I am now in my last week here at Gulfway Assembly. People have asked me, "have you enjoyed your time here, and what did you learn?"
In regards to that first question, words cannot begin to express how much I have enjoyed my time in Gulf Shores. The people of this community, and in particular of Gulfway are some of the most incredible people I have ever had the honor of meeting and spending time with. They have all taught me so much about life, ministry, and some things about me. So now the question of what have I learned?
Wow! Where do I start? I think the first thing I learned was that the Lord deserves our absolute BEST! That involves being on time, doint what you say your going to do, and giving it your best in every situation. Even if you don't want to be in it. He gave us all He had in sending His son to die a brutal death for me on that tree. So it is only right I give it all right back to Him!
Next would be that ministry is so unpredictable! You can have your entire week ironed out right in front of you, create all the "to do" list you want, and in the snap of a finger. Every bit of it can change. There's a scripture I found to help me back this up. It's found in James 4:14-14 "
Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town...V14,
yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."
Crazy when we think about it, that nothing we say is ever set in stone.
Another would be that, when you are faithful to the calling on your life, God is going to honor that and bless you. Every single time I have to give up something, whether it be money, time, sleep, or whatever it be. God blessed it all back and then some. The bible says "
'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much" Matthew 25:21.
I received that promise at the beginning of the summer, and it was very evident that I was in the will of th father being here. I have been blessed beyond what I could have ever imagined! A testimony of this would be the fact that I have paid bills since May. Everytime I thought I might be short, He provided. Everytime I doubted, He assured! Why? Because it's just a testimony of His goodness!
These are just a few of the things I have learned. You would be here all day reading the countless things I have learned. Just know that when you step out on a leap of faith, and are willing to sacrafice everything you know, God will honor that! Take it from me, some 20 year old he decided to use as a testimony to His goodness!
Thank you and God bless!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
My First Youth Camp
This last week I was in Springville, Al. for youth camp 2010. Going in, I didn't really know what to expect because this was my first organized youth camp I've ever been to. It didn't take long at all for me to see that this was going to be another week of endurance and strength from the Lord himself. The first thing I did was make 14 enemies because I took up all cell phones. The pure reason being because it IS (not can be) a hinderance to what the Lord is trying to do that week. To just be set apart and be alone with just you, God, and 600 other teenagers who love Jesus. Not to mention it was a camp rule. But my students eventually got over it. Then not 10 minutes after getting there, I learned that I had been named "activities director" for the week. Basically all this meant was I needed to be at every event I could, keep score, umpire, or do whatever the staff director needed me to do. So that's what I did for the duration of the week. After all the games were completed, and scores were totalled up, it was then time for service.
The speaker was Pastor Wayne Northup from Dallas, Tx., and wow was he hilarious. For those of you who usually fall asleep during sermons (first off shame on you) but that would definatley not happen during one of his. He would call you out! Pastor Wayne's wife, Kristi Northup and her band were leading worship for the week. I can honestly say that was one of the best live worship experiences that I have ever had!
So night one was so powerful, and something was done that I had never seen (or heard of). The speaker asked all of the leaders to come foward, he then made a statement that has stayed with me ever since "people who are incomplete or hurt, make others the same way." So we found partners, heard each others needs and prayed. He then had all students who had been running or simply needed prayer to come foward. The scenario quickley turned into a sea of students earnestly seeking something deeper in a relationship with God. After praying for countless amounts of students, I couldn't help but feel completley and utterly amazed at what had just occured. I also learned this night, that sleep was going to be on the minimal for the week:/
The start of day 2 my first taste of what being a leader at a youth camp was all about. After a fun filled day of softball, volleyball, kickball, and other events it was time for night 2 of service. This particular night was all about a "calling." The students were encouraged to seek the face of through prayer about what they were being called to do. Some were called into full time ministry that night for the first time, others called to be in the armed forces, and anything that the perfect will of God had for their lives. All in all, an incredible service. I know first hand what it is like to be called into ministry as I was myself when I was 16, but unfortunatley I ran for over 2 years, and it wasn't till I was 18 that I answered that call and went into full time ministry.
