The Lord really has a funny way of getting my attention.In the last 14 hours, 7 of which I was asleep, I have had two people ask me whether or not I had heard from God about having a time of ministry.
Now, for those of you who may not understand the term, ministry is a time when people come forward in a church service and have hands placed on them during a time of prayer. Sometimes, the power of God comes on those prayed for and they manifest signs of God's power. They might fall down; they might speak in tongues; they might receive a word of prophecy; or, they might just receive prayer and go back to their seats. One never knows what might happen.
To be honest, I go back and forth on times of ministry. I know from my own experience that these times can be helpful. These times can increase faith. They can remind me that God is much bigger than me. They can get me excited again about the supernatural elements of my walk with the Lord.
But, they can also soon reduce my personal emphasis on study and personal prayer. I can get to the place where I'm not working on my character and over-time growth, while looking for the quick fix through a "touch from the Lord."
Help me out. What does personal ministry do (or not do) for you? What do you think?
6 comments:
Ministry for me usually depends on where I am at. There have been times when I have depended on it to get me through or to be full of God, but then there have been times when I have needed to just feel the presence of God in a more tangible way. Ministry has at times set me on the other side of a situation so that I can get clarity and move beyond where I am at. Ministry has helped to heal my broken heart and helped me to get closer to God. Of course if you don't make an effort to grow in God or put action with the ministry, ministry probably won't do you much good.
I have always been one of the ones who loves ministry. I am a true "anointing junkie", but I have learned that I have to add reading, praying, worshiping and spending time with God to that.
One of the biggest breakthroughs that I received in God came without anyone laying hands on me, but then right now I am so far from where I was at that point.
Oh, I forgot. I almost asked you that same question (can we please have ministry) on Monday, but thought maybe I shouldn't.
To me, ministry is vital. Its what sets our church/beliefs apart from the 9 churchs I drive by to get to CFC! Its vital not only to those needing it but also for those who "need" to minister to others. Sometimes its one of the only ways lay people who minister are able to walk in thier calling. I read the word & pray & listening to sermons is one of my very favorite things to do, but for me all those long times between when we have great ministry & when we don't are just that...a long time!
I believe ministry is important also. The only thing that I "squirm" at is sometimes it is man ordained and not God. I agree with Ang that is is a time for those who need ministry but also a time for those to need to minister to others. PBR, maybe it isn't all the time that you minister to people. Everyones needs are different each service.
I also agree with Ang, that is what always made CFC do different from other churches.
I was thinking about this today... I guess because we had ministry time. I love it when God makes himself visible through power and anointing, and I love to pray for people. I really do not like ministry time for myself. I don't even trust myself to have an authentic response to God. This is hard to explain. I guess I am extremely too cynical. I guess to sum it up... I believe God is real, but people often like to make a scene. What I was trying to figure out this morning is if this is the truth, or is it just that I do not like untidiness.
I totally agree that the ministry is one of the things that sets our church apart from many others. I know the first time we came to CFC the music and the ministry is what will ALWAYS stand out in my mind. If the ministry had not been going on that day, Marty may not have gotten blasted by the Holy Ghost and we probably wouldn't have kept coming back. I know that God has a plan and I truly believe we were meant to be at CFC so I'm sure eventually we would have ended up there. My point is that the ministry had a direct impact on our lives at that time.
I think that ministry is a very effective tool that God uses both in helping people through things and allowing others to use their gifts to minister.
We need ministry time. I definitely think it is a much needed time of healing and peace.
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