Because it’s such a great time of rejuvenation, relaxation and celebration, it’s important to do so without letting our guards down. “Above all things guard your heart” (Proverbs 4:23). Over the past 8 years of youth pastoring, every summer I see young people allow this to happen. Instead of creating a summer they wont forget, they create a summer they later regret.

Here are a few tips I’ve shared with our youth ministry when it comes to having a summer they don’t forget, and don’t regret!

Over this summer break, be a young person that is:

1) Passionate about your Bible.

The Bible compass for anyone who wants to have a walk on fire for God. Whenever we read the word it’s like pouring pure life into our spirits. Read Hebrews 4:12

2) A Prayer Warrior.

Those we hang around we become like. When we pray and hang with God, we become like him. Prayer is where you will find home. Read Colossians 4:2

3) Don’t chase drama – chase God.

Our lives are not called to be like the latest episode of Home and Away. Seek God with all your heart, minimize drama, and you will find your summer a lot more joyful. Read Hebrews 12:1

4) A young person that is In church.

Over summer break youth ministries can often to have a break. Be committed to being in church. This will help you stay connected with other believers and strong as you enter 2012. Read Psalm 122:1

5) A young person that is a Worshipper.

It’s hard to lose focus of Jesus if your continually thanking and worshipping Him. The more you worship, the greater the sense of God’s presence in your life. Read Psalm 22:3

6) Be at Summercamp (for those at Mannahouse Youth!)

Start the year with a bang! Summercamp is an awesome opportunity to get fired up for the year while hanging with good friends. Read Acts 2.

May 2012 be your best and most fruitful year yet!

Much love,

Benaiah

Well guess what? We have this key!

Psalm 100:4 tells us in that “we enter His gates with thanksgiving”. Just as you need a key to unlock the front door to your house, thanksgiving is the key that opens the door to God’s presence.

Because of this reality, the devil hates it when we are thankful. He knows that if thanksgiving opens the door to God’s presence, ungratefulness and grumbling is what will lock that door. The enemy would have us criticize, be negative and complain, rather than view all things through the eyes of thanksgiving. No one wants to be like the 2 old guys (Statler & Waldorf) off the Muppet Show, being critical, negative and toxic.

Thanksgiving is used to translate the Hebrew word “yadah” in the Old Testament. Yadah means to acknowledge or to declare publicly. It is also often translated as “praise.”

Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words calls thanksgiving “the expression of joy Godward,” and reckons it to be a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5.22).

Here are a few things that having a heart of thanksgiving does:

1) Thanksgiving leads us into the presence of God (Psalm 95.2, Psalm 100.4)

2) Thanksgiving magnifies God instead of our problems. (Psalm 69.30).

3) Thanksgiving makes God famous. (Psalm 105.1).

4) Thanksgiving prepares the way for answered prayer. (John 11:33-41.)

5) Thanksgiving paves the way for blessing in our lives and the lives of others. (John 6.1-13).

6) Thanksgiving prepares the way for the peace of God. (Philippians 4.6,7).

7) Thanksgiving makes you happier. (Isaiah 61:3).

We have alot to be thankful for. God has done some incredible things this year. I encourage you to finish 2011 and start 2012 with a renewed passion for thanksgiving. Remember it is the key, to unlocking God’s presence in your life.

Much love,

Benaiah

As leaders our job is to set culture. Ministries will always be a reflection of their leadership culture, both positively & negatively.

One of the most powerful ways we can build culture is through language.

A culture is defined by it’s language. A way tribal people pass on their culture from one generation to the next is through their language. Destroy a people’s language and a culture will become weakened and eventually extinct.

A unified language, spoken, results in a strong kingdom culture. We need to be intentional about how we speak whether it be verbally, written, online or through body language. How and what we communicate can build or destroy.

In genesis 11 we read about the tower of babel. The people decided to build a tower to reach heaven. God comes down and sees the tower being built and says:

“If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” (verse 6)

Here we see the power of common language. That when people speak a common language, and understand each other, “nothing will be impossible for them”

If a leadership team can understand the power of a common language and be intentional about what they speak, anything is possible.

I love our youth leadership team. I may be a bit biased but I think they are some of the finest people on the planet. One thing we’ve made a key value as a team is being intentional about how we speak. We have some common values that we believe is the language God would have us raise this generation up with. Here are just a few:
- words that build Faith,
- words that bring hope,
- words that impart love,
- words that bring honor to God and others,
- words that add value,
- words founded in humility,
- words that bring unity,
- words based in testimony,
- words that bring encouragement,
- words that impart joy.
- words saturated in thanksgiving

Like most languages, it takes time to learn. And like most languages, we don’t always get the words correct. But we are committed to getting better and better at this language.