Wednesday, day 3. The service that we all hear about, but few ever get to actually experience it. It started off as a typical service, worship song 1 worship song 2 but then it stopped. Because in the middle of the second song which was "You won't Relent" the students took over. They sang it over and over and over (well you get the point) Now I know there will be some of you out there who will disagree with what I am about to say and I'm okay with that. I respect that. But the Holy Spirit fell on that place, and I was def. a target! I fell and layed in the floor for a extended period of time praying, and speaking in tongues like never before! Till God got ahold of me and spoke "GET UP" as I did, I saw countless bodies of teenagers on their face speaking in tongues and instantly being filled with the Spirit. A prayer tunnel was formed on the stage and any student wanted to be filled was asked to walk through to recieve prayer from all the leaders. Instantly close to 300 people formed a line that took over an hour to get through. There was no more worship, no speaking, just teenagers bawling there eyes out before the Holy God, and recieving an encounter like never before. People were falling out left and right, and it was truly a remarkable experience for me, and one I will never forget!
Day 4, Thursday. The last day for devotions, services, and competitions. One of my favorite days because I got to do something I haven't done in a long time. PAINTBALL!!! I used to love that sport growing up, so it was cool to get to re live some memories (good yet painful memories)
Service that night was just as incredible as all the previous ones. Students urgently chasing after what God had to offer, and eager for another incredible encounter with the Holy Spirit. It was all about prayer for the communities, schools, families, states, and our great country and world. We recongnize that there is nothing we as people can do at this point, because it is going to take an act of God. Students immediatley caught on to this and began to seek after God on this. One thing that was real cool was to see those who had chosen all week not to participate in service and just sit in their seats get up and begin to bawl into the arms of God. I even had some of my own students pray for me, which was something that had only occured once before. All in all, amazing seal for what the Spirit of God had done in the hearts of over 600 teenagers throughout the week.
The only negative thing I would have for the week would be the students just didn't have enoug free time, between services and games and a billion other things, they only had like an hour and a half to chill. And even the majority of that was spent getting ready for service.
But other than that, just an amazing experience to watch the Spirit of God act and work in so many lives, something I pray is an experience never forgotten. I know it is one I will never forget!
I feel the need to just throw this out there, but everytime I sat down to eat, I felt like I was back in high school eating cardboard pizza and mystery meat:) think about that and try to go eat your next meal:) Thank you for taking the time to read about my incredible experience at my first youth camp experience.
The speaker was Pastor Wayne Northup from Dallas, Tx., and wow was he hilarious. For those of you who usually fall asleep during sermons (first off shame on you) but that would definatley not happen during one of his. He would call you out! Pastor Wayne's wife, Kristi Northup and her band were leading worship for the week. I can honestly say that was one of the best live worship experiences that I have ever had!
So night one was so powerful, and something was done that I had never seen (or heard of). The speaker asked all of the leaders to come foward, he then made a statement that has stayed with me ever since "people who are incomplete or hurt, make others the same way." So we found partners, heard each others needs and prayed. He then had all students who had been running or simply needed prayer to come foward. The scenario quickley turned into a sea of students earnestly seeking something deeper in a relationship with God. After praying for countless amounts of students, I couldn't help but feel completley and utterly amazed at what had just occured. I also learned this night, that sleep was going to be on the minimal for the week:/
The start of day 2 my first taste of what being a leader at a youth camp was all about. After a fun filled day of softball, volleyball, kickball, and other events it was time for night 2 of service. This particular night was all about a "calling." The students were encouraged to seek the face of through prayer about what they were being called to do. Some were called into full time ministry that night for the first time, others called to be in the armed forces, and anything that the perfect will of God had for their lives. All in all, an incredible service. I know first hand what it is like to be called into ministry as I was myself when I was 16, but unfortunatley I ran for over 2 years, and it wasn't till I was 18 that I answered that call and went into full time ministry.
