PASTORAL PASSAGE THROUGH THIS AGE OF UNCERTAINTY

Doing More than "Making It," or "Getting By" during the turbulence

A UNIVERSITY OF WISDOM PUBLICATION

An encouragement by Earl D Johnson to Pastors in the Body of Christ

Thursday, November 20, 2008

There are times where instruction and point by point "how tos" are necessary. It's been in my heart to write you and let you know, and for the most part, remind you that our way through has already been provided.

I quote 1 Corinthians 10:13 as evidence of you being an overcomer: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (NIV)

Pull out of these verses the following points for your victory focus:

1. There can be no trial or test that is not "adjusted to human experience" and passable! The present situation has already been overcome by other human beings, otherwise it could not be used against this generation of human beings. Whatever you are going through, whether it is sickness for yourself or a loved one, economic slump, or attendance challenges, victory is proclaimed through your stand on this word.

Peter encourages us that whether it is suffering because we are being talked about, persecuted, or just enduring the ugliness of the times, there is a posture we are to assume: "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13 NIV)

Add your own from what you know about God not abandoning us. Your offerings, your attendance, your buildings are all on His list of things you are not to worry about. Mt 6 admonishes us to leave tomorrow's cares to tomorrow.

2. God is faithful. What an awesome reminder. What an awesome truth! It is NOT the situations you face, it is the faithfulness of the God you serve. HIs faithfulness is demonstrated in two aspects mentioned here. The first: "he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear." God knows our limits, our ability to handle pain and situations. He knows out exit points and our tolerance levels. Yes, He does some stretching, but the test are fitted to our ability to trust Him and know that He is faithful to His Word first and to our overcoming, second! You need to daily exercise this truth by repeating it aloud often and sincerely. GOD IS FAITHFUL!

The second demonstration of His faithfulness is in His assurance that you will endure to the end, past this test and overcome stock market woes, worries of the economy, immorality issues, and any other thing that would aggravate your spirit. It is stated in this fashion: "But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." Not only does He know our limits, as stated above, He knows our trust factor and strengthens it so that we make it. He is our constant tutor through the presence of His Holy Spirit, glory! GOD IS FAITHFUL!

This would be a great time for us to practice what we've prayed from the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples to pray: "give us this day our daily provision-manna." Your stash for a rainy day won't work on this trial. NO matter how much you've saved, the value of what you have as opposed to when you put it away is off centered. You are upside down with respect to value, so you must NEVER encourage your members to use their "rainy days savings" as a means of escaping planting in the Kingdom.

So, what is a pastor to do during these times?

A. PASTOR the flock of God. Organize and visit every household of your membership/partnership. Of course, you can't do this alone, the work is too great merely for you, "look ye among you men and women full of the Holy Ghost..." This is the time for PASTORAL CARE! Tend the sheep... Motivate and mobilize your leadership to TOUCH the sheep during this time.

B. PERSEVERE through these times. "Build yourself up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost!" "Consider Jesus...lest you grow weary and faint in your minds!"

C. PRESS to be faithful to the message that God gave you for your congregation, your city, and your sphere of influence.

D. PREPARE for a great renewal. In hard times, a good God steps forward and the hearts of men, women, boys and girls become soften and ready to hear the great message of peace. Start now preparing for the harvest that will follow this time of testing

E. PASS up every opportunity that would steal your time and cause you to be ineffective in the above items. Keep a close watch on your time and spend it wisely during this period of time. This is an excellent time for the Word of the Lord to be confirmed by His showing Himself strong in behalf of the Saints of God!

Romans 15:33 "The God of peace be with you all. Amen."

Brother Earl D Johnson

GLOBAL UNITY INITIATIVE

Wow, what a big statement for a small amount of time and energy. Yep, that's the assignment that my two brothers and I have come into. There are two dynamics which have defined this awesome responsibility of seeing the Body of Christ united and they are: (1) that our responsibility is only within our "sphere of influence and (2) the unity will occur according to Ephesians 4 at the connectivity of joints and ligaments.

Our search is for compatible joints and ligaments that will come together, stand and flow together for the Body to be effective. While there is awe on one hand, there is glory on the other. An opportunity in our day to see the awakening of body parts, as was in the valley of "dry bones" into one expression of unity and oneness is possible through our obedience.

In an attempt to vocalize the assignment, I came across a discovery from Ephesians 4:3. It reads, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." In most of the minister's meetings I've attended where the discussion of unity has occurred, this verse is quoted. I've not seen it this way before, but note the emphasis, unity of the spirit. James 2:26 says, "the body without the spirit is dead." We have kept the unity of the spirit, but have not applied that spirit to the Body and therefore an incomplete is being realized. To state it frankly, the presence of the Body of Christ on this earth is "dead" because those of us charged with this manifestation have not applied ourselves to understand how to do the task of asking Holy Spirit to visualize for us what this union of Spirit and Body would resemble.

This is an open invitation for you to join my brothers and the ATP team in going to class, digging into the Word of God and discovering what this union is and how it is accomplished in our generation. We proclaim that we are students attempting to comprehend that for which we have been apprehended!

Want to join us, please contact me at ejohnson@accordingtopattern.org. Leave your information and I will contact you and set a time for us to connect. Also feel free to browse our site at accordingtopattern.org.

Blessings...