For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.1 Corinthians 3:9-15 New International Version (NIV)
Greetings servants of God. Fire is God's agent that He uses to move his elements to the next level.
When I looked at the ministry from afar off, a long time ago, I imagined ministry as a platform where you would be celebrated and people would constantly be propping you up. Yes, that happens, but the ministry has more than just that.
Ministry is good! But ministry is brutal. As we move in the ministry either as the main minister or as one who is backing up another, you need to know that you are one whole minister before God. As a whole minister, there are challenges, fires, that test all of us in the ministry. Let us look at a few of the 10.
By Apostle Pride Sibiya
1. Personal marriage.
It is important to know that apart from being a minister you are a married partner and that those household duties need to fulfilled without hiding behind the ministry. Without elderly counsel, you will almost divorce man times. Some will actually divorce. The sad thing is you lose a lot in your ministry if you lose your marriage. Our priority order must always be GOD-SPOUSE-FAMILY-MINISTRY!
Obviously, men-folk should also be understanding and open to get help. Many marriages are suffering because men are too proud to ask for help.
Ladies and gentlemen, marriage is not easy. It sometimes hurts and causes confusion as you won't be in a position to know what is really happening. We all need counsel and elderly advice from spiritual covering and counselors. Even when not married, the issue of marriage constantly comes up and may become a fire that tries you. I and mama have been helped by elderly counsel otherwise it would have never been easy.
2. Flesh.
Yes, that flesh is so cunning and sometimes goes against the dictates of the spirit. The flesh hates prayer, it hates fasting, it hates being faithful to your partner and can go against your will in God. It is important to keep this fire under control because it can burn the whole ministry. Eyes, for example, do not refuse to "see" because they are of an anointed servant of God. You will be tested by porn and, seemingly free, illicit sex. Opposite and same-sex temptations will test you.
3. Ego
Another fire that is much more powerful than the first two. Ego hides inside of us and causes us to not do certain things in the light of the work that God has given us. Pride always goes before a fall! The feeling of superiority complex that tells you that you cannot do such a lovely duty in the house of God is what starts, then ends in great pride and haughtiness. always remember that whatever is happening in your life is a result of the grace of God. You are not where you are because, initially, you were better than others. Be careful, because you will always be tempted to lift yourself above others, mock others who are putting more effort than you yet with lesser results...always remember GRACE!
4. Money.
Something that is crucial. Without money, there is no proper ministry, no proper household, and no real activity in your life. Money is critical and can actually be a fire that can cause a family or ministry to burn. Lack of money and abuse of the same are almost the same. The issue of money needs to be handled well in a family and ministry setup or else it will become a serious fire between you and your family or ministry. Also know that every minister will be tempted to gain finances in ungodly ways: cheat, sell sacred things, exchange your gift for money like Balaam.
5. Devotional life is where our strength comes from.
Many of us have not yet become disciplined to that level where we keep our devotional habit daily. We preach we teach, we shout but do not have our personal time alone with God... That Bible study, that prayer, that meditation! It's a test that we have in life and ministry, it's a fire. We spend all-time in the work of God and never with the God of the work? The temptation is to read the Bible to get a sermon! It is to pray in order to get power before people and never to just have a relationship with God.
6. Solitude
This is a fire in ministry. You are high up there and you also have your own problems but you have no one to talk to. Many times, in ministry, you pray for people and they return with powerful testimonies, yet when you pray for the same thing for yourself there seems to be no answer! They are married, you are not! They get a car testimony, you can't even afford public transport. God seems silent when it's about you and very loud when its about others or the ministry.
That is the fire of loneliness. Ministry can be a very lonely walk and can be so hot when alone, YET YOU ARE NEVER ALONE, the Lord is with you in all ways.
7. Corporate decisions
As a family, a ministry, a team there is a need for you to make corporate decisions that affect more than just you. At that point, you are going through a test of character, a test of strength and if you overcome on that decision you will be elevated. As a minister, you need to be strong and make decisive decisions
8. Fishermen
These are people who wait until you gather people so that they can come and collect some.
