There is a difference between the message and the messenger. Although this difference is sometimes like splitting hairs I believe it does exist. I don’t want to talk semantics and debating between this and that but I want to look at something that has been difficult for me to separate between at times. I have found myself for much of my Christianity wondering what my message would be, what would be the emphasis of my ministry the ministry of both Jennifer and I? In the day of mega Churches and the promotion of ministries and leaders within the Church world at such a rapid rate I found myself wondering where I would fit in. What would be the thing that I would have to say that would be different from the others?
I believe that this thinking has originated from a worldly thought process that I have not completely found within the Bible. When I say completely what I mean is that there is an element that you and I are responsible for the mandate that God places on our lives and our ministries. You might call the difference between ownership and stewardship splitting hairs but I feel that the difference between the two is the difference of how we live our lives. More than just wording it’s actually how we come across and how we fit into the larger Body Of Christ. When we say ownership it can often mean the same thing as stewardship but many of us struggle between the two.
What we must understand is that the message you and I carry to our world never originated in us, and is about Him more than it is about us. Herein lays the struggle. The message belongs to God, meaning we don’t find our place within body but rather God gives us a message and then places us within the Body. Yes, the message must become ours but only with the backdrop that it’s really Gods. Just like the Proverb says “We prepare for the day of battle but victory belongs to the Lord” (Prov. 21:31). Yes we get ready, yes we cloth ourselves with righteousness, yes we study and promote that which God has placed in us but truth be told God is the One who brings about the victory. Not us. We are unable to do that which is needed to be done and for this reason we confess our weakness before a strong God reminding Him that its His message, His battle and His victory.
The life of Moses clearly paints this idea of the message and the messenger. Let’s remember how Moses got his introduction in the Kingdom hall of fame and the title of a deliverer. He was taking a survey of the Church of his day, found a few things wrong, developed a comprehensive plan to fix it, called some leaders and held a summit, inspired the masses and wrote a book. Although this is clearly fictional it could look like much of what we have today in the Body of Christ. On the contrary Moses was a broken man dwelling in Midian because of the murder of an Egyptian man that was abusing one of His brethren. God visited Moses in his place of brokenness and told him “ I am going to use you as a deliverer of My people”. It was through this process that we have the Ten Commandments. In his second journey through the wilderness found in Exodus chapter 24 and verse 12 it says this;
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them.”
God says here to Moses I have something in my heart that is Mine, but I’m asking you to be a steward over it and teach them to the Children of Israel. God says I have written it that you may teach it. Receiving something from Someone and teaching it are different. This is the difference of ownership and stewardship. I believe it is the highest place of honor that God would give something to someone and ask him to declare it to others. In this place of receiving we must understand that we are stewards of what He has given to us. We press into His heart to hear what He has to say, and as He places His message on our hearts we become stewards of this message. We cultivate, guard, share and promote the message of God. What a joy that God writes and we teach. Trust that He has something that’s been written for you thus meaning that you will in turn teach it to others.
Jennifer and I are here in the thriving metropolis of Yakima, WA for our annual Church conference. We posted a little comment about our travels yesterday and today and will continue as long as we have internet. Today was great. Our National Bishop spoke about change and being a tree that doesn’t have leaves tapped to it, but leaves that grow from natural growth. We had a wonderful lunch with all of our Pastors and leaders from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Tonight Bishop Dwayne preached a powerful word from Genesis chapter 26. He covered the idea that Isaac planted himself in the land of famine when others were leaving and even when it was against his best judgment to stay. Not only did he stay there, but he also sowed into the same land and received a great return for his obedience to God’s Word in the place of famine. God wants us to stick out hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. He need grace and divine might from God to stay where He has placed us until its time to move on. We closed by praying for all of our senior pastors and asking God to break into on behalf of their lives and ministries. Tomorrow seems to hold the same promise of being a great time with Gods servants. I’ll keep ya posted. Love y’all!
Well this is our last and final stop to Yakima as the Pacific Northwest District Youth Directors. Jennifer and I are so happy to have done what we have done, and are also excited about our future. Today we are driving to Yakima, and making some stops before we get there. I will keep posting from Yakima. Look forward to chatting with ya.
This morning was a fantastic time in the Presence of God and with some very fine folks. Today while we were in worship the Holy Spirit moved on heart to encourage an elder minister that was in service with us. This was a great moment for both he and I as God bridged the gaps between two separated generations. God is at work in bringing the generations together and we want to be apart of that. This morning I preached on a topic thats dear to my heart, and thats calling the Church back into relationship with God as our first love. We had several respond to what The Holy Spirit was saying and were able to pray for them. Later on that night for the evening service Pastor Steve brought the Word to the people. Steve covered the topic of being rescued by Jesus Christ and told his story. I am so excited for Pastors Steve and Rhea and the future that God has in store for them. Below are posted some pictures from this morning and a video of Pastor JC throwing down some mighty licks on the bango. Enjoy, and thanks for your prayers and support while we have been out on the road.
Tonight we are in the North Central Section with the fine Youth Leaders from the Oroville Church in Oroville, WA. Pastor John and two of his youth leaders met Pastor Steve and I at the Kola St. Grill for some good eats and lots of fellowship. This section has had a difficult time with the recent passing of a beloved wife in the Oroville Church. Our prayers are with them. We were able to talk and build greater relationship with the leaders and Pastor Steve. Below I have some pictures posted from the nights event. Check em out.
