How Is Your Closet?
Hey Friends,
I love the quote that says: “private victories precede public victories!” Let me put it another way; the things done privately will give us the results we want publicly.
What am I talking about? We almost all want a supernatural ministry. We want to be used by God and we want to carry the anointing of God. That is what is seen and manifested publicly. Before that will be experienced by a leader, it must be lived out in our prayer closet.
So, let me ask you, how is your closet time? The devil will do anything to keep you out of your prayer and devotional times. He knows our power source is our time with the Lord. It was the same for Jesus while He walked among us. He often stole away for times with His heavenly Father. God is our source.
Let me ask you again, how is your prayer time? Red hot or cool? Are you walking in passion or passing? Red hot sermons are developed in the hot oven of our devotions. It’s amazing that some pastors want to lead people on fire when they are not too hot themselves. If you have a polar bear in the pulpit then you will have ice cubes in the pews.
What about your fasting? It’s another thing done in relative obscurity that produces power that is seen by all. How often do you fast? To what degree are you seeking the presence of the Lord?
How about being filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit? It is critical in our leadership and yet a private pursuit. So, are you pursuing? If you are filled with God people will know it.
I could list several other disciplines that are done in private and yet their fruit is seen in public. Most everyone wants the public showing without private sowing. It does not work that way.
Let me challenge you to seek The Savior and His presence and you will be a more powerful and efficient leader. Prayer is not a pastime but prime time.
Just a thought,
Pastor Chris
3 Comments
I had the experience of sitting in a church where the pastor admitted he was not spending time one on one with the Lord. It was not until after leaving that church that I realized I was not growing under this polar bear.
Prayer time, fasting, Holy Spirit led. A Holy Trinity with all Three of the God head present.
Mathew 6:6 Time with the Father = Prayer time.
Mathew 4:4 Eating The Word of God = Jesus, knowing that it is at times more vital to life than food.
John 14:18 His very presence and guidance when we can trust nothing else = Holy Spirits voice.
The questions posed by Pastor’s blog are not just Christian talk, you know the things we say to one another but do not let it sink in to the level of: this is what we believe more than the sun will rise in the east and set in the west.
I know I seem a bit intense but for me at this time it seems intensity is warrented, all we have to do is look around at our world to sense an increase in the need for more faith…more God.
We as Christ’s Army and bride need VICTORY and in God is that victory so I prayerfully say let’s commit to understanding from the Holy Spirits perspective of the necesity of Pastor’s blog post today. Yes?
This blog entry was a good reminder to me for a couple things.
1) This reminded me of something out of a Mark Hall book. The disciplines give us roots. If we strive to work to produce growth without the private spiritual disciplines, then the tree falls over. Roots without growth… well, that gets off topic.
2) Leadership (or any other ministry) without roots is hollow. Speaking sing-song Bible answers will rightly come across that way. Serving God without a strong connection will eventually become pointless activity or a drudgery. My disciplines go through waves, but my work for God pretty much is constant… This should give me a clue of the efficacy of my work for God over time.
Andy Kercher.