In my last post I talked about the 5 symptoms of being addicted to ministry for Christ. It was based upon the KJV translation of a verse in I Corinthians.
I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
1 Corinthians 16:15
Today I want to talk about the steps that it takes to become addicted. Again, I took them from a pamphlet of the American medical community.
Curiosity causes you to check it out. Sometimes seeing what someone else is doing for Christ will cause you to ask if you’re able to do something similar. You step out in faith and see what happens. After all, we’re encouraged in the Scripture to “taste and see that the Lord is good.”
Comparing your life with Christ to your life without Him. How has the Lord changed you? If you’re like most people, then you can look back on a life of death, sorrow, worry, and guilt. Now, in Christ, your path should be marked with life, joy, faith, and freedom.
You develop a taste for it. Most of the things that cause addictions start out tasting horrible. It’s only after people get used to it that they get “hooked.” It’s the same with the ministry. Sometimes it’s hard working with people. But as you get used to it, and especially the rewards of seeing changed lives, it gets better. Pretty soon it becomes normal. Experts tell us that it takes about a month for a habit to develop.
You start to become uncomfortable when it’s taken away (withdrawal). Being a blessing to others causes you to become a giver. When that happens, you have to draw on the sufficiency of Christ. If something happens to stop the process, you feel like something’s missing.
As problems increase, your usage increases. It’s easy to tell when someone is in the final stages of a “Christ addiction.” When the normal believer faces a crisis – the loss of a job or a loved one – you don’t see them around for a while. After all, they need time to sort things out.
Addicted people are different. During times of crisis or turmoil you find them seeking more fellowship, prayer, or worship. Their goal is use the strength of the Lord and His church to get them through the tough times.
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
Psalms 42:1-2
David understood the concept. In my estimation, an addiction to Christ is the best thing you could ever experience. It becomes your strength in weakness and your channel of blessing. It will keep your walk with God from becoming stale or stagnant.
Cultivate this holy addiction!
Question: What’s your strategy to developing an addiction to Christ?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: addicted, addicted to Christ, Christ, compare, curiosity, develop a taste, habit, hooked, Jesus, smptoms, step out in faith, steps, sufficiency of Christ, taste and see, usage, with and without Christ, withdrawal
I normally don’t use the KJV in my posts, but this verse gives me a lot to think about.
I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
1 Corinthians 16:15
What was it about Stephanas and his family that caused Paul to describe them as addicted?
I looked up some facts, not from Christian sources, but from the American medical community. How do they describe addiction? You may think you’re “all in” for the Lord. How does what these doctors say stack up to your experience?
You need an increased level to maintain the feeling. Are you feeling tired and burned out by what you do for God? Or are you hungering to go deeper with Him? Addiction means that the amount you’re doing now doesn’t satisfy you the way it used to. You want more, greater, and higher dosages in order to stay fulfilled. I believe that’s the excitement of the ministry.
You are obsessed with the ministry. What’s your thought life like? When you’re not actively involved in your calling, are you still thinking about it? Addiction means that it’s constantly in the back of your mind. You continually think about ways to improve and increase what you’re doing for the Lord.
Even in recreation times, a thought, word, or something you see will trigger an image of what you could be doing to further the Kingdom. Thinking about it is uncontrollable.
You are continually sneaking “quickies” throughout the day. Addiction to the ministry is a lifestyle. Do you find yourself sharing about Jesus at the mall, school or workplace? Are you prone to spontaneously be a blessing to people around you, simply for the enjoyment of it? Maybe you find yourself praying for people as soon as you hear about their need. This is a sign of an addiction to Christ and His ministry.
You undergo a change in your appearance. Does the knowledge that you represent Christ change how you present yourself to others? Does the fact that you’re God’s ambassador to the world make a difference in how you live? The more we become addicted, the more radical the change. How much has your ministry affected you?
You are in “denial” – you continue deeper even though others may argue against it. Some people may say that you’re doing too much for God. After all, look at the lifestyle of most believers. “God will let you get away with a lot less commitment.” Arguments like these don’t even faze you. You want to touch as many people as you can for the Gospel.
You may like to think that you’re addicted – after all, it sounds good. But the truth is, unless you’ve come to the place I’ve just described, it’s only wishful thinking. Hey, don’t get mad at me – this is what the American medical community says about it.
