around their passion. Their dreams, conversations, and priorities often reveal that which is within their passion. They derive their drive, their motivation and their inspiration by stirring their passion within their hearts and minds. They become renewed and reenergized to seek wholesome ways of bringing their passion to satisfied fulfillment.
The only thing that matches in strength and in its driving force to passion is lust. Lust is a passion that has gone wrong in its motivation, its principles of operation and its desired result. It is founded on self-gratification, impatience, selfishness and ungodly principles. Lust never brings wholesome satisfaction because the flesh (the ego) has no ability to please God (Romans 8:6-7) or find life and peace.
God is looking for more than just a wishing people. He is drawn by those who are in hot passionate pursuit of Him.
Passion is created or stirred into our hearts when we know a sense of the urgency of time. Passion is also created or stirred in our hearts when we sense a conducive atmosphere for intimate relationship to be formed. The conducive atmosphere provides the necessary encouragement to freely express our hearts. Passion also comes out of developing a sense of intensity of pursuit in seeking for the things or person loved. When we think and plan to reach out in the directions our heart is leaning towards, passion grows. There can never be a proper development to passion without first planning and thinking a workable strategy towards fulfillment. Our thought patterns must revolve around the pursued things and we must set our focus and priority in wanting to achieve our desired goal. Passion also comes out of maintaining a sense of grateful communication towards the other person. The more we know the person (in this case, God) the more we enjoy being with them, and the greater their impact and influence will be on our lives. Passion is also stirred in our hearts as we sense the deep satisfaction it brings when we have accomplished what we set out to do.
Our passion provides the driving force of inner motivation, inspiration and strength to launch what our hearts have set out to do. With passion the believers become high achievers. They will possess the initiatives and discipline to launch ahead for greater exploits.
There are five areas of passion that are important to develop within breakthrough believers. They are as follows:
The only thing that matches in strength and in its driving force to passion is lust. Lust is a passion that has gone wrong in its motivation, its principles of operation and its desired result. It is founded on self-gratification, impatience, selfishness and ungodly principles. Lust never brings wholesome satisfaction because the flesh (the ego) has no ability to please God (Romans 8:6-7) or find life and peace.
God is looking for more than just a wishing people. He is drawn by those who are in hot passionate pursuit of Him.
Passion is created or stirred into our hearts when we know a sense of the urgency of time. Passion is also created or stirred in our hearts when we sense a conducive atmosphere for intimate relationship to be formed. The conducive atmosphere provides the necessary encouragement to freely express our hearts. Passion also comes out of developing a sense of intensity of pursuit in seeking for the things or person loved. When we think and plan to reach out in the directions our heart is leaning towards, passion grows. There can never be a proper development to passion without first planning and thinking a workable strategy towards fulfillment. Our thought patterns must revolve around the pursued things and we must set our focus and priority in wanting to achieve our desired goal. Passion also comes out of maintaining a sense of grateful communication towards the other person. The more we know the person (in this case, God) the more we enjoy being with them, and the greater their impact and influence will be on our lives. Passion is also stirred in our hearts as we sense the deep satisfaction it brings when we have accomplished what we set out to do.
Our passion provides the driving force of inner motivation, inspiration and strength to launch what our hearts have set out to do. With passion the believers become high achievers. They will possess the initiatives and discipline to launch ahead for greater exploits.
There are five areas of passion that are important to develop within breakthrough believers. They are as follows:
- A passion for Jesus which is grown and maintained through the atmosphere of worship and praise.
- A passion for one another which is grown and maintained through the bonds of covenant relationships and fellowship.
- A passion for souls which is grown and maintained through the stirrings of Christ's compassion for the lost sinner.
- A passion for ministry excellence which is grown and maintained through our desire to honor and fully represent and serve Him.
- A passion for purpose and the fulfillment of destiny is grown and maintained through our prophetic stirrings to reach our maximum potential so that we can give our "utmost for His highest".
Breakthrough believers are in passionate pursuit of God and His purposes. There is an intensity about them that matches the "zeal that consumed the Lord Jesus" (St. John 2:17). Believers like these are a special breed who will live up to their highest potential. This new breed of believers is our only hope for the advancement of God's Kingdom and the reformation of our societies and communities.
Fear of Failure or Success
I am not afraid of being a failure. I am afraid of being successful at something God is not interested in.
-- Dr. Charles Keene
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Reverend
I was having a discussion with a gentleman today that I found quite interesting. This man was almost violently annoyed by the usage of the title “Reverend” by some ministers. I was quite familiar with the particulars of his argument as I have heard it before and have even once shared the same viewpoint. I did not seek to disagree with him nor did I share with him my own views...for one I’ve learned to choose my battles and this was not important enough to me to debate; and I’ve also learned to allow people the freedom of their own convictions. After this exchange I felt compelled to share my conviction concerning this issue (or non-issue, as such) on my blog. I am not stuck on or controlled by titles, but I certainly don’t have anything against them so long as they are not abused.
