Is Judas or Jonathan In Your Circle of Friends?

This blog was dropped in my spirit an hour ago. I want to start this blog with a question: How many times have you seen on social media, people are complaining about those who they thought were friends but turned out to be fake? Now, if you're one who experiences this quote often, ask yourself, how many Judas Iscariot's are in your circle? Then ask, how many Jonathan's are in your circle? Before I go any further, let me say this: both are needed in your life, BUT, you need to regulate the Judas' and cultivate the Jonathan's.  

James 1 says that if we lack wisdom, let him ask of God. Believe me, He will do it. Proverbs 4 says to guard your heart. Jesus said to be wise as serpents (now the serpent was crafty) but harmless as doves. That must be seriously balanced. Many times we do one or the other.

Ok. Let's start with Judas. Jesus chose Judas to be part of the inner circle. Many will speculate why he was chosen, but I don't want to focus there. If you were to look at the character of Judas, he was not only a thief, but an impostor of a disciple. He hid his true colors so well that the other 11 disciples didn't know. Judas will walk with you, talk with you, but once you encroach on his personal agenda, he will betray. Judas wanted an earthly king. Now watch this, Judas sold Jesus out for 30 pieces of silver. Many people reading this have been betrayed in some shape or form. For some of the Judas' in your life, you were able to detect a snake immediately. Some will come subtlety to rip your world in two. When the devil came to Eve, he came with doubts and a desire to disrupt the plan of God. When most impostors attack, they wait until your heart is fully attached to the friendship (and relationship/marriage if it gets to that point), before the mask comes out. 

This is why friendships need to be covered in prayer and you need the wisdom of God. With me personally, I detect impostors by conversations. Sometimes The Lord will have me ask a certain question just to show me their reaction. But this is Godly Wisdom. He may have you challenge your friends in a different manner. God wants to protect you, the devil wants you to get sucked in via his impostors. Prayer, fasting & interceding can assist in you regulating and cultivating friendships. Most of the people you have to regulate, you'll end up terminating. It hurts to lose people in your circle, but I believe peace of mind is better than a heart ripped out of you. 

Now let's look at Jonathan. In 1 Samuel 18 starting with the first verse: As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father's house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.

Wow! A true friend will love you as he loves his own soul. No selfish agenda here. Now watch this: Jonathan was the son of King Saul (who God rejected as king). How many of your friends love you as they love their own soul? That's a very important question. Don't be surprised if you only find one or two people. And that's a good thing. Think about it: less people, less drama. Jesus wasn't about drama. When the 70 disciples left, He looked at the 12 and asked them, "are you leaving also?" It's been said: extra baggage carries a lot of weight and you have to pay for that extra weight.

Continuing with Jonathan: in 1 Samuel 19, King Saul told Jonathan that he was going to kill David. Now you would think that a son would be loyal to their father (they should unless the father is for evil like Saul was). Jonathan loved David so much, that he would protect David from his father. Now that's a good friend, right there. Now how many of you desire that kind of a friend?

Now a question you might be asking: 

How did Judas hide his character so well? Remember that a demon spirit can easily transform into an angel of light (and will speak things your ear wants to hear). Again, discernment is key. Now, I'm not saying cut everybody off cause you've been burned (and I know many reading this have been burned terribly - broken friendships, relationships, marriages, and the list goes on). 

In closing, if someone entices you to do wrong, that's not a friend. If someone starts off as sweet, discern and watch. Just like Jesus said to watch & pray, do the same. He wants to protect you from the fake people. He gave us life to enjoy abundantly. 

Blessings:

The Mayne Man

Relationship 101 (A Woman's Response)

Earlier today, I posted the 3rd Revelation of Relationship 101. Now as I promised, here's a response from a woman's perspective to the same 3 questions.

I asked Pastor Shantae Charles & Evangelist Marva Johnson to weigh in on these questions. So, without further delay, let's get into it.

Question 1:

In the realm of relationships (marriage), would you say that for a man, a protector is who he is or are there things he can learn to be better equipped as a protector of his wife and kids?

Pastor Charles: There are always things a man can learn to be a better protector. Practically, he can receive mentorship or take classes in his weak areas. Spiritually, he can read the Word of God which is laced with much wisdom throughout in nearly every area of life.

