Be Stedfast on your course

By: Rev. Robert Vergeson D.D.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, our Lord Jesus, Son of God.

Be Steadfast on your Course.

In Hebrews 3
14, the author tells us to be confident and steadfast, “For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,” It says to the end to be steadfast to the end, the course we take. Now the dictionary gives us a definition of “Course”

1. Sequence of events: the progression or development of a sequence of events, especially a development that is normal or expected. 2. Period of time: the progression or development of a period of time. 3. Direction traveled: the direction or route along which something travels
4. Action chosen: an action or series of actions that somebody decides to take.

Our course is our walk in Christ the sequence of events in our life to which God has willed for us. The period of time are the seasons to which Gods has planned for us. These seasons can be short or long, or a lifetime. A moment in Gods time frame, yet a day or a year in ours. The direction traveled is what God has promised us, what awaits us for traveling down the road his Will directs us to take, and the action chosen is the vision or ministry the Will of God reveals to us. Be steadfast in your course, the Good works, in the action chosen by the Will of God, the vision God has given you by which he wants you to utilize the Gifts of the Holy Spirit that which is to say, when the Holy Spirit has given you a vision and when that vision has been tested (by scripture and prayer) to be true. You are to take the course God directs you to take in unity with the Holy Spirit, the Father, and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now Paul tells us in Ephesians 4 to walk in Unity and speaks of one church, many parts.

Ephesians 4
1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2with all lowliness and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love, 3endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Spiritual Gifts 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8Therefore He says: When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men." 9(Now this, "He ascended"--what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

We are told by Paul, Jesus gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. In this unity are we no longer children tossed to and fro, or children carried about with every wind of doctrine, or tricked by men with deceitful plotting. But through the truth in love, we grow up from being children into adults in Christ, whole of the body, joined and knitted together with our Good works, the course we take, the growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Therefore we should be steadfast in our course. Beware that you do not stray from this course least you stumble or cause others to stumble who might also be called to follow this course. For such division destroy the unity of the body of Christ.

Mark 9
Jesus Warns of Offenses 42 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.

God calls us to ministry in a variety of levels pertaining to our maturity of walk in Christ. Now a parent does not ask a child to fill the shoes of an adult to parent in place of that adult, unless that child is ready emotionally, mentally, and physically to baby sit a younger sibling. God will not ask us to do the same unless we are ready to fill the shoes of ministry he is calling us. If we are not ready, and we proceed ahead of Gods plans for us, we are open to all kinds of obstacles that can cause us to stumble, and the worst of these is our fleshy nature putting the horse before the cart. Any course of ministry we take under this fleshy nature should be suspect and challenged by what scripture says regarding walking in the flesh and walking in Faith.

Walking in the Spirit
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Now if we self examine ourselves, and find the flesh is still working in us, then we must also suspect as to whether the course we desire is directed by our flesh of selfish ambitions, envy, or a conceited opinion of our worth to our fellow man or women. If so, then before we take the course, and I am of like mind to believe that in Gods vision for ministry, there is a pre-action of plan to which God gives his vision, knowing and intending for you to challenge the vision through scripture and prayer. Never doubting God wisdom, but searching scripture to confirm his vision for you. Wanting you to self-evaluate your walk in Christ, and when you should find weakness, that God intends you to deal with it. It is this process that God matures us to take on the full responsibility of his ministry. And through scripture and prayer will this test prepare us to take on that responsibility.

Now before we invite others to follow our course, we must be very sure that we are steadfast without spot and blameless in the sequence of events, the plan that which has been revealed to us according to our gifts granted from the Holy Spirit. We read in 2 Peter, chapter 3 where Peter tells us to be …

2 Peter 3

Be Steadfast
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15and consider that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation--as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 17You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Peter tells us to be diligent in peace, to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to be without spot and blameless. It would be through our self-evaluation where we would discover this. Now this does not apply to past sins, remember, we are now sanctified under the Blood of Christ, our past sins are forgiven and forgotten. To apply these sins in our self-evaluation would always make us blameless and therefore never able to pass the test. No, Peter tells us to be without spot and blameless during our walk in Christ. This is where you need to pass the test. For if you proceed ignoring this process you shall surely stumble, and cause other to stumble. Do not allow pride to rob you of the ministry God wills for you.

