Mentoring Minutes

(Colossians 1:16)

After a couple of weeks of paying tribute and honoring several of God’s children that He has called home, including my precious Mother, I’m returning specifically to the Love & Lordship message of this ministry.  I fully believe that The Holy Spirit led me to share about the lives of those who have passed on as part of this ministry and as a way of encouraging us to stand firm in our faith and hope in the power and grace of God’s Truth and Love in Christ!

As I return to sharing about L&L let’s compare and contrast God’s Authority and the world’s and see whether or not we are living in His or conformed to the culture’s way of “leading?”

Following are 7 characteristics of authority in line with either God’s Word or the world’s way…

1) True Authority aligns with God Himself, The True Author.  The first thing we must do is determine whether it aligns with God’s Word?  Are you spending time in His Word to know the Authority of His Truth and how to apply it to every part of your life? (Proverbs 3:5-6; Colossians 3:17, 24)

In contrast with yesterday’s devotional focus, we see the prevailing characteristic of authority according to the world and our flesh…

2) The world/culture defines and practices authority as control or lording over others…is authority practiced in this way?

Whenever you see anyone in any setting, including marriage and family, our churches, and even in a secular setting in the office or workplace who is controlling, manipulating, domineering or “lording it over” others, even if they claim to be a Christian, they are not walking in Kingdom authority.   See the first characteristic above for God’s True Authority and be willing to recognize in your own life, marriage, family and other relationships whether or not you are walking in that True Authority or practicing worldly authority. If you’re not, it may give you results but it’s not in line with His Truth and Authority (Matthew 20:20-28).

We can only do this if Jesus Christ truly reigns in our hearts as we willingly surrender to His Authority!

If we want to know and walk in real authority, which can only come from The Author, then we must look to Him and away from the world’s authority as we have contrasted in the first two points. When we spend time to get to know Him in His Word and prayer, quiet time and listening, we find that…

3) God, The Author, defines and models in Christ, True Authority as loving relational servant-leadership.

How have you perceived, lived out and understood authority? There is only one True Authority and that is what The Father has given to Christ…all Authority. (John 13:3, 5, 35; Ephesians 1:20-21; Philippians 2:9-11)

As we seek to grow in and model Him then we learn to live out authority that comes from loving others and being invited to have influence in their lives just as Christ did. In doing so they will seek and hopefully come to know Him as Savior and Lord.

Now comes the tough part…based on the first three points from God’s Word we must test to see if the authority is in line with God’s Word. God doesn’t tell us to find true leaders from the government, business, media or education. He doesn’t even call us to find true leaders from His Church. He calls us to be great leaders first in our marriages and families…then if we’ve done the job there we may be called to lead Christ’s Family, The Church.  With this in mind we continue with a clear design and path to True Authority and servant-leadership that we would be wise to follow…

4) What does the authority look like in the marriage and family? (1 Timothy 3:4-5)

Let’s live it out in our marriage and family and trust The Lord to give us the influence beyond that…True Authority according to His Covenant design and Word.

As we continue to test what authority we are walking in and practicing in our homes, churches and culture, we can build the relationships and hold each other accountable within those loving relationships to determine…

5) Which authority is reflected in your church…Lording it over others or loving relational servant-leadership? (Mark 9:33-35; John 3:30)

If we do not see the latter in our homes we are not going to see it in our churches. It must begin with our dying to self and surrendering to Christ.

As we continue to discern real authority in our lives, relationships and in Christ’s Church (ultimately all authority is His and flows from Him), we can begin to clearly see the differences between worldly “leading” or authority and Godly Authority…

6) Worldly authority prioritizes production, results, and success over people.

The key word here is “prioritizes.” There is nothing in Scripture that prohibits us from being successful but it does clearly state that it must be done for His Kingdom and Glory and that which brings Him Glory in us is the currency of the Kingdom…loving relationships! Test your heart even as, and before, you discern and test your leading and that of others. We must have a heart fully surrendered to, and maturing in, Christ or we are only cultural leaders propped up by our own accomplishments drawing others to follow us rather than pointing them to Christ and allowing Him to bring Kingdom fruit through us as branches in The Vine (John 15:1-17, emphasis vv. 4-5).

We can produce nothing even in high positions of leadership in this world if we are apart from Christ as we are simply called to remain in Him and in so doing we bear His fruit…and hopefully much Kingdom/Spirit fruit!

We’ve been looking at Godly Authority vs worldly authority and the stark contrast according to God’s Word (Matthew 20:24-28). We wrap up with the reality of what God has said that authority is according to His Word and as modeled in His Son and our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. In order to do this we must put on Christ (Colossians 3:12-14)

7) Godly (True) Authority prioritizes people and relationships over things, outcomes, and success. Remember the currency of the Kingdom is loving relationships and ultimately Love is True Authority. Not the love of the world but the agape of God in Christ and in us through His Holy Spirit.

