I just returned from the crusade in Samsi, West Bengal, India. I am tired but doing well. The crusade exceeded expectations and we have returned excited about the future of the work of God there.

People that traveled with me to minister there included Joe Casterino, Rev. and Mrs. Patrick Miller, and Clifford Pereira. We also had a pastor DaLong with us from Kolkata, India.

We arrived at the camp compound on Sunday morning at around 7:30 AM. We were exhausted but excited. That last 10 hour train ride was a bear. There was no time to rest as the first service started at 9:30 AM. There were around 1500 already in attendance. The people continued to come in from the village churches all through the day. The total amount of people that attended was around 2800 to 3000. They were accommodated and fed 3 meals for 3 days and nights. In the years past all the village people stayed in the class rooms in the school, but this year in addition to the worship tent we also put up an enclosed 30 by 100 tent where about a 1000+ of the people stayed.

All the visitors stayed in the school visitors accommodations and were taken care of by Br. and Sis Thomas. These are great people who founded the work there 25 years ago and started from nothing. Today they have a huge compound, three levels of school totaling 750 students, and a Bible school of about 25 students.

We had service every morning and evening that were preached by myself and Br. Miller. Br. Casterino took care of all children’s services every day (2 daily). In addition we conducted seminars and classes for pastors and various age groups during the afternoon on various challenges that they are going through. We also conducted an ordination for 13 pastors, and a graduation ceremony for 7 bible college students that are going into the villages to be evangelists that will be formulating new churches. We also conducted a baptism service at which Br Chacko (India pastor), Br Childs and Br. Perreira baptized 36 people. Many more baptisms could have been performed but Pastor Chacko insists that all go through a series of instructional classes before baptism, so we rejoice that more will follow.

One great event that took place during the crusade is that we had 10 Baptist pastors from 10 villages that came to the crusade and made a request to Br. Chacko asking him if they could join the church. They stated they had never before witnessed such a move and manifestation of God and were hungry for what we have. Br Chacko let them know that they have to attend the Bible college indoctrination classes, learn and commit to the doctrine, sign a letter resigning their current church, then sign one accepting us as there new church, and then they are welcome to be a part of the church as of Jan 1st, 2010. They all agreed!

We conducted two day medical camps at two locations that took care of 1500+ people. In addition we visited 4 village church’s. We also gave 17 new bicycle’s (7 to the Bible college students and 10 to the pastors). All pastors, their wives and the Bible college received the donated clothes, 3 sewing machines, $40 per pastor and $25 per Bible college student. We also gave away 10 goats to 10 needy families in our village congregation. Br. Erreira committed to 3 new water wells and 4 bathrooms immediately to be constructed as soon as funds are available, these have to be paid for before they start to build them. ($1000.00 per well and $500.00 per bathroom). There is a need for 12 water wells and 33 bathrooms in our village churches.

Br. Chacko and every staff member and guest stated that this year (the 8th convention) was the best. They had never experienced the power of God is such a way in previous years. We have no way of knowing how many received the Holy Ghost, but in several services literally hundreds of people were speaking with tongues and we believe most received the Holy Ghost in this conference. There were demonic manifestations as well and many were delivered. Hundreds received prayer and healing. In a given service hundreds came forward, as well as people praying all over the compound due to a lack of space. All ministers were in agreement that there was a great move of God during the whole crusade.

Special classes were taught by Br. Miller, Br. Childs, Br. Castorina and Br. Perreira for the pastors, Bible school students, and all grades of the school. The pastors were taught how to follow and work with the Spirit, how to activate faith, putting on Christ, learning sound doctrine, speaking the Word with confidence, teamwork, leadership, repentance from sin, God’s unending love, desiring a relationship with God, and unity. Sister Miller taught about the power of women’s prayer, trusting in God, God in creation, and how intimately God knows them. She also led women’s prayer.
We toured many villages and churches. In most villages we were the first white people to ever visit the villages. People wanted wanted our autographs! We saw poverty on a level none of us had ever seen before. We were there during the height of the annual Kali worship festival and saw sights you would never believe. We went to the Kali temple in Kolkata and witnessed live animal (male black goat) sacrifices by demon filled priests. While in India we saw pictures in the newspaper of President Obama bowing to this same idol, one which they had set up in the White House and we were ashamed that he would desecrate the honor of our nation in such a way.

Most people we spoke to had never even heard of the Name of Jesus.

