Eddie Smith's Posts (25)

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The most strategic division in the body of Christ today...

Posted by Eddie Smith on April 9, 2011 at 12:00

may NOT BE racism, sexism, denominational-ism, doctrinal differences, and etc. It may be the division between the "watchmen" and "gatekeepers."

 

Old Testament walled cities had massive gates, with gatekeepers; and watchtowers on either side of the gates, with watchmen. The purpose of the watchmen, not surprisingly, was to watch. The purpose of the gatekeepers, was to open and close the gate. The problem? The gatekeeper couldn't see over the wall and the watchmen couldn't open and close the gate. They were co-dependent on each other. Not only that, but the entire city was at the mercy of their partnership.

 

What has that to do with us?

 

In our book, "Intercessors & Pastors: The Emerging Partnership of Watchmen & Gatekeepers," we liken the intercessor (Christian whose primary mission is prayer) to the OT watchman; and pastors to the OT gatekeeper. It may surprise you to know that there tends to be a division between these two roles around the world. Of course, there are a small percentage of pastors who are intercessors. And it's true, to one degree or another, they appreciate each other's roles, but rarely do they operate in a strategic partnership. Why is that?

 

Eighty-five percent of the adult members of the last church we served as pastors were intercessors. Prayer was our primary purpose. Prayer meetings were our most exciting events. People, even pastors, from other churches attended our church's prayer meetings. One pastor said, "I come because when you people pray, things change in our city." We understand the significance of this partnership.

 

The first assumption is that the separation between intercessors and pastors it's because they are so different. After all, there are more female intercessors and more male pastors. True, perhaps, but that isn't the primary reason. Think about it. Opposites would attract, wouldn't they? Remarkably, the primary reason for this division is because they are so similar! Intercessors are actually quite pastoral. Who knew!? <smile>

 

Example:  Intercessors care for people. Why else would they commit so much time praying for them?

So then, what's the problem?

 

Intercessors tend seek information. They often ask their pastors about the direction of the church and needs of certain people and circumstances. Their pastor may think they are nosey, when the truth is, INFORMATION is the FUEL for INTERCESSION. Pastors need to know how to inform their intercessors properly. They need an effective communication system.

 

Intercessors may appear to be "independent." That's true of some. Some have never learned the interdependent nature of the church. There are immature intercessors just as there are immature pastors. They must be "pastored" (equipped for their ministry.) Pastors should know that intercessors are not only pastoral, they tend to be visionaries. They need focus. If their pastor fails to clearly communicate the vision of the church, they will be drawn to their own focus, or to someone else's.

 

These are just a couple of many issues that we discuss in our strategically important book, "Intercessors & Pastors."

  • What do intercessors need from their pastors?
  • What do pastors need from their intercessors?
  • What does the partnership look like?
  • Why is it critical to the mission of the church?
  • What is the kingdom dimension?
  • What does the future hold?
  • How does this partnership relate to end times?

 

Don't miss this book! This is the fourth updated version and the first time we've produced it also as an ebook. Order the ebook version and read it mere minutes from now! Get yours here:


eBook $14.99 USD:

http://www.prayerbookstore.com/Intercessors-Pastors-eBook-Version-IPeBook.htm

pBook $14.99 USD:
http://www.prayerbookstore.com/Intercessors-Pastors-Intercessors-Pastors.htm

 

How can a pastor "do what he (she) sees the Father doing?" (John 5:19) For one thing, Jesus said that the Father rewards openly those who pray to Him in secret! Most pastors know their elders and their deacons. They know their home-group pastors, Bible teachers and others. Sadly, too few can even name their intercessors, let alone are they rewarding them openly, as the Father does. Get the book! Your church, your city and the Kingdom depend on this partnership.

 

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What to do when leadership ignores your idea

Posted by Eddie Smith on August 17, 2010 at 11:30
Do you ever experience the disappointment of having others not endorse your "word from God"? I'm a visionary. (Although I don't know if that makes me a missionary with a vision; or a visionary with a mission.) To avoid those disappointments, at least to some degree, I've learned to apply the following biblical principle.

