Five Keys for 2010

There are 5 strategic keys that will help propel
you into your future and the destiny God has for you this year. Ask Him
for specific insight and direction for you and your life, and allow Him
to manifest in these areas throughout 2010.

1. God is
sounding a wake-up call.

God is sounding a wake-up call
to the body of Christ! There has been a lull and a spirit of slumber
that has spread over much of the body in the last couple of years. We
have become satisfied with “church as usual.” Unfortunately, many people
have settled into a place of comfort and complacency—but God is shaking
and waking this sleeping giant once again!

I hear the Lord say, “Some of you keep trying to snuggle in and get
comfortable. I will not allow you to get comfortable. I did not create
you for comfort; I created you to be a weapon of warfare.”

Continue reading

What God is for 2010

Several themes and Scriptures for 2010 have been highlighted to me by
the Holy Spirit recently as I have waited on the Lord. I believe we are
entering into a crucial time, and I have some wonderful prophetic
encouragements to share as well as some urgent prophetic warnings
concerning the year ahead. As we meditate on God’s promises and the
following Scriptures, I believe 2010 will be a year of great
fruitfulness in our lives!

1. Seven key words for 2010 are: fruit, rain, righteousness,
harvest, overflow, restoration and provision (see Joel 2:22-26).

• Fruit:
  In 2010 Jesus is really looking for fruit. God desires to make His
  people strong and fruitful.Gifts are not enough. It’s by the fruit of
  the Spirit that we will be known.

  There will be a strong focus on
  developing spiritual character, maturity and fruitfulness in 2010. You
  will discern true disciples by their fruit, not their gifts (see Joel 2:22; Matt. 7:13-27; Matt. 21:18-19; John 15:2-8,16).

Continue
reading

Jaeson Ma is a church planter, filmmaker and music artist.

{youtube}73kZ6wBoqTk{/youtube}

Rob Hoskins is a media evangelist.

{flv}Rob Hoskins – Obedience{/flv}

Jonathan Shibley is a marketplace minister.

{youtube}WMm3Rm1-ReI{/youtube}

Charisma tracked down a few veterans in the faith to give young people sage advice about faithfully standing the test of time. Go to mentors.charismamag.com and get advice to avoid your own “wouldas” and “couldas.”

Embrace Change

One of the most important lessons for any leader to embrace is that change is constant, and change is our friend. God has ordained a life of change, for our entire lives. David wrote, “Because they do not change, therefore they fear not God” (Ps. 55:19). It is during times of change that we realize our need of God.

Every leader will go through changes, and your happiness in life depends upon your attitude, preparation and acceptance of the changes in your life. When changes have come in my life, I have accepted them, prepared for them and made the next era richer. Then I trusted God more because I had to. And the older you get when change comes, the more you’ll have to trust Him because the harder it is to change.

So here are a few quick thoughts on how to make change your friend: 1) don’t rush change; 2) prepare for the next change; 3) enjoy the time when you need God more because of change; 4) embrace change as a means of developing your dependence on God; and 5) resist hanging on to the old. It is challenging to live with change but impossible to live without it. Make change your friend and trust God more.

Tommy Barnett, pastor of Phoenix First Assembly of God and chancellor
of
Southeastern College in Lakeland, Florida

Become More Like Jesus

There are two kinds of spiritual gifts. First, there are the famous ministry gifts Paul lists in 1 Corinthians 12 that are meant to help others. Then, there are the gifts known as the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22 that are meant to help us become like Jesus.

In my experience, most people want to receive the ministry gifts, but it is the fruit of the Spirit that will cause us to become more like Christ. And isn’t that the real goal of our lives? People can have spectacular ministry gifts and still be involved in grave sin, as strange as that may seem. Many leaders with extraordinary ministry gifts often seem to display glaring personal weaknesses. Jesus advised us not to seek the ministry gifts unless our personal lives were noted for holiness (see Matt.7: 22-23).