We have been asked to take the lead in the future of this great work. Thousands more could and would have attended this year had we had proper facilities. As it were most of the 3000 attendees all bathed in a common pond and used the woods for their restroom.

Folks . . . we are so blessed here in the United States.

In case you are interested in helping and/or would like to attend next year we have targeted the following needs that could happen right now if funds were available:

1- 10 more church’s – $3000 to $4000 a piece depending on size, all church’s are used as a school during the week. These would be built and a dedicatorial plaque will be set up in the name of the donor.
2- A church and a clinic that is available right next door to the facility that is currently being used by another church, they want to sell it to us for $48,000.00. This is equipped with all necessary facilities to operate as is.
3- A Bible college building for 25 students — ???? cost .
4- Shower and Bathroom facilities on the grounds for next years convention – 10 showers (5 girls and 5 boys) – 10 toilets. — $10,000.00
5- Building a 20 by 80 covered area for people to live at during the convention, this will be used for other events during the year.
6- Air conditioners for 2 rooms.
7- 4 Ceiling fans for the stage.
8- 12 Sewing machines – 300 each.

-Pastor Childs

GRACEPOINT is a WORD Church

Those who are looking for depth and insights to the Word of God enjoy the environment here at Gracepoint. Gracepoint is a WORD church.

Paul gave instructions in 2 Timothy 4:2-5 that we try to fulfill in every service.

2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
KJV

I find it interesting that the word “sound” in verse 3 is derived from the Greek word hugiaino (hoog-ee-ah’-ee-no); to have sound health, i.e. be well (in body); figuratively, to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine):

The King James Bible translates that word as to “ be in health, (be safe and) sound, (be) whole (-some).”
(Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

I also find it interesting that the word “itching” in verse 3 is derived from the Greek word
knetho (knay’-tho); from a primary knao (to scrape); to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to tickle:

The King James Bible translates that word as to be, “itching.”
(Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Sound doctrine is teaching that produces wellness and wholeness in body, mind, and spirit. This is vastly different from the type of teaching that “tickles” the ear and gives the people what they want or expect to hear.

At Gracepoint we focus a lot of time and attention on matters of the heart. We teach how to overcome jealousy, envy, rivalry, bitterness, wrath, hatred, variance, self-righteousness, and countless other things. The Word is rich, alive, and applicable to transforming lives to please the Lord. We also offer alternative classes on topics such as parenting, finances, leadership, and so forth.

The youth have really enjoyed diving into the Word via an open Bible study and discussion format. They study relevant topics and are free to ask questions. They not only have their Bibles open, but they also have PC Bible and reference programs on multi-media screen for viewing by all. It is our goal that our youth are equipped and able to live a life that overcomes the environment that the world is trying to impose upon them.

Truly as the Psalmist said in Psalm 107:20-21:

20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
KJV

I invite you to visit us at Gracepoint. We aren’t trying to preach to the crowd, we are trying to transform individuals to become more like Jesus. Miracles, signs, and wonders are happening because these signs follow them that believe.

© Armando Heredia

The Little Red Shirt

In the nightstand next to my bedside is a plastic baggie. Folded neatly inside is a small remnant of what remains of a little red shirt. The shirt was an integral part of two events that changed my life profoundly. One event was by tragedy, and the other by the delivering power of the Holy Ghost. Before this article is completed I hope to use that little red shirt to answer the following question for you, “What do you do with the things that the Holy Ghost hasn’t fixed?”

I must begin by exposing my soul to you the reader. My life has been deeply imprinted by a number of personal tragedies, only several of which I will mention herein. At the age of 19 months I was admitted to the hospital after a lengthy illness. The night I was admitted I died. My father fell across my bed weeping and calling upon the name of the Lord. God heard His prayer and restored life into my body, but I remained curled up in a fetal position, dark circles under my eyes, and the eyes were rolled back so that only the white was showing. My hands and feet were drawn and curled up. I lost 8 ½ pounds of body weight in a little over five hours! The transformation was remarkable and horrendous. My mother went home to rest that night because she was expecting her next child, leaving my father at my bedside. My death and transformation occurred after her departure. She could not recognize me when she returned to the hospital after going home for only a few hours. She actually thought I was someone else’s baby!

