LEADERS IN AMERICA NEED TO DEVELOP THE COURAGE AND STRENGTH OF THEIR CONVICTION TO LEAD THIS NATION

LEADERSHIP IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS)

In America today, our nation seems to be at a cross road.  We the people elected our individual Representatives from districts in which we live in and sent them to the Nation Capital to join hands with other Representatives from all around the country to become a team of one and lead our Nation in all areas of life as the people’s Representative.  Now we see that theses Representatives have become a body of separative individuals during their own thing with no concern about the people they were elected to represent.

Leadership takes real courage and it takes the strength of ones’ convention to be a bold, strong and courageous leader in difficult times.  Now the question I will ask is simply this, “Where are our elected leaders today?”  

I understand that Leadership is hard work, and in order for any leader to lead a great nation such as this one, he are she  must be strong, have a sound moral character, and develop the courage and strength of their conviction to do what’s right and show themselves to be the leader the people deserve.  A great number of today’s business leaders, government leaders as well as our spiritual leaders seem to be morally corrupt and are standing in opposition of what is truly needed in a leader to lead the people out of the wilderness that we now find ourselves in.  Now pause for a moment and watch this short video clip of a true story of courage, compassion and real leadership.

We live in the greatest country on the face of this universe, however, we find ourselves falling behind many smaller nations in the way they are developing their young people to become great leaders in their own right.  Our education system, the system that is designed to develop the leadership that can truly accomplish great task is falling apart due mainly to our current crop of leaders that are lacking in their strength of courage, to properly fund and develop the type of education system that is now needed in times of trials and tribulation to help develop a new generation of leadership.

Real leaders need real courage to make the tough decisions they will faced every day.  They need to stand on the word of God, and stop being like the motion of the ocean, always going back and forth.  They need to learn how to trust and stand on the word of God.  Know in their hearts that God’s word will never fail them.  Learn to believe without any doubt that they can be assured of good success when they fill their hearts and minds with God’s Word and obey it.

Now listen to how God gave his word to his servant Joshua.  He said to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  (Joshua 1:9 NIV)  These are the words that every leader or wanted to be leader should study and meditate on day and night.

Let me share with you the true leadership and success of Joshua, God’s Servant as he chose to obey God, trust God, lean and depend on God and God created in him one of the world’s great military leaders of all times.  You too can become a Joshua.

Joshua faced crisis in his leadership role, just like many of the crisis we face in our leadership roles today.  Not only did he have to contend with the military powers rooted in the Promised Land, but he also had to face them with an untrained band of nomadic shepherds.

God realized Joshua’s need for courage and gave him guidance that would strengthen his faith.

First, he reminded Joshua of his faithfulness to keep all of his promises.  God had pledged to give the land to his people and he would fulfill that pledge.  Joshua’s success did not rest on a military strategy or well trained army, but on the faithfulness of God.

Second, God commanded Joshua to meditate on his words that Moses recorded in the five books of the Pentateuch.  The “Book of the Law” would give the wisdom and encouragement Joshua would need to courageously lead the nation.

Third, God promised to be personally present with Joshua.  No matter how intimidating the enemy or how rebellious the people, Joshua would not have to face them alone.  God would always be at his side.

The same sources of courage that empowered Joshua are available today for any leader who will accept them.  When faced with a risky business decision, the godly leader will look to God in prayer and to God’s revealed Word for the perspective and courage needed to make the right choice.  What situation are you now facing that requires courageous leadership and risk taking?  Let God’s words to Joshua supply you with the courage you need.

Now as we conclude this lesson for today, it is our hope that it will ignite the spark needed for you as a leader to be strong and courageous, take the word of God on leadership serious and do what’s right and pleasing in God sight.  We as the children of God and America need strong and courageous leaders.  Leaders who are willing to put Country first and come boldly before the throne of grace and speak truth to power, be a real leader by developing the strength of courage and the conviction of your character and lead this country in the right direction.

We minister to you today from a position of peace, purpose, power and prosperity.  I remain your brother in CHRIST JESUS, PASTOR DAVIS/MASTER TEACHER!

Related articles

• Leadership and the Two Faces of Respect (strategiclearner.wordpress.com)
• 4 Traits You Must Possess to Become a True Leader (businessinsider.com)
• Start By Being a Leader of One (inc.com)
• Margaret Thatcher – An icon of Leadership Courage (forbes.com)
• The Successful Leader (thelegalstandard.wordpress.com)
• Begin with the End in Mind (developingkingdomleaders.com)
• 3 things you can do TODAY to become an effective leader…and the world needs better leaders! (thinklikeablackbelt.org)
• What Makes A Great Leader? (kwps.wordpress.com)
• Jesus on the Heart of a Leader (judydouglass.com)
• Spiritual Leadership (davidraley.wordpress.com)

GOD’S DESTINY FOR MAN AND WOMAN WAS HIGHER AND MORE NOBLER THAN ANY OTHER CREATURE  (Genesis 1:26-28) 

The Bible describes the origin of the sexes as a creative act of God.  Evolution has never been able to explain how the sexes began.  Humanity was commanded to be fruitful and multiply. Now watch this short video clip and we will meet on the other side.

God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth.

So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them.

The crown of God’s work was the creation of man in His image and according to His likeness.  This means that man was placed on earth as God’s representative, and that He resembles God in certain ways.  Just as God is a Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), so man is a tripartite being (spirit, soul, and body).  Like God, man has intellect, a moral nature, the power to communicate with others, and an emotional nature that transcends instinct.  There is no thought of physical likeness here.  In contrast to animals, man is a worshiper, an articulate communicator, and a creator.

From the beginning God’s heart to build a dwelling place for Himself in the Earth is seen in His creation of man and woman—together, the foundation of the house of the Lord.  Through the two of them together, He intended to live and reveal Himself in the world.  Through them God intended to manifest His character and authority (image), express His dominion over the Earth, display His indisputable power over the works of darkness, and subdue His archenemy, Satan.  The first man and woman were a microcosm of the church, signaling that God’s glory would forever be seen in the Earth through the combined expression of male and female.  Now, as then, God’s blessing—His promise of success—is upon our unity.

These verses also reveal to us just how God meant for man’s intrinsic value to be, his human worth and divine destiny.  God made sure that man was distinct from the rest of His creation.  The Divine Triune Counsel determined that man was to have God’s image and likeness.  Man is a spiritual being who is not only body, but also soul and spirit.  He is a moral being whose intelligence, perception, and self-determination far exceed that of any other earthly being.

These properties or traits possessed by mankind and his prominence in the order of creation imply the intrinsic worth, not only of the family of mankind, but also of each human individual.

Capacity and ability constitute accountability and responsibility.  We should never be pleased to dwell on a level of existence lower than that on which God has made it possible for us to dwell.  We should strive to be the best we can be and to reach the highest levels we can reach.  To do less is to be unfaithful stewards of the life entrusted to us.

Now let us understand, after having been made out of the dust of the ground, a human begins as any other creature—a biological entity.  The creaturely existence, however, is insufficient to describe the human being, for man becomes the crowning act of creation and is distinguished as being different—God literally breathes life into man.

Unlike the rest of creation, a human being has been created in a covenant relationship to God and has an exceptionally high and distinct value and destiny.  The likeness of man to the Creator is in the form and function of personal unity.  God designed the human personality to consist of self-consciousness and self-determination, with both the freedom and the awareness to respond to God, to other human beings, and to the environment.  He also designed a destiny for man far higher and nobler than that of any other creature.  When God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness,” He had planned from the foundation of the world a glorious future for those who would choose the redeeming grace of Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:4-6).

To God the father, the creator of all there is, to Him be the glory.  In the name of Jesus, we have ministered to you from a position of peace, power, purpose and prosperity.  I remain your brother in Christ, Pastor Davis/Master Teacher.

Related articles

• The Star of David Symbolism in the Book of Genesis (stjudasmaccabaeus.wordpress.com)
• From Mud to Light – the Saving Work of Christ (glory2godforallthings.com)
• Third Person of the Trinity (raymondjclements.wordpress.com)
• Outpouring of the Holy Spirit (travellingpreacherteacher.wordpress.com)

Image via Wikipedia

OUR LEADERS NEED TO DEVELOP THE COURAGE AND STRENGTH OF THEIR CONVICTION TO LEAD THIS NATION

Leadership is hard work, and in order for any leader to lead a great nation such as this one, he are she  must be strong, have a sound moral character, and develop the courage and strength of their conviction to do what’s right and show themselves to be the leader the people deserve.  A great number of today’s business leaders, government leaders as well as our spiritual leaders seem to be morally corrupt and are standing in opposition of what is truly needed in a leader to lead the people out of the wilderness that we now find ourselves in.  Now pause for a moment and watch this short video clip of a true story of courage, compassion and real leadership.

We live in the greatest country on the face of this universe, however, we find ourselves falling behind many smaller nations in the way they are developing their young people to become great leaders in their own right.  Our education system, the system that is designed to develop the leadership that can truly accomplish great task is falling apart due mainly to our current crop of leaders that are lacking in their strength of courage, to properly fund and develop the type of education system that is now needed in times of trials and tribulation to help develop a new generation of leadership.

Real leaders need real courage to make the tough decisions they will faced every day.  They need to stand on the word of God, and stop being like the motion of the ocean, always going back and forth.  They need to learn how to trust and stand on the word of God.  Know in their hearts that God’s word will never fail them.  Learn to believe without any doubt that they can be assured of good success when they fill their hearts and minds with God’s Word and obey it.

Now listen to how God gave his word to his servant Joshua.  He said to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  (Joshua 1:9 NIV)  These are the words that every leader or wanted to be leader should study and meditate on day and night.

Let me share with you the true leadership and success of Joshua, God’s Servant as he chose to obey God, trust God, lean and depend on God and God created in him one of the world’s great military leaders of all times.  You too can become a Joshua.