What is the language we are ultimately trying to speak and pass onto others?

The language of heaven.
The language of freedom.

Our heart is that the next generation would take up this language.

Hope you were blessed by this.

Benaiah

1)   Raise a revolution: Realize the magnitude of what you’re doing. Your raising an army of love. An army that can’t fail because his love never fails. Every young person that get’s a revelation of this is very dangerous to the enemy. Remember, your raising a revolution!

2)   Build expectation: Set aside a month to build faith and expectation for what God is about to do. Use the LIOW promo’s , speak vision and pray leading up to your big LIOW launch day!

3)   Own it: If you and your leadership team fully own the vision of LIOW in seeing your community radically changed by Gods love, then your youth will pick up on that. Choose to eat, sleep, breath, live, the campaign for 10 weeks. Your passion will be infectious!

4)   Make it easy: Be creative about how to sign your young people up. Set up laptops at youth so they can create accounts, leave testimonies & register deeds each week. The easier the better!

5)   Share testimonies: This is the greatest momentum builder you have. Each week, make room for youth to share testimonies of how they did the love deed from the previous week. This builds expectation and boldness in those listening!

6)   Celebrate: Highlight the victories, both big and small: Every week, make room to celebrate milestones. You may have a faith-goal to see 100 love deeds done – When you reach it, go ballistic at youth, on facebook etc. God deserves all the praise!

7)   Stay focused: Because the campaign goes for 10 weeks. It’s easy to get to the middle of the term and lose focus (kind of like Wednesdays!). Stay focus and choose to finish strong!

8)   Use social media: The is something that we went crazy with and encouraged our youth to do the same. Create a facebook group for the LIOW in your ministry, use status updates to promote love deeds each week, update your statuses with testimonies, and post videos and links to your page! For #cheerachamp we even had one youth encourage all her facebook friends – all 400 of them!

9)   Maximize the use of your youth ministry deed counter: You will have your own youth ministry deed counter. As this counter goes up, expectation, ownership and unity will go to a whole new level, as kids start to practically see the impact they’re making.

10)  Finish strong: Use the last 4 weeks to build towards a LIOW celebration night were you can celebrate what God has done, share testimonies and see the change in your ministry.

I hope this helps! Remember our heart is to simply support and help your youth ministry, both through the LIOW campaign and beyond. So please give us a call or email if we can help you or your ministry in any way.

Your awesome,

Benaiah Halliday & the LIOW team

loveisourweapon.com

Our heart is also the most important part of us spiritually. If we have a healthy heart, this equates to a healthy body. Likewise, a sick heart equates to a sick body.

The most important thing in our lives needs to be our hearts. There is nothing more important than the guarding of your heart. This needs to be more important than family, friends, relationships, jobs, education or ministry itself.

The bible tells us that “Above all things guard our heart, for it’s the wellspring of your life”.  (Proverbs 4:23)

Recently on my way home from Bali. I had the unfortunate experience of catching the “bali-belly”. This is a bug which is caught from drinking unclean water, or in my case, bad ice-cubes. Symptoms of this sickness, include being physically sick, and in some cases (like mine), seeing hallucinations.

Just as the “Bali belly” sickness affected me, so a sick heart can affect us in a similar way. What we start to say has a sick edge to it, how we walk starts to be affected, our perception becomes warped, and we start to see things wrong.

So how do we guard the heart from becoming infected by the world? I like to think of it in the same way sickness gets into our physically bodies. Through:

1)   Our mouth: Just like Bali belly, sickness can enter us through what we consume. Spiritually this can equate to what we say, what we talk about and what we agree with. By guarding our mouths, we guard our hearts. (See Proverbs 18:21)

2)   Our ears: Infection can enter us through our ears. Spiritually, we need to guard our hearts by guarding what we listen to, the advice we get, and who we allow to speak into our lives. Even the music we listen to can affect us, as music can be a gateway to the soul. (See Proverbs 6:20-23)

3)   Our eyes: Infection can enter through our eyes. Spiritually, this includes what we look at. In an age where our society is immersed with sexual impurity , guarding the eyes is essential in guarding the heart. (See Hebrews 12:1-2)

4)   Our wounds: This is one of the greatest causes of people becoming spiritually sick. Wounds and hurts from our past, maybe even from our childhood, which have not been attended too, will eventually result in infection entering into the heart. Dealing with past hurts, is essential. Without it, you’re a ticking time bomb. (See Psalm 147:3)

Let’s be people who guard our hearts. Healthy hearts mean healthy people. Healthy people mean healthy fruit and a healthy life.