Evangelist Johnson: The way that God created men, that's one of Adam's responsibilities. At the same time, a woman has to know God first as her husband. It's important that a woman knows that it's God first, especially if a woman has been in a toxic relationship (abuse, abandonment, etc.). Those relationships leave holes in a woman and if she doesn't know God as a protector first, she will put undue pressure on the next man to ensure what happened before doesn't happen again. A man is supposed to protect and provide, but there's a lot that a woman needs to be and to do for a relationship to be balanced. 

Question 2: 

There are some men who can claim to be protectors, but are impostors. What can women do in this case?

Pastor Charles: Women can pray and seek God first of all. They can ask for God's discernment to expose impostors. They can also introduce the person of interest to men they trust who can give an honest assessment of the person. A man's night out with some of your male friends can expose what he may keep hidden from your view as woman (like a wandering eye, for instance).

Evangelist Johnson: Sadly, this is a time where the very elect will be deceived (in fact, Jesus said if it were possible, even the very elect will be deceived). There are many impostors, predators, vampires & pimps in the church. 

If a woman is in the Word and spending time with God, she can protect herself. The only way a woman can be deceived is if she wants to be deceived. The Holy Spirit sends flags (and examples in the Word). Adam didn't have to eat that fruit, he CHOSE to. The same holds true for women and men too. Women need to go slow and not get caught up in emotions. Slow & steady wins the race. If you're caught up in emotions, you'll miss the signs (and the devil will come as an angel of light). Look at relationships like layers. You have to peel and peel till you get to the core. In fact, the further you peel, the more it burns your eyes. Chefs will tell you to put an onion in the freezer for 15 minutes. If a woman keeps herself cool (and under control) she can read the signs. In fact, 6-9 months you'll start to see who he is. If a woman is connected to God, impostors will eventually be exposed. 

Question 3: 

There may be men who may feel like they are not prepared (or they are but the enemy is attempting with every fiber to get in his mind to say "you're not prepared, she can see through you, or you're trying to win her over)," what can the men & women do? 

Pastor Charles: There is a level of preparation that has to occur, but I also see preparation used as a stall method for being indecisive. If you are not ready, get ready. If you are not ready, give yourself a time frame that you will seek to be in preparation mode (6 months to a year), focusing on things you see that may need to change in you. Don't let it be an open-ended phrase, because you will not prepare. 

Evangelist Johnson: Prayer and fasting is it right there. When you can't do it, God can. He will give you insight on what to do and not to do. The key is to stay open before The Lord for that's going to help protect your wife and kids. Know what your call is and what battles you have to fight. Once you get out of the emotional realm, it's easier to get into the spiritual realm for that person God called you to. Men need to govern themselves according to Scripture. A man needs to lead himself before he can lead his family. There is a difference between single and being married. When he gets married, things will shift because your wife and kids now is your ministry; but he must maintain his relationship with The Lord. When he's single, he could just focus on The Lord, marriage requires a shift. One more thing a man needs to do is to cast down every thought that comes against God and against your mate. A book I recommend is by John Eckhardt entitled Prayers That Rout Demons. 

I pray this has blessed someone.

As you have read both of their responses, don't be surprised if you see Shantae's responses again in Volume 2 of Robert & Shantae's marriage series. If you want to get volume 1, here's the link (and it's only available as an e-book).   

http://www.amazon.com/Church-B-L-I-S-S-Believe-Sacred-Special-ebook/dp/B00IH5H440/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409442442&sr=1-6&keywords=Shantae+A+Charles

In closing, Shantae did a lesson on Broken Ribs. I encourage you all to check this out. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOEUyD_s70o&list=UUAJ3403CdrZraIiL8JHDRJw&index=4

Has Church Hurt Left You Wounded?

This was a blogpost I wanted to do 2 years ago, and I'm finally getting to do this. I have met a lot of people in my life that come from different walks. One thing I find interesting to me is when people tell me that they have been hurt by the church. I don't argue with people who have, but I listen. Why do I listen? Because the church is to be a place where people are to get help, not a place where a wound never heals and it becomes a permanent scar. 

