Ephesians 4:11-12King James Version (KJV)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
There are 2 key words in these verses (1) EDIFY - & (2) EQUIP :
The word Edify means building eternity in someone whilst the word Equip comes from the root word in greek = Katartizo - which definition is :
to render, i.e. to fit, sound, complete. to mend (what has been broken or rent), to repair. to complete. to fit out, equip, put in order, arrange, adjust. to fit or frame for one's self, prepare.
ethically: to strengthen, perfect, complete, make one what he ought to be.
The history of chiropractic began in 1895 when Daniel David Palmer of Iowa performed the first chiropractic adjustment on a partially deaf janitor, Harvey Lillard. While Lillard was working without his shirt on in Palmers office, Lillard bent over to empty the trash can. Palmer noticed that Lillard had a vertebra out of position. He asked Lillard what happened, and Lillard replied, "I moved the wrong way, and I heard a 'pop' in my back, and that's when I lost my hearing." Palmer, had Lillard lie face down on the floor and proceeded with the adjustment or popping back the bone into place. Lillard deafness was completely healed!
Likewise for us when we are aligned to God's Word and Will for our lives we are in convergence. (If lines, roads, or paths converge, they move towards the same point : when we head in the same direction with God!)
African women whom are slender in frame are able to carry huge loads (weight) on heads because they are aligned to the skeleton structure of the body!
" It's not the load that breaks you down but the way you carry it!"
We need to understand that if we carry any load God gives us the priviledge to bear, we will be fine if and only if we are in alignment with Him!
ALIGNMENT : 3 Types of Alignment we need to understand :
1. Alignment to the Season
2. Alignment to Tribal Anointing
3. Alignment to the Assignment
(1) Season Alignment
God has a perfect timing, a perfect season. Sometimes we pray and have to wait... Sometimes fasting happens first before the release of His Power or answer!
The Lame man strangely asked for 'alms' when he probably should have asked for 'legs' instead!
Steve Job was successful because they came up with a philosophy of 'Think Different'.
Alibaba has been phenomenal because online purchases is right now in season!
(2) Anointing Alignment
If I had tried to dedicate myself to ministry right after graduating from the University of Hawaii I would probably have fallen flat on my face. God took me through working in Atlanta, Georgia, Denver, Colorado, and then back to Singapore, opening 3 hotels, having to train new staff (their very 1st job ever) and old staff, move into different hotels, jobs, positions of leadership, seasons of change before I finally came to grips with what God wants of me...what He has anointed me for! 2018 marks a new phase in my life as my wife and I have just gone on 'Associate Staff' with the Navigators in Singapore.
We are also leading a Life group (cell group) in Eternal Life Church , part of the EXCO to help in the direction of the Life groups in this local church. Could we have done this years ago? Have the experiences He has brought us through anointed us for what He has in mind for the future? How He will use us?
(3) Assignment Alignment
Everyone, each of us is unique! There is no one like you ...there is no other person like me....yes I know, Praise God! Let me point out just 5 things that all point of our uniqueness :
1. Thumb Print - Which is has been used for years because no two people share the same thumb print ...we are unique!
2. Eye Print - New security technology is using for identification your eye-print! In addition to that it's our vision which is unique the way we look at something is unique. God gave each of us a unique vision.
3. Foot print - yes same as thumb print our foot print is unique too but in addition to that is our walk with God, the unique experiences He brings us through makes that walk, that foot print different from anyone else!
4. DNA- We are made unique by God and to serve God uniquely!
5. Heart-Beat : Yes each of us has a unique heart-beat ...and in addition what makes us tick is different.
Yet despite all of these differences, these unique aspects....we fit together as a body!
When I was growing up my mother wanted me to be a lawyer, my father wanted me to take over his business ...become a businessman, despite being the youngest in the family, and having 2 brothers and an eldest sister whom had been in the family business with him for years he wanted me to take over when I graduated. I wanted to run hotels! When he heard that he came over to Hawaii to persuade me otherwise...telling me not many people will be given the opportunity that he was giving me. Finally after 3 days he relented and gave me his blessing to go into the hotel business with the agreement that if I fail I would come back into the family business.
My mentors in Hawaii (Hal & Karen Jensen) thought it would be good for me to go full-time with the Navigators once I graduated...by my last year in college so did I. Cecilia brought to Hawaii to be trained to be a 'Navigator wife' ! Roger Fleming & Jerry White thought it would be good to get 3-4 years of corporate experience under my belt and re-visit the 'calling' after that.
Some 30+ years later now... sometimes I think it is too late, sometimes I think I should have made this decision much much earlier in life but guess what God has His timing....
He has to do work in my life; to mold, sculpt, chisel, polish me to the point where He now thinks the path is clear and the timing is right; then comes my response.
I always need to remind myself of the word RESPONSIBILITY. It is my RESPONSE to HIS ABILITY !!! I want to spend the rest of the time He gives me on earth to : (1) Love God (2) Love My Family (3) Love People and Fulfill His Great Commision
Will you join me?