If you have accordingly passed the test, accepted the vision as true, and made promise (commitment) to God to follow his call faithfully, do so in an orderly fashion given first to prayer seeking for guidance from above of the Holy Spirit, second in prayer asking for clarity of the course of action chosen and needs to be taken, and third in prayer asking for a increase in faith so that your strength to finish the course is not of your own, but of God. And when this course is a vision of unity with others, those who share equally in the course, pray that all are of one accord in the vision and have the same clarity of the course of action, and increase of faith. Now Paul pleads with us in …

1 Corinthians 1
10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Paul’s says sin the same mind and in the same judgment. When sharing the course with others, it would be harmony in your course to share the same mind and same judgment, having passed the same test you passed regarding the vision, your walk, and when it applies, correction through scripture regarding any errors of the flesh that may still be present in your life. You all must pass the test.
And if one among you is challenged by his or her faith in the course, that person having past the test, but their measure of faith is less then others, do not put aside this person as a weak link, but through unity, know that he or she is equal in the eyes of God, and that their faith will increase by the good work your course achieves in the name of God. I am in like mind to believe that many stumble in their course with God, often going away discouraged and feeling inadequate before God because they were not in unity of like-mind in the course of action chosen and those they followed where not steadfast in the Word of God. Paul tells us in Romans 12 chapter 3, to serve God with spiritual Gifts and to behave like a Christian. When we lead others it is important that always behave like a Christian, allowing our spiritual Gifts to serve as examples when leading, as well as following.

Romans 12

Serve God with Spiritual Gifts
3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Behave Like a Christian
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Many who lead often fall prey to being wise in their own opinion, setting themselves above those who follow. And those who follow are tested dearly to follow with cheerfulness a leader who fails to lead with diligence and of the same mind toward one another. Because of this the course they share will face many obstacles, these being division of the course of action, and grumbling in secret behind closed doors. These divisions and rumbeling’s can hinder the Will of God when it comes to ministry in His name. I write this letter and in part to give direction regarding how to be steadfast in our course, the visions God has given us for ministry in His name.

The Long course and the Short Course equal in Gods eyes.

Now let me address first the nature of a long course and a short course, the direction traveled. Though God calls both courses, some visions are short term in nature, those that take a shorter season to finish, while the long course is many seasons in the plans of God. In addressing the short course, this may be a vision that directs you to serve just one day in ministry. Your short course may be to rise early in the morning and give of yourself to your neighbor in mowing his lawn, or fixing the leak in his roof. The short course may lead you to many varieties of service where the variety of good work leads you to be finished from sunrise to sunset. The season for this ministry may be short, a month, a few days, or just an hour of your time.

Now the long course may be to join a fellowship of church builders who spend a week building a new temple for the Lord, going from one place to another to accomplish this, or years building a congregation to house that temple. The long course can center on one vision that God has given you to follow, a lifetime of missionary work in foreign lands, or Evangelistic services where home is always a different place where God leads you to. In either course we may be called to be personal witnesses to the Lord, or called in unity with others. These courses can be both long term and short term together. Together they are Gods purpose for us from the day we confess our sins and accept Christ in our hearts to the promise of rest God has for us when we leave this earth, which is the destination of our course.

Stay on course with the Will of God

Whether we are on the short course, or the long course, God does not want you to stray from that course to be divided by the will of the flesh, but united by the will of God. The will of man would have your vision clouded, where the will of God would have you focused on his will. The course that is hampered by delays or obstacles created by the will of man will suffer, where the course that is focused, where clarity is granted by the will of God, where we are like-minded, in one accord, spotless and blameless is a short course that will be finished before you know it an effortless labor of love, and the long coarse a labor of love that is rewarded with years of peace and harmony in the Lord.

The secret to this harmony and peace in our ministry is simple; pray when starting the long or short course. Pray first that it is the Will of God. Second pray that when starting the course that when traveling to your destination that God guide your travels with safe roads, good weather, and mechanically sound engines. Third pray that those who join in the course are prompt and ready to go, prepared in the Will of God and the clarity of that will. Fourth pray that all are in accord with the course of action, to be of like mind in the course. Fifth pray that only by Gods Will, will you defer from that course, and only by like mind and one accord of the unity, those who follow that course. And last what ever the course is for that day, month, or year, that you never cease praying for the Will of God to manifest itself in all things you do, request, or desire for the ministry to achieve.

