Technology has really changed and innovated many parts of modern life, just compare the technological capabilities that we (global community) were working with just a decade or two ago and, it is shocking at how much technology that we interface with on a daily basis. It is very similar in the Kingdom of God, the way in which we as believers can connect and organize to worship, praise, pray, learn, and counsel has been upgraded by leaps and bounds compared to how we (believers throughout time) were able to fellowship in the past. All of these changes and upgrades didn’t just manifest out of nowhere, there were many people who stepped out as pioneers to show us that there was a better way or alternative way of doing things. I hesitate to say that each innovation is “better” than what was available before, because that phrasing can be very subjective, however most of us can agree that innovation ushered in improvements, efficiency, and made what was available for a few available, potentially, for all. The problem with technology is that it is oftentimes sabotaged, corrupted, and downplayed in order to 1. Keep things the same, 2. Help industry leaders continue to make lots of money off of inferior products/services, 3. To contain the expertise and mastery in the elite class. Have you ever purchased something and after using it for a while, thought or said: “They don’t make this product the way that they used to.” Or have you noticed that the standard for something that used to be high quality is now mediocre at best? What about the state of our governments on the Federal and Local levels? A lot of politicians nowadays spend more time and taxpayer money on promoting culture wars or trying to get reelected instead of serving their constituents that got them elected in the 1st place. Yes election season is upon us, and THERE NEEDS TO BE A CHANGING OF THE GUARDS!
The ceremonial “Changing of the Guards” is a visual and physical demonstration of old (who have been serving) guards going out and new guards (who have not served yet) going into service. It happens in militaries, sports teams, theater troops, PTA organizations, etc. – the transference of power, position, and influence from one set of leaders or participants to the next. Modern western civilization prefers a peaceful transfer of power, yet it is nonetheless still a transfer of power. When the transfer of power from the old to the new, experienced to the novice, the MVP to the rookie, etc. things within that organization or realm of influence, begins to slack, stale, and stagnate. This is mainly because those who have power like things to stay the same, while people seeking power are usually seeking it to make changes. You have seen this on your job, in the government, or maybe even at your church. The resistance to change is usually tied to honoring or respecting who was or is currently the main person or people in charge and any suggestion to change or innovate is slapped down as offensive, ignorant, or unuseful. The people who want things to stay the same teach the younger or newer people that this is how we like it here, do things this way. While they keep traditions going and the level of reverence for what worked before high, they miss out on the ease of innovation, the treat of technology, or the sweetness of new wine. This is not to say abandoning what is tested and proven is necessary to move forward, however if there is no innovation the threat of becoming outdated is imminent.
Righteous Anger: Remember that account in Genesis when Moses became so angry to see one of his people being mistreated by an Egyptian guard/overseer that he killed him? Or when David became so offended at Goliath’s taunting that he joined the military just so that he could personally take him down? Yes, Righteous Anger is a thing that the people of God will experience from time to time. This does not give us a license to kill, Moses ended up being exiled and placed on the most wanted list because what he did in his righteous anger was sinful and a crime. God still used him, but that anger rose up again and cost him from entering the promised land. Let’s not forget about Queen Esther, once she learned about what wickedness Haman was planning against her people, she fasted then went to the king to make her petition. This is a lovely example of what is needed right now in this generation. How many of us see the corruption in Government, corruption of school boards, corruption of ________ you fill in the bank and just gripe and complain about it as if we were not chosen for such a time as this? How many times do we walk or drive past those in need and say to ourselves or others how it makes no sense for the most abundant and prosperous countries and cities of the world to have so much poverty and people lacking basic needs, and yet do nothing to help? Knowing and acknowledging is great, but it does not directly address the root cause of the problem. There needs to be a changing of the guard. There needs to be a generation who will not just observe and understand the issues of life, but will take Holy Spirit directed action!
Wishing and hoping… Have we become so cynical and hope deferred as a society, as Believers in Christ, that we would rather see help spring up from another place, as Modecai warned Queen Esther, than to take action ourselves? Have we become so bitter, broken, and begrudged that we are immobilized like ancient Israel’s army was against Goliath, that we can even rise up to fight? This ought not be! We are the people of God Victorious! Jehovah Nissi, El Gibor! Awesome in Power, and Mighty to save and deliver! Are we in the midst of an identity crisis forgetting that our God causes us to Triumph? Or is it just time for the changing of the guards.
