FINDING HOPE IN LIFE’S DARKEST HOURS . . . page 28 SIVAN / TAMMUZ 5773
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A Grateful Heart Unlocks Blessing
Kingdom Living page 8
Uncovering Your DNA for Christ-birthed Transformation
Convergence page 34
Finding Our Purpose from the Beginning of Time
The Big Picture page 20
The #1 Missing Ingredient in the Church
Confidence page 40
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The End of the World as We Know It?
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2012: The End of the World as We Know It?
Convergence
The world has 2012 fever. However, there are very real and unprecedented phenomena that those of us who have eyes to see and ears to hear should be attuned to. Do we have the answers the world is looking for?
BY ROBERT STEARNS
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Uncovering Your DNA for Christbirthed Transformation Are you ready become the person you were created to be? See how Christ uses the process of convergence to transform your life.
BY CRYSTAL LANGDON 40
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Confidence
The Secret of Kingdom Living
Discover the #1 Missing Ingredient in the Church Today
How a Grateful Heart Unlocks Blessing Your attitude of thankfulness will unlock heavenly response and human favor. So, are you willing to be thankful in all things?
BY RICK CIARAMITARO 20
The Big Picture Finding Our Purpose from the Beginning of Time What is the meaning of life? What is the purpose of our existence? Why did Jesus come to Earth? What should our lives be committed to accomplishing? These ‘big questions’ are crucial for us, as Believers, to understand. And to understand them, we must start at the beginning—a very good place to start.
BY JOSEPH MATTERA COVER IMAGES: ISTOCKPHOTO/STUDIOVISION; FILMSTROEM
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Freedom in Christ Finding Hope in Life’s Darkest Hours A pastor from a thriving Chicago-based church shares about her journey of healing from mental illness to freedom in Christ.
BY CHRYSTAL HANSEN
KAIROS 2 SIVAN / TAMMUZ 5773
One of the greatest needs among church leaders today is confidence. How’s yours?
BY KEITH JOHNSON 6
Imperative Prayer Effective, fervent prayer is more needed than ever. Do you know the power of imperative prayer?
BY DR. LARRY & JUDI KEEFAUVER 46
God’s Plan In this election year, people are eager to hear just how leaders propose to change the course of our nation. Here is one key thing to remember in the midst of it all.
BY ROBERT STEARNS
kairos - (kiros) n. A Greek word for time. Specifically, a period of time characterized by good fortune, urgency, and favorable opportunity; a kairos moment is typically one of short duration which must be seized or it will be lost.
Robert Stearns EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER
LARRY KEEFAUVER, D.MIN. EDITORIAL ADVISOR
SARAH WOLF / STEPHEN JENKS ASSISTANT EDITORS
ANDREA GAGLIANO ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
JOEL JAMES MANAGING CONSULTANT
DAVID G. DANGLIS LAYOUT & DESIGN Kairos is published quarterly by Kairos Publishing, a division of Eagles’ Wings. CONTACT: Eagles’Wings, P.O. Box 450, Clarence, NY 14031 Phone: 716.759.1058 email: office@eagleswings.to Website: www.eagleswings.to ADVERTISING SALES: Please direct all enquiries about advertising rates to Andrea B. Gagliano at Abel Communications, P.O. Box 146, Winter Park, FL 32790; phone 407.539.3994; fax 407.539.2180; email abelcomm@aol.com MISSION STATEMENT: KAIROS is the official magazine of Eagles’ Wings and the KAIROS Ministry Partnership. KAIROS exists for the purpose of proclaiming prophetic themes and words that are timely and relevant for the Church today. KAIROS serves to cross communicate these essential themes through the various key ministries present in the KAIROS Ministry Partnership, thereby ensuring that each issue’s message reaches many of the different streams of influence present in the Body of Christ. REPRINT POLICY: You are welcome to copy originals from KAIROS without permission to do so. Please be sure to include the date and year of the issue. Copies are not permitted to be published or used for resale. ADVISORY BOARD: Steve Fry, Larry Kreider, and Jim Bolin. Advertising in KAIROS does not necessarily imply editorial endorsement or a reflection of ministry doctrines and values.
opening thoughts IMPERATIVE PRAYER! We know and quote this verse often: “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” — James 5:16-17. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. What is power prayer? It’s the prayer that obeys God’s mandates or imperative to pray. Remember that imperative prayer is: • Prayer commanded by God • Prayer that’s effective with results • Prayer on demand • Prayer for now and always • Prayer with God’s guarantee to answer “Without prayer, nothing happens.” — E.M. Bounds
God’s 7 Prayer Imperatives! 1) Therefore, PRAY! (Mt. 18:19-20, Lk. 11:1; Mt. 6:9-13) The Didache instructs the early believers to pray “The Lord’s Prayer” three times daily. Why not. We must discipline ourselves to pray and seek God as He commanded—not driven by need or desire but rather by obedient faith and love. 2) PRAY! For the nations and their salvation (Ps. 2:8; Mt. 9:38, Lk. 10:2; Mt. 5:44). We need workers in the harvest of America and around the world. So many need to hear the Good News of Christ. Prayer opens the doors to missions. 3) PRAY! For the peace of Jerusalem (Ps. 122:6). We must pray not only on the First Sunday of October but daily for Jerusalem’s peace. The blessings of God flow through His Holy City and her role in world history. 4) PRAY! For the Holy Spirit . . . and all you need is met! (Zech. 10:1; Lk. 11:9-13; Jn. 14:12-18, 16:23-24; Rom. 8:26-27; James 4:3; Phil. 4:19) Too often we pray for what we want instead of what God wants. He gives His Spirit to those who ask and with that gift, we have all we need. 5) PRAY! To avoid temptation at the right time (Mark 13:33; Lk. 21:36, 22:40). The enemy of our souls seeks to rob, kill and destroy. Are you watchful in prayer for others and yourself? 6) PRAY! For others (Eph. 6:18; James 5:16). I love praying the Jesus Prayer from the early Church desert fathers. “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on ________.” Pray that for others—family, church, friends and enemies, all the time. 7) PRAY! Always (1 Thess. 5:17). Once the ebb and flow of the river of prayer undergirds our lives, the Spirit prays in and through us continually. Life becomes prayer; we become outer servants and inner monastics as we intercede for others. Obey. Pray. Dr. Larry & Judi Keefauver, Editorial Advisors, KAIROS Dr. Larry and Judi Keefauver are authors, teachers, and members of the Eagles’ Wings Advisory Board. www.ymcs.org KAIROS 6 SIVAN / TAMMUZ 5773
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The Secret to Kingdom Living How a Grateful Heart Unlocks Blessing
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Rick Ciaramitaro
KAIROS 8 SIVAN / TAMMUZ 5773
SUMMER 2012 9 KAIROS
ever dreamed of: incredible blessings, powerful breakthrough, strong anointing, and growth in their ministries. Then, they gradually begin to let down their guard until they get pulled into some form of deception, weird teaching, bondage, sin, or work of the flesh. Their ministries begin to spiral down and their influence begins to wane. I have asked the Lord why so many have not finished well, and I have read many books on the subject. I have agonized in prayer over this same scenario many times, and asked the Holy Spirit to help me finish well the ministry entrusted to my life so that the generations to come would follow in the right ways of the Lord. Over many years of studying the Scriptures, I believe I have found the missing key for longevity in ministry and for the fulfillment of prophetic words—even those from many years
I want to share the secret of God’s Kingdom life with you! Jesus taught His disciples, in the Book of Acts, about things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom teaching was the last teaching He shared with the disciples before He ascended into Heaven. Apparently, He felt it was so important that He drilled it into them for 40 solid days! Living in the Kingdom is a powerful force against the enemy, the flesh, and the influence of the world that we all live in. Many believers never attain even a simple understanding of what Kingdom life is. Many have made the Kingdom life such a complicated, mysterious journey that few ever connect to it. However, the secret to entering and maintain the Kingdom life is one that God desires to share with each of us.