Therefore, if the course is set for that day, month, or year and all are in accord, yes is yes then do not allow the flesh to defer you from that course. If yes is yes, if no is no then let it be so, do not in mid course seek to change yes to no, no to yes. For this division delays the course, and causes friction between the unity of believers. If one among you are unsure, clarify the course before it starts, yet do not make him or her least in your planning or take away his or her equality before the eyes of the Lord. Paul wants Christ to be our pattern in all things we do, 2 Corinthians chapter 8 in verse 8 has Paul testing our sincerity in Christ.

2 Corinthians 8
Christ Our Pattern
8 I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. 10And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; 11but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 12For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.
13For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack--that there may be equality. 15As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack."

If one among us is lacking, our abundance in faith will increase his or hers faith as well. If our wisdom in the Lord is lacking, then another’s wisdom may increase our knowledge in the Lord. If our Gift is lacking clarity, then another’s Gift may discern the clarity needed in us. Singularly we are equal, and together we are equal before the Lord. Paul also spoke of the advantage of not only doing what we begin, but to complete that doing. If we have set a course, be it a year ago, or just recently, when first we started our course, a desire to start that course, there was a readiness in following the Will of God.
Therefore we are to complete that course with all steadfastness.

Each to his own course

Now God does not grant all the same measure of faith, or the same vision, but rather each to his or her own measure of faith, or vision. The same may be said of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, not all are given pastor, or to teach. For his plans for one may not be the same plan for others. Nor should you count ones council as better then another’s, or yours as greater then the sum. Least you cause them to stumble in their faith and you to pay the price for causing them to stumble. When the course is shared and there is a unity, like-mindedness in the course, then be steadfast in that like-mindedness. However, when others have a vision that is slightly different then yours or totally different, it is prudent not to dismiss their burdens as inferior or least important then yours. For in truth, these varieties in the course serve the same Will of God, they serve the same purpose. They may just take different directions of travel and different periods of time to accomplish. Yet in the end they glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul makes this very clear in Romans 15 verse 5 …

Romans 15
5Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We must come to realize that not all are called to the same course, for we have those who water, those who work, and those who warn. Yet in the end they glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter 3 speaks to us regarding the various courses God calls his children to.

1 Corinthians 3
Watering, Working, Warning
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
9For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. 10According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. 14If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Paul tells us that the foundation is the same for all, but the building on that foundation will vary according to the Will of God and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit that has been granted to each builder. Yet they remain equal in the eyes of the Lord. And we are also told that the works that endure, the worker will receive a reward, and the works that are burned, the worker may suffer loss of that work, but like the work that endured, both will be saved through the same reward, through fire shall we be saved through our Good Works.

Now knowing that not all are called to the same work, and knowing that all are not given the same gifts, yet knowing that all are equal in the eyes of God, and all have the same reward, we come to the leaders and followers of the course God’s Will has given us. Leaders are different then followers and followers are different then leaders. Through Gods Will we are directed to be one or the other. A leader may rise from the ranks of the followers, and a leader may by Gods’ Will be returned to the ranks of followers.

Leaders and Followers unity of Believers

For all are not called to neither lead, nor are all called to follow, but one may be called to lead and the rest to follow. He or she that is called to lead let him or her lead with humility and harmony with the Word of God. Least they fall prey to the will of the flesh, which leads only by pride and self centered interest. And those who follow let them follow in faith that God has appointed a faithful, trustworthy and wise leader. Least they also fall prey to the will of the flesh where they cause division among themselves in judging who is fit to lead, even who is fit to follow. When in council, pray that we are given grace to follow without division among ourselves, that we are all of like mind one accord with the will of God, nor that we in secret grumble and descend from the council of leadership.

If we are not of one accord and we are not lead by the will of God to follow this particular course, it is best that we remove ourselves from the unity of the course, then to remain an obstacle that would cloud the vision of others. The same should be said of a leader, if we are in doubt of our leadership and the Will of God is unclear, we should remove ourselves from leadership and allow another to rise from the ranks. For we may be a better follower, fruitful and blessed by following, then to be a leader who’s weakness in leadership may cause the course to stumble. Always be able to be truthful of your council and not offended by another’s council, for all who council are equal in the eyes of God and of those who follow the Will of God. Therefore with humility accept the council of others, and allow the unity of believers to vote on the course they think best. Always remembering to first seek prayer for guidance from the Will of God. And if the course that is chosen is not of your council, remember it is the Will of God that choose and not the will of Man. Pride defeats the Will of God. In all things pray for guidance and council from God, for the vision and the ministry that it is the will of God and pray that his hand is touching all concerned, sharing the same vision, and asking for the same commitment or promise. Pray for discernment so that you are made aware of any obstacles that may cause your course to falter and for those who follow that course not to stumble.

