DETERMINATION - July 29 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID'S 7 SECRETS
Chapter 5  "All"  pp. 74-75

STAY WITH IT

Today I am with Colin Hearn; opera singer, actor (Laurel and Hardy opening soon in London), director of 22 Continental tours, including British and Latin Continentals, and directed 3 years of Jeremiah People, and currently part of a professional acting group in the U.S.

Colin is someone who has stayed with it. No matter what doors were slammed or walls built, he has said, "Yes, I'll go and do whatever you want" when God called him.  And guess what? The Lord wanted to use his talents and special gifts. 

Some people feel that if they surrender "all" to The Lord, He will ask them to do something they are not suited for or have to go somewhere they will be unhappy and their lives would be miserable.  (Reminds me of a Scott Wesley Brown song, "Please don't send me to Africa!)


God is full of wisdom and He wants you to be both fruitful and happy.  Jesus said this in John 15:16 "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit...."

David ended up being a lot of things. Who knows what his dreams were while watching those sheep, learning to sling and practicing his harp.  Probably not of killing a giant, leading an army and putting his life in constant danger or becoming the greatest king in Israel's history.  Oh, and he wrote great praise songs right up until he died at 70.

You are chosen.  The Lord is interested in using your gifts just as much as He is the greatest preachers or evangelists or any hero from the past.  The apostle Paul said it like this in Ephesians 4: 11 and 16, "It was He who gave some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers... From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

Decide to be all that The Lord wants you to be.  Know that your path will be strewn with potholes and detours, but determine to use what you have been given and...

STAY WITH IT,

GOD WILL BLESS IT

BE LED - July 27 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter 5  “All” p. 72

BE LED

The question was, “How did the Continentals start?”  Then, “Where did you get the idea?”  An hour later, after divulging my life story to the Mexican Continentals, the bottom line was the same as it’s always been, “I focused on making myself available to whatever God wanted from my life.   I wanted to make a difference.  I spent time every day during my college years telling the Lord these things.  I meant it.  I wanted Him to use me.” 

I went to every Deeper Life meeting and event I could find and, as a result, I listened to many of the great men God had used to do amazing things.  Stephen Olford, (Olford of London) left me with “totalitarian surrender”. That was 60 years ago and the phrase still reverberates in my heart and motivates me.  The Lord gives us ideas and lays out His plans to achieve them.

God wants to use you, too, and if you ask Him to, He will.  It’s a prayer he always answers.  It may not end up a global ministry, but it will be powerful and effective if you follow God’s leading. He uses people like you and me.

I have just been with the Mexican Continentals.  Here is a picture with Ross (Rosalba), their Director.

She has her own business as a graphic designer and is taking time off to reach people for Christ through a music ministry.  Here is a brief video of her preaching during their concert followed by a picture of people making their decision to follow Jesus Christ.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at93uHmwR_I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w79BXP0n-3Y

God is using Ross - she is being led. Pray for this Continental tour as they sing and make a difference throughout the Mexico City area right now.

David said in Psalm 143:10, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good spirit lead me on level ground.”  And in Psalm 27:11, “Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path.”  David knew about bumps in the road and he encountered them almost every day that God was leading him.  It kept his eyes on the Lord and it didn’t stop him from going forward either.

   

ASK THE LORD TO KEEP YOUR PATH 

STRAIGHT AND LEVEL!

TESTIFY #2 - July 26 Today's Perspective (from Mexico)

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S SEVEN SECRETS

Chapter 8, “You Can Do This”  P.104

MORE TESTIMONIES

Yesterday I reminded all of us about David’s desire to testify about God’s greatness “to the whole assembly” which of course was everyone.  He organized and appointed hundreds of worship leaders during his time as King and ordered the use of singers and instruments.  “All these men were under the supervision of their fathers for the music of the temple of the Lord, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God…All of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord--they numbered 288.” 

I Chronicles 25:5-7.

Here are some more pictures and video of the Mexican Continentals, just on tour today starting in Mexico City - a small team also trained and skilled in music testifying and sharing about their upcoming tour in Mexico.

