From time-to-time, I'll have someone say to me, "You mean that you have to be involved in children's services each and every service?" To that I always reply, "No, I get to be involved in the children's services each and every service." To be quite honest, I love it. I often tell my staff in the middle of our services that the Holy Spirit is speaking to me through the message that we are ministering. I know that the same Holy Spirit who is ministering in the adult service is present in our children's services. There are no two Holy Spirits, a big Holy Spirit for the adults and a little Holy Spirit for the children. The One and only is present and accounted for and is ready to speak to the children and ME!
Here's an example of His talking to me. This past weekend, we continued on a new series that I am writing called Children Who Know Their God which is based on Daniel 11:32. Our lesson for the weekend was entitled Can't You See God's Fingerprints? using both Ephesians 2:10 and Genesis 2:7-8 as our foundation for the teaching. Let me try to put into words what the Holy Spirit said to me this weekend.
In reading the verses from Genesis, the word formed jumped off the page of my Bible. I wasn't just created. I was formed by God. In reading this, the Holy Spirit amplified my uniqueness to the plan of God by telling me that the Master Sculptor set aside time to form (Hebrew yatsar ... sculpt, mold, squeeze into a specific design or shape) me both internally and externally. In illustrating this truth, I took a blob of Play-Doh and thoughtfully made strategic moves to form a unique, distinct masterpiece. With each move, God changed what was at one time totally worthless into something of beauty and of great worth. You and I became a uniquely sculpted masterpiece (literally a piece of the Master).
Among the many passages (take a few minutes to see the number of scriptures that tell us that we are formed) that show the foresight of the Master Sculptor, this whole teaching is summarized best in God’s instructions to Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 1:5, we read that Jeremiah learned that even while he was in his mother’s womb, God was at work strategically forming (sculpting) the unborn child both internally and externally so that his life would glorify God. From this we learn that you and I come into this world covered with the fingerprints of God!
Now you can see why I say that I get to work in the children’s ministry. I’d sign up for another year of ministry just so that God could talk to me again and again like He did this weekend!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Exploits
I posted an entry on Twitter this past week that said ...
Missing out on seeing exploits? Could be that you know more about God than actually knowing Him.
I posted the entry after reading Daniel 11:32.
" ... the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God]." (Amplified Translation)
So, if you want to actually see God show up and do what He specializes in (exploits), then know Him!
One more thought ... consider following me on Twitter. I guarantee that you won't regret it! www.twitter.com/IamBillyBurns
Missing out on seeing exploits? Could be that you know more about God than actually knowing Him.
I posted the entry after reading Daniel 11:32.
" ... the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God]." (Amplified Translation)
So, if you want to actually see God show up and do what He specializes in (exploits), then know Him!
One more thought ... consider following me on Twitter. I guarantee that you won't regret it! www.twitter.com/IamBillyBurns
Monday, January 17, 2011
Ponderables
This week, allow me to give three thoughts that I share in our Ignite the Supernatural Conferences. Though seemingly simple, meditation will show the vast depth of each thought. They aren't just flippant words. With the revelation will come a great manifestation of God's glory.
Pass these thoughts on to those working alongside of you in your ministry. I guarantee that you and your ministry will never ever be the same again.
Today is the day of the Holy Ghost.
The Holy Ghost won't be real through me until He is real to me.
If I make room for the Holy Ghost, He will make room for me.
Pass these thoughts on to those working alongside of you in your ministry. I guarantee that you and your ministry will never ever be the same again.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Holy Ghost Passion Feeders
Just a quick thought concerning seeing your children's ministry flow in the supernatural ... outside of the "givens" of your relationship with Jesus (prayer, time in the Word, etc.), do you have Holy Ghost "feeders"? By that I mean, are you feeding yourself with supplements that will fan the flames of your passion for a genuine move of God?
Consider these three "feeders" that will help keep you on track and motivated as you seek to lead your children into the realm of the Holy Spirit:
* Do you connect with at least one individual on a regular basis that is passionate for a move of God? It might just be a phone call a couple of times a week or getting together for a breakfast or cup of coffee occasionally. Connecting with someone that has the same heartbeat and passion is so, so important!
* Is there some form of media (TV, radio, CD) that stirs the longing inside of you for a move of God? I give oversight to children's services/ministry for four services a week 52 weeks a year. Unless I am speaking at a conference, I'm rarely if ever in an adult service. While God speaks to me while I am ministering in the children's services, I need to feed myself and be able to see and hear what God is doing. For me, there are certain ministries that I watch on television that takes me into the services and allows me to see the Holy Ghost at work.
* Are you reading books/magazine articles that stirs the longing inside of you for a move of God? Few people are readers any more. Because of so many things pulling for their time and attention, reading has been pushed aside. Many have given up on reading because of only being able to read a few pages or a chapter or two in one sitting. Others have abandoned reading because they've come to realize that after making time to read they aren't able to remember what was read. Can you identify with that discouragement? So, rather than throwing aside this valuable passion builder, consider this suggestion for how I read a book. When I read, I don't read to retain. By that I mean that I don't try to absorb what I'm reading while I'm reading. I do this for two important reasons. First, due to tiredness or my mind being too scattered, many times what I'm reading just doesn't stick. Secondly, reading to retain can make it too easy to get bogged down in a book thus causing me to be discouraged as my time restraints won't allow me to slowly inch my way through a book. So, instead of reading to retain, I've learned to read to gain. As I read, I'm not reading to retain what I'm reading. I'm not in a "study" mode. As I read, I highlight things that are noteworthy and jump out at me. Then, after reading the entire book, I come back and absorb just the highlighted portions of the book. So, by highlighting as I read, I can finish the book and then gain the knowledge by just focusing on the highlighted area and absorb what God wants to teach me.
