A Chosen Generation(s)

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."- Eccelesiates 4:9-12

     As I read that set of Scripture I feel that it is close to summing up what God has been stirring in my Spirit these past few weeks. That topic is generations coming together for one cause. Since I got saved I've always heard that there were two groups of Christians (for lack of a better term)...the old age or the new age. Always a distinction between these two group. Services appealing to one group or the other. The blatant separation in the Body of Christ has always troubled me. I've heard the Older generation say that the "New Age" generation is " a group of heathens", "conformists" and have "an entitlement mentality." On the other hand, I've heard the Younger generation describe the "Old Age" as "religious pests", "unable to accept new things", and "stuck in the past." Although I see both sides, the arguments against each other is not uplifting and in no way furthering the Kingdom of God. These comments drive a wedge between two seemingly different group that should be one because regardless of opinion both groups need each other.  
     I've clearly see the need of Mentorship and Fathering and Mothering for a generation that is lacking authority and guidance. A Facebook status was posted awhile back stating that this Leader heard a Pastor say that this "younger generation today doesn't understand Spiritual Authority. There is a lack of respect for Pastors and Church Leadership and almost a sense of entitlement by those in their teens and twenties." That status has been replaying in my mind ever since it was posted. I thought why is that mentality and opinion trending in the Christian community? The answer is because the same generation complaining about the young generation has failed to raise up teenagers properly. Pastors and Leaders in the Church have failed to see the necessity to MENTOR and PARENT a generation. If the Spirit-filled leaders of the older generation are noticing this downhill trend then it is time for them to step-up and do something that the World is already at work doing. The Church has a God-given responsibility to shape the culture. The country's state and the culture is shape as a direct response of the action of the church. If we have teenagers being raised up in the Church to be God fearing, respectable, morally righteous, effective citizens then the Church is doing its job, thus resulting in a culture with the same standards. The Church can't wait for the biological parents to teach the children and teenagers morals and Jesus because it won't happen, but it is time for a Grown Church Generation to start Spiritually adopting and taking ownership of children. It is time that the excuses stating that teenagers are "scary", "defiant", and "unable to be taught" end because that is a direct parallel to you and your relationship with God. Teenagers need your guidance! Young people now are being abused at home, abused by peers, and abused by culture, so lets not start the abuse in the church and the Body. Walls have been built to stand against love. Spirit-Filled Older Generation it is time for you to get your hands dirty, time to get your knees cut up with rug burn, time for you to hear stories that will make your hair curl, and time for you to love harder than you ever loved before. The only way this generation is going to see the love of Jesus is if you present it to them yourself! 
        I've also seen in the younger generation, a group of Spirit-filled teenagers, a lack of willingness to be taught. Naturally a teenager has the " I know it all mindset" that will cause them to push away and see irrelevance in Mentorship. Over the past few weeks I've seen a vivid picture of the need for teenagers to submit to authority and mentorship. I look at the generation before me and see that there are ministries and lifestyles that are full of mistakes. There are leaders that have made mistakes that affected their ministries and lives. These Leaders are pleading with you not to fall into the same trap and to protect yourself. Here is a word of advice when a Mentor is trying to speak to you....LISTEN! " The ways of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." - Proverb 12:15. So here's a clue for you....be wise and listen! This concept of listening really hit me during Revival last week when the Preacher was talking about Rachel and Leah. The Preacher after doing years of research discovered why Jacob did not realize he wedded Leah originally and not Rachel (They were identical twins and the next morning Jacob realized it was Leah because she had an eye condition (Don't take that for actuality just a theory)). This same question years down the line I could be puzzled with and instead of devoting years to finding out I now understand because of a Preacher pouring out his wisdom and insight. There is a need for this! Not just for future full-time ministers, but for teenagers entering the field of any career. There are lawyers that have connections and insight for you, there are accountants with information for you, and there is an unlimited supply of knowledge for whatever you need if you simply submit to Fathering and Mothering. There is a need now more than ever to continue building on the knowledge of the Word. Thousands if not millions of Scriptural revelation have been lost purely because of a lack of Mentorship on both ends. How depressing is that?!? The greatest times I have is sitting under Church Leaders and listening to stories that build faith and bring forth revelation. I've had the grace and privilege multiple times to sit at a table or in a room with some of the most anointed Men and Women of God that I look up to as they discuss Scripture. That's greatest thing ever for a newly called preacher. There are so many that miss those experiences because they are unreceptive of  the whole idea. Beyond popular belief, teenagers can't do and understand everything. I'm preaching to myself too! I and every other teenager need to rely on an adult who has our best interest in mind. They are there to sort things out, and pray, and keep you accountable, and that gets lost in ignorance and unwillingness. The greatest thing Christian teenagers can do in order to receive the most anointing they can is to submit. The Word never states that when you submit to authority and leadership that you will regret it and it is mistake. The Word always says submit for you to be blessed and walk in wisdom.
        I don't believe in saying the older generation must pass the mantle because I feel that it implies them fading into the distance, but I do believe in saying the older generation needs to pass part of the fire and anointing. The Scripture I opened with states that one person can't do it alone. The Older Generation can't do it alone because the flame and fire of God needs to be passed along. The Younger Generation needs the Older Generation for Mentorship, Wisdom, and Discipline. I've read and heard before that this same Mentorship happens in the Gay Community. What differs from this Mentorship compared to the one of Christians is that there is no separation between generations. Homosexuals come together as one and realize the power of two generations coming together, and as much as I hate to say it, look at how far they are coming with their "Legalize Love" campaigns. In God's word it says that the enemy will prevail against one, but two can withstand him. However, unlike every other group of people, Christians don't stop there. They get a third link, a threefold cord. They get the Almighty God to hold onto to. A God that shall not be defeated or beaten, A God that holds every moment of eternity. That God links arms with a Body in complete unity and that link shall never be broken because "those who are with us are more than those who are against us." (2 Kings 6:16)

