Young People's Group

PREPARE YOURSELF

by Pastor Mitch
March 20, 2015

Reflecting On Bethany Family Camp 2015

Family camp 2015 has been a soul searching time for all who came for it. It was a time of looking at ourselves and our sins through the eyes of God and of the young prophet Jeremiah as he ministered. Jeremiah saw the grave sins of the people of Judah as they continued in backsliding. He also saw his own subtle sins in his life as he served. He had to learn to return to the Lord to deal with his mistakes before Him. In the end, Jeremiah did learn to be an overcomer. He did remain faithful to the end as a good servant of the Lord, but not before he had shed many tears and had gone through some very difficult situations. Young people, ministry is not an easy walk in the park. It can be most challenging. As such, we need to prepare well for it.

Preparing Well For Ministry

“Therefore prepare yourself and arise,
And speak to them all that I command you.”
Jeremiah 1:17

One lesson that spoke to my heart was the Sunday’s night message. It was about preparation. The Lord God almighty spoke to Jeremiah about the vital need to prepare well for ministry. Jeremiah had been called to bring a message of God’s judgment against the people of Israel. He was going to speak against all their wickedness and their apostasy.

1. Preparing To Speak All That God Commands

Jeremiah had to prepare his heart, mind and spirit to obey the Lord so as to speak faithfully on all that He had commanded him. He had to know the word of God well. Even if it meant bringing a message of correction and judgment to the people, he was to be faithful to God’s message.

2. Preparing To Rise Up To The Task

The Lord’s servant was also to prepare his heart to rise up to the task that God had called him to do. It would take great tenacity of spirit to fulfil his ministry. Jeremiah was to prepare his heart and life to rise up to the challenge. Young people, there are many things we need to do too in order to prepare well for life and ministry. Let’s learn to prepare well in order to serve well.

Crucial Lessons To Learn For Ministry

1. Learning To Be Strong In The Lord

“For behold, I have made you this day 
A fortified city and an iron pillar, 
And bronze walls against the whole land” 
Jeremiah 1:18

Jeremiah had to learn to be much stronger mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The Lord spoke prophetically that He had already made Jeremiah a fortified city, an iron pillar and bronze walls even though he was not strong yet. According to God, this was as good as done. Young people, we too need the Lord to train us to have greater strength and depth in faith and life.

2. Learning To Trust In The Lord’s Promises

“‘They will fight against you, 
But they shall not prevail against you. 
For I am with you,’ says the Lord, ‘to deliver you.'” 
Jeremiah 1:19

Jeremiah also had to learn to trust fully in the promises of God. The Lord God spoke of how there would be people who would rise up against him and yet He would protect him. He had to trust fully in the Lord’s promise that He would be with him. Young people, let’s not fear. Let’s seek to have greater trust in the Lord’s presence as we minister. He would be there for us through all things.

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