Revelations in the Shower
I love taking long and hot showers. Not like scalding hot, but definitely steamy showers. It's very relaxing and soothing to just stand under the falling water. During these times, I do a lot of thinking. Not always deep thinking, but my mind is moving. I think about good things, dreams, the current day or the previous day, scriptures, etc. God loves to talk to me and show me things in His Word when I do. Why? Because I can't go anywhere! No distractions! =)
I don't even know how I got to thinking about this the other day while in the shower, but my mind went to
Ephesians 4:11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers"
So I started meditating a little on this scripture and asked the Lord what He wanted to show me about this. I listen to, watch, and read the material of various men of God that preach God's Word. I have often been told by brothers and sisters that they have watched me grow into maturity not only in life, but also in God very quickly. What they have witnessed in others and in me are very different. So God started breaking this verse apart for me. He reminded me of the very next verse of why He gave us those offices of ministry.
Ephesians 4:12 "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ"
So the Lord began to show me about the different ministries that I follow. He revealed to me that the reason I'm able to grow and gain revelation so quickly is because I'm not only relying on one office to meet that need, but I'm utilizing ALL the offices to grow. I'm being perfected through each of the 5 fold ministry. It takes 5 fingers to form a full fist and thus, it takes all 5 ministries operating in our lives for us to be perfected and edified.
My 5 Fold Ministry:
Pastor - My own pastor, Pastor Bagwell
Prophet - My own pastor, Pastor Bagwell
Evangelist - Jesse Duplantis (Jesse Duplantis Ministries)
Teacher - Rick Renner (Rick Renner Ministres)
Apostle - This is the only office I'm missing. I don't know any actual modern day Apostles. I suppose that all of those above are somewhat Apostles for they have all planted churches, but I don't know anyone that is a true Apostle nowadays with that apostolic call.
There are many more ministries that I follow that fall under the different offices, but those are just to name a few.The things that each ministry type will bring out of the Word of God is different. The unique thing and the challenging part is how do you connect them all together. One office preaches prosperity and the other office preaches about hard times. Neither are lying, but connecting the messages together into one gospel is not easy. We have the ultimate teacher inside of us, the Holy Spirit, He shows us how both truths work together and that is a glorious thing.
I believe that part of the reason I have been so blessed and successful in my Christian walk is because of this revelation. That I have 4 of the 5 ministries operating in my life. A lot of people refuse to listen to any other preacher besides their pastor. That's not wise because God gave all of those for the perfecting of the saints. Your Pastor can only cover 1/5 of the perfecting because that's only 1 office.
I'm so thankful for the truth of God's Word. Like it says in John 8:32 "you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free". I thank God that His Word is constantly making me free which causes my life to have more meaning and purpose. God's truth should be liberating your life and not condemning or limiting your life. Find out who your 5 fold ministers are and devour all the truth they feed you. It will bless your life.