Kingdom Horizons http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog Discover. Explore. Meditate. Transform. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:10:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 en KingdomHorizonshttp://feedburner.google.com Meeting Needs - or, Seeking Truth? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KingdomHorizons/~3/M-lP0R4g4OQ/ http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/11/meeting-needs/#comments Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:03:00 +0000 Greg http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/?p=175 There is much discussion and varying opinions concerning the role of the Church in the world. In light of the argument (and from a perspective formed through a long tenure of experience in mission work) I would like to submit a question and some points to consider.

Is the primary role of the Church to meet needs, or to embody the truth? If it is primarily to meet needs, then we will always be frustrated.

We will never have enough material resources to meet every need we come in contact with. That is because there is a great disconnect between people and God (who is the source of all life). This is a reality that keeps us connected to God (The ultimate source) who has unlimited resources.

Jesus passed by many people who were in need and left them unmet. That is because there was no faith in him for who he was, but only a desire to use him to procure a certain need or want (a common pattern of manipulation used by many today).

The “life” that was in Jesus as a result of the truth was the supernatural force that was able to meet people’s needs. (and still does) This type of ministry does not lead to frustration because it is based in grace. Nor is it co-dependent (like much ministry and almost all government aid) because it keeps the responsibility of faith on the one seeking to receive.

Proper relationship with The Truth (Jesus) will cause the “life of God” to flow to us (and ultimately through us) - and needs will be met.

]]> http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/11/meeting-needs/feed/ http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/11/meeting-needs/ Power Quotes http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KingdomHorizons/~3/LtVgWDF6UOo/ http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/11/power-quotes/#comments Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:43:20 +0000 Greg http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/?p=174 I have developed a habit of journaling powerful quotes that have a way of coming across my path and speaking to certain situations. This week, two of them stood out in a significant way.

“Many want a “double portion” but are unwilling to go a “second mile.” (Chuck Kuehn)

“The most liberating thing you can do is become a prisoner of the Lord.” (Cliff Willis)

Be blessed this week!

]]> http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/11/power-quotes/feed/ http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/11/power-quotes/ Empowerment - Leading our feelings. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KingdomHorizons/~3/SxIjnNnatCM/ http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/10/empowerment-leading-our-feelings/#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:52:43 +0000 Greg http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/?p=173 Every moment of the day we are either in an empowered, or dis-empowered “state of being.”

Feelings will affect our state, both positively and negatively. They manifest from the meanings we attach to the daily situations that we encounter. The good news is that we don’t have to remain subject to our feelings, but can actually change them through our perception and focus.

As Kingdom ambassadors, we are instructed to “seek and set our affections” on things above (God’s reality). When we do this, we are shifting our focus from whatever is happening around us (or to us) to the reality of our identity in Christ, and we can then affect the situation positively rather than the situation affecting us adversly.

As “new creations” in Christ, we are designed to be led of the spirit, not by how we feel.

]]> http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/10/empowerment-leading-our-feelings/feed/ http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/10/empowerment-leading-our-feelings/ Finishing With Joy http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KingdomHorizons/~3/rw8vyamhixQ/ http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/10/finishing-with-joy/#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:01:59 +0000 Greg http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/?p=172 “But none of these things move me; neither do I esteem my life dear to myself, if only I may finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have obtained from the Lord Jesus, faithfully to attest to the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24)

To finish the course of your ministry with joy, you will need to:

Not be moved by oppositions, unknowns, and disappointments.

Love not your life unto death.

]]> http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/10/finishing-with-joy/feed/ http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/10/finishing-with-joy/ The Giver and the Thief http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KingdomHorizons/~3/Y4SxKOZcHRY/ http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/10/the-giver-and-the-thief/#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:26:23 +0000 Greg http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/?p=171 There are two spiritual entities that would love to have mastery of your life.

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10

One wants to take everything that you have - the other wants to give you everything that He has.

One wants to kill you - the other wants to impart eternal life.

One desires to see your ultimate destruction - the other desires to see the fulfillment of your ultimate potential and life purposes.

One lurks and dwells in the darkness - the other beckons you to come into His glorious light.

One is a cruel taskmaster - the other is a liberating conqueror.

