What's your position? pt.5

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:"

Joel 2: 28

"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:"

Acts 10:34

"retire?......or re-fire?"

In the late 1990's I had a friend who was an associate pastor at the church we were attending. He was a kind, friendly,and caring man , who most of all, loved God. He was passionate about the Word of God, and was faithful in carrying out the ministries that the Lord gave Him. Besides his ministerial duties, he had a job in the workplace. As his workplace career ended, he used to tell me "I'm not retiring, I'm re-firing, praise God!" His ministry at this point shifted, more than doing the ministries that he lead, he trained up people to lead some of his ministries, and provided oversight, and support to them. A true leader. He exemplified faith in every thing he did. When he was on his deathbed, almost 50 people came that day to show their love and respect, to him. He prayed, blessed and encouraged everyone who came. He faithfully ministered to his last moments.

In today's society, there is a growing segment, the progressive movement. The agenda they are propagating in the name of social progress, is willing to re-write not only laws and political policy, but also history, language, the family structure, gender identification, to name a few. Attacking the moral fabric of our country. I'm sure this web of deceit is more extensive, infiltrating, and affecting every aspect of everyday living. For decades, universities and colleges, have desensitized American minds with liberal thinking, that went against traditional thoughts, and values. Now this indoctrination is growing by and large, expanding like a cancer, in our lower education systems. The students of yesterday, are the teachers (excuse me, facilitators of this agenda) of today.

This movement more often is promoting, younger "progressive free thinkers", into places of leadership, in all levels of government, education, and business, regardless of experience, and qualifications. In the 1960"s the term "generation gap" was coined, to point out there was a divide in politics, tastes, morals and pretty much everything else between the young and the old, with the "old" being anyone over 30. This "youth movement" is also an expression of this "gap". the old liberals aren't progressive enough, for this new generation. They can't even work together, among themselves. To some degree, the Church has fallen for this lie also.

Often, churches compromise Holy Spirit Power, for business models for church "growth", aimed more toward filling seats, rather than maturing the people in the Lord. We have traded true and proper Faith, for fads, and fallacies, geared toward letting us "feel good"about how our walk is with the Lord. We should be confident in our walk with Him, but not complacent. Comforted, but also challenged. Growing in maturity, addresses our sins, and is the result of understanding the progressive nature of sanctification. The Lord working in us, to work thru us. Most of these "church growth" methods, are appealing to younger people, who view the more traditional biblical ways as obsolete. Don't mistake what I am saying, traditional ways without the Holy Spirit is nothing more than a ritual, appeasing the flesh. Just as any thing "new" isn't necessarily ordained by the Holy Spirit. The Church has it's "generation gap". That's not what the Lord desires.

The Bible states in several places there is no distinction, in regards to race, gender, class, age, social status,or any other thing that mankind comes up with to cause division. In Christ , there is no regard to these divisions. God is no respecter of persons, He is Lord of all. He will use each and everyone, who is willing to be used of Him, to minister His Gospel, regardless of these distinctions. His Ministry thru us, can have many forms and functions over the years of our lives. The capacities we operate in can change, as we grow in maturity, and age.

In the scripture in Joel, we see the Lord pouring out His Spirit on everyone, young and old, men and women, operating under His Anointing, in the Gifts of the Spirit. All for the purpose of strengthening His people, and advancing the Gospel. As we progress in life, and in our walk with the Lord, we come to a position in life, where we reflect on what we are doing, and where we are at. To check our hearts, and direction, in order to see where the Lord wants us to go, and wants us to do. The time may come , to even retire from a job, no matter what age. Regardless of any distinction, that the mind of man thinks is an obstacle, we always need a fresh Anointing from the Lord. Faith can move mountains. Let our hearts never become weary in doing good, and if we do, remind yourself , "no reserve, no retreat, and no regrets,"and that in our service to Him there is no "retiring, only re-firing".