Enrich your spiritual life as you study inspirational messages gleaned from the Word of God! The Holy Bible is filled with wisdom that will strengthen your character and deepen your walk with the Lord. As you reflect on key Scripture passages, you will discover encouraging lessons and practical applications woven throughout the Word. Leon Gooden presents an in-depth study of key Bible passages to sharpen your faith and help you grow in your understanding of God. Each chapter explores a different Scripture passage to encourage you in your daily walk with Jesus Christ. In this book, you’ll learn: -How God calls you to be actively involved in His purposes and plans for the world -You are God’s child, accepted and highly favored—made holy and righteous by the blood of Jesus -How the Holy Spirit will empower you to bring life to others who desperately need it -How God wants to sanctify you and move you toward the future He has planned for you -How worship can overcome temptations to sin -When nothing makes sense, God has a perfect handle on things -Why the result of knowing God is an intimate relationship with the Creator of the universe This book is ideal to enhance your personal daily devotions, or as a Bible study tool in a small group setting. Short chapters with edifying messages are perfect for livening up your devotions! Start reading your copy of Walking in the Word today—and spark a flame in your heart for real growth as a child of God!
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Do you have a vision to follow, we do here at KBCMI.
EDIFYING, EQUIPPING, EMPOWERING FOR KINGDOM ADVANCEMENT!
EPH. 4:12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of CHRIST.
EDIFYING - The word ‘edification' comes from a Latin word, ‘aedificare' which means, “build”. The idea therefore is, ‘to improve the mind or character of some one by teaching'.
Kingdom is the sovereign, power, dominion, and rule to infiltrate, influence, and incorporate all who would receive its provisions, promises, promotion, and protection for the the Kingdom of God and for Experiencing and Enjoying The Kingdom lifestyle.
To Advance is to proceed progressively by divine impartation, inspiration, imagination and instruction to move forward the Kingdom of God and for Experiencing and Enjoying the Kingdom lifestyle. ADVANCING THE KINGDOM OF GOD WITH FORCE.
A song of praise is a powerful prophetic tool that:
Celebrates victory in the face of apparent defeat.
Declares God’s ability in the circumstance of your inability
Thanks God for answers that have not yet been sighted
It is prophetic because it gives voice to the word that God has spoken to you, concerning His outcome for your circumstances and life.
In 2 Chron 20, King Jehoshaphat responded in faith to a prophetic word that God would route the powerful armies that were coming against the nation of Judah.
Jehoshaphat sent out musicians and singers at the head of his army to praise God. As they began to sing and praise, the enemy armies turned on each other. The prophecy—that God would defeat the enemy without Judah having to fight—was fulfilled.
However, this was the only time in the Bible a battle was won in this precise way.
The key to breakthrough is not about a method, it is intimacy with God. And out of that intimacy, let the praises start to flow.
If this inspires you, I encourage you to spend more time with God and lift up prophetic praise to activate the Hand of God.
GOD GOT THIS! 4 When King Jeroboam heard the man of God speaking against the altar at Bethel, he pointed at him and shouted, “Seize that man!” But instantly the king’s hand became paralyzed in that position, and he couldn’t pull it back. 5 At the same time a wide crack appeared in the altar, and the ashes poured out, just as the man of God had predicted in his message from the Lord. 1 Kings 13:4-5
We need to be careful when pointing fingers at others or saying things against people. In the story above, an established, wealthy, powerful ruler pointed his finger and hand towards a man of God and said ‘seize him’, arrest him etc. The man of God was quiet, did not say anything, but God spoke on his behalf. The hand of King Jeroboam withered, became paralyzed.
As a child of God, you should strengthen your relationship with God, walk with Him in such a manner that He will always arise in your defense. He declared in Exodus 14:14, you will hold your peace and I will fight for you.
People who point at you unjustly may be pointing to the Most High God and will come under God’s judgment. That is why as a child of God; leave your battles to God and He will fight for you. You do not need to fight in this battle. Stand still (hold your peace) and see the salvation/deliverance of the Lord.