“…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

]]> http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/10/the-giver-and-the-thief/feed/ http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/10/the-giver-and-the-thief/ Why Are We So Sad? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KingdomHorizons/~3/soUDEvIlabg/ http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/10/why-are-we-so-sad/#comments Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:47:44 +0000 Greg http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/?p=170 I walked through the grocery store yesterday, and after a few minutes noticed that no one was smiling. Intrigued, I decided to do a more thorough examination, so I did a complete lap through each department and found the mood to be consistent throughout. The customers, the bag-boys, cashiers - I diligently looked but could not find a hint of happiness in the entire place.

Why was everyone so down? They all looked well-fed and decently clothed. No problem with a full stomach and looking sharp. Judging by the parking lot they all must have driven their own vehicles. It couldn’t be because they had to walk to get here. Row upon row of multiple choices of food all presented in a comfortable air conditioned building complete with buggies to haul you stuff around in made a necessary task quite convenient. Still, I could have easily been overcome by the corporate demeanor that permeated the atmosphere.

Determined to not be overtaken, I took a chance and smiled at a guy and said, “hey,” only to be reciprocated with a suspicious glance, miniscule eye contact and a somewhat forced, “mmmm.”

No one seemed to have a problem paying for their items as they quickly exchanged cash and scanned their debit and credit cards. They seemed to have enough to purchase what they wanted. Outside, some were renting videos from a red vending machine, apparently so they could be entertained later that night, probably after a good hot meal. Still, blank stares and grim expressions prevailed as the attitude of the hour.

As I exited the establishment and headed out, I had to dodge the gauntlet of incoming traffic that quickly scurried through the parking lot hoping to get a spot close to the front door. Where is everyone going in such a hurry?

Almost out of breath, I settled in to the safety zone that would be the front seat of my truck and pondered the question, “With all of these conveniences, why are we so sad?”

]]> http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/10/why-are-we-so-sad/feed/ http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/10/why-are-we-so-sad/ Waiting When We Should Be Doing http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KingdomHorizons/~3/SJUFvdpKh2E/ http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/09/waiting-when-we-should-be-doing/#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:24:26 +0000 Greg http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/?p=169 We don’t have to ask God to do something that He has already given us authority and permission to do “in His name.”

He has given us the authority of His name, the presence of His Spirit, the power of His faith, revealed through the truth of His Word.  The rest is up to us to belive and act upon it.

“…In my name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison it will not hurt them,; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17)

]]> http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/09/waiting-when-we-should-be-doing/feed/ http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/09/waiting-when-we-should-be-doing/ Co-laboring With God http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KingdomHorizons/~3/bR6hOyJCfAI/ http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/09/co-laboring-with-god/#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:13:15 +0000 Greg http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/?p=168 There is a principle that can be applied to our work in the ministry that will insure greater effectiveness and longer lasting results in the lives of people:

Join God in what He is already doing.

“For we are laborers together with God…” (1 Corinthians 3:9)

God is always at work around us and actively doing things in peoples lives. Even in terms of judgment where we have violated divine laws and are reaping certain consequences of our actions, it is still His sovereign hand trying to lead us back to Him.

As pertains to the ministry and helping others, He invites us to become involved in what He is presently doing. Our primary task should be to discern what He is doing and has already initiated (individually, corporately, regionally, and even globally) and join Him there.

“…the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do…” (John 5:19)

]]> http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/09/co-laboring-with-god/feed/ http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/09/co-laboring-with-god/ Excellent Christian Blog http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KingdomHorizons/~3/7VFdjK3rwNo/ http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/09/excellent-christian-blog/#comments Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:46:24 +0000 Greg http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/?p=167 There is a ministry called Disciple Nations Alliance (DNA) that is listed in the blogroll. It is led by two seasoned statesmen who are committed to doing their part to help transform nations through the teaching of the Word of God.

Darrow Miller has been posting excerpts from his new book “Lifework” and they are excellent. I would highly recommend their bog articles to anyone who feels called to help develop the Christian worldview.

Click here to link to their blog.

]]> http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/09/excellent-christian-blog/feed/ http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/09/excellent-christian-blog/ Love and Empowerment http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KingdomHorizons/~3/UwfRyUjo4Y0/ http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/2009/09/love-and-empowerment/#comments Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:17:19 +0000 Greg http://www.globaladvancement.org/blog/?p=166 The affirmation that comes through receiving God’s love is the greatest empowering force on earth. Nothing else can come close in comparison.

Believing that God does not or cannot love us is a manifestation of powerlessness.

The world desperately waits for an affirmed Church to arise in the power of love!

“For because of Him the whole body, closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:16)

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