BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not." Jesus was saying, “The price I pay will be dear. I’m going to be tortured for you. I’m going to die for you. I’m doing all this for you and the world. But after I go through this, do something with it. Don’t waste it. Do something with it.” It wasn’t enough for Simon Peter to know the doctrines. He needed to do something with what he’d learned, with the gift he’d been given. Sometimes I think about all those who invested in me over the years—as a believer and as a minister—all those who taught seminars, conferences, camp meetings and Holy Ghost meetings. Those men and women of God mentored me, corrected me, fixed me, taught me, believed in me, helped me financially and so much more. I can’t help but ask myself, What have I done with the investment they made? How have I shared the gospel? Who have I trained? Whose ministry have I supported and helped launch? I’m asking you those same questions today. Whether we do anything with what the Lord gave us or not, He still died for us. We know that. But we’re called to live for Him, to obey Him, to serve Him. We can’t quit. We can’t give up. There’s too much work to be done. Too many souls to reach with the good news. Too many believers to train. For those of us called to ministry, whether the fivefold ministry or the ministry of helps, there’s really no alternative—at least not one that brings satisfaction. Remember the prophet Jeremiah? He tried to quit, but he couldn’t. He had to do something with what he’d been given. He wrote, “Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay” (Jeremiah 20:9). Jeremiah couldn’t help it. God had called him and put the truth in him. He had to proclaim it. The same goes for us. If we have the truth, if we’ve been called and equipped—which we have—then we’ve got to keep going. We’ll be miserable if we don’t. Jesus has given us a gift, and we must do something with it. We can’t quit. The gates of hell shall not prevail against us. We are the Church and we’re in this ministry for life. Let’s stand strong in the ministry God has given us and fulfill our calling! V Mark T. Barclay is the founding pastor of Living Word International Church, in Midland, Mich., and president and founder of Supernatural Ministries Training Institute. For information or ministry materials go to marktbarclay.com. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Watch Mark T. Barclay on VICTORY Channel® Sun: 2 a.m. & 3 p.m.; Thu. 3:30 a.m.; Fri. 8 a.m.; Sat. 5:30 p.m. ET ****************************** ****************************** WORDS OF FAITH FOR A GOOD FUTURE THE BLESSING has been God’s will for mankind ever since the Garden of Eden. (Gen. 1:28) The curse was not God’s idea; satan produced it by convincing Adam and Eve to sin. (Gen. 3:1) All human heartache and destruction is satan’s work, and Jesus came to destroy it. (Acts 10:38) Through His life, death and resurrection, Jesus defeated the devil, overcame the curse and restored everything Adam lost in the Fall. (John 10:10) ________________________________ BVOV : 23

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