I have been a pastor for about eight years now, and in a teaching ministry for about the same time, and I have to say that I think I am only just starting out in ministry.
Plans were being made to go and preach in India, however at the planning stage the Lord said, “No, not yet”.
Initially I thought why and maybe got a little bit disappointed, but the Lord led me to this verse in Acts.
We all have a “ministry” from the Lord and that is to preach the Gospel, but we also have our individual ministries.
Each ministry we have and undertake needs to “fit in” with Acts 1 v 8.
Jesus told the disciples to be witnesses, starting in Jerusalem, then Judea and then Samaria; this means at home, closer to home and then further away.
For me when the Lord led me to this verse, He was telling me that I needing to minister to people at home and closer to home before going much further apart (i.e. India).
Ministry is never an overnight success; it takes time and effort and always starts small.
We start small and we do not despise this, as we may need to stay small for longer than anticipated.
All the time in ministry, big or small, is a time of preparation and will benefit us (and those we minster to) in the long run.
If you are in ministry keep pressing on and pushing in, all ministry is valuable, big or small.
Speak this out today…..”Thank you Lord that you have a plan and a purpose for my life and ministry, and have equipped me for that purpose”.
Acts 1 v 8…..But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth
Heilan Word Ministries 