I am standing with the Mexican Continentals in front of the great pyramid of Teotihuacan built by the descendants of the Aztecs 8,000 years ago who were sun worshippers. These Continentals are worshippers and testify to the greatness of the Son of God who created the sun!

At the top of the pyramid

Our wonderful Mexican Continental team "Cantantes Continentales de Mexico" 

with Lum their director.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOr0N6bGj80

They are going out presenting the good news of Jesus Christ in a wonderful musical program. These verses from 2 Timothy 1:7 & 8 capture the spirit of this group and all those who carry the message of Christ “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of love and self-discipline so do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord…”

PRAY FOR GOD’S SPECIAL BLESSING ON “ROSALBA” THEIR TOUR LEADER AND MUSICAL DIRECTOR AND THE WHOLE TEAM.

TESTIFY - July 25 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Eight “You Can Do This” p. 104A

TESTIMONY

David gave us this example from Psalm 40:8-10, “I desire to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.  I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as You know, O Lord.  I do not hide Your righteousness in my heart; I speak of Your faithfulness and salvation.”

The Apostle Paul told us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 and 20, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.  We are, therefore, Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”

Today I am with the Mexican Continentals in Mexico City!  I heard them sing yesterday morning in an anniversary celebration for the church where they were performing.  They are having a powerful ministry down here through their music and their testimonies.

Here are some pictures and videos from yesterday and today.  Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ80GyAOcgg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vviNijgCZVk

This is our calling…. You performers remember what this was like!

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN,

WITH OR WITHOUT THE MUSIC!

ENDURANCE - July 20 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Eight, “You Can Do This” p. 101

HANGIN’ IN

Endurance is different from determination or perseverance because it implies going through some kind of pain, hurt, anguish, or some difficulty that looms just ahead, or is already coming against you. It means you have made the decision to face it head on, whatever it is, or however hard it might be.

If you are a high altitude mountain climber, you have decided to endure cold, lack of sleep, to risk your life, and go for the summit.  Athletes also make decisions to be willing to endure the hours of extreme training, beyond hurt, to be successful.

David endured lots of hardships following the call God put on his life. Not the least of which was finding himself in physical danger most days of his life.  The worst had to be going through the rebellion of his son, Absalom, who had determined to kill his father and take over the kingdom.  David endured because he knew God would never abandon him as he wrote in Psalm 138:8, “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord, endures forever- - do not abandon the works of Your hands.”

The apostle Paul was teaching young Timothy when he told him, “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Tim 2:3 and again in 4:5, “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”  The implication is that ministry is hard, and we must endure, because we know the Lord will not abandon us.

There is another kind of endurance that simply means “something that will last forever”.  Only God is part of that one. Jesus said, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you” John 6:27.

The apostle Peter has the final word on this, speaking of Jesus Christ he said, “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and ENDURING Word of God” I Peter 1:23.

        

DECIDE TO ENDURE,

FOREVER IS ON YOUR SIDE

POWER - July 13 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter One, “Bring on the Giants.” P.4

THE POWER IS THE HOLY SPIRIT

As a young man full of desire to be all that God wanted me to be, I truly believed I could do anything.  Give me a challenge and I would get it done.  If someone said, “You can’t,” I would say, “Watch me.”  It was bold, youthful folly in some ways, and absolutely full of belief in others.  I really meant it, and whatever the task, I gave it my all.

About that same time, Thurlow Spurr (who was mentoring me) said, “you can work 90% and inspire 10% or you can inspire 90% and work 10%.”  Learning that saved me some time in getting things done!  That, along with the more mature discovery that if you wanted to make a difference for Christ in this world, you had to learn to depend and surrender your will to the Holy Spirit.  He is the true inspirer and that’s where the power is.  Once I realized this truth, the Lord was able to use my energy for His plan.

David’s power throughout his whole life came at his anointing as a youth.  Once Samuel had gathered all of Jesse’s sons and the Lord confirmed that the youngest, David, was to be the next king, 1 Sam.16:13 says, “So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power.”