Wednesday, day 3. The service that we all hear about, but few ever get to actually experience it. It started off as a typical service, worship song 1 worship song 2 but then it stopped. Because in the middle of the second song which was "You won't Relent" the students took over. They sang it over and over and over (well you get the point) Now I know there will be some of you out there who will disagree with what I am about to say and I'm okay with that. I respect that. But the Holy Spirit fell on that place, and I was def. a target! I fell and layed in the floor for a extended period of time praying, and speaking in tongues like never before! Till God got ahold of me and spoke "GET UP" as I did, I saw countless bodies of teenagers on their face speaking in tongues and instantly being filled with the Spirit. A prayer tunnel was formed on the stage and any student wanted to be filled was asked to walk through to recieve prayer from all the leaders. Instantly close to 300 people formed a line that took over an hour to get through. There was no more worship, no speaking, just teenagers bawling there eyes out before the Holy God, and recieving an encounter like never before. People were falling out left and right, and it was truly a remarkable experience for me, and one I will never forget!
Day 4, Thursday. The last day for devotions, services, and competitions. One of my favorite days because I got to do something I haven't done in a long time. PAINTBALL!!! I used to love that sport growing up, so it was cool to get to re live some memories (good yet painful memories)
Service that night was just as incredible as all the previous ones. Students urgently chasing after what God had to offer, and eager for another incredible encounter with the Holy Spirit. It was all about prayer for the communities, schools, families, states, and our great country and world. We recongnize that there is nothing we as people can do at this point, because it is going to take an act of God. Students immediatley caught on to this and began to seek after God on this. One thing that was real cool was to see those who had chosen all week not to participate in service and just sit in their seats get up and begin to bawl into the arms of God. I even had some of my own students pray for me, which was something that had only occured once before. All in all, amazing seal for what the Spirit of God had done in the hearts of over 600 teenagers throughout the week.
The only negative thing I would have for the week would be the students just didn't have enoug free time, between services and games and a billion other things, they only had like an hour and a half to chill. And even the majority of that was spent getting ready for service.
But other than that, just an amazing experience to watch the Spirit of God act and work in so many lives, something I pray is an experience never forgotten. I know it is one I will never forget!
I feel the need to just throw this out there, but everytime I sat down to eat, I felt like I was back in high school eating cardboard pizza and mystery meat:) think about that and try to go eat your next meal:) Thank you for taking the time to read about my incredible experience at my first youth camp experience.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
A Season of Endurance
This last week, I was having a conversation with my sister about some things that the Lord has been showing me here at Gulfway thus far into the internship. Without a moment of hesitation, I responded endurance. When I took this job, I was told that there would be some weeks where I may work 3 days a week and some 7. However, through it all there is not one thing I would not change! God has been so faithful to me in so many areas I cannot begin to explain. Finances, endurance, perserverance, testimonies, etc....
I'll be honest, there have been some weeks where I just didn't want to do it anymore. I was just ready to lay down and be done, but my God is so much bigger and better than that! Malachi chapter 3 says "I the Lord DO NOT CHANGE" Talk about a revelation for me. Everytime I am knocked to my knees, it is the perfect time to pray!
With this entry, I want to open the floor up and hear about a time where you just didn't have anything left in you, but you knew what had to be done, and the Spirit of the Lord came in and saved you. It's time to celebrate together as a body of believers in the awesome works God has done....so what is it?
I'll be honest, there have been some weeks where I just didn't want to do it anymore. I was just ready to lay down and be done, but my God is so much bigger and better than that! Malachi chapter 3 says "I the Lord DO NOT CHANGE" Talk about a revelation for me. Everytime I am knocked to my knees, it is the perfect time to pray!
With this entry, I want to open the floor up and hear about a time where you just didn't have anything left in you, but you knew what had to be done, and the Spirit of the Lord came in and saved you. It's time to celebrate together as a body of believers in the awesome works God has done....so what is it?
Monday, June 28, 2010
Praising Him in the Storm
We've all heard the song "Praise You in This Storm" by Casting Crowns. A great classic! But for me, the song has never hit closer to home than now. Over the past few weeks here at Gulfway, I have encountered some "first" for me. I'll start with preaching my first REACH service.
The week prior was awful! Satan threw everything he had in my direction, or so it felt like. From things that would never in a million years frustrate me, were frustrating the stew out of me! Down to not even having a desire to do anything ministry related, I just wanted a break. Or if nothing else, to get away! Then came the week of, same thing and same result. Then the day of, it felt like it was 50X worse! I couldn't believe it! I was becoming angry with God (stupid I know) but it was all to real for me. Then I placed a call to an old friend who directed me to Genesis 39- dealing with Joseph.
