Called to the Ministry- Testimony

How do you know if and when your called? 


The answer is an easy one. You ARE called and it happened when you accepted Jesus into your heart.

Romans 12:1 and Ephesians 4:11 tell us we are called to be different parts of the body of Christ.
  Some will be called to be pastors, apostles, teachers, healers, evangelist, prophets,etc.,. The gifts of the Spirit help us in our journey.

 The calling is most likely something you feel deep down in your heart. It is not probable that you will receive an e-mail or fax from God asking you to be an evangelist or apostle. We are all called to be part of the body. As one part of our body is not more important then another so is the way with the body of Christ. Paul reminds us in Romans 12.

        My calling....

  When I was first called (i'm stubborn) I was about 16 years old. I felt my life was to be given to become a preacher/pastor. I studied the Bible and went to church. I even taught a senior adult Bible study class. I was on the right path.

  Something happened.

I honestly don't know exactly what, but my passion for His path was lost. I spent the next 30 years running from my calling, running from God, running from Jesus, the One who had saved me from hell, running from the One that had saved my life countless times over those years while I was in the military and in a couple bad motorcycle crashes that should have taken my life.
  There were many times during those "dark" years that I thought about it, but always concluded that my past had disqualified me from any ministry. I just pushed deeper into a secular world that accepted me (I thought) and supported me. (NOT)
   I thought I was too far gone. What did I have to offer the ministry anyway?? How not to do life?? Pastors, evangelist can not have a "dark" past. They can not have been divorced.....more then once. I wasn't a good steward, I had a bankruptcy in my past as well. That solved it, there was nothing I could offer a ministry of any type. Sorry Jesus, I have made too many mistakes to follow the path you have for my life...what is plan "B"? He answered me loud and clear. A strong voice that can still bring tears to my eyes, He said......

"What mistakes are you talking about? I don't remember any of what you just told me."


      I was forgiven. My past did not define who I was in Christ. Jesus reminded me I did not need to be ashamed of my past. Jesus reminded me that the blood He shed was for all of my sins. His blood covered it all. He did not pick and choose which sins were forgivable, He forgave all of them and cover them with the seal of His blood.
     A friend of my wife and I reminded us what Jesus had done for all of us. She called Him, "My Jesus" and I wanted to be back where I could say those words again too.. "My Jesus"

   It was so good to be with Jesus in my life again, He was always there, I just had kept pushing Him into the back ground. I learned to ask His advice on everything again. I learned to be still and listen to His words. I learned to wait until it was His timing not mine. I learned who the Holy Spirit is to me.
    You know what??.. Over a short period of time, the path He had for me was becoming clearer. It was the path he had for me almost 30 years ago. This time the path was stronger, it had experiences on both sides, it was paved with testimonies of my life and it was lighted by Jesus.

  What if Paul had felt his past disqualified him? He was a murderer. He sought to destroy the first church.
  What if Moses felt his stutter could not be overcome?
  Matthew was a tax collector- need i say more about him?
  David was an adulterer and a murderer
  Thomas doubted
  The disciples fell asleep
  Jonah was stubborn

  The list could go on. Jesus uses ordinary men and women to do extraordinary things. Praise God!
God does not call people who are already equipped, He calls them and then He equips them. I like it better that way. It is all Him, I am humbled in His presence and His calling on my life.

  I now follow Jesus in our ministry. 24/7. Our ministry is to pray for, help and love others who also have felt that have screwed up so bad that there is no way to come back to Him. His arms are open for you. Say it, shout it, let all hear, Shout it out!!!!  " I AM FORGIVEN!!"