I spent much of that night in a bathtub full of ice because of the extreme fever that was destroying my brain by the minute. The next morning I was taken into surgery where four surgeons operated on me. The report to my parents was not good. My appendix had ruptured 3-4 days prior to the surgery. They were dislocated which required more extensive cutting. My body cavity, stomach, and intestines were filled with gangrene. My intestines were completely blocked by a growth necessitating the removal of much of my intestines. Eventually they gave up and simply sewed me together. The surgeons told my parents there was nothing they could do to help me, and that it was best for me to die. Their diagnosis was that my brain was completely devastated, I was a vegetable, and I never would recover. Even if I did, my organs would not work and body functions could not happen properly. The Catholic hospital administered last rights to me. I would soon just be another statistic.
My parents had recently received the Holy Ghost. They and many others were in fervent prayer and fasting for me. Every breath was possibly my last, but death did not come. I lay comatose for days. My nourishment came only from intravenous feeding through my ankles. Eventually the veins collapsed and I could no longer be fed that way. There was no answer as to why I would not die. I was given two blood transfusions of the wrong type (which can normally kill even a healthy person). The deck and odds were stacked against me.

After several weeks of mere existence the surgeons requested to operate on me again. They said, “We can’t help the baby and he will die in surgery. Perhaps by operating we can learn something that might help us save someone else’s baby in the future.” As the decision was pondered a prayer meeting was called. My mother lifted me before the Lord and said, “Lord he is yours. I thank you for lending him to me for 19 months. If you take Him, I praise you. If you heal him, I praise you and dedicate Him to you. Don’t let him suffer anymore. He is in your hands and he will not be operated on again.”

Mother fell asleep that night completely exhausted. When she awoke I looked normal. Every stitch on and in my body was in my diaper! Nothing else but a ball of pure, white stitches was in my diaper. That night I was completely healed!

I have always known I was spared for a purpose.

Tragedy continued to stalk my life. The little red shirt first appeared in my life when at the age of 5 years I and my little red shirt were doused with gasoline which when ignited severely burned much of my body. My burns were beyond third degree. Even my face and hair were burned, but those were first and second degree burns and eventually went away. I was in acute shock, and upon arrival at the hospital there was a state of emergency and in the rush I was sedated by two separate nurses attempting to bring me out of shock. The result was overdose. Again I entered the doorway of death, and again prayer and mercy restored life to my body. After dozens of horrifying surgeries, skin grafts, and unimaginable suffering I was released from the hospital. I was bent over and horribly scarred, but alive. It began a very long road to recovery.

Mother burned her beautiful hands that day as she tore my burning clothes off of me, including the little red shirt.

Dad had started a church and was doing so well, but he was greatly wronged by fellow ministers, became discouraged, and resigned. This led to backsliding. Soon afterward my parents divorced. In respect of my family I will not describe the years of heartbreak and tragic events, but they were very sad, and produced suffering for everyone. The emotional wounds and damage done can never be overstated.

I became an exceptional athlete and sprinter, but could play very few sports because of scar tissue that scraped easily. Life was bittersweet. As an adult I turned my anger, nervousness, and extreme temper to determination. I became a workaholic and perfectionist. In spite of my fears and scars, I married the girl of my dreams and we eventually produced three children.

Monica and I both received the Holy Ghost on January 31, 1980. We were baptized two days later. Our experience was incredible and powerful. We began serving God with all of our hearts and passions. Life was good and we were the model couple. I held a tremendous job at an engineering firm. We had a beautiful home, fine cars, and two beautiful little children. I thought I was fine, but God had a miracle in store for me.

It occurred on a day when Monica and I were sitting on a bedside at my mother’s house and looking at old family photos and memorabilia from a box mother had taken from the closet. We were laughing and having a great time. Our kids were playing on the floor. As I pulled a baggie out of the box I screamed, threw it across the room, and fell instantly to the floor! I began to travail uncontrollably. My wife was with me, praying, loving, and comforting me.

What happened? A flashback, a trigger occurred as I pulled that baggie out. Inside it was the remnant of the little red shirt I was wearing the day I was almost burned to death. Mother had saved what was left, eventually sealing it in the baggie I now held in my hands. Somehow in my subconscious mind I recognized it, and suddenly all of the tragedy and hell of a lifetime was upon me with full velocity. I did not know those feelings and emotions existed inside me! Hey, after all I had the Holy Ghost.

