Category: Ministry

the work or vocation of a minister of religion

More than Conquerors

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Steps becoming more than a Conqueror

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Romans 8:37 “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

First step “Claim the victory”

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Second step “Obtain the strength that you will need from the correct source”

2nd Corinthians 10:3-4 and 5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. Vs 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, Vs 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”

Third step “Dress correctly for protection and use the right weapons to become victorious”

Ephesians 6:10-17 “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.“

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 ¶ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Fourth step “Vision yourself as being more that a conqueror”

Romans 8:38-39 “for I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—-beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, Vs 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  [Amplified version]

The term “more than a conqueror” means that someone not only has achieved a victory, but are overwhelmingly victorious leaving no doubt as to who not only won the battles, but also who won the war.

When a person is considered to be “more than a conqueror”, they are sometimes seen as; a winner, a hero, a subduer, a vanquisher, a victor, and defeater.

When the enemy comes in like a flood, and a person is facing trials in their lives, it looks like the odds are against you, take a moment to remind yourself that greater is He that is in you, than he who is in the world, then look at yourself as being “more than a conqueror” and claim the victory.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the authority and power to be “more than conquerors”, in your precious name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

What Ever

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What Ever

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (NKJV)

Three of the gospels record Mary (the sister of Martha and Lazarus) with the act of anointing Jesus with oil.

John 12:3 “Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.”

Mary performed this act to signal her devotion, and may not have realized the significance of what she was doing. Mary’s act of anointing Jesus, symbolized the anticipation of His death and burial, also the anointing of Jesus by Mary can also be looked at as an act of worship.

Colossians 3:23-24 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men (people pleasing) Vs 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

Incentive: something that motivates or encourages one to do something or work harder.

Mary had the incentive to use expensive oil contained in an expensive container, not being concerned about the cost of the oil or the container.

1st Corinthians 10:31 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”

Motivation: the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.

Mary was motivated to do what she did as an act of worship, and not to impress Jesus or others that were there in the house.

1st Peter 4:10 “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”      

Priorities: the order of importance of doing things.

Mary’s priority was focused on doing what honored Jesus, and not being discouraged about the comments or what people were saying about why she was using the expensive oil, or breaking the alabaster flask.

Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Often time’s people will question your actions because what they see you doing does not make sense to them. One of the disciples, Judas asked the question “why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Financial gain should not always be the incentive, motivation or the priority for a person’s actions.

Father in heaven, may both our words and deeds magnify and glorify you, and be pleasing in your eyesight, in Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

Worry

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Worry

Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body not more than clothing?” (Amp)

Jesus covered several topics in His sermon on the mount. In Matthew chapter 6 verses 25 to 27, Jesus speaks about worrying, and makes it very clear that worrying about anything does not line up with having faith in God. He also gives several examples of God’s provision for all creation.

Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow (seed) nor (reap the harvest) nor gather (the crops) into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not much more than they? (AMP)

Matthew 6:30 “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is (cut and) thrown (as fuel) into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! (AMP)

When a person is worried about something, they are showing a lack of faith and trust that God is in control of what happens.

Worrying is saying “I know what you said God, but…”

Worrying is saying “I believe you are in control of what happens God, but…”

Worrying is not trusting God.

A simple definition of worry is; Thoughts that are being focused on the outcome of something (often expecting negative results), when the person that is worrying has no control over what the outcome will be.

Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.” (AMP)

Worrying can cause anxiety…anxiety can cause stress…stress can cause depression…depression can cause worry. Worrying can cause a person to run in a circle going no where, if that person allows worry to control or consume them. Worrying is not healthy or good for you.

Proverbs 12:25 “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good [encouraging] word makes it glad.” (AMP)

Whatever happens, can only happen if God allows it to happen.

1st Peter 5:7 “Casting all your cares [all anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him for him for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. (AMP)

When worry is replaced with prayer, it is a demonstration of having both trust and faith in almighty God.

Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burden on the LORD [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail). (AMP)

Lord Jesus, I give you all of my cares, and put both my trust and faith in you. In Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

Compromise

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He didn’t compromise

Daniel 6:10 “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.”

A definition of compromise is; “to accept standards that are lower than desirable, or to weaken or give up one’s principles, values, or ideas as for reasons of expediency.”

Daniel not only refused to “compromise” his daily custom of praying, he continued to do it in front of opened windows where he could be clearly seen by others.  

He could have easily “compromised” and gone to a different place to pray, or close the windows to not be seen by others.

The 6th chapter of Daniel gives a detailed story of how Daniel rose to a position of authority over others.

Daniel was a favorite of the king. He had experience, wisdom, a sense of history, great leadership abilities, a positive attitude and revelation from God. Daniel 6:3 “Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirt was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.”

Individuals plotted against Daniel to have him cast into the lion’s den; Vs 7 “All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.”

Daniel was saved from the lions because of God’s intervention; Vs 22 “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

This fate that should killed Daniel, wound up destroying those that had plotted against Daniel along with their families; Vs 24 “And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.”

God gets the glory out of it all; Vs 26 “I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.”

Often times it might cost something to stand up for the values that a persons has. As we see in the story of Daniel, the price that might be paid can be the threat of losing ones life.

Daniel 6:16 “So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions.”

On several occasions I have heard the term “count the cost.” Daniel did not hesitate to “count the cost” when he heard that the writing was signed, he immediately went to his regular place of prayer and started praying.

On any given occasion, a person will be given the opportunity to compromise the values that they have. Like with Daniel, when we trust and have faith in God to protect and deliver us, there is no need to “compromise” or worry about the outcome of not compromising.

Lord Jesus, we stand on your word that you “Will never leave us or forsake us, and you are a friend that sticks closer that a brother. May we always be reminded of the example that was set by your servant Daniel. In Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev