My good friend, Missionary Phil Schmidt shared this video with me. Rev. Eugene Rivers, pastor of Azusa Christian Community does an excellent job explaining Pentecostalism in terms that most people can comprehend. This video was originally featured on NBC
I just finished conducting a 7 Laws seminar at Central Assembly in Huntsville, Alabama. Huntsville is the largest city in north Alabama with more than 500,000 people in the Tennessee Valley region. Most people are unaware that this is the “brain trust” of NASA and the United States Arsenal. I have been ministering in this region at least once a month for the last three and half years. Yesterday, I sensed in my spirit that God’s attention has turned to this area. I believe a new season of ministry is being released. Churches are positioning themselves to influence the communities. Business leaders are redirecting their passions to become godly influences. I expect great things.
As Senator Charles Grassley crosses the constitutional line that separates the powers of the Church and the Government by probing the financial accounting of several Word of Faith ministries, Barak Obama sermonizes to justify Gay marriage.
”I don’t think it [a same-sex union] should be called marriage, but I think that it is a legal right that they should have that is recognized by the state,” said Obama. “If people find that controversial then I would just refer them to the Sermon on the Mount, which I think is, in my mind, for my faith, more central than an obscure passage in Romans.”
So, we’re living in a day that a Senator can use his powers to seek confidential donor information and another Senator can justify deviant lifestyles by sermonizing.
”The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14
Our relationships are no longer confined to geography. Everywhere is local. The old concept of distance is obsolete. Our networks have expanded beyond proximity. I see leaders who are still attempting to establish relationships based on locality. That day is over. Organizations, networking, and relationships are no longer confined to the limitations of yesterday. We must realize that we are in a new era.
We are the first generation since the Tower of Babel to be in this position. “Now the whole world had one language and a common speech.” Genesis 11:1 The word for language means to open the lip. The word speech means utterance pertaining to business or occupation.
We’re in a time that our ‘language’ and ‘common speech’ is globally recognized. It is the language of computing.
The Church is barely scratching the surface of what can be accomplished in our time if we will “open our lips to communicate our business.” In the last few weeks, I have been working on a couple projects that could result in amazing accomplishments for the Kingdom of God. I marvel at the potential.
I will be in Tulsa on Friday to ‘brain-storm’ with strategists concerning these projects. It is a Divine appointment. I expect God’s wisdom and creativity to be with us.
Wisdom is better than strength.
Solomon tells a story about a small city that faced insurmountable odds against a powerful foe. Within the walls of the city was a wise man who devised their defense and saved the city.
When you face difficult challenges don’t fear the intimidating shouts of your opponent. Listen for the quiet whispers of the wise for instruction. (Ecclesiastes 9:17)
A poor man’s wisdom is despised.
Following the amazing victory was a disturbing reality. The people forgot the poor man. They despised him because of his status in life. This truth couldn’t be more powerful than in our day where wealth is the criterion of influence.
It is often the famous, the beautiful, and the rich that influence our culture but if you listen to what they say, they are disoriented fools.
All the while, wise people walk through life unheard, unseen, ineffective to bring about real change. That’s why Proverbs says that ”Wisdom cries out in the city streets” for someone to stop and listen.
We need to position ourselves for influence. The only way that we can effectively change a culture is to have the platform to be heard.