UNDERSTANDING MINISTRY

“Now it happened, when I [Paul] returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance.
“and saw Him [Jesus] saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’
“So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You.
“Then He said to Me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ “ “
Acts 22:17-19,21 (NKJV)

“to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.”
2 Timothy 1:11 (NKJV)

• When you start out in ministry work, God may permit you to do whatever you feel like doing.

However, after a while, God would want you to come to Him, to receive a specific instruction on what He actually wants you to do.
Paul wanted to have his ministry in Jerusalem, but Jesus appeared to him that he was not assigned to work there—He was assigned to the Gentiles (Acts 22:18-21; 26:15-18).

“Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah:
“I was no prophet, nor was I a son of a prophet, but I was a sheep breeder and a tender of sycamore fruit.
Then the LORD took me as I followed the flock, AND THE LORD SAID TO ME, ‘GO, PROPHESY TO MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’ “
Amos 7:14,15 (NKJV)

You cannot be floating about without knowing the specific assignment God has for you.
God can only bless you so far, only to a limited degree—if you are not at the centre of His will for your life.
In other words, God would not be able to do much for you—if you do not know His plan for your life.

• Many wonder why they are not making progress in the work of ministry! The cause might be their inability to discover God’s plan for their lives and ministries.

Knowing God’s plan for your life will not happen automatically. God is gentlemanly when it comes to talking, He may not talk if you do not ask Him.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
“For everyone who ask receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7,8 (NKJV)

• God wants you to come to Him, ask Him about the plan He has for you, and how He wants you to do the work He committed to your hands.

Without taking this step, you may see yourself toiling in what you are doing.
“Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go.”
Isaiah 48:18 (NKJV)
Knowing your specific assignment and how to go by it is of paramount importance to your success, in the assignment that God has committed to your hands.

• You will not fail in Jesus’ name.
Peace!