From: The Pastor’s Heart
To: You
There’s a fascinating story in the gospel narratives where a tree, a fig tree, is cursed by
Jesus one day because it was not producing figs at the time of His arrival. There are leaves
on the tree and it is standing tall and secure in the soil of which it was planted, but it’s
made to wither and die because it’s ultimate objective was not met. I thought about that
this morning as I asked the question of myself…am I fulfilling my ultimate objective? Are
you and I operating in what we are capable and comfortable in doing or are we living out
our lives to the full and maximum potential that He’s given us?
Last night in Bible study, one of the things we discussed was a need for us to find and
fulfill our purpose in ministry, but first we needed to understood the overall purpose of
ministry in general. If you fulfill something in your life but it doesn’t positively impact the
lives of those you were sent to affect, then are you really living out your ministry purpose?
You see, it’s not enough that we charge atmosphere by what we do if we’re not able to
change those who’ve been charged in that atmosphere. Like the fig tree, we are expected
to bear fruit.
We are expected to reflect the image of God to the level that people are compelled to
connect with us and in the process develop a greater appreciation and desire for the God
that lives in us. The tree could not speak in it’s own defense but it wouldn’t have mattered
because it’s failure to perform left it positioned to have no defense at all anyway.
The choices we make today should be driven by how much our conduct will advance the
Kingdom of God. We have been given special and unique abilities and talents that if
clearly understood amidst the backdrop of His plan for us, it will ultimately produce the
expected fruit for the Lord. The fig tree was not overtly or intentionally doing anything
wrong, but it’s non-performance of what it should have been doing is what caused it’s final
demise.
In this season, I’m challenging you to step up your game to the level that you are not just
managing ministry, but you are moving it in a forward direction to the level of God’s plan
for your life. Nothing has the power to derail you or deny you because God has ordained
your life to make a difference and the favor that rest upon you is for more than you’ve yet
to imagine. You are being called to a place where mediocrity is no longer a viable option
because perfection in the work of the Lord is the fruit you’ve been chosen to bear.
Remember these words… “Greater is he that’s in you than he that’s in the world.” – Amen
EVERYTHING WE DO MOVING FORWARD WILL BE INTENTIONAL AND DRIVEN WITH
PURPOSE TO REPRESENT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN THE BEST POSSIBLE LIGHT!
NOTHING WILL BE DONE WITH ENERGY LESS THAN OUR BEST AND EFFORT BELOW
OUR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL.
OUR SERVICE IS LOCAL, BUT OUR REACH IS GLOBAL – SO WE CANNOT REDUCE OUR
PRESENTATION DOWN TO WHAT’S CONVENIENT, BUT RATHER WE MUST RAISE IT TO
THAT WHICH IS EXPLOSIVE!
Get ready for major change that’s coming systematically, intellectually, purposefully, and
professionally. Nothing we do moving forward will be done haphazardly, sloppily, poorly,
or carnally.
We Are the LIGHT!
Sincerely,
Pastor J.E. Chandler, Sr.
(CEO/Pastor of MLCM)