A LONG KINGDOM LIFE In the last 38 years, I have functioned as a father, grandfather, mentor, pastor, and some even call me a spiritual father in Canada. I have seen many men and women of God, who have everything going for them, suddenly lose their steam. They seemed to be experiencing everything they had KAIROS 10 SIVAN / TAMMUZ 5773
I have seen many men and women of God suddenly lose their steam. ago. This study has also shown me why, at times, God’s presence and power seem to be very distant from our lives and our prayers; intercession and crying out does not get the answers that we believe for by faith. It is a very simple truth and maybe that is why so many overlook it. The key to unlocking Kingdom life is thanksgiving. ³The key to Kingdom living is gratitude; it is a heart of thanksgiving.
Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you. (Deuteronomy 28:47-48)
The key to Kingdom living is gratitude; it is a heart of thanksgiving. There it is; the answer is right there in the Bible. When someone asks us “why,” we say, “because . . . .” The word “because” is used 1,477 times in the Word of God and means for this reason, due to the fact that. In this passage, we find that the people were ungrateful and had begun to take for granted the blessings of God in their lives. They had started to murmur and complain, which are symptoms of lost joy. They did not appreciate what God had done, so He stopped blessing them.
PITFALLS TO AVOID This same thing seems to be happening in many churches today. A pastor serves and pours his life into his congregants by teaching and modeling the Christian life. He connects them to small groups, provides them with rides to church, and sees they receive help paying their utility bills. He counsels their families, helps their marriages, buries their loved ones,
and performs their children’s weddings. Then one day these same people get upset with something that is usually a petty offense or a misunderstanding, and they leave. They totally disconnect from the church family that loved them and made sacrifices for them. Many people come to the House of the Lord and take everything they can get from it and never return the least amount of gratitude. This behavior describes a parasite which takes and takes but never gives anything back. They take the most valuable nutrients that come into the body and leave the leftovers for the rest to eat. Parasites are so selfish they only concern themselves with their desires and make it tough for the rest of the body to function. When parasites are in a church, the rest of the body has to work harder to keep the energy level up and constantly guard themselves from broken focus, fatigue, and burn out. One of the main characteristics of the end times is the spirit of antiChrist that is sent to wear down the saints. That’s exactly what ingratitude does. It exhausts the ministers and zaps the congregation of its passion and fervency for evangelism by forcing them to concentrate instead on putting out fires in the church. Many people pray for years that God would bring a husband or wife into their lives. Then, they find mister or miss right and get married. Six months later, they want a divorce. What happened? They became ungrateful for the blessing God brought into their lives. We can even see this with older SUMMER 2012 11 KAIROS
they move out of the house, but children must respect their parents. The Bible says children are to treat parents with honor for the blessing of God to be on their life, as well as to live a long life. Respect springs from a heart of Thanksgiving. I encourage you to give thanks to God and others at all times and in all situations. Doing so will unlock for you the secret to Kingdom living! K
Respect springs from a heart of Thanksgiving. couples who have been married as many years as I am old. They start running around on their spouse or leave them for a much younger partner whom they’ve met in some online chat room. What happened? They became discontented, started taking their mate for granted, lost sight of their appreciation and vow, and became cold in their hearts over time. Thanksgiving will keep the fire burning in every marriage. It’s the same thing with children. When they are growing up, mom and dad sacrifice their time, money, cars, savings, and energy to help their children through school. They run them all over town as a glorified taxi service so they can participate in activities and sports. They cook decent meals, make lunches, wash clothes, clean up after them, and generally make sure they have the essentials of life. Parents buy them clothes, computers, and cell phones trying to help them in any way they can to get a good start in their independent life in the future. But oftentimes the children move out of the home and forget Mom and Dad. They hardly ever call them, visit them, or even remember their birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. But when Mom or Dad dies, they are the first ones there to get the inheritance. That’s the fruit of being ungrateful. Many parents don’t expect a whole lot from their children after KAIROS 12 SIVAN / TAMMUZ 5773
Rick Ciaramitaro is a recognized apostolic voice to the nation of Canada. He oversees The Open Bible Faith Fellowship —a network of churches and ministers. He has ministered in over 25 nations, and travels extensively throughout Canada impacting others to release the glory of God. Rick and his wife, Cathy, co-pastor Windsor Christian Fellowship in Windsor, Ontario. They have six married children and 16 grandchildren.
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KAIROS MOMENTS
Take a moment A KAIROS Moment is a God-thing—a point at which time and destiny meet, and lives are changed. It could be anything from the course of a nation changing, to God showing up in a person’s life when they least expect it. When you witness the extraordinary, take a moment to email your KAIROS Moment to office@eagleswings.to (Subject line: KAIROS Moment submission) and encourage others by sharing yet another time when God came through!
The Secret to Kingdom Life by Rick Ciaramitaro YOU MUST KNOW AND APPLY THIS SECRET TRUTH...
Order eBook online at:
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Over many years of studying the Scriptures, I believe I have found the missing key for longevity in ministry and for the fulfillment of our personal destiny. This study has also shown me why, at times, God’s presence and power seem to be very distant. Our personal struggles in prayer do not get the answers that we are believing for. By His grace, I believe this book will answer the WHY. It is a simple truth that has eluded us. The key to unlocking Kingdom life is thanksgiving. I know that this book will renew and refresh your life...
