Sidney Williams
A wise and successful pastor, by worldly standards, once taught me that money follows ministry. He argued that it was important to focus on the ministry or serving God’s people and not to worry about where the money will come from to sustain my family or the overhead of the ministry. It is a difficult concept to grasp when one considers the basic anatomy of business plan. Certainly you must raise capital before you start a new venture. No one would argue with me that you must have faith to start a new venture, in spite of the high risk and certain failure. Nevertheless, this wise pastor admonished me to do the ministry and disregard conventional wisdom or common sense.
As a man of great faith I took this pastor at his word. I gave up everything to pursue ministry with the belief that God would restore everything that I sacrificed in due season. Well it has been a struggle and I am thankful for the people that have invested in my ministry and I am painfully aware of the great sacrifices many have made. In many cases, people felt sorry for my condition or just could not fathom such a sacrifice. The donations I received were an emotional response for some and for others not much thought was given at all. It is hard to build a sustainable ministry with this type of giving.
I have often found myself exploring what type of ministry does money follow. Am I engaged in the right type or mix of ministry? Do I need another degree? Am I in the right church? Am I really called to be in ministry? Is there really any money in ministry?
Today, July 16, 2010, God has revealed to me what type of ministry I must lead with if there is going to be any money for other ministry. After the vision has been cast and the team has been selected, it is time to pray and focus on the people. In the 8th chapter of the Gospel according to Luke, we find this brief review of the ministry of Jesus the Christ. And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, and certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, and Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. The emphasis I want to call your attention to is the ministry of healing – spiritual and physical.
Before Jesus dealt with the more challenging aspects of his ministry where the faith of his team would be tested, he first focused on healing. People bring so much baggage and past hurt to church and it is even worse when they have been hurt by the church they are attending. There can be so much distrust, rumors and ignorance. I am convinced that until people are healed they are not really interested in truth. It seems that people get excitement from twisting information and making themselves appear holy, i.e. the Pharisees!
The good news about the healing ministry is that it enables people to recover their purpose and mission for life. Dead people cannot follow a living vision. There must be resurrection of mind and spirit. It is well documented that depression isolates and drains people of their energy and excitement for life. This is further complicated with acute and terminal illness. People that have congenital illnesses or who are born with disabilities are able to lead far more productive lives than people who are crippled by disease or trauma. This is where God does his best work through the Holy Spirit working through health-care professionals, clergy and caregivers. In many cases, a prayer is all that is needed to activate the healing process.
When ministry begins with faith in healing there will be more than enough capital for the recovery of God’s vision and purpose for life. I invite you start the recovery process today. The best is yet to come!
1. Lay aside your doubts, worries, and cares: Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God!” As you begin your prayer, be as still and calm as possible. If you can’t, don’t worry. God will accept you as you are. Just trust that God will act.
2. Open yourself to God: Just as we need to plug a light into electricity to receive its power, we need to plug into God to receive healing power. Try taking a minute to silently recite to yourself, “Bless the Lord, O my soul.” When you feel more open to God, ask God to enter you and grow within you.
3. Pray: Pray for your healing. Be specific. Imagine what you want God to do and ask for it. Ask with confidence. A suggested prayer: “Lord, I know that it is your will for me to be whole and holy. Let you power enter me and heal me. Heal me by… (be specific). Thank you for healing me.”
4. Trust and believe that God’s power is entering into you: When God works, we usually don’t see, sense, or feel it. Sometimes healing is immediate, more often it is slow and gradual. This is especially true of pervasive physical diseases like cancer or degenerative diseases and mental illness. Don’t spend time analyzing whether you are being healed or not. Just trust and believe.
5. Thank God for healing you: When we thank God, we are appreciating God, and the more we appreciate God, the more we allow God into our lives. After you pray for healing, take time to thank God for being with you.
6. Set up a prayer discipline:
Too often people pray once, and when nothing happens, quit praying. God wants us not only to pray, but to pray constantly. It is through our constant prayer that God increases in our lives. Make regular times for healing prayer. Do it two or three times a day. Also, keep it simple and direct.
2 Comments
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI
I had the pleasure of reading what you have penned and i must say i am so glad that i did. You message revived me and my ministry and it helped me to refocuss and do what i was called for. Rev. Williams thank you and stay blessed!
Thank you my brother.