A Deborah Spirit
Some time ago I read an article in the Houston Chronicle, “When Couples Share the Pulpit” (Husband & wife clergy team sharing the ministry): In an interview with the reporter, they discussed how they shared the counseling appointments, how they shared the Christian education duties; yes, they even shared in the preaching. And one of the wives said, “What we offer a church together is more than we could offer separately.” My focus isn’t on the controversial topic of women pastors, or women preachers. My focus is in the sharing aspect of ministry and the essential qualities for being effective in caring out your assigned responsibilities regardless of position, or area of ministry work.
Sharing in ministry is not limited to the five-fold ministry gifts. Everyone doesn’t have those assignments. But we all have individual gifts for ministry, and we all can share, or should I say, work together in the ministry to advance the Kingdom of God.
Local churches need women who will accept and share leadership responsibilities in the church’s ministry with a spirit of excellence and effectiveness. In order to be effective, there are four basic qualities we should have. Judge Deborah possessed these qualities and demonstrated them in sharing God’s assignment with a man named Barak. She serves as a perfect example, specifically for women. Of course, Barak is an example for our brothers as well. (That's another blog for an appointed time...) This is for women.
In the fourth chapter of the book of Judges, we have a detailed story of Deborah and Barak sharing the responsibility of carrying out God’s plan to deliver Israel out of the hands of Jabin, king of Canaan and Sisera, the captain of his army. We see this was a powerful nation, for the Bible says he had 900 chariots of iron. Yet, they were not matches for our God! And for 20 years Jabin had made life unbearable for the Israelites.
Deborah is the only female in the line judges. She is a perfect example of a responsible woman committed to God’s call to leadership. Her responsibilities included being a wife to Lapidoth; a servant leader to God as His prophetess, and a judge to the nation of Israel. Today, this is known as multi-tasking. Her responsibilities were enormous, but she handled them efficiently and effectively because she trusted in the power of the One who had assigned them to her. God had appointed and qualified her for the job. And when God anoints, appoints and qualifies there's nothing anyone can do to stop His plans and purposes, unless you allow fear to immobilize you. But then God will use somebody. Can I get an Amen to that? Praise Him anyhow!!!
Now let’s consider Deborah’s qualities and how she shared the responsibility of judge and worked together with Barak, and why it was effective.
#1 – Obedient to the voice of God
Deborah was led by God. She obeyed God’s instructions and followed His directions. There is no question of her divine leadership because she prophesied to Barak that God would deliver their enemies unto them.
A key to effective leadership and responsibility in ministry is being spirit-filled. We must be led by the Holy Spirit and obedient to him. The bible says in all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:6). Obeying the leading of the Holy Spirit is not always popular. Sometimes it’s illogical, but it will always lead to victory.
#2 – Initiative to implement
Deborah had initiative. She was not passive but proactive. She made the first move upon hearing clearly the voice of God. It was custom for the people to come to the judge for counsel and judgment, but the Bible says Deborah sent and called Barak. She didn’t wait for him to come to her. Women, sometimes we must make the first move to initiate what God lays on your heart in the work of ministry. For example, if the Spirit has inspired you to start a new area of ministry, or work in a particular area, go to the pastor and share your heart and inspiration. Demonstrate initiative and a willingness to accept responsibility in the ministry of the church. Now, with the acceptance of responsibility should be commitment.
#3 – Supportive of the leadership, vision and mission
First, Deborah was supportive of leadership. After Barak was aware of the assignment, listen to what he said, “If you will go with me, then I will go, but if you will not go with me, then I will not go.”
What was he saying? I want your support; I need your support, Deborah. Your presence means so much that if you don’t go, I’m not going. Deborah’s going with him represented the presence of the Lord. Of course, not all men are as outspoken or honest as Barak about wanting our support. But Barak believed in the call of God on Deborah and respected her as God’s anointed and appointed. So Deborah gave Barak the support he needed by going with him to Kadesh.
#4— Audacity to trust God
She was a woman of courage. She placed herself in a dangerous situation—war. She risked bodily injury and even death but went anyway. Without a doubt, she trusted God. Women today must have that same kind of audacity—trust God even in the midst of life-threatening situations. Today, there are many women of courage fighting in physical wars. We applaud them for their courage, and they need our prayers. Moreover, we need women of courage for the spiritual war going on in the mind of our sisters struggling with the challenges of life on a daily basis. We must keep the faith and remember the Lord's strength is made perfect in our weakness; His grace is sufficient. Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid for the Lord your God will not fail you nor forsake you.
I challenge each of you today to become a Deborah in your home, the church, and your community. There are times when the job becomes too much for the pastor, other leaders, or one or two persons designated to shoulder the responsibility of the church. It is then that we must unite, share the responsibility of ministry by working together as Deborah and Barak did. We need women with initiative; women who will be leaders; and yet respect the one designated by Christ as overseer of the flock. Responsible women will be supportive. Responsible women in ministry know to trust in the Lord. We are courageous women who keep working to get the job done in spite of opposition. Oh! Yes. Opposition will come but don't back down when you're on mission for the Lord.
The story of Deborah and Barak ends victoriously with the praise and honor accredited to God. They shared the responsibility. It was effective because for the first time in 175 years the tribes of Israel united in action.
We must work together as God’s people. Both men and women must be willing to share the responsibility that has been given to each of us by Jesus Christ, and that is simply building up the Kingdom, making ready for His return.
Be encouraged and stand firmly having the spirit of Deborah to do what God has commissioned you to do.
