Exploring the Role of the Five-Fold Ministry in the Christian Faith: How Do You Fit In? - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) February 13, 2024

The administrative work of every government is carried out by ministries which are staffed to the brim with individuals. For instance, we have the Department of Education in the United States. This ministry's objective is to ensure that Americans receive an education that meets certain outlined metrics.

The Kingdom of God on earth is no different in that it also has ministries. These were established by Jesus Christ to ensure the sound administration of God's work. Ephesians 4:11-13 provides even more details, saying, So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Apostles travel from place to place planting churches and organizing them. Because of the Spirit of the Lord in believers, almost anyone can prophesy and should seek this gift according to 1 Corinthians 14:1. However, some people are singled out by the Lord to hold the office of prophet and these ones receive God's word about what is to come to steer His people aright. God uses evangelists to speak to non-believers, sharing the good news of Christ and the grace provided through His sacrifice. Pastors act as shepherds who feed and water God's flock so they grow in Christ with sound scriptural knowledge. And, last but never least, are the teachers who receive deep insights about God's word and share them with His people so believers learn and are strengthened spiritually.

​This is the five-fold ministry God has established for the edification of His people and the expansion of His kingdom on earth. This structure took the early church from a small group to what is now known as the Body of Christ today. It played a significant role in why you are reading this message today and will continue to impact the lives of people until God establishes His New Earth and New Heaven (2 Peter 3:13).

And the question we each must answer is this - do you know which one of these ministries you belong to? We each need to figure out where we fit into the administration of God's kingdom on earth. Has God called you to share the story of Christ with those who have either never heard it or who turned away from the good news? Has God called you to the office of prophet, giving you words of wisdom and knowledge about a person or situation's past and future? Do you have a special grace to hold the hand of your fellow believer and speak God's word over them in their good and bad times? Or are you the one who receives God's deep insight into His word and shares it with your loved ones?

If you believe in Christ and are allowing Him to guide your life (no matter how difficult that might seem), then you need to ask God how to play a role in His kingdom while you walk the earth. No position is too small, and indeed, starting small is one way God does things with His servants. Remember the story of Phillip in Holy Spirit is the Secret Sauce? He started as a food server at the church in Jerusalem, then he became an evangelist whom God miraculously transported from one location to another (Acts 8:39). Further readings of the New Testament reveal he continued to rise in God's Kingdom, becoming a well-respected man of God who was blessed with four daughters who also prophesied (Acts 21:8-9). Philip kept walking with God, and the Lord continued to advance Him from one position to another.

Every believer has a role to play and needs to know what ministry they belong to. This is how the Lord has determined that His people will grow from one level to another, glorifying Him and doing His works here on the earth. Therefore, if you don't know where you fit in, be sure to come back for fellowship as we will worship and intercede before praying during the last 10 minutes for the Lord's light so we learn how we are to best serve Him. And if you know already, praise the Lord! Be sure to return anyway so we can pray for those who need to know their calling.

God bless you.

Defeating the Enemy: How Christians Can Identify and Break Harmful Agreements with satan - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) February 9, 2024

Recently, the Lord revealed a particular way the enemy was 'punking' me. It was startling to see how I'd succumbed to the devil's schemes because the mode of attack was not glaring. I pray that this message will help you look a little closer at some of the things you're going through so that you can pinpoint where the enemy has planted itself to create the problem. This way, through faith and the name of Jesus, you can send it packing.

I've been working on a project with a client. The work isn't new to me. Frankly, I could do it in my sleep. However, I'm working with a business that is new to the space and doesn't quite understand what is expected to ensure a successful outcome. There has therefore been a learning curve for them and I've had to patiently counsel them. Now, when I landed this client, I was very excited. This is because I'd prayed that the Lord would send me clients and in two weeks, He'd answered with a few. I understood that each was to be handled as if I was dealing with the Lord Himself per 1 Corinthians 10:31 - So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

So, why was it that a while later, this particular project became so hard for me to do? Suddenly, reading the documents was tiring. My entire body would resist having to glance at this particular client's work. Thankfully, I would pray for God's grace and each time, I'd receive it to produce good product. Yet, the issue of my uncharitable attitude persisted and I didn't know why.

Then one day, I got a slew of messages from the client and they needed assistance. What they wanted fell within the scope of our contract but once again, I just couldn't find it in me to do the work. In irritation, I grumbled and frankly, I was atypically ungrateful.

Somehow, and I thank the Lord for intervening, I had a moment of clarity. Surprisingly, certain questions ran through my mind: Why am I complaining about an opportunity I prayed for and God gave? I then said out loud, "The devil knows this will bless my family and I". And just like that, I knew I'd been under attack from the enemy. As realization dawned, I made a simple declaration - "I break all agreement with that spirit of discontentment and lies that doesn't want me to finish this project." Instantly, it felt like a cloud lifted and the world looked different. I went on to take care of the issue in less than an hour and once done, I lay out on my floor to praise the Lord. As I sat up, I realized my prayer had worked. I'd broken agreement with the enemy and it couldn't stop me anymore.

