Sunday, August 31, 2014

Do we have rights?

In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in allthe world for a witness unto all nations; and then shallthe end come.

I enjoy politics, I guess. As a political conservative, I focus mainly on what the Constitution does and doesn't say. I love the Constitution, for it is a document that allows freedom and protects our citizens from the evils of big government.

On the other side of the political aisle are the progressives/liberals. These have spent the last 100 plus years chipping away at the Constitution in order to give the federal government more and more control of our individual lives. This is a very bad thing and I will fight it to my dying breath.

However, in the church world, we have the opposite problem. 

We spend a great deal of time "spreading the gospel" and trying to get people "saved." 

That's all well and good, except our focus is wrong. 

We teach lessons, sing songs, write books, etc the goal of which are to show people what God will do for them. I guess the theory is that, in order to reach the "me generation," we have to "get them saved" by explaining the benefits of becoming a Christian. After all, everybody needs Jesus as their savior, right?

That's true.

But, we do them a disservice because we are only showing them half (if that) of the picture.

Jesus didn't come just to seek and save that which was lost. He came to impose his kingdom and displace the devil's kingdom. 

Every step he took towards Calvary and beyond was in direct and open warfare with the devil's kingdom.  

For example, Jesus didn't heal everybody he met that were sick and injured. He could have. Why didn't he? 

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

If he didn't heal someone, they were sick of natural, not supernatural, causes. 

Put simply, the kingdom of God had come to war with the kingdom of Satan. And Jesus won! 

But, there are some things that we must understand.

Jesus MUST be savior AND Lord (supreme controller) or he cannot be savior at all.

Human nature is that if we do not have an authority above us that we must follow and obey, we will do whatever we think is right.

The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). We must obey that gospel to enter into his kingdom and become a citizen (John 3:1-8, Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 4:27, 2 Thes. 1:8). 

But, when we enter the kingdom, we have been bought with a price and are no longer our own (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23). We can no longer do anything we want. There's a higher authority that we must (and will) answer to.

The kingdom of God has a king. His name is Jesus. As king, he has the right to allow us to do something. He also has the right to tell us no. 

As citizens of his kingdom, we have the right to ask, and we have the responsibility to obey the ruling that the king gives on any given matter.

The reason the church cannot allow a homosexual teacher/preacher/singer in it's walls is not that God (and we) don't love them. It's because the king's decree (the Bible) forbids it.

The reason we must stand against all sin is because our king has decreed that sin will keep men out of his kingdom and condemn them to eternal punishment in hell. 

Politics involves compromise. In the kingdom of God there is no compromise. 

When you become a citizen of the kingdom of God, you willingly submit yourself to his rule over your life- in all areas. 

There is no middle ground. It's the kings way, or the devils way.

Do we have rights? Yes. The right to obey God in all things. Period. 

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Friday, August 15, 2014

How gray is our God?

For all the promises of God in him are yeaand in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Matthew 5:17-18Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
There is a song by Chris Tomlin called "How great is our God." Aside from some minor theological disagreement, I love the song. However, when I hear it sung, the singer in me cringes at the same time the preacher in me does. 
Why?
Basic singing instruction teaches us to enunciate clearly so that we can be clearly understood. Therefore, the word "great" ends in a "t" and that letter needs to be clearly pronounced when it is sung. 
Why does it matter?
Which version sounds like a true gospel song to you? How gray is our God? Or how great is our God? The "t" is extremely important! Without it, the whole message is changed. God is changed from great to gray! Not a good change.
Is this important enough for a blog? Yes...with a twist.
You see, the modern "church" is under the impression that God has completely done away with the old testament law through Calvary. Yet, Jesus said none of it would go away until all be fulfilled.
The "church" says, "Yes! That's what he did on Calvary."
I beg to differ. Jesus says here in verse 18 that the law would still be in force "until heaven and earth pass away." Jesus fulfilled the sacrificial and ceremonial parts of the law. However, the moral laws that show us what sin is, are still in force. 
The reason this is an important distinction is that the modern "church", because of a misunderstanding of Calvary and Grace, practices what many call, "greasy Grace." They believe that everything is already settled for them. They're saved. It's done. Now we can live, talk, act, dress, however we wish. It's party time! "I got a blank check!"
WRONG!!!!!
This is why there is so much despute over what is a sin and what ain't. If you do away with the Old Testament foundation, then anything goes. 
"Churches" can ordain homosexuals. Women can lead their home. "White lies" are OK as long as they accomplish something good. A drunk can die in their sins and "preachers" say they are "in a better place." 
Indeed, perhaps the way many sing Chris Tomlin's song (without proper diction) is symbolic of how most modern "Christians" see God: "How gray is our God."
Yet, the scriptures declare that the righteous will scarcely make it in (1 Peter 4:18). We give it all we have and, with the help of God, we will barely make it in. 
Perhaps we could all learn a lesson from king David. 

