It's All About Who By Gina Gennaro

It is interesting to me how so many people can be “in ministry” and serving God, but doing it for their own glory. My spirit has been grieved so many times when I walk into a big beautiful church or an amazing edgy youth ministry and when the service starts, something is lacking. The lights are perfect, people are nice, sound works great, but the spirit of God is nowhere to be found.

I think some people have good hearts and intentions so they decide to go into ministry like it is a philanthropic organization. It makes them feel better about themselves to be able to be a part. It is run like a business (don’t get me wrong, there needs to be excellence in all we do for Christ, but needs to be IN Christ) and the Holy Spirit is not even invited to help!

Even in Spirit filled, on-point churches often times as a leader it is so easy to get caught up in the job. “Jesus time” turns into “work” and studying God’s word is not out of passionate love for our Savior anymore, but a routine of responsibility. When making a good three point sermon is the goal of getting in the Word, your own walk with God will begin to lack. However, there is pressure to be perfect from the pulpit so nobody would ever know until it is too late.

As a leader it is a constant and daily process of dying to your flesh and glorifying God, even if it means to make ourselves look bad or step out of the spotlight for a while. In “church terms” it is easy to get this twisted though because so many people act like they are sacrificing and giving SO much for God as a show. Just like the Pharisees that had to be seen in all their worship. Is it really unto God or is it to appear holy or like a “mature and martyred Christian” in front of their leaders or church friends?

There are a few self-evaluations that need to be taken on a regular basis for every Christian, but especially ones that are called to lead and in a leadership position.

1.)  Who are you really doing it for? “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men, since you will receive and inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” Col. 3:23

So many people lose their heavenly reward because they receive their earthly one already. Their earthly reward is the praise of people and the respect that they feel they deserve. Serving in a ministry can easily become about self. About what God can do with ME. How people in authority aren’t giving ME enough credit.  They don’t recognize MY gifts. They are lucky to have ME. If I left, this ministry would be nothing without ME. Whenever these thoughts come up they need to be combated with the Word of God immediately because this is the root that will lead to church splits, talking bad about authority, and selfish ambition. “For where you find envy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every evil practice.” James 3:16

            What leaders need to recognize is that all these are symptoms of PRIDE. Lucifer was the most beautiful and talented, much more than any of us, and he let his pride get in the way of what God had for him. Don’t let your God-given talents elevate you above where you belong. When Lucifer thought he was better than God and went against his authority, he manipulated people to follow him. Leaders will always have influence on those that surround them, for better or worse. Instead of cutting down, disrespecting, and speaking against your God-given authority because you think you are better than they are- learn what you can, speak life and serve because what you sow to your authority now is what you will reap later if God allows you to be in their place.

2.)  When was the last time in private your heart broke & you cried over your ministry in prayer?

It is not hard to lose focus on what the purpose is all about and get caught up and overwhelmed by the little daily dramas of life. It is imperative to not forget where your ministry originated. Don’t forget that just as it came from God, it can also be taken away just like in the parable of the talents. The master took the talents away from one and gave it to the other whose heart was in the right place.

Just as we are to never forget our first love Jesus Christ, we can never forget the day he placed the vision for whatever area of ministry in our hearts. There was an excitement that comes from the passion he placed in your heart to fulfill the calling he has placed on your life. There was a sense of urgency that we would do whatever it takes to make Christ known because there’s not much time. We would give all our time and energy because this is what we truly believed in. It is time to go back to those first moments of your dream.

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matt. 11:29-30 God does not expect you to strive in yourself to advance your ministry. No wonder people make it out to be so difficult. He calls us to serve him and let HIM grow HIS ministry. We are all just his servants. So whether it is preaching to 10,000 kids and having a 2,000 person response at the alter call, or praying for an elderly lady who is dying and still needs Jesus- we should do all things just to bring him glory and that every life matters to Him.

            “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Cor. 7:14

            If you have noticed lethargy and deadness in your ministry maybe it is time to re-evaluate who you have made it all about. In this scripture it is talking about the people that are called need to humble themselves. Clearly this is an age-old struggle of surrender. We can rest in assurance though that with God’s name will be proclaimed. He will receive exaltation and if it is not through our lives then he will use someone else. However, with or without us, God’s kingdom will be advanced and we should be honored to have the opportunity to even be a part in bringing our King glory.

Well Written by my amazing woman Gina Gennaro. She works in a minitry called FutureNow in a full-time capacity.

Fear Nothing

"It aint no use putting up your umbrella till it rains" - Alice Caldwell Rice

It seems to me that fear dominates so much of our lives. If you take a glimpse at every aspect of your life, I would bet that you are fearful of something in each. Fearful about how you're going to pay for your kids' college tuition, worried about how your relationship is going, fearful about your next test, worried about this, fearful about that. Whether it is family, friends, relationships, work, church, finances, etc...people seem to default to worry and fear.

The great evangelist Billy Sunday once said, "Fear knocked at my door. Faith answered...and there was no one there." Now, that is the proper response to fear. Why does fear like to take the place of faith? The two have a lot in common-- both believe that whay you cannot see will happen. Our worst imaginations alsmost never happen, and most worries die in vain anticipation. Fear wants you to run from something that isn't after you.

