“The Necessity of Generational Congruence”

(Part 1)

I.                   ELIJAH AND ELISHA

1 Kings 17:1

And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.”

·         Ravens feed him by the Brook. 1 Kings 17:2-7

·         Widow woman feeds him by a miracle of oil and flour. 1 Kings 17:8-16

·         Raises Widow’s Son from the Dead. 1 Kings 17:17-24

·         Confronts Ahab and the Prophets of Baal. 2 Kings 18:1-46

1 Kings 19:1-3

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. ² Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” ³ And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

·         Prayed to die

·         Angels ministered to him

·         He heard a still small voice

·         God told him to do 3 things

1 Kings 19:15-16

¹⁵ Then the Lord said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazel as king over Syria. ¹⁶ Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.

1 Kings 19:19-21

¹⁹ So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. ²⁰ And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you. “And           he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” ²¹ So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.

II.                  U.S. GENERATIONS

1.     The Builders

Born 1925 to 1945

·         There were 56 million builders.

·         The great depression, Roosevelt’s new deal, The Korean War, World War II, and the G.I. Bill affected builders.

·         49% of college freshmen in 1947 were veterans due to the G.I. Bill

Values:

o   Authority is very important; Hard work; Honor; Delayed gratification

o   These People are willing to work their whole life to achieve something and it was not uncommon to spend an entire career at one company.

2.     Baby Boomers

 Born 1946 to 1964

·         There are 80 million baby boomers

·         Vietnam, the Cold war, the civil rights movement, the women’s liberation movement, television and Rock-n-Roll affected this generation.

·         Boomers protested in favor of equality for everyone.

·They were introduced to credit cards (this drove their builder parents crazy who remember the great depression and learn not to buy things on credit)

·         The John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King assassinations deeply affected their psyche. It caused them to lose their innocence in some ways

·         A man landing on the moon caused boomers to feel like they can do anything they set their minds to.

·         Values like: personal identity, health, wellness and material wealth are all very important.

·         Boomers like to stay young forever.

·         Boomers find much of their identity in their work. They often use technology to do more work.

3.     Generation X

Born 1965 to 1977

·         There are 38 million gen Xers.

·         They were influenced by the Persian golf war, The Challenger explosion, AIDS epidemic, corporate downsizing, but Tripling of the divorce rate, Both parents working (Latch key kids), video games, MTV, Computers. Internet

·         Gen Xers became a bit disillusioned with their parents. How can you put a man on the moon but you can’t get a rocket to launch properly?

·         Values that came from their experience things like mobility and I’ll talk

·         Gen Xers need to be able to move around they want to be their own person.

·          Gen Xers don’t perceive and need to be in the office– They can sit on the beach and do their work

·          

4.     Generation Y (Millennial’s)

Born 1978 to 1996 (20 to 38 years old)

·         There are 78 million millennial’s and they make up more than 25% of this country’s population

·         Millennial’s have been shaped by 9/11, terrorism, the Columbine massacre, the girls movement– (vice girls, Dixie Chicks,) the Hip Hop movement –(Bad Boy production, Death Row Records), cell phones, text messaging, technology based social networking and a strong emphasis on social responsibility.

·

FACTS ABOUT MILLENIALS

·         They comprise the fastest growing segment of the workforce

·         They are the most educated and technologically savvy generation ever

·         They are the most sheltered generation in our country’s history.

·         One in three is not in Caucasian

·         One in four comes from a single-parent home

·         Three out of four have a working mothers

·         This generation wants and needs constant feedback. Always asking why? Households were raised and praised based families. They grew up in an era where the focus of parenting was nurturing.

·         Diversity is important to them.  If they walk into the workplace and don’t see diversity they think something is wrong period.

BOOMERS vs MILLENIALS

·         Boomers live to work – Millennials work to live

·         For baby boomers authority and hierarchy are important– For millennial’s not so much they don’t care what your title is they want to know if you have the goods.

·         Baby boomers are convinced they need to work hard earn a salary and wealth–Millennials simply expect wealth to happen

·         Baby boomers believe in position, performance and individual reward– millennial’s not so much.