If you find that you’re not addicted and you want to be – my next post will be about the 5 steps to becoming addicted!
Question: How has addiction to the ministry affected your life?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: addicted to the ministry, addiction, addiction to Christ, argument, change, Christ, deeper, denial, excitement, God's ambassador, hunger, improve, increase, Jesus, lifestyle, medical community, ministry, obsessed, praying, radical, represent Christ, sharing about Jesus
I’ve been posting about the walk of excellence for a few days now. Hopefully, as a child of God, you desire to walk in excellence before Him.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2
Where do you start on this road to excellence? As is the case with many things in Christ, it’s going to start with a choice.
It’s sad to say, but many believers will not be willing to make that choice. The cost is great. This is that small gate that leads to the narrow road that Jesus said few would find.
The reason is not that it’s difficult to see or understand, but because it involves sacrifice. I have to sacrifice my plans, dreams, and hopes to make room for His.
Basically, I have to learn to see myself as lying dead upon the altar of the Lord in order for His resurrection power to raise me to new levels in Him. That’s why, generally speaking, the body of Christ in this generation is in its present state.
There is a transformation process that I need to undergo in order for His Word, His will, and His Way to become a part of my being. I must allow the Living Word and the Holy Spirit to renew my heart and mind. My thought processes and desires must be transformed into that which conforms to His plans.
It’s only when I’m willing to see it through to completion, in God’s way, that He will entrust me with His excellent plan for my life. So many people have come to me as pastor down through the years asking me how to “find” God’s will for their lives.
The above verse doesn’t say that I need to struggle or search for God’s will. It says that if I’m willing to lay my life down on His altar and begin the renewal process of my mind, then I will just know it. When I see His will for my life, I will approve it. I think you can agree that if something is good, pleasing and perfect – it can also be described as excellent.
It’s only after the decision of excellence is made that God will entrust you with His will. Too often our attitude is that we want to know His will first so that we can decide whether we want to do it or not. The Lord requires faith if we’re to please Him. We must come to Him with the decision to see it through before He’ll give us the glimpse of the road ahead. If you will not trust God with your future, then He will not trust you with His vision.
Question: Have you chosen the road of excellence?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: choice, Christ, counting the cost, decision, dreams, excellence, excellence in ministry, first step to excellence, God's will, good, hopes, Jesus, knowing God's will, perfect, plans, pleasing, renewal process, resurrection power, sacrifice, transformation, walk of excellence
If you’re like me, then you can see by world events that the return of Christ is quickly approaching. What does it take to be ready for that great day? Some believers give the impression that it’s enough to simply sit back and wait for His coming. It’s important to know what Jesus said about it.
At one point in His ministry, Jesus was invited to a Pharisee’s house for dinner. He gave many important teachings there. But for the purposes of this post I will only look at one of them.
Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Luke 14:12-14
Sometime during this get together, the Lord turned to the Pharisee and talked about his motivation for throwing a party. A party might be given to impress people and increase your standing in the community so that you’ll be invited to bigger and better parties later on.
According to Christ, if that’s your motivation, then you’ll have no future reward. Jesus advises us to lay up treasure in Heaven. We do so by showing kindness and inviting those who cannot repay us.
Jesus makes it clear that at the resurrection of the righteous there’s going to be rewards. He’s just as clear that our rewards will be based upon our obedience.
Knowing this, we should be constantly aware of our calling. Our desire should be to please the King and to be found faithful at His return. Who are you trying to please? Are you trying to impress the world with your greatness? It’s time for us to wake up and become “God pleasers” instead of “man pleasers.” This is how we prepare for the Lord’s return.
Being prepared doesn’t mean sitting around watching the sky and waiting. It’s all about doing the Master’s business. Is God’s call on our lives important enough for us to seek it out? Once we do, are we faithful enough to complete our assignment? These are the kinds of questions we must ask if we’re to be truly ready for the Lord’s return.
Be prepared. Be faithful. Be found working at your assignment when the Master arrives. You’ll never regret it.
