REAL (4): How it is to grow up in an environment where thinking wasforbidden

How it is to grow up in an environment where thinking was forbidden. 

Dr Paul Taylor and I had a little retreat in a hotel in Andover, MA from Friday afternoon thru Saturday. March 18-19, 2016) 

We spoke about this project if I can call it like that of convening people from many nations to a group like REAL. We know each of you can be a REAL blessing to people you probably would never meet if not here. 

It is time to converge and build relationships to empower other people to advance the Kingdom of God by raising and training people into leadership. 

But first of all we want to address the biggest hindrance for any of us to pursue the destiny God has for us. 

It is about the ability to think for yourself. Most of us if not the totality of us has grown in an environment that we were forbidden to think differently! 

Dr. Taylor will share with us what was it is his experience and discoveries after being raised in a religious environment where thinking was forbidden.

PAUL TAYLOR:

I am responding to thought 2.

I was raised in a very strict Pentecostal church. Where u were told what to believe and what u could do or not do. U know the dos and don'ts. We were never allowed to dream with God or to discover the mysteries of the Kingdom. It wasn't until I was 50 years old that I was set free to more fully understand my identity and purpose in Christ. 

We went to church a lot because going to church was spiritual and everything else was secular. The dreams that I had as a young man were discouraged because they didn't fit into the "church" box. I went to college as a business major and then had an encounter with the Lord that changed the direction of my life. I only knew one way to serve God at that time and it was to enter the "ministry".  Now my understanding of ministry has totally changed. 

Look forward to hear your thoughts.

JSALUM:

Paul, what your answer has to do with business? I think that the way we traditionally have been taught may affect all areas of our lives!

PAUL TAYLOR:

The teaching in the church was that if u really were going to serve God u would be a preacher, teacher, evangelist, etc.  There was no teaching on the fact that all of life is part of the Kingdom of God. That if we were created to be a carpenter, then we could be carpenter using our gifts to glorify God and expand the Kingdom of God. I use "carpenter" as an example but it could be doctor or lawyer or farmer. All of these are part of God's kingdom.

It is interesting that any church leaders, don't think a businessman or a farmer is involved in ministry unless they r doing something in the church but they have no problem asking them for money to support the work of the church. So without the businessman the work of the church would be difficult to accomplish (my past thinking).  So how can that businessman not be involved in the work of the ministry?

Is his work not considered working for the Lord?

ANDRE DORNELAS:

You are absolutely right Pr Paul. We are priests and kings in the Kingdom. The problem is that sometimes we do not involve the Kings ( people who God called to rule financially ) to sit at the table with us and with them God's vision. Once we realize that they are the ones who will not only give money but also give their knowledge than things will be different. We are kings and priests. The kingdom needs both to minister God's love and purposes to the world.

God bless everyone.

JSALUM:

Thought 2

Kings and priests. We are priests in the Church and in the world. We are before God all the time in the world to reconcile people with God. We are ambassadors which is a proper Kingdom word. We are royal priesthood everywhere. Kings are not just to rule financially.  Yes, Andre, that is the idea regarding the church aspect. Jesus kings rule on earth, rule over money, they are not ruled or are under the domain of money. They are servant kings in all areas of life, in all areas of influence in our society. Jesus sent His disciples Into all the world and we are trying to bring the whole world into the church, meaning into our buildings and structures. Where two or more disciples meet there is Church. Right now the Church is here not even geographically! 

Paul Taylor

Our thinking must change and will change when we discover that the Church is not the Kingdom of God. It is in the Kingdom but the Kingdom of God encompasses everything that is created. In the beginning was the Word....All things were made through Him and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life.... Jn. 1:1-4

The Kingdom of God is about Life!  Not just church life. We r His children. He is concerned about all aspects of our lives. Where our children go to school. Where we will go on vacation this year. He never leaves us!  We must break the mindset of a Sunday morning church mentality. When we gave our lives to Christ we gave every day to Him. Not just Sunday.

Question:  Why would Jesus teach in Luke 16:8 "For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of the light."

Why does James write to ask for wisdom and u will receive it in abundance from the Lord?  Is this just for church?

Reymundo Benitez:

Powerful teachings

Josimar Salum

Thought 3

Josimar Salum:

1) Paul and Andre emphasized we are Kings and priests. What does it mean being kings and priests? What verses of the Scriptures can reveal these truths?  

2)Those who have been born again are kings and priests. If you are a pastor or an evangelist, per example, it doesn't mean you are more anointed than a carpenter, a Doctor, a businessman or a teacher. How you and I can bring the influence of the Kingdom into air daily lives? How can we rule financially, in our schools, in politics, etc?

3) The gifts and the work of the ministry is not just for church, but for anywhere there is a need. What about the gift of discernment helping us to close a business deal? The gift of knowledge to open doors for our orphanage kids? The gift of wisdom to help us get the resources we need to run a shop, a daycare?

4) Andre referred to that we need people outside the church that will make things different within the church. What things? Church people tend to see the things in the world from a "local church perspective". Usually we want to make members for our churches and not disciples for the kingdom? Can we think differently? What are these concepts needed to be understood so we can be successful?  Why worldly people don't pray, don't fast, don't even believe in God and they are successful in their businesses? 

Camila spoke about the prophet not making distinction between ministry and outside of the ministry. Life is ministry. Anything can be a ministry. 

There is not more altars in churches for God. The last altar was the cross of Jesus. Religious people build altars, Jesus disciples build His kingdom.

GO TO THOUGHT 3 Please