Paul taught us that we all "see through a glass darkly", and we "prophesy in part". If a man who wrote multiple books of the Bible saw himself this way; I certainly see myself the same. I never assume that I absolutely know what God's saying.

We're told that things should be established by two or three witnesses. So, unless something is urgent and immediate (and personal), rather than act, I tend to wait on the Lord and look for His confirmations.

If you've offered something to your pastor and feel ignored, it may be that your pastor's lack of response could be one of the confirmations you need to show you that although it's a good idea, and possibly a prayer assignment for you, it's not one that needs be distributed across the United States.

As I watch and pray (waiting for confirmations), I assure God that I am ready and willing to do whatever He wants me to do. But, I "don't trust me", I only trust Him. I ask him to provide me with unmistakable confirmations. There have been many times, perhaps most times, that the confirmations weren't given, or negative confirmations were given, and I was freed from what I had assumed was "my word or assignment". There are others, not as many perhaps, when I received unmistakable confirmations. Although I could share many with you, I'll share one.

One morning, almost 20 years ago, I awoke with an impression that I was to coordinate 40-days of fasting and prayer for revival in the spring of each year. I did as always--I submitted it to the Lord for Him to confirm.

When I arrived at my office, my secretary announced that there was a doctor's wife on the phone (I still remember her name). She asked me if anyone had ever launched and led a 40-day fasting and prayer initiative across denominational lines. I told her I didn't know, but I'd find out and let her know. I called denominational prayer leaders to ask them. Some had done 40-day initiatives within their denomination, but none had done it with other denominations.

I reported my find to her and she asked if I would consider doing that. By this time, I assumed I had one possible confirmation. Her telephone inquiry.

I would never have considered myself a national leader. So, launching and leading something like this wasn't something I felt free or even qualified to do. But, for a week I couldn't shake the idea.

Finally, partly to get some relief, I sent personal letters to the top 50 prayer leaders in the U.S. and told them how I had been led and what I was feeling. (I was totally unknown to any of them.) I asked, "If you feel this is possibly a call of God for our nation and would be willing to do so; meet me in Chicago at O'Hare Airport for an all-day meeting on..." To my amazement, 35 of them came at their own expense to Chicago. Some from the east coast, some from the west. One even slept in the airport to make the occasion.

Alice, my wife, and I flew to Chicago to conduct the meeting in a room at the airport I had rented (via credit card) because we had no money for our flight or the room!

When the plane landed in Chicago, I received a call from my secretary in Houston. It seemed that the only unemployed board member we had, out of 22, had brought a check by the office. The amount of the check was: $7,000! That was the largest single gift we'd ever received! It paid for the room, the meals and our flight! This was a second condemnation.

I spent the morning with them in prayer. I presented to them what I sensed the Lord might be saying. Then we took a break for lunch. I had no idea how they'd respond or what they thought.

After lunch, they returned. One by one each shared their impression. They overwhelmingly endorsed what we chose to call "PrayUSA". To me, that was the third confirmation that I had indeed heard from God. Then they laid hands on us and commissioned us to launch and to lead it.

I would have never launched or considered myself leader of such an effort. But confirmations continued to arrive. Dr. Pat Robertson at CBN heard about it and invited me on the 700 Club. He and Dr. Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ agreed to be honorary co-chairmen of the effort.

For the next six years we led PrayUSA! (ending in 2001). Dozens of denominations, hundreds of parachurch ministries, thousands of churches and millions of Christians participated each year in what CBN News reported was the largest prayer and fasting initiative in history.

What began as a personal impression, confirmed multiple times by the Lord, became a great success. I hope this inspires you.

When I miss it, it's no reflection on me. It doesn't mean I can't hear God. It doesn't mean that leadership doesn't support me. It simply means that I don't perfectly hear--I see through a glass darkly and prophesy in part. That's why I need you and other believers. That's also why I need the confirming work of the Holy Spirit.
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Been betrayed lately?

