In a few days I will be headed to
The time with Pastor Allan Kasungami from
Be sure to use this email as a resource for ministry. I keep past issues so if you do not have one from this past year, let me know. Also as you are able to print out these emails, file them somewhere because all the material given in the TITUS EMAIL can be beneficial for ministry and teaching you want to do now and in the future.
Thanks. Mike Prom
CREATED FOR A PURPOSE
Do you know why you were born or for what purpose God created you? These questions are rarely asked. All Christians should ask these questions, for God has uniquely and precisely created us.
Jesus knew His purpose for coming to this earth and it prioritized His life. Luke 5:30-32, “But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and
Jesus was single-minded. He developed priorities based on his purpose and was willing to pay the price for He knew what He was to do. Everything He did was focused on accomplishing His purpose. In the
God has created us for His glory. We glorify Him by being used in the way He has made us through the spiritual gifts, abilities, personality and passion given us. Your passion will consumes you, your thoughts and time. You will keep on going like The Energizer Bunny. Passion is power. Asking questions like how do I want to be remembered when my life is at its end?, what conversation keeps you talking late into the night? or what would I like most to do for others?, will help you tap into how God has created you. We can not be all things to all people. None of us were created that way. The reason why a lion tamer uses a chair in the cage with the animal is the chair tames the lion better than anything else. The trainer holds the stool with its legs extended toward the lion’s face and it tries to focus on all four legs at once, thus paralyzing the animal. Divided focus always works against you.
Focusing on what your strengths and gifts enhances the Body of Christ. As spiritual leaders we get to help Christians find where they fit in the Body. If we place people in positions where they are not gifted, they can quickly become frustrated and discouraged about serving God. Another common problem is giving Christians too many things to do. Frustration and discouragement can also quickly result. Christians will give it their best but the joy and excitement in serving is missing. That is a leadership problem. We are to run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Jesus ran His race with joy (Hebrews 12:1-2). We should have the same results.
This story illustrates our responsibilities. “A lighthouse keeper (someone who works in a tall, narrow building on the edge of an ocean coastline where at the top of the building is a strong light which warns ships at sea where the coastline is) who worked on a rocky stretch of coastline received oil once a month to keep his light burning. Not being far from a village, he had frequent guests. One night a woman needed oil to keep her family warm. Another night a father needed oil for his lamp. Then another needed oil to lubricate a wheel. All the requests seemed legitimate, so the lighthouse keeper tried to meet them all. Toward the end of the month, however, he ran out of oil and his lighthouse went dark, causing several ships to crash on the coastline. The man was reproved by his supervisors, ‘You were given the oil for one reason,’ they said, ‘to keep the light burning.’” (p. 97, Just Like Jesus - Max Lucado)
Asking fellow Christians where they feel you are gifted, trying different ministry opportunities, completing profile tools all aid in helping you to answer the question for what purpose did God create you. Discovery will bring overflowing joy and allow you to be more effective in the Body of Christ.
ILLUSTRATION
Recent studies of road accidents have shown a surprisingly high incidence of roadside collisions in which drivers collide with cars parked legally on the side of the road. Most drivers were not under the influence of alcohol or medication and most collisions occur during favorable weather conditions. As safety experts studied these stats and determined to account for them, they came up with a fascinating explanation - the moth effect. (A moth is like a miniature bat but is totally harmless.) Just as a moth is drawn to a flame or a light source, so a driver tends to steer his car involuntarily where is he focusing his attention. Thus if his eyes lock on to a vehicle parked by the side of the road rather than on the road in front of him, he may collide with that car. (Just Like Jesus, p 137. Max Lucado). Where we focus our attention is the direction we pursue in our lives. Be careful to where our attention is placed.
YOUTH MINISTRY INSIGHT
For young people, friends and family are so important in your lives. They are the two biggest influencers during your teen lives and beyond. What makes a friend a good friend and a family member a good family member? One of the most important ingredients is someone who cares and listens to you.
Here is a little secret. If you are a good listener, you will have so many people wanting to be your friend. Too many people just do not listen. Have you ever gotten annoyed when you want to tell someone something important and you know that they did not listen to you? That is very frustrating. We need to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry according to James 1:19. Listed are some questions that will help determine how good of a listener you are. Rate yourself. Maybe some of the questions will help you work at becoming a better listener. Remember: Be ruthlessly honest with yourself!
| | | Almost Always | Usually | Seldom | Never |
| 1. | Do you let people finish what they’re trying to say before you speak? | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2. | If the person hesitates, do you try to encourage him/her…rather than start your reply? | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 3. | Do you withhold judgment about the person’s idea until he/she has finished? | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 4. | Can you listen fully even though you think you know what he/she is about to say? | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 5. | Can you listen nonjudgmentally even if you do not like the person who’s talking? | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 6. | Do you stop what you’re doing and give full attention when listening? | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 7. | Do you give the person appropriate eye contact, head nods, and non-verbals to indicate that you’re listening? | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 8. | Do you listen fully regardless of the speaker’s manner of speaking? (i.e., grammar, accent, choice of words) | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 9. | Do you question the person to clarify his/her ideas more fully? | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 10. | Do you restate/paraphrase what’s said and ask if you got it right? | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
SCRIPTURE-BASED PRAYERS
To Have Your People Pray For You and Other Pastors
- Father, allow my pastor to glory only in the cross (Gal.
- Jesus, keep my pastor holy in every way (1 Peter
QUOTES ON PURPOSE
“Men like nails, lose their usefulness when they lose direction and begin to bend.”
Walter Savage Lander
“Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life. Everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated. Thus everyone’s task is as unique as his specific opportunity to implement it.”
Viktor Frankl
“More than anything else, what keeps a person going in the midst of adversity is having a sense of purpose. It is the fuel that powers persistence.”
John Maxwell
“The greater the journey, the more committed you have to be to take it.”
John Maxwell
“For many people the barrier to spiritual growth is not lack of commitment, but overcommitment to the wrong things.”
Rick Warren
“A man is not only what he owes to his parents, friends and teachers, but a man is also what God has made him by calling him to some particular ministry and by endowing him with appropriate spiritual gifts.”