Now if your course is suddenly riddled with obstacles where by it is a daily trial and tribulation to start your course, and where you find stumbling blocks that prevent even the short course to a fruitful conclusion, consider this, is it the Will of God working in you, or the will of the flesh directing this course. The Will of God will remove all obstacles that face us even those seen and unseen no matter how large or small. Through us he will make us an example for others in building their faith, increasing their strength, and sharing his vision, to be like-minded and in one accord with his will. And if that vision fails this test, either in part or in whole and is of the flesh, then God will not allow this like-mindedness or one accord to work together in others. Therefore we should always in prayer, as a leader to first ask in humility forgiveness for failing to receive clarity of the vision, second for guidance in revealing where the vision became the will of the flesh, and not the will of God. Third, in prayer ask for revival of the vision, for God is just to forgive and forget and allow revival of our course.

Now, I am of like mind to say, that after we have started our course, having passed the first test, we may still have misinterpreted the vision as being wholly of the Will of God, for we may have not allowed fully the armor of Gods Word to protect us and may still be allowing the will of the flesh to allow us to cloud that vision. This is because we have failed to put on the new man to which Paul describes in Ephesians 4 verses 17-32…

Ephesians 4 17-32
The New Man
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20But you have not so learned Christ, 21if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Do Not Grieve the Spirit
25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. 26"Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27nor give place to the devil. 28Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Often we may error in following the Will of God or in recognizing the will of the flesh working in us. Whether we are a leader in the course, or a follower, I am of like mind to know that God does not fault us for this error. However, if we are revealed our error either by those prophesying over us through discernment, the voice of God talking through them, or by self-evaluation and through scriptures the truth of our error, and we ignore what is right and true. Then I am of like mind to believe that God will be just to remove us from our course for a season until we are in accord with his Will and living his Word. Therefore, if what we perceived to be God’s will in our life, and it is truly the will of man undermining our walk, we should be faithful before God to ask for his forgiveness, his guidance and redirection regarding our course. For in truth the vision was always of God, we might just not have understood the course of action needed before we took that course and because we failed to put on the full armor of God. Paul gives us warning and a course of action for us to take in Ephesians 6 verses 10-20 …

Ephesians 6
.
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- 19and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

With this full armor in place, the living Word of God living in us, we are more then capable we are able to speak boldly regarding our faith in God, defending against spiritual wickedness, having girded our waist with truth, wearing a breastplate of righteousness and our feet ready with the gospel of peace, and the shield of Faith to defend us from the evils we face daily. And with the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, the living Word of God, we can preserve any true course we take in the Lords name and cause revival in our vision and ministry.

Faith that comes from God endures

When discovering the true course, we must ask ourselves sincerely and truthfully as to whether the course is for us or for God. For circumstances in our life may cause us to believe it is for God, when subconsciously it is for us. These circumstances may be poverty in our life, or emotional insecurity, and certainly misguided knowledge of the Word of God. And God knows both the conscious and subconscious desires of our needs in life, which may not be truly what God’s vision for ministry meant. For truly, God’s vision and the ministry this vision directs for us, the good works he directs us to, the gifts of the Holy spirit he grants us, and the faith he grants us, is for only one purpose the exhortation of his holy personage, and the salvation of our souls. If we discover within ourselves that it is for fulfillment of our fleshly needs, to make us boastful before man, or to provide for our personal selfish needs emotionally, financially, and physically, then the course is not true. Paul would not have us be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplications. Yes God wants us to have our need meet through him, Paul make it very clear that we are to imitate Christ’s humility. In Philippians 2, Paul encourages us …

Philippians 2
Imitating Christ's Humility

1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very form of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Shining as Stars

12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. 14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Therefore the purpose of the course that the Will of God is directing us is not for the needs of the flesh but for the needs of the Holy Spirit within us. Paul continues to tell us to be anxious of nothing, and to meditate on the things, which we have learned of Christ.

