Issue #50

A Service Network for Pastors and Ministers

SEPTEMBER 2011

this issueq TOGETHER WE ARE BETTER | BECKY GILBERT 3

q LEVELS OF DISCIPLESHIP | DENNIS BURKE 5

q ACHIEVE ALIGNMENT | ANDRELL CORBIN 11

q WHAT’S IN YOUR HEART | PHILIP RENNER 14

q WINNING OVER LIFE’S STRUGGLES | RICK RENNER 17

We are better

Together

impartShared Vision for Excellence in Ministry | Mentoring | Synergy in Problem-Solving www.impartnow.com

Together We Are Better

I’m continually amazed at the wisdom of Christ as it is so creatively expressed through the many members of His Body. We’re one body yet ”many members,” each with ”gifts differing” (Romans 12:4,6).

The truth is, not one of us can excel without the influence of others on our lives.

Success is not created in a vacuum. One well-respected minister said, ”We cannot expect to thrive relying solely on what we know or what we are gifted to do. We need others — it’s the way God made us. And valuing the gift in others is a gift we give ourselves.”

IMPART began as a dream in the heart of Rick Renner to minister to ministers — to value the gifts in others by providing ongoing mentoring, teaching, and training to those called to spiritual leadership. Almost five years later, having made the transition to publishing the magazine online, IMPART continues to connect ministers and leaders with others in the Body of Christ who share similar callings and challenges. Articles are contributed by a network of ministry friends and professionals on subjects such as marriage and family, leadership, personal care, media and technology, praise and worship,

”...In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” - Romans 12:5 NIV

There is no such thing as a ”self-made” man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success.

— George Matthew Adams

September Issue2011

5 Levels of DiscipleshipDENNIS BURKEThe level of our relationship with God always determines the level of our effectiveness in touching the lives of others. And we get to choose! God invites each one of us to engage in a lifetime of rich and intimate fellowship with Him.

11 Achieve AlignmentANDRELL CORBINSome people wear their “busy-ness” like a badge of honor — but activity and productivity are two different things. And productivity without peace is just another version of stress! In this article, Andrell Corbin rightly divides the topic of priorities in ministry and shows us practically how to “choose the better part,” like Mary did—while fulfilling our call to minister to people, like Martha did.

14 What’s in Your Heart?PHILIP RENNERSomething as seemingly benign as avoiding correction can keep you stuck when you need to be restored — or cause you to miss your season of promotion when God desires that you come up higher in your vocation and calling.

17 Winning Over Life’s StrugglesRICK RENNERAre you discouraged or under condemnation that your test or trial seems never-ending and your victory long in coming? Rick encourages you that if you’re unwilling to throw in the towel and quit, God still looks upon you as an “exceptionally fine soldier” with whom others can be proud to associate!

“In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

from the editor

© Rick Renner Ministries 2011 | Designed & Produced by Zoe Life Creative Media ZoeLifeCreative.com | design@zoelifecreative.com

3IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 20112 IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

Together We Are Better

I’m continually amazed at the wisdom of Christ as it is so creatively expressed through the many members of His Body. We’re one body yet ”many members,” each with ”gifts differing” (Romans 12:4,6).

The truth is, not one of us can excel without the influence of others on our lives.

Success is not created in a vacuum. One well-respected minister said, ”We cannot expect to thrive relying solely on what we know or what we are gifted to do. We need others — it’s the way God made us. And valuing the gift in others is a gift we give ourselves.”

IMPART began as a dream in the heart of Rick Renner to minister to ministers — to value the gifts in others by providing ongoing mentoring, teaching, and training to those called to spiritual leadership. Almost five years later, having made the transition to publishing the magazine online, IMPART continues to connect ministers and leaders with others in the Body of Christ who share similar callings and challenges. Articles are contributed by a network of ministry friends and professionals on subjects such as marriage and family, leadership, personal care, media and technology, praise and worship,

”...In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” - Romans 12:5 NIV

There is no such thing as a ”self-made” man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success.

— George Matthew Adams

September Issue2011

5 Levels of DiscipleshipDENNIS BURKEThe level of our relationship with God always determines the level of our effectiveness in touching the lives of others. And we get to choose! God invites each one of us to engage in a lifetime of rich and intimate fellowship with Him.

11 Achieve AlignmentANDRELL CORBINSome people wear their “busy-ness” like a badge of honor — but activity and productivity are two different things. And productivity without peace is just another version of stress! In this article, Andrell Corbin rightly divides the topic of priorities in ministry and shows us practically how to “choose the better part,” like Mary did—while fulfilling our call to minister to people, like Martha did.

14 What’s in Your Heart?PHILIP RENNERSomething as seemingly benign as avoiding correction can keep you stuck when you need to be restored — or cause you to miss your season of promotion when God desires that you come up higher in your vocation and calling.

17 Winning Over Life’s StrugglesRICK RENNERAre you discouraged or under condemnation that your test or trial seems never-ending and your victory long in coming? Rick encourages you that if you’re unwilling to throw in the towel and quit, God still looks upon you as an “exceptionally fine soldier” with whom others can be proud to associate!

“In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

from the editor

© Rick Renner Ministries 2011 | Designed & Produced by Zoe Life Creative Media ZoeLifeCreative.com | design@zoelifecreative.com

3IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 20112 IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

crisis prevention and management, and legal and accounting issues.

In this month’s IMPART, Dr. Dennis Burke discusses five levels of our relationship with God that determine our level of usefulness to others. In addition, Andrell Corbin writes about spiritual alignment and the confusion that results when we fail to distinguish ministry to the Lord with ministry we do for Him.

We’re especially pleased this month to present an article by Philip Renner, son of Rick and Denise Renner and youth pastor at the Moscow Good News Church in Russia. In his first contribution to the magazine, Philip shares insights on spiritual attitudes that will inspire you to examine your own attitudes so you can continually move forward on your God-given path.

Finally, in his ”Last Word,” Rick Renner shares an encouraging word on winning in life’s struggles by simply paying attention! As we study to rightly divide the Word of truth to establish ourselves in sound doctrine, we must maintain constant vigilance to do the doctrine in a way that honors God and benefits ourselves and others. And as we walk alongside fellow believers who are equally determined to stay the course and win in life’s fights, we can derive renewed courage from the persistence of these ”comrades in the faith.”

First Corinthians 12:27 (NIV) says, ”Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” As members of the Body of Christ, we’re all called to help one another individually

and collectively carry out the will of God. The ”whole” cannot exist without the individual parts — and the individual parts cannot thrive without the whole. Together we are better! As each of us does our part, giving what we have to supply, we will all be girded up where we’re weak, enriched where we’re lacking, and continually encouraged to pursue destiny with excellence.

I pray that you’re blessed by this issue of IMPART (and be sure to check out past issues from the archives at: www.impartnow.com > Search Archives). Also, please contact us with your questions or with suggestions for topics you’d like to see in future issues. We want to stand together with you, serving you as you serve Him!

Becky Gilbert Editor IMPART magazine

The greatest leaders in the Body of Christ have first been great followers. Consider the original 12 disciples of Jesus. Those men chose to give up

everything they’d ever known to follow Him, and all but Judas later became the key leaders of the Early Church.

Yet the New Testament shows us that many more than those 12 disciples were Jesus’ followers. There were multitudes of people whose lives He affected. Some of these people were ”fair-weather” followers who kept a safe distance from anything that would possibly cause them discomfort. Others chose to draw closer to Jesus and learn the keys of His Kingdom. The level of discipleship in which each person walked with the Master was always a matter of individual choice.

The same principle is true today. Some people step into salvation and are then satisfied to remain in that basic relationship with the Lord for the rest of their lives. Others see their salvation as the beginning of a multi-faceted spiritual journey. As long as they are moving

forward in that journey, they’re satisfied.

We must all choose for ourselves how closely we follow Jesus and adhere to His Word. The depth of our lives in God is solely up to us. God doesn’t choose for one of His children to be closer to Him than another. He is completely accessible to every man and woman. We choose how intimate our walk with Him will be.

The following is an overview of six possible levels in our relationship with God, as reflected in the various followers of Jesus during His earthly ministry. By looking closely at these six different categories of Jesus’ followers, we can better understand what makes

Editor’s Note: The following article was adapted from an article written by Dr. Burke for the International Convention of Faith Ministers (ICFM) and is used here by permission. Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptures are quoted from the New King James Version of the Bible.

Levels of Discipleship — The Correlation Between Relationship and Usefulness

by Dennis Burke

”The ‘whole’ cannot exist without the individual parts � and the individual

parts cannot thrive without the whole.”

4 IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011 5IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

crisis prevention and management, and legal and accounting issues.

In this month’s IMPART, Dr. Dennis Burke discusses five levels of our relationship with God that determine our level of usefulness to others. In addition, Andrell Corbin writes about spiritual alignment and the confusion that results when we fail to distinguish ministry to the Lord with ministry we do for Him.

We’re especially pleased this month to present an article by Philip Renner, son of Rick and Denise Renner and youth pastor at the Moscow Good News Church in Russia. In his first contribution to the magazine, Philip shares insights on spiritual attitudes that will inspire you to examine your own attitudes so you can continually move forward on your God-given path.

Finally, in his ”Last Word,” Rick Renner shares an encouraging word on winning in life’s struggles by simply paying attention! As we study to rightly divide the Word of truth to establish ourselves in sound doctrine, we must maintain constant vigilance to do the doctrine in a way that honors God and benefits ourselves and others. And as we walk alongside fellow believers who are equally determined to stay the course and win in life’s fights, we can derive renewed courage from the persistence of these ”comrades in the faith.”

First Corinthians 12:27 (NIV) says, ”Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” As members of the Body of Christ, we’re all called to help one another individually

and collectively carry out the will of God. The ”whole” cannot exist without the individual parts — and the individual parts cannot thrive without the whole. Together we are better! As each of us does our part, giving what we have to supply, we will all be girded up where we’re weak, enriched where we’re lacking, and continually encouraged to pursue destiny with excellence.

I pray that you’re blessed by this issue of IMPART (and be sure to check out past issues from the archives at: www.impartnow.com > Search Archives). Also, please contact us with your questions or with suggestions for topics you’d like to see in future issues. We want to stand together with you, serving you as you serve Him!

Becky Gilbert Editor IMPART magazine

The greatest leaders in the Body of Christ have first been great followers. Consider the original 12 disciples of Jesus. Those men chose to give up

everything they’d ever known to follow Him, and all but Judas later became the key leaders of the Early Church.

Yet the New Testament shows us that many more than those 12 disciples were Jesus’ followers. There were multitudes of people whose lives He affected. Some of these people were ”fair-weather” followers who kept a safe distance from anything that would possibly cause them discomfort. Others chose to draw closer to Jesus and learn the keys of His Kingdom. The level of discipleship in which each person walked with the Master was always a matter of individual choice.

The same principle is true today. Some people step into salvation and are then satisfied to remain in that basic relationship with the Lord for the rest of their lives. Others see their salvation as the beginning of a multi-faceted spiritual journey. As long as they are moving

forward in that journey, they’re satisfied.

We must all choose for ourselves how closely we follow Jesus and adhere to His Word. The depth of our lives in God is solely up to us. God doesn’t choose for one of His children to be closer to Him than another. He is completely accessible to every man and woman. We choose how intimate our walk with Him will be.

The following is an overview of six possible levels in our relationship with God, as reflected in the various followers of Jesus during His earthly ministry. By looking closely at these six different categories of Jesus’ followers, we can better understand what makes

Editor’s Note: The following article was adapted from an article written by Dr. Burke for the International Convention of Faith Ministers (ICFM) and is used here by permission. Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptures are quoted from the New King James Version of the Bible.

Levels of Discipleship — The Correlation Between Relationship and Usefulness

by Dennis Burke

”The ‘whole’ cannot exist without the individual parts � and the individual

parts cannot thrive without the whole.”

4 IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011 5IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

‘‘Deep in the heart of every believer is the desire to serve God in a meaningful way.’’

the difference between the casual saint and the truly committed leader.

Level #1: Salvation

In First Corinthians 15:6, the apostle Paul said, ”After that, he was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.” Five hundred people had watched as Jesus ascended into Heaven. Five hundred people heard the final statements He made before ascending to the Father. These were the people who had believed and received Jesus as the Son of God and were following Him.

Salvation is a very inclusive word that includes deliverance, healing, and restoration – spirit, soul, and body. These 500 people believed in the miracles, the promises, and the provision demonstrated throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry. They were pursuing Jesus as disciples. They had used their faith to receive salvation, and they possessed a real, personal relation-ship with God.

Level #2: Spiritual Hunger

As Jesus ascended to Heaven, He told the 500 to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father to come (Acts 1:4). Jesus was referring to what would happen on the Day of Pentecost. On that day, the Holy Spirit descended like a rushing mighty wind into the Upper Room, where 120 people were gathered to pray — all of whom were gloriously filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other tongues (Acts 2:4).

Five hundred people saw Jesus ascend into Heaven, but only 120 gathered in that Upper Room weeks later on the Day of Pentecost. It’s shocking to realize that 380 of the 500 people who heard the last words of Jesus didn’t follow His instructions!

The Word, the Spirit, and an Eternal Change of Heart

Think for a moment about how few of the people who heard Jesus speak that command actually obeyed His words. If that’s what happened when Jesus stood before His disciples

and spoke words of truth, what do those of us who are Christian leaders think will happen when we minister God’s Word to others?

The truth is, we have to rely on the Holy Spirit to help people hear and then act on what they hear from the Word. As leaders, we should be praying for this to happen, for the Spirit of God must be involved if eternal change is ever going to take place in the hearts of the people to whom we minister. We can’t just give out information. We have to believe that something is going to transpire in people’s hearts while we’re ministering to them.

The 120 people who did show up on the Day of Pentecost belong to the second category of discipleship: those whose spiritual hunger causes them to pursue the deeper things of God.

Believers who belong to this category are in on the action of God’s Kingdom. They’re not just on the sidelines observing the action. Personally, I’m always on the lookout for spiritually hungry people who fit this description, because these are the people God can use.

As ministers of God’s Word, we must stay fresh and full of the Holy Spirit in order to give people truth that is both meaningful and saturated with life. Our listeners may simply be a part of our circle of faith, or they may be people who are genuinely spiritually hungry. Regardless of their personal choices and levels of commitment, our role in ministry remains the same: We must give them the substance and the meat of the Word so they can continue to grow.

Level #3: Servers in God’s Kingdom

In Luke 10:1, Jesus sent 70 of His disciples on an assignment: ”After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.”

These 70 disciples had put their faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Their choice to follow Jesus also revealed that they possessed a spiritual hunger for their own development and growth. But when Jesus called on these 70 disciples to go out on a mission, something suddenly shifted in their roles: They moved into service. Suddenly they weren’t only pursuing their own personal development —

they were also motivated to lead others into a relationship with Jesus.

In other words, Jesus told these 70 disciples to go to work! Traveling ahead of Jesus to the various places He would be going to minister, this larger group of disciples moved up to a new level of service. Now they were not only desiring to be used by God, they were also actively becoming a part of what He was doing on the earth.

Deep in the heart of every believer is the desire to serve God in a meaningful way. This entails much more than being an usher or a nursery worker in church. As important as these services are, there is far more to serving God.

Our role as men and women in ministry is to help people grow to a place of serving the Lord and becoming more deeply involved with the ministry of the Word outside a church setting. Although straightening chairs at church, picking up litter, or participating in any of the other helps ministries within a local church is vital and necessary, such tasks aren’t really what this level of discipleship involves.

When Jesus sent those 70 disciples out on their assignment, He was doing more than setting their focus on what was currently taking place in His ministry. He was also moving them out to the spiritual frontlines so they could effectively minister the Word.

Equipping Ministers Today

This encompasses the very vision that makes service organizations so effective today. Its appointed leaders become involved in the service of the Lord by ministering to ministers. Their goal is to create a time and place where an impartation of the Spirit and the Word can take place for those who are called to the ministry, just as Jesus did for His disciples. However, as important as it is to give people the Word of truth, we can never forget that the Holy Spirit’s guidance is required if we’re going to garner the leadership skills and the creative ideas necessary to move people into serving.

Research shows that 17–20 percent of all believers do 90 percent of the work being accomplished in the Kingdom of God. Most people simply refuse to become servers. And the truth is, people can’t be forced to serve; their service has to come from their hearts.

If a minister relies on manipulating people to convince them to serve or on making them feel guilty about not serving, his efforts will never bear lasting fruit.

As ministers, our role therefore is to bring an impartation of the Word to people that (1) helps them grow spiritually and (2) connects their faith with the ministry of serving — wherever God calls them to serve. Only as believers become more and more fruitful in the work of the Kingdom will we be able to say we’re effectively fulfilling our responsibility regarding this third level of discipleship.

Level #4: Partnership

Now we shift to the fourth level of discipleship: the level of partnership. This is the level where leadership really begins.

Notice what Mark 3:13 says about Jesus: ”And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him.” When Jesus called the 12 disciples, they came to Him. In many places throughout the four Gospels, the Bible says that they were ”with Him” (Mark 3:14; Luke 8:1). These 12 men were not only called — they actually came.

Not everyone who is called actually comes. Those 12 men chose to enter into a deeper level of partnership and fellowship with the Lord. This is the level where leadership truly begins.

This aspect of partnership with Jesus is different from spiritual hunger alone. The person who moves to this level in his relationship with the Lord takes on a different role. He steps into a deeper level of fellowship with God that includes a daily walk of power and the moment-by-moment influence of God’s Spirit in his life. This believer chooses to pursue Jesus and to be with Him even in the most uncomfortable times. His spiritual hunger is at a different level of intensity than it was when it existed only for his own spiritual development.

6 IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011 7IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

‘‘Deep in the heart of every believer is the desire to serve God in a meaningful way.’’

the difference between the casual saint and the truly committed leader.

Level #1: Salvation

In First Corinthians 15:6, the apostle Paul said, ”After that, he was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.” Five hundred people had watched as Jesus ascended into Heaven. Five hundred people heard the final statements He made before ascending to the Father. These were the people who had believed and received Jesus as the Son of God and were following Him.

Salvation is a very inclusive word that includes deliverance, healing, and restoration – spirit, soul, and body. These 500 people believed in the miracles, the promises, and the provision demonstrated throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry. They were pursuing Jesus as disciples. They had used their faith to receive salvation, and they possessed a real, personal relation-ship with God.

Level #2: Spiritual Hunger

As Jesus ascended to Heaven, He told the 500 to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father to come (Acts 1:4). Jesus was referring to what would happen on the Day of Pentecost. On that day, the Holy Spirit descended like a rushing mighty wind into the Upper Room, where 120 people were gathered to pray — all of whom were gloriously filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other tongues (Acts 2:4).

Five hundred people saw Jesus ascend into Heaven, but only 120 gathered in that Upper Room weeks later on the Day of Pentecost. It’s shocking to realize that 380 of the 500 people who heard the last words of Jesus didn’t follow His instructions!

The Word, the Spirit, and an Eternal Change of Heart

Think for a moment about how few of the people who heard Jesus speak that command actually obeyed His words. If that’s what happened when Jesus stood before His disciples

and spoke words of truth, what do those of us who are Christian leaders think will happen when we minister God’s Word to others?

The truth is, we have to rely on the Holy Spirit to help people hear and then act on what they hear from the Word. As leaders, we should be praying for this to happen, for the Spirit of God must be involved if eternal change is ever going to take place in the hearts of the people to whom we minister. We can’t just give out information. We have to believe that something is going to transpire in people’s hearts while we’re ministering to them.

The 120 people who did show up on the Day of Pentecost belong to the second category of discipleship: those whose spiritual hunger causes them to pursue the deeper things of God.

Believers who belong to this category are in on the action of God’s Kingdom. They’re not just on the sidelines observing the action. Personally, I’m always on the lookout for spiritually hungry people who fit this description, because these are the people God can use.

As ministers of God’s Word, we must stay fresh and full of the Holy Spirit in order to give people truth that is both meaningful and saturated with life. Our listeners may simply be a part of our circle of faith, or they may be people who are genuinely spiritually hungry. Regardless of their personal choices and levels of commitment, our role in ministry remains the same: We must give them the substance and the meat of the Word so they can continue to grow.

Level #3: Servers in God’s Kingdom

In Luke 10:1, Jesus sent 70 of His disciples on an assignment: ”After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.”

These 70 disciples had put their faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Their choice to follow Jesus also revealed that they possessed a spiritual hunger for their own development and growth. But when Jesus called on these 70 disciples to go out on a mission, something suddenly shifted in their roles: They moved into service. Suddenly they weren’t only pursuing their own personal development —

they were also motivated to lead others into a relationship with Jesus.

In other words, Jesus told these 70 disciples to go to work! Traveling ahead of Jesus to the various places He would be going to minister, this larger group of disciples moved up to a new level of service. Now they were not only desiring to be used by God, they were also actively becoming a part of what He was doing on the earth.

Deep in the heart of every believer is the desire to serve God in a meaningful way. This entails much more than being an usher or a nursery worker in church. As important as these services are, there is far more to serving God.

Our role as men and women in ministry is to help people grow to a place of serving the Lord and becoming more deeply involved with the ministry of the Word outside a church setting. Although straightening chairs at church, picking up litter, or participating in any of the other helps ministries within a local church is vital and necessary, such tasks aren’t really what this level of discipleship involves.

When Jesus sent those 70 disciples out on their assignment, He was doing more than setting their focus on what was currently taking place in His ministry. He was also moving them out to the spiritual frontlines so they could effectively minister the Word.

Equipping Ministers Today

This encompasses the very vision that makes service organizations so effective today. Its appointed leaders become involved in the service of the Lord by ministering to ministers. Their goal is to create a time and place where an impartation of the Spirit and the Word can take place for those who are called to the ministry, just as Jesus did for His disciples. However, as important as it is to give people the Word of truth, we can never forget that the Holy Spirit’s guidance is required if we’re going to garner the leadership skills and the creative ideas necessary to move people into serving.

Research shows that 17–20 percent of all believers do 90 percent of the work being accomplished in the Kingdom of God. Most people simply refuse to become servers. And the truth is, people can’t be forced to serve; their service has to come from their hearts.

If a minister relies on manipulating people to convince them to serve or on making them feel guilty about not serving, his efforts will never bear lasting fruit.

As ministers, our role therefore is to bring an impartation of the Word to people that (1) helps them grow spiritually and (2) connects their faith with the ministry of serving — wherever God calls them to serve. Only as believers become more and more fruitful in the work of the Kingdom will we be able to say we’re effectively fulfilling our responsibility regarding this third level of discipleship.

Level #4: Partnership

Now we shift to the fourth level of discipleship: the level of partnership. This is the level where leadership really begins.

Notice what Mark 3:13 says about Jesus: ”And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him.” When Jesus called the 12 disciples, they came to Him. In many places throughout the four Gospels, the Bible says that they were ”with Him” (Mark 3:14; Luke 8:1). These 12 men were not only called — they actually came.

Not everyone who is called actually comes. Those 12 men chose to enter into a deeper level of partnership and fellowship with the Lord. This is the level where leadership truly begins.

This aspect of partnership with Jesus is different from spiritual hunger alone. The person who moves to this level in his relationship with the Lord takes on a different role. He steps into a deeper level of fellowship with God that includes a daily walk of power and the moment-by-moment influence of God’s Spirit in his life. This believer chooses to pursue Jesus and to be with Him even in the most uncomfortable times. His spiritual hunger is at a different level of intensity than it was when it existed only for his own spiritual development.

6 IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011 7IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

‘‘Some people step into salvation and are satisfied to remain in that

basic relationship ...

... Others see their salvation as the beginning of a multi-faceted

spiritual journey.’’

Each of us can look back and remember the transition to this level of discipleship. We became hungry for this deeper kind of fellowship with the Lord. We chose to go where He told us to go and to do what He told us to do.

The 12 disciples committed themselves to be with Jesus at any cost. The 70 hadn’t made that same commitment to Him. In fact, the 70 heard Jesus speak one day but were unwilling to receive from Him because His words were difficult to hear. Jesus said, ”Unless you eat My flesh and drink My blood, you don’t have anything to do with Me.” Many of the 70 disciples turned away and left Jesus at that time (see John 6:53-66). They weren’t truly hungry, nor did they crave His presence.

When we crave Jesus’ presence in our lives, we won’t walk away when things get hard. Let me give you an example from my own life.

Vikki and I first started in the ministry as youth ministers in southern California. The senior pastor was a powerful man of God who deposited many wonderful things into both of us. However, he could be tough to work for! He was a man of deep prayer and discipline. He had high expectations and a philosophy of ministry that we’ve since adopted. For example, according to his way of thinking, to be early was to be on time, to be on time was to be late, and to be late was to be left! So as members of his staff, we were not expected to be ”on time”; we were expected to be early.

At first, that didn’t seem fair, since so many other people didn’t have to do that. But for this pastor, it wasn’t a matter of being fair. It was a

matter of doing whatever was necessary to get things done right. If we were going to be a part of his staff, we had to meet that requirement. It was a lesson that has remained with Vikki and me through the years.

When you decide to make it your life’s priority to walk in close fellowship and partnership with Jesus, you step into a separated life. At this level of discipleship, your choices must be carefully considered, and you must always hold up the standard of God’s Word in your life. Your fellowship with Jesus becomes a part of every aspect of your life — from the way you spend your money to the way you treat people.

Just as the 12 disciples were with Jesus as He walked on this earth, we are with Him now, and our deeper fellowship with the Lord has become our sustaining strength. We crave the presence of God, and we seek to overcome every obstacle that would keep us away from our fellowship with Him. This is both the joy and the responsibility of this deeper level of discipleship before God. And still there is further to go!

Level #5: The Dedication To ‘Leave All’

There were times when Jesus gave Peter, James, and John assignments and drew them into settings that even the other of the 12 disciples were not a part of. One example is when Jairus, ruler of the synagogue, had come for his daughter to be healed. Jesus

went with Jairus to bring the healing power of God to Jairus’ daughter. But when they arrived at Jairus’ house, Jesus wanted only Peter, James, and John to go in with Him (see Mark 5:37; Luke 8:51). And they did. On the Mount of Transfiguration, not all of the 12 disciples were there — only Peter, James, and John. There were different times and different events in which there was an aspect of consecration that Jesus required, but there were also assignments that came to these three that others didn’t get who didn’t fulfill that requirement.

Being a part of leadership in the Body of Christ requires us to continually step further into our walk with God. When we do, we will be given assignments that others who choose not to go as ”deep” won’t have.

Level #6: Deep Intimacy With God — Discipleship on the Highest Level.

The apostle John is often called the apostle of love because he gives us such a clear picture of this highest level of discipleship, which is characterized by deep intimacy with God. John talks more about the love of God than any of the 12 disciples. In fact, of the 12 who wrote, John wrote more of the New Testament than any of them. Only the apostle Paul writes on the same level, volume-wise — yet John reveals the love of God in deeper and clearer

ways than any of the New Testament writers.One of the interesting things about John —

and this identifies Jesus’ ”inner circle” of three best — is how John referred to himself in his own gospel. In four different places, John refers to himself as ”the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23; 20:2; 21:7; 21:20). Those are amazing statements, but they could sound arrogant if you hear them wrongly. The point of John’s assertions was certainly not that Jesus loves anyone else more or less — we’re all loved equally with the perfect love of God.

God is love (1 John 4:8). That fact doesn’t change. But what does change? What is the variable in that equation? It’s what we know of that love for ourselves. John had the greatest revelation that he was loved by God, and that revelation put him into such an intimate and close relationship with Jesus that as Jesus hung dying on the Cross, the Savior of the world assigned this ”one whom He loved” to take care of His own mother! Jesus actually gave John the most intimate of assignments ever.

Knowledge Is Power

The apostle John became filled with the revelation of God’s love for him, and that revelation became one of the things that identified him. In fact, in continually referring to himself as the disciple that Jesus loved, that revelation became as important as his own name.

There’s nothing that gets your attention more quickly than hearing your own name.

8 IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011 9IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

‘‘Some people step into salvation and are satisfied to remain in that

basic relationship ...

... Others see their salvation as the beginning of a multi-faceted

spiritual journey.’’

Each of us can look back and remember the transition to this level of discipleship. We became hungry for this deeper kind of fellowship with the Lord. We chose to go where He told us to go and to do what He told us to do.

The 12 disciples committed themselves to be with Jesus at any cost. The 70 hadn’t made that same commitment to Him. In fact, the 70 heard Jesus speak one day but were unwilling to receive from Him because His words were difficult to hear. Jesus said, ”Unless you eat My flesh and drink My blood, you don’t have anything to do with Me.” Many of the 70 disciples turned away and left Jesus at that time (see John 6:53-66). They weren’t truly hungry, nor did they crave His presence.

When we crave Jesus’ presence in our lives, we won’t walk away when things get hard. Let me give you an example from my own life.

Vikki and I first started in the ministry as youth ministers in southern California. The senior pastor was a powerful man of God who deposited many wonderful things into both of us. However, he could be tough to work for! He was a man of deep prayer and discipline. He had high expectations and a philosophy of ministry that we’ve since adopted. For example, according to his way of thinking, to be early was to be on time, to be on time was to be late, and to be late was to be left! So as members of his staff, we were not expected to be ”on time”; we were expected to be early.

At first, that didn’t seem fair, since so many other people didn’t have to do that. But for this pastor, it wasn’t a matter of being fair. It was a

matter of doing whatever was necessary to get things done right. If we were going to be a part of his staff, we had to meet that requirement. It was a lesson that has remained with Vikki and me through the years.

When you decide to make it your life’s priority to walk in close fellowship and partnership with Jesus, you step into a separated life. At this level of discipleship, your choices must be carefully considered, and you must always hold up the standard of God’s Word in your life. Your fellowship with Jesus becomes a part of every aspect of your life — from the way you spend your money to the way you treat people.

Just as the 12 disciples were with Jesus as He walked on this earth, we are with Him now, and our deeper fellowship with the Lord has become our sustaining strength. We crave the presence of God, and we seek to overcome every obstacle that would keep us away from our fellowship with Him. This is both the joy and the responsibility of this deeper level of discipleship before God. And still there is further to go!

Level #5: The Dedication To ‘Leave All’

There were times when Jesus gave Peter, James, and John assignments and drew them into settings that even the other of the 12 disciples were not a part of. One example is when Jairus, ruler of the synagogue, had come for his daughter to be healed. Jesus

went with Jairus to bring the healing power of God to Jairus’ daughter. But when they arrived at Jairus’ house, Jesus wanted only Peter, James, and John to go in with Him (see Mark 5:37; Luke 8:51). And they did. On the Mount of Transfiguration, not all of the 12 disciples were there — only Peter, James, and John. There were different times and different events in which there was an aspect of consecration that Jesus required, but there were also assignments that came to these three that others didn’t get who didn’t fulfill that requirement.

Being a part of leadership in the Body of Christ requires us to continually step further into our walk with God. When we do, we will be given assignments that others who choose not to go as ”deep” won’t have.

Level #6: Deep Intimacy With God — Discipleship on the Highest Level.

The apostle John is often called the apostle of love because he gives us such a clear picture of this highest level of discipleship, which is characterized by deep intimacy with God. John talks more about the love of God than any of the 12 disciples. In fact, of the 12 who wrote, John wrote more of the New Testament than any of them. Only the apostle Paul writes on the same level, volume-wise — yet John reveals the love of God in deeper and clearer

ways than any of the New Testament writers.One of the interesting things about John —

and this identifies Jesus’ ”inner circle” of three best — is how John referred to himself in his own gospel. In four different places, John refers to himself as ”the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23; 20:2; 21:7; 21:20). Those are amazing statements, but they could sound arrogant if you hear them wrongly. The point of John’s assertions was certainly not that Jesus loves anyone else more or less — we’re all loved equally with the perfect love of God.

God is love (1 John 4:8). That fact doesn’t change. But what does change? What is the variable in that equation? It’s what we know of that love for ourselves. John had the greatest revelation that he was loved by God, and that revelation put him into such an intimate and close relationship with Jesus that as Jesus hung dying on the Cross, the Savior of the world assigned this ”one whom He loved” to take care of His own mother! Jesus actually gave John the most intimate of assignments ever.

Knowledge Is Power

The apostle John became filled with the revelation of God’s love for him, and that revelation became one of the things that identified him. In fact, in continually referring to himself as the disciple that Jesus loved, that revelation became as important as his own name.

There’s nothing that gets your attention more quickly than hearing your own name.

8 IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011 9IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

And when John began to substitute his name John with the epithet the disciple that Jesus loved, he took on a new identity — an identity that he was totally, completely, and unconditionally loved by God. His attention to that revelation ”consumed” John and affected his level of service and usefulness to the Master.

What does it mean to be loved unconditionally? It means you don’t have to qualify for it! God’s love is a non-qualifying situation in which you aren’t required to perform in order to receive it. Many Christians are conditional in the way they love or give to others. For example, if someone gives you something, and there’s an expectation attached concerning what should happen as a result of the gift, that gift was conditional; there were strings attached to that act of giving.

We’re all familiar with that kind of conditional giving. So when we come into the love of God, we’re amazed at the difference, and we must discover not only that we are loved by God without condition, but also how we’re going to receive and grow in that love so we can show it to others.

The New Covenant commands us to know that we are loved (see Ephesians 3:17-19). You will never truly understand how to love another with unconditional love until you know that you are loved unconditionally. In other words, you can’t walk in what you don’t know. The revelation that you are loved by God is the only thing that will empower you to walk in it.

Then First John 4:16 tells us that we must believe in the love that God has for us. The degree to which you believe and embrace, or receive, this love is the degree to which you’ll be able to actually express or exhibit this love to others.

The Power of Unconditional Giving

We can certainly give without loving, but we can’t love without giving. The more we grow in our life with God, the more we’re able to love in the way that He loves — unconditionally.

Here’s the thing about God’s unconditional love: He gives not just to get something back, but because love gives. In other words, God gives because He loves. Of course, the law of His Kingdom is clear: When you sow, you will reap. Yet when God gives — and when we give unconditionally — it is from a love that doesn’t require anything in return in order to be fulfilling.

We all fit somewhere on this scale of the six levels of relationship or discipleship that I’ve described here. In fact, there are aspects within each level in which we must each continue to grow, because not one of us has arrived at a place of complete maturity. We have to keep growing in:

• Our revelation of salvation• Ourspiritualhunger• OurwillingnesstoserveGod• OurpartnershipwithHimeveninthe

hardplaces• OurwillingnesstoleavealltofollowHim• OurdeepintimacywithGod

As we grow in these areas, we’re brought closer and closer in an intimate walk with Jesus so that we can in turn reveal more clearly what God’s love looks like in the human life. We’re not loving to receive love in return, and we’re not giving to get. Instead, we’re following Jesus closely and intimately as His disciples, and we’re giving our all. The more we meditate upon and grow in intimacy with God, the more we become in our own hearts and minds ”the disciple whom Jesus loved” — and we increase our usefulness and effectiveness as spiritual leaders in God’s Kingdom.

Since 1979, Dennis Burke has led multitudes of believers into the biblical principles of faith, healing, love, prosperity, and righteousness. Through the Insights: The Way to a New Life magazine, books, CDs, and DVDs, Dennis has brought forth revelation knowledge on the truths of God’s Word. He has taught Christians everywhere to know God more deeply and to overcome the challenges of life through faith in His Word.

Dennis and his wife, Vikki, travel the globe throughout the year preaching and teaching in seminars, conventions, and churches, sharing the Word of God and keys to victorious Christian living. They have authored numerous books, including the bestseller by Dennis How To Meditate God’s Word and Vikki’s best-selling book Aim Your Child Like an Arrow. Together they are co-founders of Dennis Burke Ministries in Arlington, Texas. They have one married daughter, Jessica Shook. In 2003, Dennis earned his Doctorate in Theology from Life Christian University, Tampa, Florida.

‘‘The revelation that you are loved by God is the only thing that will empower you to walk in it.’’

Some people wear their ”busy-ness” like a badge of honor — but activity and productivity are two different things. And productivity without peace is just another version of stress! Unrealistic expectations of how much you can or should accomplish within a day only set the stage for flare-ups and meltdowns.

And when the unexpected gets tossed your way, it requires a real balancing act to keep the other balls you’re already juggling in the air. But you have to hold your act together if you’re going to keep it on the road. Therefore, it’s essential to prioritize. But trying to decide ”who’s on first and what’s on second” can become a challenge in itself. So it isn’t enough just to set a list of priorities. In order to be sustainable, those priorities must reflect your values. That can mean only one thing: You’ll have to put first things first.

Keep the Main Thing as the Main Thing

I don’t know about you, but every time I read the account of Martha and Mary, I’m a bit conflicted. I understand and identify with both sides. Mary is the devoted worshiper who abandons all to sit at the feet of Jesus. That’s great — beautiful, in fact. I completely identify with that. To sit before the Lord, undistracted in His presence, is pure joy. I long for that.

Achieve Alignment —Put First Things First

Nothing is more fulfilling and refreshing or as thoroughly satisfying. It is, after all, the purpose for our existence. We were created to worship God and to be with Him. So I ”get” Mary and identify with her. But then there’s Martha. I know she seems to have earned a bad rep, but I identify with her too.

Personally, I view Martha as the one who gets things done. She’s the organizer, the hostess, the detailed planner � and I bet her house was cleaned and ready for the Master and His entourage. Having things in order and arranged was Martha’s way of honoring the Lord and using her talents to serve Him. And what’s wrong with that? The behind-the-scenes people make it possible for the front-and-center people to fill their roles more effectively. Martha was setting the atmosphere for fellowship and interaction with Jesus. That was right and necessary.

But Martha began to obsess so much about what she was doing to create an atmosphere and environment for fellowship with the Lord that she failed to esteem the actual fellowship! This was proven by the fact that she was ready to interrupt Mary’s fellowship with the Lord, and she actually expected Jesus to approve. Oops. It was at that point that Jesus had to remind Martha that she was missing the point. In her obsessing about ”many things,” Martha had misplaced her priorities. But Mary had chosen the better part.

Andrell Corbin is an author and teacher with more than 25 years of professional experience as a writer, managing editor, and content development consultant. Her messages are marked by penetrating insights that inspire, instruct, and encourage with clarity and compassion. Andrell serves as Mass Communications Specialist for the Tulsa office of RENNER Ministries.

11IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 201110 IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

And when John began to substitute his name John with the epithet the disciple that Jesus loved, he took on a new identity — an identity that he was totally, completely, and unconditionally loved by God. His attention to that revelation ”consumed” John and affected his level of service and usefulness to the Master.

What does it mean to be loved unconditionally? It means you don’t have to qualify for it! God’s love is a non-qualifying situation in which you aren’t required to perform in order to receive it. Many Christians are conditional in the way they love or give to others. For example, if someone gives you something, and there’s an expectation attached concerning what should happen as a result of the gift, that gift was conditional; there were strings attached to that act of giving.

We’re all familiar with that kind of conditional giving. So when we come into the love of God, we’re amazed at the difference, and we must discover not only that we are loved by God without condition, but also how we’re going to receive and grow in that love so we can show it to others.

The New Covenant commands us to know that we are loved (see Ephesians 3:17-19). You will never truly understand how to love another with unconditional love until you know that you are loved unconditionally. In other words, you can’t walk in what you don’t know. The revelation that you are loved by God is the only thing that will empower you to walk in it.

Then First John 4:16 tells us that we must believe in the love that God has for us. The degree to which you believe and embrace, or receive, this love is the degree to which you’ll be able to actually express or exhibit this love to others.

The Power of Unconditional Giving

We can certainly give without loving, but we can’t love without giving. The more we grow in our life with God, the more we’re able to love in the way that He loves — unconditionally.

Here’s the thing about God’s unconditional love: He gives not just to get something back, but because love gives. In other words, God gives because He loves. Of course, the law of His Kingdom is clear: When you sow, you will reap. Yet when God gives — and when we give unconditionally — it is from a love that doesn’t require anything in return in order to be fulfilling.

We all fit somewhere on this scale of the six levels of relationship or discipleship that I’ve described here. In fact, there are aspects within each level in which we must each continue to grow, because not one of us has arrived at a place of complete maturity. We have to keep growing in:

• Our revelation of salvation• Ourspiritualhunger• OurwillingnesstoserveGod• OurpartnershipwithHimeveninthe

hardplaces• OurwillingnesstoleavealltofollowHim• OurdeepintimacywithGod

As we grow in these areas, we’re brought closer and closer in an intimate walk with Jesus so that we can in turn reveal more clearly what God’s love looks like in the human life. We’re not loving to receive love in return, and we’re not giving to get. Instead, we’re following Jesus closely and intimately as His disciples, and we’re giving our all. The more we meditate upon and grow in intimacy with God, the more we become in our own hearts and minds ”the disciple whom Jesus loved” — and we increase our usefulness and effectiveness as spiritual leaders in God’s Kingdom.

Since 1979, Dennis Burke has led multitudes of believers into the biblical principles of faith, healing, love, prosperity, and righteousness. Through the Insights: The Way to a New Life magazine, books, CDs, and DVDs, Dennis has brought forth revelation knowledge on the truths of God’s Word. He has taught Christians everywhere to know God more deeply and to overcome the challenges of life through faith in His Word.

Dennis and his wife, Vikki, travel the globe throughout the year preaching and teaching in seminars, conventions, and churches, sharing the Word of God and keys to victorious Christian living. They have authored numerous books, including the bestseller by Dennis How To Meditate God’s Word and Vikki’s best-selling book Aim Your Child Like an Arrow. Together they are co-founders of Dennis Burke Ministries in Arlington, Texas. They have one married daughter, Jessica Shook. In 2003, Dennis earned his Doctorate in Theology from Life Christian University, Tampa, Florida.

‘‘The revelation that you are loved by God is the only thing that will empower you to walk in it.’’

Some people wear their ”busy-ness” like a badge of honor — but activity and productivity are two different things. And productivity without peace is just another version of stress! Unrealistic expectations of how much you can or should accomplish within a day only set the stage for flare-ups and meltdowns.

And when the unexpected gets tossed your way, it requires a real balancing act to keep the other balls you’re already juggling in the air. But you have to hold your act together if you’re going to keep it on the road. Therefore, it’s essential to prioritize. But trying to decide ”who’s on first and what’s on second” can become a challenge in itself. So it isn’t enough just to set a list of priorities. In order to be sustainable, those priorities must reflect your values. That can mean only one thing: You’ll have to put first things first.

