WHEN THE MINISTER IS IN TROUBLE
"Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you." - Matt 17:27
The above scenario was intended to embarrass Jesus. The devil thought since Jesus didn't have any cash with him, he would use the opportunity to embarrass our Lord. Though Jesus was not suppose to pay tax yet they wanted to paint Him as a tax evader!
Dear minister of God, the occasion the devil intends to embarrass you with, are occasions to show God's power. There are times when it will seem that the minister is in poverty, there would be times when sickness may ravage your family; but please know that it is an occasion for God's glory.
Peter's mother in law was lying sick at home, yet he went about with Jesus healing the sick while sickness was in his house, many would have made jest and it is possible that you're in such a position today. Please, let this piece develop your faith, know that all things will work together...
The lame man by the beautiful gate also was asking for money and Peter and John did not even have offering for the service they were going to attend, but instead of an embarrassment, the power of God showed forth.
Don't despair, don't be discouraged, He who has called you is faithful, who also will do it! Trust Him who has called you.
TROUBLE OF FINANCE
"A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, 'your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.'" - 2Kings 2:1
The pastor died in debt, leaving his children as collateral. That situation must have been very embarrassing, what would the congregation be saying? The man feared the Lord yet debt did not fear him...the financial hardship doused his faith till he died.
It is not uncommon in our time to see ministers in debt, some preach in buses so as to evade payment of transport fare, because of survival some ministers are only known to collect offering, and this indeed can be an embarrassment to the body of Christ.
As I have pointed earlier, the minister is suppose to be a solution provider not a problem carrier, but when he is faced with such a funny situation - he must look beyond men for a solution, he must call on Him who has called him. He called you so you can call on Him!
We know that when the matter was tabled before God, the situation changed. The minister must trust God for his needs.
"For God is not unjust to forget your work and labour of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister." - Heb 6:10
If all your labour has been for His name, then that situation is suppose to be for a miracle. The sons of the prophets cried again that they borrowed an ax and the ax sunk, yet it became a situation to see God's power in action.
Do not despair that you don't have cash in your pocket, do not despair that your rent will be due soon and the offering is not enough. Don't be afraid!
If you have ministered unto His name, He will show up. The only insurance the minister has, is the Word He heard and the faith he presently possesses, if your faith can be intact, then His promise will manifest.
TROUBLE OF VISION
"Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation." - 1Sam 3:1
I personally believe this was the very problem of prophet Eli's ministry, I believe that, when a minister cannot offer anything divine anymore, he begins to lose relevance.
The man of God should know when he has turned to employing church growth mechanism rather than being led by the spirit. The minister should know when tradition has taken over in place of the fresh word of God.
Though the congregation may not be able to adequately discern your error, as some of them attend church as a religious obligation rather than for divine expectation, but the minister will do well to examine his faith.
Though Eli's eyes have began to grow dim, he wasn't suppose to lose vision. Samson derailment started when all he could see was a woman and this caused him his ministry.
"Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." - Jer 33:3
Dear minister, what has happened to your prayer altar, how come you now suffer the concordance to prepare a message rather than seeking the bread of life. When did you start searching the internet for stories to make the message interesting. It could be that, there are weights and besetting sins that has crowded your vision.
Why not go and build your prayer altar again, why not go for a retreat, why not knee in confession to the one who can restore your consecration.
Ministers would be erring if they think their reputation is more important than God's approval.
It was not a difficult thing for Peter to fall, when he refused to pray, it was also not a difficult thing for God to restore him too, when he repented.... Why not cry to God to rescue you from this challenge.
TROUBLED HOME
"one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)" - 1Tim 3:4-5
The home is the first test of our walk with God, the testimony of a godly family gives a strong backing to the word a minister professes outside. The minister is first, the priest of his home before talking of the congregation.
We know that the children of Eli were trouble for his ministry, but we also know that a certain Phillip talked about in Acts 21, had four daughters who prophesied. Even God testified that Abraham was dependable enough to command his family.
It is an error to always think that ministers children are always corrupt, they are corrupt because you do not know how to rule your home. In fact, in the old testament, a Levite knows for sure that his child has to be groomed to become a priest, so he understands the responsibility of the home.
"Here am I and the children whom the LORD has given me! We are for signs and wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, who dwells in Mount Zion." - Isaiah 8:18
You must seek out God's agenda for your child, you must begin to take responsibility for your child. Immediately John the Baptist was born, Zacharias, his father began to prophesy upon his life, he understood that it was what he called forth from the child by God's leading that comes forth.
Don't be too busy to think God exempts you from taking responsibility over your family, don't be so ignorant to assume your children are just your wife's responsibility. The Lord will ask you the father.
Your children shouldn't cause you trouble as the scripture clearly states in Isaiah 65:23 that you will not bring up children for trouble. Begin to prophesy on your children's destiny.
GOOD TROUBLE
"Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, 'is that you, O troubler of Israel?' And he answered, 'I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father's house have, that you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed Baals." - 1Kings 18:17-18
The consecrated life of a minister should cause trouble to a sinful world, the dedicated service of the minister should cause trouble to corrupt men. The minister's insistence on righteousness should indeed cause trouble to the workers of iniquity.
Do not expect the devil to fold his arms and watch you rattle all his works, but you O minister must fight the good fight of faith without apology. You must cause trouble by insisting that you wouldn't be intimidated by the opposition of the wicked.
If you've not started causing trouble for the lawless, then your impact isn't enough yet, yes I agree that we should live peaceably with all men - but when it comes to the matter of your ministry, you will have trouble; and that will happen as you attain heights with God.
"But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, 'These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.'" - Acts 17:6
A sinful world is never comfortable with the righteous, the presence of the righteous is always a threat to the kingdom of darkness. It is left to the minister whether he will stay firm and command the authority of God or be intimidated to be silenced.
The minister will face tribulation and cause many uproar, and indeed this is what the true minister is meant for.
Rejoice in that trouble and insist on righteousness.
CONCLUSION: Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all - Psalm 34:19
God bless you and I love you
Akinsuroju Femi
The above scenario was intended to embarrass Jesus. The devil thought since Jesus didn't have any cash with him, he would use the opportunity to embarrass our Lord. Though Jesus was not suppose to pay tax yet they wanted to paint Him as a tax evader!
Dear minister of God, the occasion the devil intends to embarrass you with, are occasions to show God's power. There are times when it will seem that the minister is in poverty, there would be times when sickness may ravage your family; but please know that it is an occasion for God's glory.
Peter's mother in law was lying sick at home, yet he went about with Jesus healing the sick while sickness was in his house, many would have made jest and it is possible that you're in such a position today. Please, let this piece develop your faith, know that all things will work together...
The lame man by the beautiful gate also was asking for money and Peter and John did not even have offering for the service they were going to attend, but instead of an embarrassment, the power of God showed forth.
Don't despair, don't be discouraged, He who has called you is faithful, who also will do it! Trust Him who has called you.
TROUBLE OF FINANCE
"A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, 'your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.'" - 2Kings 2:1
The pastor died in debt, leaving his children as collateral. That situation must have been very embarrassing, what would the congregation be saying? The man feared the Lord yet debt did not fear him...the financial hardship doused his faith till he died.
It is not uncommon in our time to see ministers in debt, some preach in buses so as to evade payment of transport fare, because of survival some ministers are only known to collect offering, and this indeed can be an embarrassment to the body of Christ.
As I have pointed earlier, the minister is suppose to be a solution provider not a problem carrier, but when he is faced with such a funny situation - he must look beyond men for a solution, he must call on Him who has called him. He called you so you can call on Him!
We know that when the matter was tabled before God, the situation changed. The minister must trust God for his needs.
"For God is not unjust to forget your work and labour of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister." - Heb 6:10
If all your labour has been for His name, then that situation is suppose to be for a miracle. The sons of the prophets cried again that they borrowed an ax and the ax sunk, yet it became a situation to see God's power in action.
Do not despair that you don't have cash in your pocket, do not despair that your rent will be due soon and the offering is not enough. Don't be afraid!
If you have ministered unto His name, He will show up. The only insurance the minister has, is the Word He heard and the faith he presently possesses, if your faith can be intact, then His promise will manifest.
TROUBLE OF VISION
"Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation." - 1Sam 3:1
I personally believe this was the very problem of prophet Eli's ministry, I believe that, when a minister cannot offer anything divine anymore, he begins to lose relevance.
The man of God should know when he has turned to employing church growth mechanism rather than being led by the spirit. The minister should know when tradition has taken over in place of the fresh word of God.
Though the congregation may not be able to adequately discern your error, as some of them attend church as a religious obligation rather than for divine expectation, but the minister will do well to examine his faith.
Though Eli's eyes have began to grow dim, he wasn't suppose to lose vision. Samson derailment started when all he could see was a woman and this caused him his ministry.
"Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." - Jer 33:3
Dear minister, what has happened to your prayer altar, how come you now suffer the concordance to prepare a message rather than seeking the bread of life. When did you start searching the internet for stories to make the message interesting. It could be that, there are weights and besetting sins that has crowded your vision.
Why not go and build your prayer altar again, why not go for a retreat, why not knee in confession to the one who can restore your consecration.
Ministers would be erring if they think their reputation is more important than God's approval.
It was not a difficult thing for Peter to fall, when he refused to pray, it was also not a difficult thing for God to restore him too, when he repented.... Why not cry to God to rescue you from this challenge.
TROUBLED HOME
"one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)" - 1Tim 3:4-5
The home is the first test of our walk with God, the testimony of a godly family gives a strong backing to the word a minister professes outside. The minister is first, the priest of his home before talking of the congregation.
We know that the children of Eli were trouble for his ministry, but we also know that a certain Phillip talked about in Acts 21, had four daughters who prophesied. Even God testified that Abraham was dependable enough to command his family.
It is an error to always think that ministers children are always corrupt, they are corrupt because you do not know how to rule your home. In fact, in the old testament, a Levite knows for sure that his child has to be groomed to become a priest, so he understands the responsibility of the home.
"Here am I and the children whom the LORD has given me! We are for signs and wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, who dwells in Mount Zion." - Isaiah 8:18
You must seek out God's agenda for your child, you must begin to take responsibility for your child. Immediately John the Baptist was born, Zacharias, his father began to prophesy upon his life, he understood that it was what he called forth from the child by God's leading that comes forth.
Don't be too busy to think God exempts you from taking responsibility over your family, don't be so ignorant to assume your children are just your wife's responsibility. The Lord will ask you the father.
Your children shouldn't cause you trouble as the scripture clearly states in Isaiah 65:23 that you will not bring up children for trouble. Begin to prophesy on your children's destiny.
GOOD TROUBLE
"Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, 'is that you, O troubler of Israel?' And he answered, 'I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father's house have, that you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed Baals." - 1Kings 18:17-18
The consecrated life of a minister should cause trouble to a sinful world, the dedicated service of the minister should cause trouble to corrupt men. The minister's insistence on righteousness should indeed cause trouble to the workers of iniquity.
Do not expect the devil to fold his arms and watch you rattle all his works, but you O minister must fight the good fight of faith without apology. You must cause trouble by insisting that you wouldn't be intimidated by the opposition of the wicked.
If you've not started causing trouble for the lawless, then your impact isn't enough yet, yes I agree that we should live peaceably with all men - but when it comes to the matter of your ministry, you will have trouble; and that will happen as you attain heights with God.
"But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, 'These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.'" - Acts 17:6
A sinful world is never comfortable with the righteous, the presence of the righteous is always a threat to the kingdom of darkness. It is left to the minister whether he will stay firm and command the authority of God or be intimidated to be silenced.
The minister will face tribulation and cause many uproar, and indeed this is what the true minister is meant for.
Rejoice in that trouble and insist on righteousness.
CONCLUSION: Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all - Psalm 34:19
God bless you and I love you
Akinsuroju Femi
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