Leadership

[Leadership] Setting an Example or Settling for an Appearance

Posted on by Dianne

As a leader, we recognize that we are on assignment representing our King. So there are standards of character that are to be presented on His behalf, with the goal of drawing others to Him as well as avoiding being a hindrance to any work He is doing through us. There is at times the concern that we are merely “acting” as a leader — pretending to be patient when we don’t really feel patient, faking courage when we are scared, posing as wise when we don’t have the foggiest notion if what we are saying will work…

You’re NOT faking it! As long as you are depending on God, through your spirit, to provide the strength, character and wisdom, you are “acting” exactly according to your true nature. This is the distinction between relying on the reality of your spirit identity and trying to meet some standard to fulfill perceptions through your strength of soul. Before we were re-inspirited, it was impossible to meet the requirements of leadership character. Now that we have been re-inspirited, all requirements have been met, and we now embody every leadership character, regardless of appearance. So we are merely learning to act according to the truth about who we are.

Over time, the Lord will indeed provide opportunities to observe these qualities in yourself and others. In Him, there are no boundaries, and He withholds nothing from His beloved.

Other Authors

THOUGHTS OF DELIVERANCE by Ray Prinzing

Posted on by Dianne

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day”, (Eph. 6:13). Time and space prevent us from examining all of the armour, but we would mention “the helmet of salvation”. Here the word salvation could equally be translated as DELIVERANCE. When the helmet, which is placed on our head, is covering our entire mind with THOUGHTS OF DELIVERANCE, then we cannot think thoughts of defeat. Would to God that whatever the situation is, the helmet that protects our thinking, and forbids us to think anything else, would be thoughts of victory, of His salvation.

We make the point clear, we do not teach, as some, that there is no evil power or devil. There are those instances of demon possession, and the demons must be cast out. But our point is our own personal relationships of where we LIVE IN HIM. We do not have to worship or give allegiance to any other force as in control of our trial or situation. We are to worship God as in control of all things that pertain to our life and walk in Him. As we keep our eyes on Him, our whole body shall be filled with light. Don’t worry about the things that are filling the atmosphere with the dust of confusion and turmoil. With His helmet of salvation upon our heads we can “mind the things of the Spirit”, and have a realm of victory even in the midst of our enemies. Though we watch the circumstance deteriorate, becoming steadily worse until our flesh would tremble in fear, we can gain dominion over it, rising to live above it all, when we wear the helmet of salvation, and allow only the truth of our God’s deliverance to control our mind.

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; – yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord is my strength.” (Hab. 3:17-19). He gives me thoughts of deliverance!

General, Hedz Up

[Hedz Up] Lighten Up!

Posted on by Dianne

Yes, this is a time to focus on change, but balance comes from realizing “change” is something we will always have with us. God also intends for us to enjoy this life, to rest and recreate, to re-energize and re-focus. So include enjoyment in your schedule on a regular basis, even if it’s merely to appreciate the life you’ve been given. You will be strengthened and flexed willingly, so God may not have to force you to relax :).

General, Tithing

Tithing, Giving and the Scriptures [Part 7]

Posted on by Dianne

The Tithe for the Priesthood & the Poor (Deuteronomy 14:22-29)

22″You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year. 23And you shall eat before the Lord your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always. 24But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, or if the place where the Lord your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, when the Lord your God has blessed you, 25then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which the Lord your God chooses. 26And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household. 27You shall not forsake the Levite who is within your gates, for he has no part nor inheritance with you.

28″At the end of every third year you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year and store it up within your gates. 29And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.”

Here additional circumstances regarding the tithe are clarified; for those who lived a long distance from the center of the nation, so that the animals would not be up to traveling the distance, or the grain spoil en route, the Israelites could convert their tithe (grain and animals) to their value in currency (gold and silver), take the money “to the place which the LORD chooses,” and purchase there whatever is necessary to be able to celebrate the feast. Admonishment to include the Levites is repeated.

A third tithe is specified; every three years, the tithe of the year’s produce (not animals) was to be put into a community storehouse. This was to be a resource for the local Levites, and those who were in need (the stranger, orphaned and widowed). The one bringing the tithe did not partake of this tithe, neither was it dedicated to the Lord. THIS TITHE WAS SET ASIDE TO REPLENISH THE SUPPLY FOR THE PRIESTHOOD AND THE NEEDY OF THE LAND.

"Practical Christianity", spiritual

Spiritual Environment

Posted on by Dianne

The environment inhabited by God is what we can refer to as the “spiritual environment.” This is where He dwells, and because we are in Him, this is truly where we already dwell (in spiritual places). Because we have not had our spiritual senses tuned, we often don’t realize the reality of where we already are, and so often misunderstand what our Father is doing and saying. We feel out of place here on earth, but instead of understanding that the reality we yearn for is available for us now (in spirit), we focus on the supernatural realm, which we can partially understand, investing in a future heaven-state. In this way we put off till “someday” what God is doing in us and through us today!

"Knowing God"

Knowing God?

Posted on by Dianne



“Knowing God” Podcast from June 26

Take a moment and share any challenges you’re having in knowing God, recognizing His Presence or learning to know Him. Or any breakthroughs you’ve experienced lately, say in the past month. I’ll comment publicly or privately, if desired or requested. Or if you’d just like to put it out there that’s fine too :).

