His Words Or Mine
1 Peter 4:11 (NKJV)
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies…
Public speaking is an interesting thing and one that I never cared to partake of. In fact, even the thought of speaking publicly would make me physically ill. It’s safe to say, I didn’t choose the job I am now in.
I loved serving God and I loved serving my man of God, my pastor, in the local church, and in the ministry of helps. It became an absolute passion of mine. I didn’t always do so perfectly but this I know, I did so with my whole heart. The Bible tells us, he who is faithful in little will be faithful in much. When you serve God like that, He will promote you. Into what, isn’t determined by you, but He will reveal it to you.
Now I don’t say all this to brag on me, not in the least. If there is anything that I have proved in my life, it’s that I am worthless without Jesus. Thank God, I’m not without Him anymore. The point I am making is that, though we don’t decide what God will have us to do, our faithfulness will open the door to what we will do for Him. And He is with us, using us and speaking through us.
The Bible instructs, as a matter of fact, that if we are ministering or speaking to make sure that it is as the mouth piece of God. How does one do that exactly? By following His Word and His Spirit.
People sometimes erroneously think that when a minister ministers, they do so from their own opinion and knowledge. I suppose for some, even many, this is truth. I will say however, I would never follow anyone who was preaching their own ideas. The Bible tells us that the noble will search the scriptures to know that what is being preached is Truth.
I say all that to say this, God has set appointments for each one of us. Those appointments are with our pastors in the local church. These appointments are not for God but for man. They are meant to grow us, but won’t if you don’t accept the Word being preached as the Word of God. You must know for yourself where you are called to be because God determines for each one of us which soil we need. After that we must stay put and be fed by the Word of God, taking heed to what our pastor says knowing that this gift (five fold ministry office) is there to help you. Sometimes we won’t like what is said because correction often hurts in the moment. Though it hurts, it also saves us from coming destruction. Our job is to not be offended, but to receive the Word as if Jesus Himself was speaking it. The fact that it is His chosen method tells us He is doing just that. When you come to church that way, a whole new world will open to you and you will find a victory you have never known before.
James 1:21 (NKJV)
…receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
Be Blessed,
Pastor Jeff