King Sennacherib pointed his hand against Hezekiah, a child of God, unknown to Sennacherib; he was pointing his finger and hand at God. God decisively dealt with King Sennacherib.
In this season, I see God fighting for you and dealing with hands pointed against you! In Jesus mighty name! Amen!
You need to abide in God as God abides in you. The anointing you have received is an abiding anointing.
But the anointing that you received from him abides in you (1 John 2:27).
The anointing you have already received is an abiding anointing. It stays in you and with you as you walk with Him continually. This anointing also requires you to abide in Him – The Holy Spirit. The anointing is for an end. For by one offering he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14).The purpose of the anointing, first and foremost is to guide you, teach you, strengthen you and help you in everything, so the sacrifice of Jesus, dying for you; - its purpose will be fully realized.
I pray that God will perfect you forever, and your spirit, soul and body will be found blameless at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. No matter the challenges you are facing today; may He deliver you, teach you, lift you and be glorified in you; in Jesus mighty name! Amen and Amen!!
In 2 Kings 9:6, the Bible says concerning Jehu And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said to him, Thus said the LORD God of Israel, I have anointed you king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel.
God anointed Jehu for a purpose. He carried out God’s commands, through a abiding anointing.
The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD,….1 Kings 19:11
A certain man was instructed to ‘go out’ of a cave. A cave can be described as a hollow place in the ground or mountain. You are going to come out of every cave of depression, pain, hurt, distress and disappointment in Jesus name.
May you:
• Move into the limelight in Jesus name.
• Move into glory, into honor and success. What has held you back is cut off now in Jesus name, come out of your cave.
• Recover every blessing of yours that has been caged in a cave. It is set free now in Jesus mighty name. You are coming out of darkness, confusion and stumbling into the limelight of confidence, direction and progress.
If Elijah had continued staying in the cave, he would not have seen the glorious things that God did and heard the still small voice.
When Elijah stepped out of the cave, he saw: the mountains divided, broken into pieces; an earthquake, a powerful wind in action, the fire and heard the still small voice of guidance and direction.
• May every mountainous problem you face be brought low in Jesus name, so that the glory of God can be revealed in your life family and destiny.
• Every mountain will be made low, every crooked path will be made straight – difficult things will become easy and then the glory of God will rise upon you.
• May the earthquake you need to consume your problems and opposition, happen now in Jesus name!
• You are going to say (see Numbers 16:28-35): earth open and swallow every opposition against my life, family and destiny in Jesus mighty name!
• Pray: May the wind of God, sweep away every adversary of my soul, in Jesus name.
• Let the four winds scatter every evil plan, voice and words spoken into my life and destiny in Jesus name!
• Let the four winds bring my blessings from wherever they have been caged in Jesus name.
• Pray: Let every strongman behind my problems be swallowed in Jesus name!
• As the fire of God consumed those opposing Elijah, may the fire of God arrest my arresters, destroy their works and plans and set me free in Jesus name!
• The fire that destroys others will not destroy me in Jesus name! (Daniel 3).
• The fire that blesses and lifts up let it come upon me in Jesus mighty name! (Acts 2)
• Father, let me hear you, speak to me in your still small voice.
• Like the day of Pentecost, let your fire fall upon me, loose your Spirit upon my life, let there be a fresh outpouring of your Spirit and power like the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4, John 7:37-39; Romans 8:14).
• I come out of every cave of limitation in Jesus name
• I destroy every band of limitation against my life, family and destiny in Jesus mighty name.
• I go forward, I go upward in Jesus name!
• I go forth into the fulfillment of my glorious destiny, in Jesus name!
Divine visitation refers to when the heavens and the earth collaborates. The superior – the heavens decides to show mercy, and pay the created – the earth, a visit. Divine visitation can bring about reconstruction (Jeremiah 4:23-24), where a wilderness, barren land becomes a fruitful place.
When God visits; past promises and prophecies are turned into reality. Tangible results are seen. When God visited the earth, in Jesus, by his birth, prophecies given hundreds of years before were fulfilled.
