The Lord has given the five distinct ministry gifts of the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher to the Church. (Ephesians 4:11)
Each of these ministries has been given the charge and responsibility by the Lord to work together as a ministry team to help the saints become spiritually mature. They have also been given the divine grace and ability to teach, train and prepare the saints to do works of service for God, in whatever capacity that He has called each of them to serve Him. (Ephesians 4:12-13, I Corinthians 12:11,18)
If we asked people in the church and asked them if they believed that there were prophets in the Old Testament, everyone would certainly say yes. Many would respond with Jonah, Ezekiel, Elijah, Elisha and Isaiah to name a few. But if you would ask the same question about whether they believe or thought that there are New Testament prophets today, you would most likely get entirely different results.
If we asked people in the church and asked them if they believed that there were prophets in the Old Testament, everyone would certainly say yes. Many would respond with Jonah, Ezekiel, Elijah, Elisha and Isaiah to name a few. But if you would ask the same question about whether they believe or thought that there are New Testament prophets today, you would most likely get entirely different results.
I have been putting the manual together and a number of people said sometimes I talk better than I write! 🙂 So, here is some thought process of what I am going to be adding for next steps!
Over the last few weeks I have meditated on that thought process. Spoken to me a few weeks back, an older man said “you cannot change them if you cannot get it in them.”
Yesterday, I read an article that spoke of a gospel singer returning to her roots after years of going “off the deep end” in her Christianity. Most people recognize that the church for a number of years; got them “saved” and after telling them what had been erased, now turned and said “be careful” as if God would return to a status of “mad” to keep them there. Freedom would flood a person, the power and presence of God would overtake and two minutes later someone would be instructing how to keep “it.” Continue reading You Can’t Change Them If You Can Not Touch Them→
I have been away for a few days in West Virginia, enjoying the company of friends. It was an amazing time. Spending time away is always difficult away from family. It is made easier by the fact that I encountered some simply awesome people. My list is partial in the sense I will not remember all that I met. But I am thankful to the ministry of folks like Lynn Hiles, Roger Legg, Bob Smith, Dan Keistler and oh, so many more. Southern hospitality, superb teaching and fellowship. It just warms my heart. Continue reading A Vision For October- The Birthing Of Something Big!→
This morning I was thinking about the dreams of “ungodly” men and women. As I began to think about the dreams, I was drawn to the idea that many times in the scriptures men and women who were not “walking” with God received a dream from the Lord. That changed them. Shaped them.
Genesis 20 tells us the story of Abraham and Sarah. Abraham lied to Abimelech about who Sarah was. Telling him it was his sister and not his wife. Abimelech moved Sarah in with him. That night the Lord invades Abimelech’s dreams with a dream about the lie told to him. Continue reading Dreams Or Disaster?→
There may well be a difference between supporting someone and being a friend or seeing something as ministry.
First, let me say, here in the United States I appreciate our Constitution and in particular the First Amendment. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.Continue reading Support Or Ministry? Discernment Or Disaster?→
The Lord has given the five distinct ministry gifts of the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher to the Church. (Ephesians 4:11)
