Ministers Can’t Quit!

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by Melva Henderson

Lately, I have been encountering too many individuals in the U.S and in nations around the world who know they’re called to a powerful place in ministry but are leaving their post because of offense. A leader whose heart has become hardened by an offense that has been left unattended will eventually leave their God-ordained path to seek out their own way.

Saints, ministers of the Gospel, ministers in training, ministers of helps, church administrators, missionaries, armor bearers, adjutants, pastors, evangelists, prophets, apostles or teachers…NEVER, and I mean NEVER, allow disappointments or disillusionment to change your course. If GOD instructed you to go in a particular direction, do a certain thing, or connect with a particular body of people, no one and no circumstance should be permitted to make you even consider detouring or throwing in the towel.

I’m asking you today…

WHO called you!?

WHO led you!?

WHO equipped you!?

WHO anointed you!?

The answer is God! Then why on earth would you allow a situation,an individual, or an offense to stop you, slow you, or detain you from walking out the call in the manner in which God said you were to go? If you want God’s blessing and His best for your life and in your ministry, you can never alter the course. You cannot make your own way. Your life is NOT your own. God Himself has created you AND ordained you with a specific purpose in mind. Do not deviate from the path He has set before you.

In the book of Acts, the Apostle Paul, being forewarned of the hardships ahead but compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem, said “…I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” You must keep your eyes on Him, knowing that when the call seems too heavy and the price too high, that the very One who called you is also the One who will keep you and empower you.

When God placed this journey in front you, He knew what lay ahead. He knew what this road would look like for you. He’s acquainted with and has allowed every bump, every pothole, every wrong motive, every unfair encounter, every disappointment, and every place of frustration. He knew all of it and yet charted your course in this direction anyway. It may not always feel good or look great, but He has the way through every situation and circumstance.

Who are we to withdraw or pull back when GOD is the one who ordains? Who are we to think we can leave our place of assignment, unfulfilled, unfinished, untrained, and unprepared for the work and the battle? We must endure hardness like the good soldiers we are or we will never enter into the ordained place of greatness God has reserved just for us. Within each of us is a call that He has placed on our lives to fulfill. We were called to this place, at this time, to serve a particular purpose!

Our rise to greatness is not determined by how many people come to hear us nor how many people know us or have heard about us. Our elevation to greatness comes because we, just like Jesus, are doing all the Father requires of us, fulfilling His call, no matter the cost!! The scars we carry are proof that our lives are truly not our own. They are proof that our lives are laid down before Christ and poured out on behalf of others for the sake of the advancement of His Kingdom. As we advance His Kingdom, we rise to greatness as Christ is glorified through us before all men.

We deserve to be great. We have done the hard work and paid the price. Continue to stand firm, go the entire distance, stay the course, and wait for the appointed time. When all is said and done, our rise to greatness is sustainable because we fought our battles well and did not faint, our faith has been proven, and we have what it takes to overcome in life. Just like David, the bear couldn’t take us out, the lion was just a work out, and the uncircumcised Philistine is just another day in the life of a true warrior.

God takes no pleasure in one who turns back, shrinks back, or walks away so just stay the course! Stop complaining to others about frustrations in your ministry and the shortcomings you see, whether in people, in finances, or any other area that seems to come up short. Sowing those seeds will adversely affect your life and the future of your ministry. Stop talking it out and start praying it out.

“Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.” Philippians 4:6 (Amplified)

“…The earnest (heartfelt, continue) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” James 5:16 (Amplified)

Trust God! You’ve got what it takes! He is watching you! As a matter of fact, II Chronicles 16:9 (NIV) says “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” And that word “committed” also means “trusting.” God purposefully looks for those whose hearts are fully trusting in Him so He can strengthen them. He IS going to make sure you’re not forgotten. He IS going to make sure His plans succeed through you.

Protect your anointing! Protect your call! Don’t lie down on the altar of sacrifice what God has called you to pick up. It was given to you by the Head of the Church.

There is one thing I can promise you based on experience. If you stay the course and don’t quit, it does get better! Through faith we are called to conquer kingdoms and gain what has been promised. Through faith our weaknesses are turned to strength and we prevail in the midst of battle. And as we continue to move forward in the place of ministry He has ordained for us, we will most certainly see the full manifestation of the Glory of God in the earth!

Loving on ministers today….Hope this keeps you from making a mistake you will one day regret.

1 John 2:17 “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”

Melva L. Henderson is the Co-Pastor World Outreach & Bible Training Center and Founder of Melva Henderson Ministries. To connect with Melva, email [email protected] or call the office at 414.962.0600.