I respectfully submit to you that there is no way for the changes that we desire to occur to happen if everything stays the same. Yes, we know… “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” Take a look around, examine the current state of affairs… Many systems, organizations, and processes that are supposed to be serving and blessing us ARE broken. It DOES need to be fixed, in fact it needs to be innovated! Who will answer the call? Who will put on their war clothes and prepare for battle? It is time for a Changing of the Guards! If you do not like who is in charge and feel like you could do a better job, maybe, just maybe YOU are the one that needs to pioneer the innovation in leadership for this generation. If you have the answer to the question that people are too afraid, too distracted, or unaware it needs to be asked, maybe it is your time to come forth with Kingdom strategy and technology that will benchmark a new standard for this and future generations. A few months ago, I released a post about God releasing new Mantles. Just why do you suppose God would release a new Mantle to someone that has no intention of using it? He wouldn’t. The increase in power, revelation, influence, and grace is not a gold star just for showing up! It has a purpose that is directly correlated to what is needed to happen in this time and this season for the glory of God! God is not seeking people who want mantles to put on display in their house, to post about it on social media, or to pack it away in their attic to collect dust. He is calling forth people who will be a sign and a wonder to every mountain they take for His namesake.
Let’s not wait until Ichabod is the cry across the nations. We do not have to wait until the Glory of God has departed before recognizing that the changing of the guard is needed. The changing of the guard does not have to be a “replacement’, it could just be applying wisdom to a process to gain efficiency that allows the Lord to blow “fresh wind” on it to come alive. For example, when Moses was operating as Judge over the children of Israel, his father in law Jethro helped him to realize that the way he was operating was not effective, efficient, or sustainable. This was not disrespectful to do, because the strategy to innovate that process was released and not only improved Moses’ leadership, it allowed some of the people who were serving to be trained and promoted to handle various levels of responsibility. When David took down Goliath, it mobilized a whole army from defeat and discouragement to victory and confidence! Notice, David did not stoop to the low of his enemy, instead he lifted up the name of the Lord and expressed trust in what the Lord was going to do! Who will speak out! Some of the enemies that seem like giants who set themselves against the will of God for our times, are just Goliaths that need someone like you to take them down.
Gideon, was in possibly the lowest place of his life when he was called into leadership. The enemy had been spoiling his village, pillaging and plundering all the food and resources that he and his people had been toiling for, leaving them destitute. It was so bad that he was hiding the grain that was harvested in the place where they make wine, hoping that they could harvest and keep some from being taken from the surrounding enemies.
Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. 3 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. 4 They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. 5 They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count them or their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it. 6 Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help. – Judges 6:2-6 AMP
The way that the Israelites were living seems so extreme and pitiful, that you may feel like this could never happen to us. Well, let’s not get lost in what could and couldn’t happen in our lifetime, because many of us never thought that a health crisis like COVID 19 could happen in our lifetime, or that we would see the severe natural disasters that seem to be ramping up all over the world. We don’t know what the future holds, and neither did Gideon. Just imagine being so broken and beat down by life, that when the Angel of the Lord, a divine Messenger called Gideon into leadership, he started questioning why God even allowed all of those bad things to happen (Judges 6:11-13). This is where many of us have been or are now. Wondering why, instead of accepting the call. This is not a slight against Gideon or anyone who has questions for the Lord, but it does signal that if we have a bunch of questions, it might be time to get ready for war. Get ready to serve. Get ready to LEAD! Get ready to Pioneer and Innovate!
