There are many things a starter ought to know in his journey of purpose; a varying combination of certain application of principles. He needs to learn how to open up himself to the Holy Spirit for daily and constant instructions. Nevertheless he must understand the importance of people to his assignment. We need to know the power of influence both due and undue from people around us. If you lack understanding of the power people wield in your life, you may wake up and find out you have lost yourself to their shadow and their personal convictions. THIS HAPPENS IN EVERY GENERATION. In a broad category, let me highlight a few of these people you will meet as you journey to purpose.
You will meet the advantage givers; you will meet the advantage takers; you will meet the successful; you will meet the not too successful; you will meet the bitter; you will meet the disappointed; you will meet the kind and the loving. If you get too close you can be sure there will certainly be some influence from them on you. THE HAND THAT HELD THE ROSE EVENTUALLY CARRIES THE SCENTS. Of all these folks you will meet, there is one you have to be most careful of. THE ONE WHO FEELS HIS WAY of ministry IS THE ONLY RIGHT WAY TO ETERNAL REWARD. Lol. Yeah, he is out there, somewhere and most likely not too far from you.
He’s subtle, can be well meaning. May even love you dearly but I tell you DEAR STARTER he is LETHAL. He is what I call a MINISTRY CLONING FACTORY. He pushes out his experiences and history as justification for his approach. Put scriptures to you which are genuine and good but are focused only in the direction which he wants you to see. If you are not careful, you will lose sight of every other thing the bible says and finally see ministry ONLY in the light of all he says. When this is done he has succeeded in his UNCONSCIOUS agenda of making a CLONE of himself. He creates a MOULD, a noble looking mould. So noble that he doesn’t have to force you into it. YOU MINDLESSLY buy it yourself and say things like, “Whoa! I have always wanted to do it this way”. I have been there myself. Trying to get into several moulds thinking it’s this style or that way or that emphasis in scripture that makes for successful ministry.
None fit perfectly, really. I tried rhyming, saying things like, “I HAVE THE LIVER TO CROSS THE RIVER, TO SAVE THE UNBELIEVERS FROM THE DECEIVERS BECAUSE I AM A DELIVERER FROM ZION.” Thinking back now, it makes me laugh. Thai is soooooo not me, really. Thank God for the Holy Ghost. One day he told me, if I wanted you to sound like so and so, I would have sent you to pastor in his ministry. In the Apostolic you must embrace your uniqueness. You must love what God specially worked in you. There are people you can only reach being yourself. There are people who wouldn’t like to listen to Pastor A or Pastor B but will easily listen to you. For the sake of such folks let every pioneer or starter or apostle love his God ordained, Holy Ghost refined personality. Check this out.
Acts 2:2-4
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Did you notice the word EACH OF THEM in verse 3? It means God anointed their individuality, and their spirit filled their uniqueness. You can’t have 120 people in a room with the same personalities. We are called to a common belief not common personality. That belief is Jesus Christ. Let me quickly add this, be careful of over admiration. You will come across men with unusual abilities and gifting. You will be awed by their skilfulness, which you may sometimes mistake for anointing. Listen guys, please the ability to quote Greek and Hebrew profoundly is not the anointing. It’s a teaching technique. The ability to quote plenty scriptures is not anointing either, it’s a style of teaching. I once met a Muslim cleric who could quote the entire New Testament. It’s just a way to communicate what is in our heart. I AM PRIVILEGED TO BE IN A SPIRITUAL FAMILY WHERE INDIVIDUALITY IS CELEBRATED. Don’t be deceived, it is not style that makes for success in ministry. It is staying true to the vision and the integrity of the call of God on your life.
You count the top 10 front line men of God in ministry today and see if they all sound alike or teach exactly the same thing. I am talking about men of integrity and character in ministry, please. If you will follow God, obey his voice, embrace his word, love who he has made you and stick to your vision, it’s only a matter of time, you will be amazed at what God will do through you.
Galatians 2:8
For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:
Notice God’s anointing worked mightily in Peter’s life and also mightily in Apostle Paul’s life. God did not seek to make Apostle Paul like Apostle Peter before anointing him. They were individually called to different people. One to the circumcision and the other to the Gentiles. Approach will differ. If you feel you should paint classrooms and feed people, please God ahead. Don’t get into anyone’s personal interpretation of the bible. Buy uniforms for people if you have to, even if they are Muslims. Love all men. Do charity if you have to. Of course consider those of the household of faith first but do not be limited please. Donate drugs if you have to; sink community boreholes if you have to.
UNITED NATIONS HAS DONE MORE FOR HUMANITY AS REGARDING HEALTH AND DISEASE CONTROL THAN ALL THE HEALING CRUSADES FROM THE 16TH CENTURY TILL NOW. If the Church can help the health sector please do till we are able to teach faith enough and live by it.
Colossians 4:17
And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
Please pay attention to the ministry YOU HAVE RECEIVED IN THE LORD. Not the ministry someone else’s received in the Lord. Refuse to be a CLONED APOSTLE OF SOMEONE ELSE.
FULFIL YOUR MINISTRY PLEASE.
WELCOME TO FREEDOM