PASTOR, DON’T STEP IN IT!

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trap

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

Several years ago, while I was pastoring, a man came into my office to complain about one of our Sunday school teachers. He mentioned the teacher’s name, and said, “Some people are complaining about this teacher, and say if you don’t do something about it, they are going to leave the church.” My first emotion was the feeling of my blood beginning to boil. I had seen this kind of setup by the devil before.

However, don’t be too alarmed when someone says, “some people are saying…” It is usually, only him and his wife. I stood up and said, “If you think I am going to this lady with the complaints of others, you are crazy. Let them bring her to me with their accusations, and then I will listen. Otherwise, they can all leave.” They did not come, nor did they leave, and the problem resolved itself. In fact, it was later found out that he and his wife were two of the most destructive people in the church.

Now, let’s assume that I went to the teacher, and faced her with the rumor. Regardless of the truth, she would have been offended, and left the church. Suppose the accusation was not true. She would have been offended with the question, and would have left. What people, who bring you gossip want, is to get your finger prints on their murder weapon. So, don’t step in their trap. Let the accusers bring the accused to you.

Never take sides with the accuser, against the accused. He will go directly to the accused, and let them know what you said. Now, you have a greater problem. No matter how tempted you are to give your openion, don’t do it! Pastor, your mouth could be your biggest problem. I have learned that by personal experience.

Always insist that the accusers bring the accused and their complaint at the same time. Otherwise, forget it. But, beware of the person who brings the accusation to you. Usually, it is his wife who is jealous, or upset at the other person. In fact, say to the accuser, “Obviously, you are concerned for this person, let’s pray for the teacher.” Then ask him to lead in prayer. Case closed.

HOW TO TRAIN PEOPLE FOR MINISTRY

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chart

 

What do you want done: You can’t expect people to know or have a clear understanding of what you want them to do, if you are not clear in your own mind, and cannot clearly communicate it. This is the most important point; you must know what you want, and convince others to be on your team.

© Ken Blanchard

Let people know what you want: You must be able to communicate your vision clearly. This takes time and repetition. Don’t assume they know just

because you have announced it. Keep it simple so they understand. Post it, publish it, and proclaim it.

 

Ask them to let you know if they are interested: Create ways they can respond to you, and show their interest. Have cards, or some means, so they can let you know of their interest. Make it easy for people to respond. Let them know how importance of the task or project is. If it is not vital to you, why should they believe it is important?

 

Assure them of your help and support: People fear what they don’t understand. They fear they may not be able to do the job, and will fail. This is why you need a job description for most ministries. In addition, you must assure them that you will supply everything they need for the job. This includes training and tools.

 

Show them how to do it: Show them how to do the task. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that telling is training. It involves telling, showing, doing, and correcting. Preaching is not training. Training is “hands on” work. Jesus preached to the thousands, but He trained the Twelve. He told them. He showed them. He let them do it, and He corrected them. This was His “core” group. Go thou and do likewise.

 

Let them do it. Praise, correct, support, etc. as needed: In the beginning, they will need lots of directing. The Situational Leadership Chart by Blanchard is the most helpful. It is at the top of this article. I recommend you read his books on training others. You job is to train leaders. Therefore, you must learn all you can about the subject.

 

Match new trainees with those who know the job, and let them train them: One of the best training methods is a man or women who is already trained, and have the ability to train others. That makes your job easier, and increases you training team. Jesus set them out by two’s.

 

Pastor, you must be able to train, and lead others if your ministry is to continue. Preaching is not training. Many pastors hide behind the pulpit because they like it there, and they feel safe. Training others is a test of your leadership abilities. You can learn how to do it. Here is the key. “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2. You can learn as you do it; so, do it!

NOT FOR THE POTHEAD

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pothead

 

 

 

 

 

                       

By Ken Blue

(Enjoy the trip, if you’re a pothead)

 

This Is Not Written For The Pothead

He’s Incapable; His Brain Cells Are Dead

Pot’s His Escape Of A Life That’s Real

It’s All About How he would like to Feel

 

Its Sex, Drugs, Rock, And Rave

Let’s Get Smashed And Misbehave…

On Speed, and Weed, And Little E’s;

Let’s Get High And Talk To Trees…

Life’s A Trip, And Then You Die’

So Forget This World

And Let’s All Get HIGH‼!

