Yesterday as I was working the Holy Spirit brought a question to me. Now, I've known the Holy Spirit for sometime so I know that when he asks a question it's from a position of location. So I carefully examined my “usual answer” and came to this conclusion. I Pastor because I love being a spiritual father. As a spiritual father it allows me the permission and opportunity to build/raise people in faith ultimately, bringing them closer to God. Then I was lead to examine my spiritual children, their lives, and the world we live in. It didn’t take me long to see the bondage that seems to be accepted across our society and even within the church. In my opinion one of the toughest areas of Pastoring is walking out God’s grace. You see God seems to patiently wait for us, guide us, and allows us to fall without making us do anything. I on the other hand, often feel the need to coach and convince members to accept certain concepts within the scripture and adapt them into their lives. I am learning how to allow God to do the work and keep my faith in him for them. This poses a challenge for me, because of the passion/love I have for our people however; all I can do is teach. It is the responsibility of the people to allow God to do the work as a result of them working the word (by way of application) in their lives.
In closing, I suffer because I see slavery that an entire generation is in but, they believe it’s acceptable however; nothing could be further from the truth. I see a generation driven by drugs, sex, and violence. I see people who claim to be strong and intellectual but, can’t even see what’s right in front of their faces. I see an enemy who has done a great job at distracting and destroying an entire generation by simply setting them up for failure time and time again. It is for that reason that I WILL continue in ministry and I WILL continue to be an example, and I WILL continue to teach the truth! I know this is my call because seeing the need verifies my purposes in the Earth and that is why I Pastor!
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Have you ever been in a place in life where your perspective has changed on almost every side? The way you once saw things is no longer how you view them? The things that you once thought were important now seem to be farthest from your mind? That's exactly where we are as a ministry. I have had the pleasure of learning that when God expands you into new levels not everyone will support your supernatural promotion. In fact, some seem to be more interested in breaking you down than building you up. Unfortunately, this has been something I've witnessed time and time again in ministry. Not necessarily with myself but, with those who sit under our teachings. It seems as though when we make a decision to change we have a sign on our back, chest, and stomach that says "shoot here!!" and that is exactly what everyone does. At first I thought it was a satanic attack but,I later learned that it's people in general. See one of the methods I strive to make clear in our church is that everything is not the devil's fault, it's just easier to pass the buck. In most cases the blame is solely on us however; we refuse to accept it. We are flesh therefore; we do flesh stuff. My flesh will gossip, lie, fight, and even partake in sexual thoughts and desires if I allow it to. For example, if I were to partake in those things I could not say "it was the devil" because the fact of the matter is it was all me. I thought about it, I planned it, and I did it. The faster we learn that the better it would be for all of us.
Now that we understand supernatural accountability, we must also come to glimpse with the understanding of change and the struggle thereof. One of the hardest parts of the change is obtaining the strength within to successfully carry out the change without falling for the ploys of the enemy or his distractions. Surprisingly, when you begin to change the people around you will not support that change. In fact, most of them would rather you stay just the way you are. You were more fun, easier to talk to, and understood them better however; you were bound, disgusted, and busted, but everyone in your circle (including yourself) was too blind to see it. If you listen to the people around you then you'll be stuck forever and never get to enjoy your freedom or your destiny for that matter. As difficult as it may be I encourage to keep making the effort to change. Once you accept the fact that not everyone is going to be excited about your change you'll be just fine. It is important that you accept your change and constantly work on it in spite of what others may say or do. If God is pleased then everything else in your life will be pleasing to you because you obeyed his word. Those who honor that are keepers and everyone else will be replaced anyways. Keep your eye on the prize and let nothing stop you from reaching your goal! Remember Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God has a plan and we’re already setup to win! |
James Berry,
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