Question: How prepared for the Lord’s return is the church in general right now?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: Christ, faithful, faithfulness, future reward, get ready, God-pleaser, Jesus, man pleaser, motivation, obedience, ready, ready for the Lor'd return, return of Christ, return of the Lord, second coming, treasure in Heaven, world events
This is the last post in a series I’m writing about the anointing. It seems that the church is under the impression that just because we have the Holy Spirit in us, we have the same anointing as Jesus. Hopefully, based upon my last few posts, you understand why that’s not the case. We need to seek God’s approval to walk in His power.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
We’re now in a position to understand what Paul was telling Timothy in this verse. Do your best – be diligent – to present yourself to God as one anointed. When you’re approved before God there’s no need to be ashamed.
This is a big problem among God’s people in our generation. We’re full of boldness when we’re in praise and worship. But on the job or at school it’s a different story. We keep our faith inside, not wanting to “offend” anyone. That’s foolishness, since every other group will openly declare what they believe to be true.
It all comes down to power. I want to say to those I work with, “God loves you. He will change your life. He’ll heal you and bless you.” But I worry that if they let me pray with them, nothing will happen. Furthermore, I’m not healed and my life isn’t blessed. What if they ask me about that? I’d rather just keep quiet and avoid the embarrassment.
The church needs to be on its knees seeking the approval for ministry. Then, when the anointing is upon us, we will not worry about what the world or our friends think.
I believe that the next great revival will involve the church coming to an understanding of this truth. But we will have to attain to a certain level of intimacy before the Lord will manifest His anointing in us. This is probably going to be the hardest move for the church to enter into.
I don’t think it will come as a wave, but as individuals begin paying the price for God’s approval. Then, they must show up at the place and time of their anointing. It could be a big or small meeting. It will not matter as long as it’s God’s appointed place.
Do what it takes to secure your anointing. Follow the example of Christ. Seek intimacy with the Father. Then, as the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart, walk in obedience to His voice.
Question: What could happen if the whole church walked in the anointing of the Lord?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: anointed, anointing, ashamed, be diligent, boldness, Christ, church, embarressed, God's approval, Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit, intimacy with the Father, Jesus, next great revival, power, prayer, revival, revival and anointing, the Anointed One
I’ve been posting about David’s anointing as king and how it relates to us. It’s surprisingly similar to what we go through in the church today.
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.
1 Samuel 16:13
It’s clear from this verse that the Holy Spirit and power follows the anointing. That’s what Christ was referring to when He said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me BECAUSE He has anointed me.” (Luke 4:18)
I believe that this is a special move of the Holy Spirit to work signs and miracles. It’s not the same as the Holy Spirit simply being in us because of salvation. It’s the power of God, present to confirm His word.
If you’ve been following these posts, you may remember I said how little the word “anointing” was used in the New Testament. If you check it out, except once by Paul, all the usage was Jews writing to Jews.
Paul wrote most of the New Testament to Gentiles. What would a Greek know about the Hebrew anointing? Paul wrote to people who had no knowledge of it. How did he describe it?
To understand it, let’s talk about the priesthood in Israel. To become a priest, you didn’t just walk up to the temple and say, “I’m a Levite and I want to be a priest.” ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!
To be anointed as priest, you had to attend and graduate a school of the law taught by a Rabbi. Then you had to prove that you’ve memorized the Pentateuch (The first five books of the Bible). You had to show your family records proving priestly lineage. Then you would strip and every inch of your body would be inspected by a board of priests who were looking for any defect that would disqualify you.
Only when you had passed every test would you be robed in priestly clothes and the oil of the anointing was poured on your head. Being in the right family was only the beginning. It wasn’t until you were tested and approved to be a priest that you could be anointed.
In reality, our spiritual anointing involves being approved by God. That’s the word Paul used throughout his writings to the Gentiles. They wouldn’t understand anoint, but approve they could grasp.
The Greek word that Paul used is translated as approve, commend, chosen, or election depending upon the context. But these words were used by Paul the same way anointing is used in the Old Testament.
What we miss sometimes, is that we can be saved, but not approved to walk in the power of God. We think that just because we have the Holy Spirit in us, we have the same authority as Christ. We have to be approved to walk in God’s authority.
That’s the true anointing of power.