All proceeds from the sale of this book go directly to support Windsor Life Centre, a home for women seeking to overcome addictive behaviours.
For book inquiries call (519) 972-5977. SUMMER 2012 13 KAIROS
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2012: The End of the World as We Know It? Robert Stearns
KAIROS 14 SIVAN / TAMMUZ 5773
SUMMER 2012 15 KAIROS
Thinking people everywhere are agreeing on one thing . . . Ironically, one of the things that marks the age we live in, is that most of us seem to believe it is the end of the age. Unlike in millennia past, when just a few lone voices claimed a far-fetched creed that doomsday was upon us; today, there are numerous belief systems—whether religious, sociological, ecological or otherwise scientific—that are lining up in agreement that the end is (very) near. Am I referring to the classic “fire and brimstone” scenario? Possibly. But with 2012 in full swing, it is undeniable that thinking people everywhere, from disparate walks of life, are agreeing on one thing: There are major, unprecedented forces at work right now which seem to be, of their own volition, heading us toward some manner of cataclysmic shift. Whatever name people give it, the end of all that we have ever known is nearer than it’s ever been.
APOCALYPSE MAKES STRANGE BEDFELLOWS A few months ago, I was on a short, domestic flight reading a Christian book that held “the 2012 phenomenon” up to the light of biblical prophecy. Sitting in the seat beside me was a nice, normal-looking, middle-aged woman who asked what I thought of the book I was reading. She went on to tell me she had read it herself; she had read everything on KAIROS 16 SIVAN / TAMMUZ 5773
the topic she could get her hands on. I assumed she was a fellow Believer in Jesus, but as she explained to me her beliefs about the end times, I saw this wasn’t quite the case. This kindly woman, who was knitting a sweater for her newborn baby granddaughter, went on to matterof-factly explain to me that we were living at the end of the last cycle of the ancient Mayan calendar—to conclude on 12/21/2012. At this point, she said, all of us who, throughout their reincarnated lifetimes have learned to become good people, would undergo a collective shift in consciousness. We would then spiritually evolve into four-dimensional beings that would be transported to another planet to live a harmonious, celestial existence. This very sincere woman was a medium from a New Age spiritual community who believed it was her mission to help people cross from one life into the next. Needless to say, it was a memorable experience. It was also revelatory for me in that it showed so clearly how someone with beliefs extremely contradictory to my own was contemplating the same questions I was about the tenor of our times. Consider these additional illustrations from three divergent faith groups:
• Of the many biblical prophecies fulfilled in modern times, the reestablishment of the State of Israel has perhaps received the most attention. The turmoil surrounding this tiny nation is something that very few people on the planet are not acutely aware of. The Book of Ezekiel foretells an invasion of Israel by surrounding nations (chapters 38-39), and an ensuing battle, which precedes the worldwide battle of Armageddon. Today, Israel makes the headlines on a daily basis due to the contention it faces from surrounding nations, which openly declare their commitment to Israel’s destruction, just as Scripture foretells. With a madman dictator at the helm of a nuclear Iran, the world is holding its breath, wondering not if, but when the epic attack against Israel will come. • Numerous Mid-East experts and political analysts are worried that the politics of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are being fueled by an eschatological Shia belief that a violent war needs to precede the return of the 12th Imam. This long-awaited religious leader will usher in the end of the current age and bring the entire human population under Islamic rule. The fear is that Ahmadinejad will recklessly use the nuclear arms at his disposal to trigger a colossal war that could be described as nothing short of apocalyptic. In the meantime, he appears to be readying the Islamic Republic to receive its Mahdi (or Savior) by devoting millions of
dollars to an elaborate mosque and educating devout Muslims about the apocalyptic role they play in this end-time scenario. • The incredibly young Baha’i Faith has grown at an unprecedented rate—having become the world’s second largest independent religion since its inception in the midnineteenth century. It is growing in popularity within humanist societies (not normally considered religious) because of its ecumenical nature. Baha’i’s are devoted to establishing a new world order. They are working diligently to achieve a one-world government and one-world religion. It is their stated purpose to usher in a global leader who will bring about world peace, which happens to fit the age-old description of the Antichrist. And considering the staggering amount of influence the Baha’i’s hold within the UN, they don’t seem to be very far from achieving their goal.
Atheists seem to be freaking out more than anyone else. These examples, from diverse religious expressions, make a compelling point. But concluding that those who hold to no faith at all are free from end-time anxieties couldn’t be less true. On the contrary, atheists and those who believe the Earth is our final destination seem to be freaking out more than anyone else. And with all the world’s ecosystems SUMMER 2012 17 KAIROS
Our own house is only as secure as its foundation. in rapid decline, plus the frightening array of natural and man-made ecological disasters wreaking havoc on the planet, it’s not hard to understand why. From looking for the 12th Imam, to the New Age, to Evangelical Christianity, to Greenpeace (and just about everyone in between), we’re finding it impossible to deny that the world we’ve always known seems headed toward a certain and ruinous fate. Whatever commonality we lack in our worldviews, most thinking people would agree on at least one thing: We’re all in the same boat. And it’s sinking.
THREE - TWO - ONE I would like to leave us with the thoughts of three prominent, wellknown leaders who each represent one of the areas of global influence this book is dedicated to examining: Radical Islam, Militant Secularism, and the House of the JudeoChristian worldview. These leaders are both reflecting and shaping the mindset of millions of people. They also have the influence and power base to move cultural leaders to action. Remarkably, these three fundamentally differing voices, representing fundamentally differing viewpoints, all agree that the world as we know it is on the brink of demise. Radical Islam: Many Westerners are understandKAIROS 18 SIVAN / TAMMUZ 5773
ably perplexed by the rantings of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. This is because his grandiose vitriol can only be properly understood in light of their true intent. For instance, his infamous speech to the United Nations General Assembly actually contained an underlying warning to the world—a declaration of the inevitability of global Islamic dominance. It was also a call to action for the Shiite religious community to initiate an end-time war on all who resist their eschatological agenda. “Today, we should define our economic, cultural and political policies based on the policy of Imam Mahdi’s return.”1 — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Militant Secularism: Prominent politician and environmental activist Al Gore has expressed his belief that, if we do not make significant strides in saving our planet within the next ten years, it may be too late to avoid irreparable damage. “Global warming is a strategic threat. The concentration of carbon dioxide and other heatabsorbing molecules has increased by almost 25 percent since World War II, posing a worldwide threat to the earth’s ability to regulate the amount of heat from the sun retained in the atmosphere.”2
“We know from the history of climate changes that they can cause unprecedented social and political upheavals . . .”3 — Former Vice President and environmental activist Al Gore Judeo Christian Worldview: In his book, Can America Survive? New York Times bestselling author John Hagee cites ten scriptural reasons why “we are the terminal generation.” “It is a perfect storm that has been brewing for centuries that is about to explode in all its fury affecting the lives of every person on planet Earth . . . .”4 — Pastor John Hagee It ought to arrest the attention of all of us that these three examples (and many others) point in a surprisingly similar and foreboding direction. Each comment reflects the core belief of millions of people and shares a common thread—the end of the world as we know it.