What you fear about tomorrow is not here yet. Don't be afraid of the day you have never seen. Fear will hold you back from flexing you risk muscles. Faith ends where worry begins, and worry ends where faith begins. It's been said that worry is a darkroom where negatives are developed. Fear is like a rocking chair, it keeps you going, but you don't get anywhere.

I love what the Bible says in Psalm 27:1 "The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?". It is one of those rhetorical questions in the Bible that we can take refuge in. I know it is easier said than done, but when we put our trust in Him, there is really nothing that we should be worried or fearful about.

It crazy to me to think that sometimes I believe my doubts and doubt my beliefs!

Many people are so filled with fear that they go through life running from something that isn't even after them. Fear of the future is a waste of the present. I want to encourage you: Fear not tomorrow for God is already there! Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. If you can't help but worrying, remember that worrying can't help you either.

So, if possible, try to not worry or be fearful of anything. God is in complete control. He is the ever present helper in the time of need. He has not called us to live a life filled with worry and fear. Fear is from the enemy. We should be living abundant lives filled with Faith, Hope, and a spirit of Victory. Fear creates mountains while Faith moves the mountain. If you have major mountains in your life maybe you should try replacing your fear with faith.

Fear Nothing, God is on your side!


Don't Worry, Be Happy!!

THE BEST IS YET TO COME

"Those who expect moments of change to be comfortable and free of conflict have not learned their history. " - Joan Wallach Scott

As I look back on my past life experiences it is easy for me to see the different seasons in my life. I have experienced many different seasons. Whether it be physical locations, friends, personal beliefs, mindsets, or other relationships; I can now look back and see the seasons I have gone through.

Many of my seasons have been great, while others have been less than outstanding. No matter what season I have been in, it seems like I have learned many lessons from each one. The older I get, the more I realize that each season of my life had a purpose.

But the truth remains CHANGE IS CHALLENGING

If you are anything like me, you find times of change difficult. It is so easy to grow comfortable with the place or season that you are currently in, and when things change it rocks your world. To be honest, many times in the midst of change I have questioned if God saw me; sometimes if He even existed. I thought to myself "God, do you even know what I'm going through?". Change can be one of the most difficult things in life.

I have learned that I cannot become what I need to be by remaining what I currently am. People hate change, yet it is the only thing that brings growth. There is nothing so permanent as change.

As I look back on my past, I can now see that God knew exactly what He was doing. Even when I couldn't see His plans, or understand why things were changing, or why seasons were ending, He was definately in the midst of my situation. He even literally saved me from a poor relationship a couple months before it was too late. When the relationship ended I was heart-broken, but now months later I realize exactly what He was doing; I now am in new relationship which is everything I needed, and has made me happier than I have ever been before. (You know who you are :)

I now take comfort in Ecc. 3:1 which says "For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven" (NLT)

I have learned a few lessons about God's timing:

1. It is my responsibility to recognize God's timing, not change it.
2. It is my responsibility to accept and co-operate with God's timing.
3. God has made everything appropriate in its time.

I have also learned a few things about the future:

1. It is not going to be like my past.
2. It is not going to be exactly the way I think it's going to be
3. The rate of change will take place fast than I can imagine.


So, I just want to encourage you. When a season in your life seem's to be over and things are changing, please realize that everything is going to be okay. Even when you can't see it, or understand it, God is in complete control. He has your best interest at heart, and He knows exactly what He is doing. Change is inevitable, but so is the faithfulness of God.

Do not be discouraged or dismayed for THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Favor Haters

"People are born originals, but most die copies" -Anon

I spent portions of my life wanting so bad to fit in. I think it is a natural feeling of probably most humans on the planet. There is a definited desire to want to be accepted and liked by those people who surround you. It is only natural to want to have a million friends, be accepted by many, and feel like you are part of the "in" crowd.

Starting in high school I began to see that I didn't really fit in with everyone else like I used to. I wasn't saying the same words, I wasn't going to the same parties, I wasn't sleeping around and experiementing with illegal substances like some of my peers were. One day I wrote down the phrase "Quit dying to fit in because you were born to stand out", and it has stuck with me to this day.

Maybe some of you have felt at a point in your life that you didn't fit in. That no matter how hard you tried, no matter how you dressed, how you talked, etc; you still felt like you were an outsider. Sure, you had friends and were accepted by many, but there was just that feeling deep down that you were never going to "fit-in" like you had hoped.

I can imagine that Joseph felt like this in the Bible. He didn't even fit in with his own family. In fact, his brothers contemplated killing him before selling him into slavery. The fact is that because Joseph was favored his brothers hated him.

You have to realize that as a child of God you are set apart, called, and highly favored. I have concluded that most of my feelings of not fitting in and not being accepted by the crowds come from a place where people are un-easy with the favor on my life. I like to call them "Favor-Haters".

I have found out that there are 3 types of people in your life:

1. Confidant- These people love you for YOU. They are with you from the beginning to the end, through the thick and thin. These are your "ride or die" people who are with you no matter what. You are lucky if you have two or three of these types of people in your entire lifetime.