Question: What does it take to be approved to walk in the authority of the Holy Spirit?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: anointed, anointed one, anointing, approval, approved, approved for the anointing, authority, chosen, Christ, church, commend, election, Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit, Jesus, move of the Holy Spirit, power, power follows anointing, tested and approved
In talking about the anointing that we have in Christ, there’s a subject that needs to be addressed. I’m getting to the point where I cringe when I hear another sermon or teaching about our position in Christ.
It’s not that I think they’re unscriptural. Far from it. I believe that I am “the righteousness of God” in Christ Jesus. I believe that I am holy, healed, prosperous, and anointed in Christ.
The problem I see is that if all we concentrate on is our position in Christ, we miss out on seeing the manifestation. I want to live out all the things that Christ paid for me to possess.
One of these is our anointing. We are all called to an anointing in Christ. I want to see it manifest in us. That takes more than just sitting back and confessing it by faith.
For a few posts we have been looking at David’s anointing as king.
Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.”
1 Samuel 16:10
Here we can see the problem in some of our teaching on the anointing. We are all called to an anointing. The problem is that all of us are called, but few are chosen. When you talk about walking in the anointing, it involves being chosen by God.
The anointing is not just about calling. The progression is called, chosen, and anointed. The simple truth is that you can be called from now until Jesus returns and never see the anointing manifest.
That is, if you never do what it takes to be chosen.
Look at what had to happen in David’s case.
So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.”
1 Samuel 16:11-12
“I told you, that your whole family needed to be here.”
These words strike anger and resistance into the hearts of God’s people.
“Who are you to tell me that I need to be at these special meetings?”
When your church has a guest speaker and you see that as an opportunity to take the day off – do you know what you’re missing?
“I have something important that needs to be done.”
There are times and places that God may want to meet with you. Your prayer time, Bible study, a church meeting, or some other “holy appointment” could be a potential encounter with the anointing of the Lord.
God may have a pinpoint anointing for you. But you have to be at the right place, at the right time, where God has expected to meet with you. Don’t miss that appointment.
Question: How could this be a source of the lack of power and effect of the church in America?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: anointed, anointing, anointing dilemma, called, chosen, Christ, church, confession, divine appointment, faith, holy appointment, Jesus, manifestation, position, position in Christ, position versus manifestation, resistance, the Anointed One
I believe that God is about to pour out a revival upon His church. Right now, we’re in the preparation stage. Our concern should be, with positioning ourselves to receive it.
Jesus is our example in ministry. If we see how He positioned Himself, then we can follow His lead.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4:18-19
Christ’s ability to walk in the power of God was brought about in three major events. These were His baptism, temptation, and His announcement of ministry. This verse shows us His entrance into the public ministry.
After reading this portion of Scripture, the Lord announced that it was being fulfilled in their presence. I believe that this holds the key to positioning ourselves. It’s all about the anointing.
We’ve heard a lot of teaching on the anointing over the years. Unfortunately, some of it has been a little off base. Where was it wrong?
First, let’s look at where we were right. The anointing removes burdens and destroys yokes. That’s a true statement based upon Isaiah 10:27. Furthermore, that was Jesus’ whole ministry in a nutshell.
Another part is that the word Christ encompasses the Anointed One and His anointing. Since that’s true, it is also the case that as Christians, we are little anointed ones. That’s the meaning of the name.
The final truth that we must embrace is that we all have an anointing from God. Scripture is clear on that point.
With all of this truth, then where are we off? My question is this; with this entire teaching being proclaimed, why are burdens NOT being removed and yokes NOT being destroyed in much of the church?
I’ve also heard it taught that the Holy Spirit is our anointing. That’s where we’ve misunderstood the Scripture. Look at the above verse carefully.
Jesus clearly said, “The Spirit…is on me BECAUSE he has anointed me.” What we’ve missed is that the Spirit follows the anointing.
This is a different work than salvation. Yes, the Holy Spirit lives in me when I receive Christ as Lord. But the anointing for the power of the Holy Spirit is a different thing. That’s why there are so many believers in the body of Christ that live powerless in this generation.
We need to understand exactly what the anointing is and how to receive it. Then, like Christ, we can walk in the power of the Holy Spirit that this anointing opens up.
I’m going to take the next few posts to try and explain how this works in our Christian walk. If you haven’t subscribed to this blog yet, you should do it now so that you won’t miss any of this vital message to the church.
Question: Are you content with the level of power evidenced in the church today?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: anoint, anointed, anointing, Christ, Christian, destroy yokes, Holy Spirit, Jesus, ministry, misunderstood the anointing, power, power of God, powerless, remove burdens, revival, the Anointed One
Tomorrow is the Fourth of July. Today I’m thinking about cookouts, flags, and fireworks. Is that what being American is all about?
I’m grateful for having been born in the United States. There’s been so much going on lately in this country, much of it is negative. However, I continue to believe that the USA is still the best nation on earth.
We were founded upon Christian principles. The question is; are we a “Christian Nation” anymore? Does a Christian nation tell you not to pray in public? Does a Christian nation tell you not to display Christian symbols where everyone can see them?
While it’s true that many Christians live in this country, we have to come to grips with the obvious. The United States, as an entity, is no longer Christian. As believers, we need to live understanding that fact.
When David became king of Israel, it was recorded that many groups came from all over that nation to join the ranks of his army. It describes the weapons they used and their strengths. There’s one group in particular that stands out to me.
…men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do – 200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command;
1 Chronicles 12:32
The only weaponry it tells about these men was their ability to understand the times and live their lives accordingly. This should be a lesson to us in the United States. The Apostle Paul echoes the same sentiment.
Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Ephesians 5:15-17
We are called to be just as Issachar was. We need to be people of understanding. We live in a nation where the attitudes are very quickly turning against any kind of Christian influences.
I don’t say that to scare us or sour our mood. I’m trying to get us, as the people of God, to wake up to the fact that coasting along with the crowd is no longer an option. We don’t live in a place where godliness is applauded and sought after.
We now live on an active mission field. That means that our lifestyles should look more like missionaries than consumers. God didn’t place us here at this time in history to merely bask in the pleasures of this society. Church is not just a place where we celebrate our salvation.
We’re more than that. The church in America should be a counterculture that is actively seeking to change people’s lives for Christ.
So, this Fourth of July, celebrate and enjoy the freedoms we have as Americans. There’s nothing wrong with that. But also, pray for the spiritual understanding that it takes to live for Christ in this generation.
Pray for, and actively seek, a revival in our land.
Question: How are you living counter to the culture around you?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: America, attitudes, celebrate, Christ, Christian, Christian nation, Christian principles, consumers, cookout, counterculture, fireworks, flag, fourth of July, freedom, God bless the USA, godliness, Jesus, mission field, missionaries, pray for revival, revival, understanding, understanding the times, United States of America, USA
It’s a new day! God is doing new things with me!
This is the first of monthly newsletters that I’m starting today. My goal is that it will come out the beginning of each month, on a Tuesday or Thursday.
This is to update everyone on what’s happening in the ministry. I expect new things to be taking place on a regular basis.
First off…
I have joined the Twitter community!
You can follow me @RevNickZacc. Hopefully, it will encourage you with short thoughts throughout the day. Sometimes I’ll retweet things that are encouraging me. Also, you’ll find that I’m starting to use # in my titles, since they’ll be posted on Twitter as they are released. (They are also posted to Facebook and LinkedIn)
Speaking at Churches
I feel the Holy Spirit pushing me to get out and do more speaking (outside my home church). I feel a need for the body of Christ to be prepared for the coming revival. The Lord has blessed me with insight into how we should be getting ready and what to be ready for. Because of this I have a spiritual pressure in me, that won’t let me keep it to myself. So as these opportunities open up, I’ll start posting my schedule as to when and where these events will be.
Prayer
As a result of all of this…I ask you to pray. Pray with me for revival to rock the church in the USA. Pray for the lost to hear the clear message of hope in Jesus Christ. Pray for me to faithfully follow the course God has for me. I’ll pray for you, the followers of this ministry, that you would experience the highest and best God has for you in Christ.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: body of Christ, Christ, get ready, God, Holy Spirit, insight, Jesus, Lord, move of God, news, newsletter, prayer, prepare, Quartermaster Ministries, revival, spiritual pressure
In my last post I talked about the 5 symptoms of being addicted to ministry for Christ. It was based upon the KJV translation of a verse in I Corinthians.
The Spirit and the Word 