#108 Spiritual Dependency

C. Peter Wagner shares with  
us about spiritual dependency:

"It is a big mistake for the 
pastor to become spiritually 
dependent on the intercessors.

When this happens, the intercessor becomes a substitute for the pastor's own personal touch with the Lord.

Judson Cornwall mentions this in his excellent book, The Secret of Personal Prayer. 

He says that as he traveled across America,

   "I often found pastors dependent completely upon the
    prayers of a few old-timers, known a 'intercessors.'
    
    The pastors themselves had virtually no private prayer 
    ministry.

    This may well explain the staleness, the decline in 
    morality, and the great insecurity that seems to
    characterize much of America's clergy."

If you as a pastor feel you might be falling into the trap of cutting back on your personal prayer life, I suggest you do something about it.

I spent a good bit of chapters 4 and 5 stressing the need for us as leaders to develop quality prayer lives of our own, precisely so we could avoid spiritual dependency.

If it has been some time since you read them, I suggest you review those chapters. 

{Some of Jean's posts from chapters 4 & 5:   #40  Do Pastors Pray Enough? ;  #41  Pastors Need to Pray More ; #47  Mediocre Prayer Habits?}

Also read good books such as Judson Cornwall's The Secret of Personal Prayer (Creation House), Dick Eastman's The Hour That Changes the World (Baker), Wesley Duewel's Mighty Prevailing Prayer (Zondervan), B. J. Willite's Why Pray? (Creation House), Donald Bloesch's The Struggle of Prayer (Harper & Row), Larry Lea's Could You Not tarry One Hour? (Creation House) or Bill Hybels' Too Busy Not to Pray (InterVarsity). 

It is one thing to wake up some morning and say, 'Lord, I'm wiped out. Please let the intercessors carry the day.' 

It is quite another to make a habit of doing this. No number or quality of intercessors can substitute for the pastor or other leader being an authentic man or woman of God."

#108, Spiritual Dependency,

in the series taken from C. Peter 

Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, 

How to intercede for pastors,

Christian leaders and others 

on the spiritual  frontlines. 

(pgs. 191-192) by Regal Books

NEW UPDATED VERSION:

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Prayer Shield, rev. and updated ed.: How to Intercede for Pastors and Christian Leaders

C. Peter Wagner

CHOSEN / 2014 / TRADE PAPERBACK

Let’s pray:

  Father, help me
understand what
my responsibility
is.

   Cause me to see
when I'm slacking off on my own praying. 

   What I do makes a large difference on my ability to be effective for the kingdom's work here in my area.

   Thank You for urging me to be careful to pray. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Zech. 4:66 "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit saith the LORD of hosts."

Today’s quote:  :  E. M. Bounds – “It is necessary to iterate and reiterate that prayer, as a mere habit, as a performance gone through by routine or in a professional way, is a dead and rotten thing.”

Some thoughts today: Don't blame your circumstances when things don't go your way. Allow Christ to help you work as to the Lord.

-Recognize the worth in your service, whatever it may be.

What we should do every day when we wake up...
   (shared by Danica Sinclair Dunphey from sermon
   notes of Ephesians, by Richard Sinclair on
    http://www.cfconline.org/)

"Wake up and remind yourself that there is a God in heaven. And that you live to serve Him.

Wake up and remind yourself that Christ died to save you from your sins and reconcile you to God so that you can live every moment of every day in a way that pleases Him and brings glory to Him." 

9th- Saturday’s post:  Behind the Song: In the Garden

Diana Leagh Matthews

10th- Sunday's post:  Doubt vs. Faith

Jean Oathout

10th- evening's post:  To Him Be the Glory

Heather Ricks

12th- Tuesday's post:  #109  Emotional Dependency

C. Peter Wagner

A popular post:  Undaunted 
Radiance  Oswald Chambers
“The experiences of life, terrible 
or monotonous, are impotent 
to touch the love of God, which 
is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

“Nay, in all these things, we are 
more than conquerors through 
Him that loved us.” Rom. 8:37

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#107 Avoid the Dangers

C. Peter Wagner One of
the celebrities I contacted 
regarding their personal
intercessors sent me 
a letter rather than a list
of personal prayer partners, 
expressing a degree of 
anxiety he had over the 
whole idea.

I was surprised at this
because it was such a new
and exciting area for me.

But soon afterward I spent some time with Pastor Casey Treat of the Christian Faith Center in Settle, and he shared some background I had known nothing about.

In the early 1980s, a wave of fanaticism occurred concerning intercession, particularly among the "word of faith" charismatics, but also among other charismatics.

Some pastors began to ride hobby horses and taught that if you did not pray three to five hours a day you were not moving in the Spirit.