I learned that Joseph didn't deserve anything he got (soled into slavery, betrayed by his family, wrongly accused of having sex with Potiphars wife) none of that! But the Bible says that everywhere Joseph went, he had the favor of the Lord. Gen 39:2 says, " The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master." Everywhere in the verses following it talks about Joseph finding favor in the eyes of the Lord. Well somewhere along the line of this internship, I had lost sight of that. I had become so focused on doing the work of God, and I wasn't even being a man of God! What a reality check.
Then service time. Now in times past, I have noticed where I will have a God-awful week and service will be awesome! And the reason being, because Satan hates what is soon to come. As worship was going on, my spirit just began to erupt in excitement, but I had no clue what for. I preached the sermon titled "unstoppable faith" and thats when my second "first" happened. For the first time down here I was able to lead a new student to the Lord. I would take a million of the weeks I had just had to get to do that all over again. When I left, the one thing I told everyone was that if atleast one person got saved because of it, then it was all well worth it.
Now most of you are aware this job is a non paid thing. However, I do still have a car payment, cell phone, insurance, gas, etc... So needless to say money is TIGHT! By the grace of God money has been sent and raised, but not enough. Well Friday during our student internship, we were washing cars for a local person who needs a heart transplant. Throughout the entire day, I kept feeling like the Lord was telling me to give. But I kept using the excuse of "but but God I'm not getting paid and I don't have it, and I don't know how I am going to pay for things..." Well I ended up giving $20 for the cause. I walked away feeling pretty good about obeying what I was told to do. Glory to God!
Later on in the week I was asked to take up the offering for the Sunday morning service and to give a 3 minute speech on what tithing and offering was all about. So I looked me up a scripture, gave a personal testimony, prayed, and sat down. I completley forgot to take up the one thing I was told to do! Needless to say I was mortified lol. Well after service was when my last "first" occured. I was standing there talking to a student when a older gentlemen (whom I did not know) one I had never seen before, approached me extended his hand and slipped me a $50 bill! I was a little taken back at first, then he said these words to me, "I feel like God is telling me to give you this, be blessed." I of course thanked him, and sat down a minute to praise God and spend some time thanking Him. Not 15 minutes later, one of the church members approached me with a job offer. Working around my current schedule.
So I give $20, and God gives me $50 and a new job! O how He is so faithful! So next time you are in a season and don't see an end in sight, remember you are HIS child, and He will never leave you, never abandon you, and is always true to His word! I hope and pray this message can be encouraging for someone out there. If it is please let me know so I can agree with you in praise to the Father.
I am now halfway throught this experience and God has already taught me so many things, I can't wait to see what else He has in store, stay tuned for more to come...
In Christ,
Devin Jeffreys
The week prior was awful! Satan threw everything he had in my direction, or so it felt like. From things that would never in a million years frustrate me, were frustrating the stew out of me! Down to not even having a desire to do anything ministry related, I just wanted a break. Or if nothing else, to get away! Then came the week of, same thing and same result. Then the day of, it felt like it was 50X worse! I couldn't believe it! I was becoming angry with God (stupid I know) but it was all to real for me. Then I placed a call to an old friend who directed me to Genesis 39- dealing with Joseph.
I learned that Joseph didn't deserve anything he got (soled into slavery, betrayed by his family, wrongly accused of having sex with Potiphars wife) none of that! But the Bible says that everywhere Joseph went, he had the favor of the Lord. Gen 39:2 says, " The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master." Everywhere in the verses following it talks about Joseph finding favor in the eyes of the Lord. Well somewhere along the line of this internship, I had lost sight of that. I had become so focused on doing the work of God, and I wasn't even being a man of God! What a reality check.
Then service time. Now in times past, I have noticed where I will have a God-awful week and service will be awesome! And the reason being, because Satan hates what is soon to come. As worship was going on, my spirit just began to erupt in excitement, but I had no clue what for. I preached the sermon titled "unstoppable faith" and thats when my second "first" happened. For the first time down here I was able to lead a new student to the Lord. I would take a million of the weeks I had just had to get to do that all over again. When I left, the one thing I told everyone was that if atleast one person got saved because of it, then it was all well worth it.
