When we talk about staying with God and the possibility that He might send you out, some people become afraid because they believe being “sent” automatically means becoming a pastor. They have heard and seen a lot about pastors, and they are not ready for such a responsibility. As a result, they avoid building a deep relationship with God simply because they do not want to become pastors.
While growing up as a new convert, I never desired or prayed for a pastor as a husband. To me, and probably to many others, the pastors we saw growing up were either poor, deceptive, or unhappy, almost as if they were forced into the role. Others who displayed wealth carried themselves in a way that did not reflect what you would expect from a man of God.
First, I want you to know that there are many great pastors and men of God who are doing wonderfully for God. There will always be bad eggs, not only among pastors but among all human beings across every sector: business, health, education, politics, and more. You will always find people whose actions do not match your expectations.
Today, I want you to know that God is not the author of confusion. Some people are not called by God; some are called by their needs or other personal reasons. But that is not our focus today. There is a divine purpose for choosing and setting leadership in the church.
Ephesians 4 teaches us how to behave as believers:
* Walk worthy of your calling with all lowliness and meekness.
* Keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of love.
* There is one body and one Spirit, and you are called in one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God.
From this, you see that irrespective of your assignment, everyone is working towards one goal. Everyone is given grace according to the measure of the gift depending on their assignment. In verse 11, we see the list of gifts given, this is what we call the fivefold ministry. Verse 12 explains the purpose:
1. For the perfecting of the saints.
2. For the work of the ministry.
3. For the edification of the body of Christ.
All of this is with one intention, as seen in verse 13: “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
So that, as verse 14 says, we will no longer be children tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.
God knows that if you remain ignorant and immature, the sleight of men and their cunning craftiness will destroy you. “Sleight of men” refers to an artful trick, something done so cleverly that you don’t notice how it happened. That is why you must grow. Your Father has placed gifts in the body of Christ that, if well harnessed, will make you a well-rounded, solid child of God.
You will notice in verse 12 that the Bible mentions the work of the ministry. This means there are many other works that need to be done, and the fivefold gifts are given to equip God’s children to fulfil their ministries. You must understand that there are varying assignments, and as a child of God, you are called to something specific. He who calls you will equip you, and as He sends you, He will surely provide everything needed for success.
1 Corinthians 12:4–10 tells us:
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit… differences of administrations, but the same Lord… diversities of operations, but the same God who works all in all.”
We are one body but many members, just like the human body is one but has many parts. Every part is important, and no matter where you are placed, God is trusting you to do it with your whole heart. The parts are so connected that if one suffers, all the others are affected (1 Corinthians 12:1–28).
Imagine a church full of powerful, Spirit-filled believers speaking in tongues and prepared for miracles, signs, and wonders, yet no one is willing to clean the church, wash the toilets, or arrange the chairs because they consider those roles “too low.” Imagine no one willing to handle proper administration. Imagine a household where everyone wants to be the father because they think it is the best position. The church is not designed to be a one- or two-part show. That is why God set all those gifts in Ephesians 4. No matter your part, you must be taught and discipled to maturity until you have the stature of Christ.
In the book of Acts, there was a complaint that some people were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The apostles instructed the people to choose seven brethren of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, to handle the task. You may wonder why they needed to be full of the Holy Ghost, they were simply serving tables, distributing what we would call “palliatives” today.
However, you don’t know where that simple assignment will lead. From those seven men came Stephen and Philip. Acts 6:8 says Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. After his death, persecution arose and scattered the church. Philip, also one of the table servers, went to Samaria and preached Christ. God used him mightily (Acts 8:5–8, 26–40).
There is no limit to how God can use a yielded vessel, no matter how they entered into service. Find your place and stay there, even if it seems as lowly as serving tables. Do it with love for Him. He rewards all faithful work and service.
GOD BLESS YOU.
