Strengthening the 12 Pillars of Life

"Strengthening the 12 Pillars of Life"

Is your lack of discipline the primary, limiting factor of your life? Be honest - we all mean well. Most of us begin each new year making New Year's resolutions -- goals to live a better life, to be a better person. 2012 is your year to stop talking about it and start being about it!. 2012 is the year of strategic action, not just arbitrary goal setting. In short, 2012 is "The Year of Divine Order". Our prophetic promise is that, "If you put your life in ORDER, you can ORDER the life you want."

The number 12 represents government or order. There are 12 months of the year. Jesus had 12 disciples who became the 12 apostles -- the foundational building blocks of the Church. The day is divided into two 12 hour components. 12 Tribes of Israel possessed the Promised Land. Jesus speaks His first words in Scripture at the age of 12. The significance of this number and its denotation of order is evident throughout history, science, literature, and the Holy Scriptures.

The leaders of Dominion Church International invite you to begin a journey with us not of simply making resolutions, but of creating and living out a comprehensive, balanced plan of action to "order your life" by "Strengthening the 12 Pillars of Life". Each month, we will focus on a new pillar broken down into sub-categories week by week to allow you both to analyze the condition of that pillar of your life and to begin fortifying that critical area. We will share practical and spiritual wisdom that will help us all transform our lives into the happy, fulfilled existence that God plans for us.

Each month, we will highlight a book of the month emphasizing that month's pillar. We invite you to visit the "Walking in Dominion" blog each week for a new installment in this success building journey. Let me emphasize that this is a journey that we will be taking together - you're not in this alone. Feel free to post comments to share with others questions, struggles, and victories you experience along the way.

Here's the lineup:

January - Your Relationship With God
February - Your Relationship With Yourself
March - Your Finances
April - Your Relationship With Your Pastors
May - Your Education
June - Your Relationships With Friends
July - Your Role As a Parent/Mentor
August - Your Romantic Relationships
September - Your Relationship With Your Co-Laborers
October - Your Ministry, Purpose, Anointing, Spiritual Gifts
November - Your Role in the Community
December - Your Plan For Your Life

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The Joys of Fatherhood

Reflections on being a father...

I remember vividly the joy of learning that Claudia and I were expecting our first child. After the initial elation and the prayers for a complication-free pregnancy and the birth of a healthy child, I remember praying that God would give me some time and that He would let this first child be a girl because I just wasn't ready to raise a little man. This is not to suggest that raising a daughter is any easier than raising a son -- some would argue the contrary -- but I felt I was ready to protect a baby girl and to teach her what to look for in a husband one day and spoil her and ensure that she had a positive self-esteem; however, I just didn't feel ready to raise a little man. Perhaps my greatest concern was feeling I was unprepared because of all of the manly things I had missed out on as a child -- sports and auto mechanics and building trades class -- you know, all of the stereotypical man kind of stuff. In school, I had opted for all things academic and non-athletic extracurricular. While I had grown up very self-confident and assured of God's hand being on my life, I wasn't sure that that would be the path a son of mine would select. I asked myself, would I be prepared to shape a boy who chose a different path from my own?

Well, as God would have it, I got my reprieve. On a snowy January morning, after 2 am, with 4 inches of snow paralyzing our nation's capital, our first born child, Gabrielle Jean-Marie Hardin, was born...6 pounds, 5 ounces with straight black hair. Gabbi came into the world looking around and taking everything in. She stole my heart with that first glance.

Our son, Paul II, affectionately known as Dude, would be born fifteen months later in my hometown of Orange, Texas, 3 ounces lighter than Gabbi, but just as precocious and ready to take on the world. Quiet with an occasional cry that his mother said was made for television, Dude was my little man, my namesake and my minime.

