Friends,
Unity requires Leadership and Leadership is and always has been granted from the followers. No leader can lead without permission. I ask your permission to allow me to lead and when you give it to me, I ask that you remember that you did so. Also, as you travel through the Body of Christ remember this principle. When you go to gatherings – grant the leadership your permission to set the tone and the tenor. Should they grant you the honor to teach or instruct then do so in love, with great humility.
I am honored by our friendship and as I pray this morning earnestly I am blessed to remember you.
Matthew, Rich, Barbara, Jim, Tom, Stephen, Kim, David, Valarie, Katharine, Nicole, Debra, Kevin, Angel, Bobby, Don, Steve, Leanna, Lynn, Kyle, Clarence, Karen, Michael, Billy, Taharqa, Martin, Kenneth, Jerry, Jesse, Creflo, Mac, Tracy, Ed, Chuck, Sam, Carl, John, Eddie, Carlen, Jeannie, Esther, Randy, Barbara, Pierre, Yadi, Nana, Gene, Rafael, Luis, Rosa, Marjorie, Aladryn, Jackie, Demetrius, Neubela, Orville, Rachael, Sereda, Michelle, Donald, Shelly, Andrew, Bridgett, Rick, Norman, Daniel, Cheryl, Glenn, Judy, Chris, Xavier, Nathan, Joe, Evelyn, Ron, Chad, Melyn, Pari, Cindy, Sharon, Fred, Rachel, Janine, Ira, Al, Win, Asako, Karl, Benjamin, Leah, Maxine, Stu, Jaime, Rosie, Alejandro, Art, Joanne, Gloria, Carolyn, Leroy, Seth, Kelly, Iraida, Lisa, Larry, Carm, Em, Marilyn, Constance, Mary, Herb, Della, Paulina, Ruby, Gary, Greg, Mark, Mikhel, Rolf, Dale, Tim, Jennifer, Terri, George, Jeremy, Aubrey, Courtney, Marty, Alexandra, Ruth, Colin, Jonathan, Ralph, Mac, Cecil, Renee, Adrian, Charles, Lynne, Melissa, Charlotte, Jenna, Jamilla, Socrates, Kimberly, Anne, Bernie, Bianca, Regina, Todd, Jo, Amanda, Jacqueline, Diane, Andy, Craig, Sandy, Mylon, Christie, Dennis, Vicki, Willa, Tamiko, Vanessa, Lu, Eileen, ……
As I come out of my intercessory time in tongues I remind you to be of good cheer for He is able to make all grace abound toward you in all things, at all times and in massive abundance so that you can perform in every good manner and in every situation. Remember He gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater and He is the multiplier of seed that you sow, not that you hold back. Sow bountifully this day my brothers and sisters.
Apostle Dan
Word for the day from the desk of Dan Stratton
ds@mypvn.com
As I write this I am experiencing pain in my right knee from residual wear and tear from activities that took place in the eighties. This pain is causing me to make adjustments/compensations that causes pain along the right side of my back. In addition to that I have a blood blister on my left hand and sunburn caused by the time spent in the sun as I prepare for an upcoming golf tournament in Ireland. My heart is working well and my lungs are doing great as they served me well in 94 degree heat and an 8 mile walk the other day. I tell you this, because this is how the Body of Christ/Moschiach feels. When someone is in pain or out of sorts, they draw attention to themselves. And, in fact, they are supposed to.
It is not for the eye to claim supremacy over the arch of the left foot. It is not for the neck to rule over the thumb on the right hand. The truth of the matter is clear to anyone who will listen. The eye has been given to us to see well enough to keep the rest of the Body safe and moving toward productivity. The ear has been given to us so that we can be aware of what is further away and the sense of touch has been given to us when times are dark or when our view is obstructed. When things are invisible, sometimes we can smell them and each of our senses have their headquarters in places atop the rest of the Body that holds them up. It can be said that the hands are higher than the eyes because our arms can be held up for a time to reach above eye level. The foot cannot look out for itself, nor can the heart be expected to think things through. This metaphor when considered gives me pause and if I am not careful will cause me great pressure. I have learned and, in truth, still learning to cast the cares of what I see and know over onto Yahweh.