So what did I learn from bali belly? Don’t eat bad ice-cubes!

Much love,

Benaiah

Today, I’m up early meditating on God-given wisdom. I’m asking God for wisdom, a supernatural wisdom to lead God’s people. Feel free to join me in this prayer. The good thing about asking for wisdom is that you know your prayer is 100% going to be answered! (James 1:5)

Here’s some verses where God talks about the power of supernatural wisdom. Take time to mediate on these:

Job 28:28

“And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.’”

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 3:7

Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 13:10

Through presumption comes nothing but strife, But with those who receive counsel is wisdom.

Proverbs 14:8

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of fools is deceit.

Proverbs 15:31

He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise.

Proverbs 19:20

Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days.

Proverbs 29:11

A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back.

Proverbs 29:15

The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.

Psalm 37:30

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, And his tongue speaks justice.

Psalm 51:6

Behold, Thou dost desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part Thou wilt make me know wisdom.

James 1:5

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

James 3:17

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

1 Corinthians 1:25

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1 Corinthians 1:30

But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,

Last year I bought myself a motorbike. One of the finest looking machines I’ve ever seen. I call her “jezza”, a 2008 Suzuki black GSXR, and yes she sounds as good as she looks with her growl loud enough to scare both kids and grandmas alike.

When I purchased her, I was happy to see that the guy I was buying it off was just as passionate about the bike as I am today.

He told me two things over and over:

“Make sure you let her warm up to 70 degrees before you ride”

“Only use premium unleaded, she works best with that fuel”

I was happy with this as I knew I was buying a bike that had been looked after.

Since then I have made sure that I only used the best fuel available. In Australia, we call this fuel premium unleaded. It’s more expensive and harder to get, but it makes all the difference in any performance machine.

Towards the end of last year I felt God speak to me about the motivation we have when it comes to ministry.

When it comes to inspiring people to go forward in God, there are a bunch of tools God has given us. The main two ways we commonly use as leaders are:

Vision and /or

Looking at the need.

Both of these are powerful and will always have a great effect. Both of these are needed and are essential in being an effective leader. Personally, I lean more towards vision, as this is part of the gifting on my life.

This is where God started to speak to me about unleaded and premium unleaded petrol and leaderership. I felt Him show me that using vision, and looking at need, are like using normal unleaded petrol, they work and are good, however, there is a higher fuel available that will run more efficiently and smoothly: premium unleaded.

So what is premium unleaded in this example?

Love.

Love is such a powerful, deeply seeded force that nothing compares to it. When vision fades and need becomes overwhelming, love goes on.

The more we allow love to fill our hearts for those we lead, the more of the supernatural element of His strength and power grows.

Just like premium unleaded, having a heart of love is harder and more expensive to get. But nothing will run as well as it.

“Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:8) . It’s as simple as that.

Much love,

Benaiah

My heart for you is that you would be setup for a win in 2011. Here’s my top 5 tips for staying on track this year.

Ready?

This year be dedicated to being a…

1) Heart-guarder: Make this the most important thing in your world. Proverbs 4:23 says “above all things guard your heart, for it’s the wellspring of your life”

Be ruthless about guarding your heart. Wrong friendships, relationships, jobs, advice, and anything else close to your hearts can make you or break you. If it’s bringing you closer to God then you know it’s good fruit, anything else cut off.

Guard your heart in such a way  that God will always be first in your heart.

2) Bible-Consumer: Be committed to reading your bible like never before. I would recommend the www.oneyearbibleonline.com for some great reading plans. Why not read the bible in a year? You will be a different person by the end of it.

3) Purpose-definer: Live 2011 with purpose. Do you know what your promised land looks like this year? Don’t let the storms of life dictate your direction. Let the Holyspirit direct your path. Write down what you believe God wants to do in and through you this year.

4) Connection-protector: No matter what happens this year, be committed to staying connected with people who will stir your faith and  the God-given dream within you. The only way a wolf can eat a sheep is by isolating it from the flock. Also make sure you make time to meet with your shepherds, they have been graced to help look after you.