·         Due to technology millennial’s are the first generation does not need an authority figure access information

WE MUST GET ALONG – THE FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT

·         In the work force 60% of employers say they are experiencing tension between the employees from different generations

·         More than 70% of older employees are dismissive of younger workers abilities

·         50% of younger employees are dismissive of the abilities of their older coworkers

·         Every organization’s future vitality is dependent on its ability to work with Millennials

III.             CONTRAST BETWEEN ELIJAH AND ELISHA

Both were appointed by God to be prophets of Israel

1.       Differences:

·         Elijah and Elisha were vastly different in social upbringing, emotions, and ministries, but they developed a mentor/mentee relationship that enabled both men to serve the Lord.

·         Elijah’s miracles were dramatic (e.g. a severe drought and fire coming down from heaven on three different occasions) / Elisha's miracles were modest and personal.

-          He cleansed the waters of Jericho (2 Kings. 2:19-22).

-          He increased a widow's supply of oil, which saved her children from being sold into slavery (2 King 4:1-7).

-          He cleansed a pot of food into which a poisonous herb had been mistakenly added (2King 4:38-41).

-          He fed one hundred hungry men by multiplying a few barley loaves and a small amount of corn (2King 4:42-44).

-          He cured a Gentile named Naaman of his leprosy (2King5:14).

-          He recovered a lost ax-head that a man had borrowed (2 King 6:1-7). 

·         Elijah was a hairy man (2 Kings. 1:8) / Elisha was (like Bishop Kyle) bald. (2 Kings. 2:23).

·         Elijah was prone to mood swings - Elisha was more even-tempered.         

·         Elijah came from Gilead beyond the Jordan River-probably poor / Elisha, came from Abel Meholah in Israel with a wealthy upbringing (i.e. plowing with twelve yoke of oxen required wealth).

2.       Similarities:

·         Both were empowered by God to do extraordinary miracles.  

·         Both instructed the "sons of the prophets" as a lead teacher (2 Kings 2:3, 4:38).

Their union resulted in great blessings to Israel

IV.              LESSONS FROM ELIJAH ND ELISHA

1.      Elijah was a Boomer or Gen Xer but he reached a plateau

2.      Elisha cultivated a good work ethic.

3.      Elijah learned the value of rewarding others (He threw the mantle on Elisha)

4.      Elisha had respect for Authority (He went home to settle his family)

5.      Elijah allowed Elisha to serve him.

6.       Elisha served Elijah for a number of years

1 Kings 19:21

²¹ So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.  Elisha wanted to go further than his mentor

2 Kings 2:9

⁹ And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee.

And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

7.      Elijah was ok with him being more than he was

8.      Elisha did not become a clone of Elijah

BREAKTHROUGH

”TINY ADJUSTMENT = HUGE BREAKTHROUGH “

I.                    OUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST

1.      We are a New Creation

2 Corinthians. 5:17

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

2.      The law of the Spirit of Life is at work.

Roman 8:2

² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

3.      We sit in heavenly places in Christ

Ephesians 2:4-6

⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶ and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

4.      We were purposed before we began.

2 Timothy 1:9

⁹ who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.

5.      We are complete in him.

Colossians 2:10

¹⁰ and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

II.                  ALL THINGS ARE OURS

1.      Literally

1 Corinthians 3:21-22

²¹ Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: ²² whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. ²³ And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

2.      Already blessed with all spiritual blessings in Heavenly Places

Ephesians 1:3

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.

III.                OUR ENEMIES ARE THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO US

Premise: In God we are so victorious, the worst thing our enemy throws at us will be the best thing that ever happened to us.

1.      God uses an enemy for His Purpose

Revelations 20:2-3

² He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; ³ and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

Revelations 20:7-10

⁷ Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison ⁸ and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. ⁹ They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. ¹⁰ The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

2.      Our enemies often thrust us into destiny

a.      Judas with Jesus.

b.      Potiphar’s wife with Joseph

c.       Pharaoh with Moses

d.      Goliath with David

God either sends adversity or allows it and works through it

The arrival of an enemy is a sign you are leaving one season entering into another one.

3.      No negative circumstance is too big for God to turn to our favor

Romans 5:17-18

¹⁷ For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

Romans 8:28

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

The Blessed Life (part IV)

(Part IV)

“Seven Steps to Mind Transformation”

Romans 12:1-2

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. ² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

I.                    THOUGHTS ARE REAL ESTATE

1.      Thoughts Produce Signals

2.      These Signals Start a Process

a.       Signal travels to cell chromosomes

b.      They travel to a particular strand of DNA

c.       The strand is zipped up (cocoon state)

d.      The signal causes it to open, unzip

e.       It releases a code (blueprint) determining what type of proteins to create

f.        RNA takes a photo copy

g.       Molecules in the cell create protein around that thought or memory and it is reality

h.      These proteins hold the thought/memory you just created

3.      These thoughts affect us and 4 generations after us

a.       Science has shown how the thought networks pass through the ova by DNA to the next four generation

Exodus 20:5

⁵ Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.

