Closing the book on 2008

I was sitting here tonight and I began to reflect on the prophetic words spoken over me this year and which ones have come to pass already. I have kept these prophecies posted on my vision board to be a constant reminder of God’s word. On January 19, 2008 it was spoken that I would be licensed in to ministry in the next year. I found out about two weeks ago that I will be ordained on January 18, 2009 (exactly a year to the exact day). It was also spoken on that night that 2008 was ministry and 2009 was marriage. In my initial receiving of that word I thought ministry meant licensing but through the course of the year the Lord has shown me that ministry has nothing to do with a title. I truly gave birth to ministry on this year, my purpose in the Kingdom. A year where there were a lot of changes in the natural from jobs, relationships, and etc ministry consumed me. 2008 was a year to give birth to ministry, I can truly see where God began to birth ministry in me and through me. It was half way through the year before I realized that I had already began walking in ministry because my mind was clouded by a title. I went into this year with no New Year’s Resolution, my only desire for 2008 was to know Christ.

God has truly ignited a fire in my spirit, one that cannot be quenched. I know that as I, without shame or apology, burn for Christ that those in my circle of influence have no choice but to be set a blaze. If you choose to remain lukewarm then I suggest you steer clear of me. Since October God has been dealing with me about being lukewarm it will not cease until I am continually burning for Christ and consuming everything that is not Him. His word begs us to choose whether we’re going to be consumed by him or walk away from his. The time has come to choose and if he has to choose for you then he said he’ll spit you out (basically putting you on the cold side).

I used to consider myself someone who likes to have control of his life but this year I lost that control. There were times when, in the past, I would have lost my mind (losing my car, my job, relationships) but I was unaffected by them. God was faithful and the ending was/will be better than the beginning. I truly understood that if I would seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness then everything would be taken care of. Out of work for three months?!! Then take a job where I’m making less money than I’ve ever made period. God’s grace is sufficient. God had to size me down in the natural so he could build me up in the spirit. Like my Pastor said on Tuesday, “what’s your spiritual weight class?”

In 2007, I attempted to do things my way concerning marriage and there was still some residue coming in to 2008. I believe I blogged about it but to make a long story short: My promise and I made plans to move her to Greensboro with me to move forward with the engagement and marriage. The entire time there was no peace about everything but we were still moving forward. Then in March the Lord intervened before we made a huge mistake. The Lord was gracious in moving us out of our own way and during the next five months He….He….did what only He can do. He made all things new because we resolved to love Him more than anything he could ever give us. Now we are no longer anxious about getting engaged and married but we are embracing godly courtship with a new reverence for God and each other. We both have given birth to ministry and without a doubt we are not the same two individuals we were in March or the same couple. We have since established prayer points for our relationship as well as biblical standards for our relationship that breaks down everything from spiritual things to communication to physical touch. There may be some who think us extreme but we make no apologies. We have seen the fruit from those who have been impacted by our desire to walk in Kingdom principles as well as the fruit from walking in disobedience. We knew from the relationship’s conception that this was so much bigger than us and we are transparent about what God is doing. If you would like to see our prayer points or even our standards please feel free to e-mail me, mr.egaines@gmail.com.

To say God is faithful is an understatement. The only thing I can think to respond when someone asks who is God, I give them the same answer he gave to Moses, tell them, “I Am that I Am”. “I am therefore, Christ’s ambassador, as though God were making his appeal through me. I implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” Become consumed by the Lord’s fire.