HOW, THEN, SHALL WE LIVE? If we are to be effective in this age (which is, quite possibly, the end of the age), we as Christians need to take inventory. We need to get our house in order! The Church is being redefined, and the difference between those who are intent on their own interests and in compromising the Word and ways of God for the sake of popular opinion, and those who, at any cost, will lay down their own lives and selfwills in order to bring glory to Him, is
becoming more and more apparent. Friends, it is very true that we cannot coexist with those who want to kill us or who want to berate us, but as we know, a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand (see Mt. 12:25, NIV). Our own house is only as secure as its foundation. We will find that, if we do not get the mixture (sin, compromise, idolatry) out of our own personal lives and out of our corporate spiritual life, we will not be able to exist at all. K This article is adapted from an excerpt of No, We Can’t by Robert Stearns, Chosen Books, ©2011. ISBN 978-0-8007-9520-7. All rights reserved. Robert Stearns is a gifted teacher, singer and musician, and has authored several books— most recently No We Can’t. He is the visionary behind The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem, and the executive director of Eagles’Wings, a dynamic international ministry involved in discipleship, worship and equipping conferences and humanitarian aid. He has led thousands of Christians on pilgrimage to Israel, and lives with his family in New York State. 1. John von Heyking, “Iran’s President and the Politics of the Twelfth Imam,” Ashbrook Center for Public Affairs at Ashland University, November 2005, www.ashbrook.org/publicat/guest/05/vonheyking/tw elfthimam.html. 2. Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It (New York: Rodale, 2006), 29. 3. Ibid, 77. 4. John Hagee, Can America Survive? 10 Prophetic Signs that We Are the Terminal Generation (New York: Howard Books, 2010), 7.
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Joseph Mattera
The Big Picture Finding our Purpose from the Beginning of Time
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usually through physical or chemical processes. A generation is the act or process of generating and is made up of a group of individuals having a common ancestor and constituting a single stage of descent. The average time interval of a generation for humans, the time between the birth of parents and the birth of their offspring, is approximately 30 years. A genealogy is a study of ancestry, usually a recording of the descent of a family, a group, or a specific person from an ancestor or family line.
Everything we do in life is determined by our starting point or our presuppositions. Every contractor presumes there is a well-thought out blueprint to refer to that clearly defines what he is to build and why. Architecturally speaking, there can be no “how to build” unless the architect knows “what and why” something is to be built. Biblically speaking, this means what we are looking for is what we will find when we read the Bible. If my Bible reading is motivated by a goal of trying to feel God’s love, I will personalize every verse and impose this theme into every passage of Scripture I read. Consequently, we need to begin our understanding of God’s will for us based on His original plan, His blueprint. Otherwise, we will get caught up in the “sub-plots” of Scripture and miss the meta-narrative—the big picture God has for His people. Our goal then is to focus on God’s ultimate goal: our redemption through the Cross of Christ and how He works His purposes on the earth through families from one generation to the next. The word generation comes from the root word generate, which means to bring something into existence, KAIROS 22 SIVAN / TAMMUZ 5773
THE BOOK OF BEGINNINGS The Book of Genesis contains in “seed form” all the major concepts and doctrines of the Christian faith. The one verse that can possibly summarize the contents of the book would be Genesis 2:4. These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. (Genesis 2:4).
A generation is the act or process of generating. The Hebrew word for generations is towlâdah, tolâdah (to·led·aw) and occurs 39 times in the Old Testament of the Bible, 38 times as “generations” and once as “birth.” 1 Vine’s Dictionary of the Bible expands on the definition, adding “descendants, results, pro-
ceedings, generations, genealogies; an account of men and their descendants; a genealogical list of one’s descendants; one’s contemporaries; course of history (of creation, etc.) and begetting or account of heaven.” I have never heard anyone say this before, but I believe Genesis 1:26-28 is the most important of all Scripture passages. And God said, Let us make man in Our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moved upon the earth. My reason for choosing Genesis 1:26-28 is because it is the “Covenant of Creation,” which God made with all of humanity through Adam. This passage is the purpose statement for all human beings who were yet to be born. Without this passage, we cannot know the original intent God had for creating humankind and this planet. It serves as the cornerstone, the lynchpin, or as they say in philosophy, the ontological and metaphysical reason for our very existence as humans! Understanding this uncovers not only why we were born, but what we are supposed to do. Certain theologians call this passage of Scripture the Cultural
Mandate because, in it, Adam is given the express command to infect all of planet Earth with the knowledge and presence of God. Without understanding this, we can’t even understand why the Lord Jesus came here! Truly, it is no coincidence that Jesus is called the Last (or second) Adam in First Corinthians 15:45. In this verse, God ties the coming of Christ with Adam. Jesus came as the second Adam to complete the work the first Adam did not finish when God gave him the original Covenant of Creation and his Cultural Commission. Romans 5:12-21 clearly shows
Jesus came as the second Adam to complete the work the first Adam did not finish. that the mission of Jesus is inexorably connected to the first Adam. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, SUMMER 2012 23 KAIROS
the authority of Heaven as well as the earthly authority Adam failed to carry out because of disobedience. In this commission to His disciples, Jesus says this authority is for the express purpose of sending them out to teach all nations.