Love and Lordship…Food for Thought – Allow these characteristics to help you discern and practice Godly Authority in your life, marriage, family and in His Church as well as recognize and encourage it in others as well!

Love and Lordship…Action Item(s) –

1. Read the Scriptures in this article and ask The Holy Spirit to teach you.
2. What are you doing well and what needs to change for you to walk in Kingdom Authority?
3. How can you model True Authority in your marriage and family?  
4. How will you model, and help others model, Kingdom Authority in your church family?

(Psalm 145:4)

Continuing with the different direction from last week as God continues to move us in a different direction.

My Mom entered hospice last Friday afternoon (9/3/21) and then the waiting game started for the arrival of my brother from LA and his son from Utah on Saturday for all of us to be together with her.

Once they arrived we gathered around her bed and sang some of her favorite hymns and she wanted a family picture. I write this with tears because God saw fit to bless me with the most incredible Mom (and Dad) and it is not easy to let her go.

Even more so I want all of you to know that she has been such a tremendous blessing to every family member and friend that came to see her! Why?

Because she is preparing to go be with her Savior and Lord and see her Heavenly Father and all her family and friends that have gone before her…she knows that with a deep abiding faith that is overriding every worry and fear!

She was and is an incredible blessing to us even in her final days and hours and beyond! The peace, joy and contentment in The Love of Her Lord displayed in her heart and on her face were amazing!

My brother, my sister and I rise up (as well as her grandchildren) and call her blessed and my Dad praises her (Proverbs 31:28-31).  I (we) love her dearly.

Whatever I am today…my marriage, family, children and faith is because The Lord blessed me with her! My brother, sister and nephew are blessed. My children are blessed because of her and their children will be blessed as well to a thousand generations!  (Deuteronomy 7:9)

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.”   — 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

I read this poem when I officiated a friend’s funeral service recently and thought it was appropriate to help encourage all of us…

GOD KNOWS BEST

“And though beyond understanding,

May this set your heart at rest,

That somewhere in all His goodness,

Our Loving God knows best.”

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”     — 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

If you do not know Christ as Savior and Lord, please consider submitting your life to Him as every other submission in this life is a HEAVY yoke but His teaching and authority is in Love making His yoke easy and His burden light (Matthew 11:28-30).

What burdens are you carrying today that you need to cast on Him? Humble yourself before Him recognizing who you are apart from Him and know you need Him…or who you are in Him and cast all on Him (1 Peter 5:6-7)!

He’s already done away with sin, death and hell for all who believe in Him and He wants to do the same for you.

My precious Mother went Home to be with her Savior and Lord on Tuesday morning (9/7/21). I have to reiterate this because while she was a world-class worrier especially in the last few years with all her illness and pain, by the grace of God, the last few days she laid down all fear, anxiety and worry and let her deep abiding faith and hope in Christ see her through.

It was and incredible blessed to see her continuing to share her faith with her grandchildren and everyone she spoke with through tears and laughter.

This is the faith that I always knew she had, that we talked about constantly, and that she wanted everyone to know.

You can’t have that kind of faith and joy when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4) unless you truly know Christ as Savior and Lord.

I want to share two stories about my Mom…one in her life and the other in her death…

I speak, teach and preach at numerous churches. After speaking at one church I had a couple approach me and asked if my Mom was Peggy Williams. I replied that she was and they said, “We thought so.”

They shared their names and I remembered them as a couple of young kids that wreaked havoc on my Mom’s bus (she and my Dad drove a school bus in Harrison County, KY, for over 20 and 28 years, respectively) and gave her problems almost every day. However, just as she did with her children, she stood firm in loving discipline and punishment because she knew it was what was needed to help children grow up.  She saw that as far more important than just driving a school bus.

With tears in their eyes, they looked at me and said, “Please tell your Mom thank you. If it wasn’t for her neither of us would know Jesus. Now we both do and your Mom is the main reason.”

God uses anyone who is willing and my faith has been strengthened many times by testimonies from others as to the eternal impact of my Mom (and Dad) in their lives and for their Eternity in Christ! (John 3:16)

That was my Mom and that’s exactly what she, and I, want for every one. I pray that you know Jesus as your Savior and Lord and will join her and all those who will gather someday in the presence of our faithful and loving God.

The second story I share was in her death…she likely knew this before we did because she can now see what we can only imagine…her best friend in Indiana, Kaye Cutshall, entered into Eternity with Jesus less than 24 hours after she did.  Kaye’s son, John R. Cutshall (Johnny Bob as we affectionately called him) messaged me on Wednesday morning (9/8/21), “My mom left this world and entered into her eternal home this morning. I can’t imagine the celebration our moms are having. I’d love to have a view of that.” All I can say is, “AMEN!”  Wouldn’t we all?

I’ve been simply resting in My Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, as I reflect on her death. Throughout her life my Mom taught me how to love sacrificially with a huge heart for her Lord, her family and for others. (John 13:34; 14:15)

In her final days, by God’s grace and her deep abiding faith, she chose to look up and point everyone to Jesus. Her fears and worries were all laid down (1 Peter 5:7) Friday morning and she spent 3 days blessing every one who saw her.

Thanks for your prayers and I pray that you know Jesus as Savior and Lord so you can experience the same joy, hope, peace and love that our family, and the Cutshalls, are enjoying even as we grieve through tears. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)

Thank you, Mother, for a life well lived and an incredible legacy of faith in Jesus!

Love and Lordship…Food for Thought – Repeating from last week’s newsletter…I pray this encourages each and every reader that no matter what you are facing, there is a Hope and that Hope is Jesus.  (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)

Love and Lordship…Action Item(s) –

1. Read the Scriptures in this article and ask The Holy Spirit to teach you.
2. What are you facing now that you need the Hope of Jesus? 
3. Find someone you can encourage and comfort in the Hope of Jesus?

(1 Corinthians 2:9)

I believe The Holy Spirit has led me in a slightly different direction this week due to so many family, friends and loved ones that I know personally have been infected with COVID. In particular there are 3 that have passed away that I knew somewhat or fairly well and all of them in different stages of life and all in some way or another have blessed my ministry and me.

I pay tribute to three Godly people who have impacted my life and in some way have impacted yours through this ministry.  This is The Body of Christ!

JIM SHEEHY – 56 years old with so much to offer as you will see.  (Luke 15:3-5)

I begin with Jim Sheehy, a gentleman who came to The Lord later in life and a close childhood friend, Steve Kitts, introduced me to him.  Steve and I were childhood friends because our fathers sang in a Gospel quartet together for decades.  We reconnected nearly 20 years ago and together have grown in The Lord. 

Jim and Steve started a men’s small group in Louisville, KY, and I was privileged to share with them several times over the last few summers.  Jim became not only a supporter of Love & Lordship (L&L), he was also a great encourager to this ministry and me and for that I’m eternally grateful.  He regularly asked if we could do a couples or men’s retreat and was willing to provide a family cabin on a lake in Indiana for the venue.  We have not yet been able to make that happen but I believe because of Jim’s influence, we will see it come to fruition in God’s good timing and Jim will be looking down and smiling on us. 

Just to give you a sampling of what Jim’s life for The Lord became, here are some excerpts from the men in their group…

“Celebrating today that Jim finished strong and was a true disciple.  He is still affecting and attracting people to The Lord by his life’s work and heart for Jesus.  I pray that I can touch a fraction of the individuals Jim did for Jesus.  “Well done servant!”                — Brad Hicks

From Steve Kitts, “We say goodbye for now to Jim Sheehy. Thank you all for the outpouring of love that you have shown while he was sick and ultimately went ahead of so many to see the Lord. Jim was passionate about Jesus and intentional about sharing God’s love with anybody who would listen. And even some who wouldn’t. He used to meet with an atheist almost weekly and the guy would literally mock him and his faith, but he respected him at the same time. He was always curious about the joy that Jimmy carried inside…He cared about the one. Jesus came to seek and save the lost that don’t know Him and aren’t prepared for eternity. That should be our main focus as Christians today. Jim made an impact for the Kingdom of God that will be felt for decades and beyond.  That impact was not based on a self-promotion formula or strategy, or chasing wealth or status, it was pure love that flowed from Jesus through his heart and shined brightly through this dark world. We can all carry his legacy with us and share God’s love and the hope we have in eternal life. The time is short, the time is now! Don’t let the world distract you. Focus on kingdom work. And if you don’t know Jesus, seek him, find him, knock and the door shall be opened, Jesus and Jimmy… They are looking for you. Waiting for you in paradise. I love my dear brother in Christ and I will see him again! Oh glorious day! His work continues in and through me and you! Even if you didn’t know Jim, go and do likewise!”

Jim leaves behind a wife and two teenage boys.  I know what he would want us to pray for them more than anything…that they know and love Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord and to know that he will see them again.

BOB HALE – 72 years old, a minister of the Gospel all of his adult life. (1 Peter 3:15)

Bob never gave a penny to L&L or any other ministry I was involved with but he had a profound impact on my life and ministry.  Bob and I were introduced to each other when we both taught at a private Christian high school nearly 30 years ago.  I became fond of him right away because of his love for The Lord and his willingness to stand for what was right no matter the cost. 

