They have never known a young man like him who burned for God in their days. A man with clear vision and passion for God, who really challenged them with God's word in his mouth. During the early days when they needed a president in their fellowship, all eyes were fixed on him. Should they have elected another? He was outstanding, matured enough to bear responsibility, and then the mantle of leadership fell on him. Like a gentle brother that he was, he humbly rejected the post, but each time he prayed quietly about it, he heard God speaking in a still small voice, "Take it, for I am with you."
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It was a test of faith for him. God wanted to prove him by all means before commiting treasures into his hand, but was he faithful? When he assumed that position, he was still very hot for God. He was like a shinning light before the students he was leading. Oh' sinners could not endure his message. Their hearts were pierced by his words, and many saw the emptiness of their lives. They came confessing their evil deals to him, and right there, they were repenting, But now, what has gone wrong? Why was it appearing as if he is no longer on fire for the Lord? The last time he mounted the pulpit, his message was so empty. His bible reference did not even align with the topic he was dealing with.
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And so, he left the stage weeping. "But where have I missed it Lord? Where have I done wrong? Were you not the One who spoke to me before I accepted this position? Are you still with me, Lord?" He wept bitterly. Every true servant of God will always know when he is no longer burning for God. Although some still pretend to be on fire for the Lord before the eyes of men, but deep inside of them, they know they are only living in hypocrisy.
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As he went through the book of Acts, suddenly, his eyes were opened to see what God was pointing at. "And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner." Acts 9:43. He read it over and over again, and then understanding came. God began to deal with him with that single verse. "How can you say you represent me on campus, yet you wouldn't want me to express my simplicity, humility and glory among my people? What happened to the hands I gave to you, that you now allow sisters in your fellowship to cook your meal for you and wash your clothes? As if that was not enough, just one night program with JCCF in another university, you were negotiating with the leaders where to sleep? Who are you, that you cannot sleep with the excos of the fellowship over there? Why must you make things expensive for the students who invited you to share my word by sleeping in a hotel room? You sought for your glory, even when you are still at the valley of your ministry. Where have you reached in life, that my anointing on your head is already driving you crazy?"
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God was raising a serious issue in his life in the last few months, and his heart could not resist them. He went over the scripture again, this time he read it slowly starting from verse thirty-two. And it was amazing to see that Peter had healed a man with Paralysis, and has raised a woman who died, yet, he never asked for anything, not even an honorarium was given to the man of God. Rather he was content to dwell with Simon an ordinary leather maker for many days. Again the Lord asked, "What has gone over you son, that what your host gives to you after ministration is now your driving force in ministry? Who are you O' man of God, that you now seek for your glory, not my glory. You even allowed the organisers of the meeting to put your image on the flyers of the program, as if it is you who would do my work of Salvation in their lives. Son, your progress has been put on hold. Your anointing has been withdrawn. Until I prove you faithful to me, nothing serious would be committed into your hands." He concluded.
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It was indeed a hard knock on his head, but should any man who want to become great in God's hand expect less from Him? Many who have been called into His vineyard, now seek their own ways. They pursue fame, wealth and self glory rather than displaying the very character of Christ for their subjects to see. Are you also in ministry, and all these are what you pursue after? Perhaps you are seeking for God to use you greatly to transform lives, have you discovered what to pursue after? Are you not busy displaying yourself on program fliers, the pictures of your activities on facebook just to announce yourself to the world, even when God has not yet annouced you?
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Those whom God has announced, they don't make noice about themselves, they don't introduce themselves to men who will introduce them, neither do they seek for self glory, they are glorified by God, established by God, and publicised by Him before men. John the baptist had such a testimony, he was in the wilderness yet the whole Judea came to him to be baptized of him. My God! This is one of the things to pursue in ministry. Allowing God to draw men to you rather than seeking for cheap publicity. May God grant as many of us who are concerned in this matter, a heart to understand it.