Thus the second great event of my life occurred that involved that little red shirt. Please understand I was under an illusion that just because I was born again everything was just fine. I was wrong. God loved me too much to leave me the way I was when He saved me. He used a trigger, a little red shirt, to reveal to me the deep internal wounds and damage that I had never allowed Him to heal and restore, even since my new birth experience. I did not even know they existed! They were lying dormant within me, only exposing themselves every now and then through my actions and reactions. But that day on the floor a revelation came to me as I travailed. God knows me better than I do. If I will trust Him and allow Him into my mind, He will restore me as whole from any damage done in my past. The salvation experience only opens the door to the power of what God wants to do in our lives.

I was so shocked that those emotions and feelings were hidden within that I began a personal inventory to see what else was wrong. One by one emotional wounds came to the surface that I was then able to allow the Holy Ghost to repair within me. The Holy Ghost will lead and guide you into all truth if you will allow it  even deep things that we have swept under the carpet of our memory. I became a laborer with God for my own restoration.

The first little red shirt event scarred and hurt me. The second event restored me to wholeness.

I now understand that the reason we have so many problems with people who have been born-again is because most of them merely moved forward after their conversion experience. However, like the one leper in the scriptures, we all eventually need to come back before Jesus and allow Him to finish the work He started. Salvation doesn’t equate to wholeness  but it can lead you there.

I have good news for you. God is willing to do the incredible. He will go through your mind and heal and restore the damage done by the past, but only if you so desire. The traumas and tragedies of your life cannot destroy you or embitter you if you will trust Jesus enough to bring them before Him openly and allow Him to complete the work He has already begun. Then you will discover a great truth  what the enemy meant for harm the Lord will use for the good. Any experience on the potter’s wheel will only make you better if you are willing to let the master place His hands upon you and reshape the flaws in your vessel.

Take my life’s story as an encouragement and example for you to follow. Tragedy sought to destroy me and take my life from me. Twice I died and was raised from the dead. Many things occurred that are not included in this article. Yes, bad things really do happen to good people.

It is not what happens to you that matters  but it is how you respond to your situations that makes all the difference. All things truly work together for good.

I didn’t see that little red shirt again for about 16 years. Then at a family gathering my mother brought the box of memorabilia into the great room where we were all gathered. My heart was in my throat because I knew what was in that box. I remembered what happened the last time I opened it. When it finally came my turn to look into the box of old family photos, school crafts, and such, I bypassed everything else and went straight for the baggie. This time I did what I could not do so many years before. I opened the baggie, pulled out the little red shirt, and unfolded it. The dust of my molten flesh fell upon my clothes, but the peace of God was upon me. With tears I lifted it before the Lord. My family members were stunned to tears and silence when they realized what it was in my hands. As I lifted it up I began to praise the Lord, saying loudly to the little red shirt and all that it represented, “You don’t hurt me anymore. I thank God for you, because God used you to reform me, restore me, and make me whole. I am a better man because of you”.

I have been delivered! Grief, sorrow, and pain no longer abide in me. I have dominion through the Name, Word, and Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I keep it near me now, a constant reminder of the many things the Lord has brought me through. I’ve taken it to the pulpit and used it as an object lesson when preaching messages of deliverance. I am convinced that the lessons learned on the anvil of my life are the very reason I have witnessed so many thousands of miracles and healings in my ministry. I have a purpose. The mind that was once destroyed was healed, and God has honored my requests for revelation, deep understanding of principles, and an anointed mind to propel the church forward. God has been so good to me.

So here’s the question again; what do you do with the things the Holy Ghost hasn’t fixed?

Make a firm decision now to not minimize the Holy Ghost’s power in your life. Go beyond forgiveness and remission of sins and press forward to complete restoration. Trust Jesus enough to give Him everything, even things you may not realize that even exist within you. As you seek Him to reveal the hidden things to you; things you may have forgotten, suppressed or denied; He will make them abundantly clear. He will bring things to your understanding so that He may do that perfect work of completion within you. He truly is the revealer of secrets and the thoughts and intents of the heart. He is the Counselor and the Comforter. You will know when the work is complete for He will reveal it unto you as only He can.

I encourage you to seek and find your life’s equivalent to my little red shirt. It may be the most difficult and painful journey of your lifetime, but you will be so glad you decided to take it. Only then will your initial infilling experience come full circle. God will make you better than you were when He saved you.

All it takes to start a fire is a little fuel, the right atmospheric conditions, and a source of ignition, perhaps as small as a tiny spark. If circumstances are right, a single blade of grass once ignited can build into an inferno that burns and ravages countless acres of prime forest. Humble beginnings can transmute into raging fire storms, exploding trees, molten sand, and death. The aftermath of such devastation causes one to wince in regret at the horrible and blackened scars left behind where beauty once stood. As unnatural as it may appear it is but another witness of the beauty of the healing and creative powers of God. Most pristine forests have at one time or another been destroyed by fire, but eventually they grow back stronger and more beautiful than ever. It is a cycle that must be understood.