Guardrails

"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,making the most of your time, because the days are evil."- Ephesians 5:15-16

      I heard a preacher on TV a few weeks ago talking about guardrails.As I half listened and half didn't pay attention I was impressed by his explanation of the need for a "guardrail" in a Christian's live. At that moment I kind of blew it off, but for probably the past week and a half it keeps popping up in my head. Let's examine what a guardrail actually is. It is an ugly, beat-up, rusty piece of unattractive metal. That piece of metal seems pretty useless to the average driver. However, to the tired, distracted, or out of control driver that hunk of metal becomes the defining line between life and death. You see that curved hardware is what is protecting you from tumbling down an embankment to possibly your tragic death. When you hit the guardrail, yes, you may be sore the next morning, your car is a bit scratched up, and you are a little distressed, but you are safe and you get to walk away without any permanent damage. Now that a guardrail is explained that way that piece of rusty, ugly metal seems really beneficial to a driver and its passenger.
     The more I thought about it the more I wondered why Christians feel it isn't necessary to have a guardrail in their life. Marriages, friendships, and ministries end simply because they decided they were too good for a guardrail and when they got DISTRACTED or TIRED they fall down father then they should have ever. Driving could be alluded to our walk with Christ. At times its' beautiful, fast, and filled with loud singing and joy. On the opposing end our walk can be tiresome, long, gets us in trouble with our authority, and potentially dangerous. For those long and dark road trips that is why we must have guardrails ready. When things aren't perfect with the spouse and you see another church goer's spouse treating them much better than you feel your spouse is (which if you think about it their willingness to have an affair just shows that their home life is not as perfect as it seems.), when you're home alone with nothing else to do and the computer or movie calls your name, when you're somewhere that you know you shouldn't be and temptation winks its enticing eyes at you, the need for guardrails is detrimental. The purpose of a "guardrail" in a Christian's walk is that when your heart grows fonder of another person other than your spouse and you hit that guardrail you wake up, swerve out of the way, and get back on track without any real damage. Yes, it may hurt, it may be uncomfortable, but you have not sinned and you can return your heart back to God easier than if you would have fell.
     In my life it has been impressed upon me heavily that in ministry and in life to have those guardrails and to stick by them. For my life I try my hardest to be above reproach so that nothing ill can be spoken about me and my intentions. I've seen too many affairs, divorces, and lost ministries because of a lack of boundaries. Why Christian can quote but not understand that we must, "be alert and of sober mind.Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seek for whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8) is beyond me. As Christians I believe we can know and memorize scripture but not live out and understand the meaning behind them, thus making them useless and powerless in our lives. My heart breaks and my spirit is grieved for this lack of knowledge that has convicted, guarded, and protected me from the snare of the enemy. It is imperative that we as Christians never cease to pray and seek God in everything. It is too late in the game and too costly to just be that Sunday Christian and not be a Soldier and Slave for Christ. Realize that the Enemy is standing next to you now waiting for your spirit-man to become tired and wary and at that very moment they Army that is after you to steal, kill, and destroy you is ready to throw you down that embankment. The guardrail is there for your safety and protection against the enemy. Also, God is faithful to your guardrail and when you even start to drift and slip He convict you even before the guardrail is in sight.
      I challenge and pray that the men and women of the Body of Christ grasp the need for guardrails to protect them from the hunger of the Devil's stomach for the blood of believers. The Devil in these last days is after the anointed. He is after the ministries, marriages, and souls of praying, steadfast, warring Christians.So be challenged and praying for where God wants your guardrail, and whatever He says it's not because He is a strict unfair God, but simply to protect you from pain, shame, and misery.

 "He who walks with the wise grows wise,but a companion of fools suffers harm."Proverbs 13:20