(Reprinted from Brian Kinseys March Letter)

Zechariah 1:18-21

18 Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.

19 And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.

20 And the LORD showed me four carpenters.

21 Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.

God desires to use His ministers to build peoples lives. Although the gospel in and of itself has power to change a person, God has chosen to use men to preach His gospel to other people. Therefore, it behooves us to prepare ourselves to gather people rather than scatter them.

Too many times I have seen men scatter people with their harshness and their demands, rather than gather them with their compassion. The difference is found in their disposition – the way they think. If we are to learn how to gather rather than scatter, we must learn to alter our disposition to fit the model of Jesus' ministry.

These horns that Zechariah was talking about grow on the top of the animal’s head and are used by them to protect their territory. Those leaders that focus on territory rather than a vision always end up scattering people. How many saints have gotten caught in the crossfire of turf wars?

If an animal wants to pick a fight they do so by using their horns to gouge and ram other rams or creatures. The words you use in the pulpit can very easily end up as horns, gouging people because of frustration rather than faith. This is not to say that a healthy, righteous indignation against sin is not in order. Because it is. Unfortunately, when our spirit goes unchecked, our anointing becomes tainted and invariably we begin to curse rather than bless. As you know, this kind of mentality will bruise and scatter.

We need carpenters that build people – who possess a mentality that builds rather than competes. Think development -- not control. Your ministry should nourish people and develop them. Control should never be the main objective. We are not lords over God's heritage. We are watchmen. We admonish, we encourage, we even rebuke but it should always be done with the ultimate good of the person at heart.

The forces that are mentioned in Zechariah as horns are the hindrances to the restoration process that God had purposed for Israel. These horns represent groups of people that came to scatter the work of God and keep it from being effective.

They did not care that the Israelites had returned. They just didn’t want them to organize into a force. Satan doesn’t want your church or ministry to become a force to be reckoned with. Your redemptive presence threatens his kingdom. Therefore, he strikes at your mind’s resources to drain off your joy and undercut your feeling of significance. Consequently, you begin to look for your affirmation in the compliments of people rather than the approval of the Father.

I will stop for a moment to give you a short lesson on how to receive a compliment. I have noticed so many ministers whom, when they are complimented, try to counter that by referring to some fault they may possess. They belittle their performance and in essence, call the person who complimented them a liar.

Instead of trying to act humble and failing miserably, why don’t you accept the compliment with a thank you? Just say, "Thank you, that blessed me." That’s not to deny the reality that you struggled internally through the entire time of ministry. But often we forget that people can’t see the inner struggle, and if they do recognize it may choose to ignore it because they are being helped by the word and not by you at all.

You are only the vessel, the conduit by which the water flows to the dry and thirsty soul. Remember that nobody comes to church wanting to hear a bad sermon. Everyone wants to be blessed. One of the greatest revelations I have ever received was that people really want me to succeed if for nothing more than their own benefit. So, accept compliments with a greater and more noble intent. The individual who is paying the compliment should receive something for their labor. A simple and courteous ‘thank you’ will do.

For every destructive force that can be thrown against you, God can raise up a carpenter to counter its effect. For every group of people that rises up to oppose your efforts, God will raise up a carpenter to build and gather. A carpenter as a leader is a mentor, but as a follower they are helpers of the work. Each of us needs mentors with our personality type who have accomplished the work of God in the same dimension that God wants to use us. We need to get around these men and let what they have transfer to us. Our ministry also needs encouragement, helpers – friends that can come along side and fight with us until the enemy is defeated.

These destructive horns represented the four groups of people that attempted to derail God’s restoration process for Jerusalem. These are the four groups.

The Arabians -- led by Rehum, who was countered by Zerubbabel

The Ammonites -- led by Shimshai, who was countered by the High Priest, Joshua

The Samaritans -- led by Sanballat, who was countered by Ezra.

The Ashdodites -- led by Tobiah, who was countered by Nehemiah.

God has a carpenter for your life who can build into you what you will need to overcome any obstacle placed in your path by people’s opposition. It was no mistake that Jesus was a carpenter by trade.

When Jesus was tried in the wilderness of temptation, the angels came afterwards and ministered to him. The same thing happened in the garden of Gethsemane (Mark 1:13; Luke 22:43). God can build into you the proper response to people’s opposition. These angels came to Jesus with the express intent of strengthening him so he could respond properly to his trial.

Judges 6:14 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?" (NIV) God raised up Gideon to deliver Israel from Midian. He possessed little strength but God commanded him to go in the strength he had. That is the answer to defeating groups of people that have combined their strength to defeat you. You must go with what you’ve got, providing the Lord is sending you.

God’s answer to Elijah’s problem with Jezebel was to anoint a man, Elisha, to take his place. God gave him someone to mentor.

What was God’s answer to these horns of destruction? We need to give the proper response to people problems. There are five areas people will use to defeat God’s apostolic restoration and five proper responses to each one. Remember God must build these responses into you through a spiritual mentoring process.

The First tactic was to mock them.

"Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall" (Nehemiah 4:3). You need to know who you are and what you are doing. The immediate desire is to respond with sarcasm. Nehemiah’s response was prayer and a continuation of building the wall. He kept his focus on the purpose. The scripture says, "...So built we the wall." The key word is, "so." So what! If you don’t like what I’m doing, I’m going to do it anyway. They refused to be ashamed of what they were doing. The devil wants you to be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus. Pray that God will build up your inner strength to reveal a greater defense from the spirit of intimidation that comes when people mock your feeble efforts. Don’t try to defend yourself. Stay focused on the true purpose and let God govern the results. Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek".

Second tactic - they organized an armed force and threatened to attack.