Posted by Eddie Smith on August 12, 2010 at 10:00

Celebrating 50 years (this year) in ministry I can assure you that misunderstandings, mistrust and betrayals are unavoidable. In fact, as odd as it may sound, they are actually part of the plan. After all, if we're to reign with Him, we must first suffer with Him. It's in our suffering that we are conformed into His image.

For resurrection life to exist, something must die. It's not "if I'm ever betrayed". It's "when I'm betrayed". You see, many people blame the devil, when all along it's God who provides our "Judas'".

Why? God provides our Judas' to get us to our crosses. We must take up "our crosses daily and follow Him". Those are the crosses on which we die--to ourselves, our dreams, our desires, self-will and even self-esteem. "Accept" myself? Certainly. "Esteem" myself? Never. God says I'm to esteem others better than myself. Esteem ourselves and in every betrayal, we'll see ourselves as victims and wallow in self-pity. That is not the role of a kingdom Christian. We are more than conquerors!

Let's get to it. As long as we can be offended, God will see to it that we are. It's a measure of our death to self. Spiritual maturity is growing to a place where we are "un-offendable". It's a long-term process. I'd like to live at the place where I can say, "You may grieve me, you may hurt me, but you'll never offend me. I don't 'rent space to people in my brain'." But such maturity isn't easily gotten.

So the question is--what am I to do when others hurt me? Here are three things I notice that Christ did when He was betrayed.

1. Jesus didn't allow His immediate pain to distract Him from His ultimate purpose. He knew who He was and why He was here. He had come to die. Regardless of the pain of His betrayal, Jesus kept His focus. So should we. The enemy wants to distract us. He knows that as long as we're focused on our betrayal or our betrayer, we will never reach our kingdom destinies. We must keep our eye on the prize. No successful football running back focuses on those who are trying to tackle him. His focus is on the goal line!

2. Jesus didn't hate His betrayer. When Judas betrayed Him, Jesus said: "Friend, why have you done this?" Judas was still his friend. Can we say that about those who betray us? Remember, it was Jesus who said we are to love our enemies; bless those who curse us; pray for those who persecute us; and do good to those who despite fully use us. Perhaps these are the three least obeyed commands in Scripture! Paul adds. if our enemies hunger, we're to feed them; and if they thirst, we're to give them drink. Us?

Most of us, who escape the tendency to hate our betrayers, usually opt to ignore or disregard them. This is actually, in one sense, worse than hatred. Why? Because if one hates another, at least he assumes his or her existence!

Understand, we are called to be ministers of reconciliation. That's our God-given assignment. We are to be in the restoration business. Ignoring a broken relationship is ungodly.

3. Jesus didn't drop out of the ministry. The easiest option when one is betrayed is to drop out of the ministry (one's personal ministry, professional or not). Often, church volunteers (i.e. Sunday School teachers, etc.) who become offended often turn in their resignations. Pastors, who are betrayed by churches, often resort to selling insurance, used cars or real estate. The pain of betrayal causes many to turn aside from their heavenly calling.

Not Jesus. He picked up the ear of the high priest's servant and placed it back on his head. You remember, the ear that Peter had cut off with his sword. Why did Jesus do that? He did it for two reasons. First, He knew that the man's wife expected her husband to come home that night with two ears! More importantly, because Jesus was STILL The Healer.

Have you been betrayed? Don't allow your immediate pain to distract you from your ultimate purpose. Don't hate, resent or even ignore your betrayer. Seek reconciliation. And, don't you dare drop out of your ministry--your God-given assignment and calling.

Thank God for your Judas'. You need them. Everyone needs a Judas to get them to their cross!

(More on this and other timely issues in our book:  Intercessors & Pastors: The Emerging Partnership of Watchmen & Gatekeepers, available at:  http://www.prayerbookstore.com/intercessors-and-pastors/  )

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What is God Like?

Posted by Eddie Smith on August 10, 2010 at 16:03
When I was writing our book, "Spiritual Advocates", I came to the chapter I was to write about the Judge.
I thought "how can I describe God in a way that's different than the way most people do? Omniscient,
Omnipresent, Omnipotent...sure. But then what?

