Jason McKinnies

Be a Barnabas

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You need a Barnabas and You need to Be A Barnabas

Would Paul have had the same impact had it not been for Barnabas? The Damascus dust may still have been on Paul’s sandals. Paul’s murderous threats toward those of the Way were still a fear-filled reality when Barnabas took Paul to the apostles, but Barnabas vouched for the truthfulness of his testimony (Acts 9:26,27). He didn’t have to vouch for Paul, but his act of encouragement provided a necessary link between Paul and the fulfillment of his calling. Several years later, Barnabas was prompted by the Holy Spirit to look for Paul (Acts 11:25). No doubt the Damascus Road testimony had been forgotten by most, but not by Barnabas.

Barnabas, in keeping with his name, always seemed to be looking for someone to encourage. The tentmaker from Tarsus had seemingly been overlooked by the established church and bypassed for any “meaningful” ministry assignments. But because of Barnabas’ influence, the Antioch church found a place for Paul and helped him develop trusting relationships and a respected teaching ministry (Acts 11:26; 13:1,2). This was not the only time Barnabas took such an initiative. Remember John Mark? (Acts 15:37) Regardless of the baggage or failure from the past, Barnabas was there to be that “son of exhortation.”

How many of us need a modern-day Barnabas to come alongside to promote our ministries? How many ministers sit dejected on the sidelines because of a failure? Their church didn’t grow. The vote was not strong enough to stay. The program was a disaster. A marriage or family relationship disintegrated. Where is that brother or sister to look for the forgotten, to believe in the divine call, to hope for the best? The 21st century needs larger numbers of Barnabas-minded people. Deserting the call God has placed on our lives is pandemic.

Seek out a Barnabas. Then BE a Barnabas to someone else.  The challenge is before us. Scan your environment for the overlooked, the rejected, the discouraged and disheartened, the ones who were passed by. Seek to be a Barnabas. Retaining and encouraging Christians will certainly help reverse the trend of declining numbers in churches.

Jason McKinnies

Pursue a Paul

Pursue A Paul

Paul is that person that is ahead of you. It is not an age thing, it is an experience and wisdom thing. There is a real need, and it is being exacerbated by the sociological realities of the 21st century. The breakdown in the home where sons and daughters have distant or nonexistent relationships with their fathers certainly has had a negative effect on leadership development. In times past, the son worked alongside his father, learning not only skill and competency but also behavior and values. Where does this happen today?

You need a Paul in your life. Think of the list of individuals in the New Testament who were impacted by the apostle Paul.  Real-life is different from theory. An education in itself does not prepare one for life. You need a Paul in your life that drives you to be better than before. Paul is that person that you might get offended at what they say to you, but that is what you asked them to do so you get over it and get on with the vision at hand.

Who is the Paul you are pursuing? Observation tells us that mentoring is not best-accomplished through a formal program. Mentoring takes place best as the one who desires the information and training pursues the one who has it.  Mentoring takes place as we watch, listen, serve, follow, learn, read, glean, and emulate. It is not something someone does to someone else. It is the result of a diligent pursuit of another’s life and ministry.

In Elisha’s day, this process took place as “the two of them walked on” (2 Kings 2:6*). “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you,” embodies the resolve Elisha had in pursuing Elijah.

Everyone needs to pursue someone who excels in some area of life or ministry. Thanks to 21st-century technology and travel, the entire world is open to us through print media—classic and current—tapes, interactive CDs, the internet, conferences, and networking. This allows anyone to connect with any Christian leader anywhere.

So, prayerfully ask the Lord to lead you to the “major league influencers” who can have an impact on your life and seek a Paul to pursue.  You must pursue your Paul, Paul will never Pursue you!

Jason McKinnies

Connecting

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We live in a world that is increasingly connected, but just as increasingly disconnected. Social media has allowed people to become connected to old friends, acquaintances, and family alike. Yes we have more “friends” than ever before. Each one of us probably has hundreds, if not thousands, via social media, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and countless others.

So, on the surface, it would seem that we are becoming more and more connected. This connection, however, is just that: a “surface connection.” We are in front of a keyboard and screen. The good ol’ days of sitting across from one another, sharing funny stories, and a cup of coffee are disappearing. Connecting and truly sharing the feelings we have as well as the struggles, happens less than ever before. Our lives are suddenly more difficult. It is the never ending rat race of keeping afloat and struggling to make ends meet, deadlines, meetings, and  who could possibly get 2 calendars to match?