Joshua faced crisis in his leadership role, just like many of the crisis we face in our leadership roles today.  Not only did he have to contend with the military powers rooted in the Promised Land, but he also had to face them with an untrained band of nomadic shepherds.

God realized Joshua’s need for courage and gave him guidance that would strengthen his faith.

First, he reminded Joshua of his faithfulness to keep all of his promises.  God had pledged to give the land to his people and he would fulfill that pledge.  Joshua’s success did not rest on a military strategy or well trained army, but on the faithfulness of God.

Second, God commanded Joshua to meditate on his words that Moses recorded in the five books of the Pentateuch.  The “Book of the Law” would give the wisdom and encouragement Joshua would need to courageously lead the nation.

Third, God promised to be personally present with Joshua.  No matter how intimidating the enemy or how rebellious the people, Joshua would not have to face them alone.  God would always be at his side.

The same sources of courage that empowered Joshua are available today for any leader who will accept them.  When faced with a risky business decision, the godly leader will look to God in prayer and to God’s revealed Word for the perspective and courage needed to make the right choice.  What situation are you now facing that requires courageous leadership and risk taking?  Let God’s words to Joshua supply you with the courage you need.

Now as we conclude this lesson for today, it is our hope that it will ignite the spark needed for you as a leader to be strong and courageous, take the word of God on leadership serious and do what’s right and pleasing in God sight.  We as the children of God and America need strong and courageous leaders.  Leaders who are willing to put Country first and come boldly before the throne of grace and speak truth to power, be a real leader by developing the strength of courage and the conviction of your character and lead this country in the right direction.

We minister to you today from a position of peace, purpose, power and prosperity.  I remain your brother in CHRIST, PASTOR DAVIS/MASTER TEACHER!

CONSTRUCTED LIKE A BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER

COVERED WOODEN BRIDGE–FRAKENMUTH, MI. (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS)

BY SHIRLEY RHODES

We don’t always see the detours when we are about this journey called life. One thing is for sure, there will be times we encounter “steep hills” “quick turns” “pit-falls” and “deep valleys, but let us always remember that we are,“Constructed like a Bridge over Troubled waters.”

Nothing in life is constant, about the only thing we can count on is change and we will always face adversity that may cause us to move from our comfort zone. How we adjust or deal with the situations or problems may be the final results of how much time we’ve taken to educate ourselves.

Certain events in life are “a given” knowing that there is a resource we can rely on and draw from can make all the difference, that is if we’ve taken time to gain knowledge and wisdom, it is then we can say with confidence  we are Constructed Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water.

Jesus lets us know that there will be times of sadness, feelings of loss, he also reminds us of the good news, “When you see me again, you’ll have full joy, no one can rob from you, your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!” (John 16:23-24 MGS)

Build up, build up, and prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.” For this is what the high and exalted One says—He who lives forever, whose name is Holy:

“I live in a high and holy place, Isaiah 56:14-15 NIV.

When Constructed Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water, rejoice in the Lord your God for he gives you the former rain moderately, and will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain. God promise, I will restore to you the years the locus, the cankerworm, caterpillar have eaten. You shall be satisfied and praise the name of the Lord your God (Joel 2:23-25).

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! God is worthy to be praised. Give thanks for everything, whatever he has placed in the center of your life; his love, joy, strength, mercies are endless. He instructs us through his word to fret not; he knows everything about us; with that thought deep in our spirits we are able to grow in patience and understanding daily. Trusting God and living in his promise gives hope when the day is bright as well as when the storms are raging. Every change you or I experience in life is part of the molding process. To know that we are constructed like a Bridge over Troubled Water we are assured of one thing, He guides each of us through the storms of life and our prayer should be that we never find ourselves separated from his love and grace.

We should always be mindful of where he plucked us from and be thankful for those who encourage us in this journey. Our desire should be, to be able to walk pleasing in his sight so that we can lift up our brothers and sisters struggling with issues in life.

English: Bridge over troubled water The seven arches of Crickhowell Bridge take the waters of the Usk, enhanced after prolonged heavy rain in early September. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When we are constructed like a Bridge over Troubled Water we learn how to be patient   knowing that God is the source of our strength.  Determine to pray that each moment of each day he allots you/I will in some way serve the purpose he has created each of us for,  always be mindful of those who desire to pull you off center, begin to focus on how we are all interconnected through the blood of Jesus and learn to share in that joy knowing that by following the pattern Jesus has given, you can and will be able to say with assurance, I’m Constructed Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water and the Lord is my keeper.

Wisdom words:

A tenderhearted person lives a blessed life;

A hardhearted person lives a hard life. Proverbs 28:14

Related articles

• Bridge Over Troubled Water (powersthatbeat.wordpress.com)

PUT A ZIPPER ON YOUR MOUTH AND LEARNTO LISTEN

Zipper Mouth

WRITTEN BY DR.VIRGINIA MORGAN

Learning to listen to others requires much discipline, and discipline requires patience.  We have gotten so use to babbling that we forgot how to listen and understand what others are saying.  Now if you understood anything about those first two sentences, and are ready to listen to the words that are being  to spoken you today, you might be able to walk in the newest of life and find much more joy, peace, contentment and happiness in your relationships.

Our mouth and that little thing called our tongue gets us into a world of trouble at times.  If we would put a zipper on our mouth and be swift to listen and slow to speak, we can transform our lives in ways unimaginable at other times.  For believers, this is a lesson you must practice daily.  For non-believers, you must seek the Lord for guidance and salvation in order to begin the process, because God‘s perfect law must be put into practice in our speech.  Why? Because God’s law is truth, and the law sets people free.  It is only in obeying God that true freedom can be found.  As Christian’s, we are saved by God’s grace, and salvation frees us from sin‘s control, speaking and not listen.  As believers we are free to live as God created us to live.  Of course, this does not mean that we are free to do as we please.

This image was selected as a picture of the week on the Czech Wikipedia for th week, 2007. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Now let us clearly understand this one truth, and that is, we must be swift to listen and slow to speak.  The expression be quick to listen is a beautiful way of capturing the idea of active listening as it is taught in (James 1:19).  James explains to us that we are not simply to refrain from speaking; we are to be ready and willing to listen.  This “quick” listening is obviously to be done with discernment.  We are to check what we hear with God’s word.  If we don’t listen both carefully and quickly, we are liable to be led into all kinds of false teaching and error.

Quick to listen and slow to speak should be taken together as sides of the same coin.  Slowness in speaking means speaking with humility and patience, not with hasty words or nonstop babbling.  Constraint talking keeps a person from being able to hear.  Wisdom is not always having something to say, it involves listening carefully, considering prayerfully, and speaking quietly.  When we talk too much and listen too little, we communicate to others that we think our ideas are much more important than theirs.  James wisely advises us to reverse this process.  We need to put a mental stopwatch on our conversations and keep track of how much we talk and how much we listen.  When people talk to us, do they feel that their viewpoints and ideas have value?

Putting a zipper on one’s mouth and learning to listen requires the same set of skills as an athlete.  In order for an athlete to achieve greatest he must persevere in training in order to improve their abilities and endurance for competition, so do we, in order to persevere in spiritual training our senses need to be swift to listen and slow to speak, as we patiently endure testing that will bring maturity and completeness.

We must come to a point in our lives where we know that God’s long term goal for us is maturity and completeness, but his eternal goal for us is the crown of life, a rich expression of hope.  We can only arrive at this point we learn to be obedient to the word of God.  Know the truth and the truth will set you free.  Be swift to listen and slow to speak.  PUT A ZIPPER ON YOUR MOUTH AND LEARN TO LISTEN!

Related articles

• The Power of the Pause (hookyouraudience.com)
• Listen: It’s what relationships are made of (joshuageneration.wordpress.com)
• “Your words were found…” (mshylandsclass.com)
• Surefire Ways to Improve Spoken English (answers.com)
• Ten Ways to Love: Listening (doyoumeanwhatiknow.wordpress.com)
• Be Quick to Listen but Slow to Speak (eagleviews.org)

Image via Wikipedia

OUR LEADERS NEED TO DEVELOP THE COURAGE AND STRENGTH OF THEIR CONVICTION TO LEAD THIS NATION

Leadership is hard work, and in order for any leader to lead a great nation such as this one, he are she  must be strong, have a sound moral character, and develop the courage and strength of their conviction to do what’s right and show themselves to be the leader the people deserve.  A great number of today’s business leaders, government leaders as well as our spiritual leaders seem to be morally corrupt and are standing in opposition of what is truly needed in a leader to lead the people out of the wilderness that we now find ourselves in.  Now pause for a moment and watch this short video clip of a true story of courage, compassion and real leadership.

We live in the greatest country on the face of this universe, however, we find ourselves falling behind many smaller nations in the way they are developing their young people to become great leaders in their own right.  Our education system, the system that is designed to develop the leadership that can truly accomplish great task is falling apart due mainly to our current crop of leaders that are lacking in their strength of courage, to properly fund and develop the type of education system that is now needed in times of trials and tribulation to help develop a new generation of leadership.

Real leaders need real courage to make the tough decisions they will faced every day.  They need to stand on the word of God, and stop being like the motion of the ocean, always going back and forth.  They need to learn how to trust and stand on the word of God.  Know in their hearts that God’s word will never fail them.  Learn to believe without any doubt that they can be assured of good success when they fill their hearts and minds with God’s Word and obey it.

Now listen to how God gave his word to his servant Joshua.  He said to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  (Joshua 1:9 NIV)  These are the words that every leader or wanted to be leader should study and meditate on day and night.

Let me share with you the true leadership and success of Joshua, God’s Servant as he chose to obey God, trust God, lean and depend on God and God created in him one of the world’s great military leaders of all times.  You too can become a Joshua.