As we celebrate the season of God’s divine visitation to earth to save all men, women and the world from sin; let us boldly declare the Lordship of Jesus, our King, Saviour and Lord. Jesus is coming back again; remain ready, help others to be ready. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men, most miserable. Help others come out of current and eternal misery by sharing the good news of God’s divine visitation in this season!
Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV ....“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.
I will say it again until it gets in your spirit, God wants to create something new in you! I will say it again God wants to create something new in you! That’s right little ol you, that’s right a ex this and ex that, some of you are saying to yourself preacher if you really knew what I used to be and do? Let me tell you the messier your past is the more powerful your message will be. This word EX is very powerful in the life of a believer, it means “out of, from,”.
SEE YOUR EX IS THE BEGINNING OF YOUR EXPECTATION OF YOUR NEW, YOU GOT TO HAVE A EX BEFORE YOU CAN GET AN EXPECTATION. Anybody out there got an EX? What is EXPECTATION it is believing that something is going to happen.
Labels can cling to us for a lifetime. Even Jesus was given labels (can anything good come from Nazareth John 1:46). Labels can be imprinted in our thinking and in our minds by what others say about us or things others do to us.
The problem is, it’s tough to change our stinking thinking and bad habits. Many of us have the IF ITS NOT BROKEN THAN DON’T FIX IT.....Mentality.
Our past suffocates our creativity and smothers out our fire and passion..
In (Exodus 14:21) God made a dry path through the sea. He turned the water into dry ground to give the Israelites a way to escape from Pharaoh! But now Isaiah says the opposite in (Isa 43:18-19) HE IS TURNING THE DRY PLACES INTO RIVERS. Just because He did it one way doesn’t mean He will do it the same way again.
In (John 7:37-38) Jesus said, 37 “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
God has new things for us. He wants us to anticipate new things—even streams in the desert, roads in the wilderness....BEHOLD I’M DOING A NEW THING....THE WORD BEHOLD means to look for it to spring forth, to LEAP!
GOD IS CREATING SOMETHING NEW IN YOU THATS TAILOR MADE JUST FOR YOU!
When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, 2 Kings 20:2
King Hezekiah was at cross roads, the source from which he was expecting good news brought bad news. He did not despair, he faced the wall. The situation gave in, he had his prayers answered. In any situation in which you are facing a wall, may God come through for you. God came through for the children of Israel when they faced the walls of Jericho. May God hear your prayers and see you through to a better state and place; in Jesus mighty name! Amen!
If you're trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I've had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.
Concerning our God, the Bible states: But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O LORD, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall, or like the relentless heat of the desert. But you silence the roar of foreign nations. As the shade of a cloud cools relentless heat, so the boastful songs of ruthless people are stilled(Isaiah 25:4-5).
By your help I have made a way through the wall which was shutting me in: (Psalm 18:29).
According to Ralph Waldo Emerson: 'Every wall is a door.'
In 2 Chronicles 26:6, the Bible states concerning Uzziah He went out and made war against the Philistines and broke through the wall of Gath and the wall of Jabneh and the wall of Ashdod, and he built cities in the territory of Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines.
Uzziah; whose name means 'God is my strength' broke through walls of opposition. Walls could not stop him. The things that stopped others will not stop you from moving forward and advancing in Jesus mighty name! Amen! May God's strength be made available to you to face and overcome every wall, in Jesus mighty name!
EDIFYING, EQUIPPING, EMPOWERING FOR KINGDOM ADVANCEMENT!
EPH. 4:12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of CHRIST.
EDIFYING - The word ‘edification' comes from a Latin word, ‘aedificare' which means, “build”. The idea therefore is, ‘to improve the mind or character of some one by teaching'.
Therefore, spiritual edification refers to the process in which a Christian is being built up to stand firm against every wind of doctrines as well as attacks from the evil one. Just like a structure being built with a strong foundation and quality materials by skilled workers, so that the building may be strong. A weak foundation always weakens the superstructure. If the materials used are of inferior quality, it affects the whole building gradually.