Now most of you are aware this job is a non paid thing. However, I do still have a car payment, cell phone, insurance, gas, etc... So needless to say money is TIGHT! By the grace of God money has been sent and raised, but not enough. Well Friday during our student internship, we were washing cars for a local person who needs a heart transplant. Throughout the entire day, I kept feeling like the Lord was telling me to give. But I kept using the excuse of "but but God I'm not getting paid and I don't have it, and I don't know how I am going to pay for things..." Well I ended up giving $20 for the cause. I walked away feeling pretty good about obeying what I was told to do. Glory to God!
Later on in the week I was asked to take up the offering for the Sunday morning service and to give a 3 minute speech on what tithing and offering was all about. So I looked me up a scripture, gave a personal testimony, prayed, and sat down. I completley forgot to take up the one thing I was told to do! Needless to say I was mortified lol. Well after service was when my last "first" occured. I was standing there talking to a student when a older gentlemen (whom I did not know) one I had never seen before, approached me extended his hand and slipped me a $50 bill! I was a little taken back at first, then he said these words to me, "I feel like God is telling me to give you this, be blessed." I of course thanked him, and sat down a minute to praise God and spend some time thanking Him. Not 15 minutes later, one of the church members approached me with a job offer. Working around my current schedule.
So I give $20, and God gives me $50 and a new job! O how He is so faithful! So next time you are in a season and don't see an end in sight, remember you are HIS child, and He will never leave you, never abandon you, and is always true to His word! I hope and pray this message can be encouraging for someone out there. If it is please let me know so I can agree with you in praise to the Father.
I am now halfway throught this experience and God has already taught me so many things, I can't wait to see what else He has in store, stay tuned for more to come...
In Christ,
Devin Jeffreys
Friday, June 18, 2010
The Remnant
Ok so I am reading this book right now called "The Remnant" by Larry Stockstill. And while it was a book I had to read for my internship here at Gulfway, I have to say it's taught me some pretty cool stuff! The book focused on restoring integrity to American ministry. Which in my 2 years of ministry, this is something that is definatley needed!
The first 5 chapter of the book are all about the dysfunctional church. I've always heard about there being problems in todays American church but never figured someone to write a book on it! He starts out by talking about being a mentor for the unfathered church. Basically talking about the importance of being a mentor. In it he states that mentorship is something that is crucial to the growth and devolpment of the church. I completly agree! He then shifts into talking about standars for the uncorrected church. Throughout this short chapter, he spends a lot of time talking about the cure being accountability and standars through the prohpets. In this he also uses a lot of scripture to back up everything talked about. Which for me was very comforting, because I have read a lot of books that barely even acknowledged the Bible! Dysfunction number 3 is primarily dealing with the unfruitful church. In this he stresses that a solution would be to focus more on multiplying evangelism! He even offers 4 helpful tips on the biblical principles of evangelism. And it is mentioned that it is up to us as pastors to lead the charge against the gates of Hell, to win the lost! Which after all, is one of the main reasons we are here for. My favorite chapter of the first part of this book was chapter 4, healing for the unhealed church. It seems that often times all people want to do is talk about the negative and not desire to do anything to help it! Well Pastor Stockstill devoted a whole chapter about healing that broken church. In this chapter, he invites us to study more deeply the wounds of Christ. (His brow, His back, His hands, His feet, His head, and His side) All which was done so that we may live! He says that studying this we can recieve faith for deliverance in every area of our lives! This was such an encouraging chapter! The final chapter for part 1 is talking about the scriptures for the untaught church. He says that the cure for this would be better teaching of the Holy Scriptures. A pastor cannot pastor effectively without proper teachingm and the only teaching that will transform peoples hearts and minds is the Bible.
Part 2: The Ten Commandments of Ministry. After part one I was thinking ok so what do I do now? Well Pastor Stockstill explained in full! Those commandments were: prayer, bible study, integrity, purity, example, relationships, philosophy, faith, spiritual warfare, and wisdom. But I want to focus in on 3 specific ones: prayer, purity, and example.