The sad thing is that I would have spotted this in someone else, but for some reason, I was ignorant of how the devil attacked me. Nevertheless, the Lord used this incident to teach me to pay closer attention to my emotions and to guard my heart even more. He also reminded me that opening my mouth to proclaim in faith will always remain a powerful weapon. I wasted so much time entertaining a spirit that wanted to curtail my progress. Seven hours to be precise! Yes, I spent seven hours in resentment instead of just doing what needed to be done. Plus, when I finally settled down to do the work, I learned so much from the client's experience and was better for it.

Many of us don't realize that satan sends its evil spirits to attack us similarly. An enemy sent to put pressure on you at work and on the drive home so that instead of smiling at your neighbor's kids when you arrive, you growl at them to get off your lawn. An enemy that wants you to complain about what God has blessed you with instead of recognizing the grace you received and thanking Him for His kindness. The great thing is that Jesus died on the cross to set everyone free and once a person understands the weight of that freedom, they can command the devil and its minions so that they all flee. Jesus Himself said in Luke 10:19 - I have given you the authority to trample snakes and scorpions and to destroy the enemy's power. Nothing will hurt you (GWT). The devil has no power for those who believe in Christ and live to please the Lord. This is why believers can freely declare "satan has no hold over me," just as the Savior did.

I want to encourage you to look at whatever issues you are dealing with. Ask the Lord to identify the spirit(s) working in the darkness to cause these problems. Then, break agreement with the enemy. You're wondering how you could have possibly agreed with it. Well, in my case, as I didn't realize I was under attack, I did what the enemy wanted - I grumbled, I wasted time, and I became resentful. That was all it took. Could you have done the same? If so, today is the day to no longer agree with what satan wants for you. Today is the day to open your mouth, declare, and start making choices in thoughts and actions that no longer agree with the enemy.

God bless you!

PS: I applied this approach to another issue and in less than 24 hours, God sent victory. Plus, I'd been struggling with a personal project and having prayed, I got understanding and zeal to tackle things in a few hours. I trust the Lord to bring more victory on the other matters I'm waiting on.

Are You Living to Please Others or the Lord? - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) February 6, 2024

We live in a world where the need to be liked and approved by others is incessant. Some are focused on how many likes they receive on their comments and pictures. It seems normal to do whatever it takes to get attention and be accepted by others. This desire is not a new phenomenon and didn't just begin in the age of social media. It has been a part of human psychology for a very long time.

It even created problems among some of the early disciples. For instance, the Lord used Apostle Peter at Cornelius's house to teach that even Gentiles could be part of the church. Yet, he eventually stopped fraternizing with them. Galatians 2 tells us this was because he succumbed to peer pressure from Christian Jews who wanted to hold on to the old way of thinking - that uncircumcised Gentiles were unclean and thus should not be among them. Peter's choice to agree with that group of believers caused Apostle Paul to chastise him publicly. Why did Peter ignore what the Lord had taught him? One could argue that the need to be liked by others played a role.

This highlights a question that today's believers must address: Who are you living to please? Are you focused on receiving approval from people or the Lord?

In Galatians 1:10, Apostle Paul wrote, "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Paul knew he couldn't appease human beings and remain a true servant of Jesus Christ. This must have been hard to do because people are social beings but he nevertheless stuck to his principles. He understood that his focus had to be on God and not on man. Similarly, James 4:4 warns that "friendship with the world means enmity against God." And as Christians, we can't ignore these scriptures because they speak directly to our relationship with God. After all, both James, the brother of Jesus, and Paul believed that to be servants of the Lord He must be the priority.

We therefore must be more concerned with how God sees us than how the world sees us. We must live our lives seeking to please Him and not be acceptable to people. This can be very difficult in our world where we are encouraged to put our principles to the side to be accepted by others.

Still, we must remember when God will help us once we commit. When He is the priority, what is normal for the people of the world will no longer be normal. Checking the news or social media won't be the first thing we do in the morning, for instance. Opening the Bible and praying will become the better alternative. Using foul language and listening to such will no longer feel appropriate. Rather than arguing and fighting, walking away from tense situations becomes the norm.

The choice to please God instead of man may seem hard to put into practice, but the rewards will always be worth it. Paul noted that the choice meant he could serve Christ. James said it meant not being an enemy of God. Are we willing to make the same choice so we can also enjoy these and other benefits? Will we focus on living lives that please people or will we aim to please the Lord?

To learn more on this topic, please read these related messages:

1. A Person After God's Own Heart

2. What Pleases God & What He Wants

3. Do What Pleases God 

4. Are You Living to Please Others or the Lord?

5. Find Out What Pleases The Lord

6. A Person After God's Own Heart