GODS PROGRAM FOR THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD
After Jesus’ resurrection, He told the disciples in Matthew 28:18–20 that all power has been given unto Him. They are to go into all nations and preach the gospel. You will agree with me that there is so much going on in the world today that requires the power of the resurrected Christ. The whole world lies in darkness. All you need to do is pick up a newspaper or listen to the news. You begin to wonder what has happened to the creation that God the Creator said was good. Darkness has completely taken over. What else do you call a situation where a man or woman abuses his or her own biological child? Or where a man, who was given authority over all that God created, is sleeping with animals?
People’s minds are so depraved that they can do anything for money or to gratify their evil innate desires. The devil has taken over to the point that the few individuals who choose to stand for righteousness are looked upon as aliens from another world. Righteousness is no longer fashionable. When a young lady says she is keeping herself sexually pure for marriage, refusing to engage in sex before marriage, she is seen as someone diseased, to be avoided like a plague. Friends, and sometimes even parents, go all out to offer so-called “help” to get her out of such a stance, forgetting what the Bible says.
There is no two ways about it: you either dwell in light or in darkness. For every sexual partner you have, there is a transference in your spirit. A part of their life is deposited into you. What then becomes of you in the future after having sex with so many simply because you were “enjoying yourself”?
Abuse, addictions, and all forms of bad behavior hold their power through secrecy. An abuser threatens his victim not to reveal anything, saying that if anyone finds out, he or she will kill them or harm their loved ones. The Bible says in Isaiah 60:2 that there is gross darkness upon the earth. The whole world lies in wickedness. So you, the child of light, are expected to arise and shine. Darkness will always disappear when light comes.
You owe God a duty to arise and establish His counsel and His will wherever there is darkness. You have been delivered from darkness, and it would be selfish of you not to desire that others in darkness enjoy the light you now walk in. Moreover, the darkness you see and remain indifferent to will eventually affect you, either directly or indirectly. You have been told and sent into the world (Matt. 28:18–20; 1 John 1:6; 1 John 5:19; John 12:46; Isaiah 13:11).
You, the redeemed, have an assignment to the world, and you must fulfill that assignment. However, you must know what you have been called to do. Tarry in His presence until you are built and released. Then you will succeed in whatever assignment you are called into.
Let me leave you with this passage, Romans 10, with emphasis on verses 13–15. Yes, not all of us will be pastors or church leaders, but there are diverse ways we can preach the gospel. Our lives themselves are messages people see and respond to.
God will help us.
People’s minds are so depraved that they can do anything for money or to gratify their evil innate desires. The devil has taken over to the point that the few individuals who choose to stand for righteousness are looked upon as aliens from another world. Righteousness is no longer fashionable. When a young lady says she is keeping herself sexually pure for marriage, refusing to engage in sex before marriage, she is seen as someone diseased, to be avoided like a plague. Friends, and sometimes even parents, go all out to offer so-called “help” to get her out of such a stance, forgetting what the Bible says.
There is no two ways about it: you either dwell in light or in darkness. For every sexual partner you have, there is a transference in your spirit. A part of their life is deposited into you. What then becomes of you in the future after having sex with so many simply because you were “enjoying yourself”?
Abuse, addictions, and all forms of bad behavior hold their power through secrecy. An abuser threatens his victim not to reveal anything, saying that if anyone finds out, he or she will kill them or harm their loved ones. The Bible says in Isaiah 60:2 that there is gross darkness upon the earth. The whole world lies in wickedness. So you, the child of light, are expected to arise and shine. Darkness will always disappear when light comes.
You owe God a duty to arise and establish His counsel and His will wherever there is darkness. You have been delivered from darkness, and it would be selfish of you not to desire that others in darkness enjoy the light you now walk in. Moreover, the darkness you see and remain indifferent to will eventually affect you, either directly or indirectly. You have been told and sent into the world (Matt. 28:18–20; 1 John 1:6; 1 John 5:19; John 12:46; Isaiah 13:11).