Prayer, it seems, is a step that when pastors are going through a tough time, forget to do. Well this chapter draws us all back to it. He says we all know the power of prayer, so why not use it?! He gets into talking about the Tabernacle prayer, which i thought was pretty cool because I had never heard of such thing. But apparently it is what happens and what people saw as they were walking into the tabernacle. The Brazen Altar (the cross), the laver (sanctification), the Holy Spirit and His role, and so much more. But it was really neat getting to piece together a puzzle that I believe God has longed for us to see. My favorite part of this chap. was the part about prayer and fasting! In the very first words, he says, "prayer is energized by fasting." He talks a lot about the importance of it, and some possible struggles some may face.
Purity- I have always heard that sexual sin is one thing that will ruin everything about a minsiters life. In it he gives numerous accounts of people who have fallen into that trap, and the struggle it is to get back up. Once again more and more scripture was used during his explanation of what purity actually is. It literally means "uncontaminated," free from outside corruption. The importance of purity is crucial in minstry! It is something that must constantly be in the front of our minds, thoughts, and actions. The Bible gives a clear standare for moral purity in 1 Cor. 6:9-11. It even offers some purity recommendations. Most of which are plain and obvious, but several that were very interesting.
Example- commandment number 5. This word literally means to be imitated, or to mimic. He mentions in this chapter being an example in your work, in your community, and in your family. And the importance of all 3. This chapter taught me a lot because often times I struggle to practice what I preach. I mean, how can I be an example if I can barely practice what I teach week in and week out? It taught me that our example is everything! How we live, act, and even think in every aspect of life. I was really challenged after finishing this chapter, now I know what to do, and how I am going to do it!
All in all, a very good book! While it isn't that long, and took me a long time to read it. I am so thankfull I did. I would def. reccommend this book to anyone who feels they have a calling on their lives to be a minister of the Gospel.
The first 5 chapter of the book are all about the dysfunctional church. I've always heard about there being problems in todays American church but never figured someone to write a book on it! He starts out by talking about being a mentor for the unfathered church. Basically talking about the importance of being a mentor. In it he states that mentorship is something that is crucial to the growth and devolpment of the church. I completly agree! He then shifts into talking about standars for the uncorrected church. Throughout this short chapter, he spends a lot of time talking about the cure being accountability and standars through the prohpets. In this he also uses a lot of scripture to back up everything talked about. Which for me was very comforting, because I have read a lot of books that barely even acknowledged the Bible! Dysfunction number 3 is primarily dealing with the unfruitful church. In this he stresses that a solution would be to focus more on multiplying evangelism! He even offers 4 helpful tips on the biblical principles of evangelism. And it is mentioned that it is up to us as pastors to lead the charge against the gates of Hell, to win the lost! Which after all, is one of the main reasons we are here for. My favorite chapter of the first part of this book was chapter 4, healing for the unhealed church. It seems that often times all people want to do is talk about the negative and not desire to do anything to help it! Well Pastor Stockstill devoted a whole chapter about healing that broken church. In this chapter, he invites us to study more deeply the wounds of Christ. (His brow, His back, His hands, His feet, His head, and His side) All which was done so that we may live! He says that studying this we can recieve faith for deliverance in every area of our lives! This was such an encouraging chapter! The final chapter for part 1 is talking about the scriptures for the untaught church. He says that the cure for this would be better teaching of the Holy Scriptures. A pastor cannot pastor effectively without proper teachingm and the only teaching that will transform peoples hearts and minds is the Bible.
Part 2: The Ten Commandments of Ministry. After part one I was thinking ok so what do I do now? Well Pastor Stockstill explained in full! Those commandments were: prayer, bible study, integrity, purity, example, relationships, philosophy, faith, spiritual warfare, and wisdom. But I want to focus in on 3 specific ones: prayer, purity, and example.