In the same manner the building up of a Christian's life and character is very important. The foundation must be strong; the materials must be of high quality. As far as a Christian is concerned the foundation is the word of God which is settled in heaven for ever. Understanding the Bible accurately and systematically is essential to laying a strong spiritual foundation. This process is called spiritual edification.
So, a true Christian never stays static. We keep growing, advancing forward, and becoming stronger every day.
Kingdom is the sovereign, power, dominion, and rule to infiltrate, influence, and incorporate all who would receive its provisions, promises, promotion, and protection for the the Kingdom of God and for Experiencing and Enjoying The Kingdom lifestyle
K = Knowledge and
I = Insight
N = Necessary for
G = Gaining,
D = Dominion,
O = Order, and
M = Multiplication
To Advance is to proceed progressively by divine impartation, inspiration, imagination and instruction to move forward the Kingdom of God and for Experiencing and Enjoying the Kingdom lifestyle.
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers:but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door:by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd:the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
See I used to be a good fisherman of fish and one thing I learned is that when you go fishing you have to
1. GO AT THE RIGHT TIME
2. GO TO THE RIGHT PLACE
3. HAVE THE RIGHT TYPE OF BAIT
4. HAVE PATIENCE DONT RUSH
5. STAY ALERT WATCH POLE
6. AFTER FISH TAKES HOOK LET HIM TIE OUT
7. REEL HIM IN, DONT LET HIM GET OFF YOUR LINE
NOW THAT YOURE QUALIFIED FISHERMEN, COME TO THE HOUSE OF GOD, YOUR PLACE OF DUTY TO BE DEPUTIZED TO GO OUT AND CATCH SOME FISH (SOULS).
SEE SOME OF YOU ARE SITTING IN HERE TODAY THAT HAVE BEEN RUNNING FROM YOUR OCCUPATION, THATS WHY THINGS NEVER WORK OUT FOR YOUR GOOD, COME BACK TO YOUR ASSIGNMENT FROM GOD, ITS IN YOUR DNA TO BE FISHERMEN, NOT DRUG DEALERS, PIMPS, ROBBERS, CRACK HEADS, FELONIES, ADULTERERS, FORNICATORS, LIERS.
COME BACK TO JESUS, COME BACK TO YOUR FIRST LOVE, ROM 5:17 IF ANY MAN BE IN ...........
JESUS SAID IAM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE., NO MAN CAN SEE THE FATHER WITHOUT GOING THROUGH HIM.
THE ALTAR IS OPEN TO RECEIVE JESUS, COME PUT ON CHRIST, THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYS COME, JUST AS YOU ARE.
We face challenges on a daily basis. Some of them may seem like immovable mountains. We are tempted to give up at times, when it looks as if the mountain is not moving or reducing in size. Sometimes, the challenge may be insulting our faith, trust and hope in God.
But be assured that God will come through for you. When the imposing giant named Goliath was insulting David; Goliath disdained, despised and belittled David. He proceeded to mock David's instrument of war - his staff, calling them sticks. David emerged victorious by declaring:
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel,
All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands." (1 Samuel 17:45-47).
David prevailed over the giant with a slingshot and a stone. At the same time, the Israelites - pevailed over the Philistines. You will prevail over every opposition of the enemy against your life, family, ministry and destiny; in Jesus mighty name! Amen.
While the staff in David's hands represents the Holy Spirit (Psalm 23:4) and David prevailed by using the name of the Lord of Hosts. His captain is our captain. You have been given a name above every name - the name of Jesus (Acts 4:12). Our captain has never lost any battle. You are destined to win! You will win as you apply the name of the Lord in your battles. Victory is sure!
