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A friend and I were discussing yesterday, and landed on this verse:

​“I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.” (1 Corinthians 4:14–16 KJV)

Here is a window on the heart of apostleship.

To be an instructor is no small thing, and desiring to teach and train others is beautiful. But the heart of a father or mother in the faith (or business and life) is quite something else.

A father desires nothing for himself and all for his children. His utmost desire is the progress of his progeny. A mother wants her offspring to spread their wings and fly higher than she ever did, shadowing their origins.

And a mother or father is never threatened by the eclipse.

The same words can be spoken by instructor and father alike. The same pictures painted by mother and teacher. But the results will be markedly different.

Why?

Because of the heart behind the ministration.

One informs, the other transforms.

Knowledge puffs up, love builds up.

Many desire the notoriety of being “someone” in someone else’s eyes.

Few pursue the humble route of apostolic impartation. Not of knowledge alone, but of life.

As Paul said:

​“But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.” (1 Thessalonians 2:7–8 KJV)

Here is heart. Here is life. Here is ministry.

The laying down of life that others may rise.

Selah.

Of all the gifts I’ve received this one has been the most life-changing.

It was one I little understood to begin with.

In the doing, I developed.

Closed the door and exercised.

As Paul exhorted Timothy, “exercise thyself unto godliness.” (1 Timothy 4:7 KJV)

– “To practice (naked); to train.” (Strongs #1128)

Nakedness is optional, thankfully, but you will have to lay your ego bare to press into this prayer practice.

Speaking in tongues.

I fear the failure of many churches to comprehensively teach on this subject is because its kinda weird. It falls outside the realms of reason and catapults you into the arena of faith before you even utter the first syllable.

But once you get it, once you recognise the bucketload of benefits that arrive on the tail of tongues, its not something you’ll ignore.

My book, The Life Changing Power of Speaking In Tongues, dives deep into the subject, grounding this life-changing practice squarely in Scripture. But beyond the proofs, there’s the practice. I nakedly share what I discovered behind closed doors in literally hundreds of hours of glossolalia (the fancy name for speaking and praying in other tongues).

Grab a copy on Amazon: https://www.champlinks.com/sl/tongues/

​“As every man hath received THE GIFT, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10 KJV)

What is the Gift?

Peter preached: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38 KJV)

Paul spoke of those who “have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,” (Hebrews 6:4 KJV)

Other translations speak of every man receiving a gift. I don’t know about you, but this begs for comparison. “How come she got that awesome gift and I just got this puny one?”

I like the good ‘ole King James. THE Gift.

The all-encompassing One-in-all.

For all.

With many facets.

A man or woman filled with the grace and power of Heaven, divinely equipped to minister to the world around them.

Whether cooking or coding. Writing or running. Painting or playing, building or baking — “minister the same one to another, as good stewards”.

Each unique. Each appreciated. Each empowered.

THE GIFT!

He’s the key ingredient.

Now take whatever gifts you carry, your passions and your prowess, and submit them to Him. First.

I guess you could say, Holy Ghost first, everything else follows.

You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish when you partner with the Spirit!

It was quiet in my home when I rose today. A luminous quiet rested gently in the atmosphere. It was a timely reminder that the Kingdom I serve cannot be compared to the crazy kingdoms of this world.

Recently, I’ve found myself morbidly addicted to the news, waiting for the next bombshell to drop or scandal to break. This morning that cycle was mercifully interrupted by something far more powerful than any weapon on Earth.

The peace of God.

“It is finished!” was the starting gun for a whole new way of living.

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” (John 19:30 KJV)

His ending was our beginning.

A life marked by peace, not posturing.

And today, as much as at any time in history, that peace must be vigorously defended.

With wars on every side and proud men swaggering on the world stage, it is tempting to be pulled into the arguments. But where we have no agency, arguments are vain.

Better to funnel those energies into prayer.

Because our fight is closer to home. A battle to reclaim and maintain our inner peace.

Follow the Master to the closet, and cry:

​​“Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared” (Hebrews 5:7 KJV)

Let tears wash your heart of offense.

Let streams on your cheeks cleanse your partisan spirit.

The Kingdom we serve is not of this world.

“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight… but now is my kingdom not from hence.” (John 18:36 KJV)

To prayer friends.

Let your knees do the talking.

Let your posture be one of humility.

And may peace beyond reason rest upon you.

Selah.

Here’s a Bible study technique that you may not be aware of.

Read all the bits you didn't underline.

​All of the verses that don't appear in the promise box. The ones that rarely get used in devotionals. The ones that will never appear on a t-shirt or a tea towel.

​Because it's very easy to fall into the trap of shaping the Bible to fit our preferences.

​A wing-clipped religion of:

• Affirmation without accountability.
• Comfort without correction.
• Wholeness without holiness.
• Relationship without reverence.

Open the Book and begin an excavation of every portion that promises pain and perplexity. The bits that strip you naked and leave you powerless to defend your compromise and complicity in your own illusions.

I promise you, if you’ll take them to prayer and let them search your motives just as much as the fan-favourites, they will underline something in your character and highlight a bigger Christ who lives in you, formidible and fearless in every way!

A big fat uncomfortable selah to all.

Amen.