Prayer, it seems, is a step that when pastors are going through a tough time, forget to do. Well this chapter draws us all back to it. He says we all know the power of prayer, so why not use it?! He gets into talking about the Tabernacle prayer, which i thought was pretty cool because I had never heard of such thing. But apparently it is what happens and what people saw as they were walking into the tabernacle. The Brazen Altar (the cross), the laver (sanctification), the Holy Spirit and His role, and so much more. But it was really neat getting to piece together a puzzle that I believe God has longed for us to see. My favorite part of this chap. was the part about prayer and fasting! In the very first words, he says, "prayer is energized by fasting." He talks a lot about the importance of it, and some possible struggles some may face.
Purity- I have always heard that sexual sin is one thing that will ruin everything about a minsiters life. In it he gives numerous accounts of people who have fallen into that trap, and the struggle it is to get back up. Once again more and more scripture was used during his explanation of what purity actually is. It literally means "uncontaminated," free from outside corruption. The importance of purity is crucial in minstry! It is something that must constantly be in the front of our minds, thoughts, and actions. The Bible gives a clear standare for moral purity in 1 Cor. 6:9-11. It even offers some purity recommendations. Most of which are plain and obvious, but several that were very interesting.
Example- commandment number 5. This word literally means to be imitated, or to mimic. He mentions in this chapter being an example in your work, in your community, and in your family. And the importance of all 3. This chapter taught me a lot because often times I struggle to practice what I preach. I mean, how can I be an example if I can barely practice what I teach week in and week out? It taught me that our example is everything! How we live, act, and even think in every aspect of life. I was really challenged after finishing this chapter, now I know what to do, and how I am going to do it!
All in all, a very good book! While it isn't that long, and took me a long time to read it. I am so thankfull I did. I would def. reccommend this book to anyone who feels they have a calling on their lives to be a minister of the Gospel.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Learning Solo- week 3
Ok so for my third week here at Gulfway, I am pretty much working solo! Over the weekend Pastor Brandon had to travel up to Birmingham to be ordained. He then had to leave for a childrens camp in Springville, Al the following Wednesday morning. But on Sunday June 6, I found the highlight of my trip thus far. I was blessed with the opportunity to preach at Foley Assembly of God. Me not knowing anyone, and no one knowing me, it is safe to say I was a little nervous about what to preach, or how to even handle myself. Upon first learning about the opportunity, I immediatley went home and began to pray about it. I learned that this church was going through, what I like to call, "a spiritual valley." Their senior pastor for the last 30 years has suffered a massive stroke, and it was my churches responsibility to ensure that all their Sunday night services were set up. I arrived at the church to find a small group of people huddled in different areas of the church praying outloud. I was astonished to see a group hurting so badly reaching out to God in their desperate time of need. A time that for most of us, is when we pray the least it seems. I eventually got all set up and delivered a message about the faithfulness of God. Which to a church that was hurting so bad, was exactly what needed to be spoke on.
I concluded, prayed, and didn't even get off the stage before a massive swarm of about 50 people lined up to shake my hand, and tell me what a great job I did. I must be honest, this was all new to me because I had never done anything like this before. But I immediatly had to divert the praises all to the one who made that night, God! As people lined up, I told everyone of them the same thing, "all the glory to God!" One of the guys who went with me from Gulfway told me that after he was asked to go and support me, he went home and prayed about what the message was going to be for that night. He said that God spoke to him and said, "faithfulness faithfulness fauthfulness." Wow! If that wasn't such a confirmation to my spirit that I was still in the right will of God!
I have learned in times past that when God is not glorified in something that goes right, the whole thing is useless. We as His children were not put on this earth to do anything but make disciples of the nations, and bring honor and glory to the Father!
For the remainder of the week, I did my normal weekly activities. Reading, cleaning, and mainly serving the kingdom. We even had a youth group of over 2,000 people come and use our facility for a couple of days. For a little while, I was thinking that I wasn't even doing anything for ministry. I mean how can cleaning bathrooms, kids rooms, and taking out the trash be fulfilling my purpose of being down here. But I soon learned that me doing that, serving Gulfway, IS serving the kingdom! And that everything I do is a chance to glorify God!