Reminder: Please use plain English and avoid religious jargon.

Leadership

[Leadership] “Lone Rangers” Welcome

Posted on by Dianne

Leadership is a solitary endeavor.

Though there are likely successful leadership ‘teams’ out there, within that team there is still one leader, a driving force, one who sets the agenda, provides the vision, maintains the motivation, etc. This is the leader.

Instead of running from being singled-out, as we depend on God to free us from ourselves, we will also need to embrace His leadership characteristics that are being formed in us. We must be willing to be singled out, accepting both praise and arrows, embracing our authority and responsibility.

Don’t be distracted by those who warn against being the ‘Lone Ranger.’ If I recall correctly, the Lone Ranger was very effective at what he did.

We are destined to rule and reign here on this earth — each of us, individually. This will only be a corporate ruling and reigning as more and more learn to rule and reign individually.

Ask the Lord if there is an area in your life in which you have avoided making changes because it would have put you ‘out-of-step’ with others. If so, ask Him what you need to accomplish this change, then ask Him to provide what you need.

Report back with any results, questions or challenges…

Other Authors

TILL HE PLEASE by Ray Prinzing

Posted on by Dianne

“I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.” (Song of Solomon 2:4)

There are times which all believers pass through when it seems as if He is veiled from our consciousness, He has hidden Himself, and all of our earnest cries of “where art Thou, Lord?” awaken no response. We search the Word for a quickening, and find none. We pray, but the words seem so empty. The storms seem to mount in intensity, and we are reminded of the record, when Jesus was asleep in the boat, while the great storm raged about Him and His disciples. We would seek to awaken Him. “Master, carest Thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38). It is then this verse from the Song of Solomon comes softly into the heart, “stir not up, nor awake my love, till He please”. If only the disciples had waited a little while longer, no doubt He would have arisen in His own time. Even if He had slept on, would the boat have sunk when He was resting therein? “He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:40).

Methinks that one of the deep processings of God is this ‘silence of God’, and our learning to TRUST AND WAIT, wait without fretting or complaining, but sustained by the knowledge that He is mindful of us, even when He is not pouring in revelation, or flooding us with blessing.

No need to pound the altar, to storm heaven, to press the Spirit into action, to command, demand, and insist that God meet us at our own ‘timings’. We come to that place of surrender where HIS WILL is all that we desire, and if He pleases to remain silent, then what pleases Him pleases us, also. His ways are best, and His timings are perfect. This is not an inworking of grace to be taken lightly, nor will it be understood by those who clamor for action, but it is for those who have experienced His inner rest and peace, they know they are His, and all is well.

Hedz Up

[Hedz Up] Persistence and Change

Posted on by Dianne

This week recognize that there is a time to persist, push your way through, and a time to change your direction. Check with God to see if there is any area in which you may need to modify, either increasing focus and energy or altering direction or dropping the project altogether. Our persistence does not come from our own strength but from our new nature being one with His, therefore His plans and motivation flow to our soul and even our body. If you need strength, ask. If you need wisdom, ask. If you need comfort, ask. All are available now.

General, Tithing

Tithing, Giving and the Scriptures [Part 6]

Posted on by Dianne

The Tithe of the Feasts (Deuteronomy 12:5-19)

5But you shall seek the place where the Lord your God chooses, out of all your tribes, to put His name for His dwelling place; and there you shall go. 6There you shall take your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, your vowed offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. 7And there you shall eat before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice in all to which you have put your hand, you and your households, in which the Lord your God has blessed you. 8You shall not at all do as we are doing here today—every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes— 9for as yet you have not come to the rest and the inheritance which the Lord your God is giving you. 10But when you cross over the Jordan and dwell in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to inherit, and He gives you rest from all your enemies round about, so that you dwell in safety, 11then there will be the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide. There you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, and all your choice offerings which you vow to the Lord. 12And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your sons and your daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion nor inheritance with you. 13Take heed to yourself that you do not offer your burnt offerings in every place that you see; 14but in the place which the Lord chooses, in one of your tribes, there you shall offer your burnt offerings, and there you shall do all that I command you.

15″However, you may slaughter and eat meat within all your gates, whatever your heart desires, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you; the unclean and the clean may eat of it, of the gazelle and the deer alike. 16Only you shall not eat the blood; you shall pour it on the earth like water. 17You may not eat within your gates the tithe of your grain or your new wine or your oil, of the firstborn of your herd or your flock, of any of your offerings which you vow, of your freewill offerings, or of the heave offering of your hand. 18But you must eat them before the Lord your God in the place which the Lord your God chooses, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, and the Levite who is within your gates; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God in all to which you put your hands. 19Take heed to yourself that you do not forsake the Levite as long as you live in your land.

The Israelites were instructed as to where to go to give their tithes (wherever the tabernacle/presence of God was), and the manner in which they should be eaten (as a family/nation, with rejoicing, especially including the Levites). Unlike the tithe described in Numbers, which was given to the Levites, this tithe was consumed by the ones doing the tithing, and was not specifically dedicated to the Lord. THIS TITHE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FEASTS AND FESTIVALS.