You have untapped power available to you today as well.  In Acts 1:8 Jesus said to his followers, “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witness…”.  Jesus made it clear that to have the Holy Spirit in your life, you need to ask for Him to come in.  “If you then know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”  Luke 11:13

That’s the prayer we need to pray every day.  In 1987, the Continentals toured the musical, ELIJAH.  The big song was called “Power”.  Here are the lyrics of the chorus:  

“There is power when you pray, 

power when you stay 

on your knees thru the night; 

when you wait for the answer to come 

even after the morning light.  

There is power when you pray 

the impossible away, 

believe and receive.  

There is power when God’s people pray.”  

Now that you know where the power comes from,

ASK GOD TO FILL YOU 

WITH HIS HOLY SPIRIT

SERVANT ATTITUDE - July 12 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter One, “Bring on the Giants,” pp. 1-2

THE SERVANT 

ATTITUDE    

                 

The truth is, we like the idea, but throughout the day we really do not think of ourselves as servants.  We want to be the leaders, the proprietors!

The thing is, if the top business owners or managers, the top salesman, the most famous singers, or most recognized actors or athletes had a servant attitude, people would be astounded and work harder or admire even more.  It’s a strange truth.

When you consider the greatest person who ever lived, the servant attitude does come to mind.  Jesus talked about it and even acted it out for his disciples to emulate.  He said in Matthew 20:26-28, “…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”  Then a couple chapters later in 23:11 he repeats, “The greatest among you will be your servant.”

Later at the last supper He washed His disciple’s feet as an example for them to do likewise.   I have seen and heard of many Continental directors who did the same, and washed the feet of their tour members to help them realize none were any better than the other.  The spotlight operator was as important as the finest soloist.

David’s title for Psalm 18 and 36 were as follows, “For the director of music. Of David, the servant of the Lord.”  Wow, how cool is that!  Then, in Psalm 143: 11-12 he writes. “For Your Name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life…for I am Your servant.” And in Psalm 144:9-10 he says, “I will sing a new song to You, O God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to You, to the One who gives victory to kings, who delivers His servant David from the deadly sword.”

In 1978, we recorded a song by Larry Norman that really dug deep into the hearts of all The Continentals that toured that year, developing the servant attitude in each one.  The last verse says… 

“I am a servant getting ready for my part. 

There’s been a change, 

a rearrangement in my heart.  

At last, I’m learning, 

there’s no returning once I start.  

To live’s a privilege, 

to love is such an art.  

But I need Your help to start, 

O, please purify my heart.  

I am Your servant.”

HAVE A SERVANT HEART

ATTITUDE - July 11 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter One, “Bring on the Giants” p. 8

ATTITUDE IS 

EVERYTHING                

Mine is good today.  The weather is perfect, had some time for a few sets of tennis.  I can feel the Lord giving me direction.  I am extremely grateful and I’m letting Him know about it.  As things fall into place, today is easy… so far.

It’s when things get hard or out of hand that we seem to lose our good attitude.  Frustration, anger and impatience rise to the surface and spill over on everyone around us.

Some days when you realize how really hard it is for most people in the world, and you look at your friends or acquaintances suffering with physical or financial difficulties, then you can put your situation in a proper perspective.

David understood that the Lord knew everything and was totally in charge of his life when he wrote, “O Lord, you have searched me, and You know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways…You hem me in, behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me….” Ps. 139: 1-6.

Here’s how Jesus said we should handle the things coming our way, “Do not worry saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink’ or ‘What shall we wear?...But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore, do no worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Consider this, God may have interrupted your schedule or your plan to save you from grief or trouble.  Sometimes disaster is averted because our plans got temporarily disrupted and the Lord was behind it all the time!

Come to grips with the fact that the Lord must be in control or we are out of control.  Like our friend Andrae Crouch wrote - 

 “I’ve got confidence, God is gonna see me through.  

