I didn`t know you are a minister?
I’m called to the marketplace and my work allows me to minister to the lost. Most notably with women which impacts relationships and families. Many complicate the issue of calling but in the simplest terms it‘s our service to the kingdom on the Lord‘s behalf and what our gifts, talents and experiences have prepared us to do. That doesn’t mean we’ll be experts or won’t require instruction. But we’ll always have a burden that compels us to act. The how (what we do) and who (the people we’re called to serve) require the Lord’s input and He’ll respond if we ask. While we wait for His directives where free to help as desired unless He points out a specific activity He wants us to get involved in.
I spent quite some time doing the same and deepening my understanding of the word through instruction and person study. But the most important skill I developed in that period was prayer. Heaven moves on intercession and we need to be adept to succeed in our mission and stand against opposition. All works for the Lord diminish satan’s influence and he doesn’t accept it willingly.
Few churches talk about the end times and spiritual warfare or the gifts ! I seek such a church.
I think many people spend more energy on end times than discipleship and spiritual readiness. I feel they‘re more important than the other. It doesn’t matter what‘s to come if you don’t know how to respond or weather adversity without fainting. That‘s what you learn through those disciplines and more.
But I was told by one church that I should not speak about anything of it that some would not take it lightly. Many other churches.. no life much. God gave me word to one church, that there was split and if they did not stop, he would remove himself. I told the elder and he cried because he had been praying about it. That church seemed not much life. I did not judge, but it seemed not. And a week later he ignored me seeing me in a supermarket and after that the church went south.
God has shown me for years in dreams everything that is happening now and evils plans. I recently had another thing confirmed. I am no conspiracy person but it sure comes close to look like it.
All utterings should be tested. We shouldn’t readily accept anything and should get in the practice of questioning and holding what we hear against scripture and insights we might possess that may shed a light on the subject. I’ll frequently ask if it’s a word from the Lord which leaves no wiggle room and the question is intentional. Many speak authoritatively about their opinions which can lend the impression there’s more behind it when there’s not.
As with all disclosures the onus is on the recipient. We can’t make anyone follow our advice and the Lord doesn’t want us browbeating people. They must choose to act or not. While I am usually firmer with my loved ones for obvious reasons I’m more relaxed with others and leave the decision with them.
In respect to knowledge, I think it’s important for us to take our spiritual growth seriously and not to broach it like children in school. We may have many resources we can draw from and shouldn’t hinder our process while waiting for someone to fill in the gaps. We must be proactive and design a course of study for our enrichment.
Reading the bible (completely) and learning to pray and fast are foundational practices. We’ll always come back to them and they’re our bread and butter for the journey. Then we can branch into spiritual gifts and devote extra time to the ones we possess and others we’re seeking in prayer. That‘s where supplemental tasks and interests come in. If you have a teaching gift there‘s other things you may want to focus on like writing, public speaking or more involved study.
It’s important to keep an open mind when you’re addressing the subject. You can put yourself in a box unintentionally and view them through the guise of the church when the Lord may intend for you to employ it differently or elsewhere. It’s helpful to see our natural and spiritual abilities through this lens and as a service to God. Not one or the other but both.
From that point on it’s really individual. I’ve chosen a narrow approach for myself and as a guideline e for my descendants. I limit my time and involvement to things the He’s blessed. Whether it‘s through gifting or aptitude. And I streamline that by pairing it with my purpose. So everything I do has a reason that I can cite. Even something as simple as watching a film. There‘s specific ones I target for different reasons. Sometimes I’m gleaning ideas, looking for information for future planning, discerning things I’ve noticed in the culture and so on. To the untrained eye it‘s a movie. But when you’re conversant in other knowledge you see beyond it.
We live in a spiritual world and that doesn’t end with religion. We encounter things everyday we’re unable to interpret. And we can’t dismiss satan’s influence on our society and culture. That’s where the fruits of the spirit come. It’s a mutual process of ingestion and expulsion. There’s qualities we need to establish within ourselves and others we need to relinquish. As we mature and grow in faith we’ll discover new ways to do so and areas we wouldn’t broach that we’re ready to tackle.
But we don’t have to move haphazardly or be rudderless. We can bring the Lord into the process and plan our days with Him. A yearly vision retreat of sorts is first where we discover what He wants us to focus on for that period. We can work on it every month or divide it quarterly instead. This can include a journaling practice if that appeals and should involve weekly reflection to gauge what we’ve done and what must be modified for the coming week. Planners are popular and help to keep us on track. And we should be praying throughout and complimenting our petitions with gratitude and worship in equal measure.
Listen to counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction, that you may be wise in the time to come. Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the LORD’S purpose for him that will stand (be carried out). That which is desirable in a man is his loyalty and unfailing love.
~bella