Philippians 4

6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Meditate on These Things
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. 9The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

If we are trying to meet the needs of the flesh through ministry, we may suffer the Will of God.
Beware of False Faith

Yes, God wants us to be emotionally fit, financially set, and physically healthy, but for the right reasons. He grants these conditions in our life through his blessings, the rewards of our good works in his name. And he knows to which name we do his good works in and when it is not truly in his name, He will not grant his blessings for us, nor provide for our needs, and reward us for our wants if we do it in the flesh and not in God name. And I am of like mind to believe that under these fleshly needs, the faith we have and believe to be the strength of God, are actually a false faith. For true faith is fed by the Will of God, and that faith is a full measure of his strength for us and we shall endure that strength to the end of our time on this earth. Where in the flesh, that faith is weak and will not endure long. Thus if we continue to suffer physical weakness in our health, emotional stress in our life and lack financial needs, and we confess that the faith we have is of God, then if it is of God, then we would have the strength of that faith to move mountains, more so to receive the healing God wants for us, the emotional happiness he desire for us, and the financial rewards he wants for us and for the ministry he call us to. We can have the faith that God grants us, and we can choose not to move that mountain, not just yet, yet for we know the faith is there when we need it, for God will grant us the increase when we need it.

However the faith of the flesh has no increase until we turn the weakness of our flesh over to God. Then and only then will the Will of God work its wonders and miracles in our life’s, our ministry and will the course he plans for us, be fruitful in his name. Peter tells us that there is fruitful growth in Faith and through this growth we shall not be barren.

2 Peter 1
Fruitful Growth in the Faith
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We are not barren when we are following the Will of God.

Order in our Course, Form and Function

Now God would not want us to be disorderly in our course. For through order do we prevent misunderstanding, clear away unwanted obstacles, and make the journey of our course in harmony with the Will of God. Now one of the lesser-known Gifts of the Holy Spirit, the gift of Administration is often overlooked in our urgency to start our course. Regardless of the ministry God calls us to, orderly form and function in following that call is equally important to all other gifts of the Holy Spirit. For this orderly form and function serves a purpose in unifying believers to the Will of God. Without form and function, we can certainly fall prey to false starts in our course, delays in our course, and back stepping in our course. Now Luke makes mention in Luke 14, verses 28-31 the form and function of planning our course.

Luke 14
. 28For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it-- 29lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30saying, "This man began to build and was not able to finish.' 31Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand.

In a sense Luke is telling us that planning is important, and not to go blindly on our course not knowing what we can finish, or what our resources are to finish the Good Works. Now when starting a ministry say a new church of believers, form and function comes in the development of a Mission statement, creating a non-profit corporation and by-laws for that new ministry as well as, the order of our worship service, bible study, witnessing program, Sunday school department, mission programs, and charity. These are all built on the foundation that Christ has laid for us. These are important in the unification of the vision with all believers and followers of that mission statement as well as accreditation with the state and principalities, so that we would not appear to seem as a cult before man, allowing the laws of man to judge us as pagans, for God has commanded us to give what is due Caesar and what is due God. Jesus when confronted by the Pharisees made it very clear to whom or what is due whom. Matthew tells us of the confrontation Jesus had with the Pharisees in Matthew 22 verse 15-22 …

Matthew 22

The Pharisees: Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar?
15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. 16And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. 17Tell us, therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"
18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? 19Show Me the tax money." So they brought Him a denarius. 20And He said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" 21They said to Him, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." 22When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.

Once we have satisfied Caesar, then form and function becomes the orderly day-to-day administration of our ministry, which includes guidance from God in following his Will on these matters. I am of like mind to believe that without form and function, the accreditation it offers our ministry, we would fall short of the vision God calls us to because of the obstacles placed by man. And we would be presented obstacles that the law of man would cause, allowing us to stumble in our course. Therefore it is best to clear these obstacles away, be right with Caesar and his laws before they do hinder us, and be right with God in our administration of ministry.

Now when in personal ministry, form and function is an orderly process of mind over matter. For some, having a gift of administration in our personal ministries is a struggle in mind over matter. Personal traits may be lacking that give us an orderly process in form and function. Yet like most new challenges in life, we learn to adapt or we don’t, and when we can’t adapt, we ask God to deliver us an administrator to oversee our form and function or grant us the gift. And when God delivers this wonderful person to serve in our ministry, we humble ourselves to be administered on by this gift, accepting the gift and the person as equals in our ministry. To forsake the council of this administer is to place his or her gift as unimportant in the ministry and to place all other gifts as greater then theirs. And when we are lacking personally in this ministry our course will be affected. To allow the flesh to diminish this gifts impotency would cause the gift to be removed from your ministry, losing the blessing of God, and defying the Will of God, for all gifts are equal in the eyes of God.