Seral Succession is an ecological principle in which, over time, the natural biological systems become so developed that they begin to atrophy and bog themselves down. A strong forest becomes weakened and diseased because of the vines, weeds and assorted parasitical vegetations that erode its strength. New growth is repressed and beauty lies dormant because the system prohibits it. Extreme cases may require a controlled burn  an act of destruction  before beauty, order and strength can return. The temporary and painful state of charred ugliness is quickly forgotten once the beauty of a healthy forest burst though.

The same principle applies to agriculture. It is not uncommon for farmers to burn certain fields in anticipation of planting a future crop. Soon afterward the tractor tills the soil and much of the ugliness disappears. As horrible as the blackened field may have first appeared, its memory will be completely erased as spring bursts forth in a display of brilliant colors and verdant growth where once only charcoal and ash had been.

In effect, the fire’s devastation produces healing by burning away the undergrowth that prevents fresh, new vegetation. The ash becomes a natural fertilizer.

The Origin of Organization

Most movements begin with one or a small group of people who devotedly pursue a noble and meaningful vision, purpose or ideal. Success attracts and produces adherents and followers. Eventually people and systems are put in place to support the momentum and gains of success. As success creates even greater demands for support, and finances arrive that enable the addition of people, property, equipment, procedures and such, an organization evolves. Human tendency is to take pride in the growth and accomplishment of the organization. Eventually a successful organization can become an institution. Institutional status creates the capacity for people to reverence the institution more than its initial mission or purpose.

The reverence of an institution is subtle, so much so that it may not be recognizable to those who view it only from within. More and more people, programs and procedures are put in place to safeguard and strengthen the institution. The rally cry for justifying institutional growth always spotlights its mission and purpose, even if its daily actions and resources are devoted away from the same. Systems increase in complexity. Emphasis shifts to ways of tightening control, re-phrasing procedures, and managing programs designed to raise funds to finance the bureaucracy institution.

This is where the paradox occurs, because eventually more effort, finances and attention are devoted to maintaining the complex and cumbersome institution than to fulfilling its original mission and purpose. At this point the mission and purpose become compromised. They may remain the rallying point for acquiring funds and support, but the funds and support are absorbed by the institution before they are allowed to significantly impact its true mission and purpose. Significant amounts of capital, time and energy is required to maintain the cumbersome positions, travel, perks, programs and structure of any large organization or institution.

Up until now in this article I have been referring exclusively to business organizations. Studies have proven that the downward spiral of thousands of once great businesses and governments occurred when the costs of doing business demanded more attention and effort than managing the direction, effectiveness, and purpose of the business. Thousands of case studies endorse that those businesses who reached this dangerous cycle were saved only by stringent organizational seral succession. Chrysler, Harley Davidson, Ford Motor Company, and many others survive today mainly because somebody made the right decision to cut expenses, reduce waste, and create a higher quality product at a lower cost to the customer. Otherwise they would have died the premature organizational death, sacrificed to the lean business methods of the Toyotas and Hondas and other global competitors.

Seral succession occurs in spiritual leadership and ministry organizations as well. Programs and infrastructures spring up to support and protect a burgeoning ministry’s success. As deadening organizational undergrowth and complexity develops, it effectively chokes anything new and different that is attempting to break through. What begins as a dynamic expression of the kingdom of God mires in the trappings of human institutionalism. Slowly, inexorably, the focus shifts to refining policy, drawing membership boundaries, delegating authority, entrenching control, and preserving the status quo.

It is at this juncture that life or death of the institution occurs. In order for it to survive and remain relevant, it must be scrutinized for effectiveness and efficiency. Every position, program, procedure, and process must be constantly challenged and critiqued for relevancy and effectiveness. No system, program or position can be allowed to calcify into a sacred shrine or holy cow. Everything must be examined in order to assure that the emphasis remains on the mission and purpose, not on the organization. At the point that more resources are devoted to sustaining an organization than toward fulfilling its purpose the institution is in the process of dying. Its life and strength is being choked from it by the cumbersome undergrowth of non-essential organizational waste and bureaucracy.