2 Samuel 24:18-25Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

18 And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto theLord in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite. 19 And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the Lord commanded. 20 And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground. 21 And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the Lord, that the plague may be stayed from the people. 22 And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and otherinstruments of the oxen for wood. 23 All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The Lord thy God accept thee. 24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. 25 And David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So theLord was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.
How can we offer ourselves a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, and believe that it should cost us nothing? 
No, my friend, there are two crosses in Biblical Christianity. A) The cross of Jesus. Truly without his shed blood there would be no hope for us at all! B) Our cross! Jesus says for us to take up our cross and follow him. Paul said that to live is Christ and to die is gain. 
We must allow God to crucify our flesh. We MUST walk after his spirit and keep our flesh under subjection. Otherwise, we risk the same thing Paul was afraid of: becoming a castaway. 
So, which is it for you?
Do you want "How gray is our God?" Do you want to use "greasy grace" and slide into hell? 
Or, do you want the narrow road that tells us "How great is our God?" The way of the disciple. The way of submission, love, and obedience to our Lord (Supreme Controller) that will lead to hearing him say, "Well done." (Oops! I guess there are some things we must do to be his. Otherwise, he wouldn't say, "Well done." He'd say, "Well believed.")
Of course, James states: 

James 2:14-26Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; whatdoth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Do you want 50 shades of gray and an eternity in hell? Or do you want the true faith of Jesus? Choose you this day whom ye shall serve! 

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Warning! Vampires are real! (just not the way you think)


I had a dream the other night. I was being attacked by vampires and the only thing that could keep me safe was a cross. You could converse and interact with them. But, you always had to be conscious of your own safety by keeping a hold of a cross to place before them when they tried to attack. (Yes, I- in my youth- watched a lot of vampire movies and TV shows.)

When I awoke, after praying and rebuking spirits, I began to think on and pray about it. The Lord broke into my ponderings to inform me that vampires do exist!

When I asked what he meant, he began to explain to me that they just don't exist in the form they are presented to us. Let me explain.

When Israel was about to be released, they had to place blood on the door posts of their homes. The purpose was to keep death at bay. As long as they stayed under the blood, they were safe. If they had left the safety of the blood, they would die.

We who are born again are washed in the blood of Jesus. What do vampires feed on? Blood! Is it possible for us to leave the protection of the blood that Jesus shed on Calvary and fall victim to spiritual vampires? Absolutely!

So, in this post, we will attempt to warn believers of some common vampires that, if they hang out with them, can attack (and possibly kill) us.

One more thing. Vampires always attack when we walk into dark places we shouldn't be in. So, be careful where you walk and who you hang around with.

Vampire 1: Lust.

1 John 2:16 
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

One thing is certain: this world is filled with lust. Movies and TV exploit it to make money. Corporations use it to sell their products. Companies us worldly lusts (what an employee can gain for themselves if they work hard) to motivate their employees to work hard. 

Don't get me wrong. We are supposed to love our spouses (emotionally and physically). We are supposed to love our families and want to provide well for them. We have to have vehicles to get around in today's world just as they used to need horses and buggies years ago. We do need clothing to wear so we can present ourselves holy to the world and to our Lord.

But, when we allow these natural desires to become perverted and start longing after things we shouldn't (i.e. too expensive homes and cars, expensive and ungodly clothes, other people's spouses, our bosses job, etc), then we are walking out from under the blood that Jesus shed on Calvary and are being bitten by a spiritual vampire.

Vampire 2: Ungodly entertainment.

will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me

Entertainment, in and of itself, is not evil. A TV, or a computer, are just tools. They are not, innately, evil. However, when we use them to watch ungodly movies and shows, play ungodly games, interact with people in ungodly ways, we are being attacked by a spiritual vampire. 

Vampire 3: Unforgiveness.

Matthew 6:14-15Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:15 but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 18:6-8Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
Ever been going along and having a great day when suddenly: Bam! Out of nowhere somebody with an attitude does something that really hurts you? You never even saw it coming. But, there goes you good day and now you have to struggle with anger. 
It may be something small or great that was done to you, but it becomes very difficult to keep your Christian attitude. Yet, the spirit of God inside you is saying: "Forgive them." 
"What's that, Lord? Are you serious? Really? Do you know what they did to me?" 
Only to hear the Lord say, "Look at what they did to me, child. I forgave. Follow me."
If we stop there, knowing that Jesus will deal with the offender, and repent and forgive, we'll be fine.
If we don't, though, we begin to move from anger to bitterness. This begins to effect every area of our lives. We become somber, hateful, and biting. In truth, we risk becoming a vampire ourselves. 
We were bitten and offended and rather than forgive, we allowed it to begin to change us. The more bitter we become, the less of God's spirit (and his blood covering) we have. If we stay on that path, we will lose our covering and risk hell. 
Don't believe me? Read Matthew 18:21-35. Because of his servants unforgiveness, the king reinstated the servants debts that had once been accounted to him as paid. In other words, his unforgiveness caused his sins to be taken out from under the blood and he was now guilty once again. 
There are many more vampires in the world. The answer to them all is Calvary! Remove yourself from the temptation and pray. Give the Lord control and allow him to cleanse you anew (1 John 1:9). 
If you do, you will defeat the vampires and stay right with God. 
If you don't, you risk spiritual death and becoming a vampire yourself. 
Which do you choose? 
What about you? Can you add to this list? What other types of spiritual vampires can you name? I'd love to hear from you.  


Sunday, August 10, 2014

Many are called, but few HAVE chosen: How the kingdom of God relates to us.

      Matthew 22 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

22 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all thingsare ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: and the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew themBut when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

