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Post by John on Aug 17, 2019 15:24:16 GMT -5
We have been going through Ephesians in our weekly Bible Study, and one thing that we discussed in what is called the 5-fold ministry gifts.
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Ephesians 4:11,12
This is by no means a complete list of every ministry or ministry gift that God has given to the church. There is another list in 1 Corinthians 12:28-31
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But cover earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
Is there something on the inside to where you know your divine calling? Has God spoken to you in an audible voice and said this is your ministry? Has God shown you your calling in a dream or vision? Has the Spirit of God impressed upon you that your calling is something specific? Has God been using you in a certain way? I want to see everyone in the body of Christ have a place to use their gifts and callings. If you want to, feel free to share your ministry in this thread, and if you have any ideas about how you can better use those gifts at Narrow Way, let me know.
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on Aug 17, 2019 15:46:06 GMT -5
My calling in the body has been made manifest by the Lord using me. I’m a sheepdog. I bark at predators, paw on doors left open, smell what’s in the wind, and fetch supplies for shepherds. I also tend to monitor the flock for signs of hunger, confusion, etc. I’m always watching. I watch people, situations, events, everything. Sometimes the Lord speaks through me to give others a prophecy. I’ve also been told I’m good at bringing refreshment to others.
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Dezi
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Post by Dezi on Aug 17, 2019 16:33:23 GMT -5
I am still trying to figure out how someone like me can minister to others? For years I was the kind of person that so many people came to for advice and help. I always had a good listening ear. I gave sound advice. I am an exhorter by nature. I have a sensitive personality and feel the pain of others. I am spiritually sensitive too in many ways. When I left God and was so messed up on psych meds I found all of these things changed in me. I am trying to rediscover them but still need my own mind to heal first. I wanted to go into the field of psychology for years, but now I'm glad that didn't pan out. I was a nursing assistant for a while and did a good bit of schooling for nursing but wasn't able to get done with that either. But, I hope to be able to help others when I am healed. Even if it's just sitting with an elderly person and talking with them about the Lord. Not sure what gifting all that would be?
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Post by 2fw8212a on Aug 17, 2019 21:36:07 GMT -5
Is there something on the inside to where you know your divine calling?
Has God spoken to you in an audible voice and said this is your ministry?
Has God shown you your calling in a dream or vision?
Has the Spirit of God impressed upon you that your calling is something specific?
Has God been using you in a certain way?
I believe I am here to encourage people in the truth. And that is what I do most of the times.
I feel desperate in correcting what I believe to be an error. And this is what I do outside of physical church.
I am not very talkative in person, then talking in person (especially to strangers) is not something I do, at least for now.
In the church I go, I have not been called to do a thing there yet but I already received dreams and prophetic words about it.
I like to encourage people in the faith, and I look forward to take extreme measures if I see it can be useful to save (or help to save) someone. |
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Post by John on Aug 18, 2019 5:55:20 GMT -5
Thanks to those who responded so far. I would encourage others to jump in as well. I am hoping that in the months ahead, we can help those who feel a calling of some kind to be able to do it through Narrow Way. If you do respond, that doesn't mean you are obligated to do anything. This isn't about obligation or putting pressure on anyone to do anything. It is about giving open doors. I know how frustrating it can be to know you are called of God but have no way to use your gifts, or to have gifts and others are trying to get you to do something you are uncomfortable with and unqualified to do. I have been in both places.
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Post by Giller on Aug 18, 2019 8:23:05 GMT -5
I am a person who seeks to see every angle of things, and always seeks to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
And I care about the flock and people in general.
I was prophesied over to teach God's people the word.
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Cletus
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Post by Cletus on Aug 18, 2019 9:14:34 GMT -5
I am a behind the scene guy. one on one. i plant seeds and water. The LORD gives me discernment about certain people to pray for them on specific things. usually concerning their heart. He positions me in places where i find out all the details from multiple people, and for some reason...lol... they all want to tell me about it. (I guess i am just a likeable guy/have favor from the LORD.)
i guess you could say i am a gardener? i never asked really this is just what i see Him doing thru me. to build up others individually and in the body.
i am having to pay close attention right now because i think God is about to change up some stuff on how He uses me. I base this on dreams and words spoken to my life. I have had a prophetic word spoken to me three times now, and they all line up one to the other. each one though has a different detail. I know because I know because I know... the day is coming i have been waiting for years on. my later rain is coming... The Holy Spirit is going to rain on me again... and many will be saved.
God is preparing His people now... seek Him now people! God is about to do something big thru the body of Christ. I know this deep down in my spirit. I would not declare the thing if it were not true. So seek His face on your place... your rank and file... your duty... your gifts... seek Him on what Good He will do in your life thru you... but i do warn all... prepare yourself to lay down anything and everything. God may require it of you as a test. and if you wont put Him first... Put His Kingdom first, Put His righteousness first... If you despise His grace in the slightest... well, Jesus Christ is either LORD of all... or not at all. do not seek God with an attitude of riding a fence... or being luke warm. He wants your whole heart, your whole will, every part of your being devoted to Him and whatsoever He wants.
Nothing this world has to offer compares to a relationship with God. dont compare to being used of Him. lay it all down. Hold back nothing for yourself.
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on Aug 18, 2019 9:23:27 GMT -5
I’ve also been sensing a move of the Lord to reposition workers.
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Post by 2fw8212a on Aug 18, 2019 9:52:10 GMT -5
I’ve also been sensing a move of the Lord to reposition workers. Interesting. Very interesting, and I will tell you why:
The pastor in my church had an idea to structure the ministry and have called people.
And my mother, who was stopped for years decided to go back work in the ministry.
