Understanding the Call of God Free Reprint Article

NotifySnack

Christian Articles for All of your Publishing Needs!

LIKE US

Translate this Page Here

Word Count: 10672

Send Article To Friend

Print/Use Article

Contact Segun Olumide

Understanding the Call of God

by Segun Olumide
10/27/2014 / Christian Living

 
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations in this volume are from the King James Version of the Bible.

KEYS TO OTHER BIBLE VERSIONS:
AMP - The Amplified Bible
NIV - New International Version
TLB - The Living Bible
Gideons - The Gideons International
RSV - Revised Standard Version
NCV - New Century Version

Copyright 2013 New Apostolic Movement
All rights reserved.

The New Apostolic Movement,
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]

+234 8161297781; +234 - 8053053578; + 234 7085951514.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. TYPES OF DIVINE CALL

2. A TRULY DIVINE CALL IS PRE-ORDAINED BY GOD ONLY

3. CALL AND SEPARATION

4. GOD'S GIFTS AND CALLINING ARE IRREVOCABLE

5. WHENEVER GOD CALLS HE EQUIPS

6. HOW TO KNOW GOD'S CALL

7. GOD'S CALL IS HOLY AND HONOURABLE

8. THE HIGHER THE CALL, THE HIGHER THE CHALLENGES

9. THE CALLED IS ANSWERABLE TO THE CALLER

10. WILLINGNESS AND OBEDIENCE TO THE CALL BRING REWARDS

CHAPTER ONE

TYPES OF DIVINE CALL

There are some basic things we need to understand concerning the call of God. We shall discuss ten of such in this volume each one in each chapter.
So here we are going to talk about the types of divine call.

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF DIVINE CALL, NAMELY: THE BELIEVER'S GENERAL CALL AND THE BELIEVER'S SPECIFIC CALL.

The believer's general call is the common call given by God to all believers.

Peter referred to this when he wrote, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people. That ye should show forth the praises of him who hath CALLED you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Pet 2:9).

Every believer in Christ has the SAME GENERAL CALL. One is called as a believer, firstly, to minister to God; secondly, to minister to oneself; thirdly, to minister to other fellow believers; and fourthly to minister to sinners (Matthew 22:37-40, Romans 12:1-2, Acts 1:8).

Concerning this general call, Paul wrote the Thessalonian believers, "Faithful is he that CALLETH you, who also will do it" (1Thes 5:24).

Similarly, he prayed unto God that the Ephesian believers would know "the hope of HIS CALLING" (Eph 1:18; see Eph 4:4, too).

Also, he wrote the Corinthian believers, "For [simply] consider YOUR OWN CALL, brethren; not many [of you were considered to be] wise according to human estimates and standards, not many influential and powerful, not many of high and noble birth" (1Cor 1:26, AMP, see also 1Cor 7:20).

Again, he wrote the Hebrew believers, "So then, brethren, consecrated and set apart for God, who share in the HEAVENLY CALLING" (Heb 3:1, AMP).

Interestingly likewise, Peter wrote some believers, "Because of this, brethren, be all the more solicitous and eager to make sure (to ratify, to strengthen, to make steadfast) YOUR CALLING and election; for if you do this, you will never stumble or fall" (2Pet 1:10, AMP).

On the other hand, every believer has A DIFFERENT SPECIFIC CALL.

The Bible says, "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members DO NOT ALL HAVE THE SAME FUNCTION. We have DIFFERENT GIFTS according to the grace given us" (Rom 12:4, 6a, NIV).

Peter wrote, "Each one should use WHATEVER GIFT HE HAS RECEIVED to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms" (1 Pet 4:10, NIV).

Some believers are called to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors or teachers while some are called to function in one or more of the nine gifts of the Spirit.

Still some others are in the helps ministry perhaps through their secular professions or jobs (please read 1 Corinthians 12: 4-18, 27-30; Rom 12:4-8).

There are right and wrong professions, vocations or jobs for different individuals. Only the right profession, vocation or job can bring a person divine fulfillment.

DEALING WITH THE NICOLAITAN SPIRIT

Jesus said about the Ephesian Church, "But you have this in your favour. You hate THE PRACTICES OF THE NICOLAITANS, which I also hate" (Rev 2:6, NIV).

Whereas he warned the Church in Pergamum, "So hast thou also them that hold THE DOCTRINE OF THE NICOLAITANS, which thing I hate.
Repent; or else I will come unto these quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth" (Rev 2:15-16).

The first local church above hated and disallowed the operation of the Nicolaitan spirit while the second local church had some people who loved and tolerated the atrocities of this strange spirit.

The name Nicolaitan means "conquer the people." Actually, "Nico" means "conquer or be victorious" while "laitan" means "the people." Do you notice that laitan sounds like laity?
So Nicolaitan means "conquer the people" or "be victorious over the people" whom we call the laity.

Some Bible scholars believe that the Nicolaitans are the followers of Nicolas, a heretic. That's true. But the same Nicolas was a conqueror or victor over the people.

THE MOST PAINFUL ASPECT IS THAT THIS WRONG SPIRIT MAKES THE PEOPLE OF GOD CONQUER THE PEOPLE OF GOD!

The devil knows we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. He knows that Jesus had conquered him and given us total victory over him and all his demons.

So one of the numerous ways to make a fool of us is to keep us ignorant of our God-given victory and authority (that is, delegated power or invested right to exercise our victory).

Another tactic he employs is to use the saints to 'conquer' (that is subdue, oppress, enslave, imprison, frustrate or destroy) the saints.

And he does it cleverly and nicely. He deceives us that the work of ministry is not for every saint. He makes us believe wrongly that some saints are unimportant, unusable and unqualified for God's work.

But thank God that Ephesians 4:12 says he gave us the five-fold ministry "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up" (NIV).

Then verse 16 (NIV)says, "From HIM the whole body [of Christ] grows and builds itself up in love, AS EACH PART [each member, that is, you and I − everyone] DOES ITS WORK."

The Amplified Bible puts the Lord's intention for giving us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers in verse 12 above thus, "His INTENTION was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church)."

You see, every saint is called to do the work of ministry, and if they are prevented from doing it, then something is wrong with those people, especially leaders hindering them. They need to change or be changed!

Seasoned Prophet Bill Hamon has seen into the future of the global church and has prophesied about the soon coming move of God on earth, which is: THE DAY OF THE SAINTS. (Read his book by that title.)

SAY THIS ALOUD:
"I break the power and influence of Nicolaitan spirit over my life, my ministry, my family, the local church I belong to and over all the saints of God in Jesus' name."

