Plan of God vs. Man of God

I want to talk about the difference between the plan of God and the man of God. First and foremost, I want to say praise God for the men and women of God that God calls to the five-fold ministry (the truth is, we all have a role within the five-fold ministry and we’re called by God for a unique purpose). The problem is when we as humans put too much stock into the man/woman of God than we do the plan of God (which is the Kingdom of God).

The best example from the Bible is the story of Moses. Moses was chosen by God to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. The children of Israel were so used to the cruelty of Egypt that they couldn’t see beyond Egypt. And what was God trying to do? Bring them into a land that’s flowing with milk and honey. During that time, that was a blessing from God. But the children of Israel couldn’t see that. In fact, after they crossed the Red Sea, they wanted to go back to Egypt (they felt they could go back to Egypt and live on top of the world). Anyway, God was trying to get the children of Israel to rely solely on Him and He would provide. The people’s rebellion got to a point that God was going to strike them dead; however, Moses interceded for them. Where are the true intecessors in this time that we’re living in? That’s a different blogpost.

One of the challenges Moses had leading the people was that Moses had a desire for the people that the people didn’t have for themselves. As a result, Moses was so frustrated that he disobeyed God – and as a result, he was disqualified from leading the children of Israel over to the Promised Land. Fact: when Moses was disqualified, God already told the children of Israel that they were going to die in the Wilderness because of their lack of belief. They couldn’t comprehend the plan of God (or they didn’t want to trust God’s plan for them). In fact, they were so focused on the man of God that they missed God’s plan. Don’t let that be us where we’re so focused on the man/woman of God that we miss God’s plan.

When God raises a man or a woman of God to send a revelation, He’s thinking about the people and wanted to see them advanced. God wanted the children of Israel to advance, but they didn’t because they were focused on the man of God than they were the plan. Again, are we advancing to further His plan for our lives, or are we focused on the man of God. I’m not saying to disregard a man/woman of God. Praise God for them. I’m just stressing balance here.

When you obey the man/woman of God that’s to lead you, that you fulfill the kingdom of God. Those who have sow in obedience to the voice of God, you shall receive increase (now that will come in the area that God choices) – it’s just the mere fact that you’re cooperating with the plan of God – so get ready!

So why is it more about the plan of God than the man of God? Because people can get caught up with just the man/woman of God and their position opposed to the plan of God. The plan of God is the Kingdom of God – and God’s plan is locked into His purpose. In every generation, God will raise a man/woman in that generation for His plan – which is ultimately for His people. And when the people comply with the plan regardless of the man, they are increased. So, bypass the personality and position of people!!!

Example: If God gives me a Word for someone, try to bypass my personality (because I’m a handful – if you know me, you can testify), and just receive (regardless if it does or doesn’t feel good to your flesh).

I pray that you are blessed by this blogpost.

Blessings,

The Mayne Man

The Meaning of Jabez

This blogpost is a “did you know?” kind of blogpost, but also it’s a post dedicated to anyone who has suffered childhood abandonment, neglect or rejection. If you have suffered childhood abandonment, neglect or rejection, allow this blogpost comfort your heart, soul and spirit. Now many of you are familiar with the book The Prayer of Jabez or perhaps the song Bless Me. I won’t talk about either of them in this blogpost (thank God).

Surprisingly, Jabez is only mentioned in two verses within the entire Bible. So, why is Jabez important (apart from the fact that he asked the Lord to enlarge his territory and to bless him indeed)? I’m glad you asked. If you look at 1 Chronicles 4:9 (which we overlook and go directly to verse 10), we get a backdrop on the life of Jabez. Verse 9 says this: Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; but his mother named him Jabez saying, “Because I gave birth to him in pain.” Now you can look at this in one of two ways. The first way is because of the pain while giving birth to him. But let’s look at the second way. We can infer from verse 9 that there was no father in the picture. And if you think about it, within the OT, it was the father that named the child. But let’s look at the name Jabez, it also reveals the mother’s life. Jabez’s name actually means misery, pain and sorrow (and I would venture that no parent would intentionally name their child misery, pain or sorrow – maybe some would).

Think about this, in Genesis 38:18, when Rachel was about to pass away, she was giving birth to her second child (her first child was Joseph). Now, her second child’s name wasn’t originally Benjamin; it was originally named Ben-oni (son of her sorrow). That was because she was about to die. But Jacob (Rachel’s husband) named him Benjamin (son of my right hand) – to show that he was glad he was here. He didn’t want Benjamin to be a burden because of his name. Notice that it says “son of my right-hand” – that means a son in a position of importance and honor. That’s very important. How parents treat children will shape their future.

OK, back to Jabez. By giving Jabez that name, that would show the mother how she felt about him and or what he means to her. It also would show her the life she was living herself. Now, I want to expand this for a minute. Because regardless of the child’s name, but there are many parents who feel burdened because of their child, the pain that’s going on in their own lives, but also the fact that no man is stepping up to the plate to be a father (now that last part is for the single mothers). Do you know that a parent’s pain will actually shape a child’s mind if it’s left unchecked. In fact, a lot of how children turn out in life is based on the environment we were raised in. In fact, I’ll use myself in this case. When there’s an environment where secrets are held within the family unit (where there’s child abuse and child neglect), a child is going to act out all of the pain that’s inside if it’s not addressed and no healing was provided. How do I know? I’m currently in the healing process (some things were revealed as I got older in life).  – I mean I didn’t go out and do drugs, drink excessively, but there are some things I did during my teen years that I’m not proud of). Let me also say this: praise God knowing that He is the ultimate Healer, but sometimes we have to swallow our pride and seek professional help (if needed or He’s telling you to seek it) so you can walk in the inheritance that God has prepared for you.