No matter what the case may be, 

I know He’s gonna fix it for me.”

He’s got your front and your back, so be ok with that and do your best to…

KEEP A GOOD ATTITUDE

PATIENCE - July 8 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Two, “Sit At God’s Round Table,” pp. 23-25

PATIENCE…. IS NOT MY VIRTUE!

Well, that’s being harsh on myself, but I have to admit, I have stepped through doors believing I had the perfect plan before there was a clear “ok go for it” from the Lord.  This goes along with my feelings about waiting in lines, as well as being in traffic, when I know the Lord wants me somewhere at a certain time and there is just no way without wings.

Small stuff for sure when you think about David.  He was anointed King as a teenager and had to be patient for 20 years before it really happened. Most of that time he was running, afraid, and fighting for his life.  Just the same, he was able to say in his Psalm 40:1-2, “I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit…He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”  And as hard and terrifying as it must have been, he lived what he said, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” Ps. 37:7.

When you want a decision right now, and have to convince someone over you like a boss, a manager, an administrator, a government official, or a lead pastor, take heart from Solomon’s wise words in Proverbs 25:15, “Through patience, a ruler can be persuaded….”  David, his father, adds, “Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord.”

Patience really was one of David’s 10 virtues, and one each of us should aspire to. So, don’t wait around and think about it,

BE PATIENT RIGHT NOW!

MOVE OUT - July 7 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter One, “Bring on the Giants” pp. 6-7

STAND UP, MOVE OUT

“Don’t ask the Lord to guide your steps unless you are willing to move your feet.”  I didn’t create that line, but I really believe in that directive.  Yesterday we blogged about it being time to take our stand, here’s more….

In 1993, The Continentals recorded an album by the title of this blog. We actually sang Michael Jackson’s, “We are here to change the world.”  The song is not as important as the message.  God has us here as His ambassadors to do just that, to change the world for Him.  “We are, therefore, Christ’s ambassadors as though God were making his appeal through us..." 2 Cor. 5:20.  The Lord is counting on us to stand up for Him. We can’t do that without moving our feet.

David was all action.  When the enemy knocked on the door, he was quick to answer it. He believed God led him every time because he prayed for God’s leadership and His will before he even answered the door.  “Since You are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your Name, lead and guide me.”  Ps. 31:13

There is a verse in Ezekiel that is one of my life scriptures.  It was written many years after David’s life, when the country had turned from worshiping the Lord.  He said, “The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them justice.  I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall, and stand before me in the gap, on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.”  Ezekiel 22:31

God is still looking for people like you and me who will stand in whatever gap for Him. Paul’s confident message in Roman’s 8:31 is our backup.  “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

In that 1993 recording was a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called, “For the Sake of the Call”.

“We will abandon it all, for the sake of the call.

No other reason at all, but the sake of the call.

Wholly devoted to live and to die, for the sake of the call.”

This is our reason to stand.  Now it time to….

MOVE OUT!

STAND - July 6 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7  SECRETS

Chapter two, “Sit at God’s Round Table”... (Courage… pp.12-13)

                                

 TIME TO TAKE YOUR STAND

                                                                                                              

Did you ever hear the phrase, “If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything?”  In today’s world we Christians need to stand strong for our beliefs, not only before our families, but also our friends; those we socialize with, those we work with and those we just have fun and do sport with.

David stood for the Lord and let everyone know about it starting with Goliath.  After Goliath taunted David with words about giving his flesh to the birds and beasts, David said, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.  This day the Lord will hand you over to me and I’ll strike you down…and the whole world will know there is a God in Israel.”  I Sam. 17:45-46

The problem is we are living in a world where we are supposed to be “politically correct” whatever that means, but it can get in the way of “telling it like it really is.”  People today don’t want to be noticed, or ruffle feathers, they just want to tread easy and waffle through like marshmallows not making waves. I call it the Laodicea complex, neither hot or cold.  Peter, Jesus disciple, said this, “…always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect.” I Peter 3:15

Being argumentative isn’t good either, Solomon David’s son said in Proverbs 25:15, “…a gentle tongue can break a bone!”