I concluded, prayed, and didn't even get off the stage before a massive swarm of about 50 people lined up to shake my hand, and tell me what a great job I did. I must be honest, this was all new to me because I had never done anything like this before. But I immediatly had to divert the praises all to the one who made that night, God! As people lined up, I told everyone of them the same thing, "all the glory to God!" One of the guys who went with me from Gulfway told me that after he was asked to go and support me, he went home and prayed about what the message was going to be for that night. He said that God spoke to him and said, "faithfulness faithfulness fauthfulness." Wow! If that wasn't such a confirmation to my spirit that I was still in the right will of God!
I have learned in times past that when God is not glorified in something that goes right, the whole thing is useless. We as His children were not put on this earth to do anything but make disciples of the nations, and bring honor and glory to the Father!
For the remainder of the week, I did my normal weekly activities. Reading, cleaning, and mainly serving the kingdom. We even had a youth group of over 2,000 people come and use our facility for a couple of days. For a little while, I was thinking that I wasn't even doing anything for ministry. I mean how can cleaning bathrooms, kids rooms, and taking out the trash be fulfilling my purpose of being down here. But I soon learned that me doing that, serving Gulfway, IS serving the kingdom! And that everything I do is a chance to glorify God!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Gulfway- week 2
Ok so I know I am a little late on this post but here ya go:
Last Wednesday was my first actual service with the REACH students. Now in times past I have never had a worship band so I was pretty excited to hear these guys and girls. I had put away all expectations and just let the spirit of God take over in my thoughts and heart about how they would sound, and dear Lord, was it awesome! The lead singer I promise you sounds so much like Misty Edwards it's not even funny. For the first time in a long time, I was so pumped for the soon to come service. The worship that ensued was one that was nothing shy of incredible!
It had been a long time since I had heard Pastor Brandon Doss speak, so I was obviously anxious to hear my supervisor chase after the heart of God in a sermon, and boy did he deliver?! He preached about having unstopable courage, which for me is something I am interested in knowing seeing as there are several attacks coming at me as I serve the kingdom.
I was talking with my girlfriend earlier this week and she said something to me that just gave me chills for the rest of the day, something that showed she had that unstopable courage. She has personally been going through some issues at home and her statement to me was, "Devin, I know who is beneath my feet, and who I run to and praise with my every heartbeat." Never in my life have I been so encouraged to keep pressing on serving the kingdom!
We got the chance Thursday to have our first student internship where we learned some new kids church songs, I lead a devotional talking about the cost of being a disciple, and then we went got something to eat, and chilled at the beach playing some football and having a good time in the water. What a great time to get to fellowship and build some relationships with students!
After just two weeks I have learned so much about the practical side of ministry and what internship is all about. I have learned it is about loving the people in your life and God at the same time you wake up just to serve! After all, my Saviour was the biggest and best servant that ever lived!
Last Wednesday was my first actual service with the REACH students. Now in times past I have never had a worship band so I was pretty excited to hear these guys and girls. I had put away all expectations and just let the spirit of God take over in my thoughts and heart about how they would sound, and dear Lord, was it awesome! The lead singer I promise you sounds so much like Misty Edwards it's not even funny. For the first time in a long time, I was so pumped for the soon to come service. The worship that ensued was one that was nothing shy of incredible!
It had been a long time since I had heard Pastor Brandon Doss speak, so I was obviously anxious to hear my supervisor chase after the heart of God in a sermon, and boy did he deliver?! He preached about having unstopable courage, which for me is something I am interested in knowing seeing as there are several attacks coming at me as I serve the kingdom.
I was talking with my girlfriend earlier this week and she said something to me that just gave me chills for the rest of the day, something that showed she had that unstopable courage. She has personally been going through some issues at home and her statement to me was, "Devin, I know who is beneath my feet, and who I run to and praise with my every heartbeat." Never in my life have I been so encouraged to keep pressing on serving the kingdom!
We got the chance Thursday to have our first student internship where we learned some new kids church songs, I lead a devotional talking about the cost of being a disciple, and then we went got something to eat, and chilled at the beach playing some football and having a good time in the water. What a great time to get to fellowship and build some relationships with students!
After just two weeks I have learned so much about the practical side of ministry and what internship is all about. I have learned it is about loving the people in your life and God at the same time you wake up just to serve! After all, my Saviour was the biggest and best servant that ever lived!
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