Dreams and Aspirations.....

Some people know what their dreams and aspirations are. Others have none. Those that have them, only some people will take steps to fulfil their dreams. Others, whilst they have them, are not ready for the fights and battles ahead to achieve their goal. In the world, I had a goal, to be an accountant. In the serving of Christ, I had one goal, to be a Missionary. They were dreams. They were goals. But at the right time, I set about working my way to achieve them. Whilst both required studies, only one required fighting, spiritually, every step of the way; to be a Missionary. I had a goal. The goal was to be used by God in a very big way. I put 100% effort into being a “bad” person. When I came to Christ I told the LORD I will put 100% into the spiritually kingdom of Jesus. The Kingdom of God meant all to me. I did not know what pain would come, but I knew it would. I was warned. The 1st great missionary was Abraham. Jonah was a reluctant missionary. Jesus the greatest Missionary ever, coming from heaven going to earth. Many others since then; the apostles, and it continues right down to today; people leaving their comfortable home culture, and going into a strange environment - for the gospel - not for money. And surviving to tell the tale. But the percentage of Christian missionaries in each church is usually zero. No one wants the job. So, within a general view of church life, we should all aspire to be leaders of the people of God. It should be inbuilt in us, that we should strive to reach the top of our spiritual walk in the church. How is that achieved? Well, some could say “I love Jesus” and that is the pinnacle of their walk with Jesus; their words. But what is very, very important, is that the pastor of the church recognises your skill, in order to elevate you to a spiritual position of responsibility over the souls of people. Paul told Titus- Titus 1: 5 - appoint elders. In 1 Peter 5: 5 it was a position of respect. In Acts 4: 8 it was a privileged position. You do not get this position because you are long in the tooth. You do not get in this position because you think you deserve it. You get in this position by being observed. The pastor observes you over the years. He sees your strong points and he sees your weaknesses. He sees you stand. He sees you fall. And yet the LORD speaks to the pastor’s heart….appoint this one. What is an elder? An elder is the one who will assume spiritual authority over the church, when the pastor dies. The Eldership, will make the decisions of the direction of the church, should the leader die. It is the pastor entrusting his life’s work, to a fellow believer, who he has seen and observed in their walk with Christ. For the LORD to tap the mind of the leader - and say - appoint this one - Deut 1: 38 the LORD spoke to Moses, long before as to who would replace him. Joshua had no idea. He just served, served, served, the LORD. The benefit of standing by Moses? Joshua was the next leader. You may rest very well assured, had Joshua ever abandoned Moses, Moses would have wiped him off as a successor. So, the key to advancement in ministry is quite clear. Support the leader. Be by the leader’s side. The LORD will lift you up in time.

MCC Admin

9 Tishrei 5781