By all means, pray for the ministry gifts that help others, but do not neglect the personal gifts that help you become like Jesus. We desperately need the power of the Spirit to transform us so that we can be like Jesus, especially in truly loving people-even our enemies. Pray for the power of the Spirit to transform you until you become like Jesus. It’s the greatest thing that could ever happen.

Francis MacNutt is and author and the founder of Christian Healing
Ministries in Jacksonville, Florida.

Put Your Hope in God

When times of inner turmoil steal your hope, remember this story: In 1873, the people of South Carolina elected the former slave Robert Smalls to the U.S. House of Representatives. Despite racial prejudice, he compiled a brilliant record and was known as a powerful orator. Later he served as customs collector in Beaufort, South Carolina, until Woodrow Wilson was elected president and fired many blacks, including Smalls.

This wasn’t the first time Smalls was forced to humble himself in the face of injustice. He became a hero during the Civil War. While still a slave, he piloted the Confederate ship Planter out of Charleston Harbor and into Union hands while the captain and crewmembers were ashore. With the reward money he received, he purchased the house where he and his mother had been slaves. One day, the wife of his former slave master, Mrs. McKee, returned to the house. She was elderly and confused and thought she still lived there. Instead of turning her away, Smalls moved her into her former bedroom and served her.

Smalls died in 1915 at the age of 76 and was much honored, but he didn’t see his greatest reward in his lifetime. In 2001 the Army Reserve commissioned the Maj. Gen. Robert Smalls, the first ship named after an African-American. If Smalls had spent his life looking for his reward, or even for justice to be served, he likely would have been deeply discouraged. As leaders, we must put our hope in the Lord, and remember the words of David: “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God” (Ps. 42:11).

Wellington Boone, chief overseer of the Fellowship of International
Churches based in Norcross, Georgia

For far too long young people have experienced God from one side of the church while the “older folks” resigned to do ministry from a separate corner. Why is there such a wide generation gap in today’s church? Below you can hear Charisma‘s roundtable conversation with leaders from within the body of Christ. We talk about the generation gap and discuss a remedy.  In the comment section below tell us if you agree or disagree. It’s high time we start talking about this elephant in the room.

{audio source_mp3=”http://www.charismamag.com/images/stories/audio/Youthroundtablefinal.mp3″}
download mp3

Charisma featured Dennis Bennett on it’s fledgling cover in May 1980. Click on the pdf to see the article.

As a Christian counselor I have listened
to many married couples express feelings of frustration and hurt because of
their inability to effectively communicate with one another. Studies prove that
communication breakdown is a major source of conflict, one that can eventually
lead to other problems in the marriage, such as a lack of intimacy and divorce.
Statistics prove the truth of what the Bible says in Proverbs 18:21: “The tongue
has the power of life and death” (NIV).

However, there is a remedy. Many of the
struggles married couples face, in fact, can be avoided with the use of some
simple communication tools. Learning to use these tools to express ourselves in
more effective ways fosters better understanding, which results in greater
emotional intimacy.

One tool couples can use to help ensure
clear communication is “reflective listening.” With this method, the partner
being spoken to (listener) repeats the message he received back to the one
speaking (sender). The sender then has the opportunity to restate her thoughts
until she is assured the message was received correctly by the
listener.

Another
tool that contributes to understanding is using language that makes a definite
distinction between what we THINK and what we FEEL. If you begin a
sentence with an “I feel” message, be sure to complete the sentence with the
emotion you are experiencing and not with what you think. For example, say “I
feel disappointed,” not “I feel as if my husband doesn’t want to talk to me.”
Beginning a sentence with a feeling helps to validate your emotions, speak the
condition of your heart and increase the likelihood that the receiver will grasp
what you are saying.

A communication tool called the “I
message” tells the receiver what you think about a situation without attacking
him personally. For example, saying “I think we should consider making a budget”
is less potentially volatile than “You spend too much money; we need a budget.”
The “I message” reduces the potential for the receiver to become defensive and
helps to circumvent an argument. If your husband is avoiding talking to you
because your discussions turn into arguments (see Prov. 21:9 and 19:13), you may
find this tool extremely helpful.