Let's not forget, Alexandra, aka Allie, who was born three years later, ready to rule the roost from day one. She has always felt entitled to get into people's personal space, touching every part of the person's face who happened to be holding her. She broke our two-child streak of "docile and automatically compliant". Allie considers her way the obvious best way for everything. I wonder where she got that quality...

All of our children have distinct personalities, but what I have learned is that they are impressionable, blank slates of wet clay, ready for the writer's quill. They have blind faith that their mother and I will meet all of their needs and protect them. They take for granted that we love them and have a healthy sense of positive entitlement (all the traits we should have toward our Heavenly Father). Having learned the "alphabet song" and the "Our Father" prayer by their first birthdays, they have grown up with an affinity for words, both spoken and written. While they clearly have their own unique destinies, what I have found is that they are in so many ways the products of the nurturing environment Claudia and I have created for them no matter what adversities we may have faced in one season or another.

Here are three of my take-aways from this journey of fatherhood so far:

1. Fatherhood is more about being than doing -- just being a constant presense in their lives means more than anything I could give them, and I find that "being there" provides me with ample opportunities for "doing" things that impact them profoundly.

2. Literacy starts from day one with intentional exposure to words, written and spoken. Children are like sponges. It is never too early to speak to them in complete sentences and with a broad variety of words. They will amaze you with their comprehension and application of words if you just talk to them from day one. I highly recommend nightly prayers and the alphabet song as a lullaby from their first day.

3. Fatherhood is an "on the job" training experience. Many fathers may check out because they allow their fears of what they don't know to get the best of them. Get this: THEY DON'T KNOW THAT YOU DON'T KNOW!!! Fake it 'til you make it!! Read, talk to other fathers, use trial and error -- JUST DON'T QUIT. Your children will adore you for it.

My greatest joy and pride come from my children looking up to me with loving eyes as they call me "Daddy".

Bishop Paul A. Hardin

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"The Divine Connection: Knowing Who You Are In Christ"

Bishop Paul A. Hardin – Senior Pastor & Teacher

A Teaching Series Entitled

“THE DIVINE CONNECTION:

Knowing Who You Are In Christ” – Part One

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Learning Targets

The Believer Will Be Able To –

1. Understand the Biblical origins of humanity.

2. Describe and explain God’s original intent for humanity’s role in the earth.

3. Understand the Divinely planned relationship between God and humanity.

4. Begin to apply this knowledge by walking in Dominion.

Foundational Scriptures

Genesis 2:7

Genesis 1:28

Introduction: These are exciting times to be a human being on planet earth! More than at any other time, during seasons of great difficulty and crisis Man’s ability to experience the power of right relationship with God is heightened. Paul the Apostle tells us in II Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” The strength of God is most evident when we are at our most vulnerable! Now, more than ever, we must experience a DIVINE CONNECTION – a proper hook-up with God – that, coupled with intimate knowledge about just who we are (what our identity is) in Christ, our Savior, Lord, and Redeemer, will make us unstoppable!

During the next few lessons, we will begin a journey of investigating and exploring just who our God is, who we are in Him, and what His plan is for our lives so that we can walk in Dominion! There are few things more exciting. Living a life of victory cannot be separated from living a life that is infused with the very Word of God. Regular Bible study is as fundamental to the Believer as regular workouts are to the body builder. II Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (Corny but true: Seven days without the Word makes “one weak”.)

I challenge you to set aside time during these next few weeks to really tune into what God will begin saying and sharing with you – for the beginning of this study marks a shift into greater identity, destiny, power and fulfillment for all of those who are diligent in their pursuit. Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

The Biblical Origins of Humanity

Genesis 1:26, 27 –

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

There are many names for God in the Bible. Yahweh, Jehovah, Lord, God Almighty. The name used in any given case typically refers to the Divine function being performed in and around the verse at hand. For instance, God refers to Himself as Jehovah Jireh in instances when He is demonstrating His ability to “provide” in spite of apparent lack. But in these particular verses, God refers to Himself as 'elohiym (pronounced el-o-heem' ), which is the same name used in Genesis 1:1, where God describes Himself as a creative force. Therefore, when Elohim made Man in His own image and after His likeness, Elohim placed into Man the ability to step out onto nothing and see something – the ability to virtually create something out of nothing based on a) a creative thought and b) a creative vocal utterance. THAT’S WHY I SAY THERE IS POWER IN YOUR MOUTH! Be careful what you say!! Your words have power because you were created in Elohim’s image!

