If you've been to any of our Ignite Conferences, you've heard me talk about my passion for reading. I often state that every great leader is a great reader. My time constraints might limit me to a page or two at a time, but I do try to read each and every day.
Let me share with you some books that I have read, are reading, or are about to start reading. You might want to put these book titles on your to-do list.
I recently read Revival God's Way by Leonard Ravenhill. This is a must read. In fact, I will be rereading it again in the near future.
I am currently reading Surviving the Anointing by Leonard Ravenhill's son, David Ravenhill. I am having trouble putting the book down. It is subtitled Learning to Effectively Experience and Walk in God's Power.
Books on my soon-to-read list ...
1. Here Comes Heaven! A Kid's Guide to God's Supernatural Power by Bill Johnson & Mike Seth
2. Glory Invasion ... Walking Under an Open Heaven by David Herzog
3. Mysteries of the Glory Unveiled by David Herzog
One more thing ... if you have read or are reading a book that is really impacting you, please pass on the title and author to me. You can contact me billy@billyburnsministries.com.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
The Greatest Gift
Ladies, you can be so thankful that you didn't marry me. During this time of the year, the true Billy Burns comes out. I HATE to shop. I don't mind going into the store to get an item if we know exactly what we are going for. I can tolerate a quick in and out. But to look from store to store, floor to floor, department to department, display to display is simply more than I can "enjoy".
It's not just the shopping experience. I also struggle with the shopping expectation. To me, shopping produces a major pressure in requiring us to find THE perfect gift. It's not enough just to go into a Hickory Farms store and buy a box of smoked sausage. It is as though that we have to have the gifts of the Spirit to help us to probe into the recipient's mind to know exactly what they would like, what color and exact size, and what will generate a genuine heart-felt thanks.
Thankfully, after pushing shopping aside, I can enjoy Christmas. I really, really, really do love Christmas, just not the shopping part of it. I learned as a child that my love for Christmas comes in the Gift not the gifts.
Consider this. Heaven's Gift is always the right size. Unlike my clothes, I can't outgrow this Gift. This Gift is always perfect for any and every situation. The Gift isn't seasonal or just for one time in my year or life. The Gift isn't a passing fad. Unlike the Hula Hoop or the Pet Rock, this Gift won't be the most wanted item for a few weeks and then found on the Deeply Reduced sale display table later.
Join with me. Let’s thank God for His great love and His perfect Gift, Jesus Christ.
It's not just the shopping experience. I also struggle with the shopping expectation. To me, shopping produces a major pressure in requiring us to find THE perfect gift. It's not enough just to go into a Hickory Farms store and buy a box of smoked sausage. It is as though that we have to have the gifts of the Spirit to help us to probe into the recipient's mind to know exactly what they would like, what color and exact size, and what will generate a genuine heart-felt thanks.
Thankfully, after pushing shopping aside, I can enjoy Christmas. I really, really, really do love Christmas, just not the shopping part of it. I learned as a child that my love for Christmas comes in the Gift not the gifts.
Consider this. Heaven's Gift is always the right size. Unlike my clothes, I can't outgrow this Gift. This Gift is always perfect for any and every situation. The Gift isn't seasonal or just for one time in my year or life. The Gift isn't a passing fad. Unlike the Hula Hoop or the Pet Rock, this Gift won't be the most wanted item for a few weeks and then found on the Deeply Reduced sale display table later.
Join with me. Let’s thank God for His great love and His perfect Gift, Jesus Christ.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Que Será, Será
Recently, there was an event in the news that really caught America’s attention. While our national news is daily giving reports of companies downsizing, filing for chapter 11, and even shutting down, the news told of a company in Chicago, Republic Windows and Doors, that literally closed its windows and shut its doors to its 240 employees by filing bankruptcy and closing its plant. The 240 unemployed workers staged a sit-in at their former factory refusing to leave quietly. Daily, America watched these strikers as they adamantly defended their right to due compensation. The end result gave each former Republic employee eight weeks' salary, all accrued vacation pay and two months' paid health care, said U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, who helped broker the deal. He said it works out to about $7,000 apiece.
I love this story! These former employees are my heroes. They were unwavering in their pursuit of what was owed to them. They refused to be denied.
How does this apply to ushering in a last day Holy Ghost children's revival? Let me ask you this question. How unrelenting are you for the fulfillment of God's promise given through the prophet Joel for this generation? How desperate are you for God's Spirit to freely flow in your services and children?
Too often, it is so easy to have a que será, será whatever will be, will be attitude. We need to recognize that those with an "if it happens, it happens" mentality will never see revival. Those that allow circumstances to dictate the outcome will constantly be denied a true move of God.
The purpose for Billy Burns Ministries is to connect people who have a kindred heart and passion. I contend that all across the globe there are individuals and groups who are much like the former employees mentioned above. We are like Jacob of old who after wrestling with the messenger of the Lord declared that he would not be denied. We refuse to sit back and watch what is due this generation of children go unfulfilled. We are people who are ademently and vocally contending that this generation will not be denied a genuine move of God.
Remember, if you can be denied, you will be denied. Don't allow pacifism to creep in. Let's stand up and unrelentingly use our voice and actions to remind God, Satan, and anyone else who will listen that THIS generation will know and flow with the Holy Spirit. We will NOT be denied!