When God says all, He means all. so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. After the resurrection, Jesus reiterated the same cultural mandate God gave Adam when He said, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world (Matthew 28:18-20). In Genesis 1:28, humanity is commanded to subdue the earth and have dominion. Matthew 28:18 shows how the Father gave Jesus back all KAIROS 24 SIVAN / TAMMUZ 5773
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE GREAT COMMISSION There are two key words we must understand before we can make the connection between Adam and Jesus and understand the truth about God’s commission to humankind. First, the word teach in Matthew 28:19 is the Greek word for disciple— matheteuo, which means “to be a disciple of one; to follow his precepts and instructions; to make a disciple; to teach, instruct.”2 The other word is nations, which in the Greek is ethnos (eth·nos), which is translated as “nation” sixtyfour times, “heathen” five times, and “people” twice. Vine’s Bible Dictionary defines a nation as a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together; a company, troop, swarm; a multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus; the human race; a race, people group; and in the Old Testament as foreign nations not worshipping the true God, pagans or Gentiles.3 This verse clearly shows us that Jesus is commissioning His disciples to bring whole nations and cultures of the world under His Lordship, not just individual ethnic peoples, as most evangelicals have preached concerning our commission for over 100 years. In other words, this means that, as
Christ’s Church, we are not just called to minister to an individual Hispanic, Asian, White, African, or Indian person. We are called to bring the whole continents of Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America, under the influence of the Gospel! This includes their political, economic, and educational structures. It is time we realize we are not just called to “grow churches.” Christians are called collectively to manage and influence whole cities and nations by providing a Biblical blueprint for every sphere of society under the rule and reign of God. Second Corinthians 5:19 says Jesus was sent to reconcile the world to God: “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” The Greek word for “world” is kosmos (kos·mos), meaning the world, the universe, and every inhabitant of the earth. It also includes the world systems, world affairs, and the whole created order, which includes far more than just individual souls. Colossians 1:20 says Jesus came to reconcile all things back to God, And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. When God says all, He means all. All includes things in Heaven and on earth, natural and spiritual, not just human souls. Obviously the commission God has for humankind is much broader than we are often led to be-
lieve. We now need to learn how to accomplish this monumental assignment and train the next generation to continue working to fulfill it. K Joseph Mattera is the Presiding Bishop of Christ Covenant Coalition and Overseeing Bishop of Resurrection Church in New York. He is the author of four books on the Kingdom of God: Ruling in the Gates, Kingdom Revolution, Kingdom Awakening, and Walk in Generational Blessings. He has appeared on Christian networks including TBN, Daystar Television Network, and Cornerstone Television Network. Visit www.josephmattera.org. 1 Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance to the Bible, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2009, entry #8435 2 Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance to the Bible Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2009, entry #3100. 3 Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1996, entry #1484, s.v. “ethnos.”
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KAIROS MOMENTS
‘You never know who you’ll meet!’ A Romanian woman working in Cambridge, UK was met on her bicycle by youth who volunteer to service bikes as a way of sharing the love of Christ. Having no background with God, she was baffled that anyone would do something for another person and ask nothing in return. The woman attended a local Alpha course to find out why. She is now a Christian, attending a thriving church and preparing to be baptized. Learn about 55,000 Alpha courses happening now around the world, and how 18 million people have been introduced to Jesus through them. (www.alpha.org) SUMMER 2012 25 KAIROS
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Chrystal Hansen
Freedom in Christ Finding hope in life’s darkest hours
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“Daddy, come home quick,” the young voice pleaded on the phone. “Mommy is sick!” scared to death about what I was feeling and sensing. Frantically, I searched for ways to relieve the pressure by relinquishing responsibilities at the church and trying to find time to rest during my daily routines. I would go on small trips and spend time away to refocus but no relief came. My days were clouded with confusion and feelings of disorientation. I began to experience memory loss both short and long term. I could not focus or concentrate on the simplest task. What was I to wear, to eat, or what I was to do next? To complete a simple task became utter agony. I lost the mental ability to think, to choose, to reason, to will, to be. In that period, I so identified with the Psalmist’s anguish in 18:4-6. “The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help.” I hoped God was with me, I knew He heard my cries; but I heard nothing, saw nothing, and still had When I was in the pit of little explanation as to what was happening to me. despair, the cry of my All my life I had been taught that heart was to live again. faith without works is dead. If I could just put my faith into action, I there was this flood of emotion pourreasoned, eventually my emotions ing out of me. I was embarrassed by would have to line up with my faith. I this uncontrollable burst of emotion. was trying very hard to maintain the I just couldn’t hold it in any longer. right mental attitude. Every day I batI noticed an inward breaking that tled not to give up or give in to the I had no words to describe. I was My husband, Ken, rushed home to find me curled up in the fetal position, sobbing hysterically in the middle of the kitchen floor. Our children were encircled around me almost as if to protect their mommy until daddy could get there and take over. Our seven-year-old son was praying for me, our five-year-old daughter was stroking my hair and telling me everything was going to be alright while our two-year-old looked on with eyes the size of saucers. Unable to gain control of my flood of emotions, all I could do was cry out, “I just want to live again!” In the summer of 1996, Ken and I saw our world come crashing down around us as I was overtaken by severe depression and an inability to cope with the pressures of life and ministry. By August of that summer, I was seeing a counselor and I tried to explain to him, “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I think I’m just too tired.” I began crying uncontrollably. It was like we had surgically lanced a boil and
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negative emotions that threatened to life-long struggle set in. Was I going overwhelm me. At these low times, one to be like this the rest of my life? question kept repeating in my mind: A friend of mine describes this If God is really who He says He is, why time: Once Chrystal was placed am I not seeing the victory in my life? on medication she returned to It became more and more difficult to attending church more often. ignore this line of thinking There are truths we must and eventually I faced a major crisis of faith. allow to penetrate our hearts The counselor knew and renew our minds. immediately what was happening to me. He made a series of However it really wasn’t phone calls to get me in to see a psyChrystal! She was a shell of her chiatrist and receive the right kind of former self. Chrystal got better at medication and counseling. He knew going through the motions, but there right away I was having a mental breakwas no real life behind her words, down and what I needed was beyond and when not specifically being adwhat he could give me. He set up an dressed she would just stare. She appointment for me within the next became more physically functional, couple of days. But between that day without engaging mentally or emoin the counselor’s office and the day of tionally. Over time we saw Chrystal my appointment with the psychiatrist, “return” a little more emotionally. We I experienced a total collapse. The dam were never really sure how big of a had broken, a flood of emotions floodfactor the medications were in her ed out of me and as thoughts of my detachment. One of the more devasupcoming appointment with the psytating parts of her final diagnosis chiatrist circled around in my head. was that Chrystal would have to remain on medications for the rest of THE VALLEY her life. This meant to us that we For three years my family lived daily would never fully get Chrystal back, in an atmosphere where I struggled that she would continue to “hold us mentally and emotionally. I was not at arms length” emotionally. Her spark there for them, like a mother should and spunk were gone . . . forever! be. Instead, they had to be there for As I was accepting the fact that I me. The treatment period of antiwould be on medication for the rest depressant drugs, psychiatric drugs of my life, I started experiencing and the counseling did give me the severe side effects from all that I was feeling that I was gaining an undertaking. I had been told that most of standing as to why I had been dethe psychiatric medication I would be pressed as a child. I grieved the loss taking had a tendency to cause weight of my father, so some of the things I gain. Not just a few pounds here and had been dealing with were getting there but an exorbitant amount. For better. The realization that living whatever reason, the medication had with bipolar disease was going to be a an opposite effect on me. It sped up SUMMER 2012 31 KAIROS
my metabolism so much that I couldn’t keep weight on. I was almost anorexic, dropping to 110 pounds. Everyone worried over the fact that I had no appetite and continued to lose weight. Part of the problem was I couldn’t remember if I had eaten anything. My husband would come home from work and ask me if I’d eaten and I didn’t know if I had or not. I could not retain information, so unless someone sat right there with me and watched me eat; we had no idea how much food I was actually consuming in a day. It was a living nightmare that would not end. When I was in the pit of depression and despair, the cry of my heart was to live again. I felt I was locked in a prison of darkness and confusion and no one could help me escape. Even as we began to discover the root causes and deal with the issues that put me in that prison, there still seemed to be no clear pathway out. It seemed I was destined to go through life dragging a ball and chain filled with pills and confusion that would keep me from living a normal life.
