STRIVING IN MINISTRY

The following was an entry in my journal after the Lord called me into ministry but before I was sent.

BOWLING PARABLE: We bowled today. I learned my lesson about what not to do in ministry. I literally thought these things as I was bowling.

NUMBER ONE: Don't think about fat elephants waddling down the aisle when you are rolling the ball down the lane. It will result in a gutter ball.

NUMBER TWO: Don't think about people watching you when you are rolling your ball down the lane. It will result in a flub.

NUMBER THREE: Don't listen to the hecklers when you are rolling the ball down the lane. It will you-know-what.

NUMBER FOUR: Don't think about the fact the Lord called you His divine marksman, when you are about to roll the ball down the aisle. You may miss the mark, like I did.

NUMBER FIVE: DO keep your eye on the arrow (the mark on the bowling aisle) the whole time you are {waddling} down the lane, pulling your arm back, gliding forward and letting the ball go. Never look away, always keep your eye on that mark. Think of nothing else but the mark.....It will result in a strike! (All 10 pins down at once.) I got the point Lord, keep my eyes on You and everything else will take care of itself. Amen.

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QUOTE BOBBY CONNER:

"Be still and know that I AM God. Ministry is the hardest place to be still in. We have to lift our focus above what we see to the Lord."

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HEARD: Grunt. Pushed and shoved into ministry. Participate. Hint. Might not be handy. Run down. Heavy laden. On your shoulders.

HEARD: No problem. Rest. When you can, the fun begins. You’re on.

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QUOTES ANN GOLL

"The Lord wants us to live in His Spirit out of rest and out of grace, and not out of striving and trying to work something up to feel like we have to be prepared."

"If He puts a call on your life, it’s not so you will make this striving machine to get it going. Rather it is out of our own personal love relationship with Him."

"Just be at peace. Be at rest. Discard your striving and just be ready to hear what He has to say at the moment. In ministry our minds want to know what we are doing before we do it. But He wants us to walk in His creativity also. Therefore let Him drop the pieces in as He would like them to fit."

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QUOTES FROM MAHESH CHAVDA

"No sweat. When the anointing arrives, you can say peanut butter and jelly and a person will get healed. No long prayers, only the anointing."

"You don’t have to do it in your flesh. He uses broken vessels, whatever you have, if you give it to Him, He blesses and multiply it, just like the little boy’s bread."

"When the anointing comes, when you are yielded, and just say, "Bless you." the power comes. You can break the curse and heal instantly."

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CONCLUSION

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{Words to Ponder are summaries of His quickened Words of prophetic revelation, punched with the word of wisdom and written under inspiration.}

WORD TO PONDER: CEASE STRIVING AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD

When My priests ministered in the temple, they were not allowed to wear any clothing that caused them to sweat. This was a parable for ears that hear. My servants bow low, laying down the striving of their flesh so that they may listen to My heart and the heart of My people. As they learn My voice and My Presence, they follow My anointing with grace and ease. They have learned that their flesh profits nothing in ministry, it is only the quickening power of My Spirit that brings life. I ride in on the wings of the wind, that no man can exert into being. I AM.

"Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, and I am very pleased with him. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not fight or shout; he will not raise his voice in public. He will not crush those who are weak, or quench the smallest hope, until he brings full justice with his final victory. And his name will be the hope of all the world." (Matt 12:18-21 NLT)

"Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (Ps 46:10 NAS)