Programs that are not self-funding and operating in the black should be either eliminated or re-engineered. Fiscal, spiritual, and performance accountability should be expected from every layer of leadership, regardless of where it exists in the hierarchy or organizational structure. New programs and institutions should be planned in advance to assure that they can be funded and sustained without having to overburden the already burdened constituents. The Bible says in Luke 14:28-32:

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

When leaders are not held accountable for their decisions it becomes easy for them to lead by opinion and emotion, knowing they will not be questioned or challenged for their actions. In such cases it is not uncommon for them to begin initiatives they really can’t afford, and then expect their constituents to finance them out of their dilemma. This is a practice that has long been perfected in the Federal Government, where accountability is easily camouflaged by complexity and deficits.

It is essential that everyone understand the purpose and reason for an organization’s very existence. There are advantages to being a part of a collective whole, and one advantage is that it makes it easier to do more through the collaborative efforts of many. The key for leaders is to remember that there must be a balance, and never should the constituents be taken for granted or advantage of.

The fundamental truth is that any organizational structure is merely a tool to be used to accomplish a worthy purpose, mission, or vision. It must never become a holy thing lest organizational idolatry occur. If an organizational structure is working efficiently and attaining its goals then keep it and improve it. If it is not reaching the vision or goals then change it, improve, or scrap it if necessary.

Everything about an organization must be subject to seral succession. Difficult questions need to be asked before a blank check for additional spending is awarded simply because it is asked for. Is travel always necessary? Do we really need those expensive mass mail outs? Do we always have to do what we have always done? Do we have to pay for so many travel expenses? Do we really have to spend so much on awards, recognition, dinners, and such at the constituent’s expense? Does that department need to even exist anymore? Why do we need such a cumbersome and slow moving infrastructure? How many expensive and non-essential layers, positions, and committees can we eliminate? Why don’t we identify and eliminate every redundant and wasteful procedure?

If organizational survival is the pre-eminent focus, then increase the cost of maintaining it and overtax the constituency to finance it. If the survival of the mission and purpose is pre-eminent, then focus attention on eliminating wastes, curbing non-essential costs, and streamlining processes in order to maximize organizational efficiency so it can attain a worthwhile mission and purpose. Historically in government, business, and religion, it is proven that the less the bureaucracy the better.

For a number of years I managed the Value Analysis/Value Engineering and the Continuous Improvement Divisions of a large global manufacturing giant. The people who worked for me were responsible for using engineering and team techniques to eliminate all organizational wastes and non-essential expenses. I had people in sixty-three manufacturing locations on multiple continents. Our purpose was to provide to the customer the best product and the lowest competitive price. Our concept was to free up people, equipment, machinery and floor space to make room for new business. What was the result? By streamlining and minimizing the cost of the organization, and eliminating hundreds of millions of dollars from being wasted, we were able to triple the amount of business and customers.

As the UPCI wrestles with certain increases in operating costs, the solution is similar. Seral Succession must occur in order for the health of the organization to be restored. Any increases in costs should demand justification, not just partial data to influence the uninformed. It is possible that the absolute worst thing that could happen would be to increase revenue at this time without first eliminating organizational waste and inefficiency. Every non-value adding process, procedure, program and position should be eliminated. What remains should be to achieve one purpose  to facilitate global evangelism. The need is not to increase revenue, but to streamline the organization. Once this is done revenue then becomes more effective.

In his profound book titled Upside Down, author Stacy T. Rinehart writes, “

“As we look back over church history we see that in the beginning of any true spiritual movement, the Holy Spirit is released as men and women exercise faith and courage. God honors the simple, stumbling efforts of His children as they step out in faith. As people move into uncharted territory toward a vision He’s given them, God meets them there.

Yet, when their efforts meet with a measure of success and renewal breaks out, an insidious, counteractive process begins. The underbrush of institutionalism begins to take root. The human tendency is to build an organization around this living, dynamic thing called ministry. Then the surrounding structure becomes a heavy, cumbersome weight that cuts off the spiritual light and nutrients necessary for growth. In this process of institutionalization, people come to rely on human figures at the helm. God’s Spirit is quenched; freedom and innovation decline.

As leaders grow more entrenched, they invest more power and authority in their position. The priesthood of the elite increases and the priesthood of believers decline. An invisible caste system develops, making a subtle distinction between laity and clergy. Laity learns to step back out of the picture, find a comfortable place to sit, and watch the “professionals” at work.

