|
Copyright 1992. All Rights
Reserved. KC Enterprises. |
Author: Rev. Kelvin Franklin
Section 2
This section will take a look at how a ministry is given by God and how
the Lord will build it.
| JEREMIAH
1:
|
| 4.
Then the WORD OF THE LORD came unto me, saying,
|
| 5.
Before I FORMED THEE in the belly I KNEW THEE: and before thou
camest forth out of the womb I SANCTIFIED THEE, and I ordained thee
a prophet unto the nations.
|
| ACTS
9:
|
| 11.
And the LORD SAID unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is
called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called
Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth.
|
| 12.
And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and
putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
|
| 13.
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this
man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
|
| 14.
And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all
that call on thy name.
|
| 15.
But the LORD SAID unto him, Go thy way: f or he is a CHOSEN VESSEL
unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the
children of Israel:
|
| 16.
For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my
name's sake.
|
| ACTS
13:
|
| 2.
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, THE HOLY GHOST SAID,
Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called
them |
|
3. And when they had
fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them
away.
|
God
calls those whom he will to do his work. Throughout the bible, we can see
how God chose and used different people. The calling of God is very
definite. As we listen to the voice of the Lord, He will lead us into the
area of ministry in which we should operate. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO NOT RUN
OUT AND LAY CLAIM ON A CALLING. WAIT ON THE LORD. WAIT FOR HIM TO REVEAL
HIS PERFECT WILL IN YOUR LIFE. Remember, God has set the members in the
body. As you read and study your bible, examine how each person received
their calling. You will find that God was definite and that he revealed
his calling so that there was no doubt as to what he would have them to
do.
| 2
TIMOTHY 2:
|
| 15.
STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, A WORKMAN THAT
NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.
|
Every
minister should be a student of the bible: a bible scholar. In order for
us to be effective in our ministry, we must have a good understanding of
the bible. Even if you consider yourself as an usher, you are not just an
usher working in the ministry of helps. You are God's usher. Your
responsibility is not only to the local church. You also have a
responsibility to God. Think of all the people that you meet and the
encouraging words you could say if you would let God lead you.
Now that you are in a ministry, from where do you get your guidance?
Some think that it comes from the local church. Some think that it comes
only from the pastor. Some rely heavily on books. Others rely on guidance
provided by specific ministries. Even though we have lines of authority
and many help aids, our main source of guidance and wisdom must come from
God. Our message should not come from a book. We must speak what the Lord
places in our heart. ' Even in that, we must Pray, read and continually
ask the Lord to not allow our self -made-motives to get in the way.
People need to hear from the Lord today, as never before. We should not be
satisfied until we know that every lesson, every message, every word of
knowledge comes from the Lord. We will only be able to achieve this
through a close walk with God. We can reach this close walk with the lord
by spending time with him. We do this in our quite time with him and also
during the activities of reading, praying and meditating on his word. We
must also be pure.
| TITUS
1:
|
| 15.
Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled
and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience
is defiled.
|
| 16.
They PROFESS that they know God: BUT IN WORKS they deny him, being
abominable, and DISOBEDIENT. and unto every good work reprobate.
|
If our vessel is dirty (full of sin) the message that God is giving us
will become distorted. Think about it: if you have a dirty mind, even an
innocent comment will provoke lustful thoughts. Please study the following
scriptures.
| 1
CORINTHIANS 2:
|
| 9.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared
for them that love him.
|
| 10.
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the
Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
|
| 11.
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man
which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the
Spirit of God.
|
| 12.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit
which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given
to us of God.
|
| 13.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's
wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing
spiritual things with spiritual.
|
| JAMES
1:
|
| 5.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all
men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (READ
ALSO VERSE 1-8 for a more understanding).
|
| JEREMIAH
14:
|
| 13.
Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye
shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will
give you assured peace in this place.
|
| 14.
Then the Lord said unto me, The Prophets Prophesy lies in my name: I
sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto
them: they Prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a
thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. |
| 15.
Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy
in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine
shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets
be consumed.
|
| 16.
And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in
the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and
they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their
sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon
them.
|
The message of God's ministry to his people is
very definite. God is against those prophet (preachers, teachers, people)
who say things out of their own heart and not from the Lord. The Lord says
that he will destroy them.
The people to whom they minister will also be destroyed. You may ask why.
The answer is that it is each individual's responsibility to seek God for
himself. You can never rely solely on your pastor or those in authority
over you. You must learn to rely on God for yourself while still
respecting their authority.
| 1
THESSALONIANS 5:
|
| 12.
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among
you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
|
| 13.
And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake.
And be at peace among yourselves.
|
We must know our leader and those that work with us. If you pray and ask
the Lord for wisdom, he will show you which ones are truly standing up for
him. Follow the authority and rule of those over you who are following
God. If they are not, then pray for your leaders and also ask the Lord to
lead you in either deciding to stay in that situation or moving to another
ministry. Don't make a quick decision. WAIT UNTIL YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT
THE LORD WANTS YOU TO DO, THEN FOLLOW HIS LEADING. THAT IS YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY.
| JEREMIAH
1:
|
| 6.
Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a
child.
|
| 7.
But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go
to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou
shalt speak.
|
| 8.
Be not afraid of their f aces: f or I am with thee to deliver
thee, saith the Lord.
|
| 9.
Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord
said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
|
| 10.
See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the
kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and -to destroy, and to
throw down, to build, and to plant.
|
| EZEKIEL
3:
|
| 4.
And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house
of Israel, and speak with my words unto them.
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
God gives the words that he wants you to say. As you pray and
meditate on him and his words, he will reveal it unto you in his own way.
| JEREMIAH
1:
|
| 8.
Be not afraid of their f aces: f or I am with thee to deliver
thee, saith the Lord.
|
| EZEKIEL
3:
|
|
8. Behold, I have made
thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against
their foreheads.
|
|
9. As an adamant HARDER THAN FLINT have I made thy forehead: fear
them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a
rebellious house.
|
Many of the people that God will send us to are rebellious. We must not f
ear them. We must be bold to speak the words that God has given us. He
tells us to not let their looks bother us because he has made our
character/forehead as hard as flint.
| EZEKIEL
3:
|
| 17.
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel:
therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
|
| 18.
When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest
him not warning, nor speaketh to warn the wicked from his wicked
way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his
iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
|
| 19.
Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness,
nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast
delivered thy soul.
|
| 20.
Again, WHEN A RIGHTEOUS MAN DOTH TURN FROM HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, and
commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, HE SHALL
DIE: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his
sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be
remembered; BUT HIS BLOOD WILL I REQUIRE AT THINE HAND.
|
| 21.
Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, THAT THE RIGHTEOUS SIN
NOT, and he doth not sin, HE SHALL SURELY LIVE, because he is
warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
|
| EZEKIEL
33:
|
| 2.
Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them,
When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a
man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman,
|
| 3.
If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the
trumpet, and warn the people;
|
| 4.
Then whosoever heareth the BOUND OF THE TRUMPET, and taketh not
warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be
upon his own head.
|
| 5.
He heard the BOUND OF THE TRUMPET, and took not warning; his blood
shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his
soul.
|
| 6.
But if the watchman see the sword come, AND BLOW NOT THE TRUMPET,
and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person
from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but HIS BLOOD
WILL I REQUIRE AT THE WATCHMAN'S HAND.
|
| 7.
So thou, 0 son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of
Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn
them from me.
|
| 8.
When I say unto the wicked, 0 wicked man, thou shalt surely die; IF
THOU DOST NOT SPEAK TO WARN THE WICKED FROM HIS WAY, the wicked man
shall die in his iniquity: but HIS BLOOD WILL I REQUIRE AT THINE
HAND.
|
I
HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU READ AND STUDY THE REST OF THIS 33RD CHAPTER OF
EZEKIEL.
| ISAIAH
58:
|
|
1. Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice LIKE A TRUMPET, and Show
MY people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
|
Ministers are called to watch for the souls of all people. God sends many
warnings to people who are rebelling against his word and his will. He
uses people in the ministry to bring forward this message. If God gives us
a message, we must bring it forward in love.
| 1
CORINTHIANS 13:
|
| 1.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not
charity, I am become as SOUNDING BRASS (reference to a trumpet or
brass instrument,) or a tinkling cymbal.
|
| 2.