I really think we have to do what Paul said in Ephesians 6:10-17. It’s a lot of scripture, but it gets my juices and my heart tensed up and ready to go.  “Finally, be strong in the Lord and His mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can TAKE YOUR STAND, against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to STAND YOUR GROUND, and after you have done everything, to stand, STAND FIRM THEN, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith…. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God….with all this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying….”

                      

IT’S TIME WE TOOK OUR STAND!

CELEBRATE! July 4-5 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Seven, “Cry Out and Shout” pp. 88-90

CELEBRATE THE LORD                    

If you are an American, I hope you had a great time this past weekend celebrating our country’s birthday and freedom.  And wherever in the world you are, I hope you had a fabulous time celebrating your special freedom in Christ, and that with enthusiasm and excitement.

“Enthusiasm covers a multitude of sins.”  Is that a verse in the Bible?   Nope!  It’s reality though if you want to convince someone about… well, just about anything!   And, when you are excited, people are drawn to your joy!

So much about worship in the Bible has celebration as part of it. Remember Jesus riding a mule into Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday?   “The whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to Praise God in loud voices.  Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples.’  ‘I tell you,’ He replied, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out!’”  Luke 19:37, 39-40.

Worship can get really exciting!  Psalm 47:1-2 says, “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.  How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth.”

David celebrated this way so often.  In 1 Chronicles Chapter 15, David appointed 818 Levites to lead worship as he brought the Ark of Moses into Jerusalem.  There were unnumbered instrumentalists accompanying 288 singers with trumpets, flutes, harps, lyres and cymbals, all dancing and praising before the Lord.  Now that was a big worship band!

David wrote about such a celebration in Psalm 68:24-25, “Your procession has come into view, O God, the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary. (Can’t you just see them coming down the aisles like the Continentals!) In front are the singers, after them the musicians, with them are the maidens playing tambourines…”

Wow… getting some tingles.  We call it “chicken skin” in Hawaii. Whatever you call it, next Sunday, or any day you like this week, just celebrate with excitement and enthusiasm and let your joy spill over onto everyone as you….

CELEBRATE THE LORD

NOTHING COMES EASY - July 1 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Two, “Sit at God’s Round Table” p. 30

EASY COME, EASY GO

Every great athlete has to train beyond hurt, past a normal, reasonable effort to achieve greatness.  The same goes in building a great company, a strong military, or a powerful effective ministry.  Nothing comes easy.

To achieve all that is possible for you, and all that God has in mind for you, you must have this attitude as expressed by Jesus in Luke 9:62 when talking about the cost of following Him.   He said, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God.” Total focus, going above, beyond, and to the sides, to pass and overcome obstacles is what it takes.  It is not easy.

For David it was never easy either.  When he was winning battles for Saul, he was accused of aspiring to the throne.  When he finally became the King of Judah, he was greeted with two huge battles with the Philistine army and civil war with Israel.

When he had finally defeated all his enemies, his son rebelled and tried to take the kingdom, and David’s best friend went over to the wayward son.  In one of his final outings with his army, another giant, Ishbi-Benob, tried to kill him and he had to be rescued by one of his mighty men.

It was never easy and never really over for David.  All along his journey he wrote and prayed these kinds of prayers, “I cry out to God Most high, to God, who fulfills His purpose for me.” Ps. 57:2 and “You are my God. My times are in Your hand…” Ps. 31:14-15.  We cannot get ahead of or change God’s plan for us either.  Every step, hard or easy, needs His direction.

If things come easy, they could also go away easy, without the right work ethic. Paul had it right in order to accomplish what he did.  He was all in!  “We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.  To this end, I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me.” Col 1: 28-29.  And then in 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

It is easier to quit, to stop, or leave! But, when it really gets hard or everyone seems to be against you, remember what Jesus said in John 16:33, “In this world, you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world!”  So it is true….

NOTHING COMES EASY

But it is a lot easier when the Lord is in control