They picked up on Paul's 'travail' or 'laboring in birth' for the Galatians (see Gal. 4:19), and intercessors would groan loudly as if in labor and even lie on top of one another on the church platform.


Another obvious example 
of flaky intercession. 

Some flaky fasting was 
also involved, based on 
the premise that the
longer you fast the more 
you can get God to do 
what you want Him to do.

Fortunately, this was only a fad and is not seen much today. But Casey observes that the memories of this are still strong enough for some pastors to be very cautious about personal intercession.

Casey Treat himself has a fine team of prayer partners. He introduced me personally to his three I-1 intercessors, each of whom has a particular specialization for their prayer ministry.

Even where the intercession itself is not flaky, dangers in receiving intercession need to be recognized and avoided.

I have been stressing that personal intercession for pastors and other Christian leaders is a high-level spiritual activity. As such it attracts the attention of the devil in a high-level way.

He will attack the relationship of a pastor and intercessors in any way possible, but he seems to focus on three principal areas: spiritual dependency, emotional dependence and physical dependency."

(I will make three postings of these principal areas over the next couple of weeks.)

#107, Avoid the Dangers,

in the series taken from C. Peter 

Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, 

How to intercede for pastors,

Christian leaders and others 

on the spiritual  frontlines.

(pgs. 190-191) by Regal Books

NEW UPDATED VERSION:

Retail: $14.99 Save 20% ($3.00)

$11.99
Prayer Shield, rev. and updated ed.: How to Intercede for Pastors and Christian Leaders

C. Peter Wagner

CHOSEN / 2014 / TRADE PAPERBACK

Let’s pray:

   Father, we know that
our prayers are needed and
important to our leaders.

Help us pray effectively
and wisely for them with
Your direction and power.

   I want to learn how I am to follow what is the best way to pray for them.

   May my praying friends and I be sensitive to the Holy Spirit within us. I ask in the precious Name of Jesus for help in this matter. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 3:3 "I know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him."

Today’s quote: Michael Brooks – “All of man's paths to righteousness are empty and self-serving. The only power for real change comes from Jesus. The only One with the authority of God, who laid down His life for us, is Jesus. In Him we find all that we have been searching.”

Some thoughts today: The Holy Ghost within us is the solution of overcoming our trials, as everything you'll need is found in Him!

- Do we need to be great in man's sight, or God's? God 
wants to equip us to meet the needs of others. Our being 
"great" in His sight, is allowing Him to use us in our 
weaknesses. That's where He'll start. 

- It's what you are that is your testimony, remember. That is what will have the most impact on others. Where you are now is both a trying and proving ground.

7th- Thursday’s post:  #108  Spiritual Dependency
C. Peter Wagner

9th- Saturday's post:  Behind the Song: In the Garden
Diana Leagh Matthews

10th- Sunday's post:  Doubt vs. Faith
Jean Oathout

10th- evening's post:  To God Be the Glory
Heather Ricks

A popular post:  She-Bear Meetings Dutch Sheets tells us, “Let’s progress in our thinking to the breaking aspect of intercession meetings—enforcing the victory of Calvary. I call this ‘the bear anointing’ because of Proverbs 17:12: "Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly."…

Read God's Word daily, as
it will give you guidance.

jowildflowers@gmail.com

Samples of Jean's crafts

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Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse
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Bridal Shower Devotional: Bridal
Wisdom for Women

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My book in paperback $7.95

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Kindle page of my book)

Wisdom for Brides (Christian Marriage, Counseling, 
& Help and for troubled marriages. (Volume 1)

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Tenderhearted

Ginny Merritt - "I banged my coffee mug down on the kitchen counter, pressing my left hand on its moist rim, my right hand on the cold enamel surface of the drain board. 

Tears welled in my eyes. Words spoken at breakfast to my husband had been as hard and jarring as the sound of my stoneware cup striking the counter. 

I allowed anger from another strained relationship to spill over to him. I was sorry and I needed to apologize.

Pushing myself away from the sink, I walked across the red linoleum floor carrying my empty mug with me. 

Quietly, I stepped onto the living room carpet. He sat in his beige recliner with his Bible on his lap, eyes closed in prayer. He sensed my presence and opened his eyes.

Unsure of myself, I remained on the edge of the carpet. It was hard to get the words out. 

I took a breath and stared out the window while he waited.

'I’m sorry,' I offered. 

   'I shouldn't have let my words hurt you.'

He bent forward in his chair and smiled, lines wrinkled around his brown eyes.

Like so many times before, he was ready to forgive. 'It’s okay. I know you’re having a hard time.'

I nodded, releasing a deep breath. He picked up his blue mug, stood, and said, Let’s go fill our cups again.'

Ephesians tells us to 'be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ forgave you.' 