Joshua faced crisis in his leadership role, just like many of the crisis we face in our leadership roles today.  Not only did he have to contend with the military powers rooted in the Promised Land, but he also had to face them with an untrained band of nomadic shepherds.

God realized Joshua’s need for courage and gave him guidance that would strengthen his faith.

First, he reminded Joshua of his faithfulness to keep all of his promises.  God had pledged to give the land to his people and he would fulfill that pledge.  Joshua’s success did not rest on a military strategy or well trained army, but on the faithfulness of God.

Second, God commanded Joshua to meditate on his words that Moses recorded in the five books of the Pentateuch.  The “Book of the Law” would give the wisdom and encouragement Joshua would need to courageously lead the nation.

Third, God promised to be personally present with Joshua.  No matter how intimidating the enemy or how rebellious the people, Joshua would not have to face them alone.  God would always be at his side.

The same sources of courage that empowered Joshua are available today for any leader who will accept them.  When faced with a risky business decision, the godly leader will look to God in prayer and to God’s revealed Word for the perspective and courage needed to make the right choice.  What situation are you now facing that requires courageous leadership and risk taking?  Let God’s words to Joshua supply you with the courage you need.

Now as we conclude this lesson for today, it is our hope that it will ignite the spark needed for you as a leader to be strong and courageous, take the word of God on leadership serious and do what’s right and pleasing in God sight.  We as the children of God and America need strong and courageous leaders.  Leaders who are willing to put Country first and come boldly before the throne of grace and speak truth to power, be a real leader by developing the strength of courage and the conviction of your character and lead this country in the right direction.

We minister to you today from a position of peace, purpose, power and prosperity.  I remain your brother in CHRIST, PASTOR DAVIS/MASTER TEACHER!

GOD’S DESTINY FOR MAN AND WOMAN WAS HIGHER AND MORE NOBLER THAN ANY OTHER CREATURE  (Genesis 1:26-28)

The Bible describes the origin of the sexes as a creative act of God.  Evolution has never been able to explain how the sexes began.  Humanity was commanded to be fruitful and multiply.

God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth.

So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them.

The crown of God’s work was the creation of man in His image and according to His likeness.  This means that man was placed on earth as God’s representative, and that He resembles God in certain ways.  Just as God is a Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), so man is a tripartite being (spirit, soul, and body).  Like God, man has intellect, a moral nature, the power to communicate with others, and an emotional nature that transcends instinct.  There is no thought of physical likeness here.  In contrast to animals, man is a worshiper, an articulate communicator, and a creator.

From the beginning God’s heart to build a dwelling place for Himself in the Earth is seen in His creation of man and woman—together, the foundation of the house of the Lord.  Through the two of them together, He intended to live and reveal Himself in the world.  Through them God intended to manifest His character and authority (image), express His dominion over the Earth, display His indisputable power over the works of darkness, and subdue His archenemy, Satan.  The first man and woman were a microcosm of the church, signaling that God’s glory would forever be seen in the Earth through the combined expression of male and female.  Now, as then, God’s blessing—His promise of success—is upon our unity.

These verses also reveal to us just how God meant for man’s intrinsic value to be, his human worth and divine destiny.  God made sure that man was distinct from the rest of His creation.  The Divine Triune Counsel determined that man was to have God’s image and likeness.  Man is a spiritual being who is not only body, but also soul and spirit.  He is a moral being whose intelligence, perception, and self-determination far exceed that of any other earthly being.

These properties or traits possessed by mankind and his prominence in the order of creation imply the intrinsic worth, not only of the family of mankind, but also of each human individual.

Capacity and ability constitute accountability and responsibility.  We should never be pleased to dwell on a level of existence lower than that on which God has made it possible for us to dwell.  We should strive to be the best we can be and to reach the highest levels we can reach.  To do less is to be unfaithful stewards of the life entrusted to us.

Now let us understand, after having been made out of the dust of the ground, a human begins as any other creature—a biological entity.  The creaturely existence, however, is insufficient to describe the human being, for man becomes the crowning act of creation and is distinguished as being different—God literally breathes life into man.

Unlike the rest of creation, a human being has been created in a covenant relationship to God and has an exceptionally high and distinct value and destiny.  The likeness of man to the Creator is in the form and function of personal unity.  God designed the human personality to consist of self-consciousness and self-determination, with both the freedom and the awareness to respond to God, to other human beings, and to the environment.  He also designed a destiny for man far higher and nobler than that of any other creature.  When God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness,” He had planned from the foundation of the world a glorious future for those who would choose the redeeming grace of Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:4-6).

To God the father, the creator of all there is, to Him be the glory.  In the name of Jesus, we have ministered to you from a position of peace, power, purpose and prosperity.  I remain your brother in Christ, Pastor Davis/Master Teacher.

It is no accident that Paul used an athletic metaphor to describe the pursuit of godliness.  Paul know there was the potential for victory or loss, so to assure our victory in this spiritual contest, he warned us to exercise.  In 1 Timothy 4:7 he used the verb train, which is the Greek word gumnazo, which is where we get our word gymnasium.  The word speaks of not just training, but of “the focused discipline behind the training.”  Discipline demands commitment and consistency.  You will never become godly by accident-an attitude of discipline must precede the pursuit of godliness.

The attitude of one who would be godly, is first and foremost, one of focus.  Satan has any number of distractions waiting in the wings to keep us off the track toward godliness.  Some of them are even good things–but not better than becoming like God.  The way to keep our focus is to, as the book of Hebrews encouraged us, “fix our eyes on Jesus” (12:2NIV).

But simply having a goal and focus is not enough.  Physical exercise requires sustained, rigorous effort.  It is not easy.  Spiritual exercise is no different.  Displaying the character of Christ is work.  It is the result of making a conscious decision to live your life based on who you are in Christ.  Godliness is an act of volition.  You must choose to walk, live, and act godly demands personal responsibility and commitment, which grow out of knowing who God is and knowing how committed He is to you.  Once you understand that, then Paul said exercise.

But be aware that exercise is never done in the actual competition.  It only prepares you for the competition.  Once the contest starts, it’s too late to get into shape.  When the bell righs or the first gun goes off, it’s too late to try and get in fifty crunches or a set of leg lifts.  After the coin is tossed and positions are taken, this is not the time for skipping rope or jumping jacks.  You have to be in shape before the game starts to have a chance at winning.

Spiritual exercise begins with Bible study, prayer, meditation, and fasting.  It continues when we practice instant obedience to God’s will.  We expand that exercise by allowing God to reign in our lives.  Spiritual exercise is to be woven into the very fabric and foundation of our lives.  That requires commitment, discipline, perseverance, and long suffering.  We only grow to be the people God wants us to be when we allow our exercise to secure our foundations and stretch our abilities.

Skills, intelligence and hard work are all a part of the package of a good leader. When God built His triune leadership team, he was giving us the example of how our leadership teams would have to be built.  God’s leadership team consisted of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  The three were joined together to serve each other.  However, God reminds us that, in the final analysis, one thing makes the difference, and that is the heart of a leader, and
the heart is man’s character.

Let us begin by stating this fact.  Leaders cultivate character by acquiring wisdom and understanding.  Of course, those possessions do not come without a price.  They require the kind of dedicated and patient labor exercised in mining for gold and silver.  Leaders must diligently “search” for the wisdom that is buried within God’s Word like treasure covered by layers of earth and rock.  That means using the right tools and exercising patience and diligence as we spend time immersed within this life-changing volume.

As we dig, we must ask God to provide us with insight and understanding.  Ultimately, only God can open our eyes to see spiritual truth and then enable us to apply that truth to our lives (Ephesians 1:18).  As God fills our minds with wisdom, our character will develop so that we will possess the ability to make right choices – choices that are just, fair and moral.

As we seek to possess God’s wisdom, we will be able to move beyond simply expressing the vision and values of a leader.  We will possess the kind of character from which lofty visions and values flow.  Our character will be truly godly, so that others will delight in following us.

Self-leadership

Next, I must lead myself. This may seem strange but it is actually critical to good leadership. How can I lead others where I am not going myself? How can I direct others if my own life is out of control?

Jim Whitaker, who was the first American to reach the summit of Mt. Everest, said “you never
conquer a mountain – mountains can’t be conquered; you conquer yourself – your hopes, your fears”.  Proverbs 25:28 like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

People-leadership

Ultimately, when God is leading me and I am leading myself, I can lead other people. After all, as the old saying goes, if no one is following me, then I am not leading; I am merely going for a walk alone!

A leader must know him or herself and then seek self improvement. That means a humble recognition that the leader does not have all the answers. In addition, after self-examination identifies weak areas, the leader will demonstrate the traits of INTEGRITY, JUDGMENT, and UNSELFISHNESS. The leader must be of upright character, truthful and honest, to himself and to others. He must strive to make sound, well-informed, and Scripturally-based decisions. This requires the leader to be unselfish with his or her time and talents.

And finally, the leader must SET THE EXAMPLE. “Passionately proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ” requires BEARING, COURAGE, ENDURANCE, and ENTHUSIASM. In particular, in today’s America, a Christian leader must expect that he or she will come under attack from both without and within the MAN-MADE boundaries that seek to define “the Church.” Those without may heap scorn and derision upon the Christian leader.  Be prepared to take charge and move forward no matter how many road blocks are laid in your pathway.

Servant Leadership:

The Biblical model for leadership is “servant leadership.” The ultimate model is the suffering servant! Pastors and church leaders seeking to bully or dictate God’s will to their people will never be as effective as those who out of love, compassion and a commitment to God’s will seek to lead their congregations to know and do God’s will.

Servant leaders understand that people matter. People are the “bottom line.” No holy agenda warrants mistreating or manipulating people. The servant leader is willing to sacrifice himself or herself for those they lead. It is the commitment, integrity, compassion, and vision of the leader that causes people to “choose” to follow a servant leader. Who are the people you choose to
follow? What are the characteristics of their leadership style? If you having difficulty leading maybe the place to begin is an examination of your leadership style—your approach to leadership.