Genesis 2:7, “And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

formed: Hebrew word “Yatsar” (pronounced yaw-tsar' ) which means to “frame, preordain, plan divine purpose of a situation, to be predetermined.” In other words, you are not here by some accident. Your life, your existence, the circumstances you face were PREMEDITATED in the mind of God!

breath: Hebrew word “Nashamah” (pronounced nesh-aw-maw'), which means “spirit.” In other words, God distinguished us among creation as the only spirit beings. All things spiritual find their existential origin in God Himself. Although our bodies are made from earth, our spirit being, which is the essence of who we are, emanates from God Himself. THAT’S A DIVINE CONNECTION.

God’s Original Intent for Humanity’s Role in the Earth

Genesis 1:28, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

fruitful: Parah (pronounced paw-raw' ), which among other obvious things means “increase”. God is a God of addition and multiplication, not subtraction and division. Everything God touches has seeds of increases built into its DNA.

multiply: Rabah (pronounced raw-baw' ), which means be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous.

replenish: Male (pronounced ma-la’), which means to be filled, to be armed, to be satisfied, to be accomplished, to be complete.

subdue: Kabash (pronounced kaw-bash'), which means bring into subjection, dominate, or keep under.

dominion: Radah (pronounced raw-daw'), which means to rule, to take, or to prevail.

Other Roles (for personal study and reflection):

Genesis 2:19 (power to impute identity – to command surroundings)

Genesis 2:18 (horizontal relationships – marriage, etc.)

Note: Man’s identity tied to his work (Genesis 2:15); woman’s identity tied to her facilitation/incubation (Genesis 2:18)

God’s Plan for His Relationship with Humanity

God desires intimacy and fellowship with His creation. Genesis 3:8a, “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day…”

God desires for humanity to be a reflection of Himself in the earth realm. Just as He is the King of kings and the LORD of Lords, we are the little kings and the little lords in the earth. This is why He made us in His likeness and after His own image. (More on this point next lesson.)

Walking in Dominion

1) Knowing is living! Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me:” Know that there is an enemy who seeks to interject himself between you and your God.

2) Don’t give the enemy and audience. Don’t give ear to the devil’s temptations – have a ready answer for his temptations. Matthew 4:4, “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

3) Get your priorities straight. James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

4) Preserve your intimate time with God to:

a) RENEW your strength. (Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.”)

b) RECEIVE updated instructions. (Proverbs 3:5, 6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”)

c) REST in His peace despite your circumstances. (Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.”)

d) REINFORFCE your faith (Jude 1:20, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost…”)

Next Steps

1. Reflect on today’s lesson.

2. Make your daily devotional time the most important part of your day.

3. Read 1 Peter 2:1-25 in preparation for next week’s lesson.

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Learn More About Our Bishop !

Strengthening the 12 Pillars of Life

The Joys of Fatherhood

"The Divine Connection: Knowing Who You Are In Christ"

formed: Hebrew word “Yatsar” (pronounced yaw-tsar' ) which means to “frame, preordain, plan divine purpose of a situation, to be predetermined.” In other words, you are not here by some accident. Your life, your existence, the circumstances you face were PREMEDITATED in the mind of God!

multiply: Rabah (pronounced raw-baw' ), which means be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous.

subdue: Kabash (pronounced kaw-bash'), which means bring into subjection, dominate, or keep under.

dominion: Radah (pronounced raw-daw'), which means to rule, to take, or to prevail.

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