SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
(1 Corinthians 1:28-29) "God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."
(1 Peter 2:21) "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."
(2 Peter 1:10-11) (10) "Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election." (11) "For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
(1 John 2:27) “But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie, just as it has taught you, abide in him.”
(1 Corinthians 1:9) "God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
(2 Corinthians 1:21-22) (21) “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;” (22) “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”
PREFACE SUMMARY
Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts on becoming a man or woman of God who is called to lead others. God inspires us to become willing instruments for His call and purpose. However, many leaders today have isolated themselves and have not trained anyone to take their place, which is also true in the church.
If you have a calling on your life, it is because God chooses people incapable of producing life qualities on their own, but He can do it through us when we give Him preeminence in our life and church. We must realize that who we are in the body of Christ is more important than what we can do and accomplish on our own.
We must accept that God had a plan for us as leaders before we were born, and our life experiences have been a training ground to fulfill His plan for our life and ministry. God plans to make us leaders who will lead by example because we have endured the training process that experience alone can give. We must, in turn, pour out of our life the wisdom gained through the process into the lives of others because a true leader is someone who has been through the trials of life and learned from their mistakes, making them more sensitive to the things of God and the needs of others.
True leaders have made themselves accountable to their elders, developed a pattern of praying for the people under their leadership, and studied enough history to realize that humanity, left unchecked, will gradually decline in morals and conduct, exposing that life demands accountability. We must understand that our ministry calling is developed inside us, and our ministry cannot be separated from who we are.
Saints of God, true leaders will desire to see their younger ministers develop maturely so that they can stand firm and strong in any situation that may arise.
Beloved, we need leaders today who are willing to lay aside their agenda and pour into these young ministers what God, through experience and training, has matured in them that has caused them to be pillars in the body of Christ.
Saints, a true leader will not harbor jealousy because a younger minister appears to be receiving more recognition than them because they know there will be a time when they must step back and give the position to someone else, preferably someone who has been well trained under their leadership.
Dear friends, authentic leaders in the Church will always have a genuine desire to help their younger ministers develop and mature so they can be firm and unshakable in any situation.
We need leaders willing to put aside their ambitions and invest in these young ministers, sharing the wisdom and experience God has granted them so that the younger generation can become pillars in the Body of Christ.
A true leader will not be envious if a younger minister receives more recognition, as they understand there will come a time when they must step aside and pass on the torch to someone else. Ideally, they hope to see one of their well-trained disciples take the lead.
"YOU ARE A CHOSEN VESSEL"
Dear readers, did you know you were called to be a leader in God's army even before birth? Good or bad, every event in your life has been training you for this calling. God is preparing an army that has been through the fires of persecution for the end-time harvest of souls, and we may falter during this training process, but what is important is how we respond during the battle. Others will get their breakthrough by observing how we handle what we are going through.
Let us not lose sight of who we are for what we do. We must realize that the call of God is significant in our lives, and we must not pray for a move of God but become a move of God ourselves. We should become instruments that God can use for His purpose, to reach out to a hurting world looking for answers and a reason to live.
God looks for people incapable of producing any life independently and uses them to bring life to others. You may ask how I can do this or become this person He has chosen me to be. It is impossible on our own, but God knows everything and has planned our lives. He will make it happen in us when we give Him preeminence in our lives and He opens our spiritual womb.
As we grow in the things of God, we must maintain an intimate relationship with Him. During these moments, the gifts and talents He placed within us at birth are awakened as His Spirit is birthing our destiny.
Dear readers, did you know that this precious moment is where we become exposed to who we are and become honest with ourselves and God, and it is in these moments when the deep calling unto the deep happens? So let us never forget that what we are is more important than what we do.
Beloved, during this time, the gifts and talents that God placed within us at birth are awakened as His Spirit is birthing our destiny. Some call it "The Deep, Calling Unto the Deep!" We have become impregnated with destiny, but what has been birthed in us may not can be seen but it does not mean that it is not there.