 

Oh, There’s One Thing He Forgot To Say

After You Die, It’s Judgment Day

Yes, Enjoy Your Trip, Your Souls For Sale

The Price In Eternity, Is A Place Called HELL‼

So Enjoy Your Trip, And Talk To Trees

Then You’ll Be Stupid, Just Like these

 

(Someone else wrote the original second stanza.

I change it because of the vulgar words that were in it. )

SHACKLED BY THE PAST

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cords of sin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

 

“His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.” Proverbs 5:22.

 

Someone has accurately said, “We spend the first thirty years making a mess of our life, and the next thirty trying to fix it.” There is more truth to that than fiction. Most of the sins of a lifetime are learned in our youth.

 

When I was pastoring, I ask one of the strongest men in our church to come to the platform to help me illustrate this point. I took a regular spool of sewing thread and wrapped it around his two hand once.  He broke it with ease. Next, I wrapped it about six times. This time it was a little more difficult, but he broke it. The last demonstration, I wrapped it around about twenty times. It was only sewing thread. What do you think? I can tell you, he could not break it.

 

The question is how many times must we commit an act of sin, or run with the wrong crowd before we are shackled to it, or them. By the time we find out, we find that we are already there.

 

Just a few drinks, just a few pills or powder, just a few acts of theft, just a few acts of sex, just a few words of filth and profanity, just a little folly with fools, and you discover you are one of them. Even if you want to be free, you find the cords of sin have a hold on you, and refuse to let you go. I personally knew a person who went to rehab for drugs and alcohol 21 times, and still died shackled by them.

 

Remember, every act of sin makes the next one easier, and it makes release more difficult. You never play with sin and win. Some who read this think it is a joke. If you think it is, I challenge you to give up the alcohol, the drugs, the profanity, or the crowd you should not be with, and then tell me how easy it is to break free. You have greater odds in Vegas, at the card table, than breaking free of a life of sin.

 

If you need to indulge in the above behavior to feel important, or accepted, you are setting yourself up for a life of misery. Stay clean. Avoid the crowd that will drag you down and introduce you to sins that will not let you go. Otherwise, you will find yourself shackled by your past.

 

 

 

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 40

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ANTICHRIST KILLS GOD’S TWO WITNESS

 REVELON BOOK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.  And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.  And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.”  (Revelation 11:8-12).

 

Dakes Bible note says; Jerusalem is called Sodom and Egypt because of becoming the headquarters of sodomites (homosexuals-Isaiah 1:9-10; Ezekiel 16:46,53) and whoredoms (sex and religious perversions-Ezekiel 23:3,8,19,27) during the last 3 1/2 years the Gentiles control the city (Revelation 11:1-2).  This indicates that sexual and religious perversions will be predominant sins ending this age (Matthew 24:37-39; Luke 17:26-30).

 

It is interesting that Jerusalem is called “The Holy City” in verse 2, Egypt, and Sodom in verse 8. Verse 2 speaks of God’s estimation of Jerusalem once He begins grafting the nation back into its favored status. (This is the meaning of Romans 11:12-24) Verse 8 declares their spiritual condition during this church dispensation, and at that time in Revelation.

 

It is possible that Gentiles participate in the rejoicing at the death of these two witnesses because it is the (v.9). Some will have seen the use of television to publicize this event. There is little doubt that those who “dwell” on the earth speak, primarily, of unbelieving Hebrews in the land of Israel. Their reaction reveals the national hatred for Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and moral decency. God will give them blood to drink, for they are worthy!

 

As always, God is in control. When these two witnesses serve their purpose, the beast (Antichrist) is permitted to kill them. What the beast intended to be a show of power and defiance, God turned into a public display of His greater power over life and death.  Verse 11 and 12 says, “…after three days and a half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet… And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.”

 

The restoration to life, the call from heaven to come up, the ascension, and the great earthquake were all public confirmations of God’s power, and His approval of these two prophets. These two witnesses are raptured to heaven at the end of the Tribulation period just prior to the Second Advent of Christ.

It is important to remember that this is not the resurrection or rapture of the church age saints. That event happened prior to Revelation 1:1. The context of this event is Revelation 11:15 where Christ returns to establish His Kingdom. “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”

 

There are at least seven raptures which can be identified in Scripture. We give the seven here:

 

1.         Enoch was taken and could not be found.

2.         Elijah was caught away in a whirlwind.

3.         Jesus ascended to heaven.

4.         Paul was caught up to paradise.

5.         Believers await the rapture of the church.

6.         The two witnesses of Revelation are caught up to

heaven.

7.         The 144,000 Jews.