 Dear Fellow Believers,
Recently I heard this statement, one I had never heard before. "Don't bleed on the sheep." While this letter is written to all Believers, I am speaking specifically to the shepherd more than the sheep! Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. James 3:1-2 NLT So what does "bleeding on the sheep" mean? It is when a pastor/teacher preaches out of their pain, issues and the sin they may be battling in their minds. Instead of teaching them the Word of God and growing strong mature disciples, they are pouring their pain and emotional issues all over their sheep. They are "bleeding all over them". When I heard that phrase, it reminded me of what the Holy Spirit had been telling me for weeks: Times are growing short. It is time for pastors, teachers, preachers and all to teach the Word of God, to get more focused on teaching and preaching the Gospel only! We also must not manipulate the sheep for our own purposes or feed OFF the sheep. We are charged with feeding the sheep, caring for them, protecting them from evil and leading them in the way they should go. Pastor, your sheep don't need a life coach, a relationship coach, a self-improvement teacher. Your sheep need to get the Word of God in them and learn how to hear the Holy Spirit speak and guide them. They need to see a strong, unshakable man or woman of God, raising a standard before them, who is saying "Follow me! This is the way we should go!" The world is having a stronger influence on your sheep than you and your church are. They are becoming comfortable with the sins of the world, to the point of not even believing those things are sin. That is because God's Word is not etched in their soul. I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 NLT Going to most churches today is akin to going to a gym to get strong and fit, but only hanging out in the smoothie bar and then saying "I don't understand why I'm not seeing any change in my body! I go to the gym every day!" Pastors, ministers of the Gospel, are your sheep strong and courageous when they face the world? Do they have unshakable standards and walk in the power of God's Word everywhere they go? Do they have unshakable faith and trust in God? Are they fully equipped to handle the sin and deception that is epidemic in the world? If not, you aren't fulfilling your calling! If you have battles of your own, get a mentor, a prayer partner; someone you may confide in and seek counsel and prayer. Your pulpit is not your therapy session. Your sheep aren't there to minister to you. You are there to minister to them. We don't need any more shows. We don't need therapy sessions. We need sheep who are strong as lions because they are full of the Word of God. If the world took their Bibles and their internet away, they would be quoting scripture to those who don't know the Word. Feed your sheep for they are starved for the Word! A third time Jesus asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep". John 21:17 NLT If that isn't what you want to do, go become a coach, a motivational speaker, write books or become an entertainer. But don't do it under the cover of being a pastor or spiritual leader of any sort. They don't need another "ear tickler". There is no more time to play. It is time to get serious, man and woman of God. God has given you an assignment. Feed His sheep. Recess is over. School is in session! This is your assignment: I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold, and will turn their ears away from the truth and will wander off into myths and man-made fictions [and will accept the unacceptable]. But as for you, be clear-headed in every situation [stay calm and cool and steady], endure every hardship [without flinching], do the work of an evangelist, fulfill [the duties of] your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 AMP Read that aloud, as an oath to the God you serve, then fulfill it! Be ready, Deborah DeborahLuchie.org This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you  Dear Fellow Believers,
Do you believe you are being discipled in your church? If you look back over the past year, have you grown and matured as a Believer? Is the church as a whole more focused on keeping the congregation entertained and comfortable or on nurturing mature, strong, resilient believers in the Kingdom of God? Are you in leadership in church? What is your responsibility to God in church? I didn't say your "position" and I didn't say your responsibility to the church. What are you doing to reproduce mature, strong disciples for the Kingdom of God? Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 Lastly, what are the benefits of a congregation filled with disciples? Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:14-16 While you are in Ephesians 4, take a minute to read the whole chapter. It is so rich in wisdom and truth! When someone gets saved and accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, that "gets them through the door". But that door is just the beginning to life in the Kingdom, and that life is for now and today, not for some "glad morning"! We bring people through that door, set them in a pew and never show them the goodness of entering into a full, mature, fruitful productive life as a disciple in the Kingdom of God. Jesus, while He walked among us, was always teaching about the Kingdom. He never stopped teaching and developing His disciples. We do a disservice to the congregation when we do not make our main focus nurturing new disciples! Start with God's Word and growing in wisdom and knowledge through the Word. Many who sit in church on Sunday, haven't learned to read and understand scriptures. Then teach how the Holy Spirit