Dear readers, God began the work in us, and He will be the one to finish it. We cannot minister what we do not have, so we must learn that God's plan for us is in the Spirit, including the call into His ministry. Therefore, let us take note of the growing process referred to by the apostle Paul in (Galatians 4:19), "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you."
Beloved, you have been chosen as a vessel for a special purpose. Embrace this opportunity with confidence and know that you have been selected for a reason. Your unique skills and abilities are needed to make a significant impact. Let this knowledge guide you as you move forward and make the most of this incredible opportunity."
"THE MINISTRY REQUIRES CONSECRATION"
Dear readers, have you ever considered the importance of consecrating to God and the call upon our life as we mature? The word of God states in (Isaiah 10:27), "And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing." This means that God can use us to preach and minister to others by who we are because of the anointing and the call upon our life.
We must realize that the ministry we are called to cannot be outside us, but we are the ministry. The church will cause us to become more sensitive to the things of God so that we can become more sensitive to the needs of the people to whom we are called.
Dear readers, I recall when my apostle Don Stewart called me aside and whispered, "Jerry, people do not care how much you know until they see how much you care."
Beloved, this message speaks volumes concerning the call of God on your life and how that call requires not only dedicated consecration, but it requires one to remain teachable and ready to teach.
To properly answer the call would be to realize that the humble Spirit of God living within you is armed with the plans God has for you to help you develop an understanding of the need to show compassion where others may be in their walk with God.
The word commands that those called into ministry are to study that they may show themselves approved, rightly dividing the word of truth, always being ready to give answers from the word of God out of the hope that lies within us and become faith builders to the body of Christ, including encouragers to those that doubt as we live our life purposes in our heart to guard our hearts, not to take bribes and become defiled.
Dear readers, if we take the call of God upon our lives thoughtfully and desire to make a difference in our community and nation, we must get back to living a life of purity and holiness before a perfect creator because he said in his word that "without holiness, no man shall see the Lord."
(Hebrews 12:14) " Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"
Beloved, the bottom line to this message is, "To truly serve in the ministry, one must be willing to consecrate themselves fully. Dedication and commitment are essential for making a difference in people's lives and positively impacting the world. Remember, the ministry requires consecration."
"THE MINISTRY REQUIRES ENDURANCE"
(Philippians 3:14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Beloved Saints, this message is about answering the call of God upon our lives and realizing the value of enduring the process needed to reach our goal. Our goal is to attain the prize of God's high calling so that we may teach others.
God desires for us to keep stretching toward our goal. Did you know that the Greek word used here for the press would be "stretch," as if conditioning ourselves with proper training will strengthen our muscles for running a race?
To reach our goal, we must remain focused while going through God's refining process to greatness. In the verse above, Paul allows us to see the secret that made him the leader he was. He studied under one of the most known scholars of his day, which became helpful after he met the Lord on the Damascus Road.
I pray that as you read this message, you understand that God has a set time for all things and will bring you forth at the right time and birth what you were chosen to do into reality. When you were in solitude and shut in with Christ, something was birthed within you, and he will be the one to protect it until it is time for it to come forth. Ministers of the Living God, "You cannot minister to your flock what you have not received!"
Let's prioritize being seen for who we are, possessing a pure heart of intimacy in the eyes of an all-seeing God who has a deep burning desire to bring us to a good end. On that day, when he makes up his bride, we may be presented to him by the father as a chaste virgin, without spot or wrinkle, saying, "Worthy are you, Lord, for your cause and purpose were we created."
Beloved, the bottom line to this message is to succeed in ministry, one must possess endurance. It is through the testing of our limits and perseverance through difficult times that we can truly make a difference in the lives of others. So, if you are willing to go the extra mile, to push through the pain and discomfort, then you have what it takes to make a lasting impact in the world of ministry. Remember, endurance is the key to success.
"MINISTRY DEMANDS A PERSON WITH GODLY CHARACTER"
Dear readers, men like Derick Prince are rare these days. He stood with heaven shining on his shoulders and was not afraid to proclaim the whole council of God, even in the face of compromising leaders.
