Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God is active in everyone and everything. A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 HCSB

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."  -  Mark 8:31-38

Follow Jesus and don't try to get Him to follow you!

Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

 -- Psalm 97:10

Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house!' And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you.

- Luke 10:3-6

by Rev. Sean Lawrence

1 Thessalonians 2:4-7 & 4:9-12  Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but rather God, who examines our hearts. For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives--God is our witness-- and we didn't seek glory from people, either from you or from others. Although we could have been a burden as Christ's apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children.

About brotherly love: you don't need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God to love one another. In fact, you are doing this toward all the brothers in the entire region of Macedonia. But we encourage you, brothers, to do so even more, to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, so that you may walk properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.  (eSword HCSB © 2005)

Paul says that it is not leadership, but the church as a body, that is about God’s business.  This defies the conventional model that tells us that leadership is the church and the rest are but laborers.  It is the body that indeed defines the church, not a handful of managers.  If it is a cult of personality, known only by its senior pastorate, then it is honoring self, not God.  That would make such a model [potentially] a pagan worship center with a false god at its helm.  Avoid this.  Do not be tempted.

One concept of the new church model is the upside-down pyramid with the base (now the top) being made up of the body.  Another approach would be the hub and spoke model where leaders are at the center and the body radiates out like spokes.  Either way, the burden of the church is born by the body, where the real strength is, not by a handful of designated leadership types.  Our strength is in God, not men.

Primary mission:  pleasing God, not men, as Christ’s disciples.

Paul speaks to the activities, and the examples of the body, more than he ever discusses leadership.  There is a good reason for that.  Leadership in the Christ-like model serves and does not glorify itself above the body.  Christ pointed to God, not to Himself.  We would do well to remember that deliberate focus.

Yes, leadership has the distinct duty to direct and facilitate, and has a specific calling to help mobilize; but they are also held accountable for that calling.  Such a calling is not for everyone, but everyone has a specific calling.

Paul suggests:  love one another, be gentle, strive to please God not men, do not be greedy, lead a quiet life, tend to your own business, work with your hands, walk the walk, and do not be a burden to others.

_______________

 
Rev. Sean Lawrence is a credentialed minister with Loving God Fellowship.  He ministers and resides in Middletown, Ohio, with his wife Rebecca.

You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.

~ Psalm 92:4, NLT

That's all nonviolence is - organized love.

- Joan Baez,
singer, songwriter, and activist

The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.

- Abraham Lincoln

Blessed is any weight, however overwhelming, which God has been so good as to fasten with His own hand upon our shoulders.

      -- F. W.Faber

It's hard to believe that July is here and half the year has already passed us by. I guess before we know it Christmas will be here. Wow I don't even want to think about that yet do you?

As I have been considering what to write on this month, I feel compelled to share with you Hebrews 12:1-3:NIV:   "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."   These three verses are what help me make it through yet another day in this sinful world we live in.

With the world's economy in such bad shape and all the natural disasters let alone the manmade ones, we as a world people are facing tough times.  Many have lost just about everything one could possibly lose along with their self esteem and dignity. We truly are facing troubling times. But one thing I do know for sure is that God is still in control. He knows what you are going through and He will never leave you nor will He forsake you. So keep your eyes fixed on Jesus the author and perfecter of your faith no matter what your circumstances look like. Run the race marked out for you with perseverance and consider Jesus who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that YOU will not grow weary and lose heart. So be encouraged today the best is yet to come!

We thank God for all those who send in donations that allows us to minister the love of Christ to people all around the world.  Please keep me, my family and the worldwide ministry of LovingGodFellowship.org in your prayers as we keep you in ours.
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Partners in the Faith,

Rev. Becky Johnson
Co-founder
LovingGodFellowship.org

You shall not deprive a resident alien or an orphan of justice; you shall not take a widow's garment in pledge. Remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this.

- Deuteronomy 24:17-18

"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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

 -- 2 Chronicles 7:14

Every time we sit at a table ... to enjoy the fruits and grain and vegetables from our good earth, remember that they come from the work of men and women and children who have been exploited for generations.

- Cesar Chavez

Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

- Matthew 6:11-12

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.

    -- Psalm 127:1

I find that doing the will of God leaves me with no time for disputing about His plans.

      -- George MacDonald

Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.
    -- Proverbs 10:6

If we would talk less and pray more about them, things would be better than they are in the world: at least, we should be better enabled to bear them.

      -- John Owen

Charity is commendable; everyone should be charitable. But justice aims to create a social order in which, if individuals choose not to be charitable, people still don’t go hungry, unschooled, or sick without care.

- Bill Moyers,
television journalist and social commentator

For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield; but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, so that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the wild animals may eat. You shall do the same with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard.

- Exodus 23:10-11

Prayer does not use up artificial energy, doesn't burn up any fossil fuel, doesn't pollute. Neither does song, neither does love, neither does the dance.

- Margaret Mead,
Margaret Mead: A Life

Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.

- 1 Timothy 6:6-8

The cross, as poignant as it is, is understandable from a human perspective: an innocent man was murdered by crooked politicians and religious leaders. But the empty tomb-- what can you say? Only a supernatural God could accomplish that.

      -- Jim Cymbala

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.

~ Isaiah 40:29, NLT

The followers of Christ have been called to peace. And they must not only have peace but also make it. To that end they renounce all violence and tumult. ... His disciples keep the peace by choosing to endure suffering rather than inflict it on others. They maintain fellowship where others would break it off. They renounce hatred and wrong. In so doing they overcome evil with good, and establish the peace of God in the midst of a world of war and hate.

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer,
The Cost of Discipleship

So I said, "Wisdom is better than might; yet the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heeded." The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one bungler destroys much good.

- Ecclesiastes 9:16-18

...His brilliant splendor fills the heavens, and the earth is filled with his praise.

~ Habakkuk 3:3, NLT