You, the redeemed, have an assignment to the world, and you must fulfill that assignment. However, you must know what you have been called to do. Tarry in His presence until you are built and released. Then you will succeed in whatever assignment you are called into.
Let me leave you with this passage, Romans 10, with emphasis on verses 13–15. Yes, not all of us will be pastors or church leaders, but there are diverse ways we can preach the gospel. Our lives themselves are messages people see and respond to.
God will help us.
GOD’S AGENDA DOR THE COMMUNITY
A community is a group of people sharing common characteristics such as language, law, religion, or tradition. It can also refer to a group of people interacting, whether electronically or in person, for educational, professional, social, or other purposes.
It is the decree of God that His knowledge will fill every community; therefore, He desires His children to take their place in such environments. God said in Jeremiah 51:20 that “You are My battle axe.” He wants to use you to destroy kingdoms and nations that delight in oppressing people, homes, lives, and destinies.
Note that this is not a physical battle. You are not to take up guns or weapons to attack such powers. God’s way of dealing with these forces is spiritual, not carnal. As His battle axe, you must go to God, build yourself in Him, and align with His ways to accomplish His purpose.
There are many ways God can use you, and you cannot assume He will always use the same method. He alone has the prerogative to send you out, or to keep you in preparation. When God created man in Genesis, His desire was that man should exercise dominion. The first thing He did was to teach man how to do this, by coming regularly to fellowship with him.
The first step toward achieving your divine assignment is to be with God. Let Him groom you. He delights in fellowshipping with you, building you, and preparing you. When He is sure you are ready, He will decide when and where to send you.
We see this also reflected when Jesus chose His disciples. Mark 3:14 says, “And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach.”
The Lord knows what needs to be confronted in every community, and He needs a formidable battle axe, one that is difficult to defeat or overcome. He also knows the exact strategy to deploy for the complete destruction of the enemy. Sometimes, a very simple strategy brings great results. If the devil had known that killing Jesus would lead to his own downfall, he would not have allowed it. But he thought Jesus’ death would be the end, however, through His death, countless “Jesuses” were born!
Do you sense that you are being called to a community assignment? Then let God build you and release His strategy into your spirit for the accomplishment of that mission. When you see many negative things happening in your community and your spirit is grieved, begin to pray and seek God’s face.
Sometimes your assignment may be to pray that God’s Kingdom will come into that community, while another person may be sent to act physically. Know that both the sower and the reaper will share in the harvest, for it is our Father who gives the increase. No assignment is small in God’s sight, every act of faithfulness is worthy of reward.
Oh, what joy to see darkness destroyed in the community where you, the light of God, reside! What delight to see people delivered from bondage to Satan, no matter how long they’ve been enslaved, and to witness them gaining the liberty to serve the Heavenly Father who is Love, Abba Father, the Double-Breasted One who gives liberally and delights in our growth.
When light prospers, people are lifted. Your presence in whatever community you find yourself should radiate so much light that darkness automatically disappears.
You will make it, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
It is the decree of God that His knowledge will fill every community; therefore, He desires His children to take their place in such environments. God said in Jeremiah 51:20 that “You are My battle axe.” He wants to use you to destroy kingdoms and nations that delight in oppressing people, homes, lives, and destinies.
Note that this is not a physical battle. You are not to take up guns or weapons to attack such powers. God’s way of dealing with these forces is spiritual, not carnal. As His battle axe, you must go to God, build yourself in Him, and align with His ways to accomplish His purpose.
There are many ways God can use you, and you cannot assume He will always use the same method. He alone has the prerogative to send you out, or to keep you in preparation. When God created man in Genesis, His desire was that man should exercise dominion. The first thing He did was to teach man how to do this, by coming regularly to fellowship with him.
The first step toward achieving your divine assignment is to be with God. Let Him groom you. He delights in fellowshipping with you, building you, and preparing you. When He is sure you are ready, He will decide when and where to send you.
We see this also reflected when Jesus chose His disciples. Mark 3:14 says, “And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach.”