In 2 Samuel 23:8-17, we discover how David built one of the most successful fighting teams, because he knew what it took as a leader to
mold and shape the talents of men that had the spirit of God in them. David knew that the mark of a great leader is how many great people will join his or her team.  David’s team was comprised of “mighty
men.” Because David attempted mighty things, only the mighty could keep up with him.  Those who could not keep pace could not join the team.

Don Bennett was the first amputee to climb Mt. Rainier.  His testimony is simple—if you try such a feat with only one leg, “you can’t do it alone.”  That makes a lot of sense!  However, what is not immediately obvious is that not just anyone can help.  Bennett did not recruit his helpers in a nursing home.  He built a team of people who wanted to climb a 14,410-foot peak and who
could climb a 14,410-foot peak.  One who attempts mighty feats had better be capable of recruiting a mighty team.

David did that.  His was one of the most celebrated teams in the entire Old Testament.  This group was the all-star team of his battle-hardened warriors.  Several things stand out as we consider how David pulled his team together.

First, he spent time with them in battle.  These men were welded to David by the hot fires of battle.  His inner circle consisted of those men who had fought alongside him.  He knew their capabilities, because he had seen what they could do with his own eyes.

Second, he sacrificed for them.  When three of his mighty men risked their lives to obtain drinking water for him during a battle, David refused to drink it, choosing instead to pour it out onto the ground.  That act of sacrifice communicated a depth of devotion and love that had to have impressed those warriors.

Third, they enjoyed victory together.  Time and again David and his mighty men faced
seemingly insurmountable odds and saw God deliver them

Finally, David honored them.  These men were well known throughout the land as “David’s Mighty Men.”  That phrase served as a banner that set them apart as extraordinary.

As you read this account, one thing becomes clear;  David knew he couldn’t do it alone.  A team is capable of accomplishing things that no individual, no matter how multi-talented, could do alone.  To function well, a team must be committed to a common vision and purpose, and it must be willing to work in unity for the improvement of the whole rather than the advancement of any one member.

Teams are comprised of positional specialists.  These individuals have been recruited on the
basis of individual ability and expected contribution.  But they arent’t a solid team until their
individual strengths combine to produce an outcome which no single member alone could have produced.  High performance teams are tough to build.  So we look to the Master Teacher for a demonstration of how to recruit and mold a world-class team.

Every competent leader knows the importance of building a team.  But how is this accomplished?  Strong teams functioning at their best reflect similarities to the relationship that exists within the divine Trinity.  When a team works together in an order-centered manner, it mirrors the creativity and mutual regard that is derived from God himself.

The ENS did a great job reporting about the opening of the High-level Conference on World Food Security: the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy. In my opinion, the most noteworthy part is when Dr. Jacques Diouf, the director of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, pointed out the shameful contrast between what we waste and how relatively little it would take to eradicate world hunger. After pointing out the trillions spent yearly on militarism and the billions of dollars worth of food wasted, Dr. Diouf asked, “How can we explain to people of good sense and good faith that it was not possible to find US$30 billion a year to enable 862 million hungry people to enjoy the most fundamental of human rights: the right to food and thus the right to life?” Resources that could go towards feeding the hungry and eradicating poverty are spent on expensive and needlessly destructive endeavors such as the occupation of Iraq and the war on drugs like marijuana. I could never describe how intensely that upsets me.

Posted in Poverty News | Discuss at Hunger Forums • Poverty In Africa Sponsoring a Child Helps Provide Health Care, Education & Food.

www.ChristianChildrensFund.org • Global Food Crisis Surging prices worldwide causing families to suffer. You can help!

www.mercycorps.org/foodcrisis • Food for the Hungry Making a difference in hard places to overcome all forms of poverty!

www.FH.org • Sponsor a Child A struggling child needs help today Are you ready to change a life?

www.SavetheChildren.org/sponsor • Feed Hungry Children Childcare Worldwide feeds children in third-world countries.

www.childcareworldwide.org • World Help Children of the World Choir Help for Today Hope for Tomorrow

www.worldhelp.net • Real solutions to poverty Turn goodwill into effective action

www.acton.org/impact/ • Feed The Children Helping poor, hungry and famine- stricken children worldwide.

www.FeedTheChildren.org • Living with Hunger Harrowing film about the reality of surviving with hunger in Ethiopia

www.insightnewstv.com/hunger • Help Us Save Lives Please, help us Change the World One Child at a Time. Thanks!

www.chrf.org By Erin Fitzgerald Four children of different backgrounds stand in a line clasping hands and smiling. In this carefree scene filled with lush green grass and blooming flowers, these children don’t have to worry about equal opportunities in life. Their futures are shining brightly, and their dreams are well within their grasp. But this perfect society is only an illusion. A dream that 16-year-old Wilda Vasquez Ibanez, a sponsored youth, portrays in her mural titled “Right to Equality.” The reality is much harsher for children in impoverished countries. Here in Guatemala, where Wilda lives, some families can’t even afford to buy nutritional food, let alone help their children pursue an education. Their children’s futures are dim, shadowed by a lack of knowledge and a society where the poor often can’t break free of poverty. Wilda completed her “Right to Equality” painting as part of a contest organized by social organizations. Painting has helped her overcome her shyness, and she hopes to attend college. In the meantime, she wants people to learn from and understand one another through her paintings. “Age, color, gender and race are not important,” Wilda said. “We are all human and should receive the same opportunities.”