Creator, Father, etc. is what I typically read and hear. How can I describe You differently, Lord?"
I went to bed and awoke the next morning with the phrase "fruit of the Spirit" in my mind. At first,
I was a bit perturbed. What has that to do with God? Those are qualities that are to be seen in us.

Then it began to be clear to me. They are, in a sense, "a photograph of God". So the chapter presents
him as Phil Miglioratti did in his recent newsletter article. God is loving, he is joyful (He sings over us),
he is peaceful (my peace I give...), etc. as you've pointed out.

So, Phil, I appreciated the confirmation and the remembrance of that day in my journey.

Eddie
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Are You Too Busy To Be A True Christian?

Posted by Eddie Smith on May 14, 2010 at 12:30


Are You Too Busy
To Be A True Christian?
by Eddie Smith

I was teaching at a Christian conference in a western U.S. city. At the dinner break I loaded my rented van with prayer leaders from around the nation and we set out to search for a restaurant.
To those of you who don't know me well, I'm not the world's best driver. Or, perhaps I am. After all, how can anyone drive like I do and live so long? Anyway, I zipped through traffic, drove through the parking lot of a hamburger joint where I almost ran over what I came to realize were two men. I couldn't see their heads. You see, they were up to their shoulders in a trash dumpster looking for food!
As we passed, one of the men emerged gnawing on a partially eaten (by someone else) chicken leg. With my sense of humor I quipped, "Anyone want to have dinner with these guys?" There was a collective groan, "No way!"
I plopped into the main thoroughfare on the other side of the parking lot and began scouring the roadside ahead for restaurants when I was suddenly arrested. Not by the police. I was arrested by the Holy Spirit.
He said, and I repeated to the group, "You're moving much too fast to hear from me." I begged their indulgence as I made a U-turn and returned to the dumpster. As I pulled up next to the headless torsos, I yelled, "Hey, what are you doing?" They both emerged with surprise. "Uh, trying to find something to eat," Gilbert (I would later know his name) explained.
I looked back into the crowded van and shouted to my passengers, "It's offering time." Almost immediately $30 in cash was handed to the front.
"Here," I said, handing the cash with a gospel track to Paul, the other young man. "This should take care of the food. What's going to take care of your sin?" Gilbert's head dropped as he muttered, "I don't know." Suddenly the Lord gave me a word of knowledge. (A word of knowledge, from 1 Corinthians 12, is Holy Spirit-given insight not known in the natural.)
"Paul, God wants to set you free from a spirit of homosexuality that has you bound." "I know," he said as he burst into tears. In a few more minutes the entire van was interceding and weeping along with Gilbert, Paul and me, as these two young men gave their hearts to Jesus. Needless to say, our dinner was much more enjoyable following this episode.
At a similar conference of national Christian leaders in a major hotel in the Midwest, our group spent three days in discussions on how to reach the nations with the gospel of Christ. The third morning I stopped at the gift shop on my way to the plenary session. As I paid for my chewing gum I took a moment to share the gospel with the young man at the counter.
He was politely interested and grateful that I'd taken time to do so. But clearly he wasn't ready to receive Christ. In parting, I asked, "In what country were you born?" He said he was Pakistani. "Have you worked here all week?" I asked. He said he had. "Has business been good for you?" He said it had. "Has anyone else shared the message of Jesus Christ with you this week?" He admitted that no one had. This news saddened me. I returned to the meeting and told the assembled leaders, “Folks, the Lord has brought the nations to us. While we sit here hour on end and discuss how to reach them, we aren't reaching them at all.”

My question today is, are we too busy "doing Christian things" to BE Christians? Are we too busy making plans to complete the Great Commission to be about the work of completing it? Perhaps today would be a good day to slow down and pay attention to the opportunities God presents to us each day.

Eddie and Alice Smith's Website
http://www.EddieAndAlice.com
Eddie and Alice Smith's resources
http://www.PrayerBookstore.com
Free one-year school of prayer
http://www.TeachMeToPray.com
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