A few days ago, when I was in prayer, the Holy Spirit spoke, “Serve honestly and in full strength!” I was confused for a moment; what does the Lord mean? Is He seeing dishonesty in our actions and motives? Is it possible that we do not serve in full strength? Can we do more but we don’t?
The next day I fasted and stayed in my prayer room to know the heart of the Lord. I was in my prayer room for three hours; I prayed and wrote down everything the Holy Spirit spoke.
“Serve honestly…” the Lord was speaking about right priorities, not becoming servants of men or friends with the world, the potential of each person, diving into the Word of God, and releasing the almighty power of the Holy Spirit.
The Lord Himself speaks to the life of each person who serves Him, directing them to do what He finds fit for the given period. There are times when a person, having heard the Holy Spirit, sets out to fulfill His assignment right away. They start with vigor but with time, other things or even additional ministry work in the Church come up and deviate them from their assignment. The person thinks in human terms that they will manage to fulfill all the responsibilities at the same time; don’t these other things glorify the Father and help people, after all?
However, we must be realistic. The Lord requires obedience. He alone decides not only what we shall do, but also when and how it shall be done. Each person has a calling and is to function according to their calling. When a person vigorously starts to fulfill the assignment received from God, yet with time, gets involved in other things, they unknowingly divide their strength and vigor that should have been completely given to the first assignment…
Time passes, and another thing emerges that also glorifies the name of the Lord and makes a difference in people’s lives. First, the person who serves the Lord is uncertain about it, but later makes a decision to pioneer this, too. They think the laborers are few, and who shall do it if not they? They do not realize they are already deficient in the work originally assigned by the Lord.
More time passes, and the worst thing happens; the assignment given by the Lord is now forgotten. Other things and ministry duties keep them busy. And the secondary, tertiary ministry activities steal the golden time and energy that had to be invested solely into the main assignment received from the Lord.
The Lord requires: “Be honest in ministry”.
What is honesty? I will explain this with an example. There are different ministries in the house of God. Let us think of a person who serves in the publishing ministry of a church as an editor. This person edits large volumes of Christian literature. The books are distributed in cities and villages and provide spiritual nourishment to thousands. The Lord is the One Who searches the heart and the mind; He is the Prophet Who knows the future of this person.
One day the Holy Spirit speaks to this editor and orders him to learn English. The editor humbles himself before the Lord and promises to learn the language no matter how difficult and time consuming it would be. He starts to attend English lessons.
Then the ministry work is doubled; the number of books to be edited is growing. In order to have quality work and to meet the deadlines, the editor reduces the time for studying English. Thus he reduces not only the time for the LORD’S ASSIGNMENT, but also the vigor and commitment for it, as these are also required to edit more books.
This person who serves the Lord does not think he has to keep the assignment to learn English among his priorities. He does not see that when the work is multiplied, he needs to ask the Lord for wisdom and more laborers. He needs wisdom to properly manage his time, not to take each new project thoughtlessly and go even further from fulfilling the assignment of the Lord in a quality manner.
Time passes; it brings more assignments and cares… The time initially assigned for studying English not only is reduced, but also completely disappears from the schedule of the editor, unnoticed to him. The editor even forgets his decision to learn English and the promise given to God.
More time passes; a person who started exploring a new sphere, already had a good store of English knowledge, gives in to the daily cares, requirements of men and the habit of masterfully performing the old things. He backs away unaware that he has started to serve people, not God. He does not realize that he has been dishonest toward his Lord and even justifies himself by saying quitting English lessons was a compulsory measure to serve the Lord and people. Isn’t God pleased by him editing books and getting spiritual nourishment to people, after all?
Obedience is what pleases God…
Saul was chosen as king over the people of Israel (1 Sam. 10). The Lord chose him, as the people demanded a king. The Lord Himself was the One to decide what Saul’s responsibilities were, and in what order and in what way they had to be performed. Shortly after Saul was anointed as king, The Lord told Prophet Samuel: “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” (1 Sam. 15:10-11)
In what way Saul turned back from God’s will and why? This is written in 1 Samuel 15. The Lord ordered Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites and not to take anything from all their belongings, while Saul performed this order only partially.
