In this present season… there is great anxiety rolling off the sleeves of Christians.  I want to continue to encourage everyone to stay focus and clear on our mission.  That mission or calling is to make disciples; this is found in Matthew 28:19 in the bible.  There is now a stress level in the church which is mind boggling to me. Why?  Christian people’s security, comfort and lifestyles are being affected by today’s economy and more. 

We cannot forget that Jesus made it very clear in John 18:36 that “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”  In other words our hearts, hopes and goals should not evolve around our worldly processions but around the same kingdom that Jesus told Pilot.  I believe God is allowing our faith to be tested and pushed on levels we probably never anticipated. 

If we do not stay focused many will miss the mark because some will continue to try to create comfortable and complacent environments right here on earth.  Jesus states in Matthew 5:10-11… Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Have no elusions; suffering is apart of the believers life.  We are to be suffering for righteousness (living out God’s commands to be holy).  It is only by God’s grace and mercy we live comfortably in our homes, have transportation and education for our children.

Here’s a thought… What if God does decide it’s time for the US to suffer in our faith like other 3^rd world countries…? Would you still follow him?  Could your faith handle it?  What has God shown you personally during these times of financial uncertainty?  For me three things come to mind…

1. Repent (Confess the sin of “coveting and going into debt”; meaning I need to turn away and not do it again)
2. Trust (Confidently knowing that God the Father will provide and protect my family as he restores us while being obedient to his commands and principles)
3. Peace (Receiving the peace of His spirit as I cast all my cares upon Him)

 I hope this may challenge and encourage you today…

Blessings,
JR Pittman
Pastor and Evangelist

Everywhere I go everyone is keeps saying; “God is up to something.”  In other words people are feeling more of a draw towards him and to one another.   I had the opportunity to sit in a meeting at a very traditional and religious church that is struggling.  The churches youth pastor invited me to help facilitate their meeting.  They are losing their young families by the dozens and have members whose average age is sixty.   The good thing is they desire change and know they need to have a major paradigm shift. 

With the permission of the youth pastor I began to guide them to create a new vision and youth mission for their church.  But first look at the dynamics; the youth pastor is an African American male and the youth center is a multi-cultural group of community students.  The Sunday morning audience is white and elderly.  Talk about your mixer-uppers! 

As I challenged them to brainstorm by helping them to figure out what their strengths and weaknesses where I received more confirmation on few things that we need to take note on…

people in the institution of the church need to have more clarity of vision, mission and objectives
people in the institution of church need to be more in touch with indigenous people of ethnicity and culture in their neighborhoods
people in the institution of church need opportunities to be trained in the BIG basic 3…
multiculturalism
mentoring and…
evangelism
people in the institution of church need to understand that institutional church is not a community in today’s cultural.  Community is where you spend the majority of your time and that is not church.   

So do I believe that God is up to something? Yes!  That something is simple and plain.  You better get train, get transform or get terminated.  You must realize that there is a new culture and generation of young people on the scene.  If you think that old methods and traditional ways are going to win a millennial culture of young people and families then think again.  This is a time of casting new vision for a new people in a new age.