Nehemiah’s response: a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other. He set watches day and night and he kept right on working. He was smart enough to watch, but kept working. Know which side you’re on and know exactly what you are trying to accomplish – what God has put in your heart to do. Don’t be hesitant to state your position clearly, though without arrogance. Sometimes you have to end destructive relationships in order to identify yourself with the right group. Nehemiah did this when he refused to let Sanballat join the work simply because he knew that Sanballat would do everything he could to destroy. Don’t get complacent and lazy. Don’t let them get your goat or your motivation for ministry. Always be prepared to fight and stand your ground but make sure you know where you stand and don't forget to have a right spirit.

The third tactic - they asked for negotiation, compromised vision.

How little are you willing to get by on? How much do you really want to see God do this work? Are you willing to settle for less? Never, never, never and I repeat, never accept a compromised vision of what you know God has put in your heart to do. It’s all right to shut some people out of your life whose only motive in their cheap, shallow and petty existence is to be a thorn in your side. Forgive them, yes, but remember even Joseph put his family in Goshen while he stayed in the palace. Many people will want to talk about your plan and they will try and talk you out of your dream. Don’t do it. Stay away from the valley of Ono. Nehemiah’s response – Oh no, I will not stop working long enough to talk with people who have no interest in a solution. They want to hinder the work and not help it.

The fourth tactic - Sanballat sent letters of rumors about wrong motives.

The letters stated that they had the wrong motive for their restoration. They will question your motive. Nehemiah’s response – I have authority from the King Himself. I am a personal attendant to the King. Get your orders from heaven and then march forward. Your personal relationship with the king will give you power to finish the work.

The fifth tactic - Tobiah sent a man to Nehemiah to make him afraid that there was a plot to kill him.

We need to get delivered from having to be liked by everybody. Let’s go to the house of the Lord and shut ourselves up. Nehemiah refused. He couldn’t rebuild the wall shut up in the house. We may be tempted to keep church within the four walls and not allow ourselves to be a change agent in the community. This may be the echo of the passive spirits of our day. But don’t you buy into it. You keep your compass set on the Star that has brought many a storm tossed ship to harbor. Are you ready to accept your place in God’s kingdom as a carpenter? When you do these five people groups will set themselves against you as surely as I am writing this lesson. Many of them could be members of your own family. It is tragic, but in some cases the truth. But don’t weary of the fight because for every horn of opposition there is a carpenter that God will send to rebuild what the enemy has torn down. That’s a promise.

FOR YOUNG PREACHER’S WIVES

The greatest asset of a young minister, even in these modern millennial times, is a devoted helpmeet. It’s an old-fashioned word, but the concept should never go out of style. If your husband is a leader of God’s people, there are several things you can do to enhance his ministry.

Your role is unique. You are influencing so many people, consciously or unconsciously. This is a serious responsibility and it would be a mistake to take it lightly. I like the "Maxine" greeting cards. She’s a grouchy old lady who hates everyone and her cards are hilarious. One of her famous sayings is: Do not walk behind me for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either -- just leave me alone! While we laugh at Maxine and must admit that we occasionally feel that way sometimes ourselves, she personifies the totally selfish woman. A minister’s wife cannot afford to be selfish. She must be willing to give of herself to others and to her husband most of all.

Of course, we know a pastor’s wife is always center stage. She realizes that a lot of people are watching her. But in many ways, an assistant pastor’s wife may be even more closely scrutinized. Not only are people watching that you are crossing your t’s and dotting your i’s – they’re also watching your interaction with the pastor and his wife. They are learning loyalty from you. The evangelist’s wife? Lucky her! She gets to be scrutinized by thousands of people a year. You must realize that a lot of conclusions are drawn about your husband’s ministry simply when you walk in the door. The way you dress and your demeanor can set preconceptions in people’s minds that can actually help or hinder a revival!

Perhaps you’re a stay at home evangelist’s wife and thinking that you have the easiest time of it. Think again! The church is watching you too. They’re watching how well you sit under authority that is not your husband’s. They are noticing how faithful you are to the house of God.

You are part of a team. Whether you have a very public role in your husband’s ministry or you prefer a private role, there are five facets of your life that need proper attention.

Your God:

News flash!!! Living with a preacher does not make you spiritual. In fact, we must take care that "busyness" is not confused with spirituality. We must not neglect daily prayer and reading the word. Pray for your husband daily.

Your Husband:

You have to share your husband with so many people but you must not be jealous of his time. Let your heart be the safe place he can come to. You know his weaknesses and so does he. Let your comments build him up and not tear him down. He needs your respect and admiration.

Yourself:

You have about 50 hats to wear: Mom, wife, saint, preacher’s wife, nurse, school volunteer, daughter, friend. You will fill many roles so manage your time wisely. Set aside time for yourself to be alone with God, to relax and do something you enjoy, to spend time with your children and husband. Read. Don’t stop educating yourself. Keep yourself healthy with exercise and a sensible diet.

Your Home

Guard your home from internal storms. Keep church problems and other difficulties behind closed doors. Plan good times for your husband and family. The kids and I love it when Brian comes home from a trip. We’ll usually try to have a family dinner (hard to do in these hectic times). Dana will bake his favorite cake. When they were small, the kids would make banners and posters on the computer to welcome him home. These are special memories that we are creating and they are making our home a safe, secure place. Keep your home private enough to be able to renew your family, and open enough to minister to others.

Your Involvement

There is no pattern for preachers’ wives that you can go to the local store and buy. Your involvement in church and community should be based on what you and your husband are comfortable with. You are responsible for using your God-given abilities, but you are also responsible for keeping them properly prioritized. Don’t base your life on others’ expectations – listen to God and your husband.

I feel so blessed to be married to a preacher (especially the great one I’ve got - the most fantastic husband, father and friend in the world). We have been chosen by God to nurture His servant. What a privilege!