Part and parcel to the argument against a preacher using the title “Reverend” is that no human should use Reverend with their name because the King James Version of the Bible says in Psalm 111:9, “...holy and reverend is his name.” While I cannot argue (nor would I attempt to) that Scripture does say that His name is reverend, an attentive perusal of this passage would immediately indicate that his passage does not preclude anyone from using this as a title, particularly since this is not referred to as His title. The Hebrew/Chaldee word for reverend here is “yare” and it takes on the form of an adjective giving us to know that this refers to an attribute and not a title or name (which incidentally would have to take the form of a noun). Therefore, this Scripture is saying that His name has the attribute of being “holy” and “reverend” bringing to man the responsibility of holding His name in high regard, respect, and fear. To deduce from this Scripture that no one should be called reverend totally removes this passage from it’s scriptural context and thereby eradicates its original purpose and meaning. So, to properly divide the word of truth and to put precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a little (Isaiah 28:10) we cannot ignore the word “holy” in this passage. On many occasions Scripture has indicated that God’s people would be CALLED holy (Isaiah 4:3; 62:12; St. Luke 2:23; 1 Peter 1:15-16), so now it stands to reason that since both “holy” and “reverend” are grouped together in Psalm 111:9 that if we can be referred to as holy, we can also be referred to as reverend. We are called “holy” because of Who we represent (along with a representative lifestyle) therefore I, as a man of God, think it not robbery to be called “reverend” because of Who I represent.
Part and parcel to the argument against a preacher using the title “Reverend” is that no human should use Reverend with their name because the King James Version of the Bible says in Psalm 111:9, “...holy and reverend is his name.” While I cannot argue (nor would I attempt to) that Scripture does say that His name is reverend, an attentive perusal of this passage would immediately indicate that his passage does not preclude anyone from using this as a title, particularly since this is not referred to as His title. The Hebrew/Chaldee word for reverend here is “yare” and it takes on the form of an adjective giving us to know that this refers to an attribute and not a title or name (which incidentally would have to take the form of a noun). Therefore, this Scripture is saying that His name has the attribute of being “holy” and “reverend” bringing to man the responsibility of holding His name in high regard, respect, and fear. To deduce from this Scripture that no one should be called reverend totally removes this passage from it’s scriptural context and thereby eradicates its original purpose and meaning. So, to properly divide the word of truth and to put precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a little (Isaiah 28:10) we cannot ignore the word “holy” in this passage. On many occasions Scripture has indicated that God’s people would be CALLED holy (Isaiah 4:3; 62:12; St. Luke 2:23; 1 Peter 1:15-16), so now it stands to reason that since both “holy” and “reverend” are grouped together in Psalm 111:9 that if we can be referred to as holy, we can also be referred to as reverend. We are called “holy” because of Who we represent (along with a representative lifestyle) therefore I, as a man of God, think it not robbery to be called “reverend” because of Who I represent.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Consider
Today the word “consider” has arrested my attention. The Lord dropped this word in my spirit this morning and has served as a strong source of inspiration for me all day long. Throughout the day rather than making immediate judgments or assessments I simply took the time to consider each matter. As part of my moments of consideration I recognized that I don’t “consider” near enough. Just consider...! I wonder if our busy schedules and technology addictions cause us to not take the appropriate time to just “consider”. Taking time to consider is very important to the believer and is crucial for Kingdom awareness. There is a danger when we fail to consider.
Consider what...? There is much to be considered and much of it important, but I am personally making a determination to consider only that which is productive and expansive. I gathered Scriptures with admonitions to consider to be the roadmap for what I would begin in my ongoing quest for purposed consideration. I will share these Scriptures with you. These are by no means exhaustive, but represent those that resonate for me.
Deuteronomy 4:39 (NKJV)...
(39) Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the Lord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.
1 Samuel 12:23 - 24 (NKJV)...
(23) Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.
(24) Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.
1 Chronicles 28:10 (NKJV)...
(10) Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.
Isaiah 1:3 (NKJV)...What happened to me today is that I was provided such a profound sense of empowerment as I paused to consider. My thoughts were more enlightened and my decisions were more settled. The misconception is that the time taken to consider will be lengthy and wasteful, but I found the opposite to be true as I pressed into consideration. With each consideration I learned more thus causing the time taken to consider to be shorter and more productive. Just consider...!
(3) The ox knows its owner and the donkey its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not consider.”
Consider what...? There is much to be considered and much of it important, but I am personally making a determination to consider only that which is productive and expansive. I gathered Scriptures with admonitions to consider to be the roadmap for what I would begin in my ongoing quest for purposed consideration. I will share these Scriptures with you. These are by no means exhaustive, but represent those that resonate for me.