All Things are Possible with God when we focus on our course

Without faith, there can be no course for us to travel. When we focus on our course, allowing Faith to guide us it will leads us to the Will of God. And when the Will of God works in us through our faith, we are given our course as Gods ambassadors on this earth. Now it is easy for this focus to stray, to get lost in the letter of the law and misinterpretation of scripture, and obstacles created by the flesh. When this focus fades, so does the vision of Gods Will, therefore we must always be in focus through daily prayer asking for daily confirmation of that course, never allowing doubt to enter our vision. And when we face an obstacle in our course, prayer makes all things possible with God, who is a possible God. Paul tells us about the race, the course we run, in 1 Corinthians 9 verse 24-27 …

1 Corinthians 9

24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

When we train ourselves to strict prayer in all things, and when our prayer is fortified with faith, the endurance and strength that comes from God, when the course is steadfast never straying and in one accord with the unity of believers, when it passes the true test, when order follows form and function, and we have the full armor of God upon us, no matter what our course may be, or how large the revival we plan, or the church we build to seat thousands, or how far God what us to go, even to the ends of the earth, we will prevail and we will succeed in our course. And the season that God plans for this will be like moments rather then minutes, and months rather then years, all in accord to his Will and not ours. For the Day of the Lord is our reward for running the race and taking the course as the Will of God planned for us. Paul exhorts us to pay no heed to the times and seasons, but to have faith that the day of the Lord will come.

1 Thessalonians 5

The Day of the Lord
1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Various Exhortations
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise prophecies. 21Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22Abstain from every form of evil.

Blessing and Admonition
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 25Brethren, pray for us. 26Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
27I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. 28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

If we have run the race to win, we shall win and the course that God’s Will has set for us will be glorified in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now to sum all this up, it is simple, prayer and living the Word of God.

Pray daily for guidance, take the test to assure that it is the Will of God, and not of the flesh. Hold fast to what is good and abstain from every form of evil. If we have received a vision for ministry, and have been granted from the Holy Spirit the gift to fulfill Gods Will, then pray that we do not stumble in following that Will by allowing the weaknesses of the flesh to stumble us.

Pray daily for unity in believers, that all are of one accord in Christ, both in their walk, and in their council and most importantly, on the course of action needed. Make all equal before God, and equal in council, lifting the weak above yourself, and through humility walking with the weak so that your strength may be their strength.

Pray daily for safe travel in your ministry and all that assures that safety. Never forget that even the most mundane action in our journey to meet Gods Will, needs prayer. When we get in our Car, pray for safe travel, when we travel to meet others in ministry, pray for a timely agenda in meeting them, when faced with division between others, pray for unity, accord and like-mindedness in our actions and purpose for travel and ministry.

Put on the full of armor of God daily before all else, before travel, before council, and before ministry work, least we fall prey to the weakness of our flesh, allow our fleshly pride to cause us to stumble, and lead others to stumble.

Walk in Faith, knowing that God grants increase when we need it, humility when we need it, and peace when we are facing obstacles or the flesh in others.

Pray for revival in yourself daily, and in your ministry. Always pray for revival in yourself, searching for weaknesses that my cause you to stumble, and others to stumble. Pray that God will grant you the humility to accept any weaknesses you find in yourself, or in others. That these weaknesses are not greater then yours or others and that through unity, harmony, peace and love, we can turn these weaknesses to strengths and blessings.

Pray for both the leaders and followers of your ministry and unity of believers. Always pray for those who God places over you, and pray for those who humbly follow, pray for accord and like-mindedness for both leaders and followers in ministry. Honor both, for they are equal in the eyes of the Lord.

Pray that the appropriate form and function leads your ministry. Always give what is due Caesar, and what is due God. Follow what is form and function in administration of your ministry; obey the law of the lands and the laws of God. Honor those who have the gift of administration and heed their council and gift as equal to others.

And know that anything is possible when we follow the Will of God, live the Living Word, and run the race to win.

Additional scripture to search and read.

Colossians 2
5For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

2 Peter 3
17You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;

1 Corinthians 15
58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Peter 2
21For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

2 Corinthians 8
Excel in Giving
1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7But as you abound in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us--see that you abound in this grace also.

2 Corinthians 1
Sparing the Church
15 And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit-- 16to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea. 17Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No? 18But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. 19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us--by me, Silvanus, and Timothy--was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. 20For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 21Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
23Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. 24Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.

James 2
Faith Without Works Is Dead
1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," 4have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
5Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? 7Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?
8If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself,"you do well; 9but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11For He who said, "Do not commit adultery,"[ also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.