Let’s go back to the lesson. If Jabez’s father wasn’t there, or his mother went through with his father (verbal arguments/confrontations), all that pain she had was being poured out into her son, Jabez. Sometimes parents fail to realize what we communicate to children and to the world.  But let’s look at us. If we have pain for whatever reason, we have to keep in mind what we communicate to the world. Sometimes others may experience indirect abuse because of your pain. How do I know this? I’ve done this at times (and of course, I have had to apologize on many occasions). Notice that Jabez’s mother didn’t name his other brothers that kind of name. Truth is, a son always has a good relationship with his mother (there’s a beautiful bond with a mother and a son). Let’s say hypothetically that Jabez didn’t deal with the sorrow that was brought on by his mother and he gets married. He will bring all of that into the marriage and into the children (hopefully, he will have an understanding wife that will help him heal – knowing that they are a unit and she’s in the fight with him and vice versa). But if it’s not dealt with, it’s worse at the second level.

Now I get to the crux of this blogpost: what did Jabez suffer from (just from what we read in verse 9)? Childhood rejection! You can’t be called pain, sorry, and misery without expecting rejection. Rejection can emotionally handicap you and any of you who have suffered childhood rejection will know exactly what I’m talking about! In fact, some of us have never fully healed from the rejection from childhood and it’s playing out in multiple ways (some greater, some smaller).

Here are some phrases that could hinge on childhood rejection: “if my sister wasn’t spoiled,” “if my parents would’ve protected me from my abuser,” “if my mother would stop beating me for minor things,” “if my mother or my father had spent more time with me,” and the list goes on.

I talked about some of the symptoms in a blogpost I did a few weeks back called “If God Really Loved Me, Why Was I Abused As A Child?” Here’s the link -> http://mayneman.blogspot.com/2015/10/if-god-really-loved-me-why-was-i-abused.html

Let’s now move to verse 10, what did Jabez do to break the childhood rejection? First, it said in verse 9 that Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. And he turned to the Lord. He asked the Lord to bless him indeed and enlarge his territory. As a result, God honored his request. Verse 10 says this: so Jabez cried out to the God of Israel saying, “Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border [property], and that Your hand would be on me, and You would keep me from evil so that it does not hurt me!” And God granted His request.

Jabez followed his heart beyond the words of his own mother and turned to God to boldly receive blessing, increase and freedom.

In closing: if you have suffered childhood rejection, please click on the link to read that blogpost. Now open your heart to receive this: God wants to you that He’s so good that He’s not going to let your negligent mother or father that had didn’t care about you, affect you if you come to Him. He’s saying that He’s got you, He knew you when you were in the womb. He’s also saying that He’s responsible for you and He just want you to come to Him right where you are. He wants a chance to take care of you. Stop blaming your predicament, your life and destiny on some other human being that needs a Savior just like you.

Blessings.

The Mayne Man

P.S. Also check out Psalm 34:8-10 and Psalm 27 in its entirety.

Anger In Relationships

I was listening to the radio on my way to church this morning, and on the radio was a discussion with a Christian woman who was struggling with anger because of a man in her life. It grabbed my attention because I believe there are so many people (regardless of gender) who struggle with anger and if left unchecked, it can sabotage people’s present and possibly future.

Before I begin to paraphrase the discussion that I heard on the radio, I’d like to invite people to get involved in this blogpost, because this might actually be a chapter in a book I’m working on with my copy-editor. If you want to respond to the questions at the end of this blogpost, you can respond as anonymous and let me know which comment was yours (whether an inbox on FB, direct message on Twitter, or an e-mail). If your comment is selected for the book, you will definitely remain anonymous (and of course, ask your permission). I thank you in advance.

The woman on the show called in and was struggling with anger because of how her man is treating her and their son. The interviewer is telling the woman that her response should not be based on what he does or doesn’t do, but it should be based on what’s going on inside of her and once you choose to move in the way that’s positive, you’ll make positive choices. 

The interviewer turned his attention here to where the woman was focusing on the fact that he didn’t fulfill what he said he was going to do and how that affected her and their son. As a result, it’s coming out in how she communicates with him.  He said that when she responds out of anger, she’s actually supplying the fuel that the anger needs. The expectation that’s in you for him, that he’s not fulfilling, really creates anger; but at the same time, you actually have respect for what he’s capable of doing.

Some questions in relation to this post:

1. How can you deal with anger from past relationships?
2. How can anger harm your life (present and future)?
3. Why do people renege on their promises leaving a bad taste in the other person’s mouth?
4. Why do some people allow past hurts in relationships to hinder their growth in life?
5. What is the healing process look like for you if you’ve been involved with a man who has a counterfeit spirit?
6. Do you believe it’s important to hear what people are saying? It’s been said: out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks?
7. What are the ramifications when anger takes over the conversation?
8. What are things that people say that can run the other person away?
9. Why do we make the other person the enemy when it’s really not a fight against flesh and blood?

Blessings,

The Mayne Man