She started in another church, she stopped for some years and now is starting there.
Just telling!
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Post by frienduff on Aug 18, 2019 10:54:29 GMT -5
I am still trying to figure out how someone like me can minister to others? For years I was the kind of person that so many people came to for advice and help. I always had a good listening ear. I gave sound advice. I am an exhorter by nature. I have a sensitive personality and feel the pain of others. I am spiritually sensitive too in many ways. When I left God and was so messed up on psych meds I found all of these things changed in me. I am trying to rediscover them but still need my own mind to heal first. I wanted to go into the field of psychology for years, but now I'm glad that didn't pan out. I was a nursing assistant for a while and did a good bit of schooling for nursing but wasn't able to get done with that either. But, I hope to be able to help others when I am healed. Even if it's just sitting with an elderly person and talking with them about the Lord. Not sure what gifting all that would be? That's right dear sister . Let us rejoice in the LORD that it did not pan out . Physcology is naught but the wisdom of men and it has destroyed many pastors and churches . Let all keep praying for our dear loved sister dezi . You are loved dear sister . Yep , we love our sister dezi .
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Post by frienduff on Aug 18, 2019 11:06:43 GMT -5
To love truth and nothing but the truth .
To instruct all to return to the original pattern .
To Rather be dead than to see even one lamb wander out from the original pattern .
To happily die both exposing all lies and pointing only to Christ and sound doctrine .
To bodly expose all that is false and false leaders , to ensure no one even goes a sniff in their direction .
To encourage praise continually .
To continuously exhort sound bible doctrine by the Spirit to ensure the edification of the body .
Whatever that is , I AM HAPPY and have all JOY DOING IT .
OH exhortation is all tied in it .
And whether it ever has a title , I am happy just doing it .
To have nothing to do with self exalation , but point only to HE who alone deserves all exaltation .
Don't know what else this entails . BUT am ever happy to both continue it and if I die for it then amen , Hopefully at least even my worse enemies will hear
and repent , BUT MY JOY is n the LORD , so no matter what comes against me , I GOT ALL HOPE .
AND to ensure others have THIS SAME INDENTICAL HOPE .
And yet , its all by the grace of GOD within me . NO credit for me , BUT ALL CREDIT and GLORY TO HIM .
Whatever that is , I AM HAPPIER than a fat cat in a room full of crippled mice , A DOING IT . HANDS UP and PRAISE THE LORD .
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Cletus
Senior Member
Posts: 2,517
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Post by Cletus on Aug 18, 2019 15:11:54 GMT -5
I’ve also been sensing a move of the Lord to reposition workers. I have been hearing for awhile about God changeing things up. i had a dream where i walked thru an old ministry and people were doing my old job and i went to the back to do another task... again behind the scene.
an elder at the church said God was leading him to do things different. He is an evangelist. He also said do not be surprised if God prompts you to do the same as He might be doing this with you. This man is nearly 100 years old and solid in The LORD.
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Post by John on Aug 18, 2019 18:56:57 GMT -5
We have to be sensitive to whatever the Lord is calling us to do. Sometimes that means moving outside our comfort zone into something new. If God calls you to do something, he will equip you.
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Cletus
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Posts: 2,517
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Post by Cletus on Aug 18, 2019 19:15:41 GMT -5
We have to be sensitive to whatever the Lord is calling us to do. Sometimes that means moving outside our comfort zone into something new. If God calls you to do something, he will equip you.
it also means to pay very close attention. Moses was told to strike the rock then speak to the rock. the other sunday at church there was a guy sitting behind me and he gave a testimony. He made it sound all beautiful, but in reality The LORD is dealing with him on some things. and its because he does not honor Gods ways completely and God is closing doors in his life to get his attention. i am fairly sure its working too. anyway, the pastor called for us to pray for him... he said stretch out your hands to him as we pray. since he was right behind me i could have stretched out my arm and laid hands on him. i almost did too, but something stopped me and the thought came... he said stretch out your hand... not lay hands ON him. one may say well thats insignificant. but is it really? we need to be very careful what we do in following instruction. God is specific with His Words. this is not a game of simon says... this is The Almighty Says.
when i decided not to lay hands the anointing came on stronger x10. when the prayer was finished he made a noise somewhere between a gasping during weeping and a huge relief being lifted. Something was moved in his heart.
had i done the wrong thing... it may have very well quenched it out.
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on Aug 18, 2019 20:23:18 GMT -5
We have to be sensitive to whatever the Lord is calling us to do. Sometimes that means moving outside our comfort zone into something new. If God calls you to do something, he will equip you.
it also means to pay very close attention. Moses was told to strike the rock then speak to the rock. the other sunday at church there was a guy sitting behind me and he gave a testimony. He made it sound all beautiful, but in reality The LORD is dealing with him on some things. and its because he does not honor Gods ways completely and God is closing doors in his life to get his attention. i am fairly sure its working too. anyway, the pastor called for us to pray for him... he said stretch out your hands to him as we pray. since he was right behind me i could have stretched out my arm and laid hands on him. i almost did too, but something stopped me and the thought came... he said stretch out your hand... not lay hands ON him. one may say well thats insignificant. but is it really? we need to be very careful what we do in following instruction. God is specific with His Words. this is not a game of simon says... this is The Almighty Says.
when i decided not to lay hands the anointing came on stronger x10. when the prayer was finished he made a noise somewhere between a gasping during weeping and a huge relief being lifted. Something was moved in his heart.
had i done the wrong thing... it may have very well quenched it out.
Cletus this story you told makes me long for what churches used to be. Things must be better in Texas. I haven’t found a church in 20 years where a strong anointing really changed someone at the altar. Here on the east coast, the famine is severe. |
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