Pastor's Notes 8-30-2009

Ministry is the opportunity to work with God. We can share our unique experience with those who are following us. Thus, the primary reason why ministry is both critical and essential is that we the help of each other to obtain the things we need. Our uniqueness allows us to uniquely acquire from the Lord that which someone else would have difficulty obtaining. Likewise, their unique abilities can help attain the things you or I need.

Ask yourself the question, what areas of this life am I having difficulty? The answer will be either, what ministry is God leading to start or what ministry should I become involved in. It is the partnership that makes ministry successfully. Why? Because your gifts are really for someone else and not for yourself.

This is so simple that we could live our entire life missing out on what God has purposely created us to be. Take one look around and move into the place you were meant to function in.

Please share your comments

Blessings…

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Pastor's Notes 8-23-2009

I'd like to ask the following questions when I discuss ministry.

1. Who is following you?

2. Who can carry on for you in an emergency?

In a nut shell, ministry is about developing those who are following you. I love the following statement: You are only taking a walk if you say that you have a ministry and no one is following you.

Therefore, I ask you this question:

Minister! who is following you?

We will discuss this further next week.

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Pastor's Notes 8-16-2009

I have spent the last couple of weeks discussing how to recognize where God is working. Today, I would like to discuss what constitutes an appropriate response. I would like to suggest that when one recognizes where He is working; the recognition (itself) is an invitation to join Him in what He is doing. The acceptance of the invitation to join Him eventually leads to ministry. Ministry usually involves more than we tend to believe.

Please consider the following questions as far as ministry is concerned:

1. What is the problem that you recognize where God is working?
2. What is the solution to the problem that God has placed in your heart?
3. Why are you moved to join God in working on this problem?
4. Why MUST you do it NOW?

Tune in as we explore ministry together in the coming weeks.

Pastor's Notes 8-9-2009

Let us summarize what we have been discussing over the past weeks. God has a purpose for our lives. It is our responsibility to find God's purpose for our lives and be about
our Father's business. This is the point where most people get off the bus - they say, I do not know how to find God's purpose for my life and they give up! Not good!

God has provide the church to aid individuals in finding His purpose for their lives. In addition, we talked about problems and circumstances which arise in our lives as well as
deep emotional responses to life experiences. However, the church has remains essential in the quest to determine
our purpose.

The challenge is that time and dedication are required but we often fail to make the appropriate investment. Finding our purpose is fundamental to our life as air, water, and
food is for living.

How are you living today is the question for the moment?

Pastor's Notes 8-2-2009

Last week, I asked the question about being deeply moved emotionally or touched in a special way by an incident or a circumstance. Have you ever gotten teary eyed in the midst of a situation? I would like to suggest that God was speaking to you in that moment. The gospels of Matthew and Mark record three and two instances, respectively, where Jesus was moved with compassion. The verse I like best is, “And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and
touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean” Mark 1:41. My reason may be that I can relate to the blind man's condition of helplessness and great desire for sight (understanding). I believe this is the point where ministries are birthed. This is where God enlightens an individual about where He is at work.

I strongly suggest that you listen extremely, closely for directions from the Lord the next time you are overwhelmed...