Abiding in His Rest - Morris Ruddick

Abiding in His Rest

Morris Ruddick

Abiding. His rest. Two dimensions; in essence, two vital realities that Scripture admonishes us to enter. Spiritual safe-places. Not only to experience, but to embrace as the mode in our journeys as mature spiritual beings in navigating this world.

Never has there been a time in my adult fifty plus year walk with the Lord that these spiritual safe-places have been more relevant ….and essential to the spiritual equilibrium needed for the pathway forward.

I would add an accompanying dimension to the faith called-for ….to abiding in His rest while managing the way forward in these turbulent times: courage. No more fence-sitting. It’s the identity-thing, requisite to being a believer. It takes courage to be different. Being different is who we are. It takes courage and resolve to transcend the seen, to live in the realm of the unseen, to walk by faith.

For most of the years of my spiritual journey, I’ve aligned myself, prayed for and worked together with segments of the Body within the global spectrum who have been persecuted for their faith. For years I’ve been noting that the culture–war that has defined the challenges shaping their conditions-of-life is one that we, as believers in free societies, need to recognize and be prepared for. For the most part, we’re there.

Our culture has long been in the cross-hairs. The deep penetration of darkness being presented as the norm is shocking. The propaganda repositioning the acceptability in the rise of anti-Semitism and acts of lawlessness is shameful. Norms, values and standards are being defiled and perverted to the extent that our very culture is at risk of being hijacked.

The Contrast
Jesus warned of these developments, in pointing to the turbulence that would erupt in the time leading into the end. He described it as times-of-trouble. Daniel foresaw the stark contrast between these emerging dimensions of reality when “many would be purified and refined, but the wicked would do wickedly and none of the wicked would understand, BUT the wise would understand.” Isaiah similarly discerned this dramatic contrast when deep darkness would seek to cover the peoples, while the Light of the Lord would manifest, arising upon His people.

What this historic and prophetic context unveils is the need for more; a greater demonstration of God’s presence among His people to counter the dark forces infiltrating its ranks. So it has reached the point that the toxic nature of the spiritual atmosphere and its accompanying clamor are triggering the need ….for a LOT more.

That “more” is inherently found in these two dimensions, in these two responses to the realities attempting to overshadow the fading “norms of good” within free cultures: abiding and doing so in His rest.

The challenge parallels the response to ancient trajectories of dark cultures of death, with their ideologies and subtle infiltrations, now so overtly manifesting within the societies of the persecuted; and coming out of the closet in raising its ugly head in free societies.

So, this creeping contrast between cultures is nothing new. It is one that historically, has its roots deep in ancient times; the reality that the Lord long ago cautioned His people to face directly. And an awakening within our society is underway, gaining momentum.

The principles outlined in the Torah represent the guardrails needed for a society of God’s people to live ….and thrive within the confines of His protection and direction. These principles can benefit a genuinely righteous society by the impact it has on communities and cultures of darkness ….with the fear of God. It’s the baseline protection the people of God have resulting from His presence, when ….together ….. they get the identity-thing right, of abiding in His rest.

Again, abiding in His rest pivots on the commitment to the identity-thing. When the conflict and controversy increase, so will the faith needed for the committed to take their stand.

The Impact of Being Forerunners
So it is that the issue points to the leadership required of forerunners, of being change-artists. It involves a cost for those who establish, perhaps more often reestablish the standard. Again, the courage to be different is a requisite; even more so in raising the banner.

Many are called, but few are chosen. There’s a reason Jesus made this observation. Over the course of the history of God’s people, the challenge and chink in the armor for God’s people ….which historically deeply impacted those embracing the New Covenant …..has been in the natural tendency of wanting to be like everyone else.

Which ties back to the foundational identity-thing. Becoming a believer is the result of recognizing and touching a reality. It’s a reality that transcends the natural order of things; a reality where God consistently abides. A reality that is a direct affront to the gatekeepers of darkness. So, being different, being a forerunner in raising the banner represents far, far more than just living by higher moral standards, although it is certainly that.

Believing in God and in these realities of God’s domain and the restoration obtained in the salvation made available by Jesus transforms the one believing. It represents an adjustment of their perception of reality, but with it, the way they think and process the realities around them. It represents a serious adjustment to who they are and their purpose in the overall scheme of things ….and a reset in the trajectory of their lives.

Maintaining this identity, purpose and trajectory is both the result and strategy of abiding in His rest.

The Cost of Serving as a Society of Leaders
What the Lord imparted with His chosen, through Moses’ impartation of the Torah, were the principles needed to become a society of leaders.

To be anchors and purveyors of Life in a world dominated by cults of death. In short, to be blessed, to be a blessing. To be the reflectors of the reset needed for true living. To live in community-relationship in such a way, that the Presence is a conscious manifestation. Being God’s chosen embraces a responsibility for influence ….serving as a Light in the darkness …. within one’s own sphere, yet simultaneously influencing surrounding societies.

