GET BACK IN THE GAME!

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable…Romans 11:29 NKJV

The grace and mercy of our God knows no bounds. To think that the Lord Almighty would choose to plan and work through weak, sin-susceptible human agents, that He would purpose to use such inferior beings to be His ambassadors, His representatives, His ‘hands and feet’ so to speak, is perhaps the defining description of His grace and mercy. To these objects of mercy, you and I, He has given gifts and callings that He will not repeal nor nullify even through the depths of our subsequent foolishness. When Samson’s hair grew back, the return to his Nazarite commitment, his anointing returned…

For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required. Luke 12:48 KJV

A while back I encountered a man whom I had not seen since we graduated from Bible College. I had heard he was in the area, and I simply wanted to meet him. As I recall, this man had more personal charisma in his little finger than I had in my whole body. When I met him, I was taken back. This was a man who at one time had consecrated his life to Jesus Christ, a man ordained of God. He was offended when I made a small inquiry as to how he was serving God. He also shared a story that was so vulgar that I could not believe it came from the mouth of an ordained one, or could be shared so brazenly with other ordained ones. What had happened to this man of God? And, what could be done to help him?

And He gave some to be…for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ…Eph. 4:11-13 NKJV

The fivefold ministries are the tip of the spear in the advancement of the Kingdom of God. If they get taken out, then the advancement of the Kingdom is severely limited. This is true because God has given the earth to men, and chosen to work through men to accomplish His purposes. If they drop the ball so to speak, God will wait for a new generation to rise up through whom He can work. He will not compromise His principles for expediency, and He will hold men accountable for what they do with His calling. The faithfulness of the fivefold ministries effects the lives of everyone, saved and unsaved, in their generation.

STAYING IN THE GAME

But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified. 1 Cor. 9:27 NKJV

Careless sin is the slippery slope that leads to the downfall of men and women of God. At the root of sin is the desire to be independent of God…to get so good at ministry that I slowly, almost imperceptibly lose my dependence on God. Soon, the anointing of God is replaced by a religious spirit, and one grows hardened in self – sufficiency, with personal charisma and intimidation getting the results desired. Finally, physics teaches us that hard things get easily broken, and the evil ones break the hardened fivefold minister.

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Eph. 4:32 NKJV

Humility and forgiveness keeps one tender, soft and pliable to the Spirit of God. Martial arts teaches that when your enemy comes hard, you go soft, because hard things can be easily broken when you deflect and counter. A soft answer turns away wrath. When you are tender to God, He will give you a mouth and wisdom that all of your adversaries cannot handle.  Tender hearts cannot be broken. Think of a pillow. Humility and tenderness to God help keep you in the game…

GETTING BACK IN THE GAME

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me … He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted…Luke 4:18 NKJV

One of my favorite movies from the Eighties is TOPGUN. The hero is a fighter pilot whose heart is broken when he accidentally causes the death of his best friend. He suffers terribly, and loses his confidence to fly and fight. Finally, he has to release his guilt, reassert his confidence and engage again, because the lives of others are counting on him.

People lose their fire and quit when their hearts get broken. We are all tempted to carry burdens rather than cast them on God. When we fall into that trap, and people shatter our expectations, then we become hard and vulnerable. Everything within us wants to quit and walk away, and we could even feel justified in doing so. But…Yeshua  didn’t , when He could have in the Garden, and we are called to follow Him.

Yeshua can heal your broken heart, if you confess your sin and forgive all others of their sins against you. He can restore you. Quitting your ministry, regardless of the circumstances, is sin before God ( being released from your ministry by God is another thing entirely ). In war they call it desertion under fire, which is a capital offence. The lives of all in combat are dependent upon everyone doing their jobs. So it is true in the Body of Christ…

You can quit your ministry and still be technically in ministry. But you are a shell, a walking zombie, capable of bearing no fruit to God. Repent! Turn around and get in the game! The lives of all whom God has given you, and those interrelated with you, are depending on you. To whom much is given, much is required…

The Lord is gracious, so loving, so kind and understanding. He knows everything about you. If you will run to Him, instead of running from Him, like Jonah, He can turn everything around regarding you, your calling and your life. Run to Him, dear one, and get back in the game!

Remember dear ones, we must be about our Father’s business…