Is Ministry Driving You or Dragging You?

As I was in casual conversation with a friend this morning, discussing ministry, God clearly spoke and said, “Ministry is supposed to drive you, not drag you!”

God is speaking to our motives, once again, for ministry. So many are involved in things we call “ministry,” but really don’t have a heart or desire to please God or win souls. How can we operate in ministry, when we have no general consideration for people?

Just look around. Watch how the saints treat the saints. How can we say we love God, whom we never seen, when we treat our brothers and sisters like crap. Many of us brown-nose those who have titles and position, only because we think it will give us favor, or we’ve been erroneously taught that somehow, this will cause God to bless us, despite our own sin.

Where is the HEART for ministry? Where is the desire to build the Kingdom of God. Ministry should be the motivator. Pleasing God should be the very thing that drives us into excellence. Instead, many of us are dragging behind ministry. We go with the flow because of what we’ve been told to do. We are more concerned about what men think than what God says about a matter. We just want to be seen. We want to be able to share what we have accomplished, but this is not the motive that pleases God!

God is speaking to the Church. Do NOT be a dead weight! Stop dragging behind. Put your hands to the plow and do what God has called you to do.

In respect to leadership, we often don’t realize how much we can frustrate a vision when we follow for the wrong reasons. Leaders in the Kingdom of God are not called to babysit others who claim maturity in Christ. If you are indeed driven by the desire to please the Father, you will operate in excellence. You will not be complacent just doing enough to get by. Like David, you will not offer anything to God that hasn’t cost you something.

Today, people of God, determine for yourselves. Is ministry driving you or dragging you? Selah.

What About Titles?

As far back as I can remember, there has been an ongoing discussion in the Body of Christ about titles. Should we use them? Should we recognize them? Are they biblical?


Over the last few days, this very topic has come up over and over again. Even in my prayer time, the Lord has reminded me of the instruction and revelation He gave me on this very issue. With that said, I will share what God has revealed to me.


First and foremost, a “title” should be an adjective, not a noun. Too many of us treat our titles as nothing more than an appendage to our name. It is NOT part of your name. It MUST be a description of who you are and what you do. It amazes me how many in the Body of Christ take on titles when they have no idea of the roles implied by them. As a married woman, I became a “Mrs.” when I married Christopher Allen. I could not change my name to “Mrs.-Elect” Joy Allen when I was engaged. Why? Because the title I wear describes the role I fulfill. I may have been called from birth to be Chris’ wife, but until I walked into that responsibility, I did not have the right to call myself “Mrs.” When a student earns a Ph.D., they become a “Dr.” upon graduation, because they have now fulfilled the requirements to become such. A student cannot call him or herself “Dr.” on the first day of class simply because they will one day earn a degree. So, why do we throw titles around like candy in the church? We don’t like that word – RESPONSIBILITY. We somehow associate titles with position, but ignore the great accountability that comes with it.


There was once a time when a name meant something. Throughout the word of God, we understand names are significant. In fact, there are numerous examples of great men and women of God whose names were changed when they walked into their God-given destinies. Today, we don’t put emphasis on names. We rarely give any thought to what we call our children and what those names mean or imply. However, the pattern of God is always to describe the person’s nature and assignment in what He calls them. When it comes to the Church, we must follow suit with the same practice.


I have struggled many times with whether or not to use a ministry title. In many ways, it is a cultural practice, and we don’t see the same practice in the Bible. Of course, the titles exist, but they are used in a much different manner than what we practice today. What God told me is this: “When people are sick, they look for a hospital sign. If it were not for the sign, many may not find the help they need. Those I have called out need to be found. I have called you My Prophet, and my people shall call you My Prophet.” For me, it was a difficult thing to do. However, I am very cautious about the use of a title, and I never demand it. It was ordained for years that I would be a Pastor, but I dared not carry that label until I was equipped and active in the position. Why? I didn’t want anyone who needed help to come to me and not get what they needed. We often fail to realize that a title sets a level of accountability. If I hire a person on my secular job who informs me they have five years of experience, I will expect more from them than someone who has only one year. By their own admission, they should be better at fulfilling the responsibilities. So, a failure for the experienced employee may not be a failure for the newer one. The same applies in the Body of Christ. This is why the church has become so tainted and lacks the trust and confidence of the world. Too many of us are practicing false advertisement. Our titles tell us that healing and deliverance are available, but when the sick come, they find only a form of religion with no power!


On that note, the other reason I use is a title is to keep me accountable. When I am referred to as a Prophet or a Pastor, I am reminded of the things God has called me to do in ministry. It keeps me accountable to people and God, because I cannot hide. When everyone knows your calling and assignment, you don’t have an opportunity to slip away from it. I take that very seriously. My every move is recorded by God, but also watched by man. As a minister, I am accountable to both. I am first a servant, and must never lose sight of that. I am called to minister to those who are hurting, those who are seeking God, and those are the ones who see the title and ask for help. I must then be ready to provide that help, by the leading of the Holy Spirit.


When it comes to others, I opt to respect the title that a person carries. If I am introduced to a person as “Evangelist,” I will always refer to them as “Evangelist.” Whether or not another should carry a title – I hold that between them and God, unless He specifically gives me a prophetic instruction for something different.


The point is this – our titles describe only our positions in the Body of Christ. Just as it is in the world, our job titles mean nothing. It’s how well you fulfill the job description that will get you promoted! Many of us have fancy titles at our jobs, but most of those titles describe nothing more than a glorified secretary. The titles in corporate America often sound more “grand” than the actual responsibilities. Yet, we are accountable for the responsibilities, not the title. Again, it is not the title, but it’s how well you fulfill the job requirements that will get you promoted! Selah.

The More I Seek You (Worship Dance)

I thank God for Prophetess Celeste Stevens. She has always been a prophet of truth, correction and accountability. I can now laugh when I think back to all the stumbling blocks that were placed between us. The enemy certainly never desired for us to become friends, but God healed a relationship that began with tension and false allegations. I thank God that He still sets the solitary in families. It is certainly a privilege to know and work with this awesome woman of God in ministry.

I had the wonderful opportunity of preparing the house for worship before she brought forth a powerful word. I love this song, because it is the desire of my heart - to sit at the feet of Jesus, drink from the cup of His hand, lay back against Him and breath, feel his heartbeat. This love is so deep, it's more than I can stand. I melt in His peace... it's overwhelming! Hallelujah!

The Daily Report (A Poem)

I’m ready Lord,
To report the things
I’ve done for you today

I’ve been busy
Spreading your word
Teaching people your way

I laid hands on the sick
And saw them healed
Caused demons to quickly flee

I fed the hungry
Clothed the naked
And set the captive free

I preached a sermon
And sang some songs
I clapped, I danced, I ran

Shared my testimony
The good and the bad
And how I was born again

I served my leaders
Carried their things
Obeyed each and every request

Made sure they had money
Good food to eat
And received plenty of rest

I went to church
And shook many hands
Making sure that I was seen

I hugged on children
And adults alike
Never seeming too distant or mean

But at the end of the day
When I’m ready to report
All the things I’ve done

I realize that
While I ministered all day
I neglected the very main One

I talked to others
But didn’t talk to You
Prayer I completely forsook

I preached and worked
But never once
Did I stop to read the Good Book

I corrected and chastised
And pointed out sin
But neglected to share the Good News

Somehow, O God
I felt better about Me
By telling others they’d broken the rules

So, here I am Lord
No longer wanting to brag
But needing only to repent

Instead of doing Your will
I’ve catered to men
Neglected that for which I was sent

Forgive me now Father
And teach me again
To always serve you before men

This time tomorrow
Our conversation will be different…

Instead of using You
I’ll thank You for using me
And I’ll be pleasing in your sight
Once again!

To the Leaders of God's People...

God has been challenging me over the last few weeks, and I want to share this "challenge" with other leaders in the house of God. First, let me thank God for my spritual mother and Apostle, because she believes in the FREEDOM that God is bringing forth in this season. I don't speak very much about Apostle Glendora Winston, but that's not because she doesn't deserve it! This woman of God has taught me more than she'll ever know, and she's been an inspiration in my life due to her RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. Of course, she has the accomplishments and the grace, but most importantly, I know she has a heart for the Father and she genuinely cares for God's people!

With that said, I have felt a freedom over the last few months that I have not had in years. It's as if God is purging me from so many things that He never required. Now, I certainly thank God for the experiences, because they helped to shape and mold me into who I am today. The Father has used many in my past to teach me in many different ways, so I don't take that for granted. However, this is a new season! Hallelujah!

Now, while the method may be different, the message is the same. God has challenged me to think and pray about everything I do in ministry. Why do I do it that way? Where did I learn that from? How does this please the Father? How much is religion? Tradition? Relationship?

Now, let me say this: Not all tradition is wrong. Not all religion is wrong. The point is this - some of us are in BONDAGE to things that God never required of us. This is the season to GET FREE! I invite and challenge each of us to fast and pray as we approach this new year. I wish I could wrap this excitement I have and send it to all of you, but it is so much better coming directly from the Father!

In fasting and praying, let's seek God for HIS WILL in our lives. Let's ask Him to help us examine ourselves and be purged for a new era. There are so many souls who desire to know God, but they've been hurt or deterred because of bondage caused by man, covered with religion and disguised as prophecy. There is blood on the hands of the church, and we are called to repent and restore in the months to come.

Be encouraged! God desires for His people to be FREE! Get ready to soar and receive again the JOY OF THE LORD! Hallelujah!

But, What Does GOD Say About the Matter?

Matthew 6
32 For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all.
33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.
34 So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.


So many of us, as people of God, spend day after day trying to fit an image or trying to accomplish some task in ministry. For many of us, we have authored our own forms of righteousness without ever hearing God’s instruction or opinion. For this reason, our righteousness has waxed cold. We find ourselves engulfed in good, but dead works.

I am in a season in my life where God is freeing me from what seems to be tons of bondage. I have been taught so much “religion” in my life. I’ve learned what a preacher “should look like.” I’ve been lectured on how a prophet must speak. I’ve been mentored on how a virtuous woman should dress. Nevertheless, there have been few in my past who concentrated on righteousness. Few have simply taught what God demands.

The church has perfected “the look” better than a Mary Kay professional. We have infiltrated the minds of God’s people, causing them to concentrate more on a human expectation than a godly requirement.

Righteousness comes from God and Him alone. He gives us the power to operate according to His word and His will. Pleasing God brings about righteousness… not religious traditions.

The Father wants His people to be free! As we begin praying and preparing for a new year, I know the will of the Father is to bring His people into a season of freedom. Freedom from thoughts that are not of Him… Freedom from practices that are not of Him… Freedom from the bondage of religion that has not come from Him…

God desires a people to seek to please HIM! Then, everything else will come. Wouldn’t it be nice to be free to worship without someone telling you you’re ungrateful just because you don’t shout and jump around the church that day? Wouldn’t it be a blessing to have an opportunity to pray without someone telling you that you’ve been praying too long? Wouldn’t it be great to go and preach the word of God without having to make sure your shoes match your best hat? What if we could just concentrate on pleasing God? What if we could experience giving from a pure heart of desire rather than coercion, guilt, or a need addressed by a false word of prophecy? What if God’s children were REALLY free in what’s supposed to be their own Daddy’s house? Jesus told us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light! So, why are we so heavy? Who are we really trying to please? Let God be true, and every man a liar!

We were never saved just to return to bondage. People of God, get FREE! We cannot know what God has to say when we are so preoccupied with what man has to say. Unclog your ears in this hour. Don’t worry about church as usual. That is dying in this season! Be lead of God. Seek the Kingdom first! Don’t worry about the gainsayers. Do not be concerned with the finances.

Pastors and Leaders – God is saying that you MUST obey and do the “strange” thing He is instructing you to do in this season. Stop doing what you’ve always done just because it has always been done that way. It will not be popular, but do not be concerned with their faces. Do not worry about the finances. Be obedient. Seek the Kingdom. The Father wants you to be FREE in RIGHTEOUSNESS! Seek His Kingdom, and the supply shall never run dry!

To GOD be the glory!

Remember to Pray for our Nation!

To GOD be the glory!

History was certainly made when Barack Obama was elected as our nation's 44th president. We congratulate the Obama family for all they've accomplished.

More importantly, we must not lose focus on God! He will need our prayers in many ways, and this nation needs the prayers of the righteous in order to triumph. As the people of God, it's OUR JOB AS SAINTS - to intercede, hear and obey God. Let's remain sober and not put too much faith in man. He is merely a vehicle that God can use if those of us who are called to His work in the earth are obedient to the call. We cannot depend on the natural, but the supernatural strength of God to help this country.

In this season, we must remember (no matter who you voted for) that God's people must unite and lift all our leaders in prayer. After all, none of them have confessed a life of holiness or run for office based on a biblical agenda. We, on the other hand, have made a vow to serve God first, and we are commanded to pray for our leaders! Our prayers... our faith... that's what moves God and that is what will spark a better nation for our children.

God has blessed America in so many ways, and I look forward to the next 4 years. I look forward to it, however, with a sober mind. We understand there is a battle to fight, and the children of God know how to plant attacks in the spirit realm!

So, I rejoice and vow to pray for the spiritual revival that with spark the natural change America so desperately needs in this season!

AMEN.

Congratulations to Barack Obama!

CONGRATULATIONS TO BARACK OBAMA

44th President of the United States of America

Join me in praying for our new president as we continue to pray for the USA.
May God continue to bless America!

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance (Psalm 33:12)