Saying “I’m sorry” is humbling and difficult, but it is the oil provided by the Holy Spirit to keep our relationships functioning.

Is there someone in your life, in your day, you have been harsh with? Now is a fine time to ask God’s help to restore the relationship. You will be glad you did it.

You might even want to carry your empty mug with you, ready for a friendly cup of fresh coffee.

Let kindness and compassion fill your cup."

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 (RSV)

Tenderhearted - Ginny Merritt

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and Grant Cochrane.

While Ginny Merritt is first a homemaker and pastor's wife, writing is woven into every facet of her life. 

She has been writing primarily to enrich her ministry for years through Bible studies, curriculum, and drama. 

Her early-reader chapter book, A Ram for Isaac, was published four years ago, and a children’s novel, The Window in the Wall, is coming out in November, both through Journeyforth, a division of BJU Press.

Read Ginny's devotions.

Receive a daily devotion on your Kindle!

Used by permission www.christiandevotions.us 
and Ginny Merritt

Let’s pray:

   Father, when we find we
need one of those "humbling"
experiences, may we be quick
to heed Your prompting.

   Help us to not say words
that hurt someone, especially
those we love.

   Open my eyes to times that I'm apt to speak out of turn, and when I could hurt someone by what I'm thinking I should say.

   May I be slow to speak, and carefully choosing my words wisely each day.

   In the Name of Jesus I pray for help. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Lam. 3:40 "Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD."

Today’s quote: Our Daily Bread “One act of kindness may teach more about the love of God than many sermons.”

Some thoughts today: We're not to presume things will go smoothly and not experience problems. Follow and live for Christ through every situation.

- What you're going through may very well be a spiritual assault 
against your place in Christ.

- We miss opportunities to have fellowship with God, by not reading the Bible. We need to be stirred up! 

Praying together helps
days go more smoothly

5th- Tuesday's post:  #107  Avoid the Dangers 
C. Peter Wagner

7th- Thursday’s post:  #108  Spiritual Dependency 
C. Peter Wagner

9th- Saturday's post:  Behind the Song: In the Garden 
Diana Leagh Mathews

10th- Sunday's post:  Doubt vs. Faith 
Jean Oathout

A popular post: Under the Juniper Tree  Mary Southerland - “Elijah is a great example of a man in need of rest. One day he was the conquering hero, the next we find him sitting under a Juniper tree, wallowing in self-pity – and begging God to let him die. 

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Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  

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Discernment vs. Criticism Part 2

 Jean Oathout continues with thoughts on Criticism today:

It is rather easy to see other people's faults and weaknesses.

Criticism, we find, can become a negative 
of discernment. 

That is why there is so much responsibility in moving in any of the discernments we may have. 

When any part of these thoughts go to the extreme, alas, the 
negative shows up as Criticism. Sometimes, things we say may 
hurt people.

If you see weakness in someone's life that doesn't affect their ministry to others and the purposes of God, then just love them. 

Criticism takes place when we voice our opinion in a demeaning way. Our attitude plays a large part in our sharing what we've "discerned."

When you've heard something disturbing about someone, pray for God's guidance to know if you should go to the person spoken about, to find out the truth. 

If it's a lie, you may need to tract down the lie, and face the guilty one spreading the "criticism," and get the truth. Put the devil under foot! 

Negative thinking and speaking does not honor God, nor edify anyone. It tends to cause us to hold something that we've discerned against someone.

We build a wall that keeps us, and them, from any hope of change. It causes a blockage to blessing, too.

Sometimes it's hard to tell which is which: 

   Am I hearing from the Holy Spirit, or am I simply dealing 

   with my not-always-kind-and-compassionate soul?

Some folks may need to be careful how they respond, when they've come out of a critical spirit themselves. We all can make a cutting comment that can hurt another person.

Think through what you're about to say, and ask yourself these questions: 

   Is this edifying? Will this build the person up, or will it hurt 

   them? Am I in a relationship with them, that I have some 

   authority to even say anything about what I see?

If you do, pray and ask God to give you the ability to help them
 see what concerns you, and then give you a strategy to help them overcome the flaw. Matt. 18:15 {go to them in private first}. 

(An example of this would be, every time you get together with a friend of yours, you find them talking badly about other people.)

You'll show your spiritual growth when you can look at someone's "flaw", and share it only with them, or who may have a specific need to know. 

A good rule:

 If, after you've gone to the individual involved, and they 

won't hear you, go "up-line" with concerns you may have 

about something. Go to your pastor, elder, husband, father, 

or employer/supervisor for advice. {Refer to Matt. 18:15-17}.

It would be helpful to say:

   "_______, here's something I'm sensing... I haven't 

    mentioned it to anyone. I wanted to bring it to you

    to see if you had any recommendations. Do I simply 

    pray about it? Do I tell anyone? Is there any action 

    you think I should take?"  