Consider these three "feeders" that will help keep you on track and motivated as you seek to lead your children into the realm of the Holy Spirit:
* Do you connect with at least one individual on a regular basis that is passionate for a move of God? It might just be a phone call a couple of times a week or getting together for a breakfast or cup of coffee occasionally. Connecting with someone that has the same heartbeat and passion is so, so important!
* Is there some form of media (TV, radio, CD) that stirs the longing inside of you for a move of God? I give oversight to children's services/ministry for four services a week 52 weeks a year. Unless I am speaking at a conference, I'm rarely if ever in an adult service. While God speaks to me while I am ministering in the children's services, I need to feed myself and be able to see and hear what God is doing. For me, there are certain ministries that I watch on television that takes me into the services and allows me to see the Holy Ghost at work.
* Are you reading books/magazine articles that stirs the longing inside of you for a move of God? Few people are readers any more. Because of so many things pulling for their time and attention, reading has been pushed aside. Many have given up on reading because of only being able to read a few pages or a chapter or two in one sitting. Others have abandoned reading because they've come to realize that after making time to read they aren't able to remember what was read. Can you identify with that discouragement? So, rather than throwing aside this valuable passion builder, consider this suggestion for how I read a book. When I read, I don't read to retain. By that I mean that I don't try to absorb what I'm reading while I'm reading. I do this for two important reasons. First, due to tiredness or my mind being too scattered, many times what I'm reading just doesn't stick. Secondly, reading to retain can make it too easy to get bogged down in a book thus causing me to be discouraged as my time restraints won't allow me to slowly inch my way through a book. So, instead of reading to retain, I've learned to read to gain. As I read, I'm not reading to retain what I'm reading. I'm not in a "study" mode. As I read, I highlight things that are noteworthy and jump out at me. Then, after reading the entire book, I come back and absorb just the highlighted portions of the book. So, by highlighting as I read, I can finish the book and then gain the knowledge by just focusing on the highlighted area and absorb what God wants to teach me.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Dependent on the Holy Spirit #5 - My Brain-Leak Fixer
If you've been to any of our Ignite the Supernatural Conferences, you have heard me tell of my Grandma Burns. She was one awesome lady. To be kind to you and considerate of your time, I won't spend a great deal of the blog going on and on about what I love about her. In her 99 years here on earth ... well, you can see why one blog can't capture 99 years of stories.
Years ago, I heard her make this statement, "My brain leaks." What Grandma Burns was saying was that she had seen so much, heard so much, and experienced so much that her brain had trouble remembering it all. Her memory was overloaded consequently, to use her words, "My brain leaks."
Well, you don't have to be 99-years-old to have a leaky brain. We all have trouble remembering things. It has nothing to do with age. It has everything to do with overload. We all go too fast doing too many things and ... are you with me? Can you identify with having a leaky brain?
Fortunately, the Holy Spirit has been sent to help with this dilemma. In fact, He specializes in leaky brains. In John 14:26, Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit has been assigned to bring all things back to our memory. Probably like you, I can tell story after story about calling upon Him to come to my rescue and do a miracle on my leaky brain by reminding me of a particular piece of information. In each case, it wasn't until I called upon His help did my answer come. He knew the information all along. But, it wasn't until He was invited to get involved that He stepped into my dilemma and came to my aid.
Join me for a fifth time by standing to your feet. In this support group, let's all acknowledge our dependence on Him. From years of experience, I know that He will sit back and watch us do things in our own strength and ability. But, upon hearing our cry of dependence, He will step in and begin to fulfill His heavenly assignment by joining together with, linking arm-in-arm with us to fulfill the plan of God. Today, let's begin to acknowledge and vocalize our need for Him to be our heavenly memory. Let's not ask Him to get involved as a last resort. Throughout our day let's dialogue with Him and ask Him to interject His insight and knowledge. Let's allow Him to speak to us and direct us. I guarantee that we will be spared a lot of wasted time and frustration. One more time, I will unashamedly declare that I need the Holy Spirit and want Him to be involved in each and every part of my life and day ... especially in being my heavenly brain-leaking stopper!
Years ago, I heard her make this statement, "My brain leaks." What Grandma Burns was saying was that she had seen so much, heard so much, and experienced so much that her brain had trouble remembering it all. Her memory was overloaded consequently, to use her words, "My brain leaks."
Well, you don't have to be 99-years-old to have a leaky brain. We all have trouble remembering things. It has nothing to do with age. It has everything to do with overload. We all go too fast doing too many things and ... are you with me? Can you identify with having a leaky brain?
Fortunately, the Holy Spirit has been sent to help with this dilemma. In fact, He specializes in leaky brains. In John 14:26, Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit has been assigned to bring all things back to our memory. Probably like you, I can tell story after story about calling upon Him to come to my rescue and do a miracle on my leaky brain by reminding me of a particular piece of information. In each case, it wasn't until I called upon His help did my answer come. He knew the information all along. But, it wasn't until He was invited to get involved that He stepped into my dilemma and came to my aid.
Join me for a fifth time by standing to your feet. In this support group, let's all acknowledge our dependence on Him. From years of experience, I know that He will sit back and watch us do things in our own strength and ability. But, upon hearing our cry of dependence, He will step in and begin to fulfill His heavenly assignment by joining together with, linking arm-in-arm with us to fulfill the plan of God. Today, let's begin to acknowledge and vocalize our need for Him to be our heavenly memory. Let's not ask Him to get involved as a last resort. Throughout our day let's dialogue with Him and ask Him to interject His insight and knowledge. Let's allow Him to speak to us and direct us. I guarantee that we will be spared a lot of wasted time and frustration. One more time, I will unashamedly declare that I need the Holy Spirit and want Him to be involved in each and every part of my life and day ... especially in being my heavenly brain-leaking stopper!
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