Fully Accomplish

I haven't written in over two years.  WOW!  I've never been good at consistency as a writer. Yet, there are times that I'm overwhelmed with the strong desire to write.  As a full-time minister, I have many opportunities to share what the Lord is speaking to me, the things I see in the Spirit, and the instruction, direction, and correction of the Lord.  There are many times, however, that there is so much more!  If I can stay committed and faithful to writing, I would like to share some of that "so much more" (which will likely be intermingled with the many things I preach and teach from the pulpit).

For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.  Hebrews 10:36 AMP

As a pastor, it is my desire to see everyone who fellowships with us at Kingdom Increase Church fully accomplish and live out ALL that the Lord has planned for them.  I employ many utilities in stirring the gift of God and fanning the flame of the Spirit within people:  preaching, rebuking, correcting, warning, urging, encouraging, and teaching.  The gifts of the Spirit are many and the operation and administration of them are just as numerous, but they are all designed and manifested for good and profit.  Each believer in the body is challenged to eagerly pursue, acquire, and cultivate the spiritual gifts so that they are actually "living stones" being built up into a spiritual house along with the rest of the body.

To see people walking, at varying levels of maturity, in the fullness of what God has for them is so amazing!  There is, however, always more - more maturity, more growing, more works, more fruit.  I press, prod, stir, stoke, challenge, question, reprove, and rebuke.  I encourage, exhort, empathize, and cheer.  I preach, teach, instruct, and counsel.  There is also the other side.  I listen, hear, receive, and learn.  In leadership, you are the one who gives the most.  Yet, there MUST always be the aspect of receiving.  I'm always eager to preach and teach what the Lord is telling me, but I also enjoy hearing what the Lord is telling others and learning from others in the body without regard to their level of maturity in the Lord.

Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [continually recognizing their authority over you], for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account [of their trust]. [Do your part to] let them do this with gladness and not with sighing and groaning, for that would not be profitable to you [either].  Hebrews 13:17 AMP

Here is an aspect of being a leader in the body of Christ that many will not recognize - authority.  Many people who call themselves Christians refuse to acknowledge that they need spiritual authority.  We ALL do! It matters not how long you've been a Christian; you have not yet arrived. You or I do not know everything, nor are we immune to temptation or compromise.  There must be someone in our lives that we honor as our spiritual leader(s) that we trust is guarding our spiritual welfare and wants all that God has for us. True authority is not exercised in an unredemptive, disempowering, oppressive, or dishonoring way. True authority always operates out of responsibility, servant hood, and humility.

You may not like what your spiritual authority says.  You may not like correction, rebuke, or discipline, but remember from what position your spiritual leader comes.  They must give account to the Lord for how they helped or hindered your growth.  If they have truly been appointed to the 5-fold ministry by God, and not by man, this responsibility is not taken lightly.  They want to see you living the abundant life that Jesus lived, suffered, died, buried, raised, and ascended for you to live!!

If you are already in a local body, a church, that's great.  Be certain that it is where the Lord wants you to be, and if it is, then be there!  If it is not, then begin to seek the Lord, start visiting churches, and allow the Lord to direct you to the local body He wants you to be a part.  If you do not go to church anywhere, you best be finding a local body.  You are in need of the spiritual leadership and body fellowship that will help you grow and mature into the full measure of the stature of Christ.

And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.  Hebrews 10:24-25  AMP

Scripture References: 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Corinthians 14:1; 1 Peter 2:5