This has been a long, tiresome season, yet it is still time for the changing of the guards! Gideon and the Israelites were in a desperate situation, so much that they cried out to the Lord for help. The answer to their prayer was Gideon saying yes to the call, yes to trust the Lord, yes to greater responsibility. Are YOU the answer to someone’s prayer? I know we used to have a negative saying about overconfident, arrogant, and conceited people: “God’s gift to the world”. But when we say yes to the call of God to be part of the changing of the guards, we may actually be God’s response to a prayer, a gift to our family, community, nation, and yes even a gift to the world! The good news is that God equips, blesses, and strengthens who He calls into service! In verses 14 – 16 of Judges chapter 6, Gideon is directly told that God will strengthen him to do what he is being called to do! This for many of us is the determining factor. Is the hand of God on what we feel led to do? There is no shame in stepping out into the ocean to “test” the waters. However, if you see the waters raging, it would be wise to have it settled with God before stepping out in faith. So as the Bible states, many are called but few are chosen. Not everyone is going to be a Moses, David, Esther, or Gideon for their generation, but that does not negate the call. We can still agree with God and intercede for those that do step up as Pioneers for this season. Especially in the area of leadership on every level, we need to intercede for those who are currently in leadership roles, and who will take on new leadership roles. In fact, let’s pray right now:
Father God thank you for being available for us to approach Your Throne of Glory to seek Your face during these desperate times. Lord, we do not want to wait until Your Glory has departed before we realize that we need things to change. Lord we give to You our Righteous Anger and ask You to help us to bring Your will to pass in our lifetime, and help us to refrain from sinning or committing crimes that would hinder Your will. Lord the power that You release to Your chosen ones is not to be hoarded or hidden, it is for the purposes that You assigned to it. We pray for wisdom and humility to acknowledge and discern when power needs to transfer peacefully. Help us be ready to answer the call when the opportunity to innovate and pioneer arises. Help us not to shrink back in fear or intimidation at the responsibility, visibility, or level of influence, but instead we will grab our weapon, and run forward lifting up Your name as we take down the Goliath offending Your will. Lord let stagnation and outdated technology not be our portion in the Kingdom of God. Let Believers in Christ be on the forefront of innovation, strategies, solutions, and trailblazing new paths to success and efficiency. Lord let us continue to honor and respect those who have gone ahead of us, serving with diligence, becoming masters and experts in the field. Let them be like Jethro, advising wise counsel to Moses and new leaders that come forth. Lord please strengthen those who have been chosen for such a time as this. Give them boldness like Moses, courage like David, grace and wisdom like Esther, and willingness and strength like Gideon when they answer the call. Lord when the guard changes, let it not be more the same, status quo, non effective, and corrupt. We agree with You Lord to install leaders who are not just Christ focus, and want to appear as “Good Christians,” Lord in this season we need people who really have their focus on what the people need, what the people they are leading want (as long as it does not violate your will) and are ok with slaughtering the sacred cows that hinder and stagnate the progress that is needed for this generation.
Lord please stir up Your Holy fire in the bellies of those that need to come forth and step into their God appointed Leadership role. Lord stir up holy indignation and righteous anger in those you are calling to unseat corruption and greed out of institutions and organizations. Lord God You have called us to be Kings and Priests, let us not forsake our duty to lead and serve. Give them the authority to drive out those who are like the money changers that Jesus forcefully drove out of the temple. And with the new mantles, power, influence, and favor let them honor You and remain grateful and humble acknowledging that they are not self made, but chosen by Your Hand. Help us who are not called into service still support the leadership by interceding for them and instead of tearing them down with complaints, seek to assist, support, and engage in helpful communication so that they can improve in their service. Lord, we do not know what is coming, but You do, please prepare their hearts, minds, spirit, and souls for capacity to handle what is up ahead. Lord God we thank you and bless you for all of these requests in Jesus’ name, AMEN.
Here are some scriptures to meditate on for further study:
Romans 8:23-24 (AMP)
22 For we know that the whole creation has been moaning together as in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only this, but we too, who have the first fruits of the Spirit [a joyful indication of the blessings to come], even we groan inwardly, as we wait eagerly for [the sign of] our adoption as sons—the redemption and transformation of our body [at the resurrection]. 24 For in this hope we were saved [by faith]. But hope [the object of] which is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he already sees?
1 Samuel 17:45-47
45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
1 Samuel 30:8
David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this band [of raiders]? Will I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you will certainly overtake them, and you will certainly rescue [the captives].”
1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy
Isaiah 62:3
You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
And a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
Isaiah 60:1 (AMP)
A Glorified Zion
“Arise [from spiritual depression to a new life], shine [be radiant with the glory and brilliance of the Lord]; for your light has come, And the glory and brilliance of the Lord has risen upon you.
Revelation 1:6
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Judges 6:14 (AMP)
14 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”
Matthew 9:17
Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
As always, thank you for reading this blog post. I pray that this will be a blessing in your life. Please share with someone who will be blessed and encouraged by this message.
Blessings Always,
Dionne Renae ♥♥♥
Lessons 'n Blessings 