      I love the KJV. Unlike the modern mistranslations of scripture, it is an exact word for word translation of the scriptures. However, not all the words in the KJV are from the original manuscripts. These words are all in Italics. These were added by the translators in an attempt to aid our understanding of the scriptures. Many times, these italicized words are fine- meaning they go along with the scriptural words just fine.
      However, in this case, they got it wrong.
      In the parable here, we find a king about to have a wedding party for his son. He sends forth for all the “somebody's” of the kingdom to come and share in his celebration. Unfortunately, all the “somebody's” had very little respect for the king and his son. So, they found other things to do, rather than answer the kings bidding. Because of this, the king was angry and destroyed them.
      Still wanting to celebrate, the king throws open the doors of the castle and sends his servants to invite “whosoever will” to come. When the wedding feast was in full swing, the king noticed a man who wasn't wearing a wedding garment. This meant he had come in a different way (he snuck in) and either had not been invited, or had chosen to not follow the instructions of the king in order to enter in. When asked, the man had no answer and was summarily thrown out- bound hand and foot.
      Given the context of the verse, the italicized word in verse 14, “are”, is the wrong choice. It should read, “Many are called but few HAVE chosen.” The nobles lost their lives and positions because they made the wrong choice. The man in the party that had no wedding garment, entered a different way, and therefore didn't receive the proper covering for the party. He made the wrong choice. (He wasn't born again-Acts 2:38 and given the garment of holiness to cover him) The king did choose every person mentioned in this parable. It was they who chose wrong. Therefore, “Many are called, but few (have) chosen,” is the correct way to verbalize this.
      Now, notice something else about this parable in 22: 1-14.
      When the king destroyed the nobility, he was destroying the whole governmental structure (as far as personnel goes). All of his dukes and earls. All of his judges. All of his generals and high ranking officers. All of his advisers. All of his leaders in industry. Everyone of any importance in his kingdom was now gone.
      So, what's a king to do? You don't go on the street corner and find a general, do you? You don't go to the market and find a judge, do you? You don't go to the fish market and find a duke, right?
      Or do you?
      He hadn't changed his kingdom's organization. So, he had a whole kingdom full of empty positions that needed to be filled. Yet, all he had to fill it with were the ones that society called “the rabble.” Yet, the king brought them all into the feast, anyway.
      The people coming into the feast were surprised enough to be invited and given new clothes worthy of attending the prince's wedding. They were awestruck at being able to eat and drink in the same room and out of the same fine china as the royal family. They were amazed at being seated for their meal and being able to see the fine linen table cloth's and the rich tapestry's and paintings on the walls.
      But, the king had another surprise for them: They had all just been promoted! A lowly stable hand was now the keeper of the kings livestock. A lowly farm hand was now the chief gardener. A deck hand, who just yesterday was swabbing the decks of a warship, was now the captain of the vessel! And on and on it went. Some were appointed as generals, some dukes, some earls, and some judges. Yet, most of them new little to nothing about their new jobs.
      They were now an important part of the kingdom, but understood little about how to carry out their commission. But, the king wasn't looking for more educated advisers and leaders who may or may not obey his wishes. No, he was raising up a people who would be loyal to him. He was lifting up a grateful populace that would willingly do their jobs the way the king commanded them to do it.
      There were no longer any career politicians, whose families were associated with the court for generations (and who looked at the king as temporary in the grand scheme of things). No, the new court would serve him out of genuine love and devotion.
      But, their new positions (callings), that they were totally unqualified for, would require that they spend many hours studying the kings proclamations and laws. It would also require they spend much time with the king himself. After all, words on a page do not fully capture the true intention of the king. Only by spending that time with him, could they truly understand the depths of the kings proclamations.
      In this way, through study and spending time with the king, they could become qualified for the position that the king had called them into.
      My friend, may I tell you that this situation is a perfect example of who we are. The “qualified” people of the world (by and large) aren't really interested in God's invitation. The ones with the pedigrees have been “in the way” for so long that they are (many times) getting “in the way.” The folks with the perfect pasts, spend most of their time glorying in their own perfection.
      So God is turning to folks like me and you. He's invited us to enter into his feast. He's cleansed us and washed us in his blood- giving us holy robes so that we can be qualified to stand in his presence. But, he's called us here to do more than eat and drink at his table.
      He has a job for us to do. A job that we are unqualified to do. But, if we will spend the time in his word, we can learn. If we will take the time to linger in his presence through prayer, he will teach us the heights and depths of his proclamations.
      No, God no longer calls the qualified. He qualifies the called.
      If he's called you into “the ministry,” he's given you an awesome responsibility. Study his word. Spend time in prayer. Allow him to change your attitudes, redeem your past, and lead you into the future.
      It will be hard. It will be challenging. It will require everything you have and more.
      You will endure much criticism from people who kno

      w how you used to be. You will be mocked and jeered. You may be beaten, arrested, or beheaded. But, keep your eyes on the prize of the high calling of God- the call home, where you will hear him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant...” Then, it will be worth every tear shed and every burden borne.
      Make up your mind and heart that he's not just your savior, he's your Lord (supreme controller) over every part of your life. Follow him. It will be worth it all.    

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Do You need a mentor?

If you follow my blog, you will notice that I haven't posted in about a month. Simple reason: My internet has been down. Sorry for not being there for you. However, I have been writing while I've been absent.

Below, you will find an excerpt from a book for prospective preachers I'm working on. It's titled, "So you think you're called." This section is on the subject of the lost art of mentoring. Is it Biblical? Do we need a mentor? Should we be a mentor?

I pray it's a blessing to you. I would also love to have your feedback on it. Feel free to comment. God bless!