Leave it there, and allow the leader to "take it from there." 

You've done your part.

Your having said, "I haven't mentioned it to anyone" is very 

important, as otherwise, it could  just become gossip. It can 

also cause the person you're sharing it with to have doubts 

about the person mentioned, and cause further hurt. 

When we give our critical opinion to someone, there remains 

an awkwardness between them and us, though forgiveness 

may have taken place.

We seem to think that we'll "help" them 

by calling attention to what we're noticing. 

It's not a good idea, unless we're asked to give it. In other words, this is to be avoided.

What's in our hearts? 

The Bible says that what's in there comes out our mouths... Luke 6:45 tells us either good or evil will come from our hearts, {depending on it's spiritual condition.}

The temptation we'll face: 

    What if the person doesn't think this is from God 

    and doesn't do anything? 

How big is your God? 

    Trust Him to handle it, and go right on praying.

Another aspect in understanding Criticism is, when 

you're the one being criticized. Examine what was said, 

and find any truth in it, so you can benefit by it in some 

way.

Whether the person thinks well of you, or is simply 

finding fault with you, be careful not to retaliate with 

harsh words.

It's difficult to take criticism humbly and graciously, 

and to seek to learn something from it. 

Remember: Not every negative thought is necessarily a 

signal that we need to change our behavior. 

A gentle and gracious answer should always be the 

standard response  from a child of God. Prov. 15:1 

"gentle answer."

We should also consider that what we have taken as 

hurtful, may not 

have been intended that way at all. 

Hopefully, what I've shared on the subject of Criticism, today, will help us think more seriously about criticizing others. I'm thankful for what my pastor shared with me, 

as well as some helpful suggestions from friends. 

I had a recent experience of receiving some critical thoughts, while reading Discernment vs. Criticism Part 1 

and today's post, to my writer friends at our meeting. 

   I was thinking that I had done a poor job, and that I'd 

have to re-write it the whole time I was reading to them!

   I can now see that the evil one tried to discourage and 

hinder me from using what I'd written. It must be, the  Lord's 

planning on using them to help His people! I trust so.

Thankfully, a friend spoke encouragement to me immediately

 after the meeting, that what I'd read really helped him. 

 Is. 59:19b "The LORD will lift up a standard."

As a result, I'm working on another draft, scheduled for the 

10th of August, called Doubt vs. Faith. I believe the Lord 

wants that subject covered, too. 

As some of you may have noticed, the original posting 

disappeared today! Fortunately, I'd copied it into a Word

document, so I've had to recreate the entire post for you.

God is Good to have helped me in this, as I'm sure it is

and important message.

Let’s pray:

   Father, it is my desire to do what is
pleasing to You. May my thoughts be
ones that honor You, as well as the
others I come in contact with each day.
   I understand that what I say, as well
as what I think, does matter to You.
   My words can hurt others, if spoken in
a demeaning, critical way.
   I ask that You set a watch at the door of my mouth, that
I not sin. I ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Is. 45:2a "I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight."

Today’s quote: Mary Southerland – “We live in a broken world and life is filled with pain, challenges, dark times and trials, but today can still be a day of thanksgiving and praise because praise and thanksgiving have little to do with our circumstances and everything to do with our inner attitude toward God. It really doesn’t matter how much we lose here, [my friend]. I have read the Book and we win … for all of eternity! We just need to take the time to remember … and give thanks.”

Some thoughts today: God will battle for you, until you can battle. Submit yourself to God. He will enable you to speak His truth to your lost friends.

- It's not by your might, but God's! His Spirit will move through you, and in them.

- Let this day be the answer to the crossroad of your life. Seek God, and follow what He directs.

3rd- Sunday’s post:  Walking Through Dark Valleys

Charles F. Stanley

3rd- evening's post:  Tenderhearted

Ginny Merritt

5th- Tuesday's post:  #107  Avoid the Dangers

C. Peter Wagner

7th- Thursday's post:  #108  Spiritual Dependency

C. Peter Wagner

A popular post: Thoughts and Temptations Dutch
Sheets tells us, “Considering the third aspect of stronghold,
{found in 1 Cor. 10:3-5}, the Lord tells us we can “Take
every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

The greatest creation yet!

jowildflowers@gmail.com

Samples of Jean's crafts

http://twitter.com/jeanoathout

http://facebook.com/jean.oathout

AuthorsDen.com
Where authors and readers come together!

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  
Kindle $2.99 

Bridal Shower Devotional: Bridal

Wisdom for Women

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 

My book in paperback $7.95

(Check out the Reviews on the

Kindle page of my book)

Wisdom for Brides (Christian
Marriage, Counseling, & Help)

(Volume 1)