operates in our every day lives. It is the Holy Spirit that enables us to understand God's Word. Some have turned the Holy Spirit into some kind of "spooky" ghost who shows up during church and makes people act crazy. That isn't the Holy Spirit, but mostly our emotions. Jesus never described the Holy Spirit in the way He is being presented in many of today's churches! “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for Him and doesn’t recognize Him. But you know Him, because He lives with you now and later will be in you... Jesus replied, “All who love Me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and We will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love Me will not obey Me. And remember, My words are not My own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent Me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as My representative—that is, the Holy Spirit--He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:15-17, 23-26 If soldiers were in training, would they spend their days, gathered together, watching videos, listening to music and playing games? No. Their lives and the safety of their nation depend on them being ready for battle--physically, mentally and emotionally. They would be given all the tools they need to be victorious in battle. We owe fellow believers in our care the same level of preparation. The state of our world should give us a sense of urgency to be prepared! Let's turn our focus to raising up strong, unshakable, immovable, bold disciples for the Kingdom of God. Salvation is a great start, but it IS only the beginning. It is unconscionable to allow babes in Christ to think they are set for life just where they are. They have a calling, a purpose, a destiny in the Kingdom to fulfill. A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Gospel so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:10-18 All NLT, unless noted. Be ready, Deborah DeborahLuchie.org This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you  Dear Fellow Believers,
In "Christianese" I often hear phrases like a move of God the next great move of God or waiting on God to move as if He's just sitting on His throne, chillin' and taking the week off. It is probably more accurate to say that He waits on us before He moves. God is moving every day. He has a purpose for each of us to fulfill every day. We just don't see it or hear from the Holy Spirit because we are so caught up in our own lives and distractions of this physical world. He moves through us! He is waiting for us to bow down and lay our pride, our earthy desires and our strong will at His feet. He is waiting for us to seek Him more than we seek the world He gave us, with all it's earthly pleasures and distractions. He is waiting for us to say "not my will but Yours". He is waiting for us to ask what He wants us to do today. We can't hold on to the things of this world and think God will move greatly in our lives. You don't have to live an impoverished life, only put Him first and let go of all that the world has to offer. Seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and ALL these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 The next great move of God begins with His people. If that is what you want more than anything, stop singing about it and get alone with Him in your prayer closet. Get full of His Word and tune in to what the Holy Spirit is saying. Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 This verse is often quoted in reference to saving this world and the state of our nation. But take a moment and read that verse in context. God was speaking to King Solomon in reference to His people and His temple. I'm keeping my words brief and to the point because reading God's words in this passage says it so much better: So Solomon finished the Temple of the Lord, as well as the royal palace. He completed everything he had planned to do in the construction of the Temple and the palace. Then one night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart. “As for you, if you faithfully follow me as David your father did, obeying all my commands, decrees, and regulations, then I will establish the throne of your dynasty. For I made this covenant with your father, David, when I said, ‘One of your descendants will always rule over Israel.’ “But if you or your descendants abandon me and disobey the decrees and commands I have given you, and if you serve and worship other gods, then I will uproot the people from this land that I have given them. I will reject this Temple that I have made holy to honor my name. I will make it an object of mockery and ridicule among the nations. And though this Temple is impressive now, all who pass by will be appalled. They will ask, ‘Why did the Lord do such terrible things to this land and to this Temple?’ “And the answer will be, ‘Because His people abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and they worshiped other gods instead and bowed down to them. That is why He has brought all these disasters on them.’” 2 Chronicles 7:11-22 NLT Waiting on a move of God? Let it all go and seek Him first! Be ready, Deborah DeborahLuchie.org This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you  Dear fellow Believers,
