God’s Part and Your Part in Ministry

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What is the balance between our part in ministry and God’s part? This question is an extension of the issue of our part and God’s part in sanctification. The latter is addressed in Philippians 2:12,13:

“Therefore, my beloved…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling [it was already “in-worked” at regeneration by grace -Titus 3:5]; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure [He expresses His power through us; we need to work out the evidence and maturation process in our soul as we cooperate].

Bob Hoekstra describes the cooperation of God ministering through Paul. Notice this avoids the extremes of passivity (God not requiring my participation) and also the extreme self-effort.

Yes, Paul “labored…abundantly.” In another letter he wrote: “To this end I also labor, striving” (Colossians 1:29). Elsewhere he stated: “For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day…we preached to you the gospel of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:9). As he wrote the believers in Corinth he recalled: “Are they ministers of Christ…I am more: in labors more abundant…in journeys often…in weariness and toil” (2 Corinthians 11:23, 26-27).

How startling to learn that Paul was not the cause behind this wondrous effect. This is seen in his confession: “yet not I.” Paul exerted himself for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. How can a man labor strenuously and yet not be the cause of it all? The answer is in the remainder of his testimony: “yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” God’s grace at work in Paul’s life was the effective dynamic that brought forth such godly labor here on earth. “But by the grace of God I am what I am.” If we put our hope in the Lord, His grace will prove effective in our lives as well, giving us a testimony similar to Paul’s: “and His grace toward me was not in vain.”

– Day by Day by Grace 2/14

Plans to Prosper You

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by Dr. Lewis Gregory

THE WORD IS: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. ” Jeremiah 29:11 LB

THE POINT IS: So what’s the plan? You were built for greatness. After all, the great and mighty God is the one who created you. The Source of greatness is found in God alone. Great expectations come from a great God; and the Lord God Almighty has great expectations for you. When God is your source, greatness is your destiny. God wants the best for you. God has great things in store for you. God can make you the best that you can be. That is why He sent the Lord Jesus Christ to you. When Christ comes to indwell you, He becomes your very life. And it doesn’t get any better than that!

THE APPLICATION IS: Do you want to realize your true potential? Then stop just dreaming of greatness, and start living your dream! Give yourself completely to the Lord Jesus Christ and discover the difference that Christ can make in your life. As a new creation in Christ you become the best that you can be. You can’t improve on God! God created you anew in Christ, and as with all of His creation, God declares you very good! Your destiny doesn’t have to be merely a future hope. It can become a present reality! Are you living your destiny? If you allow Christ to live His life through you, you will! But you must stick with The Plan. And then you’ll have a future to look forward to!

P.S. HAVING A POWER STRUGGLE? Most Christians realize they need power, but they are going about it all wrong. We need to tap into the true power source and allow Him to flow through us. So how do you do that? Listen to THE POWER SOURCE. http://www.sourceministries.net/go/2013/01/01-the-power-source/

Courtesy of http://www.sourceministries.net

Be Born in Me

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At Christmas time we especially remember the incarnation of the Son of God. Although the virgin birth is a unique miracle, there is a similarity between the Son of God developing in Mary (according to His human nature), and the Spirit of Christ residing in the life of the new covenant believer. The apostle Paul described his ministry in this way:

Music Video. Click link below

“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” (Col. 1:27-29)

The song, Be Born in Me voices a prayer that echoes Mary’s. See a video of the music by Francesca Battistelli here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOPHkvbdOpw

The Value of Christ-Centered Counseling

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I recently received a replacement copy of a book that was a blessing in explaining the “not I, but Christ” life. The Key to Triumphant Living heralds the meaning and implications of verses such as Colossians 1:27:  “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The author, Dr. Jack R. Taylor, testifies that when his emotional and spiritual life was at a low ebb, the Holy Spirit illumined to him the personal significance of the indwelling Christ. His web site summarizes an important chapter of his ministry:

In 1970, God moved in revival in the congregation that Jack Taylor was pastoring.  In six months over 3000 people came to know the Lord.  Jack was launched from Castle Hills First Baptist Church in 1974 in to a worldwide ministry through his speaking and writing.  Now at 80 years old, he continues to preach predominantly in the United States in churches of many denominations, with trips to Canada, England, Tanzania, West Africa, Germany, Austria and Latin America.

Jack also served as a board member of Grace fellowship International and recorded an endorsement of the Exchanged Life Conference and training available through GFI:

audio1Audio link here

Your Identity

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As pastors, we tend to identify ourselves my our ministry status. But how is that affected by the ups and downs of attendance, congregational favor/disfavor, and change? This short video from Worship House Media reminds us of how our spiritual identity in Christ can be source of stability and encouragement.

identity_whm–> click here

Tribute to John Shepherd

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John L. Shepherd Jr. (age 75) of Knoxville, TN went to be with the Lord September 13th. He was a Baptist Pastor serving Trenton Street Baptist Church in Harriman, Indian Springs Baptist Church in Kingsport, Bethlehem Baptist Church in Oneida and Chilhowee Hills Baptist Church in Knoxville. In 1998 he founded and became president of Calvary Road Ministries to the Maasai in Kenya until the present. www.CalvaryRoad.com

John also taught at Grace Fellowship’s School of Spirituotherapy. Here is a video of his testimonial message:

Exchanged Life and Missions on Vimeo.

A SHEPHERD WITH THE LAMB!

John heeded the call to ministry
Assuming it was to pastor;
And pastor he surely did,
Until a ministry that was ‘vaster’!

His ministry to churches
Was attended with much fruit,
Until compared with latter years
Where missions did him suit!

His call to the Maasai was bona fide
With souls saved far and wide,
And with scriptural churches planted
With a team of believers by his side.

Now, the Maasai assume the lead
And harvest the seed sown;
They appreciate outside help,
But the churches are home grown!

John has fulfilled his calling
With the Kingdom spread abroad;
Being absent from the body,
He is now present with his Lord!

-C. R. Solomon 9-20-13

Brazil Pastors Fermata

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As I minister to pastors and Christian workers through the Fermatas in Brazil and Marli in Project Hannah world wide, we often encounter leaders who are disheartened, exhausted and ready to quit. Statistics show that burnout is the number one reason why so many don’t finish well. That begs the question: “Why don’t they experience the truth of Christ’s promise in Matthew 11:28-30, that His burden is light and that He gives rest to the soul?”

My personal discovery is that the values of the protestant reformation, which have shaped my family for generations, emphasize the doing. Christian ethics have motivated my thriving for the best in behavior and performance since my early youth. But it took years, a couple of crisis’s and utter brokenness before I understood that the Christian life is not based on my well intended performance, or doing, rather is the life of Christ Himself in me. As I accept His invitation, go to Christ and abide in Him, I experience Joy and Freedom. Instead of striving I can rest in Him. Then my doing becomes the outflows of the life of Christ in me. That is what He teaches in the parable of the vine and the branches. In the end only Christ Himself can live the Christian life. The fact that He wants to live it through me is such an amazing discovery. Now I learn as Paul did, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Php 4:13.)” This way the Christian life becomes rest and joy…

– Edmund Spieker
Cary, NC

Church Renewal in South Africa

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We just had a wonderful morning of quick fellowship with one of our trainees of many years ago. I think I have told you about him in the past. Drs, J. E. and his wife_____.

______’s [Her] life was changed dramatically by the Exchanged Life when we trained her and her team who are ministering to the homeless. After J______ saw the dramatic change in his wife, he wanted to know more. He invited us to train him and a cell group. During the training J______ had an encounter with the Holy Spirit and the old J_____ “died” (Luke 9:23).

Then he invited us to do the training with his elders. Now his whole church is based on the Exchanged Life (Gal. 2:20).  He says that his whole ministry has changed and he now has a vision. The Exchanged Life is not just another course which can be ticked off as done.

He can now measure spiritual growth. He now knows what discipleship is. He now knows where other ministries fit in–after the Cross (Rom. 6:6-14) is applied. He has trained people in his church to carry the message of the Cross. His church is an example of how the Cross is the cornerstone and the message of a church. And his church is growing. It is not that he is interested in numbers, he wants people to know the Cross and as he says: “the Cross applied.”

He also started an English church, _____________ for the thousands of foreigners living in the Bellville area. This church is also growing…

Thank you again for sending [training materials] to us. It is of great value to all our trainees. When we go to Fish Hoek we will give it to Gordon to copy as well and also to our brother George.

Before we leave Cape Town we will invite all our co-workers from Cape Town and Surroundings and we will have a time of fellowship and thanking God. We will ask all the participants to give a short testimony of how God is using them. The aim is also to strengthen the network of all the ones who “died in Christ”. Wish you could all be here, We will let you know when it happens and we will make a video for you to see all your “offspring”.

We also had such good news from a young man Hendrik ministered to in Pretoria. He was in a big black hole and Hendrik kept on encouraging him and bringing him the Cross. Last night we heard that he has a steady job now and is a changed person. He wrote a poem to the Lord with Whom he is now totally in love with. As Amanda taught us: I AM IN LOVE WITH YOU. When we move to Pretoria we will be close to him and be able to disciple him.

We praise God to be part of this glorious ministry. Many blessings and favour to you all.
–Hendrik and Nehlsie

SHOR Ministries

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The purpose of Shepherds’ Haven of Rest Ministries is to provide a ministry of spiritual help and encouragement to pastors and wives (including staff members and wives) that serves to rekindle the fires of their passion for God and ministry as well as their love for each other.

To renew their spiritual lives, their walk with the Lord, their marriage, and their ministry through worship, relaxation, solitude, counseling, and encouragement.

To refresh their bodies, minds, and spirits.

To refocus their sense of God’s calling and purpose for their lives.

To restore their passion for God, for their marriage, and for ministry.

The long-term goal of the ministry is to help curb the dropout rate of pastors and to see men serve the Lord in power and joy.”

Recently they started providing a copy of Handbook to Happiness to each of the couple attending the retreats. Pray that these getaways will be refreshing physically, relationally, and spiritually.