dailywordofdestiny

I was blessed by the opportunity to bring an extra message this month. I have not had much time in prayer for this particular word, but on the way home from work tonight Holy Spirit brought the following thoughts into my spirit. I acknowledge His presence and direction as I write.

There are many great ministries in the world today. Some preachers have congregations that number in the thousands. I imagine that any pastor alive would be extremely happy if their weekly attendance averaged one thousand, or perhaps one hundred. What would they think about fifty, or how about five? What if there was only ONE? If you were the pastor, would you be disheartened with preaching to one person every Sunday? I know of one man who didn’t care. In fact, I believe he was just as excited about ministering to one as he was to five thousand. Jesus, the Son of Man, ministered in obedience to His Father, and He ministered out of love, compassion, and wisdom to all people individually (John 4: 7-26) or, in a large group (Luke 9: 10-20).

There have been many times I’ve had “brain storms” in how to do a ministry outreach. I’d be “on fire” with ideas and with getting programs, letters, etc. all printed with the great expectation of at LEAST a hundred gathering to be blessed by what I had to say! My best friend would say, “Judy, I think you’re way ahead of God”, or something similar. I’d turn to her and say, “No, I KNOW it is God and He has a plan. God will bring those He wants and whether there’s one or a thousand, it will be spectacular!” I never for a moment let up in my determination to complete the “mission” and finally the big night would arrive.

Well, I have to tell you, there were never ONE hundred there, nor fifty either. Most of the time it was twenty or less; sometimes it was only five and they were frequently friends who felt obligated through “association.” But, I have to say, there was never a single time that I did not feel God’s presence in a special way and every time there was at least ONE person who KNEW the message, or timing, was for them personally and that it had been orchestrated by God!

Many people ask me to pray for them, their family, and ministry. Often the request involves agreeing with them for a DIFFERENT “set of circumstances.” I believe God has placed each of us EXACTLY where He wants us for a specific time. We may not LIKE where we are. Things around us may not be going exactly the way we envisioned. However, it may be that God needs to “prune us” (John 15: 1-8); “renew” more of our inner man (2 Corinthians 4: 16-18); help us recognize our “need for Him” (Matthew 5: 1-10); or, draw us into a “deeper relationship” with Him (Psalm 139: 7-12). I want to suggest ONE other valid reason we are right where we are. It is because there is at least ONE “SOUL” where you are who needs the comfort, love, or reassurance that ONLY YOU can give; it is a “DIVINE APPOINTMENT” (2 Corinthians 1: 3-5). Jesus ministered to ordinary, hurting, sick people every day as He walked from one place to another; every individual was important (Mark 10: 46-52).

I encourage each of you to look around and see if there is not an OPPORTUNITY for a SPECTACULAR ministry right before you in ONE life.