Think about yourself for a moment. How much of your time with the Lord--in prayer, meditation, reading--is spent focusing on yourself? How much of your time and attention is focused on others--praying for people, discipling others, telling people about Jesus, helping people in need or serving in your church? What began as something good--Focusing on ourselves for self improvement and growth--has grown into an almost obsession of self-focus and selfishness. It is insidious! I remember when pastors began moving away from messages about salvation, service and evangelism to "self-help" messages that sounded more like personal growth therapy sessions! It seemed like a good direction to go because people were becoming more aware of their emotional and mental states and would, with that knowledge grow into mature, productive disciples of Christ. The problem is, we ended up with an abundance of "me Christians"! In essence, there are many Humanist Christians who don't even know that is what they have become. Wikipedia says: Christian humanism regards humanist principles like universal human dignity, individual freedom and the importance of happiness as essential and principal components of the teachings of Jesus. Now, the problem with that is that it puts "me" at the center of my universe and not Jesus. It is like taking the sun and having it rotate around the earth. We are not the center of the universe! Also, I have read several articles that say being self-focused may increase depression but being focused on others and helping people in some way decreases depression. "Getting your mind off yourself" just may be good advice! That is understandable! People whose lives are based on selfishness think about selfish things, but people whose lives are based on the Spirit think about things that are related to the Spirit. The attitude that comes from selfishness leads to death, but the attitude that comes from the Spirit leads to life and peace. So the attitude that comes from selfishness is hostile to God. It doesn’t submit to God’s Law, because it can’t. People who are self-centered aren’t able to please God. But you aren’t self-centered. Instead you are in the Spirit, if in fact God’s Spirit lives in you. If anyone doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, they don’t belong to Him. Romans 8:5-9 CEB We choose churches by the way it affects us: the worship, the preaching, the child care, etc as if we were the center of the universe. You want to go somewhere where you can "Get your praise on!", get pumped up and know your children are well taken care of. Have you ever gone "church shopping" with the focus being "Can God use me here?" I'm right there with you and until recently I never thought about it. But this year the Holy Spirit changed my focus and I began seeing from a new perspective! Once you see it, you can't unsee it! That is why I am writing. I want you to see also! We've got to get our eyes off of ourselves and back on Jesus! Social media and our culture have created an epidemic of self-absorbed and narcissistic people. It has caused them to look coldly on the hardships of others. As long as we keep our eyes on ourselves, we cannot advance the Kingdom of God in our community. How many people will never come to know Jesus because we couldn't get our eyes and thoughts off of ourselves? That is a sobering thought. Yes, once you see it, you won't be able to unsee it. Be aware of your focus. Is it Jesus focused? Is it focused on discipleship, evangelism, serving others? Or is it centered on you, how it relates to your life, your prosperity, your comfort, and your happiness? ...Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1b-2 NLT Be ready, Deborah DeborahLuchie.org This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you  Dear Fellow Believers,
"Hold every thought captive!" Those words are so powerful! They are the answer to most of our problems. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) Nothing “just happens”, even though we say it does. How many times have we heard someone explain away sexual immorality of some sort by saying “it just happened”. No! It started with a thought. In that moment that the thought slid into their conscious mind, they grabbed hold of it. In that split second, the thought is either embraced or thrown out. It is hardly even a conscious action. Once they embrace that thought by thinking about it, meditating on it…yes meditating on it. That only means to play it over and over in your mind. When you meditate on scripture, you say that scripture over and over in your mind. You plant it in your mind. That also happens with a sinful trap that has been sent to you. Playing that thought over and over in your mind plants it there. You begin to fantasize about it--that waters and fertilizes the seed--and it grows and until it becomes an overpowering desire. Then “it just happens”. That is only one example. Most of our problems and emotional misery in our lives starts with a thought that we allow to get planted in our minds. Fear, anxiety, depression, worry, anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, addictions, bad financial choices, being abusive, criminal behavior, all the way up to murder—all start with a thought that is embraced and allowed to take root in our mind. Then we feed it and water it by continuing to think about it and even talk about it, until it is so overpowering, we can’t control ourselves! To develop self-control and not be controlled by your emotions and desires, when a thought comes to your mind, grab hold of it in your mind. Now hold that thought up to God’s Word. How does it measure up? How does it measure up to your walk with the Lord? If it doesn’t, immediately cast it out of your mind! Yes, visualize your hand throwing it far away from you. Then guard your mind from allowing it back in. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9) Two lies that will defeat you if you believe them:
Galatians says it all right there! One step at a time, stepping into a fruitful Kingdom life! With the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can mature as citizens of the Kingdom. We don't have to be tossed around by our emotions. That can be exhausting and bring us so much grief and heartache. Hold every thought captive. Then decide if it should be part of who you are or if it should be cast out of your mind. Your mind is not the world's dumping ground! Be ready, Deborah DeborahLuchie.org This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you  Dear Fellow Believer,
Recently, while communicating with a dear lady in New Zealand, the subject of consistency came up. Would you describe yourself as consistent? Maybe only consistent in certain areas? Is your sink always empty of dishes, but you rarely dust? (that would be me!) What about spending consistent time in Gods' Word and in prayer? One of the best ways to hear from the Holy Spirit is to be filled up with God's Word. What do you think is the greatest hindrance to being consistent? Being busy? Being lazy? Being overworked? Being tired? No! It is making grand plans and declarations that are too big to actually follow through on that commitment! It is "biting off more than you can chew"! How many scriptures could your reasonably read daily? Think for a moment about your worst day. How many scriptures could you read on that day? Three? Only two? Do you think that if you can't read a whole chapter you are wasting your time? But by consistently reading just 3 scriptures a day you will have put 1095+ scriptures in your heart! And that's almost 1100 more than you would have if you weren't consistent. So commit for this coming year of 2020 to stop, grab your Bible, go to a quiet place, BREATHE, and read. Then move on, knowing you have done what you committed to do, and that is an accomplishment! Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 I love that scripture! That Word is used by the Holy Spirit to guide you away from that sin and give you strength to resist the temptations of life. The Holy Spirit wasn't sent to us to put on a show. He is our guide and our helper. He reminds us of God's Word in times of trouble and when we need answers and direction. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for Him and doesn’t recognize Him. But you know Him, because He lives with you now and later will be in you...I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:16-17, 25-26. If you needed to dig a big hole, but only had the time and strength to dig one shovel full every day, you can still accomplish your goal by being consistent. So, no boasting or overwhelming commitments. Just be consistent with a little goal and grow in His Word and assignments in your life. His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ Matthew 25:23 Be ready, Deborah DeborahLuchie.org This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you  Dear Fellow Believers,
What would you do, if you saw your neighbor's cat walking through your living room? Well, probably after you got him out of your home, you would look for the open door or window that he came through. What if you saw a mouse running through the kitchen one night? Besides setting traps of some sort, you'd be looking for a hole to plug to be sure your home is secure from vermin! The same is true in our spiritual life. But when something "pops up" in our life that we know is not in line with God's Word our first thought usually isn't to look for those open places in us that has allowed it to come into our minds and emotions. Tempted to some kind of sin? There's an open place in your soul. We too often ignore it, let it set there and eventually succumb to it; or label themselves a victim. No, it didn't "just happen". If you don't find that opening, it will continue to get worse. You may wonder why "the devil is attacking" you. You may pray for relief and deliverance. But as long as it has access, it will come back and bring friends! “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me." “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.” Luke 11:23-26 NLT If you find yourself often saying that the devil is really attacking you, no matter what your terminology may be, look within yourself for holes. Stop blaming the devil and close your temple up tight! Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Where are holes? You may think it sounds too simple or even silly, but look at the holes in your physical body. Your eyes (what you see); your ears (what you hear); your mouth (what you say or put into your mouth); and your "private parts" (what you do sexually). These things are direct lines to our soul (mind, will and emotions). For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:16-17 Guard those places! Guard your soul--your mind, will and emotions! Duct tape would be a little extreme, so be honest with yourself and stay on your guard. Far too many Believers live with their heads in the sand. They are in denial to what tempts them, what their weaknesses are. Nothing "just happens". Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 1 Peter 5:8-9 Yes, fellow Believers in Jesus, I want to encourage you to move beyond elementary life in the Kingdom. As long as you are in a defensive stance, trying to fight off the "attacks from the devil", you aren't advancing His Kingdom in your community. As long as you stay distracted by your circumstances, you will never take the offense and do damage to Satan's kingdom here in the world. I believe in football they say, "The best defense is a good offense!" As a citizen in the Kingdom of God, never forget that! A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Gospel so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:10-18 Be ready, Deborah DeborahLuchie.org This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you |
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