I had the privilege of being in a couple of small groups with Bob and I never left the meeting without some bit of wisdom or discernment that Bob shared.  Over the past few weeks I’ve been blessed to be in a small prayer group on Tuesday mornings facilitated by Tommy Green in which, until the last couple of weeks for health reasons, Bob never missed.  His prayers always led me (and others) to God’s Throne. 

Bob’s last ministry was with The Lexington Leadership Foundation and their Fatherhood Initiative.  He coordinated classes for struggling fathers and asked me to teach one of them.  While he never donated to L&L, he always encouraged me, and the message of The Lord through this ministry, both publicly and privately. 

He was a dear friend and his encouragement to me gave me strength and mentored me in The Lord and His Word. 

Bob Hale, you will be dearly missed and I look forward to seeing you again, brother!

Noreen Jacoby, 92 years old, Mother of 17 children with 50 grandchildren and 52 great grandchildren (none of this is a misprint)

“Precious in the sight of The Lord is the death of His saints.”  Proverbs 116:15

I met Noreen while my family attended First Assembly of God, Lexington, KY.  The first time I preached there she was one of the first to greet me after the message, encouraged me and told me she would be praying for the ministry and me.  Little did I know the powerful impact that the prayers of this Godly woman would have on my life and so many others?

She immediately began supporting L&L financially and has sent in a $50 check every month for the past 10+ years.  But that’s not the powerful part.

When she encouraged me after my first sermon at the church she said that no matter what I faced that the message was greatly needed for the making of disciples in loving relationships, especially marriage and family (don’t know why she would have said that…refer back to the number of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren for a hint) and to strengthen Christ’s Church.  That’s when she told me she would be praying for me every day. 

I was grateful but didn’t think much of it until I received that first envelope with her $50 check and with it a note card with a prayer written on it.  There was a prayer in every single envelope for the next 10 years.

The best way to honor Noreen is simply share some of the dozens of prayer notes I received faithfully every month over the years…what a blessing!

“Greg, may this ministry continue to bless each and every heart as they receive your teachings.  May the anointing of The Holy Spirit not only minister to you but to each and every one seeking healing and restoration in their spirits, souls and bodies.  In Jesus Name I pray.  In His Love, Noreen.”

“Dear Greg, many wounded soldiers in the Body of Christ.  So very very thankful that Our Heavenly Father has chosen you to minister to these precious souls so they can be made whole to be the vessels of God to others.  His Holy Spirit is moving mightily through you to restore what the cankerworm (Joel 2:25) has destroyed.  Rejoicing and praying for The Holy Spirit to refresh your spirit, soul and body.  Hugs, prayers and love, Noreen Jacoby.”

“May our Heavenly Father fill you with the gift of fortitude as you share His Word; may He soften hearts to hear; Know He is well pleased with you.  He is moving mightily in this world.  May these young men and couples grow stronger in their relationship toward our Heavenly Father and each other through His Word and this ministry is my prayer!  Father we thank You that You are doing a new work.  We give you praise, honor and glory both now and forevermore.  Be Glorified in our lives in Jesus Name, be Glorified.  Love in Christ, Noreen Jacoby.”

She was a supporter, an encourager and a powerful prayer warrior like few others and I will greatly miss her notes of prayers but I know she is among the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us and is interceding on behalf of so many, including me, always pointing us to Jesus.  (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Thank you, Noreen!  You are greatly missed but I will see you again, mighty prayer warrior!

Thanks as always to all those who are praying!  Please let me know if The Lord and His Spirit are impressing on your heart to join this ministry as a Prayer Warrior.  We can’t do it without prayer and you!

Each of these lived and is living the life that God intended and He wants You to know that life as well!

I close with a poem and a video link that I pray encourages you to always trust in The Lord…

GOD KNOWS BEST

“And though beyond understanding,

May this set your heart at rest,

That somewhere in all His goodness,

Our Loving God knows best.”

Anonymous

“Scars In Heaven” by Casting Crowns… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCdevloDE6E

Love and Lordship…Food for Thought – I don’t know how you’ve been affected by COVID or other trials during the past few months but I do know that God is faithful and I pray that you know Jesus as your Savior and Lord.  “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”  Psalm 34:18

I pray this encourages each and every reader that no matter what you are facing, there is a Hope and that Hope is Jesus.  (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)

Love and Lordship…Action Item(s) –

1. Read the Scriptures in this article and ask The Holy Spirit to teach you.
2. How are you living out your faith and hope? 
3. How might it bring you closer to Christ and others in Him?  If you don’t know Him what is keeping you from Him?
4. Seek out someone who can encourage you in your faith at all times and especially in troubled times.  For those who don’t know Christ as Savior and Lord, seek out someone to guide you to Him.