Some couple’s communication issues are
not with WHAT is said but with HOW the words are expressed. The largest part of
communication—93 percent—is comprised of our voice tone and body language. This
aspect is called style.

The Bible speaks about communication
style in both the Old and the New Testaments, giving us an example in Song of
Songs of how two lovers ought to relate, and telling us in Ephesians 4:15 that
the mature believer is one who has learned to speak the truth “in love.” In
Songs, the Lover says to His Beloved, “Show me your face. Let me hear your
voice. Your VOICE is SWEET and your FACE is LOVELY” (2:14, emphasis added).
Obviously, the woman referred to in this verse had the right style!

What does your voice sound like
when you speak to your husband? Is it sweet or harsh? What does your face look
like when you are communicating with him? Is it lovely, or are you scowling? Do
you look into his eyes when he speaks, or are you busy with another
activity?

If you
desire to not only get through to your husband when you are speaking to him but
also experience the kind of intimacy described in Song of Songs, stop allowing
your method of communication to get in the way. Start today to put into practice
some or all of these proven techniques. Learn to say what you mean—in love—with
a sweet voice, a lovely face and a sincere desire to connect with
him.

And don’t
reserve these techniques for only your spouse. They are equally as effective
with children, friends, co-workers and anyone else you relate to. All of us can
stand to improve our method of communicating with others, and as we do, we can
look forward to the rewards of speaking life and growing in unity with the rest
of the body of Christ.

For his first onscreen kiss with fellow cast member Chelsea Noble on the ABC sitcom Growing Pains, Kirk Cameron secretly rubbed numbing gel on his lips that left the actress’ mouth briefly paralyzed after the big smooch.

Cameron, who was a teen heartthrob at the time, made the most of Noble’s dismay by hamming up the post-kiss moment for the TV audience: “What can I say? That’s the effect I have on girls. My kisses are electrifying,” he quipped.

The first kiss proved to be the charm. Cameron and Noble (pictured) soon began dating offscreen and married in 1991.

That was 21 years ago. They remain inseparable today and now have six kids.

In fact, Cameron has refused to kiss anyone since. For his role in Fireproof, he was required to kiss the actress playing his wife. But he wouldn’t.

“I have a comittment not to kiss any other woman,” Cameron said on TODAY.

To get around this, filmmakers dressed Noble like the movie’s female lead and shot the scene in silhouette.

“So when I’m kissing my wife, we’re actually husband and wife honoring marriage behind the scenes,” Cameron explained.

From Growing Pains to Fireproof, Kirk Cameron has matured as both an actor and a Christian.

It seems like Kirk Cameron was destined for a career in television and film. He was only 9 when he started acting, first in commercials and then on TV shows. He was even named after his dad’s favorite TV character, Capt. Kirk of Star Trek, when he was born in 1970 in Panorama City, Calif. Today he’s an award-winning actor who most recently starred in the evangelistic movie Fireproof (2008). Here’s a look at his life onscreen:

TELEVISION

•1981 Bret Maverick (boy #1)

•1982 Disneyland (boy)

•1982 Herbie the Matchmaker (young boy)

•1983 Two Marriages
(“Eric Armstrong”)

•1983 ABC Afterschool Specials (“Jeff”)

•1984 Children in the Crossfire (“Mickey Chandler”)

•1984 More Than Murder (“Bobby”)

•1985-92 Growing Pains
(“Mike Seaver”)

•1988 Full House (“Cousin Steve”)

•1991 A Little Piece of  Heaven (“Will Loomis”)

•1993 The Horde (“Chauncey”)

•1994 Star Struck (“Runner”)

•1995 The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (“Dexter Riley”)

•1995-96 Kirk (“Kirk Hartman”)

•2002 Family Law (“Mitchell Stark”)

•2001 Touched by an Angel (“Chuck Parker”)

•2003-present The Way of the Master (himself)

•2005 Night of Joy (host)

•2009 18 Kids and Counting (himself)