Always know in life and ministry that there is someone who is constantly ogling, looking intently at you, and always wishing what you have was theirs. Always know that.
There is a fire there, they might be close to you but they wish they were you
9. Aspersions
When the devil takes you through most of the ministry fires and sees that you are overcoming he moves to his best: accusations. You will be accused left, right, and center. Things you did and those you didn't will be raised up against you to try and sink you. I still remember when we lost a number of children at a church camp. Many stories were concocted that I never knew people would think of me in that way. I was shocked to hear, first-hand, someone say false things about me as if he knew me, right in my presence.
10. Deceptions and desertions.
Get ready! I have been in the ministry for just 25 years but in those, I have been deserted, discussed, deceived, cheated, and all. Ladies and LADIES, if Jesus Christ was deserted we too will be deserted. There are people who I prayed for and God wrought mighty works for who promised to always be there for me but have deserted me when they thought I was finished. The blind man I prayed for and he saw came to church for 2 Sundays and left...the child I so loved and trusted was talking about me behind me...out of every 12 Apostles, Jesus, you have at least one Judas!
In rounding up before questions, I want us to know that we all go through the fires of ministry. The way we respond to the fires is what determines how, how long, when you are going to go through it.
1. Personal marriage
2. Flesh
3. Ego
4. Money,
5. Devotional life
6. Solitude
7. Corporate decisions
8. Fishers
9. Accusations,
10. Desertion and deceptions.
Fire is sent by Satan to destroy you, but you are gold... You are becoming purer!
The Fires Of Ministry
Apostle Pride Sibiya
Receive Jesus Christ today and go to church for spiritual fellowship.
Follow Apostle Pride Sibiya (Bishop: Glory Ministries) on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Periscope, WhatsApp, Google+, Instagram, Instaclips, and all social media.
Copyright: Brand Pride Sibiya(tempering with the article without permission of Brand is a criminal offense).
Greetings servants of God. Fire is God's agent that He uses to move his elements to the next level.
When I looked at the ministry from afar off, a long time ago, I imagined ministry as a platform where you would be celebrated and people would constantly be propping you up. Yes, that happens, but the ministry has more than just that.
Ministry is good! But ministry is brutal. As we move in the ministry either as the main minister or as one who is backing up another, you need to know that you are one whole minister before God. As a whole minister, there are challenges, fires, that test all of us in the ministry. Let us look at a few of the 10.
By Apostle Pride Sibiya
1. Personal marriage.
It is important to know that apart from being a minister you are a married partner and that those household duties need to fulfilled without hiding behind the ministry. Without elderly counsel, you will almost divorce man times. Some will actually divorce. The sad thing is you lose a lot in your ministry if you lose your marriage. Our priority order must always be GOD-SPOUSE-FAMILY-MINISTRY!
Obviously, men-folk should also be understanding and open to get help. Many marriages are suffering because men are too proud to ask for help.
Ladies and gentlemen, marriage is not easy. It sometimes hurts and causes confusion as you won't be in a position to know what is really happening. We all need counsel and elderly advice from spiritual covering and counselors. Even when not married, the issue of marriage constantly comes up and may become a fire that tries you. I and mama have been helped by elderly counsel otherwise it would have never been easy.
2. Flesh.
Yes, that flesh is so cunning and sometimes goes against the dictates of the spirit. The flesh hates prayer, it hates fasting, it hates being faithful to your partner and can go against your will in God. It is important to keep this fire under control because it can burn the whole ministry. Eyes, for example, do not refuse to "see" because they are of an anointed servant of God. You will be tested by porn and, seemingly free, illicit sex. Opposite and same-sex temptations will test you.