THAT represents the interactive foundation for the community dynamic seen in this example of leadership. Jesus explained Kingdom leadership as service. It is an anointing. It reflects the exercise of authority as sheep among wolves ….to be change-artists through serving. To be bearers of His Presence without apology or in being intimidated.

So, abiding in His rest is both the strategy and the goal. It is the same whether the context is a spiritual atmosphere of serious persecution, one of freedom or one in which the conflict is challenging the cultural norms.

The cost begins by maintaining the discipline and the resolution to abide in His rest. There’s more. The impact of the pathway of this journey results in serving as leadership anchors in restoring the balance to the spiritual atmosphere, which both draws from and triggers His Presence, enhancing the enablement of that place of abiding in His rest.

So, both the path to this goal and its execution experiences exponential-increase of spiritual authority through abiding in His Presence, abiding in His rest. It is the trickle-down manifestation of the anointing for leadership. It is the gateway into the narrow path to being entrusted with His power.

The Long-Term Goal of Restoration
What the Lord established through what He outlined on Sinai was the basis for the restoration that began following the time of the Fall in the Garden: a people, albeit the most unlikely according to scripture, who would serve this purpose as a society of leaders.

Interestingly, it was to Jewish believers, forerunners of our faith in the book of Hebrews that the admonishment was written to press into maturity, to get beyond the basics to move the needle of restoration that the great cloud of witnesses from time-eternal are even now witnessing and encouraging ….as it comes into place. Again, it is both the strategy and the goal. It pivots on abiding in His Presence, His rest.

More than any other time I can remember in the days of my own journey, we are in a time when such ripples of influence are making a difference, again pointing to and triggering the encouragement of that great cloud of witnesses. Indeed, it was not for nothing that the writer of Hebrews so strongly advised it being time to push beyond the basics with the spiritual practices associated with the mature. The admonishment is to ACT in creating the ripples that reflect being carriers of His Presence.

Getting beyond the boundaries and acting, will include “why don’t we just pray about it?” and “can I pray for you?” becoming prioritized and the natural inclination when interacting with other believers. Then this simple dynamic will soon shift into becoming the mode of opportunity when sharing with non-believers.

The Impact of Community-Faith and Prayer
The inclination can tend to overlook the impact of the simple things. Gathering and praying with other believers triggers His presence. That should be baseline: praying spontaneously together with and for others.

But the impact of this dynamic extends beyond the ordinary when those prayers are with and for non-believers. It penetrates the spiritual atmosphere, as well as making a difference for the ones being prayed for. When the foundation of prayer gatherings is active within the community, the overflow outside its boundaries will become the most natural ….and mature thing to manifest.

This was the model demonstrated through the consistent practices of Jesus ….as well being  the hungry expectation of non-believers in the book of Acts, when in laying their beds out in the streets, that the authority from the mere shadow of Peter passing by would bring healing.

Going Beyond
It’s in the “going beyond,” arising with the authority to impart the anointing of His Presence that the trigger is actuated most profoundly, as the leadership-extended touches and influences the world. It is not unlike Joseph’s and Daniel’s prophetic impartations, so dramatically influencing Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar

One of the examples we encountered in a land of persecution took place in a remote Russian city, with a young, growing congregation that boldly sought to purchase a palace once occupied by Lenin and his inner circle. Their goal was to turn it into a community center. The Jewish community has long learned the value of community centers.

Their almost brash request created a stir among the authorities, many of whom sought to clamp down on the bold intentions of these fearless believers, until ….an older, wiser and more senior official stepped in with the advice: “Give the Christians whatever they want. They are doing so much good.”

This young, praying congregation was touching the community in ways the government had not been able. They were feeding the poor. They had a drug rehab program that transformed the lives of those who had been vagrants and criminals. They sent their people into the city’s prison, changing the lives of offenders who emerged as productive citizens. Praying together with these people was central to what they ministered.

Amazingly, the request to purchase the palace was approved …..creating a central site to administer their community services and extending the impact they were making on the community. So, it was my joy to impart my God’s economy program in that palace in an auditorium that once hosted Lenin and his inner staff.

Jesus said, “If you will abide in Me and my words abide in you, you will ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.” It’s about living in His Presence and the impact that results from being carriers of His Presence.

The sequence in Matthew 10 and 11 captures this dynamic of the combined result and strategy from abiding in His rest, abiding in His Presence in the face of wickedness and impossible opposition.

To the band of twelve that Jesus chose and sent out, their assignment began with Him giving them authority over the dark spirits they would encounter. He told them to give focus to proclaiming the Kingdom of God; and to heal the sick.

In sending them out, He instructed them to discern where they would stay; then to impart His peace, His presence in the abodes of their hosts. He warned them of persecution, division and hate, indicating they would be going out as sheep among wolves. Even when faced with family betrayals, He admonished them to stay the course, to fear God, rather than giving heed to the fear of man.