There are many people who have been hurt by the church, and as a result, they say they believe (and will display holiness), but they don't want to be preached at (cause in their minds, they are independent and they have my own identity) and still love God. I find that people with this mentality have been hurt horrifically (whether it be sexual abuse, domestic abuse, or emotional abuse), they say they are perfectly find yet they don't want to be helped. The end result ends up being "hurt people hurt people." 

When you're hurt, you'll easily will take offense (or become very defensive) when someone is trying to help you. People who really have the spirit of God are not trying to criticize these hurt people or preach at them, but actually speaking in a spirit of love.

As I think about what I just typed, most people who are hurt by the church, have placed their faith in their church leader, church building, or church denomination over the Bible. Anybody who does that will more & likely be hurt and wounded. 

I asked my Sister Adrienna Turner for her thoughts on this topic, and she made me think about a few other things why people can be wounded by the church. This is not a full-list, but I know people who have been hurt can identify with some things I'm about to mention:

1. You are tired churches asking for money to upgrade their podiums, auditoriums, or buildings when we need to be building up the body (people) inside of the church and going out on the byways.

2. Church cliques creep up and you're cared for cause you're not in their clique.

3. About every month, two months or semi-annual, there's a sermon that's to make you feel guilty and state that the church needs your money. 

4. Constant talks about upgrading the youth center, their buildings, etc.

5. If you're pregnant and single, hell and damnation is preached over you. 

6. You are judged for your wrong and the leader gets a slap on the wrist.

I know many of you have more to add to the list, but let me say this: churches may fail, but the Bible never fails. Compare whatever church you attend to what the Bible says the church is to be. Yes, there will be some leaders and some people in the congregation perpetrating to be part of the flock. If your needs are not met in the church, talk to God. He will listen because He cares (considering He made you). I ask that you don't repel everybody because of one person's stupidity! Some of the people you are shewing away could be angels, but because you're wounded (or you are doing a good job faking that you're healed knowing you're still wounded), you will miss small blessings. 

Blessings!

The Mayne Man 

A Call To The Five-Fold

This was not a planned blog, but my spirit is full this morning, and I want to empty it right now. I have a love for those called to the five-fold (regardless of your position), but there's something on my spirit that needs to be addressed to us specifically. I believe this blogpost is a call to the five-fold (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors & Teachers).

In 1 Samuel 3, we find The Lord calling Samuel. Many times we focus our sermons on the phrase, "Here am I Lord," and that's fine. What I want to focus on is this: Samuel was young and he was tuned to what God was trying to say through the prophet Samuel. Dropping down to verse 15, we find that Samuel was afraid to tell Eli what God had to say to Eli. Now I pose this question, have we in the five-fold become afraid to expose the spirits that creep up in our homes, our churches, etc.? I'm not talking about the obvious spirits (that we typically see in the news media, entertainment industry, and obvious sins in the church); but the ones lurking around in the church as impostors that are not so obvious: one being the lustful spirit (where sheep are lusting after the pastor knowing he or she is married); the second being the shearing spirit (it's mission is to take down members of the flock to satisfy their own lusts). Yes, we know are assignments, the devil knows it also. He also knows that if we don't call out those spirits mentioned above (and many others not mentioned), the entire body will be divided. We have allowed too many demonic spirits to get in the body (under our watch) mostly due to us being prideful in our office, but here's the real tragedy. When one who is really walking in their five-fold calls out the impostors, some will label him or her as the outcast. If nothing is done with the impostor, destruction is inevitable.

A question one might ask, how can you tell what spirit an impostor is carrying (especially if they are claiming to be part of the body)? Listen to the conversation - that's typically a tell all (and if their tone or facial expression shows traces of denial). Two examples:

1. If they sound desperate from a fleshly standpoint, you can tell there's a worldly desire unmet and they're trying to infect it on you (as a form of control).

2. If they push you or encourage you to stay in sin, then no matter how many times they talk about God, that's an impostor transformed into an angel of light.

Now, there may be some in the body just wounded (they are to be treated with care). Sometimes we can easily make the mistake and cast out the wounded and embrace the unrepentant impostor with the sole intent to decimate the body of Christ). We in the five-fold must be aware. We can easily focus on those with titles and holding them accountable (which we should), but if we don't watch those under our care; they can take us out, which is the game plan of the devil.

That was on my spirit this morning. I pray that this encourages you, for we have work to do.

Blessings:

The Mayne Man