Be encouraged in your stand for Jesus, we are not home yet!

Friends, Brothers and sisters,
We are truly living in the last days.The signs of the times are appearing everywhere. Jesus is coming back. Along with the glorious signs of victory however are also apparent the mighty attacks of the enemy of our soul. Stand strong be vigilant be encouraged for all though you may feel you are standing alone scripture reminds us that our brothers and sisters all over the world are enduring the same trials and more .(1 Peter 5:9)(1 Peter 4:7) The scripture says, in the last days many will turn from sound doctrine and appeal to teaching that satisfies their desires. It is very apparent that there are many different "brands" of Christianity today all trying to fit different molds. Friends there is only one mold we were created to fit in, and that is the through the cross of Jesus at Calvary and the absolute surrender to His Word. As such, we are commanded to come out of this world, to no longer conform to this world(Romans 12:2), to be ye separate(2 Cor. 6:17). We are called by the Word of God to no longer conform to this world once we have placed our faith on the Lord Jesus(Romans 12:2). Friends, what was once known in our nation as a standard of righteousness, in the days of great revival, has now been forgotten by a generation seeking to relevant. We are not called to see how close we can come to the things of this world and still survive. We are not called to partake of the things of this world as if this were our home. For we looking forward to a country whose maker and founder is God. (Hebrews 11:10) In Galatians 5:13 Paul pleads with the early church to guard against misusing freedom in Christ. We are called to look, sound and act so different from the world that they question us, thus enabling us to minister the life of God. Friends if we are found in the same places, talking the same language, doing the same things, we are not being salt. Salt stings in open wounds. Those without Christ have been wounded by the enemy of our soul and scripture teaches that the word is offensive to those who are perishing. (1 Corinthians 1:18). Yes, taking a stand for the word of God will offend, and may cause you to stand alone. But we are not home yet! We are not home yet! There's a place for us. Let us be the generation with a backbone. We are carrying the torch into the arena. Come apart from the world. Take crazy stands for Jesus. If it costs those who mean the most to you, even though the pain may be great, Stand for truth. Stand against sin. Be holy. As much as it relies on you, live at peace with everyone. Jesus is coming. Where will you be found when He returns? Will your lamps be primed? Let us be changed from glory to glory! Be encouraged. Live the faith.

Breakthrough Vs. Burnout

My testimony is very unique. I have been saved my entire life and have been involved in ministry since I can remember. While involved in ministry I have had the opportunity to meet and work alongside some of the greatest men and women of God on the planet. The climax of my testimony to this day however, relates very well to those of us who are carrying this torch faithfully, serving and living for God. What I struggled with, the overwhelming tide that almost pushed me away from everything I cherish was the lack of understanding of overcommitment, and reliance on human strength and trust in human "spiritual" leaders to keep me going. In the end friends, ministry can get nasty. The church can be a mean place. If we get too busy doing, and never receiving and moving forward we can get burnt out. Moreover, if we get too busy doing to receive our own Word from God, we begin to rely on spiritual leaders and when they fall, we do not have our own foundation and we will fall also. We can not live someone else's faith. We must make it a conscience decision to build up our own most Holy Faith, that way when the storms come, and they will we will not be rocked. Here is some great material I have come across on recognizing and keeping ourselves fresh and renewed for ministry, being aware of the signs of becoming burnt out.
I. When in breakthrough mode you can’t wait to start the day. In burnout you can’t wait for the day to end.

I know from my own life when I have pushed myself too much I have dreaded all the work I saw in front of me. However, when I am living out of the overflow of the life of Christ in me I can’t wait to tackle the greatest challenges in front of me.

II. In breakthrough mode you are ministering out of the overflow of Christ’s life in you. In burnout you are ministering purely out of your natural gifting and spiritual anointing without a fresh infilling from the Holy Spirit.