Today, we should be crying out for men like Daniel, who could pray a prayer that would bring an empire to its knees. As faithful men and women who love God, we should strive to develop the same character that made
Daniel stands out as a spring rose in a heathen world. We should have an inward desire to help make and bring change, including direction, into the lives of others to encourage them to face another day. In chapter five of the book of Daniel, we can find ten essential character traits that make a true leader.
Saints, can you take a moment and think about some of the key attributes that make a true man and woman of God stand out from all the others?
Did you know, beloved, that faithful men and women who love God have developed character, which causes them to have an inward desire to help make and bring change, including direction, into the lives of others to encourage them to face another day?
Beloved, look in chapter five of the book of Daniel and glean some characteristics that should be found in a true leader, and remember, you can lead from the authority the office gives you, or you can lead by example jumping in and helping where you can.
These characteristics include having the Spirit of God, being teachable, humble, and bold, knowing the Holy Scriptures, having compassion for people, being able to understand and interpret dreams and see if they were from God, being a hope and faith builder, able to encourage those who might give in to doubt, being a thermometer instead of a thermostat.
Those in leadership should be able to bring change and positive influence instead of just blending in, being unable to be bribed or persuaded to receive gifts for his calling, and being a person who purposed in his heart not to be contaminated or defiled by the world around him. Let's strive to emulate these essential character traits in our own lives and become faithful men and women of God.
Beloved, please refer to chapter five of the book of Daniel to identify the characteristics of a true leader.
Saints, I have listed ten essential character traits that make Daniel stand out as a spring rose in a heathen world because he had the understanding and wisdom of an enlightened mind.
(1) "He had the Spirit of God" (2) "He had a teachable, humble, and bold Spirit." (3) "He knew the Holy Scriptures" (4) "He had a compassion for people" (5) "He was able to understand and interpret dreams and know if they were from God" (6) "He was a hope and faith builder" (7) "He was able to encourage those who might give in to doubt" (8) "He was a thermometer instead of a thermostat, being able to bring change and positive influence instead of blending in" (9) "He could not be bribed or persuaded to receive gifts for his calling" (10) "He was a man who purposed in his heart not to be contaminated or defiled by the world around him"
The bottom line to this message would be to declare that those who aspire to lead in ministry must possess the highest standard of godly character. It is essential for anyone seeking to serve others in this capacity to embody the values and principles of a life rooted in faith. Only then can one truly lead by example and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
MY CONCLUSION
Dear Saints of God and fellow peers, I am concluding this message with urgency and warning. I hope this message will either motivate us to follow God's plans or make us realize that we are self-satisfied and need to change our ways.
Beloved, in today's world, many people ignore their spiritual needs and seek pleasure through their five senses. They are like people who have taken a pill that has put them into a coma-like state where nothing affects them. This is a dangerous path to choose.
Once, I saw a mouse playing around with a poisonous snake on National Geographic, and the snake seemed to ignore the mouse. However, the snake eventually woke up from its stupor and struck the mouse. Although the snake caught the mouse in its mouth, it failed to puncture it with its fangs, and the mouse escaped.
Dear Saints and fellow peers, we need someone to break away from the norm and seek the Lord with all their heart. We need someone who can leave a mark on future generations. We have lost a whole generation due to people dabbling with sin and wanting to have the best of both worlds.
The message is clear: it is essential to maintain an intimate prayer life with God and to have a complete understanding. Life requires conception, and for conception to happen, there must be intimacy.
Beloved Saints, just like you wouldn't open your curtains and allow others to see what goes on in your home with your spouse, you should not disclose what God reveals to you, especially after leaving his presence. Seek the Lord and get to know him intimately.
Beloved, I can safely say that some of you reading this message are already pregnant with the plan and destiny the Living God has chosen for you, and you are about to give birth.
Saints of God, may I ask you to pause and think for a moment of that precious life dropping into the birth canal, causing your water to break as it makes its entry into a confused, hurting world?
Be Blessed and Be A Blessing!
International Evangelist
Jerry W. Hulse Ph.D.
Miracle Life Church International