2. Constituant- These people are not into you, they are only into what you are into. They are not for you, they are only for what you are for. These people will surely leave you when they find someone else to further their agenda better than you can.

3. Comrade- These people are not into you, they are not for what you are for, they are simply againgst what you are againgst. They create strange alliances to defeat a common enemy. Once the common enemy is defeated they leave.

You have to be ready to be ready to be criticized. I have found out that when people can't categorize you they tend to criticize you. The favor you have on you life will cause many people to hate you and to criticize your every movement.

I want to encourage you to keep standing out. Don't worry about what everyone is doing or thinking about you. The average person compares himself with others, we Christians should always compare ourselves with the person God has called us to be.

 It is natural to feel like you don't fit in. Just like Joseph, the FAVOR on you life will cause some people to hate you. God made you a certain way. You are unique. You are one of a kind. To copy others is to cheat yourself out of the fullness of what God has called you to be and to do.

Be Original. Stand Out. Walk Confidently. You are Highly Favored, Get Comfortable with That.

"Only God Can Judge Me"

"Well done is better than well said." -Benjamin Franklin

If you are anything like me, oftentimes you would like others to judge you by what you meant, while you continue to judge others by what they actually said. I have come to the realization that people could care less what you meant to say, what you meant to do, or how you meant to make them feel. People won't remember your intentions for intentions are not reality. People will remember what you said, what you did, and how you made them feel.

One of the most common phrases in our society and pop culture is "Only God Can Judge Me". This phrase has been made infamous by the lyrics of rappers like Tupac and the tattoos of athletes like Derrick Rose.

The fact is that every single one of us cast judgement each and everyday. Whether it be on how a person acts, how they are dressed, their vocabulary, etc.


The Bible is clear that we should not judge "Judge not, that you be not judged." (Matthew 7:1)

 It is my belief however, that people misuse the phrase "Only God can judge me" for an excuse to live however they want, do whatever they want, and treat people in any fashion they deem suitable; ALL while maintaining the ideology that people should treat them based off of their intentions.

The truth is that intentions mean NOTHING while actions mean EVERYTHING! One action is more valuable than a thousand good intentions. The old saying is so true: "actions speak louder than words."

While the Bible is clear that we should not judge people, it is just as clear on how we should identify people. "Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions." (Matthew 7:20 NLT). 


So I am challenged not to judge people, but to simply identify people by what they DO. Too many people think that they are being judged by others, when they are simply being identified by their actions. Remember that intentions are only great if the fruit of your intentions are backed up by your actions. My dad used to always tell me when I was growing up "Son, mean what you say, and say what you mean, and let your actions back you up."


Let me pose a few questions to you...

What if our fore-fathers only talked about spiritual freedom, but never fought for our freedom in the Revolutionary War?

What if Martin Luther King Jr. meant to take a stand against racial inequality but never did??

What if Jesus meant to go to the cross and die for your sins, but never quite made it there???


The history of the world is made on the actions not intentions of people. We must remember to try to judge no one, but identify EVERYONE by their fruit. We must let the fruit of our lives do our speaking for us. Words mean nothing without the actions to back it up. Identify people by their fruit! Do not worry about what a person says, but listen to what they actually DO.

What is your life's fruit saying about you???

Only God should judge you, but everyone is identifying you.

Be Strong and Courageous

"One person with courage is a majority" -Anon

It seems to me that we live in a day where fear and worry dominate our daily lives. There are so many things to think about and so many areas to be concerned with in each of our lives. At times, there is so much going on that we begin to question or doubt what God has said concerning our situation.

It is at these times that God reminds us "Be Strong and Courageous, do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

When life gets you down, when circumstance and situations seem hopeless, when worry and questions rise in our spirit, it comforting to know that our God is with us.

I love the rhetorical question in the Bible "If I am for you, then who can stand against you". One of  my favorite worship songs at the moment has the lyrics: "The Lord is my light and salvation, whom shall I fear? Whom shall I be afraid?"

It is such a blessing to know that God has favored us, has set us apart, and we can move boldy and confidently into our future with strength and courage.

Once reminded Joshua moved forward with Strength and Courage to lead his people. Here are some steps that he took that we must also take:

1. Seek the Truth- you never find yourself until you face the truth
2. Change- you must let go of the familiar
3. Express Convictions- you might have to stand alone. The true test of courage comes when you are alone.
4. Overcome Obstacles- you must expect trouble, and always project courage.
5. Learn and Grow- Take risks
6. Keep Going- There is no traffic jam on the second mile.
7. Lead Others- The expression of courage compels other to do the right thing.

Even Jesus had to make an effort to be courageous. Jesus did the unpopular to accomplish the unforgettable. He could lead people because He didn't need people. His courage came from his sufficiency in His Father.

Our courage should come from the same place. Just like Joshua, just like Jesus, take confidence that no matter what your current situation is, no matter what problem you're facing.....God sees you, He cares about you, and He is with you!

Don't give up, Keep Going!!

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS!