The Call To Ministry

 Everyone is called to ministry but some have a special calling. Like some of the Old Testament prophets, people today can receive visions, dreams, or even words from God, telling them of what He has called them to do. Some are called to be preachers, missionaries, or evangelists, but they all have something in common. They were all called by God.

 For example, at fifteen years old, I begin having a series of dreams. I was preaching to a large group of people in a small church in one and in a few others I was speaking with children who were in great need of a bath.  I had begin praying hoping I would learn the reason behind the dreams, but instead I was informed by God, that I was going to be a missionary. Now, I do wish for you to keep in mind that when I was ten, my mom was told by God that I would be in ministry and not to worry about me a bit. She and my Dad kept that to themselves as to not influence me at all. So a couple years have passed and I am running from God, I am uncertain as to why, but I was. I was doing pretty much anything to get out of having to be in ministry. Maybe it was fear, or me just worrying for no good reason.

 Having just graduated May of 2014 and just had my 17th birthday that July, my parents were worried about how I would be when I got a older. So they had cracked down on me, doing a thing they liked to call tomato-staking. Much like how when tomatoes grow, they need something stable to hold them up like a wooden stake in the ground used as a support, because they have become too top heavy and they will just fall over and break their steam, without the support. I was with my parents at all times. I hated every bit of it, though I would never let them know that. But now I can actually see the beauty in it. What a difference a couple years would make. Anyway, August of 2014 was a time of change for me.

 An evangelist visited our church. He was born in Africa and was called to evangelize in America. Pretty cool if you ask me. So the first day he was there, he calls for people in need of healing to come forward. And my mom has pain in her hip, so she goes forward and I followed hoping to show her moral support. But oh man, what happened to me when I went up there. After he got done speaking with my mom and praying over her, he looks at me and calls me to stand in front of him. I felt like a child in front of her father and I was about to get in big trouble. He asks my name and I tell him, then he asks me if we have met before, I say no.

 He precedes to tell me that I am called to be a missionary and four countries God has given him to say. Africa, India, Russia, and England. He asks if I already know this, but before I can say, my mother says yes she does. He asks why I haven't done what I am suppose to. All she can say is that I am running. With this he seemed truly upset and he tells me that I shouldn't be doing that and if I am worrying about school, I shouldn't because it will be completely taken care of. Then he began praying over me, while I am in tears.

I am now about to turn 19 this July and I have been serious about my calling and school ever since that day. I now know without a doubt that God called to be a missionary to children abroad. Money for my school books has been miraculously provided each time I am in need of it. I have found being called both an amazing yet terrifying thing. I am very excited to think that one day I will be overseas ministering to children and telling them all about God.

See when you are called, it isn't like you are just thrown to the wolves. No, God has a big plan. He knows where we are best placed in the world. He knows what we need, like my pastor says," He doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called." No matter where God places you or sends you, He will always be there and He will always take care of us. Being called is so much more than going over here and telling someone about God. It is about giving up your own selfish ambitions and doing what God wishes for you to do.

The Jews vs. The Gentiles

Sometimes, we as Christians believe that we are without sin and we begin judging the people of the world (unbelievers), like the Jews judged the Gentiles. They were circumcised, so what, that didn't make them any better. They were just as dirty as the Gentiles. Just because we call God our Father, it doesn't mean we can go around judging others. No, we should show love to others in a way that points them towards God.

The Jews felt like they were the keepers of the law. That they were to guard and protect the law. They did such an awesome job that only the Jews were allowed to follow it. Their job was to tell other nations about God and his works, but they failed to do so. With them being the only ones allowed to follow it, the Jews failed to glorify God. Like the Jews, God has entrusted us to tell others about Him. We are not suppose to have an holier than thou attitude. If we act like we are better than others, how do we expect them to actually want to come to church? Or want to hear about Jesus? They are going to believe that all Christians are the same and therefore, we may have just lost them forever. If Jesus wanted us to tell others about Him and we refuse or fail to, are we any better than the Jews?

Accepting others will ultimately glorify God. So instead of being mean and acting as if we are better than others, maybe we should focus more on God and leading people to Him. I believe that Paul had a wonderful way of putting this. In Romans 3:9, Paul's states," What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin." Meaning that Jews and Gentiles are equally as bad or as good as the other. Just because the Jews are God's chosen it doesn't mean they are any holier than anyone else. In the same way today, Christians are as equally sinful as an unbeliever. The only difference is we have a glorious Father, that loved us enough to send his son, to forgive us of our sins. Now our job is to not be like the Jews or the Gentiles, but like Paul and share the wonderful news of our Savior.

Learning from Ruth and Naomi

Ruth is one of my favorite women of the bible to learn about. As you can recall, she was married and was having a wonderful life, that was until her dear husband died. Not only was she suffering but so was her sister-in-law Orpah and her mother-in-law Naomi. Out of all of them, Naomi was the one who had it the hardest. She has lost both of her sons and her husband! So time came for them to move on, for there was no one to care for them. Naomi told the girls to go back home to  their families, because she too was going back to her homeland. Orpah did as she was told and went on her way, but Ruth refused.

Ruth showed great courage by going with Naomi to an unknown land, taking Naomi's God as her own. And in almost the same way, we take someone else's God as our own when we first become Christians. We know nothing of this God, we know He sent Jesus to forgive us of our sins if only we would ask, but what else? We may know of the bible stories like Jonah, Noah, and Daniel. But what do we truly know about God when we first become Christians? As new Christians we know almost nothing of God, only Jesus. As growing Christians, we must learn of our gracious Father, the one who loved us enough to sacrifice his son for our souls.

I believe the picture that Ruth and Naomi paint, is one that new and old Christians alike should follow. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we should try and help each other grow closer to our Father. Learn all we can about him and why he loves us so much. We have such an awesome Father and I wish that we would just realize that. And maybe just maybe we can one day show God how much he truly means to us. He is so much more than someone to save us from hell. He is all-powerful, all-knowing and he loves us more than anything. If only we would turn to him and love Him the same.

My Mind--The Enemy?!

 Your own mind can be your worst enemy. Your mind can cause you to do some crazy, off-the-wall things. It can make you think wrong, fear, doubt ,and overthink. But your mind isn't doing this on its own. True you have free will but yet, your mind, my mind, our minds, are the devil's playground. He can run and jump in the sand piles of hate and insecurity. Or slide down a curly slide of jealousy. Swing on the swing of sorrow and doubt. Seesaw our moods by a single thought. But yet we don't blame him, we blame God or each other. Or better yet we go right along with his plans, without a single thought.

 Who is this devil? Is he the guy on your shoulder with a tiny pitchfork, small pointy horns, and a little red suit? Is this bad guy in a hot place where he can never touch us? I don't know the answers to some of the questions like these. But I do know, even the devil was an angel, causing the fall of many other angels. I promise you God was there and still is today. He will fix it all no matter how we feel or what we think. All we must do is simply ask and He will help. God is here to help and you can definitely trust Him.

The following quotes from Spurgeon sums it up well:

"But some will say that they cannot help having bad thoughts. That may be, but the question is: do they hate them or not? We cannot keep thieves from looking in at our windows, but if we open our doors to them and receive them joyfully, we are as bad as they. We cannot help the birds flying over our heads, but we may keep them from building their nests in our hair."

"Vain thoughts will knock at the door, but we must not open to them. Though sinful thoughts rise, they must not reign. He who turns a morsel over and over in his mouth does so because he likes the flavor, and he who meditates upon evil loves it and is ripe to commit it. Think of the devil, and he will appear; turn your thoughts towards sins and your hands will soon follow."

Childrens Ministries in the Assembly of God Denomination

Working with both the Rainbows and the Mpact Girls, I've learned a few things about the basis behind their existence. For one, I never knew the Rainbows, the Mpact Girls , and the Royal Rangers all have to do with missions, whether its raising money or discipling others. I just learned this, recently.

Royal Rangers is a program in charge of preparing young men to become closer to God and to empower them to be all that they can be. Boys can join the Royal Rangers when they enter Kindergarten and can continue earning badges until graduating the 12th grade. Their motto is: "Ready: Ready for anything! Ready to work, play, serve, worship, live, and obey God's Word". To learn more about Royal Rangers and everything they are about, click here.

Mpact Girls is a program training girls to make wise, proper and god-pleasing decisions. Mpact Girls was formal called Missionettes but has since changed. From grades K-12, girls are taught the values of a Christ-like character, teamwork, a servant ministry, and the Holy Spirits guidance. Mpact leaders goal is to empower girls to see God in their lives and all he is doing around them. Their tagline (motto) is: "her heart... her world... His purpose".  For more info on their goals and their vision, click here.

Rainbows is for Preschool age children, ages 3 and up, with stories and crafts based on Noah's Ark. In Rainbows, both Boys and girls alike learn how to be pleasing to God and how to be good helpers to others. Their motto is "Rainbows are helpers".  Click here to learn more about Rainbows.

I first start working with Rainbows, only a year ago. And being with the Rainbows, I've seen how sweet kids truly can be. They enjoy their lessons and crafts. They also share like they are suppose to, even though sometimes they don't really feel like it. Each Wednesday is filled with stories of each child's week, they've been so excited to tell.

Around the time I started helping with the Rainbows, I also began helping with the Mpact Girls as well. I first went to Girl's Camp with them and I couldn't believe how much fun they were to be around. When Chapel came, I seen a total different side of those girls. Each girl had went to the alter with their own problems and situations. But in the end, they were praying for girls they had never met before.

I've yet to help with Royal Rangers but I've seen a definite change in my brothers. They have started reading their Bibles more and are excited to go every Wednesday. They loved when they were learning how to pitch tents and how to catch fish.

I wanted to share these ministries with others because I'm not sure many people know about them unless they are involved with or attend an Assembly of God church. I grew up in this denomination so it's not that new to me. But working with these children, I believe is helping to mold me into the woman God intends for me to be. Watching these children honestly and wholeheartedly turn their lives over to God at such a young age can change anyone's perspective. Working with them and being involved in their lives convinces me more and more everyday that this is what I was chosen to do. I plan on working with children and doing missionary work some day and knowing that these children can hand themselves over to God to be molded and shaped according to His will is a life changer for me and it should be for all people.

Be Ready, He's coming soon!

 
 What really bothers me about The Rapture and The Anti-Christ, is are we even ready for Christ's Second Coming? Most say yes 'cause look at the world, we're living in. But seriously are we ready? We can't compare today's life to the Tribulation, the Rapture, or Armageddon. We may think that the current president is the Anti-Christ or Predecessor,but we truly don't know. Life now days is so busy and corrupt with sin, immorality, & filth, that if He were to come back today, we would never notice. Yes, I can't wait till Jesus comes so that I can see Him & run to Him for an embrace. But I know, I'm not ready and I'm certain many others can agree they aren't ready either. My reasoning behind not being ready would be due to the fact that I know many people who should know God before the Tribulation occurs. They know what they are doing but refuse to ask God for his help. So I find myself constantly angry with them, with my only option being, to pray for them.



 So why do we worry about who the Anti-Christ is? 2 Peter 3:14 says,"So dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make an effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him." How can we be found spotless, if we are to busy dabbling in the world instead of trying to be more like Jesus? Being Christ-like, is hard, especially with the world in it's current state. The common focus for today's christian is to not fall into Satan's traps or other worldly motivations. When people upset us with their actions or words, we should be sure to not cause ourselves to have to repent. They already have to answer for their actions, why should you have to cause yourself to have to do so as well? We should avoid things that would lead us away from being with Christ in heaven or lead us away from ultimately being more Christlike. If that isn't enough motivation, I don't know what is. Why would you want to miss out on the beautiful place that is heaven, or the chance to finally see our amazing Father?

 Although it would be some what interesting to know who the Anti-Christ is or will be, being too focused on that, can lead us astray. And trust me, I've found myself constantly comparing the outside world to the Book of Revelation and the Book of Daniel. It can get you pretty spooked if you read to closely into it and find even one similarity. As you go on from day to day, focus only on how you can be Christ-like and pleasing to our Father. Because He loves us so much and He isn't the least bit okay with us falling away. And even though you see worldly things, that spark your interest, look to the things God has done all around you. What wonderful love he has for us!

The Importance of Interpreting Scripture Correctly

Scripture is sometimes hard to understand, and if not understood correctly, it could leave a person never knowing the full truth. God's Word isn't something to be taken lightly, so when interpreting it, one should be careful to find the Author's true meaning.

 For example, a preacher I heard a while ago, said "Once you are saved, you will always be saved." He took scripture and twisted it to mean something he wished for it to mean. But his congregation wasn't aware of what had happened. So they felt that when, they did wrong, when they stole, cheated, or lied, they'd say it's fine, because I'm saved. This is such a gross misinterpretation of scripture, in my opinion.

 With that preacher saying that one thing, he left the people whom look to him for guidance in the dark. They were left not knowing they must work at doing good and following God's will for their lives. They still just do bad things and figuratively put a sticker on their forehead saying I'm saved, so I'm safe.

 When interperting scripture we must be very careful, so that others and ourselves aren't misled. Because this misleading could lead to our undoing. John Wesley provided a new unique way of looking at this concept.

 "I was saved, I am being saved, and I will be saved."

I was saved means at sometimes a person is forgiven of his or hers sins and began following God.

I am being saved says that, we are working daily to be like Christ. And perfecting our lives as we follow God.

I will be saved, is when we will finally meet God and we will no longer struggle in this world. And we will be forever saved, with God in heaven.

 Therefore, One should pay close attention when interpreting scripture, otherwise, it could cause the down fall of many and leave many never knowing the truth. Our jobs as ministers or anyone involved in ministry is to adequately prepare others to receive Christ as well as live for Him. Our job is to not let them learn for themselves at first. They have to be taught the right way and in a sense the right direction. They also need to know that they are to study what their Pastor says to them on their own, so that they know without a doubt that it is being interpreted correctly and they aren't just taking his word for it.