Q & A: Should we worry about our calling or focus on the need?

Q: "I had a question about your Servant Leader post. My husband and I strive to be the best servant leaders we can be. We have always felt called to work with youth, in various ways. Right now there is a need in our church for a Sunday school teacher for a particular age group. We want to dive in and help fill this need. However, should we do that if it’s not part of our calling? We're scared that if we commit to this then later something could come up with the youth and we wouldn't be able to help with that because we are already committed. As good servant leaders, should we dive in and fill the need of the church before worrying about our calling? Thank you." 

Anonymous 

A: Great question! God sees the desires of your heart. 

• Proverbs 18:16 "A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men." 

Your gift will make room for you. In other words, your gifting will continue to bring opportunities before you.

MINISTRY, by definition is "Seeing a need & meeting it." If you are seeing the need then you already know the answer to your question...because your heart is open to the KINGDOM NEED already in front of you. :)

• Your FAITHFULNESS in LITTLE will bring your FRUITFULNESS in MUCH. 

Regarding your CALLING...it will always be before you.
I believe I'm just as much called in this season as I was in the last season or in any future season. 

It matters not what I do if I'm where I'm supposed to be...because the Holy Spirit will continue to manifest my GIFT to compliment my CALLING no matter where I serve.
To me, serving in ministry is a ROAD you travel...not a LADDER you climb. For example, in this season, I might be scrubbing toilets in the Kingdom. In the next season, I might be scrubbing toilets & teaching. Either way, I'm SERVING where I'm needed. If God desires me to be OVER THERE...He will bless me OVER HERE. The two will come together at my INTERSECTION of OPPORTUNITY. 

I believe my NEXT is in my NOW.  If I can get my NOW right...my NEXT will already be waiting on me.  This principle will not & cannot be bypassed. 

God bless!

A Matter Of Honor - Wayne Hubbard

A Matter Of Honor - Wayne Hubbard

This is one of the most practical messages on HONOR I've ever heard. This is a MUST WATCH from our Outreach Pastor, Wayne Hubbard.

7 Things About Grace

Everyone Is Dealing With Something

I don't care who you are, I've learned in my short life that #EVERYONE is dealing with something. People are carrying things that only Jesus can bear.

Because we can't bear the weight of it, often, we try to MEDICATE it, SEDATE it or REPUDIATE it!

The only way to get HEALING is for you to bring your BURDEN/PAIN into the LIGHT. The devil can only operate in darkness. However, when the light of Jesus shines/exposes him...his hands become tied & he has no choice but to FLEE! God wants to break the STRONGHOLDS that are holding you back.

1. AUTHORITY Every believer has the RIGHT it use the authority of Jesus' name to bind & take authority over the devil's activities. (Mark 3:27 - Bind the strong man). Use your mouth to SPEAK/COMMAND the devil to go in the name of Jesus! (Mark 16:17)

2. INTERCESSION Coming together with other believers for prayer is another way to intercede against strongholds. (Matthew 18:19 ..two or three agree) In addition, PRAYER & FASTING intensifies your faith! (Matthew 17:19-21 ...this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting)

3. DISPLACEMENT Displace the devil with the PRESENCE of GOD! Where the presence of the Lord is, there is FREEDOM! The enemy cannot hand around where people are lifting up JESUS in worship! (2 Corinthians 6:14 ...For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? and what communion has light with darkness?)

4. RESISTANCE Submit yourselves & draw close to God! The devil runs from SUBMITTED, YIELDED Christians who PRAY, FAST, WORSHIP and HUMBLE themselves to FOLLOW & OBEY God's Word. (James 4:7 ...Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil & he will flee from you!)

5. OCCUPATION Give NO PLACE to the devil! Once he departs, fill the void with God! Let righteousness be the standard RULE & BEHAVIOR. Don't wink at sin. Don't give the devil an inch in REBELLION, CORRUPTION or IMMORALITY because that's where he can find REFUGE & REBUILD his influence or strength! (Ephesians 4:27 ...give no place to the devil.)

6. FORTIFICATION Clothe yourself with God's armor! Take upon you daily, the full array of God's spiritual equipment that you may maintain battle-ready status! With the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit (God's Word) & the other components of armor (Ephesians 6:13-17), you will be ready to RESIST and satanic assault & will be ready to ENGAGE the strongholds in others! (Ephesians 6:11 ...Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to sand against the wiles of the devil.)

#YouGotThis

A Zombified Nation

I Found STRENGTH through my STRUGGLE!

Dear Pastor

1. Jesus spoke to spirits to set people FREE. When you’re addressing a spirit, you’re not condemning a person.

2. You pastor many people; ALL with issues, struggles & sins. But, you’re their pastor. You can't be partial towards them based on their sins.

3. While you're complaining about your assignment, another pastor would give anything to be in your position. Be GRATEFUL!

4. Bad mouthing another pastor or church to grow your church is a horrible SEED to sow. The results are always short-lived.

5. When people hurt you, don't dishonor God, discredit yourself & disgrace your Church by being SMALL! Show them how to be BIG!

Dear Parishioner

1. Pray for your Pastor. When someone comes to you complaining about him, take them by the hand & say, "Let's pray for him. You begin!"

2. Somewhere, a sincere Pastor is asking God to touch his members' hearts to come to Church this weekend. Respond to that touch.

3. Is he your Pastor or your Preacher? Do you trust him to advise as well as instruct you, or is he just Sunday inspiration?

4. Getting to Church on time expresses gratefulness. So Impress yourself, Encourage your Pastor & Honor The Lord. BE ON TIME! 

5. Your Pastor needs help, not criticism. Roll up your sleeves, and get to work. Feeding, leading & healing is work.

6. Honor The Lord, and encourage your Pastor. Show up to Church on time this weekend & worship God. The world is focused. We should be, too!!!

7. Go to church even when your Pastor takes a break. The last thing we need is empty men filling empty pulpits to preach to empty people. 

Don't Be Past Possessed!

Are You A Hard Case?

I wonder how many people on Jesus' team were considered "HARD CASES", disrespectful, lost causes or not worth fooling with anymore?

And yet, somehow, Jesus was able to LOVE them unconditionally, correct them, forgive them of their backslidings, shape them & position them for His Kingdom assignment in their life.

I know what you're thinking, "well, I'm not Jesus." That may be true.

Just for a moment, look at John Mark. When Paul said, "I'm done with him!" (Acts 15:38) Barnabas came from another approach & basically said, "Let me work with him. Perhaps there's something left in him we can salvage."

Someone believed in John Mark. Someone was willing to give him more than once chance to get himself together.

We all need someone to BELIEVE in us, when we are less than what we're supposed to be. When we FALL SHORT, we must remember that God allows us space to REPENT and DO RIGHT. Obviously, it's easier to REPENT & DO YOUR FIRST WORKS OVER, when you forgive yourself & realize that people haven't given up on you either...regardless of what you've done.

Before you GIVE UP on someone, ask yourself, "If that was me, what would I want someone to do for me?"

A lot of times, people are MANIFESTING symptoms from hidden ROOTS. The reason they behave the way they do, isn't really the reason you think. There's probably more going on inside than anyone can see...and some of those things may go all the way back to their childhood. Before you get too OFFENDED at them, bear this in mind. Their "cry for attention" by ACTING OUT is sometimes a cry for HELP from anyone that has enough LOVE in them to BEAR THEM UP.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."

I pray for you today to have wisdom & discernment to know how to deal with the HARD CASES in your life. Remember, you were once a HARD CASE too.

Selah.