Keep the Main Thing as the Main Thing

I don’t know about you, but every time I read the account of Martha and Mary, I’m a bit conflicted. I understand and identify with both sides. Mary is the devoted worshiper who abandons all to sit at the feet of Jesus. That’s great — beautiful, in fact. I completely identify with that. To sit before the Lord, undistracted in His presence, is pure joy. I long for that.

Achieve Alignment —Put First Things First

Nothing is more fulfilling and refreshing or as thoroughly satisfying. It is, after all, the purpose for our existence. We were created to worship God and to be with Him. So I ”get” Mary and identify with her. But then there’s Martha. I know she seems to have earned a bad rep, but I identify with her too.

Personally, I view Martha as the one who gets things done. She’s the organizer, the hostess, the detailed planner � and I bet her house was cleaned and ready for the Master and His entourage. Having things in order and arranged was Martha’s way of honoring the Lord and using her talents to serve Him. And what’s wrong with that? The behind-the-scenes people make it possible for the front-and-center people to fill their roles more effectively. Martha was setting the atmosphere for fellowship and interaction with Jesus. That was right and necessary.

But Martha began to obsess so much about what she was doing to create an atmosphere and environment for fellowship with the Lord that she failed to esteem the actual fellowship! This was proven by the fact that she was ready to interrupt Mary’s fellowship with the Lord, and she actually expected Jesus to approve. Oops. It was at that point that Jesus had to remind Martha that she was missing the point. In her obsessing about ”many things,” Martha had misplaced her priorities. But Mary had chosen the better part.

Andrell Corbin is an author and teacher with more than 25 years of professional experience as a writer, managing editor, and content development consultant. Her messages are marked by penetrating insights that inspire, instruct, and encourage with clarity and compassion. Andrell serves as Mass Communications Specialist for the Tulsa office of RENNER Ministries.

11IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 201110 IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

And Jesus answered and said to her, ”Martha, Martha, you are worried

and troubled about many things. But one

thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that

good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:41,42 NKJV

by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. — John 14:21 NKJV

Your obedience to God will cause Him to manifest in your life — not because of your works, but because of the honor you display as you give Him access, entrance, and dominion in your life and circumstances. And the more access you allow God to have to you and your circumstances, the more order He will bring to your life. Holding fast to the Head of the Church in fellowship and obedience — honoring Him first in your thoughts, your motives, and your actions — will keep your life in alignment with Him.

I encourage you to take a personal inventory of your priorities for a moment. The following are few signs that you need to realign your life with your values as a believer:

• Weariness in well-doing• Frustration when others’ carefree focus

on the Lord seems irresponsible to you• Emphasis on what you’re doing for the

Lord instead of what you’re hearing from the Lord in a vibrant, personal way

• Bitterness and self-pity over feeling exploited in your service

If one or more of these signs is evident in your life, it’s time to pause and realign your life so that you’re once again putting first things first.

• Repent for shifting your focus from Jesus and what He has done for you to yourself and what you are doing ”for” Him.

• Return to your first love by recalling His great love for you.

• Remember your former devotion.• Realign your priorities according to your

values.

This simple adjustment will restore your joy and renew your strength. Furthermore, you will experience the satisfaction that comes from being truly effective instead of just ”busy.” As you deliberately seek to honor the Lord by giving Him first consideration in your thoughts, motives, and actions, order and peace will become notable qualities in your life, all because you chose to put first things first.

Jesus was letting Martha know that she had a priority issue. Somehow in the midst of all her doing ministry for the Lord, Martha wasn’t being a minister to the Lord. She had become so preoccupied with the small details to support Jesus’ visit to her home that she had lost sight of the purpose of His visit, which was the main thing. After all, it was Jesus who was visiting her house! He wasn’t an ordinary visitor � He was the Messiah! When the Messiah is in the house, you don’t obsess over dinner menus, napkins, china, and water spots on the crystal. Those things may have their place in making a time of fellowship more enjoyable, but the ”better part” is the main thing: fellowship with the Messiah Himself.

Preparing a meal to serve the Lord was secondary to waiting before the Lord in order to be fed by Him. When the Lord speaks, His words are the Bread of Life that supersedes natural food, or natural anything. That’s where Martha missed the point — she allowed the minor things to replace the major thing — the main thing. As a result, her priorities were out of order and had to be brought back into proper alignment. If she’d failed to realign her priorities, she would have derived no lasting benefit from her service, despite all her labor, because she would have missed the entire point and the ultimate goal of her service.

Misalignment Causes Misapplied Pressure

The human body requires proper spinal alignment for optimal function. On the other hand, misalignment of the spine applies

pressure on the wrong places, leading to weakness that, if left uncorrected, will ultimately become debilitating.

When the spine is properly aligned, each nerve has unrestricted access to create a clear channel of transmission so that each organ can receive appropriate signals from the brain. The result is a healthy body. However, if the spine is misaligned, nerves are constricted, proper blood flow is restricted, and pressure is misapplied to joints in ways that the body was never intended to experience. The longer misalignment persists, the more out of order the body becomes.

This is a physical example of what occurs in us as individuals when our lives get out of order because our priorities are misaligned. When we fail to put first things first, we become frustrated as we obsess and focus on what we’re doing to minister for the Lord — while we fail to experience the richness of fellowship that refreshes and replenishes us as we minister to the Lord.

So how do we achieve the alignment necessary to enable us ”to choose the better part,” as Mary did, while fulfilling our call to minister to people, as Martha did?

1. Make your flesh sit still before the Word daily to establish its subordination to the Word and to your own regenerated spirit.

2. Be ”refilled” with the Spirit daily. Stay and drink in His presence every day until you overflow (see Ephesians 5:18-20).

3. Give yourself to God, to His Word, to the pursuit of His presence, and to obedience to His instructions — both written and those words of instruction spoken to your own spirit. This will both strengthen and purify your heart and surround you with an impenetrable shield that will protect and preserve you.

4. Establish a lifestyle of worship and holiness � obedience � and establish the reality of Satan’s defeat in your life.

He who has My command-ments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved

12 IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011 13IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

And Jesus answered and said to her, ”Martha, Martha, you are worried

and troubled about many things. But one

thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that

good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:41,42 NKJV

by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. — John 14:21 NKJV

Your obedience to God will cause Him to manifest in your life — not because of your works, but because of the honor you display as you give Him access, entrance, and dominion in your life and circumstances. And the more access you allow God to have to you and your circumstances, the more order He will bring to your life. Holding fast to the Head of the Church in fellowship and obedience — honoring Him first in your thoughts, your motives, and your actions — will keep your life in alignment with Him.

I encourage you to take a personal inventory of your priorities for a moment. The following are few signs that you need to realign your life with your values as a believer:

• Weariness in well-doing• Frustration when others’ carefree focus

on the Lord seems irresponsible to you• Emphasis on what you’re doing for the

Lord instead of what you’re hearing from the Lord in a vibrant, personal way

• Bitterness and self-pity over feeling exploited in your service

If one or more of these signs is evident in your life, it’s time to pause and realign your life so that you’re once again putting first things first.

• Repent for shifting your focus from Jesus and what He has done for you to yourself and what you are doing ”for” Him.

• Return to your first love by recalling His great love for you.

• Remember your former devotion.• Realign your priorities according to your

values.

This simple adjustment will restore your joy and renew your strength. Furthermore, you will experience the satisfaction that comes from being truly effective instead of just ”busy.” As you deliberately seek to honor the Lord by giving Him first consideration in your thoughts, motives, and actions, order and peace will become notable qualities in your life, all because you chose to put first things first.

Jesus was letting Martha know that she had a priority issue. Somehow in the midst of all her doing ministry for the Lord, Martha wasn’t being a minister to the Lord. She had become so preoccupied with the small details to support Jesus’ visit to her home that she had lost sight of the purpose of His visit, which was the main thing. After all, it was Jesus who was visiting her house! He wasn’t an ordinary visitor � He was the Messiah! When the Messiah is in the house, you don’t obsess over dinner menus, napkins, china, and water spots on the crystal. Those things may have their place in making a time of fellowship more enjoyable, but the ”better part” is the main thing: fellowship with the Messiah Himself.

Preparing a meal to serve the Lord was secondary to waiting before the Lord in order to be fed by Him. When the Lord speaks, His words are the Bread of Life that supersedes natural food, or natural anything. That’s where Martha missed the point — she allowed the minor things to replace the major thing — the main thing. As a result, her priorities were out of order and had to be brought back into proper alignment. If she’d failed to realign her priorities, she would have derived no lasting benefit from her service, despite all her labor, because she would have missed the entire point and the ultimate goal of her service.

Misalignment Causes Misapplied Pressure

The human body requires proper spinal alignment for optimal function. On the other hand, misalignment of the spine applies

pressure on the wrong places, leading to weakness that, if left uncorrected, will ultimately become debilitating.

When the spine is properly aligned, each nerve has unrestricted access to create a clear channel of transmission so that each organ can receive appropriate signals from the brain. The result is a healthy body. However, if the spine is misaligned, nerves are constricted, proper blood flow is restricted, and pressure is misapplied to joints in ways that the body was never intended to experience. The longer misalignment persists, the more out of order the body becomes.

This is a physical example of what occurs in us as individuals when our lives get out of order because our priorities are misaligned. When we fail to put first things first, we become frustrated as we obsess and focus on what we’re doing to minister for the Lord — while we fail to experience the richness of fellowship that refreshes and replenishes us as we minister to the Lord.

So how do we achieve the alignment necessary to enable us ”to choose the better part,” as Mary did, while fulfilling our call to minister to people, as Martha did?

1. Make your flesh sit still before the Word daily to establish its subordination to the Word and to your own regenerated spirit.

2. Be ”refilled” with the Spirit daily. Stay and drink in His presence every day until you overflow (see Ephesians 5:18-20).

3. Give yourself to God, to His Word, to the pursuit of His presence, and to obedience to His instructions — both written and those words of instruction spoken to your own spirit. This will both strengthen and purify your heart and surround you with an impenetrable shield that will protect and preserve you.

4. Establish a lifestyle of worship and holiness � obedience � and establish the reality of Satan’s defeat in your life.

He who has My command-ments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved

12 IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011 13IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

must develop. We need to strive to be excellent in everything we do. Yet if someone with less talent possesses a good heart, that person can be taught and — with time and diligence — he or she will grow.

But have you ever noticed that it’s difficult to teach someone with a bad attitude, even if that person has great talent? Usually, a bad attitude stems from a person’s belief that he ”knows it all.” And since he believes he already knows everything there is to know

about his talent or trade, he can’t grow any better or go any higher than where he is at that moment. His own narrow thinking stifles him and hinders his progress.

The Lord looks on the heart to promote a man or woman of God. And — just like king Saul, who preceded David as king of Israel — the Lord will demote a man or woman, even one whom He has called, if that person allows an ungodly attitude to remain in his or her heart.

In obedience to the Lord, the prophet Samuel had come to Jesse’s house and had asked him to bring together all of his sons, because the Lord had said, ”I will choose a king from the

house of Jesse” (see 1 Samuel 16:1). All the sons lined up for the prophet one by one. They were strong, handsome, and very dignified. Again and again, Samuel would prepare to anoint one of them as king when the Lord would say, ”He’s not the one” (see vv. 6-10).

Finally, Samuel turned to Jesse and asked, ”Do you have another son? That’s when David was invited in from tending the sheep, and Samuel anointed him as God’s chosen king.

David was thought to be the most insignificant and least important in his family, even in the eyes of his father. David’s own father did not believe he had what it took to be a king. From the outside, David didn’t look that impressive — and on top of that, David was just a shepherd boy. But God thought otherwise about Jesse’s youngest son, and in time David became the greatest and most remembered king in the history of the Israelite nation.

Man looks at outside appearances, but God looks at the heart.

What’s in Your Heart?The Key to Promotion and Restoration

BY PHILIP RENNER

What’s in Your Heart?I’m so glad God looks at the heart —

aren’t you? If God were to look at our talents and abilities, He would not choose us based on those things alone. For example, there are many who are better musicians than I am. They preach better than I do, and, ultimately, they are more talented. But, praise God, He doesn’t judge from what’s on the outside but, rather, from what’s in our heart.

Don’t misunderstand me. Talent and abilities are very important. God has given each of us gifts and talents that we

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. � 1 Samuel 16:7

Worship leader, award-winning recording artist, songwriter, and producer, Philip Renner became involved full time in worship ministry at the age of 15. But when a groundbreaking win in a prestigious

Russian music contest brought him before an international audience with the offer of a lucrative recording contract, Philip suddenly came face-to-face with his own heart motives for doing music. Philip looked inward, then upward in a way he never had before. At that time, both his life and his music were transformed. Today, alongside his wife Ella, Philip serves as youth minister for the Moscow Good News Church, founded and pastored by his parents Rick and Denise Renner. Together Philip and Ella are passionate about seeing people connect with their purpose in Christ and developing a real relationship with God. They travel abroad internationally to minister to audiences of all ages with a special emphasis on preaching and music. The couple resides in Moscow, Russia, with their young daughter Emilia.

14 IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011 15IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

must develop. We need to strive to be excellent in everything we do. Yet if someone with less talent possesses a good heart, that person can be taught and — with time and diligence — he or she will grow.

But have you ever noticed that it’s difficult to teach someone with a bad attitude, even if that person has great talent? Usually, a bad attitude stems from a person’s belief that he ”knows it all.” And since he believes he already knows everything there is to know

about his talent or trade, he can’t grow any better or go any higher than where he is at that moment. His own narrow thinking stifles him and hinders his progress.

The Lord looks on the heart to promote a man or woman of God. And — just like king Saul, who preceded David as king of Israel — the Lord will demote a man or woman, even one whom He has called, if that person allows an ungodly attitude to remain in his or her heart.

In obedience to the Lord, the prophet Samuel had come to Jesse’s house and had asked him to bring together all of his sons, because the Lord had said, ”I will choose a king from the

house of Jesse” (see 1 Samuel 16:1). All the sons lined up for the prophet one by one. They were strong, handsome, and very dignified. Again and again, Samuel would prepare to anoint one of them as king when the Lord would say, ”He’s not the one” (see vv. 6-10).

Finally, Samuel turned to Jesse and asked, ”Do you have another son? That’s when David was invited in from tending the sheep, and Samuel anointed him as God’s chosen king.

David was thought to be the most insignificant and least important in his family, even in the eyes of his father. David’s own father did not believe he had what it took to be a king. From the outside, David didn’t look that impressive — and on top of that, David was just a shepherd boy. But God thought otherwise about Jesse’s youngest son, and in time David became the greatest and most remembered king in the history of the Israelite nation.

Man looks at outside appearances, but God looks at the heart.

What’s in Your Heart?The Key to Promotion and Restoration

BY PHILIP RENNER

What’s in Your Heart?I’m so glad God looks at the heart —

aren’t you? If God were to look at our talents and abilities, He would not choose us based on those things alone. For example, there are many who are better musicians than I am. They preach better than I do, and, ultimately, they are more talented. But, praise God, He doesn’t judge from what’s on the outside but, rather, from what’s in our heart.

Don’t misunderstand me. Talent and abilities are very important. God has given each of us gifts and talents that we

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. � 1 Samuel 16:7

Worship leader, award-winning recording artist, songwriter, and producer, Philip Renner became involved full time in worship ministry at the age of 15. But when a groundbreaking win in a prestigious

Russian music contest brought him before an international audience with the offer of a lucrative recording contract, Philip suddenly came face-to-face with his own heart motives for doing music. Philip looked inward, then upward in a way he never had before. At that time, both his life and his music were transformed. Today, alongside his wife Ella, Philip serves as youth minister for the Moscow Good News Church, founded and pastored by his parents Rick and Denise Renner. Together Philip and Ella are passionate about seeing people connect with their purpose in Christ and developing a real relationship with God. They travel abroad internationally to minister to audiences of all ages with a special emphasis on preaching and music. The couple resides in Moscow, Russia, with their young daughter Emilia.

14 IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011 15IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

Can You Receive Constructive Criticism, or Do You Shun Correction?

What does it mean ”to look on the heart”? One thing it means is that God is looking for those to promote who have a heart to learn and receive correction. That also means He’s not looking for those who won’t receive correction! James 4:6 (NIV) says, ”God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So the criteria for being used by God are not your great abilities or talent — it’s your heart that determines how much God can use you.

Just a few verses later, in verse 10 (NIV), James says, ”Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” I don’t know about you — but I want God to lift me up! I want God to use me in a mighty way. I know the only way that’s going to happen is if I stay focused on Jesus, keep a pure heart, and receive correction from God Himself and from those who have authority in my life.

When God looks at you, what do you think He sees? Remember from the life of David that God doesn’t look at outside appearances but at the heart.

Keep a pure heart and God will use you.

David Opened His Heart and Received God’s Mercy

What exactly did God see when He looked on David’s heart? Acts 13:22 (NKJV) gives us a clue: ”And when He had removed him [Saul], He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’”

David had the desire and determination to do ”all God’s will.” David was also an exceptional, warrior, leader, and king. But he didn’t become exceptional overnight or by running from trouble and adversity. In fact, David faced and overcame challenges

and trouble his entire life. Before he became king, he was despised by his brothers. After he was anointed to become king, he had to run for his life from king Saul, who repeatedly tried to kill David. Then after David became king, his own son tried to take his kingdom from him!

David went through a lot of difficulties, but through them all, he never forgot that God was his God — his shield of protection and defense.

Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

� Psalm 59:17

However, just because David was chosen by God — and honored God by trusting His delivering power — didn’t mean David never missed it or sinned. No, there was a time when David messed up big time!

David sinned against God and man when he fell in love with a married woman named Bathsheba. David slept with her, and she became pregnant. Then David summoned her husband Uriah home from war so that he would sleep with his wife, and the pregnancy could be ”covered up.” But Uriah was a man of honor and refused to have pleasure with his wife while his comrades were risking their lives in the heat of battle.

David’s scheme failed, so he had Uriah sent to the battle’s front lines and commanded that enforcements be withdrawn from him so that he would die in battle at the hand of the enemy. That evil plan did succeed, and David took Bathsheba as his wife. (See 2 Samuel 11:1-26.)

We all know the story. God sent the prophet Nathan to rebuke David for what he’d done. Immediately, David repented from his heart, laying his heart bare before God, without making excuses for his sinful actions.

It was during that time of repentance that David wrote the following words in Psalm 51:10 (NIV): ”Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a

steadfast spirit within me.” David was so brokenhearted about his sin that he pleaded with God to forgive him. The amazing thing is that God did forgive him, and today when we think of David, we don’t automatically think of him as a failure of a man who committed adultery and murder. We think of him as a man who was called and anointed of God and who was not only a gifted psalmist and musician, but also the greatest king in Israel’s history.

Your Heart Can Be Your Title of Honor

Despite David’s many gifts and abilities, the greatest of David’s treasures was his heart. Even after David had committed those horrible, shameful acts and God had forgiven him, David held a ”title” before God that is given to no one else in Scripture: A Man After God’s Own Heart.

What about you? Maybe you’ve done something so wrong that you feel as if God could never forgive you. Perhaps you feel as if you’ve missed it so terribly that restoration is out of reach. You’ve forgotten, or you’ve let the truth slip from you, that God is a God who delights in mercy (Micah 7:18). If so, like David, you must open your heart to God in complete surrender to Him and dependence on His great love and abundant mercy. The ability to have a clean slate and another chance at life is the miracle of the Cross of Christ. As Lamentations 3:23 proclaims: God’s mercies are new every morning — great is His faithfulness!

WinningOver Life’s Struggles

I think it’s appropriate to begin my closing word this month with the word ”finally.” We’re all familiar with

this passage in Ephesians 6:10-18 that details the ”armor of God” — spiritual armor that we’re commanded to utilize if we’re going to honor God and live victorious lives as Christians. But I want to share something specific about Paul’s message to the Ephesian believers that I believe will strengthen

and encourage you as well — and it has to do with these first three words in verse 10: ”Finally, my brethren.”

First, I want to talk to you a little bit about the church of Ephesus. This church was located in the Lycus Valley in ancient Asia Minor near the present-day province of Izmir in western Turkey. The Ephesian church was notoriously one of the most educated in New Testament truths and doctrine in all of Asia Minor. Founded by the

apostle Paul himself (see Acts 19:1-20), the church grew under his leadership for at least three years, during which time he raised up leaders and elders in the church (see Acts 20:31). Then at some point after Paul’s departure from

Ephesus, Timothy arrived on the scene to serve as the pastor of the church (see 1 Timothy 1:3).

I don’t know about you, but I think that’s an amazing history in itself — and if we stopped right there, this alone would have made the church of

‘‘The Ephesian church was notoriously one of the most educated in New Testament

truths and doctrine in all of Asia Minor.’’

Editor’s Note: Rick teaches in depth on the spiritual armor of God — what it is and how to use it — in his best-selling book Dressed To Kill: A Biblical Approach to Spiritual Warfare and Armor, now available on Kindle, Nook, and iBooks.

by Rick Renner

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. — Ephesians 6:10

16 IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011 17IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

Can You Receive Constructive Criticism, or Do You Shun Correction?

What does it mean ”to look on the heart”? One thing it means is that God is looking for those to promote who have a heart to learn and receive correction. That also means He’s not looking for those who won’t receive correction! James 4:6 (NIV) says, ”God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So the criteria for being used by God are not your great abilities or talent — it’s your heart that determines how much God can use you.

Just a few verses later, in verse 10 (NIV), James says, ”Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” I don’t know about you — but I want God to lift me up! I want God to use me in a mighty way. I know the only way that’s going to happen is if I stay focused on Jesus, keep a pure heart, and receive correction from God Himself and from those who have authority in my life.

When God looks at you, what do you think He sees? Remember from the life of David that God doesn’t look at outside appearances but at the heart.

Keep a pure heart and God will use you.

David Opened His Heart and Received God’s Mercy

What exactly did God see when He looked on David’s heart? Acts 13:22 (NKJV) gives us a clue: ”And when He had removed him [Saul], He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’”

David had the desire and determination to do ”all God’s will.” David was also an exceptional, warrior, leader, and king. But he didn’t become exceptional overnight or by running from trouble and adversity. In fact, David faced and overcame challenges

and trouble his entire life. Before he became king, he was despised by his brothers. After he was anointed to become king, he had to run for his life from king Saul, who repeatedly tried to kill David. Then after David became king, his own son tried to take his kingdom from him!

David went through a lot of difficulties, but through them all, he never forgot that God was his God — his shield of protection and defense.

Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

� Psalm 59:17

However, just because David was chosen by God — and honored God by trusting His delivering power — didn’t mean David never missed it or sinned. No, there was a time when David messed up big time!

David sinned against God and man when he fell in love with a married woman named Bathsheba. David slept with her, and she became pregnant. Then David summoned her husband Uriah home from war so that he would sleep with his wife, and the pregnancy could be ”covered up.” But Uriah was a man of honor and refused to have pleasure with his wife while his comrades were risking their lives in the heat of battle.

David’s scheme failed, so he had Uriah sent to the battle’s front lines and commanded that enforcements be withdrawn from him so that he would die in battle at the hand of the enemy. That evil plan did succeed, and David took Bathsheba as his wife. (See 2 Samuel 11:1-26.)

We all know the story. God sent the prophet Nathan to rebuke David for what he’d done. Immediately, David repented from his heart, laying his heart bare before God, without making excuses for his sinful actions.

It was during that time of repentance that David wrote the following words in Psalm 51:10 (NIV): ”Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a

steadfast spirit within me.” David was so brokenhearted about his sin that he pleaded with God to forgive him. The amazing thing is that God did forgive him, and today when we think of David, we don’t automatically think of him as a failure of a man who committed adultery and murder. We think of him as a man who was called and anointed of God and who was not only a gifted psalmist and musician, but also the greatest king in Israel’s history.

Your Heart Can Be Your Title of Honor

Despite David’s many gifts and abilities, the greatest of David’s treasures was his heart. Even after David had committed those horrible, shameful acts and God had forgiven him, David held a ”title” before God that is given to no one else in Scripture: A Man After God’s Own Heart.

What about you? Maybe you’ve done something so wrong that you feel as if God could never forgive you. Perhaps you feel as if you’ve missed it so terribly that restoration is out of reach. You’ve forgotten, or you’ve let the truth slip from you, that God is a God who delights in mercy (Micah 7:18). If so, like David, you must open your heart to God in complete surrender to Him and dependence on His great love and abundant mercy. The ability to have a clean slate and another chance at life is the miracle of the Cross of Christ. As Lamentations 3:23 proclaims: God’s mercies are new every morning — great is His faithfulness!

WinningOver Life’s Struggles

I think it’s appropriate to begin my closing word this month with the word ”finally.” We’re all familiar with

this passage in Ephesians 6:10-18 that details the ”armor of God” — spiritual armor that we’re commanded to utilize if we’re going to honor God and live victorious lives as Christians. But I want to share something specific about Paul’s message to the Ephesian believers that I believe will strengthen

and encourage you as well — and it has to do with these first three words in verse 10: ”Finally, my brethren.”

First, I want to talk to you a little bit about the church of Ephesus. This church was located in the Lycus Valley in ancient Asia Minor near the present-day province of Izmir in western Turkey. The Ephesian church was notoriously one of the most educated in New Testament truths and doctrine in all of Asia Minor. Founded by the

apostle Paul himself (see Acts 19:1-20), the church grew under his leadership for at least three years, during which time he raised up leaders and elders in the church (see Acts 20:31). Then at some point after Paul’s departure from

Ephesus, Timothy arrived on the scene to serve as the pastor of the church (see 1 Timothy 1:3).

I don’t know about you, but I think that’s an amazing history in itself — and if we stopped right there, this alone would have made the church of

‘‘The Ephesian church was notoriously one of the most educated in New Testament

truths and doctrine in all of Asia Minor.’’

Editor’s Note: Rick teaches in depth on the spiritual armor of God — what it is and how to use it — in his best-selling book Dressed To Kill: A Biblical Approach to Spiritual Warfare and Armor, now available on Kindle, Nook, and iBooks.

by Rick Renner

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. — Ephesians 6:10

16 IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011 17IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

Ephesus the most unique local church in Church history. But in addition to the roles of Paul and Timothy in the church of Ephesus, the apostle John was also a member of this church. Additionally, when John moved his ministry base from Israel to the city of Ephesus, he moved Mary, the mother of Jesus, to the city with him, where he cared for her until her death. The mother of Jesus was a member of the church of Ephesus!

We can also be certain that other great men and women of God went to minister there in Ephesus, since it was the largest church in existence in that day. Peter, Apollos, Aquila, and Priscilla had most assuredly ministered in this church at some point along the way.

Correct in Doctrine, Yet Strugglingin Their Personal Lives

Nevertheless, even with this abundance of excellent ministry and spiritual insight and knowledge, the Ephesian believers were not experiencing the overcoming, abundant life

that Jesus came to offer. On the contrary, their personal lives were in shambles! They were mature in the realm of doctrine — and that’s certainly not wrong. In fact, because of the newness of the Early Church at that time, it was very important that doctrine be analyzed for soundness and clarity. However, in developing themselves in the area of doctrinal correctness, the congregation at Ephesus had failed to develop in other critically vital areas. These early Christians needed to start acting on the knowledge they had obtained.

This was the backdrop against which Paul wrote his letter to the church of Ephesus. Then at the end of that letter, he launched his detailed explanation of spiritual armor. But first he admonished the Ephesian believers — and us today: ”Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord...” (Ephesians 6:10).

Now let’s look at that word ”finally” — one of the most important words in this entire passage. Taken from the Greek phrase tou loipou, ”finally” would be better translated for the rest of the matter; in conclusion; or in summation.

The phrase tou loipou was used in other secular Greek manuscripts of that same period to depict something so extremely important that it is held until the very end. Thus, the reader would be able to remember this one thing if he remembered nothing else of what was written. In light of this, the word ”finally” in Ephesians 6:10 carries this idea: ”In conclusion, I have saved the most important issue of this epistle until the end. That way, if you remember nothing else of what I have said, you will remember this. I want this to stand out in your mind!”

This is a remarkable statement considering that the book of Ephesians contains some of the most important truths and practical instructions given in the entire New Testament! The truths Paul wrote in this book are foundational to our view of Jesus Christ, the Church, ourselves, and the devil’s defeated position. It’s an epistle that demands our fullest attention! Yet when you come to the end of this grand epistle, so jam-packed with all these marvelous truths, Paul said, ”Finally….” He was telling us that, regardless of what we’ve already read, we need to pay attention to what comes next in this letter!

When I first began to study this passage years ago, this word greatly perplexed me. How could what Paul would say about spiritual armor and warfare be more important than the doctrines of election, predestination, and adoption? How could these spiritual weapons and their functions be more important than our understanding of the eternal plan of God? Why did Paul save this subject for the end of his letter and then say, in effect, that what he was about to reveal was more important that any subject he had discussed so far?

In time, I came to understand why Paul made this outrageous statement about spiritual warfare and spiritual armor. Generally speaking, these issues could not be more important than the other Bible doctrines Paul talked about in the book of Ephesians. These doctrines are extremely important for us to know and understand; they are foundational to all that we believe about the work of the Cross. However, at that specific time and for the specific readers to whom Paul was writing, spiritual warfare and spiritual armor were temporarily more important for a very practical reason.

Like so many in the Church world today who have the privilege of obtaining vast spiritual knowledge, the believers to whom Paul was writing were defeated in their personal lives. Although they could have answered nearly any Bible question you could have put before them, their personal lives were falling to pieces.

How do I know that? Paul obviously was not writing his epistle to people who were living victoriously in Christ. For example, do victorious people have to be told to stop lying (Ephesians 4:25)? Do victorious people give place to the devil in their personal lives and relationships (vv. 26-28)? Do victorious people permit ”corrupt communication” to have a place in their conversation (v. 29)? Do victorious people continuously grieve the Holy Spirit with bad attitudes such as bitterness, anger, clamor, and malice (vv. 30,31)?

The obvious answer to these questions indicates the overall condition of the believers Paul was writing to. That’s why he began his text on spiritual warfare and spiritual armor by saying, in essence, ”I’ve saved the most important part of this epistle for the end so that, if you remember nothing else, you will remember this!”

18 IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011 19IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

Ephesus the most unique local church in Church history. But in addition to the roles of Paul and Timothy in the church of Ephesus, the apostle John was also a member of this church. Additionally, when John moved his ministry base from Israel to the city of Ephesus, he moved Mary, the mother of Jesus, to the city with him, where he cared for her until her death. The mother of Jesus was a member of the church of Ephesus!

We can also be certain that other great men and women of God went to minister there in Ephesus, since it was the largest church in existence in that day. Peter, Apollos, Aquila, and Priscilla had most assuredly ministered in this church at some point along the way.

Correct in Doctrine, Yet Strugglingin Their Personal Lives

Nevertheless, even with this abundance of excellent ministry and spiritual insight and knowledge, the Ephesian believers were not experiencing the overcoming, abundant life

that Jesus came to offer. On the contrary, their personal lives were in shambles! They were mature in the realm of doctrine — and that’s certainly not wrong. In fact, because of the newness of the Early Church at that time, it was very important that doctrine be analyzed for soundness and clarity. However, in developing themselves in the area of doctrinal correctness, the congregation at Ephesus had failed to develop in other critically vital areas. These early Christians needed to start acting on the knowledge they had obtained.

This was the backdrop against which Paul wrote his letter to the church of Ephesus. Then at the end of that letter, he launched his detailed explanation of spiritual armor. But first he admonished the Ephesian believers — and us today: ”Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord...” (Ephesians 6:10).

Now let’s look at that word ”finally” — one of the most important words in this entire passage. Taken from the Greek phrase tou loipou, ”finally” would be better translated for the rest of the matter; in conclusion; or in summation.

The phrase tou loipou was used in other secular Greek manuscripts of that same period to depict something so extremely important that it is held until the very end. Thus, the reader would be able to remember this one thing if he remembered nothing else of what was written. In light of this, the word ”finally” in Ephesians 6:10 carries this idea: ”In conclusion, I have saved the most important issue of this epistle until the end. That way, if you remember nothing else of what I have said, you will remember this. I want this to stand out in your mind!”

This is a remarkable statement considering that the book of Ephesians contains some of the most important truths and practical instructions given in the entire New Testament! The truths Paul wrote in this book are foundational to our view of Jesus Christ, the Church, ourselves, and the devil’s defeated position. It’s an epistle that demands our fullest attention! Yet when you come to the end of this grand epistle, so jam-packed with all these marvelous truths, Paul said, ”Finally….” He was telling us that, regardless of what we’ve already read, we need to pay attention to what comes next in this letter!

When I first began to study this passage years ago, this word greatly perplexed me. How could what Paul would say about spiritual armor and warfare be more important than the doctrines of election, predestination, and adoption? How could these spiritual weapons and their functions be more important than our understanding of the eternal plan of God? Why did Paul save this subject for the end of his letter and then say, in effect, that what he was about to reveal was more important that any subject he had discussed so far?

In time, I came to understand why Paul made this outrageous statement about spiritual warfare and spiritual armor. Generally speaking, these issues could not be more important than the other Bible doctrines Paul talked about in the book of Ephesians. These doctrines are extremely important for us to know and understand; they are foundational to all that we believe about the work of the Cross. However, at that specific time and for the specific readers to whom Paul was writing, spiritual warfare and spiritual armor were temporarily more important for a very practical reason.

Like so many in the Church world today who have the privilege of obtaining vast spiritual knowledge, the believers to whom Paul was writing were defeated in their personal lives. Although they could have answered nearly any Bible question you could have put before them, their personal lives were falling to pieces.

How do I know that? Paul obviously was not writing his epistle to people who were living victoriously in Christ. For example, do victorious people have to be told to stop lying (Ephesians 4:25)? Do victorious people give place to the devil in their personal lives and relationships (vv. 26-28)? Do victorious people permit ”corrupt communication” to have a place in their conversation (v. 29)? Do victorious people continuously grieve the Holy Spirit with bad attitudes such as bitterness, anger, clamor, and malice (vv. 30,31)?

The obvious answer to these questions indicates the overall condition of the believers Paul was writing to. That’s why he began his text on spiritual warfare and spiritual armor by saying, in essence, ”I’ve saved the most important part of this epistle for the end so that, if you remember nothing else, you will remember this!”

18 IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011 19IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

‘Brother Soldiers’ — Your Comrades and Associates in the Struggles of Life

As Paul continues on in Ephesians 6:10, he says, ”Finally, my brethren....” This word ”brethren” is another very significant New Testament word that is often overlooked and misunderstood. The word ”brethren” is taken from the Greek word adelphos, one of the oldest words in the New Testament. In its most frequent usage, adelphos simply means brother. However, this word ”brethren” has a much deeper meaning than this.

In its very oldest sense, the word adelphos was used in the medical world to describe two people who were born from the same womb. So when the early Greeks addressed each other as ”brethren,” they meant to convey this idea: ”You and I are truly brothers! We came out of the same womb of humanity. We have the same feelings; we have similar emotions; and we deal with the same problems in life.”

But this isn’t all there is to the word ”brethren.” The word ”brother” (adelphos) wasn’t used in a popular sense — as we use it today — until the time of Alexander the Great. During this time period, the word ”brother” began to take on a new, militaristic twist in meaning. Given that Ephesians 6:10-18 is a text about spiritual warfare and armor, there’s no doubt that Paul had this militaristic idea in his mind when he addressed his readers as ”brethren.” (We must also realize that when Paul wrote this letter, he was a prisoner of Rome and spent his days chained to a heavily armored Roman soldier!)

Alexander the Great was irrefutably the finest soldier the world has ever known. By the age of 18, he had already conquered the entire eastern empire, and by the time he was 33, the western empire had also fallen into his hands. The fame and notoriety of this powerful man of war was so widespread and revered that soldiers from all over his far-flung empire desired to have some kind of personal acquaintance with him. To know Alexander personally and to earn his recognition was the highest honor a military man could receive.

Therefore, on very special occasions, Alexander would host ceremonies. During these ceremonies, he would summon

especially brave, hard-working soldiers onto a giant platform to stand at his side. Then Alexander would ceremonially give public recognition to these special soldiers who had fought so hard and had gone the extra mile in battle.

Before a large audience of adoring military men, Alexander would place his arm around faithful fighters one at a time and would publicly declare, ”Let all the empire know that Alexander is proud to be the brother of this soldier.” Thus, the word ”brother,” as it was used during Alexander’s time, also carried the idea of comrade or a fellow soldier.

With this in mind, we know that the word ”brother” portrays the picture of two soldiers who are fighting in the same fight and who share similar feelings, desires, and fears. Yet these brother soldiers have learned how to overcome their emotions and gain the victory in the midst of difficult confrontations.

So if these men called someone a ”brother,” it meant that he was a true comrade. Through it all, these soldiers stayed together, united in the heat of the fray. Consequently, they achieved a special level of ”brotherhood” that only soldiers know. We can see, then, that Paul was imparting a powerful message to his readers when he addressed them as ”my brethren.” We could translate that phrase like this:

Are You Still in the Fight?If So, You Are an Exceptionally Fine Soldier!

Although the Ephesian believers were struggling in their personal lives when Paul wrote them, they hadn’t given up the fight! They were still hanging in there, plodding along one step at a time. This kind of ongoing commitment to stay in the battle is a key characteristic of believers who are worth knowing and affiliating with. Regardless of how well or how badly these believers are doing in the midst of their fight, at least they keep fighting. Others have given up, but they have not! According to Paul, these are the very kind of people whom we should view as comrades in the faith!

This is particularly good news for you if you’re going through a difficult time right

now. The adversary may try to accuse you of being a spiritual failure because you haven’t yet achieved total victory in your life. But as long as you remain faithful to the fight and refuse to relinquish your stand of faith against the enemy, you are still an exceptionally fine soldier! In fact, you are the very kind of soldier any believer should be happy to know and associate with!

I want to encourage you regarding the word ”brethren” that Paul used in this crucial, final section of his letter to the Ephesians: It isn’t how well we fight for a time that ultimately counts. What really counts is that we keep on fighting, because it’s a ”never-give-up” kind of attitude that produces victory in our lives every time!

‘‘It isn’t how well we fight for a time that ultimately counts ... [it’s] that we keep on fighting.’’

”We all came out of the same womb of humanity, and we share similar feelings, struggles, and emotions in life. Nevertheless, we have not been conquered by these things. Like me, you are still in the fight and are giving it your best shot. Therefore, I am personally proud to be affiliated with people like you. We are brothers!”

20 IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011 21IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

‘Brother Soldiers’ — Your Comrades and Associates in the Struggles of Life

As Paul continues on in Ephesians 6:10, he says, ”Finally, my brethren....” This word ”brethren” is another very significant New Testament word that is often overlooked and misunderstood. The word ”brethren” is taken from the Greek word adelphos, one of the oldest words in the New Testament. In its most frequent usage, adelphos simply means brother. However, this word ”brethren” has a much deeper meaning than this.

In its very oldest sense, the word adelphos was used in the medical world to describe two people who were born from the same womb. So when the early Greeks addressed each other as ”brethren,” they meant to convey this idea: ”You and I are truly brothers! We came out of the same womb of humanity. We have the same feelings; we have similar emotions; and we deal with the same problems in life.”

But this isn’t all there is to the word ”brethren.” The word ”brother” (adelphos) wasn’t used in a popular sense — as we use it today — until the time of Alexander the Great. During this time period, the word ”brother” began to take on a new, militaristic twist in meaning. Given that Ephesians 6:10-18 is a text about spiritual warfare and armor, there’s no doubt that Paul had this militaristic idea in his mind when he addressed his readers as ”brethren.” (We must also realize that when Paul wrote this letter, he was a prisoner of Rome and spent his days chained to a heavily armored Roman soldier!)

Alexander the Great was irrefutably the finest soldier the world has ever known. By the age of 18, he had already conquered the entire eastern empire, and by the time he was 33, the western empire had also fallen into his hands. The fame and notoriety of this powerful man of war was so widespread and revered that soldiers from all over his far-flung empire desired to have some kind of personal acquaintance with him. To know Alexander personally and to earn his recognition was the highest honor a military man could receive.

Therefore, on very special occasions, Alexander would host ceremonies. During these ceremonies, he would summon

especially brave, hard-working soldiers onto a giant platform to stand at his side. Then Alexander would ceremonially give public recognition to these special soldiers who had fought so hard and had gone the extra mile in battle.

Before a large audience of adoring military men, Alexander would place his arm around faithful fighters one at a time and would publicly declare, ”Let all the empire know that Alexander is proud to be the brother of this soldier.” Thus, the word ”brother,” as it was used during Alexander’s time, also carried the idea of comrade or a fellow soldier.

With this in mind, we know that the word ”brother” portrays the picture of two soldiers who are fighting in the same fight and who share similar feelings, desires, and fears. Yet these brother soldiers have learned how to overcome their emotions and gain the victory in the midst of difficult confrontations.

So if these men called someone a ”brother,” it meant that he was a true comrade. Through it all, these soldiers stayed together, united in the heat of the fray. Consequently, they achieved a special level of ”brotherhood” that only soldiers know. We can see, then, that Paul was imparting a powerful message to his readers when he addressed them as ”my brethren.” We could translate that phrase like this:

Are You Still in the Fight?If So, You Are an Exceptionally Fine Soldier!

Although the Ephesian believers were struggling in their personal lives when Paul wrote them, they hadn’t given up the fight! They were still hanging in there, plodding along one step at a time. This kind of ongoing commitment to stay in the battle is a key characteristic of believers who are worth knowing and affiliating with. Regardless of how well or how badly these believers are doing in the midst of their fight, at least they keep fighting. Others have given up, but they have not! According to Paul, these are the very kind of people whom we should view as comrades in the faith!

This is particularly good news for you if you’re going through a difficult time right

now. The adversary may try to accuse you of being a spiritual failure because you haven’t yet achieved total victory in your life. But as long as you remain faithful to the fight and refuse to relinquish your stand of faith against the enemy, you are still an exceptionally fine soldier! In fact, you are the very kind of soldier any believer should be happy to know and associate with!

I want to encourage you regarding the word ”brethren” that Paul used in this crucial, final section of his letter to the Ephesians: It isn’t how well we fight for a time that ultimately counts. What really counts is that we keep on fighting, because it’s a ”never-give-up” kind of attitude that produces victory in our lives every time!

‘‘It isn’t how well we fight for a time that ultimately counts ... [it’s] that we keep on fighting.’’

”We all came out of the same womb of humanity, and we share similar feelings, struggles, and emotions in life. Nevertheless, we have not been conquered by these things. Like me, you are still in the fight and are giving it your best shot. Therefore, I am personally proud to be affiliated with people like you. We are brothers!”

20 IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011 21IMPART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011

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