3. Ego
Another fire that is much more powerful than the first two. Ego hides inside of us and causes us to not do certain things in the light of the work that God has given us. Pride always goes before a fall! The feeling of superiority complex that tells you that you cannot do such a lovely duty in the house of God is what starts, then ends in great pride and haughtiness. always remember that whatever is happening in your life is a result of the grace of God. You are not where you are because, initially, you were better than others. Be careful, because you will always be tempted to lift yourself above others, mock others who are putting more effort than you yet with lesser results...always remember GRACE!
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| Every Minister Must Read: The Fires Of Ministry: Bishop Sibiya |
4. Money.
Something that is crucial. Without money, there is no proper ministry, no proper household, and no real activity in your life. Money is critical and can actually be a fire that can cause a family or ministry to burn. Lack of money and abuse of the same are almost the same. The issue of money needs to be handled well in a family and ministry setup or else it will become a serious fire between you and your family or ministry. Also know that every minister will be tempted to gain finances in ungodly ways: cheat, sell sacred things, exchange your gift for money like Balaam.
5. Devotional life is where our strength comes from.
Many of us have not yet become disciplined to that level where we keep our devotional habit daily. We preach we teach, we shout but do not have our personal time alone with God... That Bible study, that prayer, that meditation! It's a test that we have in life and ministry, it's a fire. We spend all-time in the work of God and never with the God of the work? The temptation is to read the Bible to get a sermon! It is to pray in order to get power before people and never to just have a relationship with God.
6. Solitude
This is a fire in ministry. You are high up there and you also have your own problems but you have no one to talk to. Many times, in ministry, you pray for people and they return with powerful testimonies, yet when you pray for the same thing for yourself there seems to be no answer! They are married, you are not! They get a car testimony, you can't even afford public transport. God seems silent when it's about you and very loud when its about others or the ministry.
That is the fire of loneliness. Ministry can be a very lonely walk and can be so hot when alone, YET YOU ARE NEVER ALONE, the Lord is with you in all ways.
7. Corporate decisions
As a family, a ministry, a team there is a need for you to make corporate decisions that affect more than just you. At that point, you are going through a test of character, a test of strength and if you overcome on that decision you will be elevated. As a minister, you need to be strong and make decisive decisions
8. Fishermen
These are people who wait until you gather people so that they can come and collect some.
Always know in life and ministry that there is someone who is constantly ogling, looking intently at you, and always wishing what you have was theirs. Always know that.
There is a fire there, they might be close to you but they wish they were you
9. Aspersions
When the devil takes you through most of the ministry fires and sees that you are overcoming he moves to his best: accusations. You will be accused left, right, and center. Things you did and those you didn't will be raised up against you to try and sink you. I still remember when we lost a number of children at a church camp. Many stories were concocted that I never knew people would think of me in that way. I was shocked to hear, first-hand, someone say false things about me as if he knew me, right in my presence.
10. Deceptions and desertions.
Get ready! I have been in the ministry for just 25 years but in those, I have been deserted, discussed, deceived, cheated, and all. Ladies and LADIES, if Jesus Christ was deserted we too will be deserted. There are people who I prayed for and God wrought mighty works for who promised to always be there for me but have deserted me when they thought I was finished. The blind man I prayed for and he saw came to church for 2 Sundays and left...the child I so loved and trusted was talking about me behind me...out of every 12 Apostles, Jesus, you have at least one Judas!
In rounding up before questions, I want us to know that we all go through the fires of ministry. The way we respond to the fires is what determines how, how long, when you are going to go through it.
1. Personal marriage
2. Flesh
3. Ego
4. Money,
5. Devotional life
6. Solitude
7. Corporate decisions
8. Fishers
9. Accusations,
10. Desertion and deceptions.
Fire is sent by Satan to destroy you, but you are gold... You are becoming purer!
The Fires Of Ministry
Apostle Pride Sibiya
Receive Jesus Christ today and go to church for spiritual fellowship.
Follow Apostle Pride Sibiya (Bishop: Glory Ministries) on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Periscope, WhatsApp, Google+, Instagram, Instaclips, and all social media.
Copyright: Brand Pride Sibiya(tempering with the article without permission of Brand is a criminal offense).
