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To prepare God’s people for works of service Eph4:12 There is a story of a man who goes into a jungle and sees a disabled fox. Wondering how he survived he noticed a tiger that when he killed to eat what he left over he gave to the fox. Wanting to be like the fox and receive the blessing of God, he got his bible and went into the jungle to pray. Not receiving any food for three days he went back to his town and told his pastor. The pastor said to him you wanted to be the fox, God wanted you to be the tiger! For many in the church we have a disabled fox mentality. We want health, finances, good relationships and that is the primary focus of our prayer. Yet what makes the Dead Sea a dead sea is that it has a source to receive water but no outlet to release it. Consequently salt builds up in the water and nothing living can survive. When I came to the Lord I was a disabled fox. I was sick in many ways and I had many issues and hang-ups. So, of course, I needed to pray about those things. But in spite of my many afflictions I also wanted to serve. God put many godly people in my life some we might call apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers to shape me and mold me, to teach me and guide me, to pray for me and to impart gifts. I would spend much time in the word of God and prayer. I came to the point where I could teach and shape others. It came to the point that I could be involved in a nursing home ministry and shape the lives of the elderly. It came to the point where I could write and share my insight through God with others and so I have a web-site. Though I was weak, by faith, I became strong. If all we confess is lack, weakness, fear, and the strength of the enemy we will never please God, overcome our shortcomings, or defeat Goliath. By God’s grace some people receive an office of an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher. He gives that grace so that we all can come into the unity of the faith and the knowledge of God attaining maturity and the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Learn to confess power. Learn to confess strength. Learn to confess courage. Do not look at your circumstances. Do not look at the natural. Go up. Get in the Spirit. Overcome fear. Overcome doubt. Overcome anxiety. God not only wants to give you prosperity, he wants to prepare you for works of service. Are you willing to offer your bodies as living sacrifices? It is not a question of whether you are capable. It is a question of whether you are willing. Get in the word of God. Get in prayer. Rejoice in the Lord. Confess the truth and the truth will make you free. Be at it for God and don’t be overly conscious of self. Amen |