“‘I have… gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.’ So Samuel said: ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry…’ Then Saul said to Samuel, ‘I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.’” (1 Sam. 15:20-24)
The Lord decides what His servants shall do in His House and how they shall serve Him. There are ministries assigned for a local church or community; others are for the nations. The Lord elects His servants and chooses services for them. And if He ordered a servant of His to assign special time for studying English, it means He planned a work for years ahead, which that person (who currently is an editor in a church) is to do for Him or the nations, and He knows how necessary the knowledge of English language will be in that work.
Each believer can be in the place of this editor. The Lord can give various assignments for the future service, such as acquiring new professions, working hard on changing some character traits, or giving up some habits…
There are people who do not pay attention to such assignments. They go on with their daily duties thinking they serve the Lord and have fruit in their service; so why change?
Others, having heard the Holy Spirit, rush with excitement to fulfill His assignment. In the initial phase, everything goes smoothly, but later, as with the editor from our example, challenges come, and people, whether knowingly or unknowingly, give up the Lord’s assignment.
Why knowingly? For many, it is difficult to enter and remain in the new things. The new things cause difficulties that have to do with mastering new skills, assigning additional time, quitting certain habits, having greater commitment, etc. People are thrilled at the start, but later, because they cease exercising required effort and energy, because of their laziness, unwillingness to develop themselves or to go deeper into the new things, they return to their old setting. They are already skillful in the old to the extent they do not even inquire the Lord about when and how to do their work. That is where the Lord requires honesty. The worshippers of the Lord must serve honestly.
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, came into this world with the mission to save the humanity from sin, curse, diseases and any kind of evil. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Lk. 4:18-19)
Jesus knew that His main mission was crucifixion, as only the Cross of Golgotha could give the humanity forgiveness of sins, freedom from captivity, healing and salvation. During the first phase of His ministry, He was training His disciples; He was forging the apostles who would bring the Good News of salvation to the nations. When the time came for the crucifixion, Jesus understood and accepted it. He did not argue with God the Father, persuading Him to wait a little longer, as the disciples were not mature enough yet. One day the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus and pleaded that her sons might sit at His right and left hands (Mt. 20:20-22). Peter acted in flesh, trying to prohibit Him to do the will of God (Mk. 8:31-33). And other disciples as well expressed their desire to be the first, each considering himself greater and more deserving than his friends (Mk. 10:12-15)…
Jesus, “led as a lamb to the slaughter” (Is. 53:7), did what the Father required at the moment. And God the Father rewarded His Son, – God the Son, Jesus the Savior, – by giving Him a name that is higher than any other: “…which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Eph. 1:20-23)
Our Lord wants each person to have discernment of times. Upon receiving an assignment for their future service, each servant of God shall stay committed to their present duties; however, at the same time they are to set some time to prepare and carry out the assignment of the Holy Spirit in order to enter their future calling. In its time, the Holy Spirit will create an opportunity for them to leave their old ministry and fully enter the new one, for which they have been preparing faithfully and honestly.
During my prayer, the Lord offered to have right priorities, to cut the ropes that tie us to the old things, to break all the bondages and chains, to confront everything that leads us back to the old places and habits… Each person that loves the Lord must be ready to make sacrifices and pay a price for the new things. No matter how frightening or confusing it might seem, if the LORD SUGGESTS TO MOVE, it is better to move. Staying in the old things will not bring security, as eventually the old things will stagnate and quench those who remain in them.
“’Moab has been at ease from his youth; he has settled on his dregs, and has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, nor has he gone into captivity. Therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent has not changed. Therefore behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘That I shall send him wine-workers who will tip him over and empty his vessels and break the bottles. Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh,
as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel, their confidence.’” (Jer. 48:11-13)
“Serve with full strength!” What did the Holy Spirit mean?
Sometimes those who serve the Lord are deceived into thinking that they serve the Greatest One with all their strength and energy. They think they give Him all they have, while they do not even know what they have. They do not fully realize the potential that is placed within them. They are unaware of the limits of their abilities. Now, I do not speak about the almighty power of the Holy Spirit that resides in a godly person, but is not working in its full strength.
Why are people unaware of the limits of their inner potential and abilities? Why don’t they allow the Holy Spirit to act though them in His full power? One must never confuse a person’s potential with the almighty power of the Holy Spirit; these are quite different.
A person’s potential is developed in action. It is their inner ability. There is a wise folk saying: “A chiseled stone will not remain on the ground”. This saying is true for all times and settings. A person who always refines and develops their own skills and talents, and at the same time works on their own character, becomes successful, regardless of their country of birth and family conditions.
Each person shall find their strengths and develop them, but never forget about their weaknesses. If the weaknesses are not corrected and developed into strengths, they will become the reason of a person’s defeat. Diligence and refined character are both necessary for success.
ome think that to develop their talents they need large financial resources, big opportunities, residence in a developed country, etc. Of course, these would be great! However, there is a secret: the people who do not have the necessary finances and opportunities, but spare no efforts to develop their abilities in their present conditions, suddenly appear in a setting that provides conditions for their development. They simply are wise and watchful, which means they make right decisions at the right moment.
A born again person who has received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, can have the almighty power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This is the power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead, through which miracles are performed and lives are changed. In the same way as each person has to develop their inner abilities, every Christian must learn to release the almighty power of the Holy Spirit that is within them.
Who is the Holy Spirit? He is a Comforter, a Teacher: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (Jn. 14:26, KJV)
The Holy Spirit is the Miracle Worker and the Giver of the spiritual gifts: “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” (1 Cor. 12:7-11)
People make use of the almighty power of the Holy Spirit very rarely. Many people, once home from their work, take the remote control of their TV and make themselves comfortable on their sofa, or just become occupied with their daily cares. They are tired, under pressure, and they try to get rid of their tiredness by watching a show or just having the TV on in the background. They unknowingly ‘make friends’ with their TV. One after another, they watch the television programs and do not even guess that the thief, the devil, is using the TV channels, soap operas, social networks along with long and empty conversations to steal their time and strength. After all these, they have no desire to read the Bible, to listen to a sermon or to pray. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (Jn. 10:10).
People think that television helps them to relax, while the Word of God tells us by the example of the people of Israel: “Remember what Amalek did to you… how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary… that you will blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. You shall not forget.” (Deut. 25.17-19).
When a Christian trains themselves to listen to the music that glorifies God and to the sermons that speak of His great works when they are tired and under pressure, along with having rest, their inner man is edified. Everything depends on training and practice. Nothing comes overnight. Gradually, everyone can achieve results.
King Jehoshaphat found grace before the Lord. However, what happened when he made friends with Ahaziah, king of Israel, who did evil in the sight of the Lord? “…And he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish… But Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, ‘Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your works.’ Then the ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.” (2 Ch. 20:36-37) The same happens to a Christian when they make friends with the world.
Physical strength is developed through training, – first one lifts 20 pounds, then 110, and so on. In the same way, the inner man is developed and gains ability to allow the Holy Spirit to manifest with His full power.
“Serve Me with full strength”, said the Holy Spirit. The times are evil, and so many perish. Godly people must make friends with the Holy Spirit to grow strong and to have ability to save people.
The spiritual strength of a person is not only developed by praying in the Holy Spirit, listening to and obeying Him, but also by reading the Word of God, by pondering on, keeping and obeying it. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Jos. 1:8)
Each person can find a suitable verse for different situations of their life that will edify their inner man and will bring victory in certain areas. The Bible also speaks about the fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Gal. 5.22-23) These qualities shall be developed in the lives of each believer, as this is the foundation on which Christian character is built.
When the time assigned for the Word of God and prayer prevails in a person’s life, their character and life are changed. The almighty power of the Holy Spirit is more and more involved in their life, and they change lives of more people that are perishing… in this case, we can say that we serve in full strength.
Let us train ourselves in the Lord, as we still have much work to do. We must not be afraid of hard work. An Olympic weight lifter is not afraid of the weight put on the bar, as they know that is what going to propel them to the title of the overall champion. For a person who serves God this is far easier, as the Lord is with them. “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” (1 Th. 5:24). The Lord is faithful; He Who started the work, will also finish it…