The Lord knows what needs to be confronted in every community, and He needs a formidable battle axe, one that is difficult to defeat or overcome. He also knows the exact strategy to deploy for the complete destruction of the enemy. Sometimes, a very simple strategy brings great results. If the devil had known that killing Jesus would lead to his own downfall, he would not have allowed it. But he thought Jesus’ death would be the end, however, through His death, countless “Jesuses” were born!
Do you sense that you are being called to a community assignment? Then let God build you and release His strategy into your spirit for the accomplishment of that mission. When you see many negative things happening in your community and your spirit is grieved, begin to pray and seek God’s face.
Sometimes your assignment may be to pray that God’s Kingdom will come into that community, while another person may be sent to act physically. Know that both the sower and the reaper will share in the harvest, for it is our Father who gives the increase. No assignment is small in God’s sight, every act of faithfulness is worthy of reward.
Oh, what joy to see darkness destroyed in the community where you, the light of God, reside! What delight to see people delivered from bondage to Satan, no matter how long they’ve been enslaved, and to witness them gaining the liberty to serve the Heavenly Father who is Love, Abba Father, the Double-Breasted One who gives liberally and delights in our growth.
When light prospers, people are lifted. Your presence in whatever community you find yourself should radiate so much light that darkness automatically disappears.
You will make it, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
GOD’S PROGRAM FOR THE FAMILY
The desire of God is that the whole earth be filled with His knowledge as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9; Habakkuk 2:14). He wants all creation to know Him. He desires to have a relationship with all men, and He will stop at nothing to achieve this.
However, in creating you, He has given you the ability to choose. He will not force Himself on you. He desires that every family be one that gives His Spirit the chance to lead and direct them. He wants a household where godly children can be nurtured to become extensions of His hand and love, in schools, in communities, and in every sector of human life.
You, as the head of your household, and one who has a stake in that household, must ensure that you know God’s plan and purpose for your family and for the children God has given you. Irrespective of how a child came into your care (by blood, adoption, etc.), you owe God a duty to train that child so that he or she will ultimately fulfill the counsel of the Creator. You have no business bearing or raising children if you are not ready to do this.
Everyone has a purpose in God’s plan, and it is your duty to make sure you impact those in your care for good. Know assuredly that the devil is on the prowl, seeking to destroy and prevent them from maturing in knowledge, because these children are arrows meant to be used against him.
While you are rejoicing and having baby showers, the enemy is already at work. He attacks even in the womb, and you are told your baby is having health issues or abnormalities. All he desires is that another arrow is not released against him and his cohorts so that his mission to steal, kill, and destroy remains effective.
He releases demonic sicknesses and health challenges to frustrate parents so they give in to his plans instead of standing firm to destroy his attacks on their family. Some families have broken up because of health challenges in their children, even though they once vowed “till death do us part.”
There are so many divorces today, even among believers and ministers of the gospel. The devil is not primarily interested in your marriage but in the power that is available when that marriage is upheld, and in the mighty arrows that would be released against him through it.
He makes sure your finances are attacked, your joy is depleted, and then sells you the lie that your spouse is no longer who you married. He makes other men or women appear more attractive to push you into adultery or fornication. He introduces anger into your life until the object of your love becomes your punching bag. He fills your heart with hatred for your spouse and presents him or her as the cause of your failure.
He introduces drugs, alcohol, and other harmful substances into your life and home, convincing you that you cannot cope without them. And because he tries one thing after another and you remain complacent, he stretches his hand further.
You become hurt, and the joy of the Lord disappears from your life, yet it is that very joy that is your strength. Anger and hatred creep in, followed by unforgiveness. These open the door to diverse sicknesses and incurable diseases. Then you begin to hear terms like “hereditary” or “generational.”
The worst part is that you have opened not only yourself but your entire family to the enemy, and things begin to go downward.
Child of God, you need to rise up! Determine from now on that you will not give any place to the devil.