5) Dedicated-discipler: This will always cause you to be selfless, not selfish and will help you to fix your eyes on Jesus. Discipling others is a basic food group in being spiritually healthy. Those who don’t disciple live in disobedience according the Matthew 28. Obedience equals health.

I hope these simple thoughts have helped. This is a new year, a year like no other, a year to see God invade earth like never before.

Much love,

Benaiah

Over the past few months God has been doing an unprecedented work in the youth of our city and has been blessing our youth ministry with increase. Jesus told us is in Luke 10:2 that “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” We are learning the reality of this verse !

With an increase of young people giving their lives to Jesus, comes an increase in the work involved. With an increase of the work involved, comes the increased need to learn rest in order to be effective.

Jesus gave us this example through the example of His life. He gave his life to disciple, reach and love others. This was labouring. But we notice the amount of times Jesus was tired and needed to get away with the Father. If Jesus himself often experienced tiredness while changing the world, then we should expect no less. He is the perfect example of ministry.

Over the past 7 years of youth pastoring I’ve often found myself leading on empty. There have been many times i’ve had a meeting i’ve had to minister at and wanted to stay home because I felt I had nothing to give. The thing that always surprised me about this was that when I would minister out of this place of emptiness, so often God would move even more powerfully than the times I felt full! His power was made perfect in my weakness!

We often think that when we get weak or tired something is wrong. I’ve learnt that it actually shows were doing something right!

Why?

- God created rest for a reason. If you never got tired you would never need rest. He even rested 1 day out of the 7 when he created the universe!

- The place we receive His strength is in weakness: How can God renew us with his strength if we didn’t need strength in the first place? We need his strength when we’re weak. Paul even boasted when he was weak because he understood that that’s when God could actually use him. God thought this was so good he included it in the bible.

- Labouring makes us tired but that’s not a bad thing. If you ever had a job where you’re doing physical labour for the day, you know the feeling of going home and getting rest. It’s tiring work! Jesus tells us plainly that we are labourers. We labour in the ripe field of people’s lives and co-labour with Christ. This isn’t a metaphor – He was telling us that it is going to be hard, but fruitful work!

I’ve now learnt that if we are not getting to a place in our labouring where we need His strength, then were probably not harvesting to the extent we need to!

Don’t run from tiredness or weakness, but rather, see it as a sign of blessing in that God wants to fill you will His strength! That’s when his power if made perfect!

The scripture comes to mind in 2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

This is one of those scriptures we read and say “yes God” but when you’re in the middle of it, its uncomfortable and we want to pull back.

I actually believe that part of our effectiveness in God is at times to feel tired and weak.

Why? How else can God renew your strength if we don’t first get to a place where our strength needs renewing!

So how to we gain his strength for our weakness?

1) Make sure you make time to delight in God. When we get busy, sometimes the first things to go is our quiet time. However everything we do is a reflection of our relationship with Him. This must be guarded. Wait on God. This is where true strength for weakness is exchanged.

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31

We must always remember that the power of our relationship is measured by our delight in Him.

2) Keep the sabbath day Holy. This was so important to God that he included in into the 10 commandments. He himself took a day off to rest! For me my sabbath is saturday. I guard this day jealously. This is my day with God and rest in Him. I understand there is a supernatural exchange in my weakness for his strength on this day. Do something you love on this day – whatever rejuvenates you and do it all in the spirit of resting in God.

If God needed to rest one day, then so do you. Your not better than God!

3) Remember that the Joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Be someone and do things that bring Joy to God’s heart. This will be your strength

3) Get around people who will speak life into you and who can see bigger than your mindset. It’s important to have people who encourage you, challenge you and who help you become a bigger you and gain God’s perspective. These people are rare to find, so if you find one and have access to one, guard that relationship!

4) Get organized. I find that so often people get so stressed because they have a lot on their plate but lack the organization to make it all work effectively. Streamline what you do. Organise your time-management. Think ahead. If you want to be a big capacitied person then this discipline needs to be worked at. Get someone to help you in this if needed. Pulling out of things because of a lack of organization or because we don’t want to be stretched is a lose lose for everyone.

Remember, You will have seasons where you feel full of passion, and times where you feel empty. Realize that God is in both seasons. Just don’t give up! Blessing is on both season!

Remember Jesus told us that he will never leave us or forsake us and that His grace IS sufficient for what’s in your hand and for the field before you! That’s good news!

Hope this helps and encourages you!

Much Love,

Benaiah