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Monthly Archives: August 2013

Are You Addicted to the Ministry? 5 Symptoms

I normally don’t use the KJV in my posts, but this verse gives me a lot to think about.

I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
1 Corinthians 16:15

What was it about Stephanas and his family that caused Paul to describe them as addicted?

I looked up some facts, not from Christian sources, but from the American medical community. How do they describe addiction? You may think you’re “all in” for the Lord. How does what these doctors say stack up to your experience?

You need an increased level to maintain the feeling. Are you feeling tired and burned out by what you do for God? Or are you hungering to go deeper with Him? Addiction means that the amount you’re doing now doesn’t satisfy you the way it used to. You want more, greater, and higher dosages in order to stay fulfilled. I believe that’s the excitement of the ministry.

You are obsessed with the ministry. What’s your thought life like? When you’re not actively involved in your calling, are you still thinking about it? Addiction means that it’s constantly in the back of your mind. You continually think about ways to improve and increase what you’re doing for the Lord.

Even in recreation times, a thought, word, or something you see will trigger an image of what you could be doing to further the Kingdom. Thinking about it is uncontrollable.

You are continually sneaking “quickies” throughout the day. Addiction to the ministry is a lifestyle. Do you find yourself sharing about Jesus at the mall, school or workplace? Are you prone to spontaneously be a blessing to people around you, simply for the enjoyment of it? Maybe you find yourself praying for people as soon as you hear about their need. This is a sign of an addiction to Christ and His ministry.

You undergo a change in your appearance. Does the knowledge that you represent Christ change how you present yourself to others? Does the fact that you’re God’s ambassador to the world make a difference in how you live? The more we become addicted, the more radical the change. How much has your ministry affected you?

You are in “denial” – you continue deeper even though others may argue against it. Some people may say that you’re doing too much for God. After all, look at the lifestyle of most believers. “God will let you get away with a lot less commitment.” Arguments like these don’t even faze you. You want to touch as many people as you can for the Gospel.

You may like to think that you’re addicted – after all, it sounds good. But the truth is, unless you’ve come to the place I’ve just described, it’s only wishful thinking. Hey, don’t get mad at me – this is what the American medical community says about it.

If you find that you’re not addicted and you want to be – my next post will be about the 5 steps to becoming addicted!

Question: How has addiction to the ministry affected your life?

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Posted by Revzacc on August 7, 2013 in Encouragement, Ministry

Tags: addicted to the ministry, addiction, addiction to Christ, argument, change, Christ, deeper, denial, excitement, God's ambassador, hunger, improve, increase, Jesus, lifestyle, medical community, ministry, obsessed, praying, radical, represent Christ, sharing about Jesus

Quartermaster Ministries August Newsletter

06 Aug

Dedicated to Walking in Revival!

In last month’s newsletter I talked about the new things that God is doing in our ministry. The growth continues.

I took a couple weeks of vacation this month, so there’s not much to report. I did get a lot of rest and that helps to get my spirit ready for what’s ahead.

Revised and Expanded E-Book

I’m pleased to announce that I have just finished updating and expanding my book – “Breaking Free from the Pack – Developing a Spirit of Excellence.” My first step is to release it in the Kindle format on Amazon. That should be ready in a few days – keep looking for it and I’ll announce its release on my blog.

Church News

Just this week a church building went up for sale in our town. Many of you know that right now our church meets in a school auditorium. Needless to say, we went out to look at the site.

As I walked around the interior, I was struck by the fact that it is exactly what we need at this time. The problem – the cost is so far above what we could handle. Only a miracle of God could get us into the building.

So we’re praying for wisdom. Please pray with us and for us that we would see God’s leading. We want to know God’s will – either to pursue this and see His supernatural provision, or to let it go and wait for another season.

Prayer Walking with Randy Sprinkle

Almost a year ago I reviewed the book Follow Me – Becoming a Lifestyle Prayerwalker by Randy Sprinkle. He is a personal friend and I believe that his message is vital to the body of Christ.