      First of all, let's clear something up: EVERYONE needs a mentor. Jesus mentored the disciples (who became the apostles). The Apostles mentored new converts. Paul was mentored by Barnabus. Paul, in turn, mentored many, including Timothy, Titus, Silas, etc.
      I realize that our western culture speaks much about being independent. From Sanatra's “I did it my way” to modern songs that say things like, “I'm just doing me,” our culture is obsessed with doing things our own way. However, our culture and God's culture are not the same thing.
      Jesus came preaching the “gospel of the kingdom.” A kingdom has a king. Jesus is that king. Our culture says we have a choice as to what laws we pick and choose to follow. In God's kingdom, we don't have that freedom. Jesus said in Luke 6:46, “Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I say?” Lord, in the Greek, means “supreme controller.” Jesus is supposed to be both our savior AND our Lord. If he is not our Lord, then he cannot be our savior. This means we must follow and obey him in every area of our lives.
      This is a huge departure from our western culture's mindset. That's why we are commanded to “make disciples of every man.” ( ) Since we are not raised in a kingdom, we need to be taught how to change our thinking from a democracy to a kingdom. This means, before we can make disciples, we must become a disciple. We must learn how the kingdom of God works. We must learn it's rules and functions. We must change our own culture to match the culture of God's kingdom. Then, we are qualified to make disciples.
      The teacher/disciple relationship in the culture of Jesus' day was not the same as a teacher student relationship in today's society. Today's students go to a class and learn strictly information from a teacher. The focus of the class is the subject being taught- not the teachers themselves. Other than the information being shared, there's very little personal teaching going on. Teachers are interchangeable as long as the subject is being taught.
      In the ancient Israeli culture, however- indeed, in the ancient world in general- it was not that way at all. The subject was definitely important, but what was more important was the teacher himself. He gained students because of who he was, his standing in the community, his area of expertise, and the knowledge and success he had in that particular life discipline. If he were successful, he didn't have to go looking for students. In fact, they came looking for him. He could only teach so many at a time, so he was very picky about who he taught. They had to be bright, attentive, of a good family, of good reputation, and willing to submit their lives to the “Rabbi” (teacher) for whatever he ordered them to do.
      The accepted students were called his “disciples.” Why? It took discipline to follow a teacher. It took a total life commitment to follow a teacher. It wasn't a few hours a day, broken up into small classrooms and given in small doses. It was all day long, many hours a day, on the one subject at hand- six days a week (The Jewish culture took the Sabbath day off). A disciple could spend years learning from their master/teacher. Many times, the disciples were young men (usually unmarried) who were trying to learn a trade to prepare them for their future. Their training was a total and complete lifestyle change for them. They had to be completely dedicated to the task of learning their trade, or they would be thrown out of the training, ostracized, and risk becoming a beggar (or worse).
      It was to this time period that the disciples (who were about to become apostles) belonged. It was to this mindset that Jesus spoke when he told them to “make disciples of all men.” Jesus had discipled them for 3 ½ years. He had spent nearly every day and night with them. He had totally changed their mindsets about life and religion. Now, right before they were to receive his spirit to empower them for the work he had been preparing them for, he tells them to go and do the same thing he did: disciple people.
      For those people who made it through their training, a strong bond would remain between teacher and student, Rabbi and disciple. A bond that would last for the rest of their lives. It was purposely designed this way because the teacher was older, wiser, and more experienced. When the disciple finally branched out on their own, they carried the same practices of their teacher into their own lives. People familiar with their teacher could see the evidence of his teaching in their work and lives. They also knew that they still could go to their teacher with questions and find answers.
      When Jesus told the Apostles to make disciples of men, he was saying, “ I have poured my life and heart into your lives for 3 ½ years. I have been with you in good times and bad. I have taught you day and night and helped you change your whole way of thinking. Now, you go and do the same in the lives of others.”
      Jesus preached to and fed multitudes. He taught thousands. Yet, he only discipled twelve. These men (except for the one who betrayed him) would form the basis for his church. Even though they preached to thousands and performed miracles, there is evidence in the scriptures that they only mentored a few- so that they could mentor others.
      Wait, brother Winskie. I thought we were talking about teachers and students. Now, you say mentor? That's what a biblical teacher truly is. A mentor. One of the biggest areas of lack in today's Churchianity is the lack of true teacher/mentors. There is no lack of people who like to be heard speaking to show others what they think they know. But, there is a decided lack of men who are willing to get involved in the lives of men (and women for women- see Titus 2), get their proverbial hands dirty, and raise up true disciples who will help mentor the next generation.
      If you don't have a mentor, pray and ask God to lead you to one. If you can't find one, God will definitely be your mentor. But, make it up in your mind and heart that you are going to become a mentor for some other men. If you do, this will begin to heal part of the breach in the churches walls.
      Become a disciple. Then, become a mentor. Some others out there need the wisdom, knowledge, and experience you will gain in the process.
      Anybody can work and draw a paycheck. Anyone can teach a class, if they can learn the subject matter and learn how to speak understandably. But, it's a special man that will pour his life and knowledge into the lives of others. He may not make a lot of money, but the rewards are ever lasting and he will affect generations to come. The man who's in it for the paycheck will be forgotten. The man who truly mentors will be remembered for years to come.
      Which one do you want to be?