FILM

•1981 Goliath Awaits (“Liam”)

•1982 Beyond Witch Mountain (boy)

•1983 Starflight: The Plane That Couldn’t Land (“Gary”)

•1986 The Best of Times (“Teddy”)

•1987 Like Father, Like Son (“Chris Hammond”)

•1989 Listen to Me (“Tucker Muldowney”)

•1991 A Little Piece of Heaven (“Will Loomis”)

•1998 You Lucky Dog (“Jack Morgan”)

•2000 The Growing Pains Movie (“Mike Seaver”)

•2000 Left Behind (“Buck Williams”)

•2001 The Miracle of the Cards (“Josh”)

•2002 Left Behind II: Tribulation Force (“Buck Williams”)

•2004 Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers (“Mike Seaver”)

•2005 Left Behind: World at War (“Buck Williams”)

•2008 Fireproof (“Caleb Holt”)

AWARDS

Young Artist Award

•1986 for TV series Growing Pains (won)

•1987 Best Young Male Superstar:
Growing Pains (won)

•1987 Exceptional Performance by a
Young Actor: Growing Pains (won) 

•1989 for film Listen to Me (nominated)

Saturn Award

•1987 for film Like Father, Like Son (won)

Golden Globe Award

•1987 for Growing Pains (nominated)

•1989 for Growing Pains (nominated)

People’s Choice Award

•1988 Favorite Young TV
Performer (won)

•1989 Favorite Young TV
Performer (won)

Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award

•1990 Favorite TV Actor:
Growing Pains (Won)

Joyce Meyer, a New York Times best-selling author and one of the world’s leading practical Bible teachers, gives insight into the topic of grace.

{youtubejw}TzCrr7domSA{/youtubejw}

Free from Sin

??“For sin
shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under
grace” (Romans 6:14, NKJV).

Why
shouldn’t sin have dominion over us? Because we no longer possess a sin
nature, but we have entered God’s empowerment, possessing the nature of
Jesus Himself. We are free from the power of sin!

The Message says, “Sin can’t tell you how to live.” God’s Word, the
truth, declares here that gossip, slander and lying no longer have
dominion over you. Adultery, sex outside of marriage, homosexuality,
pornography or any other impurity no longer dominates you. Hatred,
bitterness, unforgiveness, prejudice and envy no longer control you.
Uncontrolled anger, rage and outbursts of wrath have lost their
authority in your life. Stealing, substance abuse and alcohol addiction
are no longer a master over you. Disobedience to authority, stubbornness
and insubordination have lost their dominion over you. And the list
continues.

You don’t have to yield to such sins anymore because
you are now under the empowerment of grace! Look at it this way: You
were once imprisoned by your own nature to some of these things and
unable to live a godly life. Jesus came and threw open the prison door.
He took the keys to sin’s powerful domination, and you can now walk out
of the prison. You are no longer a slave to sin. You are free and a
child of God!

Before we were in Christ, we were slaves to sin and
had no power over it. Now we do. We can choose to either submit to sin
or we can walk in grace free from sin. Christians have power over sin
because they possess Jesus’ nature. God did not set you free from sin so
that you could continue to sin and be forgiven—without reaping its
consequences. God set you free from sin so that you could indeed be free
and walk in true holiness as Jesus did. The true believer’s goal is not
to sin. However, if we sin, forgiveness is still found in His provision
of grace.

Grace empowers us to be pleasing to God, to live an
extraordinary life! However, if we choose not to walk in our new nature
and continually yield to sin, then we give up our freedom and again are
captive. New Testament repentance is about truth and represents a
complete change of mind or heart. It is when we are deeply sorry we’ve
hurt the heart of God and are now committed to obeying His desire in
this area. It takes both confession and repentance to free a believer
from sin’s grip.

Marked by boldness and passion, John
Bevere delivers
uncompromising truth through his award-winning curriculum and
best-selling books now available in over sixty languages. His newest
book is Extraordinary: The Life You’re Meant to Live. More
information is available at www.ExtraordinaryOnline.org.