I am not saying there won’t be challenges, but search the Word of God; those challenges are not meant to overwhelm you (Psalm 23). As long as you are in this world, there will be valleys of the shadow of death, but He will be there with you to see you through. He is with you wherever you go.
Every good or bad thing in society originates from the home. The devil knows that if he can conquer the home, he has achieved his plan. A negative issue not properly handled at home will definitely become a community issue, and eventually a national one.
Therefore, it is important that you guard your heart with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23). Watch what you allow in through the gates of your heart, your eyes, ears, nose, touch, and taste. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. What is inside of you will always find expression through your words.
As a parent, watch your actions, they speak louder than your voice. Your behavior toward your spouse, children, neighbors, and coworkers is seen as normal behavior by your children.
IT IS WELL.
However, in creating you, He has given you the ability to choose. He will not force Himself on you. He desires that every family be one that gives His Spirit the chance to lead and direct them. He wants a household where godly children can be nurtured to become extensions of His hand and love, in schools, in communities, and in every sector of human life.
You, as the head of your household, and one who has a stake in that household, must ensure that you know God’s plan and purpose for your family and for the children God has given you. Irrespective of how a child came into your care (by blood, adoption, etc.), you owe God a duty to train that child so that he or she will ultimately fulfill the counsel of the Creator. You have no business bearing or raising children if you are not ready to do this.
Everyone has a purpose in God’s plan, and it is your duty to make sure you impact those in your care for good. Know assuredly that the devil is on the prowl, seeking to destroy and prevent them from maturing in knowledge, because these children are arrows meant to be used against him.
While you are rejoicing and having baby showers, the enemy is already at work. He attacks even in the womb, and you are told your baby is having health issues or abnormalities. All he desires is that another arrow is not released against him and his cohorts so that his mission to steal, kill, and destroy remains effective.
He releases demonic sicknesses and health challenges to frustrate parents so they give in to his plans instead of standing firm to destroy his attacks on their family. Some families have broken up because of health challenges in their children, even though they once vowed “till death do us part.”
There are so many divorces today, even among believers and ministers of the gospel. The devil is not primarily interested in your marriage but in the power that is available when that marriage is upheld, and in the mighty arrows that would be released against him through it.
He makes sure your finances are attacked, your joy is depleted, and then sells you the lie that your spouse is no longer who you married. He makes other men or women appear more attractive to push you into adultery or fornication. He introduces anger into your life until the object of your love becomes your punching bag. He fills your heart with hatred for your spouse and presents him or her as the cause of your failure.
He introduces drugs, alcohol, and other harmful substances into your life and home, convincing you that you cannot cope without them. And because he tries one thing after another and you remain complacent, he stretches his hand further.
You become hurt, and the joy of the Lord disappears from your life, yet it is that very joy that is your strength. Anger and hatred creep in, followed by unforgiveness. These open the door to diverse sicknesses and incurable diseases. Then you begin to hear terms like “hereditary” or “generational.”
The worst part is that you have opened not only yourself but your entire family to the enemy, and things begin to go downward.
Child of God, you need to rise up! Determine from now on that you will not give any place to the devil.
I am not saying there won’t be challenges, but search the Word of God; those challenges are not meant to overwhelm you (Psalm 23). As long as you are in this world, there will be valleys of the shadow of death, but He will be there with you to see you through. He is with you wherever you go.
Every good or bad thing in society originates from the home. The devil knows that if he can conquer the home, he has achieved his plan. A negative issue not properly handled at home will definitely become a community issue, and eventually a national one.
Therefore, it is important that you guard your heart with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23). Watch what you allow in through the gates of your heart, your eyes, ears, nose, touch, and taste. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. What is inside of you will always find expression through your words.
As a parent, watch your actions, they speak louder than your voice. Your behavior toward your spouse, children, neighbors, and coworkers is seen as normal behavior by your children.
IT IS WELL.