Archive for Wisdom
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You Are Not That Good, Meditations By Apostle John Dean
As a young preacher, I had an experience that still remains fresh in my mind today. There was probably no one who tried harder to live a more disciplined life before the Lord than me. I was a part of a holiness denomination that had a long list of things you must avoid doing if you were going to be holy. I followed that list to the letter of the law as far as I knew. My desire was do everything in my power to fulfill Romans 12:1 where it says “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service
The Stranger In The Bank, Meditations By Apostle John Dean
One day while standing in a bank line waiting to cash a check—I turned just in time to see this man turn and look at me from another line. After a short glance he turned the opposite direction—bowed his head and began to weep for me. God had showed him that I had a call on my life, but that I was lost.
Ma, Meditations By Apostle John Dean
As a young stray teenager running around the countryside in the late ‘40s and early ‘50s I had the privilege of living with many people who wanted to be mom and dad to me. This was one of those couples who loved me for what I was, and through the eyes of faith saw potential in my scattered life. Perhaps my life is made up of bits and pieces of all those fine people who were willing to be my parents for a season
Keeping Score, Meditations By Apostle John Dean
There seems to be certain characteristics of a score keeper that are unique to them. For example, you never seem to win an argument with them…because they are usually more relentless than everyone else in the family. If a family decision needs to be made—their opinion is usually the one you go with. It is not worth all the “I told you so” comments for years to come.
My Trip to Heaven, Meditations By Apostle John Dean
One such experience took place one night when the Lord came into my room and took me to heaven. I could see my spirit leaving my body laying there on the bed. I continued to be lifted up until I saw the roof of our home and then the street and then the city and so on. All of this took place very quickly. I could not see the one who was lifting me up because he was always behind me.
Fathers & Instructors, Meditations By Apostle John Dean
After many years I came to the conclusion that there is a father’s anointing that God Himself puts on us as He would any other anointing. Any man can be fatherly, but that does not necessarily constitute a father’s anointing. Being around one who is fatherly may be a great comfort when you are in need. However being around one with a father’s anointing could effectively change your life as did my friend’s influence changed my life.
Don’t Strike the Rock, Meditations By Apostle John Dean
God has given us the power and authority by the spoken word to do great things, yet far too often we use our authority (the rod) to strike the rock. You may wonder how it is possible to strike the rock in today’s world. We may not carry a rod in our hand as Moses did, but we do have a tongue in our mouth that is far more destructive. We no longer strike with a rod, but with the tongue a critical word.
Walk In Conformity To The Will, Revelation And Righteousness Of The Lord
No matter how you feel or what you do I have given you all I have…all I am and will not hold back on releasing it to you. I have also given you all you need pertaining to life and godliness…all you need for correction and reproof (2 Peter 1:3; 2 Timothy 3:16). In the midst of correction and reproof you are showered with mercy and grace for mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13). I have not judged you, and I do not condemn you.
Don’t Eat the Apple, Meditations By Apostle John Dean
Eating the apple seemed to be a good idea in order to take man to that next level, so he ate the apple. Mankind was of course deceived by Satan. The root of impatience is to attain something without paying the price. Consequently mankind is prone to fall for the old ‘apple’ trick.
What You Are Called Will Not Matter, Meditations By Apostle John Dean
Back in the days when I started ministering I was often asked, “What are you?” What they meant was, “Are you a pastor, evangelist or missionary?” Even though folks could clearly see what I was doing they still asked the question because I apparently did not fit the customary mold. Answering such a question was hard for me since I had been doing some of all three. As a matter of fact I had a passion for all three. I really wanted to answer their question but felt guilty because I didn’t have the answer. This agonizing question was on my mind far too much in the first five years of my ministry.
