Minister Vacancies

Satan does not want you to entertain even the thought of filling the “Minister Vacancies: Amanuenses” positions. Is it possible that in your hands you are holding close to your chest, cards that have been dealt to you by Satan… cards that read: I’m not a writer… I am of low education… I am not experienced… I am old and slow… I am not worthy enough… I am retired… I am fearful?

To play Satan’s game using any of those cards, or cards that show similar excuses, is to mimic Moses. This mighty leader did his best to disqualify himself from being chosen by God to serve Him in the capacity of an ordinary glove. Despite Moses’ low self-esteem, he allowed himself – an “ordinary glove” – to be filled by God’s all-powerful “hand” to slam-dunk Pharaoh, and Satan.

Friends, such excuses road-block God from taking you from where you are in life and ministry to where you can be… to the summit of your potential… the place where fulfilment and satisfaction in life can be celebrated.

I have known Elijah Samuel since 2005. To my knowledge, he has never played an “excuse card” when a ministry opportunity lay within arms-reach. It was Elijah who wrote to me asking if I would pray for him, seeking God’s favour for him to commence amanuensis service in his Lagos, Nigeria, context. My experience of Elijah has amazed me as to how he can travel so far on just the smell of an oily rag.

In addition to his pastoral work, Elijah has been serving the Lord for several months as an amanuensis. After drafting last week’s Part I of today’s article I wrote to Elijah, seeking his response to the following six questions: Elijah…

Q1. Are you enjoying your amanuensis service to God?
Yes, I am highly encouraged sir.

Q2. Does it take much of your time?
Not really sir. I usually pick the articles from my personal devotional which has been lying on my book shelf unpublished. As I read my Bible, I usually take time to listen to the Holy Spirit as to what He wants me to take from each of the Bible verses. It has been part of me. A little here and a little there from each Scripture forms the big picture for possible articles, yet to be written.

Q3. How many subscribers do you have?
I started with about 90 contacts but only 76 continue with the subscription. I am still encouraged by the number and hope to see the number increase as my circle of friends increases.

Q4. Are you receiving feedback from them?
Yes, but few feedbacks for now sir. You and Beryl being my most wonderful audience. 

Q5. Are you glad you stepped into the water to write these articles?
Yes, I am very happy sir. But I still wonder how the bills will be paid to the Mail Chimp server. My budget cannot do this for now. I am grateful to God and your daughter-in-law, Grace, for her assistance in helping me to get up and running. 

Q6. How does your wife, Blessing, feel about you writing these articles?
Blessing has always been excited about my ability to write. She wished that she too could write. I have encouraged her but no result yet. She says she is better at talking than writing. We seem to be opposite in this respect.

Maybe I should add, that the only challenge hindering my writing and publishing is my computer, and unreliable power supply. We have no control over the latter but the former I am trusting God for a better laptop. The current article I published this early morning was delayed because my IT server was down. I had to borrow my friend’s server. I then stayed up until midnight to connect to a working network. Even at that, I returned early this morning around 5am to get the job done so I could return the laptop to my friend. 

These are the conditions under which many Nigerians work – pressure! We are used to it and the joy is that life must continue… God’s purpose must be fulfilled as we do not have eternity to fulfil His purposes here on earth. Elijah

Friends, as you can see, it is anything but “smooth sailing” for Elijah in life and ministry at Lagos. Even though there are many “excuse cards” Elijah can play to keep him from filling a vacancy spot to serve as an amanuensis, he is relentless in his pursuit to adopt new ways that may increase his ministry impact for the Lord. (Web link to Elijah’s articles: http://eepurl.com/idf4KT )

Any church would be blessed to have a like-spirited Elijah motivating and inspiring its members to step further and deeper into service for God. Until the day of the Lord’s return, Ministry Vacancies: Amanuenses are open to all believers. Are you interested to know more? STOP PRESS: Funds are in the pipeline for a replacement laptop for Elijah! Indeed, our God is good, and great!

Bill