BRIDGING THE WIDE GAP BETWEEN THE CLERGY AND THE LAITY

The clergy refer to the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, bishops, priests, and so on while the laity speaks of laymen whom we erroneously call the ordinary church members.

In some places, the clergy are the superstars, super men or extraordinary men on the pulpit while the laity are the ordinary men in the pew. But are we believers not all super men, peculiar people, special breed or royal [kingly] priests?

God raised the five-fold ministers (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) to equip and release the saints to do the work of ministry as already discussed.

Paul explained it, "It was he [Jesus] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers
TO PREPARE GOD'S PEOPLE FOR WORKS OF SERVICE, SO THAT THE BODY OF CHRIST MAY BE BUILT UP
From him [Christ Jesus] the whole body [of saints], joined and held together by every supporting ligament grows and builds itself up in love, AS EACH PART DOES ITS WORK" (Eph 4:11-12,16, NIV).

The Scripture above did not say that God gave the five-fold ministry to do the works of service (according to the NIV) or work of ministry (according to the KJV).

Rather it says that the fivefold ministers are given to prepare all of God's people, without any exception, for works of service so that the Body of Christ is built up as each believer does his or her own work of ministry.

WAYS TO BRIDGE THIS GAP

1. TAKE AWAY THE SEAT OF MOSES
Jesus said, "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees SIT IN MOSES' SEAT.
So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. BUT DO NOT DO WHAT THEY DO, FOR THEY DO NOT PRACTISE WHAT THEY PREACH
EVERYTHING THEY DO IS DONE FOR MEN TO SEE
THEY LOVE THE PLACE OF HONOUR AT BANQUETS AND THE MOST IMPORTANT SEATS IN THE SYNAGOGUES" (Mt 23:2-3, 5-6, NIV).

The seat of Moses in verse 2 above means a place where someone can use authority and church laws to control people's lives and destinies!

In another sense, when a pastor puts a special golden seat on the altar for himself and put ordinary old chairs away from the altar for the congregation, then what message is he passing across to them?

Since we must give honour to whom honour is due, we can reserve the front seats in our meeting places for pastors, evangelists, and so on. We don't have to isolate special seats for 'special men and women of God.'

Very importantly, Jesus said about the hypocritical religious leaders of his day in verse 6 above, "THEY LOVE THE MOST IMPORTANT SEATS IN THE SYNAGOGUES."

Our ignorance has created a wide generation gap in the Body of Christ. And God's Spirit is saying, "Enough is enough!"

Did the apostles of old do that? Was the altar used in the Scriptures to elevate the seats of the ministers at the altar? No, a thousand times no!

Do you know that, as many of us that are born-again, our bodies are the temple of God while our souls are His altar (1Cor 3:16; 1 Cor 6:19)?

History has it that Constantine the Great, Emperor of Rome introduced cathedrals or church edifices after his conversion or new birth experience.

In his book, "The Harlot Church System Come out of her, My people," Charles Elliott Newbold, Jr noted, "The earliest church buildings are believed to have been built after the pattern of the Roman basilica architecture that was firmly rooted in the traditions of the Roman empire and has no basis in scripture.

"The layout of these cathedrals often hid the monks and choirs from the people, advancing the idea of the separation of clergy from laity which is unfounded in scripture."

2. ENFORCE THE BROTHERHOOD OF JESUS CHRIST
The Scripture says, "WE WHO HAVE BEEN MADE HOLY BY JESUS, NOW HAVE THE SAME FATHER HE HAS. THAT IS WHY JESUS IS NOT ASHAMED TO CALL US HIS BROTHERS.
For He says in the book of Psalms, 'I WILL TALK TO MY BROTHERS ABOUT GOD MY FATHER, TOGETHER WE WILL SING HIS PRAISES.'
At another time He said, 'I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN GOD ALONG WITH MY BROTHERS' " (Heb 2:11-13, TLB).

This was demonstrated in His earthly ministry. Matthew 26:48 reveals, "Now he [Judas] that betrayed him [Jesus] gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast."

This second scripture above suggests to us that it was rather very difficult to distinguish between Jesus and his disciples: be it the 12, 70 or even the males among the 120 disciples.

For this reason, Judas who betrayed him had to kiss him so that his arresters could identify whom to arrest.

I'm almost sure that if Judas had just told them to forget about his revealing Jesus to them through a kiss, but simply asked them to go ahead and arrest whoever looked like the master in their eyes, then they would have arrested Peter or someone else.

You see, Jesus brought himself so low to the level of his disciples that it was hard for outsiders or first-timers to spot whom the Master was among them. No special seat. No body guards. No special cap.

Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers should see the rest of the saints as their fellow brothers and treat them as such. Those who always make themselves difficult to approach or lift themselves up above the people of God should repent of this wrong attitude before the Lord will judge them.

They should bring themselves low and follow the good example of Jesus Christ (Please study Philippians 2:3-9).

I love Colossians 1:18. It reveals that Jesus Christ is "the firstborn from the dead." That means, in God's family, he is the first born. Who was the second born? Maybe, Peter or one of the twelve.

Yes, Jesus was the first person ever to be born-again. Actually, he became born-again when he rose up from the dead (see Acts 13:33, Rom 1:3-4).

Ever since, millions have been born-again through faith in the firstborn from the dead, Jesus! But the last born is not yet born to God's family.

3. EMPHASIZE THE ROYAL PRIESTLY FUNCTIONS OF EVERY BELIEVER

Every believer in the New Testament is a royal priest (Rev 1:6; 5:10; 1Pet 2:9). The functions of a New Testament priest are as follows:
i. To worship God (1Pet 3:4-5; Heb 12:28, NIV; Heb 13:15).
ii. To build up himself through the Word and prayer (Col 3:16; 1Thes 5:17; 1Cor 14:4; Mk 16:17b).
iii. To preach the gospel (2Cor 5:18-19).
iv. To disciple other saints (Pro 27:17; 2 Tim2:2).
v. To cast out devils (Mk 16:17).
vi. To heal the sick (Mk 16:18c).
vii. To give towards the advancement of God's Kingdom (Mt 23:23; Ro 12:13; Heb 13:16).

4. DE-EMPHASIZE FLATTERING TITLES

Our generation has been sadly deceived to the extent that we worship and trade in flattering titles.

Elihu said, "Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give FLATTERING TITLES unto man.
For I know not to give FLATTERING TITLES; in so doing my maker would soon take me away" (Job 32:21-22).

Flattering titles are improper titles given insincerely in order to obtain somebody's favour or make them happy. Let's never give titles to people so that they can oppress others who don't have such titles.

