While Vickie and I LOVE living in South Florida, we don't claim to be Floridians. Even after living in Florida for some 20 years, we are 1,000% (no, I didn't accidently add one too many zeros) Texans. Florida is an awesome place to live. What you see on the postcards with the pristine beaches and palm trees are part of the Florida package. BUT (all caps on purpose!), this isn't Texas. There are things from back home that we so, so miss ... especially the taste of genuine Tex-Mex food and Texas BBQ brisket. I've been told that Jesus will have Texans cater the Marriage Supper of the Lamb serving the Mexican food and BBQ. I have yet to find a single Tex-Mex restaurant here in South Florida that knows how to prepare delicious enchiladas, tamales, burritos, and sopapillas. The restaurants here just don't have a clue as to how to make genuine Tex-Mex. I don't even want to begin to talk about South Florida's barbeque. The name on the restaurant promises genuine smoked, tender brisket and ribs that are bad to the bone, but just one bite will tell you that the taste just doesn’t live up to the name.
Why am I writing about food? Examining what is called Tex-Mex and BBQ with what actually tastes like genuine Tex-Mex and BBQ provides an excellent example for doing an examination of what we call the Church today. Look at the events that defined the heaven-birth, Spirit-filled Church in Acts 2. The Church birthed in the Upper Room didn't settle for just being spirited. Instead it was the Spirit Church.
There is much that I can write on comparing the name and the things that should define the name. The Book of Acts shows the real-deal, the undiluted, uncompromised Church. Today's Spirit Church is something that has the same name but an entirely different taste. Just as I long for the taste of genuine Tex-Mex and it be bad Texas smoked brisket and ribs, I long for a Church that is the real deal. I long for a gathering of believers that reflect that they are the Church birthed of the Spirit, empowered by the Spirit, led by the Spirit, and demonstrate the Spirit. And, what is said about the Church SHOULD be said about our children’s ministry!
Let's go back to the Book that defines who we should be. Let's go back to our roots to see what we should "taste" like. Let’s see if the name that differentiates our church is backed up by the “taste” experienced in our services. If two aren't one and the same, it is time to either change our name or change our taste!
Selah …
Monday, June 28, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
You Can Be SUPERnatural!
Often in Pentecostal/Charismatic circles, people relegate the definition of the word "supernatural" to people coming out of a wheelchair or blind eyes opening or cancer disappearing from a ravaged body. While I can't argue that these miracles are supernatural, the word "supernatural" encompasses far more than the spectacular. In fact, if the definition is understood to mean the genuine, unrestricted working of the Holy Spirit you will find that there is ample room for supernatural ministry each time that you walk into a ministry setting!
Consider this fact ... 99% of the children walking into your weekend class or service or your mid-week Bible club won't need a deaf ear opened or herniated disk healed. You'll find few children needing ministry that would be the cover story for Charisma magazine or the lead story for the 700 Club on CBN. So, is there room for supernatural ministry in a children's class or service? You betcha'!
When a child walks into your classroom and you stop what you are doing and begin to give special attention to the child, that my friend is supernatural. When you look into the eyes of a child that possibly hasn't had any attention from an emotionally tired, physically exhausted parent and with genuiness and warmth tell the child how beautiful/handsome they are, that my friend is supernatural. When you get down on your knees to be able to hug a child or hold a little baby in your arms and kiss them on the forehead or you tell a child how blessed that you are that God has allowed you to be their teacher/leader/children's pastor, that my friend is supernatural. In fact, it is equal to any person leaping out of a wheelchair or being able to speak for the first time in their life.
How can I support this scripturally? I'm glad that you asked. "... because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost." (Romans 5:5) Where does this love come from? The Holy Ghost. How is demonstrated? By the Holy Ghost. One brief conversation, one hug, one kiss on the forehead, one compliment can literally break a stronghold that might have been passed down from generation to generation. I've seen hearts eternally impacted by the Holy Ghost in the course of a two minute conversation.
Let me remind that the MINOR part of your ministry is the portion done to the masses. The MAJOR part of your ministry is the portion done to the individual.
Do me a favor. Let's be supernatural. In doing so, take note of what happens during the next couple of weeks as you walk out this teaching and then send me a note telling me about what happened as Holy Ghost love touched a child/family. Contact me at billy@billyburnsministries.com.
Consider this fact ... 99% of the children walking into your weekend class or service or your mid-week Bible club won't need a deaf ear opened or herniated disk healed. You'll find few children needing ministry that would be the cover story for Charisma magazine or the lead story for the 700 Club on CBN. So, is there room for supernatural ministry in a children's class or service? You betcha'!
When a child walks into your classroom and you stop what you are doing and begin to give special attention to the child, that my friend is supernatural. When you look into the eyes of a child that possibly hasn't had any attention from an emotionally tired, physically exhausted parent and with genuiness and warmth tell the child how beautiful/handsome they are, that my friend is supernatural. When you get down on your knees to be able to hug a child or hold a little baby in your arms and kiss them on the forehead or you tell a child how blessed that you are that God has allowed you to be their teacher/leader/children's pastor, that my friend is supernatural. In fact, it is equal to any person leaping out of a wheelchair or being able to speak for the first time in their life.
How can I support this scripturally? I'm glad that you asked. "... because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost." (Romans 5:5) Where does this love come from? The Holy Ghost. How is demonstrated? By the Holy Ghost. One brief conversation, one hug, one kiss on the forehead, one compliment can literally break a stronghold that might have been passed down from generation to generation. I've seen hearts eternally impacted by the Holy Ghost in the course of a two minute conversation.