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers:but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door:by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd:the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
See I used to be a good fisherman of fish and one thing I learned is that when you go fishing you have to
1. GO AT THE RIGHT TIME
2. GO TO THE RIGHT PLACE
3. HAVE THE RIGHT TYPE OF BAIT
4. HAVE PATIENCE DONT RUSH
5. STAY ALERT WATCH POLE
6. AFTER FISH TAKES HOOK LET HIM TIE OUT
7. REEL HIM IN, DONT LET HIM GET OFF YOUR LINE
NOW THAT YOURE QUALIFIED FISHERMEN, COME TO THE HOUSE OF GOD, YOUR PLACE OF DUTY TO BE DEPUTIZED TO GO OUT AND CATCH SOME FISH (SOULS).
SEE SOME OF YOU ARE SITTING IN HERE TODAY THAT HAVE BEEN RUNNING FROM YOUR OCCUPATION, THATS WHY THINGS NEVER WORK OUT FOR YOUR GOOD, COME BACK TO YOUR ASSIGNMENT FROM GOD, ITS IN YOUR DNA TO BE FISHERMEN, NOT DRUG DEALERS, PIMPS, ROBBERS, CRACK HEADS, FELONIES, ADULTERERS, FORNICATORS, LIERS.
COME BACK TO JESUS, COME BACK TO YOUR FIRST LOVE, ROM 5:17 IF ANY MAN BE IN ...........
JESUS SAID IAM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE., NO MAN CAN SEE THE FATHER WITHOUT GOING THROUGH HIM.
NOW LET'S GO FISHING IN JESUS NAME!
CA L.R.Gooden Jr.
Kingdom Builders Christian Ministries A Spiritually Militant Church
In the process of apostolic maturing of the Church there is an emerging, spiritually militant boldness on all fronts of Church life. Not with guns and bombs like deluded terrorists, but spiritual weapons like strategic prayer, intercession, preaching, teaching and praise & worship. Music (SHOFAR & PRAISE/WORSHIP) has been, and is increasingly setting this tone of spiritual militancy. Now it is time for the prophetic to take its true mature place alongside the apostolic gifts and anointing. To bring structure both spiritual and natural to facilitate what the Lord is doing in the Church - to clear the rubble from the spiritual gaps in the wall of the House of the Lord (Nehemiah 4:10), and to build apostolic churches. To plant churches powerfully, in spiritually governing strength, with five-fold ministry teams. Apostolic church bases that will actually affect and change whole cities, nations, and even governments.
We have seen this in part happening in KBCM but there are more wonderful days ahead of all of us as we press on to the high calling of Christ JESUS in our lives. Singers, musicians, Preachers, Teachers, THE FIVE FOLD MINISTRY in the realm of the creative arts will also need to carry apostolic wisdom in the nurturing and releasing of these gifts in the MARKETPLACE. It is important we prepare - because we will not handle the onslaught of spiritual wickedness that will inevitably come against the rising army of the Church. It is a global army because there is a global fight! A fight against the ultimate global terrorist - the devil!
Apostolic Alignment for Kingdom Advancement
Apostolic Alignment for Kingdom Advancement: Is the worldwide activation of the Holy Spirit being released in the Body of Christ resulting in the restoration (re-ordering) of all things according to Acts 3:19-21
Restoration of:
Relationships - Malachi 4:6; Luke 15:11-32; 1 Corinthians 4:15
Biblical Doctrine/Teaching – Hebrews 6:1
Five-Fold Ministry- Ephesians 4:11-12
Ministry of the Holy Spirit – Luke 3:16; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4
Miracles – 1 Corinthians 12:10-11
The Ministry of the Apostle: Apostle- (Greek-apostolos) “One who is sent forth.” One called and sent by the Anointing to have and operate in spiritual authority. Character, gifts, and abilities enable Apostles to gather and establish people in Kingdom truth and order, especially through founding and overseeing churches and ministries.
1 Corinthians 12:28 “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” Ephesians 4:11 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.”
Functions of Apostles and Apostolic Ministries:
Establish a Spiritual climate/atmosphere in regions that is conducive for a release of God’s Glory
1 Corinthians 12:28 “First (Greek-proton) apostles.” Blasting, Trailblazers, Penetrating, Forerunner, Pioneer Anointing. Territorial Spirits – Governing spirits/strongholds over regions, cities, nations. Daniel 10:13 “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days:” 1 Corinthians 15:32 ‘If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus,”
Strongholds – Mindsets, Doctrines, Ideologies contrary to the Word of God. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 “… mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds,”
To establish the Apostolic in GOD's people
Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” NKJV This is an Apostolic Commission!! Evangelists make believers/converts – Apostles make disciples.