Recently, he has revised the book and the new edition has been published. I encourage anyone who wants to see God’s hand at work in their neighborhoods to read this book. Click here to go to the book on Amazon.

As always, our desire is to see the body of Christ built up. We want revival fires to sweep this nation. Our prayer is that everyone who is touched by our ministry will be strengthened and encouraged for the work God has called them to accomplish.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will help my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The First Step to Excellence #excellenceinministry

05 Aug

I’ve been posting about the walk of excellence for a few days now. Hopefully, as a child of God, you desire to walk in excellence before Him.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2

Where do you start on this road to excellence? As is the case with many things in Christ, it’s going to start with a choice.

It’s sad to say, but many believers will not be willing to make that choice. The cost is great. This is that small gate that leads to the narrow road that Jesus said few would find.

The reason is not that it’s difficult to see or understand, but because it involves sacrifice. I have to sacrifice my plans, dreams, and hopes to make room for His.

Basically, I have to learn to see myself as lying dead upon the altar of the Lord in order for His resurrection power to raise me to new levels in Him. That’s why, generally speaking, the body of Christ in this generation is in its present state.

There is a transformation process that I need to undergo in order for His Word, His will, and His Way to become a part of my being. I must allow the Living Word and the Holy Spirit to renew my heart and mind. My thought processes and desires must be transformed into that which conforms to His plans.

It’s only when I’m willing to see it through to completion, in God’s way, that He will entrust me with His excellent plan for my life. So many people have come to me as pastor down through the years asking me how to “find” God’s will for their lives.

The above verse doesn’t say that I need to struggle or search for God’s will. It says that if I’m willing to lay my life down on His altar and begin the renewal process of my mind, then I will just know it. When I see His will for my life, I will approve it. I think you can agree that if something is good, pleasing and perfect – it can also be described as excellent.

It’s only after the decision of excellence is made that God will entrust you with His will. Too often our attitude is that we want to know His will first so that we can decide whether we want to do it or not. The Lord requires faith if we’re to please Him. We must come to Him with the decision to see it through before He’ll give us the glimpse of the road ahead. If you will not trust God with your future, then He will not trust you with His vision.

Question: Have you chosen the road of excellence?

Excellence and Prayer Cover #excellence #prayer

02 Aug

I’ve been posting about walking in a ministry of excellence. There’s another benefit to the walk of excellence that’s not so readily apparent. This begins when your spirit of excellence starts to become evident to those around you.

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
II Corinthians 9:13-15

As other believers notice that you’re walking in the excellent grace of God, you’ll start to receive the prayer support that you’ve only dreamed of. This is especially important for those in leadership positions.

Church leaders need to be constantly covered in prayer by those they minister to. It’s the lack of prayer that contributes to the many who “fall out” of leadership positions every year.

I believe that one of the main reasons that church people aren’t coming together to pray is that most of them don’t see a ministry of excellence worthy of their prayer time. Those churches that are in the “excellent” category never seem to be without the prayer support that’s so necessary in bringing about the victory.

It’s that spirit of excellence that they see in you that will draw them to “buy into the vision” that God has given you. It will not happen with a man-sized vision. They will only throw their support whole-heartedly behind a vision that obviously only God can perform.

The above verse states that first it’s their hearts that respond to the grace they see working in you and your ministry. Then, after their hearts are affected, their prayers will follow.

So often I have seen leaders and Pastors trying to cajole their people to come together to pray. That seems to be the big question most churches wrestle with. Why don’t the people pray? If they know that it will be business as usual whether they pray or not, then why bother?

This verse makes it clear that nothing less than a spirit of excellence can ignite a spark of heartfelt prayer. There will be no need to force the people by using the guilt tactics that I see so many pastors wielding today. On the contrary, people will desire to pray for God to accomplish His will in the ministry.

We need to go after God’s vision for our lives then pursue it with all our hearts. This will encourage others to become involved and will start the spiritual “snowball” rolling.

Question: How often do you pray for your spiritual leaders?

The Spirit and the Word

Monthly Archives: August 2013

The First Step to Excellence #excellenceinministry

Excellence and Prayer Cover #excellence #prayer

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