Encouragement

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by Henry Miranda

05/17/19
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Titus 3:14 (NKJV) and let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

I was never really that good in sports since to be good at something you have to practice and work at it. Your mind has to be in it. So when it came time to playing sports, I was never picked to be on a team. You might say that I was a "bench warmer" just watching the game, but not playing in the game. We can be the same way in church. We can just go to church, sit there listen to the pastor, and go home and not read the bible. Or, we can study the Bible when we get home. You just can’t expect to be used by God if you don’t study the word.

We are all equal and with a purpose and just because you don’t receive a call from God, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be used by God! Sports teams have the best players play first, and the rest of the players sit on the bench in case they are called to play. They are not playing, but waiting in case they are needed. God has given everyone a gift. And we need to prepare and be ready so when God does call us to do whatever He has for us we will be ready. Ministry gifts were given to the church to enable God’s people to do the work of the ministry. What is the work of the ministry? It’s all service that is done in order to bring people into the Body of Christ (His church) and to bring the church into the fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ. The church needs apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Whatever the purpose God has for you, be ready so when God calls you for any need you will be prepared and ready.

I remember a story told to me a while back and it makes sense to me, especially when God asked me to do certain things. Here is the story as I remember it.
There was a Christian convention in Ontario, California and two pastors were having a conversation. One pastor told the story to the other pastor as to what happened to him in a California mining town. He explained that the mining had stopped and everybody was leaving the town. The pastor continued, saying that the Lord told him to go preach at the church. But the pastor told God that there was nobody to preach to there. Then God told him once again to go preach at the church and once again the preacher said, Lord, there is nobody there to preach to? Eventually, the preacher did what God told him to do and went to the church to preach to an empty church. As he was telling the story an evangelist passed by and heard the conversation and said "I happen to be in that mining town you’re talking about. I was a worker there and I had left my tools by the window at that church. When I went back to pick up my tools, I heard this preacher, preaching to an empty church. I thought he was crazy and listened for a little bit, then he got my full attention and I became a born-again Christian and eventually an evangelist". This evangelist led a lot of people to the Lord. God has a purpose in this world for us. We may not see the bigger picture and I know we're not always supposed to. We are to be faithful and obedient to God’s word you never know when you will be affecting another person.

Even if we’re not apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors or a teacher now, study and be prepared so if the Lord calls you to be one of those, you will be ready to step up to the plate. The Holy Spirit is always there to guide, direct, and teach you things you need to know and say, and do. We are never alone because Jesus Christ is always with us.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NKJV) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

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