Establish Churches Apostolic People require Apostolic Churches where they will be equipped and released for the work of the ministry through:
Doctrine- Acts 2:42 “…they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship,”
Preaching- Inspiration through exhortation, proclamation and demonstration. Mark 16:15 “And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,”
Teaching- Inspiration through edification (building up). Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,”
Treaching - (combination of teaching & preaching) Matthew 4:23 “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and
healing (demonstration) all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people,”
Establish Biblical Order/Government Restore five-fold (government) ministry to oversee and maintain the order of God, which is represented through theocracy and not democracy.
Theocracy -God controlled, God centered, God ruled.
Democracy- People controlled, People centered, People ruled. 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11-16; Titus 1:5
Establish “Fathering Ministries/Relationship” 1 Corinthians 4:15 “For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet [have ye] not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” Fathers and overseers are committed to establishing and developing growing relationship.
Some Fatherly Responsibilities:
1. Training and Discipline - Exodus 18:13-26; Hebrews 12:5-10; Colossians 1:28
2. Reproduce - John 15:16
3.. Releasing - Acts11: 21-22; Acts13:3-4
4.. Impartation - 2 Timothy 1:6
5. Provision
Everyone needs to submit under GOD's government, no one is exempt, Kingdom Builders Christian Ministries definitely is a place for anyone who is without a Church home and wants to grow in the LORD.
Everyone – Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers and laypersons, are required to submit to a Pastor. This is God’s order of government. The Pastor is the head of the local Church and everyone is to be a part of a local Church somewhere. (Ephesians 4:11-14)
What I am saying is that everyone, even the other Ministry offices, should have a Pastor. There are no exceptions to this. The most effective Five-fold Ministers in the Earth have Pastors whom they can call upon.
Everyone will ultimately give account for how they treated their Pastors. 2Corinthians 5:10)
Sincerely from Apostle L.R. Gooden Jr.
A quick teaching on the theme for 2015 for KBCM by Apostle L.R.Gooden Jr.
SCRIPTURE AND THEME FOR 2015
EDIFYING, EQUIPPING, EMPOWERING FOR KINGDOM ADVANCEMENT
EPH. 4:12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
These ministry gifts (EPH 4:11) are to equip the saints, and then the saints are to do the work of the ministry. The Amplified Bible translates this verse as "His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church)."
It is a mistake to place the burden of ministry on what we call "the clergy." Full-time ministers are to minister the Word to the saints, but the saints are to go out and reach the lost and carry the bulk of the ministry within the church. Shepherds don't have sheep; they tend the sheep, and the sheep should reproduce.
It has been a big mistake to "hire" ministers to do what the individual members of the church are supposed to do. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are simply leaders who equip the saints so that they can be successful in the ministries God has given them.
In EPH 4:12 the word "for" can mean because of, as a result of, since, or it can mean so as to obtain. It is the latter definition that is meant here. The apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers of EPH 4:11 minister "so as to obtain" the saints being equipped so that they can do the work of the ministry, which in turn obtains the edifying of the body of Christ. The clergy doesn't do all these things. They start the process through leadership, and the body edifies itself in love (EPH 4:16).
The Greek word that was translated "perfecting" here is "KATARTISMOS," and it means "a fitting or preparing fully" (Vine's Expository Dictionary). It does not denote the absence of all flaws. The Lord gave the gifted ministers listed in EPH 4:11 to help fully prepare the saints so that they could do the work of the ministry.
Remember it takes a Disciple (a disciplined learner) not a complainer, not a critic, not a murmurer, not a know it all, but a DISCIPLE. It's time for the Church to line-up, straighten-up and fall in place with true GOD ordained leadership. Amen.