Deuteronomy 4:39 (NKJV)...
(39) Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the Lord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.
1 Samuel 12:23 - 24 (NKJV)...
(23) Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.
(24) Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.
1 Chronicles 28:10 (NKJV)...
(10) Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.
Job 37:14 (NKJV)...
(14) “Listen to this, O Job; Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.
Psalms 8:3 - 5 (NKJV)...
(3) When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
(4) What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?
(5) For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
Ecclesiastes 7:13 - 14 (NKJV)...
(13) Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what He has made crooked?
(14) In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, so that man can find out nothing that will come after him.
Romans 11:22 (NKJV)...
(22) Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.
2 Timothy 2:1 - 7 (NKJV)...
(1) You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
(2) And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
(3) You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
(4) No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
(5) And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
(6) The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.
(7) Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
Hebrews 3:1 - 2 (NKJV)...
(1) Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,
(2) Who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.
Hebrews 12:3 - 4 (NKJV)...
(3) For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
(4) You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
2 Peter 3:14 - 16 (NKJV)...
(14) Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
(15) And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,
(16) As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
(14) “Listen to this, O Job; Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.
Psalms 8:3 - 5 (NKJV)...
(3) When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
(4) What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?
(5) For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
Ecclesiastes 7:13 - 14 (NKJV)...
(13) Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what He has made crooked?
(14) In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, so that man can find out nothing that will come after him.
Romans 11:22 (NKJV)...
(22) Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.
2 Timothy 2:1 - 7 (NKJV)...
(1) You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
(2) And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
(3) You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
(4) No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
(5) And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
(6) The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.
(7) Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
Hebrews 3:1 - 2 (NKJV)...
(1) Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,
(2) Who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.
Hebrews 12:3 - 4 (NKJV)...
(3) For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
(4) You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
2 Peter 3:14 - 16 (NKJV)...
(14) Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
(15) And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,
(16) As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
-- CONSIDER --
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Impartation by Apostolic Grace
Romans 1:1 - 12 (NKJV)…In a new move of God the patterns of ministering also undergo change. By ministering I mean the process by which spiritual resource is transferred into the lives of the saints on an individual level.
1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God,
2 Which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,
3 Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,
6 Among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,
10 Making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established —
12 That is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
In the present reformation of the Church the term “impartation” has come to a place of great emphasis. There is great release of divine resource to the individual lives of the saints as the apostolic word that is impregnated with life-giving power is decreed and proclaimed over the lives of the saints. Impartation is a major dimension of the apostolic. We experience progression by impartation...!
It is wise to company with those who are going in the same direction as you are. If the values that you seek also reside in them then those values will prosper in your own spirit. Find and experience spiritual growth through fellowship and relationship within your impartation community...!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Excerpt from "Your Comfortable Lie"
Excerpt of Bishop Marque E. Duncan preaching "The Creative Crashing of Your Comfortable Lie"
For Kingdom Advance...Face Forward
There is an apparent excitement that comes with the newness of salvation that eventually dissipates once the newness wears off and ultimately disappears once trouble comes. If there is anything of great importance the people of God tend to lack it is staying power...! One of the greatest mistakes we make when this Christian walk gets difficult is we start to look back and we allow circumstances to draw us backward rather than pressing forward.
“But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but to those who believe to the saving of the soul.” The word “perdition” comes from the Greek word “apoleia” {ap-o’-li-a} which means “ruin, loss or destruction obtained through a slow and unnoticeable process”. The drawing back that comes from looking back is a slow and unnoticeable process that leads to ruin, loss and destruction.
It is time for us to make Kingdom advance...so...now...FACE FORWARD...!
St. Luke 17:32 (NKJV)...The lesson we learn from Lot’s wife is the danger and devastation that comes from looking back. Many preach that Lot’s wife didn’t want to leave the sin and degradation of Sodom and Gomorrah, but there’s really nothing biblical to support that view, in fact the holiness and righteousness upheld in the household of Lot brings the exact opposite view. It is my belief that what diverted Lot’s wife attention from escape was the “people attachments” she was leaving behind...those she ministered to, prayed for, had become attached to, etc.
32 Remember Lot’s wife.
St. Luke 9:59 - 62 (NKJV)...Looking back makes one unfit for the Kingdom of God and usage by God.
59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”
61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”
62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Hebrews 10:35 - 39 (NKJV)...Looking back will ultimately cause drawing back. “...if any man draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
37 “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”
39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
“But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but to those who believe to the saving of the soul.” The word “perdition” comes from the Greek word “apoleia” {ap-o’-li-a} which means “ruin, loss or destruction obtained through a slow and unnoticeable process”. The drawing back that comes from looking back is a slow and unnoticeable process that leads to ruin, loss and destruction.
It is time for us to make Kingdom advance...so...now...FACE FORWARD...!
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