Let me remind that the MINOR part of your ministry is the portion done to the masses. The MAJOR part of your ministry is the portion done to the individual.
Do me a favor. Let's be supernatural. In doing so, take note of what happens during the next couple of weeks as you walk out this teaching and then send me a note telling me about what happened as Holy Ghost love touched a child/family. Contact me at billy@billyburnsministries.com.
Monday, June 14, 2010
The Holy Spirit - Our Heavenly Swiss Army Knife
One of my all-time favorite television shows is MacGyver. For seven seasons (1985 - 1992), I loved watching Angus MacGyver escape the traps set by his enemies and possible death by using his ever-present Swiss Army knife. No matter the situation, the Swiss Army knife had just what was needed to deliver MacGyver out of the grip of bad guys. Am I the only one that can remember this hero?
Recently when teaching the two-week lesson series on The Holy Spirit - My BFF (Best Friend Forever), the Holy Spirit gave me the illustration of comparing the Holy Spirit to a Swiss Army knife. What an awesome idea! Almost every boy has either seen or owned or dreamed of owning a Swiss Army knife. Beside having one or two knife blades, the Swiss Army knife has a wide range of tools including various screwdrivers (phillips/flathead), scissors, saw, file, hook, tweezers, bottle opener, can opener, and pliers. I was surprised to see that the knife even includes a toothpick. Whatever the situation, whatever the need, the Swiss Army knife has just the right tool to help.
Let's go back and use MacGyver for this illustration. Wouldn't it have been a tragedy for MacGyver to fall into a trap of an enemy of the United States government, and with MacGyver's full knowledge that he had the knife with him and its capability of coming to his rescue, MacGyver would choose to ignore using the knife? That would be a ridiculous idea, wouldn't it! Why struggle when the answer to your problem is there with you. All that is needed is for MacGyver to take advantage of the tool inside of the knife, right?
Sadly, we as Christians fail to call upon our heavenly Swiss Army knife. Do you remember that Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would abide with us forever? (John 14:16). Do you remember reading in John 14-16 about the Holy Spirit's assignment? We learn more about the Holy Spirit's assignment in 1 Corinthians 12-14. The Holy Spirit who has been assigned to be with us FOREVER and has EVERYTHING that we need for ANY and EVERY situation is just waiting on us to call upon Him for His assistance.
Let's remember that the Holy Spirit is with us 24/7/365 and is awaiting the opportunity to work alongside us. He is equipped and ready for there is no problem too big or too small for Him. Come on you spiritual MacGyvers. With the help of the Holy Spirit, let's spoil the plans of our spiritual enemy!!!
Recently when teaching the two-week lesson series on The Holy Spirit - My BFF (Best Friend Forever), the Holy Spirit gave me the illustration of comparing the Holy Spirit to a Swiss Army knife. What an awesome idea! Almost every boy has either seen or owned or dreamed of owning a Swiss Army knife. Beside having one or two knife blades, the Swiss Army knife has a wide range of tools including various screwdrivers (phillips/flathead), scissors, saw, file, hook, tweezers, bottle opener, can opener, and pliers. I was surprised to see that the knife even includes a toothpick. Whatever the situation, whatever the need, the Swiss Army knife has just the right tool to help.
Let's go back and use MacGyver for this illustration. Wouldn't it have been a tragedy for MacGyver to fall into a trap of an enemy of the United States government, and with MacGyver's full knowledge that he had the knife with him and its capability of coming to his rescue, MacGyver would choose to ignore using the knife? That would be a ridiculous idea, wouldn't it! Why struggle when the answer to your problem is there with you. All that is needed is for MacGyver to take advantage of the tool inside of the knife, right?
Sadly, we as Christians fail to call upon our heavenly Swiss Army knife. Do you remember that Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would abide with us forever? (John 14:16). Do you remember reading in John 14-16 about the Holy Spirit's assignment? We learn more about the Holy Spirit's assignment in 1 Corinthians 12-14. The Holy Spirit who has been assigned to be with us FOREVER and has EVERYTHING that we need for ANY and EVERY situation is just waiting on us to call upon Him for His assistance.
Let's remember that the Holy Spirit is with us 24/7/365 and is awaiting the opportunity to work alongside us. He is equipped and ready for there is no problem too big or too small for Him. Come on you spiritual MacGyvers. With the help of the Holy Spirit, let's spoil the plans of our spiritual enemy!!!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Why I Speak in Other Tongues
While this entry this week isn't lengthy, it is something that God is stirring within me. It is a reflection of the challenge that God has given, one needed to help usher in this promised move of God's Spirit. The thought is taken from Brother Kenneth E. Hagin's mini-book Why Tongues. This quote is from the bottom of page 9 and the top of page 10.
"I have found in my own life that the more that I pray and worship God in tongues, the more manifestation of other gifts of the Spirit I have. The less I talk in tongues, the less manifestations I have. Speaking in other tongues is the door into the rest of the spiritual gifts."
Does this stir your heart? I really don't need to amplify or expound upon what Brother Hagin has written. No wonder the apostle Paul wrote, "I thank my God that I speak in tongues more than you all." Selah.
"I have found in my own life that the more that I pray and worship God in tongues, the more manifestation of other gifts of the Spirit I have. The less I talk in tongues, the less manifestations I have. Speaking in other tongues is the door into the rest of the spiritual gifts."
Does this stir your heart? I really don't need to amplify or expound upon what Brother Hagin has written. No wonder the apostle Paul wrote, "I thank my God that I speak in tongues more than you all." Selah.
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