As any ministry takes on an organizational focus, something to protect arises. Assets, property, history, and tradition must be preserved. Eventually the light and life that produced them lie dormant, and it seems that tradition and structure are all that remain. Thus, as institutionalism takes over, reformers of almost any kind meet with resistance and suspicion. They appear to be challenging the unchallengeable.

Suppose we see our role as servant charged with the responsibility and privilege of helping others come into the fruitful expression of God’s vision for their part in the kingdom. Then we may avoid the temptation to build our own kingdoms to which we recruit others with their time and talents.

Of course, if we continue to focus people’s eyes on Christ, we will not be the “Maypole” around which everything revolves. And that may be painful. Yet, in this way, the ministry itself will not calcify into an organizational structure that requires loyalty and protection as it moves further from the Holy Spirit’s leading.”

The opportunity for making the needed improvements to secure a bold and dynamic future have never been greater than today. If we are bold, and our elected officials are provided with a clear voice from the constituents, the impact upon the harvest of tomorrow can be immeasurable.

All it takes to start a fire is a little fuel, the right atmospheric conditions, and a source of ignition, perhaps as small as a tiny spark. As ministers we must be accountable to God and the folks in the pews who faithfully give to support His work. We must be wise stewards. Let’s keep the main thing the main thing.

BIO

Fred Childs, Ph.D. is an ordained minister, author, leading church and business consultant, and leadership authority.

How To Connect With God

This is a message Pastor Fred Childs preached at Gracepoint on Sunday August 21, 2009.

As I begin please allow me to make a few statements:

□ Man is not God and cannot be God
□ Man needs God
□ New Age secular humanism does not have the answers
□ Science in its purest form validates laws and principles that were established by God
□ All true science validates the Word of God
□ Incorrect science is science that stands in contradiction to the Word of God
□ Whenever the two merge in any form of agreement . . . it is because science has discovered what God has already done

Today I will use a combination of a certain amount of scientific understanding from a book entitled, The Answer, along with the Word of God to confirm and reveal to you spiritual truths and understandings that can open the door to the greatest of potentials in God. (Note: I quote liberally from The Answer throughout this sermon).

Read the entire post by clicking here.

I always try to write from an encouraging perspective because our God is exceedingly and abundantly able to deliver and bless His people. God is faithful. In spite of that . . . tonight sleep evades me because of the multitude of trials that beset me. And . . . I write to say that through the mighty hand of God I shall again prevail.

So I warn you before you read further that I am about to write things in a manner that is totally out of character for me . . . because I will speak clearly about the wounds of human failure and its effects on other people.

I have watched people around me struggle as of late with great calamities and trials. I have visited the hospitals way too much. I will not even mention the intensely personal trails and tribulations afflicting every branch of my family members right now, but suffice it to say I am overwhelmed. My heart is crushed and bruised. I am hovering somewhere between stunned and angry.

Yes . . . I am overwhelmed.

As one who is overwhelmed I am in good company. David also spoke of being overwhelmed in the 61st Psalm. His response gives me hope.

Ps 61:2-8

2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.

6 Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations.

7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.

8 So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.
KJV

The Hebrew meaning of the word translated here as overwhelmed is ataph (aw-taf’). It means to shroud or clothe to languish in darkness. It is commonly used in reference to feinting, swooning, or failing.

That is exactly how I feel right now. The enemy has tried to cover me in a shroud of darkness. I am hurt, wounded, and disgusted with people and their willing failures. I am hurt at how callously people hurt other people or vent their carnality on the work of God. I am appalled at the many who think the church is all about them. I am so disillusioned at the hypocrisy of preachers and their fickle religious organization.

I am saddened at the tragedies that have recently befallen friends and family. The betrayals have overwhelmed me . . . including the disappointment and betrayal I feel toward our own elected government.

OK so I warned you . . . this is out of character for me . . . because I am overwhelmed right now.

So there is one thing I have tried and proven that always works when I am overwhelmed. I turn to the Word of God for hope and direction. The Word will lead me as to what to do in the Spirit.

I find that Psalms 77 says:

I WILL cry to God with my voice, even to God with my voice, and He will give ear and hearken to me.

2 In the day of my trouble I seek (inquire of and desperately require) the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out [in prayer] without slacking up; I refuse to be comforted.

3 I [earnestly] remember God; I am disquieted and I groan; I muse in prayer, and my spirit faints [overwhelmed]. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

4 You hold my eyes from closing; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. (AMP)

Therefore I, like the psalmist before me, must cry out to God with my voice. If I do He will give ear and hearken unto me.