And though I have the gift of PROPHECY, and understand ALL
mysteries, and ALL KNOWLEDGE; and though I have ALL faith, so that I
could remove mountains, and have not charity, I AM NOTHING.
|
We
must always watch f or the souls of others and give them the message that
God has given us.
| JEREMIAH
3:
|
| 14.
Turn, 0 backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto
you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I
will bring you to Zion: |
| 15.
And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which
shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
|
The
Lord will provide you with a good pastor if you seek him and ask for it in
prayer. He will provide you with a church home or ministry where you will
be nurtured properly. If you are being fed with good knowledge and
understanding, you are most likely in a place where God has placed a good
pastor.
| JEREMIAH
2:
|
|
8. The priests said not, Where is the Lord? and they that handle the
law knew me not: the-pastors also transgressed against me, and the
prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not
profit.
|
| DEUTERONOMY
18:
|
|
22. When a PROPHET SPEAKETH IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, if the thing
follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath
not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou
shalt not be afraid of him.
|
| 2
PETER 2:
|
| 1.
But there were FALSE PROPHETS also among the people, EVEN AS
THERE SHALL BE FALSE TEACHERS AMONG YOU, who privily shall bring in
damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought the , and bring
upon themselves swift destruction.
|
| 2.
And many shall follow their pernicious [highly injurious or
destructive: deadly] ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall
be evil spoken of.
|
| 3.
And through covetousness shall they with feigned [fictitious, not
genuine or real] words make merchandise of you: whose judgement now
of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
|
| 10.
But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of
uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous [overstepping due
bounds, taking liberties] are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid
to speak evil of dignities.
|
| 11.
Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring
not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
|
|
12.
But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed,
speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly
perish in their own corruption;
|
| 13.
And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count
it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes,
sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with
you;
|
| 14.
Having eyes FULL OF ADULTERY, and that CANNOT CEASE FROM SIN:
BEGUILING UNSTABLE souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous
practices; cursed children:
|
| 1
TIMOTHY 4:
|
| 1.
Now the Spirit SPEAKETH EXPRESSLY, that in the latter times some
shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and
doctrines of devils;
|
| 2.
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared
with a hot iron;
|
|
3. Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which
God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which
believe and know the truth.
|
Above,
I have underlined some of the characteristics of false ministers and
ministries. As you can see, they are clearly identified in the word of
God. If anyone goes against the word of God they are going against God
(REVELATIONS 22:19-21, 2 PETER 1:1921, 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17, ST MARK 13:31.)
| GALATIANS
3:
|
| 27.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put
on Christ.
|
| 28.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free,
THERE IS NEITHER MALE NOR FEMALE: for ye are all one in Christ
Jesus.
|
| JUDGES
4:
|
| 4.
And Deborah,, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, SHE JUDGED
ISRAEL at that time.
|
| 5.
And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and
Bethel in mount Ephraim: and THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL CAME UP TO HER
FOR JUDGEMENT.
|
In
Galatians, Paul shows us that there is neither male nor female in Christ.
Everyone that accepts Christ is now apart of the body of Christ. When we
get to heaven there will be no marrying or giving in marriage (ST MATTHEW
22:30.) We won't even be male or female. This passage of scriptures lets
us know that we will be like the Angels.
Let's look at Deborah. She sat in the same seat of authority as Moses.
Moses was the first judge over Israel. Joshua followed in his footsteps.
After them God raised a line of judges who ruled over Israel until they
asked for a king. Deborah was one of those judges. Everyone in Israel came
to her for judgement. If God never meant for a woman to lead, Deborah
would have never been recognized as one of the judges of Israel.
| 1
TIMOTHY 2:11 - 1 TIMOTHY 3:1
|
| 11.
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
|
| 12.
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority
over the man, but to be in silence.
|
| 13.
For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
|
| 14.
And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was
in the transgression.
|
| 15.
Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they
continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
|
| 1.
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a
bishop, he desireth a good work.
|
Paul
says her very clearly that he suffers not the woman to usurp authority
over the man. He did not say that the Lord had said this. He uses the
personal pronoun I in this statement. Usurp means to seize and hold (as
office, place, or powers) in possession by force or without right (from
Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, c 1984 by Merriam-Webster Inc.)
Notice Paul's use of "I" in the following passage.
| 1
CORINTHIANS 7:
|
| 6.
But I speak this BY PERMISSION, and NOT OF
COMMANDMENT.
|
| 7.
For I would that all men were even as I myself
. But
every man has his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and
another after that.
|
| 8.
I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is
good for them if they abide even as I.
|
| 9.
But if they cannot contain, let them marry: f or it is better
to marry than to burn.
|
| 10.
But unto married I command, YET NOT I, BUT THE LORD,
Let not the wife depart from her husband.
|
| 11.
But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to
her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
|
| 12.
But to the rest speak I, NOT THE LORD: If any brother hath a
wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him let
him not put her away.
|
Paul says in some points in the scriptures he speaks by permission.
Whenever he speaks by permission he uses the pronoun "I". When
he speaks using I in this format. it is not a commandment of the Lord but
the Lord's permissive will (this is why Moses granted the people the
option of divorce: because of the hardness of man's heart.)
In our scripture, 1 Timothy 2:12, Paul is speaking by permission and not
by the commandment of the Lord. Notice, how the passage in the end of 1
TIMOTHY 2:15 sets the stage for the qualifications of bishops and deacons.
Since Paul's opinion does not suffer a woman to teach, they are also
excluded from the of f ice of a bishop or a deacon. Paul has already
qualified his position. However, this is not necessarily the Lord's
position: I recommend a study of 1 CORINTHIANS, chapters 12-14. The Lord
used prophetess as well as prophets in the old testament.
Another side point is that Paul allows divorce (1 CORINTHIANS 7:12-20
allows the unbelieving to depart) while the Lord tells us in Malachi
2:14-16 that he hates putting away (divorce.)
The main point of this section is that God uses whomsoever he wills. I
don't think that we should try to limit God. If he used women in the old
testament, surely he uses women today.
This next
chapter is so interrelated, I decided to place the majority of the test
here in this booklet for your own study purposes.
| Jeremiah
23:
|
| 1.
Woe be unto the Pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my
pasture! saith the Lord.
|
| 2.
Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that
feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away,
and have not visited them: behold I will visit upon you the evil of
your doings, saith the Lord.
|
| 3.
And I will gather the remnant of my f lock out of all countries
whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their
folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
|
| 4.
And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and
they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be
lacking, saith the Lord.
|
| 9.
Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones
shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath
overcome, because of the Lord, and because of the words of his
holiness.
|
| 10.
For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land
mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and
their course is evil, and their force is not right.
|
| 11.
For both prophet and priest are profane: yea, in my house
have I found their wickedness, saith the Lord.
|
| 12.
Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the
darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will
bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the
Lord.
|
| 13.
And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they
prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err.
|
| 14.
I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing:
they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the
hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they
are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as
Gomorrah.
|
| 15.
Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets;
Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the
water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness
gone forth into all the land.
|
| 16.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the
prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a
vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.
|
| 17.
They say still unto them that despise me, The Lord hath said, Ye
shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the
imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
|
| 18.
For who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord, and hath perceived
and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?
|
| 21.
I have not sent these Prophets, yet they ran: I have not
spoke to them, yet they prophesied.
|
| 22.
But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to
hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil
way, and from the evil of their doings.
|
| 23.
Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off?
|
| 24.
Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him?
saith the Lord. Do not I f ill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.
|
| 25.
I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my
name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.
|
| 26.
How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy
lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;
|
| 27.
Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams
which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have
forgotten my name for Baal.
|
| 28.
The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he
that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is
the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord.
|
| 29.
Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a
hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
|
| 30.
Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord,
that steal my words every one from his neighbour.
|
| 31.
Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use
their tongues, and say, He saith.
|
| 32.
Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the
Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies,
and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them:
therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord. |
| 33.
And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee,
saying, What is the burden of the Lord? thou shalt then say unto
them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the Lord.
|
| 34.
And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall
say, The burden of the Lord, I will even punish that man and his
house.
|
| 35.
Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to his
brother, What hath the Lord answered? and, What hath the Lord
spoken?
|
| 36.
And the burden of the Lord shall ye mention no more: for every man's
word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the
living God, of the Lord of hosts our God.
|
| 37.
Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath the Lord
answered thee? and, What hath the Lord spoken?
|
| 38.
But since ye say, The burden of the Lord; therefore thus saith the
Lord; Because ye say this word, The burden of the Lord, and I have
sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the Lord;
|
| 39.
Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will
forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast
you out of my presence:
|
| 40.
And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a
perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
A lot of ministers don't know if God is real, whether he called them, o
what there exact purpose is in their ministry. What this means is that
they did not wait long enough to be sure of what God wanted in their life.
I'm sure that there are many people in the wrong ministries and positions
because they did not allow God to lead and guide them.
If you are filled with doubt and if you are unsure about a calling that
you are presently working in, DON'T PANIC! Don I t worry and allow fear
and disbelief to enter your heart. Remain where you are and continue doing
what you are doing. However,_ start Praying and seeking God. Ask him to
perform his perfect will in your life. As your faith and patience allows,
God will show you in no uncertain terms where he wants you to be. Don't be
discouraged if it takes 10 years or more for you to clearly understand and
don I t be surprised if he reveals it to you in as
little time as a day or two. God works on his own clock so don't try to
rush him. Be happy and content right where you are and also be confident
that God is now working on you to reveal his perfect will in your life
(Philippians 4:11).
As I look back at my life, I see how everything in life has brought me to
the point of being able to write this book and do this ministry. I learned
how to use a computer by what I call an accident. But now I see that it
was all within God's plan.
| ROMANS
8:
|
|
28. AND WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT
LOVE GOD, TO THEM WHO ARE THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.
|
Tinker AFB was not on my desire list but the Air Force sent me here
through God's guidance. Now, here I am writing books and pastoring a
church. I would have never thought it possible but it was all within God's
will for my life.
He also has a plan for your life. Remember, waiting does not mean to sit
idle. It is a time to humble ourselves and seek God. While we are waiting,
he will teach us and show us the things that we will need in the ministry
that he is grooming us for. Learn as much as you can.
| ISAIAH
40:
|
|
28. Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting
God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not,
neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
|
|
29. He giveth power to the
faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. |
|
30. Even the youths shall faint
and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
|
|
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.
|
David waited to be made King over Israel. He could have killed Saul on
three occasions but he didn't. He touched not God's anointed man even
though he had become evil. He waited on God to lift his hand against Saul.
Moses moved before his time and killed an Egyptian. He wanted to free the
one Hebrew man from being mistreated. He had to flee into the wilderness.
Later, God brought him back and he not only freed one man but he f reed
the whole nation of Israel from bondage.
A lot of ministers spend their life retracing their steps time and again
because they ran to fast. They make mistakes that they had to correct. We
must run slowly so that we don't make mistakes.
Many times your life experiences will point you in the direction to go:
David, a shepherd was raised up to watch over God's people, God's flock.
Sometimes God wants us to experience a message
before we can deliver it to his people: remember the story of Hosea and
the prostitute? WAIT ON YOUR MINISTRY UNTIL GOD REVEALS HIS PERFECT WILL.
|