asking, “God, what are you doing here in this place?” Then we must learn to respond to what He is saying. Each of our journeys will be different. No two are ever the same. There are no quick fixes or “exit here” signs along the way. There are only paths to follow and three important truths that we must allow to penetrate our hearts and renew our minds: Our security, our significance and our freedom are all in Christ. When Jesus declared what His purpose for coming to earth was in Luke 4:18, it included proclaiming freedom to the prisoners. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then in John 8:36 Jesus said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” I knew the Bible said Christ has given me freedom, but I needed to figure out how to apprehend it and then live in that freedom. K
FOUND IN CHRIST
Chrystal Hansen and her husband, Ken, serve as Lead Pastors of Living Water Community Churchin a Chicago, IL suburb. Chrystal is an ordained minister and has a B.A. from Lewis University in Applied Sociology and Political Science. She is founder and president of Emerging Life Solutions, a faith-based, not-for-profit that works to transform the lives of challenged youth. She and her husband have been in full-time ministry for 28 years and have three grown children.
God desires to bring us through all of our circumstances, trials and tribulations into a place of wholeness. However, we will find that this is a lot easier said than done. If we try to do it in our own strength and in our own way, it will appear to be impossible. But we know and must live like we believe that with God all things are possible.1 Our part is to learn to respond to what God is doing in us and place ourselves where God can best work in us. Coming into wholeness starts by KAIROS 32 SIVAN / TAMMUZ 5773
1 See Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27 and Luke 18:27
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Crystal Langdon
vergence Uncovering Your DNA for Christ-birthed Transformation
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“For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” EPHESIANS 2:10 NLT “recalculating . . . recalculating.” They drive lost; second-guessing their turns and questioning choices in life. They live in a constant flux of re-evaluation; always searching for the quickest route to somewhere, unable to find the on-ramp to a satisfying life. In order to successively navigate, you must have a clear understanding of your “somewhere.” There must be clarity in regards to the address you are seeking . . . you must learn . . . the combination of how to find home! Where do you shine? What are your natural internal direction and external preparation . . . tendencies, your interests and your passions? It is this ability to positions individuals to identify your sweet spot that discover the on-ramp allows you to provide accurate of life and merge safely input for your internal compass. Defining this data of purpose and on to their freeway. direction will help to pave a path and minimize the U-turns and traffic There is an internal mechanism jams of life. within each of us that operates simiHowever, knowing your destinalar to a GPS. This navigational tool is tion is not enough. Life is littered designed to provide direction. Unwith those who have found themfortunately, many spend their lives selves and yet sat waiting for circumlistening to this inner voice saying: As new creations in Christ, we have a Christ-birthed DNA in us that transforms us from old to new, from hurt to health, from bound to free, and from lost to on-course according to His plans and purposes (Romans 8:28; Jeremiah 29:11-14). I will describe for you what this means—an everyday reality in which His purposes and plans for each of us converge into a godly lifestyle, unique and particular for every individual.
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stances to give them the green light conferences designed to facilitate the to proceed. The commitment to prenecessary internal and external pare and develop the required skills growth. These include . . . impacts the ability to start and finish the journey. A variety of equipping “CEO� DNA CODES It has been said that within every avenues are available such as books, individual lies the seeds of greatness. classes, on-the-job training, coaching We identify these seeds as the CEO and conferences. Each external deDNA codes. Everyone has them. velopment provides the opportunity However, these codes lie in seed to test-drive vehicles and practice for form waiting for recognition and navigating the course. then cultivation. The ability to AdIt is the combination of internal ministrate, Operate, Market and condirection and external preparation duct Finances are the codes that play that positions individuals to discover an essential role in businesses, orthe on-ramp of life and merge safely ganizations and even in the lives of on to their freeway. This critical individuals. Training is beneficial in moment is called Convergence. the understanding and practical Many individuals spend their lives application of these codes. searching for Convergence and yet it is neither mystical nor unattainable. EQW It lies within the grasp of each one of When it comes to creating wealth, us. It requires the ability to listen . . . there are three components: Spiritreally listen to what makes you tick ual, Emotional and Mechanical. Unand sets you apart. It then requires fortunately, most individuals focus the discipline to take this revelation on the spiritual and mechanical and apply elbow grease, hard work processes and overlook the connectand intentional tuning of your skill ing factor— EQW. sets. In convergence you operate on a new level and are Many individuals spend their fueled by a higher octane. It is here lives searching for Convergence that you experiand yet it is neither mystical nor ence a deeper satunattainable. It lies within the isfaction and engrasp of each one of us. ter into a more rewarding life. It requires the ability to listen. Convergence The Emotional Quotient of Wealth happens in multiple areas of life at varying times. Catalysts can be used is the fulcrum that weighs the experito accelerate this process. Our goal is ences, aspirations and internal to function as a catalyst for converthought processes of an individual gence in the lives of individuals, busiagainst the factual data and calculanesses and organizations. We have tions of finances. It acknowledges the developed numerous workshops and internal belief system and the pragSUMMER 2012 37 KAIROS