I love this story! These former employees are my heroes. They were unwavering in their pursuit of what was owed to them. They refused to be denied.
How does this apply to ushering in a last day Holy Ghost children's revival? Let me ask you this question. How unrelenting are you for the fulfillment of God's promise given through the prophet Joel for this generation? How desperate are you for God's Spirit to freely flow in your services and children?
Too often, it is so easy to have a que será, será whatever will be, will be attitude. We need to recognize that those with an "if it happens, it happens" mentality will never see revival. Those that allow circumstances to dictate the outcome will constantly be denied a true move of God.
The purpose for Billy Burns Ministries is to connect people who have a kindred heart and passion. I contend that all across the globe there are individuals and groups who are much like the former employees mentioned above. We are like Jacob of old who after wrestling with the messenger of the Lord declared that he would not be denied. We refuse to sit back and watch what is due this generation of children go unfulfilled. We are people who are ademently and vocally contending that this generation will not be denied a genuine move of God.
Remember, if you can be denied, you will be denied. Don't allow pacifism to creep in. Let's stand up and unrelentingly use our voice and actions to remind God, Satan, and anyone else who will listen that THIS generation will know and flow with the Holy Spirit. We will NOT be denied!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Check Your Indicators
I have a confession ... my brain is different than most people in that I can see something funny in almost any situation. This often got me into trouble in school as I would enjoy telling my classmates my funny insight. For the most part, I've since learned how to keep these insights to myself. Occasionally I can still spout out a funny at an inappropiate time before my good sense can kick in and control my words.
As a child, I learned the penalty of the power of words. My parents had the philosophy of reinforcing the teacher’s punishment. If I had a meeting with the board of education (the paddle) in class, I got an additional paddling when I got home. When Dad took care of business, he really, really took care of business.
What an invaluable lesson. Words are powerful. I’ve learned that words are indicators of what is going on in the inside. This is seen when an airplane crashes. The first thing that the FAA does after a crash is to locate the black box which is a recording of the words said before the crash. The words didn't cause the crash. They are merely an indicator of what caused the catastrophe.
If there are problems in your ministry or if you aren't seeing the revival that you so desire, it might a great idea to locate your black box. Check out the indicators that show what is going on in the cockpit of your life, the heart. Remember that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. (Matthew 12:34) What are you saying? Is your speech magnifying the situation? Are you words focusing on the difficulties?
Instead of magnifying the situation, we should learn from David when he said, “I will say of the Lord …” (Psalm 91:2) Remember that Job 22:28 says, “Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.” If we will guard our words and begin to decree the promises of God over our children and our children’s ministry, we will see God’s glory begin to manifest. Signs of revival will begin to be seen. The dreams of your heart will break out in your services.
From this day on, let’s begin to use our words to magnify Him rather than our situation. Let God hear from our black box that we declare that today is the day of the Holy Ghost and that the promises found in Joel 2 of a Holy Ghost revival is being fulfilled in our children.
As a child, I learned the penalty of the power of words. My parents had the philosophy of reinforcing the teacher’s punishment. If I had a meeting with the board of education (the paddle) in class, I got an additional paddling when I got home. When Dad took care of business, he really, really took care of business.
What an invaluable lesson. Words are powerful. I’ve learned that words are indicators of what is going on in the inside. This is seen when an airplane crashes. The first thing that the FAA does after a crash is to locate the black box which is a recording of the words said before the crash. The words didn't cause the crash. They are merely an indicator of what caused the catastrophe.
If there are problems in your ministry or if you aren't seeing the revival that you so desire, it might a great idea to locate your black box. Check out the indicators that show what is going on in the cockpit of your life, the heart. Remember that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. (Matthew 12:34) What are you saying? Is your speech magnifying the situation? Are you words focusing on the difficulties?
Instead of magnifying the situation, we should learn from David when he said, “I will say of the Lord …” (Psalm 91:2) Remember that Job 22:28 says, “Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.” If we will guard our words and begin to decree the promises of God over our children and our children’s ministry, we will see God’s glory begin to manifest. Signs of revival will begin to be seen. The dreams of your heart will break out in your services.
From this day on, let’s begin to use our words to magnify Him rather than our situation. Let God hear from our black box that we declare that today is the day of the Holy Ghost and that the promises found in Joel 2 of a Holy Ghost revival is being fulfilled in our children.
Monday, December 1, 2008
A Special Conference Internet Promotion
I trust that you are making plans to attend the 2009 Ignite the Supernatural Conference in Orlando, Florida on February 5 - 7. I guarantee that there isn't another conference like this in the nation. We are expecting children's ministry leaders and volunteers from around the globe to gather for a time of impartation, revelation, and refreshing. In looking at the listing of speakers and workshop titles/descriptions, you'll want to start packing your bags now. Take a minute and go to www.ignite-conference.com and I believe that you will register today!Here is a one-time, internet-only special for those registering by midnight (Eastern Standard Time) on Sunday, December 7th ...
20% off of the published registration price
To receive this special price, enter the coupon code: INTERNET
What a deal. You can come to Orlando, squeeze in some time with Mickey and Minnie, enjoy Florida's beautiful warm weather, be radically changed at the conference, your senior pastor and their spouse can attend free, and ... well, you need to hurry. This special ends this Sunday night!
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