dennis j adams

When I started in ministry back in 1976 life was much different than it is right now. The economy was really good and homes were about $65,000.00 here in Santa Cruz, CA.  This is really not a fiction that I am writing here, things were really different them! 

The church as it is today also is really different in the methods and ideology that we have today.  I remember when I first received my first appointment from the Lord to pastor. I did not ask for a description or directions. I did not ask how many people attended the church and how much money came into the church monthly.  I was really excited to be able to pastor. Throughout these past several years I have tried to keep the same approach to each appointment the Lord has offered me. Certainly I have not been perfect in this but I have really stressed the point in my own mind that if God asks me to do something, then I should just do it!

I have always been impressed by the way Jesus called out His disciples. Statements to them. such as, “Follow me”. (Matthew 9:9 ESV). He did not give them a description, it was the trust they had to have in Him. The witness to His authority and His perceptiveness on life.  When Jesus walked out to the boat during the storm on the sea He stated “Come” to Peter.

But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. (Matthew 14:26-29 ESV)

Peter just responded. He did not ask for a description about where He was going or what did Jesus mean. He just went out to meet Him where He was being called. In a sense Moses did the same at the burning bush experience. (Exodus 3) True, Moses did begin a eleven point debate with God but He did go, unknowing, to just what depth He would be going with God.

So many today, when the command or invitation is given, demand a description to the process and what it will mean to them. How comfortable will it be? How much money is involved? Why ask this stuff if God is calling you into something? Go forward into the “call”. That is where you will find your destiny and continuation in your purpose. 

But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with  no one in Israel have I found such faith. (Matthew 8:8-10 ESV)

Here is this man just needing a miracle and Jesus responds to him with a complement of the depth of faith this man has. Faith does not ask for a description it asks for a miracle. Faith believes that God can do all, anytime, anyplace, with provision and protection. 

I think back right now when I accepted my first appointment. I prayed and I was asking God if it was Him and not me that was wanting to go. People were calling me on the phone and telling me all sorts of descriptions, all negative.  I could have listened to them but I decided to listen to God say “Go… So today I still am doing the same always waiting on God to speak and my desire is to always answer in faith, not fear. He can conquer all the obstacles and fill in all the valleys. He makes the way where there seems to be no way, road, or even a slight crack to get through. 

Today people ask all the time, the questions one would ask in an interview for a corporation. Such as, what are the benefits, the salary, and who will I be working for? I will add here that what I see going on in the church today is just like a corporation paradigm. I truly am passionate about the fact that we must always accept what the Lord states to do and not treat His Word like a boardroom manual.

One of the last directives He gave was in Matthew 28:19

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 ESV)

This week ask the Lord to show you where you may be lacking in trust and faith. Ask for forgiveness in times when you needed a description from God before you would obey. Pray to have your destiny fulfilled and your purpose lived out for Him on this earth.

Dennis