The Bible describes Psalms 102 as “A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the Lord”.

So let us read that prayer.

1 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.
2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.
3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.
5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
12 But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
21 To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
22 When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
23 He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee. KJV

I need to pray like that. I need to follow that example and open my soul before the Lord because yes I am overwhelmed. So also was the writer of Psalm 102, but after his mighty prayer and inward soul searching he concluded by saying, “the children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee”.

Somehow, someway, someday and by the grace and sure mercies of God I and mine are going to make it. His Word gives me hope. His strength renews me.

I am the determining factor. Just exactly what will I allow God to do through me and with me?

Psalms 124 says:

1 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;

2 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:

3 Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:

4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:

5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.

6 Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.

7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.

8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

KJV

God is the difference maker. He is the difference. I may be overwhelmed but my God is never overwhelmed. God is in me by the power of the Holy Ghost. I have His Name Jesus in my forehead. If I put my trust in Him even if I fall I shall arise.

David once hid in a cave. It was a place of cold darkness. Yet Psalms 142 records the prayer he prayed while in that cave.

142:1 I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.

2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.

3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.

4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.

5 I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.
KJV

David’s hiding in the cave was caused by the worst of events and circumstances . . . yet it produced the best of responses from a true believer and worshipper.

That is what I too must do. I may feel like I am in a cave and overwhelmed . . . but I too must praise, worship, and trust in the Lord my God.

In order to overcome what the enemy is hurling at me now I must do as David did when he was overwhelmed. He went back in his experiences and remembered the former times of God’s grace, mercy, and delivering power.

Psalms 143 says:

3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.

4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.

5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

7 Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
KJV

I may feel overwhelmed at this time, but that is only an opportunity to trust in the Lord and in the power of His might. My God shall deliver me . . . and He will do it speedily.

Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

After the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus the disciples asked Jesus “Will you restore the Kingdom to Israel now?”

I find it no less than astounding how limited the vision of the people was. All they could visualize were the glory days they had heard of that had existed in the past. To restore means to return to a former condition or state of being. They had forgotten that not all of the days of the Kingdom of Israel were good days. They could not fathom the fact that Jesus had a better thing planned for them.

It is like that right now here at Gracepoint. God is not intending to restore what was in the past. He has much better things planned than simply a full sanctuary and a great choir. Instead God has a better thing planned for us. He desires to open our hearts to understand His Kingdom and for us to enter into and occupy His promises.

As the pastor I feel the same way Joshua did when he was ready to lead Israel out of the wilderness that Moses had tolerated.

Josh 3:3-5 says:

3 And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.
4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.
5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.

Gracepoint stands at an open door of opportunity. Some may choose not to enter in. Some may never leave the favorite dwelling place they have found along the wilderness journey. However Monica and I are are moving forward, we and all who are willing to go where we have not passed before.

Never before have we been this close. Come and advance with us at Gracepoint. Tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among us.

Until then feel free to utilze the free and downloadable FAST FORWARD audio and written lesson plans available to you on the leadership page at www.gracepoint.ws

God bless you!

Anyone can serve God with gladness during the good times . . . but everyone must remember that it is also essential to serve God during the hard times. He may be a God that can make us feel really good, but He is not a feel good God. Whether we are up or down . . . abounding or abased . . . we must bring faithfulness, praise, and determination to Him.

Regardless of our situations or circumstances we must be faithful to the Lord. Consistancy is a key to long term success as a Christian. Those who build a life of faithful continuance in well doing reap rewards that never come to those who are inconsistant.

In the church I praise God for those wonderful people who are there with their smiles on whenever times are good. They are very appreciated. Then there are those precious and endearing few who are there with a positive attitude and a can do spirit even when it seems like nothing is going right and people have let everyone down. These are the people who are priceless.

So my challenge to you as you read this blog is to be faithful no matter what life throws at you. Be one who can be counted on through thick or thin. At the first sign of and through every adversity let your motto include the words . . . “this too shall pass!”

Regardless of what the day may bring our God is always the same yesterday, today, and forever. Regardless of your situation He is a friend that sticks closer to you than a brother. Regardless of how you feel He will never leave you nor forsake you.

We must always remember that God weaves all things to work together for good to those who love the Lord and who are called according to His purpose. Weeping may endure for a night but joy will come in the morning.

You can . . . you will make it . . . regardless!