Monday, September 24, 2007

The 2nd man needs to strengthen the 1st man when he is in battle.

The following is taken from "The Second Man" by David Maynard.

Exodus 17:8-13 “Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands [were] heavy; and they took a stone, and put [it] under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

When God’s Man is in the midst of the battles of life, God uses the Second Man to strengthen him. In this situation Aaron was used of God by holding up the hands of Moses. As a pastor, it seems that we sometimes fight our battles alone. I am glad for the men that God has used to strengthen me in the midst of my hardships. They overcame the enemy because they fought the battle together. They struggle did not cause Aaron to run. The battle would strengthen their relationship.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Keep Your Spiritual Life in Check

One of the greatest heart aches leaders have in the ministry is to see people they have worked with turn back to the world, to see them reject what they know is right for the lust of their flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (John 2:16).

There are several people that worked under Jefe that are not serving God any longer. He has invested much time and money into people that as of now could care less about what God wants for their lives.

We have to realize we are in a battle. The devil wants to take us down. Don’t expect to work with a man of vision and think that you’ll be safe from the devil’s attacks. A man of God that moves forward will always be under Satan’s attack.

Many times he isn’t able to take down the 1st man so he goes after the 2nd man. He knows that if he destroys someone as close to the 1st man as his 2nd man, he can cause a lot of damage to the 1st man’s ministry.

There are times in my life when I am discouraged, angry, bitter, and lustful. The devil wants to use each of those vices to take me down. If I am not relying on Him, I could fall into any of those traps at any given time.

Sometimes you may get the feeling you don’t have to study, pray, or read the Word as much because you’re not the main guy in charge, but you are so wrong. It is just as important if not more to do all of those things.

If I let down my guard for one minute I could lose everything. Satan wants nothing more than to destroy my ministry.

If you don’t think the job of a 2nd man is that important then don’t worry about your spiritual life. You also won’t have to worry about being a 2nd man for much longer either.

Monday, September 3, 2007

Be Loyal

Loyal is defined as giving or showing fixed and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution. My two favorite words in this definition are fixed and constant.

When an argument arises between you and your 1st man, do you show fixed and constant allegiance? When the majority is against him, do you show fixed and constant allegiance? When you disagree with his decisions, do you show fixed and constant allegiance?

I have seen several men come and go in the ministry since I started working with Jefe. I have seen them make commitments to stand and work with him no matter what to get the gospel to the world.

I have also seen those men turn their back on him and act like they have never made those promises. When times got touch, or when the wrong decisions where made, instead of trying to improve the situation they threw in the towel. When he challenged them to have good work ethics and to be accountable to those that pay or support them, I have seen them run in the opposite direction.

One thing I had to learn in order to be Jefe’s 2nd man is that he is flesh and blood just like the rest of us. He makes mistakes, loses his temper, and at times says things he shouldn’t say. You know, the same mistakes you and I both make.

A good 2nd man won’t waiver when trouble comes. His loyalty will stand no matter what the circumstances.

I know there are times when a 1st man totally turns away from God and his word. The 2nd man may have to leave, but if you have a 1st man that desires nothing but to please God, like I have, you better learn what loyalty really means.

You better learn that you don’t talk bad behind his back or try to get others to back up your ideas and decisions against him. You stand with him even if the gates of hell come crashing down on his head.

Be the man he can rely on 100%!

Saturday, September 1, 2007

Remember You are an Extension of the 1st Man

Everything you do as a 2nd man should further the ministry of the 1st man.

If I make a visit to a first time visitor, I need to make the visit in the name of my pastor. If I make a hospital visit, I need to tell the person that Pastor Gardner asked me to come and see how they are.

A lot of pastors are worried about their 2nd man being loyal. When he knows that everything you do complements and strengthens his ministry, he doesn't have to be worried about loyalty.

At the church we strive to represent the Jefe in everything we do. We want to make sure that what we do doesn't hinder but help his ministry.

The 1st man should get the credit for everything we do or say. Now that's a good thing when what we do is right, but it can be very devastating when we cause problems. We have a enormous responsibility to make sure we don't give him a bad name, which in turn gives the Lord a bad name.

Remember the importance of your position. Remember that everything you do is what the 1st man does. Make sure you're the right kind of representative.