When I was a young boy I found myself in the principal’s office on several occasions. I never wanted truth. I just wanted grace. But my shenanigans were usually rewarded with both. The principal was able to administer justice.

God’s goal is to bring justice to the entire world. His Son came as an ambassador full of grace and truth (Jn 1.14, 17). These are the two main ingredients for justice. He imparted His grace and truth to His disciples and justice spread to the nations one person at a time. Now we have become His vehicle of justice. This frees people from the tyranny of sin and liberates them from the spiritual chains of Satan and His world view. Are you bringing justice to others through the person of Jesus Christ? (2 Cor 5.20)

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© 2008, 2009 Following Jesus by Chuck Wood All Rights Reserved

“… I, the LORD, will answer them Myself, As the God of Israel I will not forsake them.
(Isaiah 41:17)

“You know, never mind. I’ll go talk to them myself.” It’s a phrase I’ve used many times as a leader who needs to make the point, good or bad. There are occasions where a messenger just won’t do and communications straight from the leader is the need of the hour.

God felt compelled to tell the children of Israel that He was going to speak directly to them. Prophets, priests, and kings were just not a perfect medium to present His thoughts and words. They just could not express His heart adequately. So how did God speak to us directly? He came in the flesh. He lived and died in our midst. Jesus spoke directly to mankind. It doesn’t get any clearer than Jesus, the Word of God (Jn 1.1-2, 14). Do you want to hear straight from God? Study Jesus by saturating your life with the gospels.

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© 2008, 2009 Following Jesus by Chuck Wood All Rights Reserved

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© 2008, 2009 Following Jesus by Chuck Wood All Rights Reserved

I was reminded the other day by a good friend of a prayer that I pray occasionally. My prayer is simple and yet extravagant. I pray that God would use me to reach a million men for Christ. And I assume that God will answer my prayer. Is this absurd or arrogant?

The disciples thought the woman’s anointing of Jesus with the expensive perfume was an excessive waist. (Mt 26.6-13) But there is something in this story even more noteworthy. Jesus states that His gospel will be preached throughout the world! Is this an extravagant assumption? No, God does not assume anything. He knows all things. Nor were the woman’s actions improper because she knew Him as Lord. And praying for a million men is not extravagant either because He desires all men to be saved. Pray big to a big God.

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© 2008, 2009 Following Jesus by Chuck Wood All Rights Reserved

Many have been praying and keeping track of our spiritual journey of seeking God’s guidance for the future. We have driven half way across the States and are now in Colorado Springs, CO for a Leadership conference that starts Saturday. These last 36 days have been an excellent concentrated time with the Lord Jesus. I’ve had plenty of time in the Word and Prayer and I feel like the Holy Spirit has spoken to me in some very strong ways. Here’s my summary.

· Repent and enjoy His forgiveness (Ps 32.1-2, Isa 12.1-2, Mat 18.11, 1 Cor 13.8) – I’m so glad I know the grace of God through Christ. The closer to the mirror I get the more blemishes I see. The light would completely destroy me if it weren’t for the knowledge of His work on the cross and Him giving me the desire to place my destiny completely and wholly in His merciful hands.

· I am to die to myself (Ps 37.4-5, Isa 28.23-29, Mat 16.24, 1 Cor 15.36) – The seed must shed its husk, endure decay and finally die to bear its fruit. As counter-intuitive as this may seem, it is the truth. Jesus led by His example. I am His disciple, I will follow His lead.

· I am to trust God by entrusting my future to those who lead me (Ps 32.8, Isa 14.24,27, Mat 14.16-18, 1 Cor 10.33) – I know a major change is coming in my life and ministry. God has asked me to take a leap of faith and trust Him with the future. He has directed me to unreservedly place my future in the hands of Navigator leadership to do with me whatever they see fit. This is His vehicle to develop my faith and direct me to His place for me in the Kingdom. Am I scared? It feels like standing in the door of a C-130 ready to make a parachute drop. Terrifying and exhilarating at the same time.

· I am to be a peacemaker everywhere I go (Ps 32.13-14, Isa 27.5, Mat 5.9, 1 Cor 14.33) – I am a diplomat by design. God wired me to lead by bringing others together under one banner. The banner of Christ Jesus and His Kingdom. I have no other message, no other passion.

· I am to be a noble, wise, faithful, sensible, and prudent planner (Ps 44.3, Isa 30.20-21; 32.8, Mat 25.45-47; Mat 25.1-13, 1 Cor 3.10-11) – I am a tactical and strategic thinker by His design. Victory is the end-state not the fight. But the way we fight the good fight has everything to do with participating in the Kings victory. Good results come from good planning, and good planning comes from good character.

· I cannot return or trust Egypt for my fulfillment, identity, or protection (Ps 55.1-8,Isa 30.1-2, Mat 21.22, 1 Cor 6.19, 7.23) – I cannot rest in those things that are familiar and comfortable to me. I could use my MS as an excuse to retreat into a pathetic state of “morphine” until I die, but I will not. I could rest on the minimal finances of my retirement and not trust God for the expenses associated with a traveling/leading ministry, but I will not. I could rest on my laurels and tell old war and ministry stories, but I will not. I will trust Jesus and march on into the land of Canaan to press the fight.

· I will see His glory as I wait patiently on Him (Ps 29.4, Isa 35.2, Mat 24.30, 1 Cor 15.42-43) – I can see His glory now but I will soon see it even more and ultimately I will see His glory in full. I press on toward the high calling of God. I will do everything for His glory and cast my crown at His feet.

I can’t say that I understand completely what these things mean, but it is encouraging and gives me hope and faith for the future.

On that note I will be in some pretty significant meetings this week that will determine what my ministry will look like in the future. To be honest, I have no clue how the Navigators are going to lead me. But one thing is clear, I am to die to self and trust God by entrusting myself to their leadership. So pray that God’s will be done. Thanks for being with me during this journey and praying. I am a blessed man to have so many faithful friends. Deb and I should return to Ft Benning by Easter.

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© 2008, 2009 Following Jesus by Chuck Wood All Rights Reserved

Thanks for coming by the Blog. Tell me a little about yourself and where you are from in the comments below.

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© 2008, 2009 Following Jesus by Chuck Wood All Rights Reserved

John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.” (Luke 9:49-50)

Value #9 – Interdependent relationships in the Body of Christ in advancing the Gospel.

I asked him, “What do we need to improve in our ministry?” You get what you ask for. As Jim Downing, in his nineties and one of my heroes, started the rebuke it came from quarters I didn’t expect. “Your greatest weakness is your lack of appreciation for other ministries.” The strong admonition was unexpected but taken to heart. Since then I have been making a concerted effort to change my actions and more importantly my thinking.

Jesus had to address this same problem with member of His own team. John tells Jesus that they stopped a man from doing ministry because “he was not following us.” Jesus rebukes John and explains, “For he who is not against us is for us.” (Mark 9.38-41)

It’s good to know that I’m not the only one who struggles with a myopic view of ministry. In fact, it seems to be the tendency in most successful ministries. And yet it is so obviously a product of arrogance it should be a red flag waving in front of our faces.

The Apostle Paul gives us a pretty clear picture of how we should view other ministries.

“And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:5-7)

The Body of Christ should be functioning in a synergistic manner in order to advance the Kingdom and glorify God. For Jesus’ sake, let’s work together. One Team, One Fight!

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© 2008, 2009 Following Jesus by Chuck Wood All Rights Reserved