Leading to inspire, enable and empower,
Your sister in Christ
(c) 2009 Queen E. F. Phillips, Majestic Worldwide Ministries, Inc.
http://www.majesticworldwidemin.org, http://majesticpublications.com
Sharing in ministry is not limited to the five-fold ministry gifts. Everyone doesn’t have those assignments. But we all have individual gifts for ministry, and we all can share, or should I say, work together in the ministry to advance the Kingdom of God.
Local churches need women who will accept and share leadership responsibilities in the church’s ministry with a spirit of excellence and effectiveness. In order to be effective, there are four basic qualities we should have. Judge Deborah possessed these qualities and demonstrated them in sharing God’s assignment with a man named Barak. She serves as a perfect example, specifically for women. Of course, Barak is an example for our brothers as well. (That's another blog for an appointed time...) This is for women.
In the fourth chapter of the book of Judges, we have a detailed story of Deborah and Barak sharing the responsibility of carrying out God’s plan to deliver Israel out of the hands of Jabin, king of Canaan and Sisera, the captain of his army. We see this was a powerful nation, for the Bible says he had 900 chariots of iron. Yet, they were not matches for our God! And for 20 years Jabin had made life unbearable for the Israelites.
Deborah is the only female in the line judges. She is a perfect example of a responsible woman committed to God’s call to leadership. Her responsibilities included being a wife to Lapidoth; a servant leader to God as His prophetess, and a judge to the nation of Israel. Today, this is known as multi-tasking. Her responsibilities were enormous, but she handled them efficiently and effectively because she trusted in the power of the One who had assigned them to her. God had appointed and qualified her for the job. And when God anoints, appoints and qualifies there's nothing anyone can do to stop His plans and purposes, unless you allow fear to immobilize you. But then God will use somebody. Can I get an Amen to that? Praise Him anyhow!!!
Now let’s consider Deborah’s qualities and how she shared the responsibility of judge and worked together with Barak, and why it was effective.
#1 – Obedient to the voice of God
Deborah was led by God. She obeyed God’s instructions and followed His directions. There is no question of her divine leadership because she prophesied to Barak that God would deliver their enemies unto them.
A key to effective leadership and responsibility in ministry is being spirit-filled. We must be led by the Holy Spirit and obedient to him. The bible says in all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:6). Obeying the leading of the Holy Spirit is not always popular. Sometimes it’s illogical, but it will always lead to victory.
#2 – Initiative to implement
Deborah had initiative. She was not passive but proactive. She made the first move upon hearing clearly the voice of God. It was custom for the people to come to the judge for counsel and judgment, but the Bible says Deborah sent and called Barak. She didn’t wait for him to come to her. Women, sometimes we must make the first move to initiate what God lays on your heart in the work of ministry. For example, if the Spirit has inspired you to start a new area of ministry, or work in a particular area, go to the pastor and share your heart and inspiration. Demonstrate initiative and a willingness to accept responsibility in the ministry of the church. Now, with the acceptance of responsibility should be commitment.
#3 – Supportive of the leadership, vision and mission
First, Deborah was supportive of leadership. After Barak was aware of the assignment, listen to what he said, “If you will go with me, then I will go, but if you will not go with me, then I will not go.”
What was he saying? I want your support; I need your support, Deborah. Your presence means so much that if you don’t go, I’m not going. Deborah’s going with him represented the presence of the Lord. Of course, not all men are as outspoken or honest as Barak about wanting our support. But Barak believed in the call of God on Deborah and respected her as God’s anointed and appointed. So Deborah gave Barak the support he needed by going with him to Kadesh.
#4— Audacity to trust God
She was a woman of courage. She placed herself in a dangerous situation—war. She risked bodily injury and even death but went anyway. Without a doubt, she trusted God. Women today must have that same kind of audacity—trust God even in the midst of life-threatening situations. Today, there are many women of courage fighting in physical wars. We applaud them for their courage, and they need our prayers. Moreover, we need women of courage for the spiritual war going on in the mind of our sisters struggling with the challenges of life on a daily basis. We must keep the faith and remember the Lord's strength is made perfect in our weakness; His grace is sufficient. Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid for the Lord your God will not fail you nor forsake you.
I challenge each of you today to become a Deborah in your home, the church, and your community. There are times when the job becomes too much for the pastor, other leaders, or one or two persons designated to shoulder the responsibility of the church. It is then that we must unite, share the responsibility of ministry by working together as Deborah and Barak did. We need women with initiative; women who will be leaders; and yet respect the one designated by Christ as overseer of the flock. Responsible women will be supportive. Responsible women in ministry know to trust in the Lord. We are courageous women who keep working to get the job done in spite of opposition. Oh! Yes. Opposition will come but don't back down when you're on mission for the Lord.
The story of Deborah and Barak ends victoriously with the praise and honor accredited to God. They shared the responsibility. It was effective because for the first time in 175 years the tribes of Israel united in action.
We must work together as God’s people. Both men and women must be willing to share the responsibility that has been given to each of us by Jesus Christ, and that is simply building up the Kingdom, making ready for His return.
Be encouraged and stand firmly having the spirit of Deborah to do what God has commissioned you to do.
Leading to inspire, enable and empower,
Your sister in Christ
(c) 2009 Queen E. F. Phillips, Majestic Worldwide Ministries, Inc.
http://www.majesticworldwidemin.org, http://majesticpublications.com
Comments are closed for this blog post
© 2024 Created by Raliegh Jones Jr..
Powered by