On Sunday past, we prayed for the sick. We conduct a service to minister to the sick every month. These people are part of the Body. Their immobility and their suffering are causing the Body suffering that affects each of us. Much of their pain is avoidable, but that is a subject for another day. Until then, we must assign those to care for the sick, the disabled, the hungry, the depressed and the misguided with a focus on their restoration to functionality and responsibility within the Body of Moschiach. In the meantime, there is other work that needs to be done and it has always been done through delegation and with an understanding of the importance of both parts of the church – one going out and taking dominion – while the other meets the needs of those in the Body. Proper communication between the two groups is essential – as there should be a single-minded over-arching plan. Galatians the 6th Chapter and the Wisdom contained there should be one place that we look for guidance. Bear ye one another’s burdens and Bear your own burden. Each man should take ownership of his weaknesses and his strengths. He should come to know the highest joy which is serving others, loving others and being strong enough to bear another man’s burden – spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, socially or financially.
This is where unity comes to the forefront. Each day people jump from one group to another bringing their pain and suffering and crying out for attention. Our leaders are not unified to the point that standardized systems and understandings have been put in place so that a new person understands what to expect when they arrive at a new destination – in a different part of the Body. They leave one place where they were not cared for, and where they have chosen to judge to travel to a new group where they can make their demands for care while bringing skepticism and criticism which causes the leadership to be wary of the potential drain on resources that this ‘hurting church or group hopper’ most likely brings. As a seasoned leader in the Body of Moschiach, I am very sensitive to ‘who is with me’, ‘who is under authority’, ‘who is hurting’ and ‘who is whole enough to help others’.
Always remember that hurting people will speak to you in one way or another to reveal their pain. They will, either, withdraw and become fruitless or they will complain and criticize. Both of these situations must be addressed with John 15 in mind. (Whoever is bearing fruit is in the Vine and therefore in the Body. No Fruit – then the husbandmen will cut them off. Even a disabled man can pray. The Bible says that if you are hurting, then pray. If you are experiencing success and increase – then sing praises to Yah. Praisers will be put out in front of the army – without natural weapons and it is those that will lead us to the land of Promise. This should tell you that the passive aggressive – mopey faced – critical – attractors of attention – should only be tolerated until they prove that they are not even attempting to become burden removers.)
Exhortation I give you. Edification comes when you hear faith-filled scriptural teaching. Correction and guidance are a bit harder to understand and much more difficult to write, but as an Apostle in His Kingdom I write this epistle – this living letter laced with Heavenly Writ – to you for your consideration and your comments.
As our groups grow, so must our capacity. We must allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen us as the vocal, the hurting, the disabled turn to criticize as they are really calling out for love. Let us learn to love and remember that when we are in pain that love casts out all kinds of fear. As I judge myself, I am aware of many pains that I live with and have to deal with in my Body, my mind and in my emotions. I am minimally aware of the compensations that I make each day as I try to avoid the pain of weariness and the sharper pains of weights that may be too heavy for me to bear. I am aware of many things and when I say minimally, I do so only to say that my awareness is piqued to a point that I see enough to know that even though I see more than most, my vantage point clues me in to the vast horizons and vistas that are beyond my current capacities and awareness.
Yahweh – what I see – I will address. Your joy is my strength. I see the pain in the nations where water is riddled with disease. I see the pain in the people in places ravaged by hatred and lack. I see the destruction that selfishness causes in individual persons, in households, in neighborhoods, in cities, in states, in nations and on continents. I see what you have taught me to see and I hear your voice. I speak life and that more abundantly – a fullness of joy and fearlessness. I speak love that is fearless and I will teach those that you send me and will mentor those that will press in to lead. I will ask for your wisdom daily and will expect to receive it. Provision in the form of influence, favor and currency will be ours for your purpose and your glory Yahweh. I ask that you strengthen me to a place where I can look to you for my sustenance and my strength. Protect me from my errors – past, present and future. You have my devotion, my energy and my words. Thy Kingdom Come – Thy Will be done. Hallowed be Thy Name – Yahweh Yahshua. Ahava