II.                  WE CAN CHANGE OUR BRAIN

1.      Neuroplasticity

When we constantly choose to bring a memory into consciousness, it becomes plastic enough to actually be changed

Our brain generates more energy (electrical impulses) in one day than all the cell phones on the planet.

2.      This is where we must war to change our minds

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

III.               SEVEN STEPS TO MIND RENEWAL

1.      Slowing Down  (Enhancing the Default Mode Network – DMN)

Psalm 46:10

“Be still and know that I am God…”

Proverbs 23:7

As a man thinks in His heart so is He

a.       Entering the Default Mode Network

·         The brain has a series of different networks that coordinate

-          Some coordinate mental tasks

-          Memory Formation

-          Deciding what we pay attention too

-          Sensory Motor (Body function and movement)

·         Most brain activity takes place in the non conscious part of our brain

·         24/7 we are thinking, choosing and building thoughts

·         THE DMN is a conductor between the different networks

·         When we go into intentional rest we enhance and increase the activity in the non conscious brain

-          Gamma waves increase (memory, learning etc.)

-          Coordination between networks increases

-          More activity that is linked to happiness

·         Activities such as: Meditation, ruminations, imagination, self-perceptions, thinking things through, letting mind wander in a focused way, sleeping, deep thinking and prayer all enhance the DMN

·         The business of life often results in a chaotic mindset and the neuro chemical and electromagnetic chaos in the brain.

·         Research shows when we don’t enter into brain rest we may experience negative self esteem, depression, worry, anxiety, and health issues. We may get stuck, be unable to cope, and tend to focus on the problem and not the solution.

·         Multitasking or poor focusing of attention and lack of quality in our thought lives is opposite of the way our brain was designed to function and causes a level of brain damage.

·         According to a report in the archives of general psychiatry, simultaneous exposure to electronic media during the teenage years such as playing a computer game or watching television appears to be associated with increased depression and anxiety and young adulthood, Especially among them.

·         Teens are exposed to an average of 8 ½ hours of multitasking electronic media per day– We need to change something quickly.

Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; ² But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. ³            He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

2.      Becoming aware of negative thoughts (Gathering information)

You must figure out what’s going on in your brain. Become self aware

Psalm 4:4

Stand in awe, and sin not: Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

2 Cor 10:3-5

³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

3.     Focused Reflection

a.     Focused thinking is specifically focusing on one thought with all of its ramifications.

b.     It is redirected and deep intellectual process.

c.      It’s a disciplined way of thinking that includes regulating your attention, controlling raging thoughts, and preventing chaotic thoughts from moving through your mind.

d.     Focused thinking includes body awareness, Emotion regulation and a sense of self changes the brain positively.

e.      When you focus your thinking in this way you start redesigning your brain.

4.     Write

a.     Writing adds clarity to what you have been thinking about

b.     It Helps you see your non-conscious conscious thoughts an invisible way

c.      Keep a thought journal and just pour out your thoughts

d.     Be Creative with how you express your thoughts

5.     Revisit

After you have slowed down, gathered awareness, focused reflection and written, you will have stimulated major neuroplastic activity putting your brain in a highly active and dynamic state for positive change. This is the perfect state to be in to rewrite your brain

a.     The gather, focus and writing stage puts the phone into the conscious mind so I can be changed

b.     In this stage you revisit what you have written down and revisit what the new healthy thought you want to develop is going to be

c.      Your don’t just decide where You want to go to also rethink your reactions evaluate how toxic your thinking is

d.     Always use the Word of God as your solution and way out

6.     Action

These are things you say or do throughout the day. It helps new thoughts become automatized

1.      You must do or say something several times a day to destroy old thinking and reinforce the new.

2.      Action causes integrity in the brain

7.     Ask God to add His Super to your Natural.

a.       Believe God for the Miraculous intervention in your mind

b.      Ask the Holy Spirit to hasten the process

c.        

SUMMARY

1.      Do the  steps on one toxic thought daily for 21 days

2.      Takes about 10 minutes

3.      Do an action 7 times a day

4.      In each stage tear down and build up at the same time.

5.      Do another thought or same one if needed after 21 days

6.      Live!!!