is designed to broaden the financial platform for organizations through the intentional development of donors. Four strategic components are integrated together to increase financial literacy and It has been said that within transition individuals, as well as the organization, every individual lies the from spenders to savers seeds of greatness. to wealth creators. We identify these seeds as Our goal is to be a catalyst that helps people, the CEO DNA codes. businesses and organizations discover their point of converstrategies. A developed EQW progence so they can enter the freeway vides the ability to create wealth! of life within the context of their calling according to Paul’s description in TRIBAL LEADERSHIP Ephesians 2:10. We realize that on Tribal leadership focuses on identifythis freeway, they will excel as quicking the stages of culture and how ly as their vehicle will allow. individuals, businesses, organizations Therefore, their vehicle must be preand communities can transition pared and secure, with solid internal through these stages successfully. It wiring that is fine-tuned for maxiis not about performance evaluations, mum performance . . . and enjoyproject management or even a wellment! K structured business plan. Rather, tribal leadership is moving past proCrystal Langdon is a certified financedure to identifying the underlying cial planner, talk radio host core value and common bond within and national speaker. Her an environment. This revelation, focus is to help individuals combined with insight, can shift culand organizations combine tures and transition mindsets from their internal purpose with preservation to innovation. external training for catalyst convergence. FINANCIAL STRATEGY Her teachings include customized development of Finance Strategy Teams, TEAM Organizations have depended upon EQW: The Emotional Quotient of the generosity of donors as the finanWealth, Business Creation, Tribal cial foundation for their ministries. Leadership and Unlocking the CEO This single stream of income is DNA Codes. Her ability to impart knowldirectly connected to the circumedge, impact lives and ignite futures stances and faithfulness of individuplaces her as a sought-after speaker and als and often creates questionable Convergence catalyst. For more informasustainability. tion visit www.CrystalLangdon.info or conFinancial Strategy Team training tact her office at 518-433-7181. matic formulas of reason to create a response based upon wisdom without emotional entanglements. It removes reactionary impulses and produces proactive solutions and
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small to several thousand. I have personally coached hundreds of pastors and over the years have discovered the major difference! Ministries are suffering from the lack of leadership confidence. The Barna Research Group and Fuller Seminary released these statistics revealing the need for pastors to boost their confidence:
Consider this scenario: Two high school graduates attend the same Bible college excited about the call of God to pastor a thriving church some day. Both took the same classes, achieved excellent grades, became excellent speakers, and had a solid understanding about biblical truth. Both graduated and pastored churches in thriving suburban areas. Although both of these pastors have the same background, talent, education, and ministry opportunities, one pastor built a church where thousands of excited churchgoers gather every Sunday morning. Sadly, the other pastor has struggled for 14 years with less than 100 church members. What is the major difference between the two pastors? Does God love one more than the other? Does one pray harder? Is one in a better location? Does the enemy fight one more than the other? The answer is—NO!
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? THE CONFIDENCE FACTOR. For the past 16 years I have studied leaders, leadership, and church growth and have ministered in hundreds of churches ranging from very KAIROS 42 SIVAN / TAMMUZ 5773
• 70% of pastors said their selfimage is lower now than when they entered into the ministry. • 90% of pastors reported that they felt inadequate for their tasks. • 95% of pastors say they don’t have the leadership gifts to perform in the way that their congregations expect them to perform. • 75% of pastors responded anonymously that they are intimidated by the lay leaders or staff. • 65% of pastors said that they have seriously considered quitting the ministry within the last two months. What can we learn from these statistics? We can conclude that 75% - 95% of pastors in America struggle with a lack of confidence. Do you relate to any of these statistics? If so, this study will help. Your personal insecurities create an invisible “glass lid” that keeps you and your church from growing to maximum capacity and potential. This study will take you on a journey to create a more confident you. When you increase your personal confidence, you will unleash your true potential and maximize your performance. Those
invisible barriers will be destroyed, launching you and your ministry to the next level—and beyond! “An army of sheep led by a lion will always defeat an army of lions lead by a sheep. Many leaders have associated with sheep so much that they try to lead like a sheep when they are to lead like a lion.” – Keith Johnson
FROM SENIOR PASTOR TO BAGGAGE CARRIER A few years ago, in a private leadership coaching session, I lovingly told a pastor about his insecurities and that he needed to work on building his confidence so his ministry would grow. The pastor dismissed my advice and insisted that his “personal level of confidence had nothing to do with growing his church.” Unfortunately, over the years his church membership declined, along with his personal confidence. Now he works as a baggage carrier at a Florida airport. What a tragedy! Don’t let this happen to you. “The greatest asset of a leader is confidence. The greatest liability is insecurity.” — John Maxwell
MY PERSONAL STORY Just ten years ago I was so frustrated with my own ministry that I wanted to quit and get a secular job! I went through the whole “blame game” routine. I blamed my wife, my church members, my staff, the geographical location, the devil, and even God for the lack of growth and success in my own ministry. Thankfully my life and ministry changed the day I discovered what the real problem was—I lacked confidence!
When you study the word “Faith” in the Bible, you will find three key words: Belief, Action and Confidence. Let’s look at each word in more detail:
KEY WORD: BELIEF Faith starts where the will of God is known. The foundation of faith in anything starts with what you know and believe. The church today is full of people who know and believe a lot of Bible doctrine. It is possible to believe something but not actually practice what you believe.
KEY WORD: ACTION Faith without corresponding actions cannot be called faith. Faith without works is worse than no faith at all. Verbal and mental faith is insufficient. Faith must inspire action. The Apostle James teaches us that it is impossible to have faith without corresponding actions. (James 1:22-25, 2:14-20, 2:24-26) This is where the problem lies in the modern-day church. Many Christians believe a lot of different things. However, most confessing Christians do not actually do or practice what they believe. For instance: • The majority of Christians believe they should tithe . . . but only 2%20% actually tithe on a regular basis. • Everybody believes we should be evangelizing the lost for Jesus Christ . . . Sadly, only 2% of modern churchgoers have ever won another person to Christ. • We believe we should read the Bible . . . Fewer people are reading the Bible these days, only onethird do so in a typical week. SUMMER 2012 43 KAIROS
• Most Christians believe they are called to do something wonderful with their life . . . however, most people in our churches today are broke, busted, and disgusted. • Most Christians believe we should take care of our bodies, God’s temple. However, most believers are way overweight, don’t exercise, and have some sort of health problems. • We believe that a senior pastor should lead the church by God’s vision . . . Less than one out of every ten senior pastors can articulate what he believes is God’s vision for the church he is leading. Hopefully you can see the gap— the gap between what Christians “believe” and what they actually “do.” What is keeping us from actually doing what we claim we believe?