As if to punctuate the reality of these seriously difficult instructions, there came the word that John the Baptist had been imprisoned. So, within the context of His “sending” instructions, Jesus described the stature and role of John as a forerunner, as being the greatest in the role he served in the Kingdom …. as Jesus had described the flashpoints to be expected, underscoring the need of abiding, when planting and imparting the power and atmosphere of the Kingdom: “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.”

In conclusion, the atmosphere to be penetrated hasn’t changed. Nor has the challenge. The encouragement comes from that great cloud of witnesses. It transcends the times and nourishes the transitions of the generations. The Psalmist (Ps 24) presciently proclaimed: “THIS is the generation.” The MORE that is required and now underway is manifesting as the current generation arises, embraces its place of authority through abiding in His rest ….and ACTS.
“And it will be said, “Build up, build up, prepare the way, Remove every obstacle from the way of My people.” Isaiah 57:15

______________________________ 

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Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner of the Joseph-calling and God’s economy message, being an international voice for the higher dimensions of spiritual game-changers and intercessors since the mid-90s. As founder of Global Initiatives Foundation, the Strategic Intercession Global Network [SIGN] and designer of the God’s Economy Entrepreneurial Equippers Program and the Jewish Business Secrets YouTube series, Mr. Ruddick’s messages equip leaders and economic community builders with strategy where God’s light is dim in diverse regions around the globe. 

He is author of “The Joseph-Daniel Calling;” “Gods Economy, Israel and the Nations;” “The Heart of a King;” “Something More;” “Righteous Power in a Corrupt World;” “Leadership by Anointing;” and “Mantle of Fire,” which address the mobilization of business and governmental leaders with destinies to impact their communities. They are available in print and e-versions from www.Amazon.com, www.apple.com/ibooks and www.BarnesandNoble.com.

Global Initiatives Foundation (www.strategic-initiatives.org) is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 non-profit whose efforts mobilize economic community builders imparting influence and the blessings of God. Checks on US banks should be made out to Global Initiatives and mailed to 3838 South Wabash Street, Denver CO 80237 or by credit card at https://strategic-initiatives.org/donate/

2025 Copyright Morris Ruddick — info@strategic-initiatives.org

Since early 1996, the Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN) has mobilized prophetic intercessors and leaders committed to targeting strategic-level issues impacting the Body on a global basis. For more information go to https://strategic-initiatives.org

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Persistently Consistent - Steve Martin

 

Zoe

Persistently Consistent - Steve Martin

“Four things on the earth are small; nevertheless, they are very wise — the ants, a species not strong, yet they store up their food in the summer…” (Proverbs 30:24-25, Complete Jewish Bible)

We all have heard stories of the ants, of how they work and work and work. I can certainly attest to that. Living here in the South (southeastern part of the USA) over these past 30 years has presented many encounters with the red fire ants. These are the ones that when they bite you, you know it because it hurts. Then a short time later, small, red blisters cover your ankles or elsewhere on those parts of the body that were exposed. Sometimes they even get you under your socks, and then it is later that you feel their bite. Just great.

I have found a method that works for me, to rid my beautiful, weed-infested yard of their hills. For if you don’t deal with them, you will have nice mountains of red clay all over your scenery. So what I found that works is this.

Step on the mound with your foot (shoe on of course) to flatten the mound out. This causes them to eventually move on to the neighbor’s yard. Or if the mound has already grown to be bigger than your foot, take a plank of wood, lay it on top, step on it, and then roll it over to smash the next section. Repeat as needed. Works every time! No pesticides. No buckets of hot water to carry. No bleach killing the rest of your lawn.

It must be said of the ant colonies – they are persistently consistent.

They never give up. They never give in. They keep on working even better than the Energizer Bunny did. (Is he still around, or did his battery finally die out?)

One thing that I have found that also “works” in my Christian life, is to be faithful in the small and the large, is to be persistently consistent in what I do. Then I trust, as He promised, that I will finish the race and get His reward.

After all, who doesn’t like rewards? Even Zoe, our now deceased 12-year-old loving Dachshund, knew that if she consistently finished her doggy supper she would get a rawhide bone! You can bet she likes rewards.

"If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people's things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?” (Luke 16:10-12) New Living Translation

Want to know what are some things in the disciplined Christian life that please our Father in heaven? Seeing His children be faithful in prayer; spending time learning about His ways in His Written Word; and being the one who others can count on when a need needs to be met.

If you learn to be persistently consistent in your doing, you shall obtain the reward, and help others achieve that objective also.

Good servants of the Most High can be counted on, for they have learned to press on and not give up.

We Need To Hear God - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

We Need To Hear God

- Now Think On This

by Steve Martin

“My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.”

(Proverbs 4:20 Complete Jewish Bible)

How often do you need direction? Ever take a wrong turn because the GPS or Google maps app led you to a dead end road? It has done it to me.

Do you ever need wisdom to know what is the right thing to do, when to do it and how to do it? Probably everyday if we admit it.