Mentoring of one generation to the next with stories began with: “My Dad used to say…” or “My Mom used to say…” or “My teacher used to tell us…” This passing of experiences and knowledge from one generation cannot cease to continue. My father instilled in me a work ethic, honor, ethics, and integrity. My mother instilled into me grace, promptness, cleanliness, and faithfulness. These are not characteristics passed through a computer screen or keyboard. The bible gives clear direction about mentorship from the elders to the younger generation. It is also clear that the younger should submit themselves to the elders to be mentored.

My dad once told me, you cannot complain about something unless you are willing to get involved in it, in order to change it. If we desire to see real change in people, than you must become involved with them. Are you willing to get involved?

Seek out a real connection today by scheduling time with someone you love, respect, and admire. Or, seek out someone and invest in them, be the difference in their life today!

Jason McKinnies

Grace

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What’s the first picture that pops into your head when you hear the word “grace”? Aunt Bethany from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation came to mine. You know, when they ask her to say grace before eating and her reply is: “Grace! She’s been dead for 30 years!”

Once we are born again, grace now accompanies us as though we are married.

Many within the church believe just like poor little confused Bethany that “Grace” is dead.

God’s grace covers more than our plate at dinner time. Grace is the blessing of a lifetime.  It is the grace of God that saves, forgives, sustains, heals, liberates, restores, and transforms us!

Grace should cause us to give God glory because it’s because of grace that we are saved, forgiven, sustained, healed, liberated, restored, and transformed. The grace of God gives us whatever is required of us. We rejoice because that grace justifies us and fills us with peace. That same grace so many think is a “little thing” gives us an all-access past to our God. Grace isn’t dead. If you feel as though grace is dead, it is because it’s been too long since you’ve seen God move incredibly. Grace isn’t dead and God’s not either.

God’s grace is as strong today as it has ever been. He hasn’t changed nor will He ever change.

Not only is she dead she’s been dead for 30 years.  Let me say it like this…it’s been dead to you since the last time you saw God move incredibly.  However, long that has been, it’s been too long. Grace isn’t dead, because God’s not dead.  He’s alive. God is alive and stronger today than He has ever been.

God’s grace is what lifted us up out of the deep pit that we were in. It was His grace at the midnight hour when it seemed like everything was against you, that God  turned it around in your favor.  It was the grace of God that changed your life. You were headed in the wrong direction and God’s grace interrupted that! Just one encounter with God’s grace bestows the blessing of a lifetime.

God gives us something we can then give away. He never runs out of grace and we shouldn’t either. Grace is the gift that keeps on giving.

For your further study…

2 Corinthians 8:9
2 Corinthians 9:8
Romans 5:13
Malachi 3:6
James 1:16­-17
Psalm 102:27
Isaiah 9:6­7 6
Hebrews 13:8
Romans 8:11

Jason McKinnies

The Lord is on My Side

Read Psalm 124:1-8. Then ponder, where would you be “if it had not been for the Lord on your side?”

David said: If it had not been the Lord on my side, when men rose up against, they’d overtaken me. When my enemies rose up against me, if it had not been for the Lord on my side, they would’ve defeated me. If the Lord wasn’t on my side, then when men rose up against us, not only would they’ve defeated me, but they’d defeated me quickly. They’d swallowed us up quickly. If it had not been for the Lord on my side when the waters began to rise, when the floods began to come against us, we would’ve failed! If the Lord hadn’t been on our side the waters would’ve overwhelmed us. It is because the Lord was on our side that we were not overwhelmed and we weren’t defeated.

Every one of us could’ve written this psalm because if it hadn’t been for the Lord, we too would have been overwhelmed, washed up, and wiped out.

Jeremiah wrote in Lamentations 3:22-23, “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”

It is because of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed and because of Him that we are not defeated.

The Lord is on your side, and if the Lord is on your side, then you will not fail. You will not be overwhelmed. You will not be swept away. You will not be consumed. The Lord is always by your side and He is with you wherever you go.

 Just like David…when people rise up against you, you’ll not be defeated.

 Just like David…when calamity, trial or tribulation comes, you will not be overcome.

 Just like David…the Lord is on your side!

Here are a few reminders of what that means for you!

Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. (Psalm 91:7 NLT)

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. (1 John 4:4)

I shall not die, but live,

And declare the works of the Lord. (Psalm 118:17 NKJV)

I dream of a day that you’ll live like the Lord is on your side! I dream, of a day, that you’ll pray, believe, and dream like the Lord is on your side.

Tell me what would you believe for if you knew you couldn’t fail?