KEY WORD: CONFIDENCE “Therefore, do not cast away your CONFIDENCE which brings a great reward.” —Hebrews 10:35 Confidence is the bridge between what you believe and what you actually do. When confidence is taken out of the faith equation you end up with a group of people who are constantly learning new truth but never experiencing the joy of applying it in their lives. Therefore, they never end up reaping the rewards and benefits of the promises found in the Word of God. Therefore, the vicious cycle of going to church, hearing another sermon or teaching, learning another truth, being inspired in the moment, and then going home to live a life that does not line up with what they have KAIROS 44 SIVAN / TAMMUZ 5773
learned. This pattern only creates a bunch of miserable Christians. Why? Because the more you learn about what you should be doing, the more you begin to realize that there is a gap between where you really are and where you should be. Everything we will receive in life will be by faith—What we believe, and confidence to take our belief and turn it into a corresponding action. I am often asked, “How do I know when I have become a really confident person?” My answer, “You will know you have become an extremely confident person when other people start calling you cocky.” Insecure people will always view and judge your confidence as arrogance—stay confident anyways!
CONFIDENCE WILL ALWAYS TAKE YOU TO THE TOP Make it a priority to become a confident giant in the earth so God will choose you when He looks for somebody to do something extraordinary in the earth. K Keith Johnson is the founder and CEO of an international organization that has successfully trained over 127,000 leaders to maximize their leadership potential and effectiveness. He’s known as one of the premier speakers on the subjects of leadership and confidence building. He is the bestselling author of three books including, The Confidence Solution —Reinvent Your Life, Explode Your Business, Skyrocket Your Income. Keith lives in Spring Hill, Florida, with his wife and daughter.
the publisher’s letter GOD’S PLAN DEAR FRIENDS, It’s 2012, and another election year is upon us. It would be hard not to notice that, considering that the airwaves are full to the brim with candidates’ campaign messages. Everybody’s got a plan! Everyone is busy presenting their plan to the American public. There’s the plan for the economy. The plan for the environment. The plan for public schools, From presidential hopefuls to water cooler conversations, people everywhere are offering their solutions for the problems facing our nation. Of course, it’s not just we Americans who are brainstorming at this point. The rest of the world has its problems too. There’s the financial crisis in Europe, and how collapsing economic infrastructures will affect the rest of the continent. And of course, the Mid-East peace crisis . . . Has anyone got that one figured out yet? People everywhere seem to be acutely aware that there is a need for a plan. And why is it we need a plan? We need a plan because there is chaos and disorder. Perhaps you’re reading this issue of KAIROS and you’re only vaguely aware of the chaos going on in the world around you. You follow it a bit on the news, but find yourself too distraught by the chaos in your own life to worry very much about Europe. Perhaps you’re facing loss, heartache, eviction, health issues, or unemployment. You just wish someone would come up with a plan that fixes the problems in your own life. Through the deafening roar of these voices all espousing their plans, I have been reminded of a truth that is as powerful as it is simple. In addition to all the speculation, the disputes, hypotheses, and flow charts, there is something I have remembered: God has a plan. Yes, along with the media moguls and opinionated in-laws, God Himself has a plan that takes into full account all the complex realities at work in the world today. As the writer of Revelation assures us, “The kingdoms of the world have become the kingdom of our Lord . . .” (Rev 11:15). God has a plan for this world, for Washington, D.C., for your dilemmas, your family, your future. There is order in the midst of chaos. A plan in the midst of things falling apart. God has a plan for your life, and it is a plan “. . . for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer 29:11). Sincerely,
Robert Stearns, Executive Publisher, KAIROS
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East Coast Leadership Conference 2012
July 13-14 WASHINGTON, DC National Church of God 6700 Bock Road Ft. Washington, MD 20744
August 3-4 PHILADELPHIA, PA Victory Christian Fellowship 2650 Audubon Road Audubon, PA 19403
TW T W O WO C I T I E S, EEKEN DS
July 13-14, Washington, DC
Steve Swanson
Leon Timbo
Stephen & Janice Lowery (Host Pastors)
August 3-4, Philadelphia, PA
Anne Gimenez
Delzora Terrell
Jamie Fitt
Ed Crenshaw (Host Pastor)
Robert Stearns Convener
To register and for more info, please visit www.eagleswings.to/events/upcomingevents or call 1-800-51-WINGS!
DESTINATIONS | ON THE ROAD WITH EAGLES’ WINGS JULY 8 Eaton, NY
JULY 13-14 Ft. Washington, MD
JULY 15 Ft. Washington, MD
East Coast Leadership Conf. National Church of God Robert Stearns & special guests ministering 1-800-519-4647 www.eagleswings.to
Robert Stearns ministering National Church of God Host Pastor: Stephen Lowery 301-567-9500 www.nationalcog.com
JULY 22 Orchard Park, NY
JULY 29 Orchard Park, NY
AUGUST 3-4 Audubon, PA
Robert Stearns ministering The Tabernacle Robert Stearns ministering Host: Pastor Tommy Reid 716-675-2888 www.thetab.org
Robert Stearns ministering The Tabernacle Robert Stearns ministering Host: Pastor Tommy Reid 716-675-2888 www.thetab.org
East Coast Leadership Conf. Victory Christian Fellowship Robert Stearns & the EW Team ministering Host Pastor: Ed Crenshaw 1-800-519-4647 www.eagleswings.to
AUGUST 5 Orchard Pk, NY
AUGUST 7-12 New Ringgold, PA
AUGUST 19 Bechtelsville, PA
Blue Mountain Retreat Robert Stearns & the EW Team ministering 570-386-2154 www.bmcr.org
Robert Stearns ministering Morning Star Fellowship Host Pastors: Steve & Liz DeFrain 610-369-1960 www.mstar.org
AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 1 Uniontown, PA
SEPTEMBER 21- 22 Wayne, NJ
Robert Stearns and EW Team ministering Festival of Lights - World Christian Outreach Ministries Host: Shirley Clawson 724-887-4839 www.festivaloflights-pa.com
Rosh Hashanah at the Eastern Gate with Robert Stearns, EW Team, and other special guests Calvary Temple Int’l Assembly Host Pastor: Tom Keinath 1-800-519-4647
Robert Stearns ministering Resurrection Life Host: Tariq Shah 315-893-7877 www.res-life-fellowship.com
Robert Stearns ministering The Tabernacle Robert Stearns ministering Host: Pastor Tommy Reid 716-675-2888 www.thetab.org
AUGUST 28-29 Ontario, Canada Robert Stearns ministering Eagle Worldwide Retreat and Revival Centre Host Pastor: Russ Moyer 905-308-9991 www.eagleworldwide.com
Coming in our Fall, 2012 issue Feeding the Peace: Learn how simple acts of faith are blessing the children of Isaac & Ishmael