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Friday Focus: Meet the need.- D.M.Escalante-escalanteministries

1 Kings 19:21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.

Meet the need. Do you what I find interesting?  Elisha was plowing in the field before Elijah put his mantle on him.

Elisha was minding his own business plowing the family field, and then the man of God while on his way (Elijah did not stop) placed his mantle or his vision on Elisha.  I reason that,  in order for me to get the mantle that God has for me. I have to be working out in my field; the area that I have been sent to  (even now I am getting “goosebumps” as I type this!!). Or to put this in another way:

In order for me to find my destiny I must be in action.  In my field

My field?  What I had to learn, the hard way; that with every failed attempt to be part of a ministry, team,  or serving group.   I was one step closer to finding my own platform where I felt God was using me to the fullest potential.

As it turns out I had a platform all along. My platform was where I worked,  on my Job,  leading and guiding men and women of different through diverse life experiences.

Hear me out: I was not “preachy” or had an evangelism service every time I clocked in. I was plowing the field (more on”plowing the field” that in a different post). I was being the best I supervisor I could be. I wanted to be the shrewd manager by investing in my people.  Making sure my subordinates were on track professionally with their career goals and progress while maintaining improved production.  Age was not a factor either.

you see it’s not about ages. I have seen 34 year olds act like teenagers.  I have also seen teenagers with wives and children act as responsible as CEO’s.  So it is not about age as it is about stage. that is why Paul wrote timothy (his understudy) to not look at the people’s faces and feel judged…

It meant that location is important.

I recognized I am where I am supposed to be.  Ask Real Estate professionals the secret to success a common reply is: location, location, location.  Period.

Uh, can I ask you?

Where are you at?  Are you plowing your field; Your realm of influence working as unto God?

I pray you have been enriched through these words. I look forward to hearing of the platform you have.  Leave a comment and share.

 

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Friday Focus: Serve with perfect love

Jun 23

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Perfect love casts out all fear.

The first time I ever was involved in prison ministry, I was nervous. I’ll be honest. I was scared and that was just filling out the questionnaire to go.  I believed that God called me to minister. I didn’t know where my niche was so I served everywhere an opportunity was available. Actually, I wasn’t great anywhere I ministered, but I love to help and there was a need in ministering to those on the “inside”. Like a quote I heard from comedian Steve Martin, he said, 

“Persistence replaces talent in some cases.”
If you ask me, I think many are incarcerated to some degree.  Living in society with out the physical bars of a prison cell. Although within, they could face lockdown of low self worth. 

For some It could be substance abuse, others could be hiding in eating disorders, drowning in debt or imprisoned within there negative thinking, even depression. These people are suffering. 

  They serve self -imposed sentences without a chance (in their view) of perole. This point of view can make the surest of men or women crumble as they endure this punishment. It can make them do things they wouldn’t fathom.  The people try and succeed for a moment, then back in confinement they go. How cruel is it to live in this manner. 

     So as a born again believer how would you minister to those imprisoned? 

  Because they don’t look nice. They’re hard. They’re ferocious. They have lived hard lives and know more about survival than then any cast member of survivor. On the “inside,” They don’t have time to play games, and can spot a phony a mile away.

Here is the good news……

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. (‭I John‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ NKJV)

God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. (‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭17-18‬ MSG)

It takes real guts to walk in love. You may feel without weapons, but you are walking with the love of God. You are victorious and even your shadow can heal!  You enter with the Lord on your side.  Fighting with you with artillery that is out of this world. Just a thought I wanted to share,  What are your thoughts? Please share with a friend. I would love to hear your input. How can we serve those who seem to have lost love? 

Posted in Friday Focus, Helps Minsitry

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Friday Focus: The Great Investment

Sep 18

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When I think about retirement, and I know for many that may seem like a far away time and place. For me, however I know that this part of my working life is closing and a new one is opening. It is a part of life.

Looking back I wanted to invest in the stock market. I wanted to play the game, if you will. I dreamt of making it big and have enough for my family and I. Then as I was reading my bible plan, the scripture hit me with this:
     

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”Matthew 6:19-21

Investment takes commitment. It requires you to give attention to the matter of interest. It requires your heart. You may have to research the company you bought shares in. You may be reviewing paperwork on a home purchase. Investment may take your time. It can consume you because it is of value to you.
When I read this in scripture I thought it was just about money or financial planning. But as I started to contemplate the Lord’s true intent of these words I was gripped with how I am investing my life in ministry? Or to put it simply what am I doing for God that is of true value to both Him and I in that our hearts are united? How is my ministry bringing value to the kingdom of God? What treasure have I stored in heaven that out of it’s dividends I am able to effectively minister?

One of my favorite Pastors Benny Perez once said in a message “it is ok to have things…. Don’t let those things HAVE you”. I can agree with that.
The treasures you value can have you invested. There is no wrong in that. How is your return on your investment? Does it surpass the confines of time?
My son receives a commision for the amount of tasks he does around the house and at the end of the period he is paid. He also is responsible (with help) to divide his earnings into three areas; Giving, Saving, and Spending
By doing so he is free to buy his toys, because he has put some money away for somthing he may need and has money for offering on Sunday. It allows him freedom. He enjoys buying his toy, I as his Father enjoy his learning of finances. Toys break, but financial wisdom is timeless.
As we serve this weekend continue to invest in treasure Jesus held of value. So that as our hearts grow full of heaven’s return we can minister out of them freely.

Posted in Christian Living, Friday Focus, Helps Minsitry, Ministry

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