Those heading for breakthrough are ministering out of a fresh word they receive daily from God (Isaiah 50: 4). Those headed for burnout are depending only on their natural wisdom and abilities that God anoints, just like the Corinthian Church who operated in the gifts of the Spirit but were moving in the flesh and were not spiritual (1 Corinthians 3:7).

III. In breakthrough mode you have passion to serve. In burnout you have passion for pleasure and relaxation.

Those in breakthrough mode have an excitement and exuberance regarding their ministry, while those on the verge of burnout continually attempt to medicate themselves with entertainment, overeating, and are in danger of falling into vices meant to deaden their pain, or have a sense of being trapped.

IV. In breakthrough mode you are living within set boundaries that enable self-renewal. In burnout you constantly feel like you are living outside of the measure of God’s grace for service.

In breakthrough mode you are able to stay within your limitations so there is a proper equilibrium regarding time with your family, self-care, ministry, and time off. Those on the verge of burnout have no set limitations and are often out of sync with their bodies, their families, and with God’s will for their lives.

V. In breakthrough mode your mind is constantly being renewed with fresh ideas, creativity, and vision to conquer. In burnout your mind and emotions are worn out and you are in maintenance mode.

Those on the verge of breakthrough are filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual knowledge and wisdom (Colossians 1) and are continually being fed fresh strategy from the Holy Spirit. Those on the verge of burnout not only lack fresh ideas but they don’t even want to receive them! Their minds are set on survival; they are happy if they merely maintain what God has already given them to do in ministry and life.

VI. In breakthrough mode you are walking in the fruit of the Spirit; in burnout the fruit of the flesh.

One of the symptoms of walking in breakthrough mode is that you are enjoying the present, enjoying life, and are walking in the joy of the Lord in the midst of your weakness and trials. Those on the verge of burnout find themselves constantly complaining, grumbling about their responsibilities, and are often in a bad mood or grumpy.

VII. In breakthrough mode you have time for soul care. In burnout you only have time for serving others.

Those in breakthrough mode make time to care for themselves because they have a good feeling about who they are. Those on the verge of burnout often neglect exercise, proper diet, and sleep because they lack the motivation for self-care.

VIII. In breakthrough mode you envision great expansion of ministry. In burnout you dream of retirement and contemplate leaving the ministry.

Those in breakthrough mode are constantly dwelling on the vision God has given them, while those on the verge of burnout are constantly dreaming about what it would be like not to have all these responsibilities and live a normal life without the pressures of ministry and community service.
IX. In breakthrough mode you proactively spend time with key relationships. In burnout your time is spent reacting to relational problems.

Those in breakthrough mode proactively prioritize and spend time with those people who mean the most to them and their ministries, while those on the verge of burnout often find themselves busy dealing with putting out fires because of troubled relationships.

X. In breakthrough mode you are in faith; in burnout you are living in fear.

Those on the verge of breakthrough have entered into the rest of God through faith according to Hebrews 3 and 4. That is to say, they are believing God to control their situations and order their steps because they are flowing in the will of God. Those on the verge of burnout are not sure if what they are doing is God’s will, and are anxious about the future.

XI. In breakthrough mode you are refreshed in spite of your stress. In burnout mode you are depressed because of the stress.

Both those in breakthrough and burnout mode will experience great stress in their lives; this is par for the course for all leaders. The difference between the two is that those in breakthrough mode are walking in the power of God’s Spirit in the midst of stressful situations, even as Paul did when he ministered out of his weakness so that God’s grace could be sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:1-7). Those on the verge of burnout can’t handle the pressure and are depressed because of the stress.

XII. In breakthrough mode you sense clarity of vision and purpose. In burnout you experience confusion regarding your purpose.

I have seen folks on the verge of breakthrough; one common denominator with all of them is they have a strong sense that what they are doing is significant and based on the will of God. Those on the verge of burnout have lost their way and are questioning whether or not they are doing what God has called them to do, even if they are generally in the will of God. (The enemy takes advantage of us and puts seeds of doubt in our minds that make our attitudes worse when we are worn out and on the path to burnout.)