As it happens often, I personally have to choose to give the Lord the opportunity to speak to me, so who and what I hear is coming from Him. Yes, He is speaking – through His Word, by way of other people sharing a thought with me, or having His Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh in Hebrew) drop a word in my brain at any given moment. If I am spiritually open, I will know it is Him.

Choosing to hear the Lord is up to each individual. Being raised a Roman Catholic, I thought it was the priest’s job to hear God. If God wanted to say something to me, of course He’d tell the priest and I’d hear it during his little sermonette given once a week at Sunday Mass. I could just sit back and let the man of the cloth do it. He was closer to God, right? (While at the University of Northern Iowa in the fall of 1973, my one and only year of college at the age of 18, the Lord revealed Himself to me big time. I then divinely understood what He meant when He told Peter Who the Rock was. It was Jesus Himself.)

For the “Protestants”, those having a pastor or teacher of the Bible can easily expect him to just tell you what to do during your weekly meeting. So why read your Bible or pray daily during a daily quiet time with the Lord? Let someone else do it for you. Or so many mistakenly think.

We can allow the constant onslaught of noise to so occupy our thoughts that even when He does speak we may not know it. That is our loss. It will cost us now and later.

The Almighty God, Creator of the universe, wants to communicate with His children. He desires to give us direction and wisdom, but we must give Him a quiet break in our lives to be able to hear Him.

It takes time to learn to hear the Lord’s voice. It is a discipline we must have. Being able to discern when He speaks is an ongoing process, even as we learned to listen in our youth. As a young child growing up, given time over the months and years, each child becomes accustomed to the sound of their parents’ voices. I heard once that even the unborn baby begins to recognize the voice of their mother. They respond accordingly when she talks. (Yet another reason to protect the unborn in their mother’s womb at any stage of their living growth.) So it is with the Lord. It takes time, but we can learn to hear His voice.

I often find myself during the day asking the Lord for help in my office accounting work for three businesses. It becomes especially necessary as the years have gone by and my memory banks do not seem to be as easily able to access the info needed. I like the joke I heard once of the aged one who said, “It takes a little longer to get the answer to a question nowadays. With all the information I have packed in my mind, those memory banks have more to process through.”

We need to hear God for our own personal lives. We need to hear God for our families. We need to be a part of the “working” Body of Christ, that rises up in our culture and declares His truth, opposing the deception rampantly spreading throughout the world. Only by hearing His voice will we be able to do it.

For the congregation we are connected to, we need to hear God. For the nation we abide in, we desperately need to know what the Lord is saying, so we can hear, obey and move forward with His directives.

Hearing God is especially more true today as His written Word has been replaced in all areas of society, including our government and the arts. Knowing what is now going on in the educational system, which presses upon our children’s minds a godless, humanistic, crumbling foundation; and Islamic and other false religions subtlety and blatantly showing up in text books and teachers’ lessons - we have got to hear the Lord, so we can act properly, and be sure our kids know the truth, and are raised right!

I encourage you to do whatever it takes for you to hear God. My practice is to give Him the first hour of the day. In order to do that I personally have to cut back the time I stay up at night watching TV. It is worth it, as He shares His heart with me in the morning hours.

How about you? Do you want to hear the Lord speak to you? Then give Him that time to do so. Believe me, He is waiting and willing to speak to you.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder

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Now Think On This #185 “We Need To Hear God” by Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2015 (10.09.15) Friday at 6:30 pm in Charlotte, NC

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Billy Graham's 1955 Message Was More Prophetic Than We Knew

11/13/2014 BILLY GRAHAM   CHARISMANEWS

In this message from August 1955, Billy Graham describes problems that seem hauntingly similar to those of today. And the answer to every one of those problems is still the same—Jesus Christ. (BillyGraham.org)

In this message from August 1955, Billy Graham describes problems that seem hauntingly similar to those of today. And the answer to every one of those problems is still the same—Jesus Christ.

Many Christian parents are becoming fearful that they cannot properly train their children in this lawless and wicked age. We have received scores of letters in our office asking, "What is the answer? What can I do with my son? My daughter?"

We are beginning to reap what has been sown for the past generation. We have taught the philosophy of the devil, who says, "Do as you please." Behaviorism has been the moral philosophy of much of our education in the past few years. Psychiatrists have told parents to let their children do as they please, lest in restraining them they may warp the children's personalities.

We have taken God out of our educational systems and thought we could get away with it. We have sown the wind, and we are now reaping the whirlwind. We have laughed at God, religion and the Bible.

Many of our educational leaders sneer at the old-fashioned idea of God and a moral code. Movies feature sex, sin, crime and alcohol. Teenagers see these things portrayed alluringly on the screen and decide to go and try them. Newspapers have played up crime and sex until they seem glamorous to our young people.

Instead of publicizing the good and constructive things that teenagers do, we have played up the sensational lawbreaker. We have taught our young people that morals are relative and not absolute.