Visual messages serve as an important tool of communication in Latin America, where reading isn’t stressed as much as it is in the United States, said Vickie Coromac, Children International’s regional director for Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. “Some of the adolescents in our program in Latin America found that a good way to reach others was using visual art,” Coromac said. “You retain an image better. It stays in your brain.” While impoverished families may still struggle to find work and send their children to school, sponsorship – and paintings like Wilda’s – give them a reason to dream. Wellington Gonzalez and Astrid Salazar of United International’s Guatemala City project office contributed this report to Children International’s web site.

Help Fight World Poverty • According to UNICEF, 30000+ children die each day due to poverty, or over 9.8 million children a year. • Less than one per cent of what the world spent every year on weapons was needed to put every child into school by the year 2000 and yet it didn’t happen.

• The death rate for children under the age of 5 is an unbelievable 210000 week, approx 11 million a year.

• 1 billion children, every 2nd child in the world is currently in poverty.

• 640 million children go without adequate shelter. • 400 million children do not have access to safe water.

• 270 million children have no access to health services.

• 1.4 million children die each year from lack of access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.

• 2.2 million children die each year because they are not immunized. 15 million children are orphaned yearly due to HIV/AIDS.

• Half the world’s population nearly three billion people live on less than two dollars a day. [Numbers are according to the World Bank.]

• There is nearly a billion people in the world that are unable to read a book or sign their names. [The State of the World's Children, 1999, UNICEF]

• Approximately 790 million people in the developing world are still chronically undernourished, almost two-thirds of whom reside in Asia and the Pacific. [World Resources Institute Pilot Analysis of Global Ecosystems, February 2001]

• 1.3 billion people live on less than one dollar a day. [The Reality of Aid 2000, (Earthscan Publications, 2000), p.10]

• 3 billion live on under two dollars a day. [The Reality of Aid 2000, (Earthscan Publications, 2000), p.10]

• 1.3 billion have no access to clean water. [The Reality of Aid 2000, (Earthscan Publications, 2000), p.10]

• 3 billion have no access to sanitation. [The Reality of Aid 2000, (Earthscan Publications, 2000), p.10]

• 2 billion have no access to electricity. [The Reality of Aid 2000, (Earthscan Publications, 2000), p.10] Poverty In Africa Sponsoring a Child Helps Provide Health Care, Education & Food.

www.ChristianChildrensFund.org Global Food Crisis Surging prices worldwide causing families to suffer. You can help!

www.mercycorps.org/foodcrisis Food for the Hungry Making a difference in hard places to overcome all forms of poverty!

www.FH.org Sponsor a Child A struggling child needs help today Are you ready to change a life?

www.SavetheChildren.org/sponsor Feed Hungry Children Childcare Worldwide feeds children in third-world countries.

www.childcareworldwide.org World Help Children of the World Choir Help for Today Hope for Tomorrow

www.worldhelp.net Real solutions to poverty Turn goodwill into effective action

www.acton.org/impact/ Feed The Children Helping poor, hungry and famine- stricken children worldwide.

www.FeedTheChildren.org Living with Hunger Harrowing film about the reality of surviving with hunger in Ethiopia

www.insightnewstv.com/hunger Help Us Save Lives Please, help us Change the World One Child at a Time. Thanks! www.chrf.org

We at VINE AND BRANCH WORLD MINISTRIES urge you to click on any one of the above links and see how you can help make a difference in the lives of one of God’s angels.  The Children are suffering, and these organizations need your help.   We all have a role to play in helping to eliminate poverty in America and through out the world.  You can help change the world by becoming a part of this great outreach world ministry and saying, “God here I am, send me.”

NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE A STAND! Just click on the CONTACT US link above and leave your email address and we will get back with you.  You are Divine, and as a Divine Servant of the Lord, you have been given talents that are needed in this Ministry to help take the gospel to the world as Jesus did and at the same time bring releif to those that are in the greatest need.

We at VINE AND BRANCH WORLD MINISTRIES are taking the gospel to the world and changing the world one soul at a time.

NOW WILL YOU BE THE ONE WHO WILL STEP FORWARD AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Also, take a few more minutes and click on THE FIGHTING WORLD POVERTY link above and watch the video on Poverty in America and the one on World Poverty.

Now we wish each one of you who have read this message and act upon what God has led you to do in your hearts, peace, power, purpose and prosperity.

Your Servant in Christ

Pastor Davis Byars