- “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!