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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.

 

Posted on | Aside

Leading-D.M.Escalante

Sep 3

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Leadership is not always pretty. I watched how the movies serve up the hero; smooth, calm and, collective. Calling the shots like a boss.
It makes me want to be like that leader or that coach we see in the movies. I watched the movie Remember the Titans. Do you remember the scene during one part of the movie the football coach was breaking the players individuality down to reveal the need for them to rise as a team. The Coach’s way of discipline may seem brutish however, it was very effective. I later had found out that this movie was based on actual events.

While watching, My friend says “man, I could totally do that!!” I simply chuckled, as I thought to myself. not because of my friends comment. I chuckled because of what I have experienced in my leadership and what I know what it takes to be that inspiring leader.

Because leaders make leadership look easy. We look to them and believe they are larger than life. We may meet them as a character in a movie, we have known them all, but five or ten minutes of the movie and when the movie gets to the climax we are rooting when the leader is victorious. We see leaders rise in emergency situations. We assume no evil befalls them.. They don’t have “craziness” going on in their life.

In reality, it is totally different. Leaders are actively working when others are just getting to work. Leaders are those who bring a solution to the complaint or question they may have.

Leaders are human. They endure family issues they carry struggles with the metaphorical “thorn in the flesh” like the apostle Paul did. They have short comings. they fight with one hand on the battle ahead and yet another building their home. True leaders will admit they are not perfect. True leaders understand that ultimately love patches the wounds in their leadership. But leaders are tough. They push when others quit. They are the ones who thrive when others die-off because they have “grit” and sheer will. Leaders continue to lead while building up their weaknesses.
Leaders purpose their days, and not allow their days to rule them. They fight to complete priorities because LEADERS ARE ones who finish.
If you want to lead, i have given you some good guidance to start.

Here is the secret: You can already do this stuff!!! You might have to square up with the reflection you see in the mirror every morning and choose to be the leader you desire to be.
I bet you have some questions-good leaders always do. I want you to have the courage to ask questions.

How do you lead where you are?

What if no one is following you?
What would Jesus do? ha ha.
what does leadership look like to you?

I hope we can discover together what it takes to lead from a biblical perspective. share you questions.
So let’s pack our bags and go on this trip together. i can assure you we both can use this..

..Thank you for reading my post I hope we can connect in the future. If you have any prayer requests, let’s connect and join in prayer together. God bless you.
-Michael

Posted in Christian Living, Helps Minsitry

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Friday Focus: Serving against the Ropes.

May 4

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For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11 ESV)

Have you ever watched the Rocky series? It depicts the story of a common man who stumbles upon an uncommon opportunity. He was never really a professional fighter, he was a brawler who attempted the sport. However, as the movie continues he lands an exhibition bout against the world champion Apollo Creed. You see, to the world it was just an exhibition (an event solely for entertainment), to Rocky it was a chance to fight for the title and a new life. Rocky was not training for entertainment he was training to win.
If we parallel this to our relationship with Jesus. How would you train? Would you map and plan out your strategy? Or would you go with what seems fun and easy?
against the Ropes

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11 ESV)

As a minister sometimes you can feel alone in ministry. These feelings are perfectly normal. Think about this : You are a human trying you’re best to be the hands and feet of God, yeah there’s a little pressure there, I’m sure he states in His word that he will help us with our burdens if we give them to Him. It’s ok, to sit down and rest with The Lord. You need that. God wants that.

Think about that friend, God wants to shoulder our burdens. In ministry, at work, or at home. God wants to share the load. I bring this out because you are not alone . He will be with you until the end of the age Realize this in your calling whether you are a pastor or one who serves your pastor The Lord is with you in your service to the body. He will help you by the Holy Spirit if you allow him to lead in your ministry.

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, (Hebrews 12:11, 12 ESV)

Pastor take joy in the fact that The Lord is with you to encourage you when you need to take another call. Rejoice In the knowledge of being taught by the master Shepherd, he puts the extra in extraordinary. When we serve the men and women of God we will be drained and in these times we cam draw on The Lord in worship. Do you worship The Lord with a song? I think you should, it is through our submission to Him that he strengthens us….
Now that we are spiritually settled we cam move to the practical. Three things stop us from continuing in our ministry.

1. Lack of empathy, we become desensitized toward others feelings and hurts. This puts us on the ropes due in part we have lost our compassion, and with passion lost no action will take place.
2. Lack of knowledge. Our training or lack there of could keep us benched for many reasons. We refuse to develop as a leader and as a result, immaturity can set in like an infection to which bitterness, strife, and backbiting may result. Its bad news and not ever to be toyed with. So get to school or ask of some one who is affluent in that particular area. You’ll gain a friend.
3. Lack of motivation, here is where mundane activities coupled with technical knowledge give birth to complacency. Do you remember the state you were in when You asked Jesus to be The Lord and Savior of your life? I know i was a mess. But he came in my life willingly. it hasn’t been easy since I started following after Him. Jesus has renewed who I am and I thankful for it. Do you remember when he held you? Now, take it to others, run friend, run to be the light where your impacting.

and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. (Hebrews 12:13 ESV)

Ministers, armor bearers, when you are against the ropes remember what The Lord whispered to you in the quiet place. Remember to do it all for the glory of God. You are healed to heal others.

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