5. EMPOWER AND RELEASE THE SAINTS TO THEIR RESPECTIVE WORK OF MINISTRY THROUGH THEIR GOD-GIVEN PLATFORMS

The Lord gave the five-fold ministry, not to brainwash and imprison the saints, but to empower and release them to their respective work of ministry through their God-given platforms (see Eph 4:11-12).

Every saint has one or more God-given platforms. These platforms will be discussed later in this chapter.

6. LET THE SAINTS HAVE A SENSE OF BELONGING AND ATTITUDE OF INTER-DEPENDENCE, ESPECIALLY THROUGH FELLOWSHIP IN HUMILITY

What I'm teaching are not just theories. As a church member as well as a church leader, I've participated in and even led believers' meeting or fellowship.

The Scripture says, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the FELLOWSHIP, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42, NIV).

This verse talks about 4 types of meetings, namely:
i. Teaching meeting
ii. Fellowship or believers' meeting (see also 1Cor 14:26)
iii. Breaking-of-bread meeting or communion service
iv. Prayer meeting

There are more than these 4 types of meetings in the New Testament. And each of them has its own significance and purpose.

Sad to relate, fellowship has been confused with and replaced with teaching meeting (Bible study) or prayer meeting.

If fellowship [with one another] or believers' meeting is given its proper place in our midst, then it will go a long way to correct many things. I believe it will help in bridging this gap between the clergy and the laity. (Please study 1Cor 12:14-24 carefully.)

You see, fellowship will foster unity or inter-dependence (not division) among the saints. It also gives a strong sense of belonging to the saints. As they fellowship with one another, it becomes more real to them that they belong to the Body of Christ as members.

Also, it fortifies believers with a deep sense of responsibilities for it frustrates laziness among the saints. I believe that it is better experienced than explained. It is better caught than taught. Nevertheless, sometimes, it must be first taught or explained before it is caught or experienced!

Some people learn it first in action by attending such a meeting.

7. ENSURE THAT THE SAITNS HAVE MUTUAL INTEREST IN AND CARE [LOVE] FOR ONE ANOTHER
Paul wrote, "That there should be NO SCHISM in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another" (1Cor 12:25).

The Greek word translated 'schism' here means 'a split or gap' according to W.E. Vine's Greek Dictionary of The New Testament. Figuratively, it means 'division.'

Lack of mutual interest in and love for one another creates a split or gap in the spirit among the saints.

"Love never fails" (1Cor 13:8, AMP). Practise and teach the people to love God and one another whole-heartedly.

Love bridges the gap and binds the saints together in perfect harmony.

EVERY BELIEVER A MINISTER
Peter wrote, "But you are a chosen race, a ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, a dedicated nation, [God's] OWN PURCHASED, SPECIAL PEOPLE, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him who CALLED you out of darkness into marvelous light"(1Pet 2:9, AMP).

Similarly, John wrote, "And [Christ Jesus] hath made us KINGS AND PRIESTS UNTO GOD and his Father
And hast made us unto God, KINGS AND PRIESTS: AND WE SHALL REIGN ON THE EARTH" (Rev 1:6; 5:10).

We see here that every believer is a king and priest. We have both royalty and priesthood.
So both what we call the clergy and the laity are priests if they are truly born-again because every believer is a priest!

YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD, WORK PLACE AND LOCAL CHURCH SETTING ARE YOUR PULPIT

The Scripture says, "Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly
He read it aloud from daybreak till noon
AND EZRA THE SCRIBE STOOD UPON A PULPIT OF WOOD, WHICH THEY HAD MADE FOR THE PURPOSE
Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing ABOVE them" (Neh 8:2-3, NIV, 4, KJV, 5, NIV).

From these verses, it is clear that the pulpit was a raised wooden platform which elevated him for all to see him.

So the pulpit is not a ministry, but rather a platform for carrying out one's ministry. Every believer in Christ has a pulpit a platform for carrying out their respective assignment of ministering to the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical needs of others.

That pulpit or platform could be your local church setting, work place, neighbourhood, and so on.

Not every believer is called into the five-fold ministry, but every believer is called to the work of ministry (Eph 4:12, NIV).

You see, a lecturer, carpenter, doctor, bricklayer, lawyer, hairdresser, engineer, tailor, actor, nurse, barber, banker, trader, accountant, estate agent, police officer, soldier, and so on may win souls for Christ more effectively than some pastors or so.

Right on their jobs, they can reach out to people with the gospel. More than that, they can even disciple those who are born-again for Christ! So they can be highly profitable to the Kingdom of God.

I believe some local church members will receive a soul winner's crown while their pastor won't. Some apostles, prophets or evangelists might live in one room in heaven while some saints who do not have a five-fold calling (as an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher) will live in a mansion in heaven.

The story was told of an international evangelist who had a vision. One day, God showed him a mansion in heaven. Then He told him that it wasn't meant for him.

Guess what. It was meant for a woman who interceded secretly for his crusades. This woman would go ahead of this evangelist to any country wherever he was billed to have a crusade and pray for the success of the meetings. No salary!

But after the Lord had shown this to him, he put this woman on his pay roll!

There was another story of a man of God who had fantastic results in his meetings. But suddenly his meetings began to wane in power. Then the Lord showed him that the effectual continuous prayer a woman who had died recently was the secret behind his wonderful meetings!

So ever since she died, the meetings were no longer as great as they used to be.

No wonder Paul wrote, "IN FACT, SOME PARTS OF THE BODY THAT SEEM WEAKEST AND LEAST IMPORTANT ARE ACTUALLY THE MOST NECESSARY" (1COR 12:22, NLT).
 
CHAPTER TWO

A TRULY DIVINE CALL IS PRE-ORDAINED BY GOD ONLY

As believers in Christ we "ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO [HIS] DESIGN AND PURPOSE.
FOR THOSE WHOM HE FOREKNEW [OF WHOM HE WAS AWARE AND LOVED BEFOREHAND], HE ALSO DESTINED FROM THE BEGINNING [FOREORDAINING THEM] TO BE MOLDED INTO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON [AND SHARE INWARDLY HIS LIKENESS], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.
AND THOSE WHOM HE THUS FOREORDAINED, HE ALSO CALLED; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being]" (Ro 8:28-30, AMP).

Our calling was ordained by God before we came into this world. He destined each of us for a specific purpose from the beginning. But unless we are born-again, we cannot come into the divine purpose according to His calling.

When Madam Zebedee requested of Jesus to have her two sons sit on His left and right in His Kingdom, the Lord replied, "But seats at My right hand and at My left are not Mine to give, but they are for those whom they HAVE BEEN ORDAINED AND PREPARED by My Father" (Mt 20:23, AMP).

God is not looking for volunteers. He nominates those he had appointed before the foundation of the world. It's not of him that wills or runs but of God who selects (Please read Isaiah 2, 6, Jeremiah 1:5, Romans 9:11-26).

"No one takes this honour upon himself; he must be CALLED BY GOD, just as Aaron was" (Hebrews 5:4, NIV).

Joseph Ayo Babalola, the founder of Christ Apostolic Church (C.A.C) was a man who understood God's call and he wouldn't permit anyone under his tutelage to become any of the five-fold minister (an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher) until he had prayed and has been assured by God that it was a genuine call into the five-fold ministry.

At a particular time in the late 1930's, he had 16 people training for the five-fold ministry under him. On a fateful day, contrary to the expectations of his students, he refused to teach them.

He, however, began to write letters which he gave to 8 of them to go and learn vocations such as printing, carpentry and so on.

By the following day, only 8 people were left for the training. So one of them stood up and challenged the great apostle saying, "Sir, what you did yesterday was very bad and I'm not happy about it. God said he wants labourers in His vineyard and those people came out of the world to do God's work and you sent them back to the world to do secular work."

For few seconds, he remained quiet. Later he replied, "The people I sent back DO NOT HAVE THE CALL OF GOD [that is, into the five-fold ministry]. They only love the ministry BECAUSE OF THE GLAMOUR. I have sent them to do the jobs that will sustain them for the rest of their lives."

All through that week he taught them on just God's call. He also said, "It is only the people who are called that should answer. Even in the natural realm, you don't answer when you are not called. It is only the people who are called (by God) who can do the work.

"Those who are not called will not have an account or record with God because He did not call them and their work will be abomination unto him.

"A day is coming in this church (C.A.C) when people who are not called will join this church to do the work of ministry and they will destroy this work. It is the people God has not called for this work that will destroy it for they will not know how to go about it."

I do not think Apostle Babalola was led by the flesh to send those 8 men to go and learn vocations.

After all, the Scripture says, "And the LORD said to Moses, See, I have CALLED by name BEZALEL son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
AND I HAVE FILLED HIM WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD, IN WISDOM AND ABILITY, IN UNDERSTANDING AND INTELLIGENCE, AND IN KNOWLEDGE, AND IN ALL KINDS OF CRAFTSMANSHIP,
TO DEVISE SKILFUL WORKS, TO WORK IN GOLD, AND IN SILVER, AND IN BRONZE,
AND IN CUTTING OF STONES FOR SETTING, AND IN CARVING OF WOOD, TO WORK IN ALL KINDS OF CRAFTSMANSHIP.
And behold, I have APPOINTED with him AHOLIAB son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; AND TO ALL WHO ARE WISEHEARTED I HAVE GIVEN WISDOM AND ABILITY TO MAKE ALL THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU" (Ex 31:1-6, AMP).

Do you know there are Holy Ghost-anointed doctors, carpenters, architects, masons, tailors, fine artists, pilots, mechanics, electricians, actors, barbers, and so on who are fulfilling God's purpose in their generation?

But, it is very important to discover and stay in one's God-given profession, job or vocation. Only the right vocation will help one fulfil God's purpose for one's life.

I met an outstanding gynaecologist who attributed his success [partly, I believe] to his embracing his medical profession as a calling from God. But I think he charges people too much money. Whatever we do let's do it as unto the Lord, not as unto men.

Paul warned, "WHATEVER MAY BE YOUR TASK, WORK AT IT HEARTILY (FROM THE SOUL), AS [SOMETHING DONE] FOR THE LORD AND NOT FOR MEN,
Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah).
FOR HE WHO DEALS WRONGFULLY WILL [REAP THE FRUIT OF HIS FOLLY AND] BE PUNISHED FOR HIS WRONGDOING. AND [WITH GOD] THERE IS NO PARTIALITY [NO MATTER WHAT A PERSON'S POSITION MAY BE, WHETHER HE IS THE SLAVE OR MASTER]." (Col 3:23-25, AMP).

So let no one deceive you that since it is your job, you can charge any amount of money you like for your goods and services. Would Jesus do that if He were in your shoes?
 
CHAPTER THREE

CALL AND SEPARATION

1. GOD'S SPECIFIC CALL INTO THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY IS FOR THE CHILDREN (THE IMMATURE) BUT SEPARATION IS FOR THE SONS (THE MATURE).

"PAUL, A servant of Jesus Christ, CALLED to be an apostle, SEPARATED into the gospel of God" (Rom 1:1).

"As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, SEPARATE me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I HAVE CALLED them" (Acts 13:2).

God had already called them several years earlier. He had to patiently wait for them to mature before He could separate them.

Even Jesus and his forerunner, John, the Baptist were separated unto God's work when they had matured in spirit, soul and body (Luke 4:21-23, Luke 4:2-6).

A renowned prophetess, Cindy Jacobs, shared her experience along this line. Years before God actually separated her into the office of a prophet, people would frequently ask her, "Are you a prophetess?

To this she always replied, "No, I'm not a prophetess. I'll know when He sets (separates) me into that office."

Then one certain evening, she was in a prayer meeting when God spoke to her "Cindy, this night I set you in as a prophetess to the nations."

Moments later, the leader of the prayer meeting prayed God's power down on her and said, "And the Lord says, 'This night I stand you up as a prophetess to the nations.' "

From that night on, by God's sovereign act, she became a different person. She received a new anointing and authority to give more detailed and exact prophecies than ever before. She began to prophesy about nations with great intensity and precision! She had been walking with the Lord for several years before that very night.

Shortly after I got born-again, I bought a book on missions and I stayed alone in a room on a particular day reading it. As I read, I wept so profusely that I used a handkerchief to wipe away my tears.

Then I decided, whether it was God's will or not, to be a missionary in a foreign field. I was very desperate and concerned about the lost ones in the foreign lands. I saw a need but I didn't bother to ask God, "Is this my call?" A need is not always a pointer to your call!

So I reasoned in my mind, "I will not further my education anymore to the university. Enough is enough. I want to be a foreign missionary. "

During this time, I lost my peace. There was great restlessness in my spirit.

It was like a warning alarm sounding in my heart. It was telling me that there was danger ahead if I do things my own way as against God's way.

Isaiah 55:8-9 reads, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

God always leads us in peace. Whenever you embark on an assignment or you're thinking of doing something and suddenly you lose your peace, then that's the red light telling you that you're missing God.

Isaiah revealed, "You will guard him in PERFECT AND CONSTANT PEACE whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to you, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You

For ye shall go out with JOY, and be led forth with PEACE" (Is 26:3, AMP; Is 55:12).

I ignored this red light in my spirit and got much more concerned than God about His work.

Then my pastor heard my immature decision and counselled me wisely against it. He also gave me a book titled, "CALL AND SEPARATION" by Bob Yandian.

It taught me the patience of process. Then I understood that God was not in a hurry. It taught me the difference between calling for spiritual babes and separation for spiritual adults!

When I reversed or repealed my decision, then I regained my peace and joy.
 
CHAPTER FOUR

GOD'S GIFTS AND CALLING ARE IRREVOCABLE

THE GIFTS AND THE CALLING OF GOD ARE IRREVOCABLE (UNCHANGEABLE), BUT THE GIFTED AND THE CALLED OF GOD ARE REVOCABLE (CHANGEABLE)

"For God's gifts and his call are irrevocable" (Rom 11:26, NIV).

When God calls a particular man to do a particular work in a particular place and at a particular time, then His ultimate purpose for which He calls that man can never be changed according to the scripture above.

God can, however, change his plan and hence replace the man if he rebels. Why did God reject King Saul? Why did he replace Moses and Aaron? Rebellion! (1 Samuel 13:8-14; 15:10-23; Numbers 20:12).

Friend, God can't change his calling but he can replace the called. He can't alter his purpose but he can reverse his plan. He can't reclaim His gifts but He can withdraw His mandate and backing from those ministers that heaven has judged, and may eventually transfer the gifts to others, perhaps, not immediately, but at the end of the day!

Doesn't the Scripture say that another person should take up the apostleship of ex-anointed Apostle Judas (Read Acts 1:15-26)?

When God asked Reinhard Bonnke to begin his evangelistic campaigns, he refused to obey because of official discouragement. So he lost his peace of mind.

As he sought God's face, He clearly told him, "If you drop the vision which I have given you, I shall have to look for another man who will accept it and do what I want." He repented and launched out into mass evangelism.

What has God called you to do? Don't delay in obeying him otherwise he will get a better replacement for his calling and gifts are irrevocable.

The servant who was given a talent buried it. But in the end, he lost it to the other servant who already had ten (see Mt 25:24-30)!
 
CHAPTER FIVE

WHENEVER GOD CALLS HE EQUIPS

WHEN GOD CALLS SOMEONE FOR A SPECIFIC WORK, HE EQUIPS THEM WITH THE NECESSARY GIFT(S) TO ENABLE THEM MAKE FULL PROOF' OF THEIR MINISTRIES.

"For God's gifts and his call are irrevocable" (Rom 11:26, NIV)

There is a link between God's call and God's gifts as they are used together in the scripture above. The kind of call he has given you determines the types of spiritual gifts that will operate in your life.

For example, one called to the office of an apostle will have certain gifts of the Spirit operating in one's life just as a prophet will have a different set of gifts in operation in his ministry.

Paul wrote Timo, his son, "Neglect not the GIFT that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying of the hands of the presbytery (elders)" (1 Tim 4: 14).

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the GIFT OF GOD, which is in you through the laying on of my hands "(II Tim 1:6 NIV).

Timo had a gift through the laying on of the hands of the elders and another gift through the laying on of the hands of Paul. What was the purpose of His gifts?

Paul continued, "But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, MAKE FULL PROOF OF THY MINISTRY (2 Tim 4:5).

Your divine gifting enables you to prove your ministry fully. If you claim to be a teacher, evangelist or pastor and you can't prove it through your fruits or character coupled with your gifts, then I'm sorry, I don't think you are what you claim to be!

Interestingly, the Scripture says, "A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men" (Pro 18:16).

You see, a man's gift opens a door for him and ushers him into the presence of great people but only his character will keep the door opened and retain him in the presence of the great!

After I became a child of God, I sat in a Sunday school class for one year. Then I was asked to teach a new converts' class [new believers' class].

During this period, I proved my teaching gift. This class grew in quality and quantity!

More interestingly, I saw not only others' lives but also mine literally transformed as I taught.

One of the people I taught then told a pastor in another town how the Bible teachings I gave them had blessed him or her and how he or she didn't like it when moved from my class to another.

I was holding a revival in a place one time but could only get few people filled with the Holy Ghost after much physical effort and little teaching.

Then God led me to teach the people more and about twenty people, if not more, were filled with the Spirit without much stress! In that revival, some also prophesied.

Ministers of God in different places have told me that I have a teaching ministry. I haven't made FULL PROOF of it yet. So I'm still proving it. Truly, the proverb, "The proof of the pudding is in the eating" holds true here.

On some occasions when I taught, a strong anointing had come down and lingered for some time!

Actually, in the original Greek text, to make full proof of one's ministry means to fulfil one's ministry. And the reason why God equips you with gifts is so that you can fulfil your ministry.
 
CHAPTER SIX

HOW TO KNOW GOD'S CALL

GOD'S SPECIFIC CALL IS MADE KNOWN TO ONE DIRECTLY THROUGH THE SENSE OF ONE'S HUMAN SPIRIT, DREAMS, VISIONS, VOICES OR PROPHECIES, OR INDIRECTLY THROUGH OTHERS SENT BY GOD.

"The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD.." (Pro 20:27).

You see, God speaks to us primarily through our human spirits by the Word and the Spirit of God. In other words, he guides, directs and enlightens our paths in life through his candle our spirit.

God warned his people repeatedly through Malachi, the prophet saying, "Give heed (attention) to your spirit.Give heed (attention) to your spirit" (see Mal 2:15-16).

No wonder the book of Job says, "There is a spirit in man but the inspiration of the Almighty gives him understanding" (Job 32:8).

Moses knew his call in his spirit (Acts 7:23-25), however, the angel of the Lord later appeared to him in a burning bush and he heard the voice o God audibly (Exodus 3-4).

Under the New Testament, Jesus appeared to Saul of Tarsus and spoke with him calling him to serve in his kingdom. Later, Ananias was sent to confirm his call and help consolidate him (Acts 9:1-19).

You don't necessarily have to see the Lord Jesus or an angel, hear some voices or have some unusual visions before you know that God calls you!

Nehemiah came back to Jerusalem to rebuild its wall based on what God had put in his spirit to do. He neither saw an angel nor heard a voice! He simply obeyed his spirit and changed history (see Nehemiah 2:11-12, Nehemiah 6:15-16).

God calls different people in different ways. No two callings are exactly the same. I am fascinated by the story of Apostle Joseph A. Babalola.

As a steamroller operator (tractor driver), he was working on a particular road sometime in September 1928 when the engine stopped functioning without any mechanical fault.

He was confused. From the night of that day on, he became restless and couldn't sleep. God, however, led him to read Psalms 1 to 150 daily [though gradually, not at a stretch].

About two weeks later (in October 1928), around noon, he and some others were trying to repair the tractor but he went to the nearly stream to clean up himself when he heard a voice.

"Joseph! Joseph!! Joseph!!! Leave this work otherwise you will be cut off from the earth this year."

He ignored it. The voice came again the following day, yet he ignored it again. By the third day, it came again explaining that the tractor would not work unless he quit his job.

At this point, he surrendered but questioned the voice, "Who are you that are calling me? What do you want me to do?"

The Lord replied, "I will send you a message to the world, if you deliver it, I will empower you. But if you refuse to deliver it, you will be cut off from the face of the earth."

The voice instructed him to fast for four days if he wanted to know the message. So he resigned his job and for the following few months he sought the face of God and prepared for the ministry. His apostolic ministry shook Nigeria and some other nations.

Your calling may not be as spectacular as Babalola's nevertheless if it is from God, it is authentic or genuine. Two calls from God are neither superior nor inferior to each other.

My story is a little bit funny. A friend and I began a fellowship in our secondary school because some girls said they had seen an angel with a drawn-out sword in the moon at night. So by daybreak, the news of the angel in the moon spread in our school compound.

By evening of that day we heard it, the sky became reddish or so, coincidentally or by God's sovereign act. And they seemed to say, "Look the world is coming to an end. This confirms what those girls saw overnight."

I didn't know what to do. So my friend and I began a fellowship that same night and continued subsequently. We didn't invite people at first but they began to join us. I became the leader eventually.

Despite all these experiences, I was not born-again. I preached to hundreds of people in the long run within and outside the fellowship. There was a particular day God touched some people as I preached; he even touched me. It seemed I even had some tears in my eyes right on the pulpit.

About a month after I had graduated from the school, I got born-again. So I went back there much later to help the work better. I was told they were averaging between 500 and 600 at that time! I often visited them in those days.

So when I became born-again, I knew the difference between trying to serve God with the old nature and serving God with the new man, in spirit and in truth. But I was a novice!

Then a prophetic minister in the local church I belonged to then beckoned to me after a Sunday service and as soon as I stood before him, he began to prophesy to me, "You are a great man. You are great man..."

At first, I thought he meant I would be a great business man and I said in my mind, "No, I don't want to be businessman. I want to be a preacher of the gospel."

As of that time, I wasn't sure if I had a call into any of the five-fold ministry. I have always had a knowing in my spirit, though.

Much later, this same minister said God had revealed certain things about my ministry to him. The following is the collection of some of what he said to me over the years, "You will travel from nation to nation preaching the gospel God has given you the gift of prophecy.

"I once saw you addressing a mammoth crowd of about 10,000 people who listened with rapt attention as you were opening the Bible and explaining the Word."

But in those earlier days, when I was newly born-again, I had gone to my pastor and said, "Sir, can I pray that God should call me into the ministry? I love to be a preacher" [paraphrased]!

This friendly man replied, "It is God who determines that. You can't choose for yourself. You can't tell God to call you."

Before long it became settled in my heart that I have been called into the five-fold ministry. I knew early that I have a teaching ministry. But after more than ten years of being in Christ, God began to speak to me specifically about my first call.

Actually, things became clearer through a young prophetic friend of mine.

He said, "There is a vacant place God wants you to occupy. He wants you to step into some shoes. God is giving you an APOSTOLIC and PROPHETIC assignment.

"God is appointing you, not for any reason but because he loves you and he does not want you to disappoint him. The hour has come to fulfil my call over Nigeria,' says the Lord, 'And I am sending you to usher in my move.

"You have to labour in the place of prayer like Jacob and Moses. The devil will do all he can to stop you. Those things you call work are nothing but spiritual hindrances."

Several months later, I was asked to speak in a church meeting and as I was waiting before the Lord preparing for the service I had a quick vision.

I saw a Bible opened to the Acts of the Apostles and boldly written on it was "APOSTOLIC CALL." Then I came to my senses.

Later, a prophetic woman said God showed her that I would be AN APOSTLE TO THE NATIONS.

One doesn't become an apostle overnight. Between an apostolic call and an apostolic commissioning (separation), there is a long process.

In summary, I would like to say, "I am called to be a preacher, an apostle and a teacher. Nevertheless, I'm still going through the process!"

It is Scriptural and safe to take adequate time to prove (ascertain) God's will for one's life (Roman 12:2).

It's rather dangerous to presume (assume or guess) God's will for your life. It leads to frustration, confusion and eventually probably pre-mature death. I know people who lost their lives to that!
 
CHAPTER SEVEN

GOD'S CALL IS HOLY AND HONOURABLE

THE CALL OF GOD IS HOLY AND HONORABLE.

"Who (God) hath saved us and called us with an HOLY CALLING ." (2Tim 1:9).

"No one takes this HONOR upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was" (Heb 5:4, NIV).

But Jesus said unto them, "A prophet is not without HONOUR, but in his own country and among his own kin, and in his own house" (Mk 6:4).

When David attempted to bring back the ark of God to the city, they put it on a new cart. On getting to a particular place, the oxen carrying it stumbled and Uzzah (a non-Levite wanting to help God) reached out his hand to steady the ark but God struck him dead (1 Chronicles 13:1-14)!

But why? It was because carrying the ark of God was a holy and honourable calling of God given to the Levites only. Anyone who toys with God's call will come under divine judgment for as God is holy so are His calling and gifts (please read 1 Chronicle 15:11-15).

In the Old Covenant, people were anointed to stand and minister in three distinct offices, namely: the office of a prophet, the office of a priest and the office of a king.

King Saul intruded into a priest's office and God judged him (1 Samuel 13:8-14, 1 Samuel 10:8).

How much more terrible will it be for one to intrude into the office of an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher, or any other one in the New Covenant?

Remember Peter wrote, "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God" (1 Pet 4:17a).

William Branham was a prophet used of the Lord in an unusual way in the previous century. History has it that he missed God when he intruded into the office of a teacher which God never called him into. He was warned by Gordon Lindsay but he replied, "I want to teach."

So he taught and continued teaching. He turned the Bible upside down. He brought great confusion into the Body of Christ through his heresies. Therefore God's judgment fell on him in December 1965. (Another prophet actually saw it coming two years earlier). He died pre-maturely! That's why we shouldn't mess up with a holy thing a holy calling!

Paul warned, "Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear for our God is a consuming fire" (Heb 12:28b-29).

Don't seek a calling because it brings honour. Only the honour God gives lasts, but self-honour is short-lived and ends in disgrace. Seek God and let him reveal your calling to you clearly so that you can pursue and fulfil it!
 
CHAPTER EIGHT

THE HIGHER THE CALL, THE HIGHER THE CHALLENGES

THE HIGHER THE CALL, THE GREATER THE SPIRITUAL WARFARE AND PHYSICAL ADVERSITY AS WELL AS THE PUNISHMENT FOR ANY FORM OF DISOBEDIENCE TO IT.

"And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Mt 16:17-18).

"And the Lord said, Simon behold, Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that they faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen they brethren" (Lk 22:31-32).

Evidently, Peter was given the keys to open the doors of the kingdom to the Jews on the day of Pentecost and to the Gentiles at Cornelius' house in Caesarea (read Matthew 16:17-19, Acts 2:1-41, Acts 10:1-48).

Little wonder Satan focused on him more than the rest of the 12 apostles. His higher calling generated greater spiritual warfare and greater physical adversity for him. Have you ever asked why Joseph's path of destiny was harder spiritually and physically than those of his brothers?

Why on earth do you think David had to face greater spiritual and physical fights as well as adversity than the rest of his father's children? Think of Moses, Paul and even Jesus!

No calling is superior or inferior to another but all through the scriptures, Satan concentrates more on those with higher callings and responsibilities. He concentrates less on those who may not wreak much havoc to his kingdom.
He is indeed a wise strategist. He does not combat all believers with equal strength (see Luke 14:31).

God does not punish all forms of disobedience to His call equally. Rebellion to a higher call attracts greater punishment.

Jesus said, "He will be SEVERELY PUNISHED, for though he knew his duty he refused to do it. But anyone who is not aware that he is doing wrong will be PUNISHED only LIGHTLY.

MUCH IS REQUIRED FROM THOSE TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, FOR THEIR RESPONSIBILITY IS GREATER" (Lk 12:47-48, TLB).
 
CHAPTER NINE

THE CALLED IS ANSWERABLE TO THE CALLER

ANYONE CALLED BY GOD IS ANSWERABLE TO GOD IN RESPECT OF THAT CALL.

"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom 14:12).

"NOTHING IN ALL CREATION IS HIDDEN FROM GOD'S SIGHT. EVERYTHING IS UNCOVERED AND LAID BARE BEFORE THE EYES OF HIM TO WHOM WE MUST GIVE ACCOUNT (Heb 4:13, NIV; read also 1 Corinthians 4:3-5).

We are answerable to the one who called us. If we are called of man, then we are answerable to man. But if we are called of the Lord, then to Him only are we answerable.

Jesus gave us the parable of the talents, a most profound revelation that illustrates this better. It is clear that Jesus, the master will judge all believers according to their works. He has the final say.

What people think or say about you will not count on that day! (Please read Matthew 25:19-30, 1 Corinthians 4:1-6).

On the Day of Reckoning, when you stand before the Master, the burning issue will be, "Did you do exactly what I called you to do on earth or were you pre-occupied with what somebody else, a fellow man, called you to do?"

Some believers will be utterly disappointed and shocked to hear the Master say, "I'm sorry; I never called you to do that. You just wasted what I gave you. You wasted your life. You wasted your time. You wasted all the financial resources I made available to you. You are such a disappointment to the kingdom of heaven after all we have invested in you.

"Although you lived in pleasure on earth, yet you did not live in My purpose for you. You achieved a lot of things in the name of God, but you did not fulfil your mission on earth!

"You're unprofitable. I deeply regret calling you. You lived all those years on earth but never started your true ministry, though at times, you got close to doing so. You're a failure. I have no reward for you. It's too late to do anything about it. You will be among the least in heaven."

You see, friend, there is rank in heaven (see Matthew 18:1-4).

On the other hand, it is Scriptural and safe to submit to spiritual authority of leaders.

Submission to godly authority helps us to be better prepared for the Day of Reckoning! It opens us and our ministries up for assessment. It brings balance and correction.

Also giving the report of our ministries to relevant local churches and their leaders can help them accept, encourage, counsel, strengthen and support us more (see Acts 4:23-31, Acts 11:1-18, Acts 13:1-3, Acts 14:26-28, Acts 15:1-34).

Submitting to someone or giving a ministry's report does not mean one is answerable to them. It is, however, wisdom that prepares one for the time when one must give an account of oneself to God!
 
CHAPTER TEN

WILLINGNESS AND OBEDIENCE TO THE CALL BRING REWARDS

WILLINGNESS AND OBEDIENCE TO THE CALL BRING REWARDS.

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad (2Cor 5:10, NIV).

"If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test THE QUALITY OF EACH MAN'S WORK.

If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames" (1Cor 3:12-15, NIV).

"And so we know and rely on the LOVE God has for us. GOD IS LOVE. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete (perfect) among us so that we will have CONFIDENCE (BOLDNESS) ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT . "(1 Jn 4:16-17a, NIV).

"Yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then?" (1Cor 9:16b-18a).

Obeying God consistently speaks of faithfulness while obeying God willingly denotes love. At the judgment seat of Christ, the yardstick for rewarding the believers for their works is basically LOVE.

The judge is Christ. Christ is God and God is love; so the judge is love (John 1:1)!

Surely, there shall be surprises on that day because only the works done with a love motive, that is, willingness will receive an eternal reward!

Do you know that Jonah, the prophet will have no reward for going to Nineveh? He won't because he obeyed grudgingly, that is, against his own will!

You see, if someone sent by God will receive no eternal reward for a particular assignment because of their unwilling obedience, then the one who went on his own should never think of receiving any reward for his self-assigned work!

Paul wrote about some who preached Christ out of envy and strife. They did so out of selfish ambition without love. Then he mentioned those others who preached Christ out of good will with love. The two sets of people obeyed God but differently.

Paul said he rejoiced because whichever way Christ was preached. Some had faithful obedience (without love) while others had willing obedience (with love) [see Philippians 1:15-18].

The Master in the parable of the talents, said to two of his servants on their day of reckoning: "Well done, GOOD and FAITHFUL servant!" (Matthew 25:21, 23).

"Good" in this verse above speaks of doing one's work out of love according to Philippians 1:15-17 while "faithful" speaks of one obeying God consistently over a period of time such that He has come to trust one as reliable!

You see, faithful obedience in one's call brings God's promotion and blessings but it is both willing and faithful obedience that guarantees eternal rewards. [For further study along this line, read the author's book: "Unfolding The Five-fold Ministry."]

"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but HAVE NOT LOVE, I AM NOTHING. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but HAVE NOT LOVE, I GAIN NOTHING (1Cor 13:2-3, NIV; read Ephesians 6:5-9, Hebrews 6:10, Jonah 1-4).

God wants us to have both WILLING AND FAITHFUL OBEDIENCE to His call on our lives!
I remember the story of one of the great evangelists in this country. The first time I saw him in a meeting, I knew something was wrong from the way he spoke. It seemed he wanted to put unnecessary financial burden on the people who invited him.

Some years down the road, he passed on or out. Then an angel was said to search for his name in a book. Unfortunately, he couldn't find it. Then the shocking message came that it was removed some days before then.

Also it was said that because of the way he was charging people money as he was preaching the Gospel, which we had all freely received, he had already received his reward on earth, implying that there was no more reward for him in heaven.

in Matthew 6: 1(AMP), Jesus said, "Take care not to do your good deeds publicly to be seen by them; OTHERWISE YOU WILL HAVE NO REWARD [RESERVED FOR AND AWAITING YOU] WITH AND FROM YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN." [Please read also verses 2-6.]

Somehow, by an act of divine mercy, he revived. So God gave him a second chance to mend his ways, and so that you and I can learn from his errors.

You see, Paul warned, "That in my preaching the good news (the Gospel), I may offer it [absolutely] FREE OF EXPENSE [to anybody] not taking advantage of my rights and privileges [as a preacher] of the Gospel.
But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that AFTER PROCLAIMING TO OTHERS THE GOSPEL AND THINGS PERTAINING TO IT, I MYSELF SHOULD BECOME UNFIT [NOT STAND THE TEST, BE UNAPPROVED AND REJECTED AS A COUNTERFEIT]" (1Cor 9:18, 27, AMP).
 
SUGGESTED READINGS ON MINISTRY GIFTS

1. The Ministry Gifts Kenneth E. Hagin
2. The Gifts and Calling of God Kenneth E. Hagin
3. Understanding Ministry Gifts Olusola A. Areogun
4. Exploits In Ministry David Oyedepo
5. The Gifts and Ministries Of The Holy Spirit Lester Sumrall
6. Call and Separation Bob Yandian
7. Charismatic Ministry: Call of God Gordon Lindsay
8. The Preacher and His Preaching A.P. Gibbs
9. Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow Peter Wagner
10. Practical Suggestions For Successful Ministry K.C. Price
11. The Shepherd's Staff Ralph Mahoney
12. Understanding The Fivefold Ministry Matthew D. Green.
13. He Gave Gifts Unto Men Kenneth E. Hagin
 
SINNERS CONFESSION
If you are not yet born-again, say this:
I choose to repent today. Also I choose to believe that Jesus died for my sins and rose up for my justification.
The Scripture says, If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Rom 10:9).
Therefore, I believe in Jesus in my heart and confess Him as my Lord. Now I am born-again (Amen).
 
SAY THIS ALOUD TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT
Also Jesus said, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses (Acts 1:8).
And on the day of Pentecost All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:4).
Therefore, I receive the Holy Spirit by faith right now and I begin to speak in an unknown tongue (unlearned tongue) as He gives me the utterance.
I command every foul spirit [spirit of fear, spirit of unbelief, spirit of doubt, religious spirit, unforgiving spirit] wanting to hinder me to stop in its evil operation in my life in Jesus name.
Thank you God for filling me with your Spirit in Jesus name (Amen).
 
Books By The Same Author
How to Interpret Dreams and Visions
Why Marriages Break
How to Find the Right Life Partner
Secrets of Financial and Material Prosperity
How to Receive Your Divine Healing
Unfolding the Fivefold Ministry
The Ministry of an Apostle
The Ministry of a Prophet
The Ministry of an Evangelist
The Ministry of a Pastor
The Ministry of a Teacher
Passion for the Lost
Understanding the Call of God
Basic Bible Course
How to Receive the Holy Spirit
Fulfilling Your Divine Destiny
Day of Reckoning: God's Formula for Eternal Rewards
Identifying Counterfeit Ministries
Sanctification: Changing from Inside Out
O Suffering, Why Really Me?
Intimacy with God
The Pastor's Wife
Why Some Churches Won't Grow!
Just Before You Start a Church
How to Prepare and Deliver Sermons
Finding Your Own Ministry
False Doctrines Exposed!
How to Raise Money for Ministry

SPECIAL! SPECIAL! SPECIAL!
A MUST READING/VIEW
(Google the following free of charge on the Internet and God will change your life forever.)
1. Holiness Required For Heaven by Carillo from Bolivia
2. Eternal Destinations: Godly Attire and Adornment
3. Another Warning by Kingsley Ubani
4. Time Is Over : Run For Your Life by Kingsley Ubani
5. 9 Testimonies on Tithing from Heaven and Hell Visions
6. The Dangers of Eating Gods Tithes and Offerings
7. The Visitation of Jesus to Samuel Oghenetega
(Crosscheck these testimonies with the Scriptures and if you have questions you may send us an email.)

About the Author
Segun Olumide and his wife, Tosin are founding ministers in the New Apostolic Movement and the Glorious Family Church International both in Lagos, Nigeria. He has a divine mandate to align the Church with God's purpose.
In a vision, the Lord showed him a Bible opened to the Acts of the Apostles with the words APOSTOLIC CALL on one of the pages. They reach out through School Of Ministry, School of Life (Pre-Bible School), NAM Bible School and NAM Correspondence Bible School and Healing School. His apostolic teachings have blessed the Body of Christ across the nation.

Connect with me online
If God has blessed you through this book, please send me an e-mail to share your testimony, inspiration or reading experience, mail to:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/olumide.olusegun.5

NAM PARTNERS
(NEW APOSTOLIC MOVEMENT PARTNERS)
Abundance of peace be multiplied to you in Jesus' name. If God has blessed you through this ministry, I want you to prayerfully consider becoming a financial and prayer partner with us in discipling the nations for Christ before he comes back.
Surely you will reap the reward on earth and also in eternity, as you follow Jesus to the end.
You may support us in prayer daily.
Also you may support us financially with any amount of money God lays upon your heart just once, monthly, every 3 months, every 6 months or yearly as it is convenient for you.
You may contact us by email: [email protected] or call: +234-816-1297-781.
God bless you real good.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! Click here and TRUST JESUS NOW