At the heart of the problem is the failure of parents in the home. Evangelist Billy Sunday once said, "If you want to lick the devil, hit him over the head with a cradle." Parents today are not interested, apparently, in defeating the devil in the home. There seems to be little parental responsibility for discipline. Children are allowed to go wild.

One parent said, "I pay for my boy's clothes, I feed him. I give him an allowance; what more do you expect of me?" Many parents do not realize that they are responsible for their children's mental and spiritual growth and character building, as well as for feeding and clothing them. If parents fail, God is going to hold them responsible.

I want to give a few suggestions to Christian parents. First, take time with your children. Your children not only require a great deal of your time, but they long and hunger for it. Perhaps they do not express it, but the hunger and longing are there just the same. Love them; spend hours with them. Cut out some of your so-called "important social engagements" and make your home the center of your social life. God will honor you, and your children will grow up to call you blessed (see Proverbs 31:28).

Second, give your children ideals for living. Teach them moral and spiritual principles of life. Show them that only the morally and spiritually right attain genuine satisfaction in life.

Third, set your children a good example. A well-known story illustrates this point. It was the usual custom for a lawyer who walked to his office every morning to stop at the corner tavern for a drink. One morning when the snow had fallen, he heard a sound behind him. Turning, he saw his 7-year-old son stepping as far as he could in his father's tracks in the new-fallen snow.

The father turned around and said, "Son, what are you doing?" The son replied, "I'm stepping in your tracks." The father sent his son back home, but that morning he couldn't go to the tavern; all he could think of was a boy stepping in his father's tracks.

When he was studying for his law case that day the boy's words kept returning, "I'm stepping in your tracks." About noon the father got down on his knees and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and said, "From now on I want my son to step in the tracks of a Christian father."

Fourth, plan activities for your children. Plan things together as a family. Make the home so interesting and delightful that your children will want to stay home; then they will never miss the things that so many young people are engaged in for thrills.

Fifth, discipline your children. The devil's philosophy is: "Do as you please." Children are going to be in society what they are in the home. The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, teaches that parents ought to lovingly discipline their children.

Ephesians 6:4 says, "You, fathers ... bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." In Proverbs 13:24 the Bible says, "He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly." And in Proverbs 19:18, "Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction."

If you fail to discipline your children, you are breaking the laws, commandments and statutes of God. You are guilty not only of injuring the moral, spiritual and physical lives of your children, but of sinning against God. The Bible says that if you fail to discipline your children, you actually hate them.

The best way to influence your children is to set an example before them. Remember, the majority of children acquire the characteristics and habits of their parents.

The Bible says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). Now, some parents carry discipline too far, continually harassing their children. The Bible also says, "Do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged" (Colossians 3:21). Parents should never give unreasonable commands. Nor should they ever give a command that they do not mean to be carried out.

Sixth, teach your children to know God, and bring them up in the church. Very seldom do parents have trouble with children when the Bible is read regularly in the home, grace is said at the table and family prayers take place daily. Most trouble with teenagers comes from children reared in homes where prayer is neglected, the Bible is never opened and church attendance is spasmodic. Christ gives the moral stability, understanding, wisdom and patience needed to rear children.

Many parents are not Christians. They have never received Christ as their Lord and Savior. Church attendance, if any, has been no more than a duty and a ritual. Their children have seen the insincerity in the lives of their parents. They have watched their parents go to church on a Sunday and live like the devil during the week. So the children have rebelled against religion as a whole; they have turned away from moral restraint. Many parents are only reaping what they have sown.

Christ is the answer to teenage delinquency. Christ in the home, in the lives of the parents, is the only permanent solution to the menacing teenage social problems in America.

If you are a parent, Christ can help you to rear your children in the fear and nurture and admonition of the Lord. If I were not a Christian, I would despair of my children in the moral climate in which we have to rear them.

Get the Scripture and its principles ingrained into their souls—"precept upon precept; line upon line;" teach them "here a little, and there a little" from the Word of God (Isaiah 28:13). Get them into the habit of going to church every Sunday, of praying daily and of saying grace at the table.

That will solve 90 percent of the problems you have with your children.

If you are a young person seeking thrills, happiness and joy in some of these questionable avenues of pleasure, I beg you to come to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ can give you the greatest happiness, the greatest adventure and the greatest thrills that you have ever known.

If you will take Jesus Christ into your heart, He will put a spring in your step, joy in your soul and a thrill in your heart. Come to Christ! Jesus Christ is the one who can be joy and happiness and peace to all of you young people. I beg of you to surrender your life to Christ.

But there are many of you who will say, "I would like to give my life to Christ, but I cannot live the Christian life. I have tried before but have failed." Ah, yes, but when you receive Christ, He comes into your heart. He gives you supernatural power to live the Christian life.

You do not struggle alone, by yourself. He lives in your heart to give you power and strength to live the Christian life. You, today, can give your heart to Christ. In Romans 10:13 we read, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
©1955 BGEA

All Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version.

The Princely Anointing - Morris Ruddick

Morris Ruddick

THE PRINCELY ANOINTING

(c) Morris E. Ruddick


"Yet I will lift up My hand to the nations and set up My standard to the peoples; and they will bring your sons in their bosoms, and your daughters will be carried on their shoulders. Kings will be your guardians, and their princesses your nurses and you will know that I am the Lord." Is 49:22

Kingdom leadership is not about being in charge. It's a much higher standard than the world's leadership. It begins in the heart. It pivots on serving. It is an anointing.

It is a regal anointing acknowledged even by the world. Abraham was referred to by a Hittite leader as being "a mighty prince among us" (Gen 23:6). The NASU version translates God's instruction to Samuel to anoint David as a "prince over His people" (1 Sam 9:16).

The anointing for leadership established by God's standard resets the course of things spiritually. It cannot be assumed. It accompanies a calling aligned with God's heart. It encompasses a mantle, a stewardship and an impact on destiny that can only be described as princely.

Throughout the history of God's people are stories of ones who occupied positions of leadership, yet who fell short. Then, there are those we typically refer to as the heroes of faith, who often, without position, demonstrated remarkable leadership. The authority they wielded carried a standard recognized as being regal.

The difference starts with the poise of the soul to serve in undefiled oneness with God's Spirit. Those who failed generally had preoccupations with their souls or were short-sighted in their focus or both. They lacked the discipline and spiritual vision needed to stand and operate against the challenges confronting them as people of the Spirit. Saul, who had everything going for him, in the final analysis yielded to his myopic, overriding need for the approval of men. He had position and power. Yet, his attempts to do things spiritually fell flat due to the stumbling shaped by the narrow-minded priorities of heart.

"Under three things the earth quakes, and under four, it cannot bear up: Under a slave when he becomes king, and a fool when he is satisfied with food, under an unloved woman when she gets a husband, and a maidservant when she replaces her mistress." Prov 30:21-23

True leadership understands and operates uniquely within its own sphere (2 Cor 10:13). Wielding authority coincides with a discipline that recognizes and is under authority. Leadership can never be an issue of popularity. That was Saul's blind spot. Those in leadership positions who yearn to be liked will only find themselves deceived and surrounded by yes-people whose mode blocks the wisdom they need to fulfill their mission and their destinies. Likewise, leadership cannot be driven by self-righteousness. The Pharisees in Jesus' day knew the Scriptures, but failed in the humility and priorities required by those serving with a princely anointing.

"There is a generation that curses its father, and does not bless its mother. There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not washed from its filthiness. There is a generation - whose eyes are raised in arrogance. There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and whose jaw teeth are like knives, to devour the afflicted from the earth, and the needy from among men." Prov 30:11-14

True leaders operate devoid of ego. They're neither touchy nor easily offended. They've paid the cost needed to rule their own spirits (Prov 16:32). It incorporates a level of knowing God that results in it no longer being their own lives being lived, but them flowing as Daniel did in a strength with results described as being exploits (Dan 11:32). Leadership with a princely anointing foundation is always "other" directed. There are no personal agendas, nor a need to be in charge.

The Princely Anointing

The princely anointing defines the standard. Regardless of the context, it maps out, it builds up and it brings increase. It enables others and nurtures community. The princely anointing is always God-centered, raising the bar, establishing righteous influence in the culture around it. It was the anointing that established Daniel's influence in the King's court despite the prevailing culture of sorcery. Likewise, despite his lowly position, Joseph's regal anointing gained the recognition and trust of those in authority over him: from Potiphar to the jailer to Pharaoh.

Psalm 15 highlights the criteria for the operation of the princely anointing: walks with integrity, works righteousness, speaks truth in his own heart, does not slander, does no evil to his neighbor nor takes up a reproach against a friend, despises reprobates, but honors those who fear the Lord, abides by commitments and does not take advantage of others. The princely anointing attracts and engenders trust.

The princely anointing exudes an authority, a humble authority that very naturally bestows God's blessings and wisdom. It is a regal leadership conveying a confidence that evokes trust for stewarding responsibility.

Princely Anointing Factors

Service. Those with a princely mantle have nothing to prove. Yet, their modus operandi is a unique authoritative humility, as they lead by serving. They bring change without being contentious. They are "other" directed and flow from one level to another in the manner in which the excellence of their capabilities sets the standard in the way they bless those around them. Their manner of service results in a confidence that attracts focus. They are neither overly ambitious nor looking for credit. Their zeal is fueled by the satisfaction of seeing God's purposes advanced.

Sacrifice. The princely anointing demands discipline. It is a discipline that sacrifices. It incorporates a standard of stewardship that sets things in order; God's order. It corrects by building up and nurturing, by bestowing the benefit of the doubt. It is an anointing that embraces its mantle to the point of biblical "suffering." Biblical suffering is not the result of the messes we get ourselves into but rather the pressures and backlash that result from paving new ground spiritually for God's purposes. It is a mantle only for the mature who genuinely rule their own spirits.

Honor. A princely anointing embraces a cause, a high cause conforming to God's priorities, usually for a generation, sometimes beyond that. Many within the Body operate with a lot of vision, zeal and ambition, but it is the few who have embraced a cause. People will live for a vision, but will die for a cause. Honor embraces the cost of the cause. Integrity faces the realities to see it through. Holding the focus of a calling bearing a princely anointing will pivot on whether the goal is through human effort, or by yielding to that divine energy that works so mightily. Honor is the glue that fulfills commitments and stays the course regardless the cost. Honor is the regal dynamic that differentiates the many called and few who are chosen.

The Standard. With the bar being raised in tz'dakah righteousness, the princely anointing is big-picture. It is always God-focused. It employs a high-level of stewardship that is strategic and carries a long-term impact. It is always prophetic with its influence crossing the boundaries of cultures and generations. It operates in mercy, but with a mantle that triggers judgment when God's initiatives are intentionally and sometimes blindly, but stubbornly impeded. Remember Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5).

Elijah's remarkable encounter with the prophets of Baal and Asherah illustrates the dynamics of the princely anointing in action. The outcome broke the spiritual stronghold over those held in its grip. It changed the spiritual climate and released God's people. Yet, it required Elijah to lay everything on the line. This confrontation had no middle ground or way out for Elijah. He took the risk and he paid the cost. The exploits for his regal faceoff will be remembered throughout eternity.

I have people I have worked with in the nations who have been imprisoned for their faith. One has faced the ultimate test. When his physical condition declined to the state that he was dying, his jailers told him that he only had to recant his faith and he would be freed. His response was that he would rather die. Two weeks later, God sovereignly intervened to bring about his release. This man now serves as a true prince of the Kingdom.

"Thus says the LORD: 'Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns aside from the LORD. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; and shall not see when prosperity comes. But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes; its leaves stay green. It has no worries in the year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.'" Jer 17:5-8

Mercy and Gentleness. King David recognized that at the core of genuine godly power is the operation of mercy and gentleness. It is the subtle foundation of righteous power that enables evil to be overcome with good. It is the basis of bestowing blessing in the face of adversity. It is the anointing by which ones natural weakness is transformed into strength.

"Your gentleness has made me great." 2 Sam 22:36 and Ps 18:35

Paul's famous love chapter in his letter to the Corinthians describes this dynamic. It is foundational to the princely anointing. It is patient and kind. It is not puffed up nor does it parade itself. It does not behave rudely nor seek its own benefit. It is not provoked. It does not take into account wrongs suffered nor does it entertain evil of any level. It rejoices in truth. It bears all things, believes in the good-in God's outcome, is constant in all things and endures all things. The princely anointing releases a wisdom that is beyond human capacities. It resets the spiritual climate at a cultural level.

Jesus came in humility and without any natural trappings of power, He wielded all authority. He admonished the self-righteous Pharisees that God prefers mercy to sacrifice. The ripples of His influence have reshaped cultures and civilizations to this day.

"The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion .... to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of gladness for mourning, and a garment of praise for the spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor."
Is 61:1-3

Maturity for the Times
Jesus raised the bar. He admonished His followers to understand the times and the seasons. With that big-picture context, He established the standard for leadership and the use of power at the level characterizing those outlined in the Hebrew's "hall of fame of faith." These are the ones who by reaching beyond themselves, tapped into a regal anointing by which in their vulnerabilities and weaknesses they were made strong and accomplished exploits (Hebrews 11:34).

Daniel 2 reveals that it is the Lord who changes the times and seasons. He removes and He raises up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. We are in the midst of a change of seasons. For those in leadership, maturity and humility are the bywords. Those prepared as enablers, whose hearts are neither pharisaical nor short-sighted will be thrust into positions of authority and influence. Those seduced by idols in their minds will fall short.

For those prepared for the challenges, what they face will be at the level and in keeping with those regarded as the heroes of faith. The demonic nature of the intent of darkness evidenced a generation ago is simply manifesting in another form today. This reality was unveiled by a courageous historian in his 1974 study of the occult and the Third Reich.

"Those who induced Germany to embrace the swastika are not dead. They are still among us, just as they have been in every era, and doubtless will continue to be until the Apocalypse. National Socialism was for them but a means, and Hitler was but an instrument. The undertaking failed. What they are now trying to do is to revive the myth using other means.

The purpose of this book is to raise the veil of history and to reveal some of the great currents running through it--secret, underground currents, to be sure, but very real and exceedingly powerful, particularly when they are manipulated by men imbued with a fanatical belief in their mission. The occult forces confront one another in the shadows, while on stage, impassive performers quietly act out an immutable drama under the very eyes of an unseeing public."

Angebert, The Occult and the Third Reich, 1974, MacMillan Publishing, New York

The masking of underlying occult quests for power marks the critical nature of those called and anointed for destiny-defining leadership. Inbred, religious social and "bless-me" clubs are not enough. The seriousness of the realities is calling for those whose mantle has been tested by fire and whose regal anointing is in keeping with the seats of power in which they are called.

We're entering a threshold of time in which freedom as we know it is at risk. Yet, God has always had those He's prepared. Those who know their God will be strong and will do exploits. They will have the spiritual vision that discerns the key issues and gives focus to majoring in matters that make a difference. It's not about pharisaical hair-splitting in the land of milk and money. The issue involves the cost of the mantle.

The distinctive defining those assuming these strategic mantles, who are equipped for these perilous times, will be the princely anointing.

"If you have run with footmen and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? If in the land of peace in which you trusted, they wearied you then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?" Jer 12:5
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Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner and spokesman for the call of God in the marketplace since the mid-90s. As founder of Global Initiatives Foundation and designer of the God's Economy Entrepreneurial Equippers Program, Mr. Ruddick imparts hope and equips economic community builders where God's light is dim in both the Western and non-Western world.

He is author of "The Joseph-Daniel Calling;" "Gods Economy, Israel and the Nations;" "The Heart of a King;" "Something More;" and "Righteous Power in a Corrupt World," which address the mobilization of business and governmental leaders called to impact their communities with God's blessings. They are available in print and e-versions from Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and other popular outlets.

Global Initiatives Foundation (www.strategic-initiatives.org) is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 non-profit whose efforts are enabled by the generosity of a remnant of faithful friends and contributors whose vision aligns with God's heart to mobilize the least of these our brethren. Checks on US banks should be made out to Global Initiatives and mailed to PO Box 370291, Denver CO 80237 or email us at sign@strategicintercession.org for access information on our secure web-site.

2013 Copyright Morris Ruddick - sign@strategicintercession.org

Reproduction is prohibited unless permission is given by a SIGN adviser. Since 1996, the Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN) has mobilized prophetic intercessors committed to targeting strategic-level issues impacting the Body on a global basis. For previous posts or more information on SIGN, check: http://www.strategicintercession.org

- Steve Martin. Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

"Heroes of Faith" - Morris Ruddick

"The heroes of faith operated in oneness
with the priorities and issues of God's heart,
without any vestige of variation between Truth
and what they heard from the Spirit. 

Their impact on history was defined by their view
of things from a big-picture God perspective. 

They heard from God and they embraced His word,
regardless the cost. 

That's commitment that requires discipline. 

It's also the foundation for maturity.

While intimately concerned with the details impacting
the lives of individuals, the Lord's priorities are strategic. 

He orchestrates things from the stance of generations
and the community of His people within a generation. 

As I look back over four decades of walking with the Lord;
that walk has been shaped by a series of milestone words
God has imparted that have raised the bar with a
long-term, big-picture perspective." 

Morris Ruddick

Editor's Note: I have the highest respect and admiration for Morris. His books (listed below) brought a tremendous encouragement to me, providing clarity in focusing in on the direction the Lord had given me years ago. 

I am truly appreciate of Morris and his ongoing, "faithful to the end", work of getting it done in the nations.

Most assuredly, I recommend that you contact him directly. And read his books!

Steve Martin

P.S. At the end of this Blog page is also a link to a teaching video of Morris that I recorded. Check it out, and be taught key principles he brings.

Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner and spokesman for the call of God in the marketplace since the mid-90s. As founder of Global Initiatives Foundation and designer of the God's Economy Entrepreneurial Equippers Program, Mr. Ruddick imparts hope and equips economic community builders where God's light is dim in both the Western and non-Western world. He is author of "The Joseph-Daniel Calling;" "Gods Economy, Israel and the Nations;" "The Heart of a King;" "Something More;" and "Righteous Power in a Corrupt World," which address the mobilization of business and governmental leaders called to impact their communities with God's blessings. They are available in print and e-versions from Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and other popular outlets. Global Initiatives Foundation (www.strategic-initiatives.org) is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 non-profit whose efforts are enabled by the generosity of a remnant of faithful friends and contributors whose vision aligns with God's heart to mobilize the least of these our brethren. Checks on US banks should be made out to Global Initiatives and mailed to PO Box 370291, Denver CO 80237 or email us at sign@strategicintercession.org for access information on our secure web-site. 2013 Copyright Morris Ruddick - sign@strategicintercession.org Reproduction is prohibited unless permission is given by a SIGN advisor. Since 1996, the Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN) has mobilized prophetic intercessors committed to targeting strategic-level issues impacting the Body on a global basis. For previous posts or more information on SIGN, check:http://www.strategicintercession.org

Morris Ruddick Global Initiatives Foundation www.strategic-initiatives.org www.strategicintercession.org Listen to Morris  speak on YouTube:  The Jewish Gift - Morris Ruddick (#1 of 3)