ReFocus

I recently was stopped for speeding in Henderson, NC. I was going up the mountain toward ‘Gold City’.  My car was struggling so I gave it more gas.  It made it to the top but then immediately you are going downhill and your speed increases.  Right there is where the state trooper was sitting. I did not have time to make the transition.  He was ready for me like he was for hundreds of others before me.  The blue light comes on and I was ticketed for 70 in a 55 area.

Did he have the right to do that? Could I have just kept going?  What right does he have to stop my car and ticket me?

Suppose I am standing in a public parking lot.  An ordinary citizen comes along and points a double barrel shotgun at my head.  He then tells me to move.  Do I have to move?  Does he have the right to do that?  Could I just stand there?  What right does he have to make me move?

Answer:  The state trooper does have the right because he has been intrusted with authority from the great state of North Carolina.  His authority gives him the right to issue me a ticket.  His authority gives him the right to set up in a sneaky place and set up a speed trap.  He has the authority.

Answer:  The ordinary citizen does not have the authority to make me move.  He does have the power.  He is pointing a shotgun at me and that gives him power.  I don’t have to move but up against such power, I would be an idiot not to move.

There is a big difference between power and authority.  As a believer, we have both!  Power in the Greek is the word “dunamis” from which we get our word for dynamite. It means energetic power, explosive power, or a demonstrative power.   Authority on the other hand is a completely different word in the Greek “exousia”. It is a shame that in English we make no such distinction. Even in the translations which should have known better use the translation of the two words interchangeably even arbitrarily so that the truth conveyed in the original language is lost. Authority means right, privilege given to someone by another. It refers not to power but to position!  Our authority is all-inclusive, unlimited, undeminished for all time. It is his authority and his alone to give to another as his representative. Christ gave us that representation before the throne when he said, “If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.”

We have been indwelt, empowered, filled with the Holy Spirit.  Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world!

I have authority in Jesus’ Name…that is my position.  I have power…the Holy Spirit, the blood of Jesus, the testimony of who I am in Jesus and the very name of ‘Jesus’.

Richard LaFountain adds the following about the use of our power and authority:

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; Certainly Satan has strongholds. The devil took Jesus up onto a high mountain and showed Jesus the kingdoms of this would said he would give them to Jesus if he would bow and worship him – “for they are given unto me.” Jesus did not contest that point. “Whoever sins is a slave of sin.” Satan owns territory either because it was willingly given over to him, or he has usurped it.

1. We Must Be Able to Identify the Enemy’s Strongholds. – Matt 16:23

   But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

   • Nesting places
   • Hiding places
   • Advantages
   • Occupation or prolonged torments
2. We Must Enlist Heavy Armor – Pea Shooters Won’t Do. – Matt. 17:14-21

   14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

   • Power weapons of artillery barrages
   • Strong-holds require strong weapons
   • Strong man is armed and defending his own. Lk 11:21
3. We Must Concentrate the Attack on Enemies Fortifications. – Matt 18:18-20

   18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

   • You must assault together, not alone.
   • You cannot attack many strongholds at once.
   • You must focus on one-at-a-time
   • You must prevail, prolong, laying siege
   • You must be willing to sacrifice – time / sleep / food

Recently I came across this list prepared by Jim Husband.

Monday: Pray for your pastor’s family:
• God’s peace and protection
• A growing love relationship between pastor and spouse
• A commitment to quality and quantity time together
Tuesday: Pray for wisdom for your pastor.
• The mind of Christ
• Godly decision-making
• Understanding of biblical truth
Wednesday: Pray for the ministry focus of your pastor.
• Clear vision
• Commitment to biblical priorities
• Remain true to his or her God-given gifts and strengths

Thursday: Pray for the health of your pastor.
• Protection of body and mind
• An extra portion of stamina and strength
• Commitment to stress-releasing activity

Friday: Pray for spiritual growth of your pastor.
• A heart for God and the lost
• Fresh biblical insights
• Personal devotions not related to sermon preparation

Saturday: Pray for the purity of your pastor.
• Pure motives
• Pure thought-life and faithfulness to spouse
• Pure commitment to complete integrity

Sunday: Pray for God’s anointing on your pastor.
• Strength in leadership
• Passion in preaching
• Fruit and joy in ministry

1. Honor Thy Body
Stayng fit through regular exercise and a healthy diet is smart for anyone, but especially for pastors who can wind up spending much of their time in sedentary, mentally intensive work. St. Bendict was no fool: His rule mandates that part of each monk’s day be given over to manual labor, and that’s still a good idea for clergy.

2. Thou Shalt Take a Break
Even God rested on the seventh day. Clergy should do at least that and might try to take one weekend off per month. Regular vacations are a must, but an extended saatical every few years is an even better idea.

3. Thou Shalt Be a Team Player
The “Messiah complex” is one of the biggest pitfalls. Even clergy who are the most humble of servants can wind up convinced they must inject their holiness into every single meeting and event. You are not as necessary as you think you are. Trust others, and deligate. You can’t fix everything.

4. Thou Shalt Get a Life
Developing a social circle outside of the congregation is critical. Clergy tend to root their lives in the congregation, ut that can leave them stranded when they need to lean on someone. Finding support groups, other clergy friends, and even clergy in other denominations are popular options.

5. Thou Shalt Not Delay
When the going gets tough, the smart ones get help. Clergy often have a visceral distaste for psychotherapy – for themselves, not necessarily for others – but religion and psychiatry have found enough common ground in recent years that clergy can get on the couch without checking their faith at the door.

. . . And five things congregants can do to help

6. Honor Thy Father
Pastors can be parents, too. Allow time to be with their families. Recognize that more families have two working parents, and that means clerlgy families, too. The old-time “pastor’s wive” – or husband – may not be around to serve tea and pick up the slack.

7. Thou Shalt Not Play Politics
It’s amazing how nasty “religious” folk can be toward their own pastor. Congregations can be breeding grounds for cliques, at least one of which usually targets the spiritual leader. Don’t pile on, and do what you can to discourage such behavior.

8. Thou Shalt Give Thanks
It’s also amazing how few worshippers even bother to say “Thanks” to the pastor. Everyone has a complaint about something – the music wasn’t good, he flowers weren’t right, and most of all, things were always better in the old days. The past is past. This is today. Find something nice to say.

9. Honor His/Her Time Off
Better yet, start an effort to make sure the pastor takes a vacation or schedules a sabbatical. There are a growing number of programs that provide grants to help congregations hire a temporary fill-in. Or why not a fund-raisser to send the pastor (and spouse?) on a lenghty pilgrimage of study and relaxation?

10. Thou Shalt Pray
This goes for both congregants and their clergy. Remember, a central function of religion is to nurture the soul, and congregants who make an effort to live up to the tenets of their faith will probably make their pastors happier. And clergy who lose sight of their vocation and their spiritual center are courting trouble.

(From Unknown Source)