The Phone Call

[Dr. Thomas Galt]

I received a frantic phone call one day from a minister friend. He was all worried and down. I asked him what was the problem. He said, and I quote, "I am about to loose my job. The numbers in the church are down and they may fire me." Well, needless to say that struck me in a VERY WRONG WAY. My words to him shocked him and I thought he had hung up the phone. "Well then maybe you should just leave that church and find one that is not out for numbers and is out for souls and them being touched. We are to be about our Father's work and lifting Him up and not the numbers. I never once ever saw Paul worried about numbers. He was thinking of touching lives with the wonderful Gospel of Jesus Christ. Even in the early church they were together in unity and the Lord added to the church. Doesn't say which specific church it was. To the body of Christ. If we walk in faith and in His word, then God will handle the rest." My friends, if numbers rule our lives and ministries then we are walking in the wrong Gospel. When I pastored churches, yes at one time I was "ruled" by numbers. But when I realized that it was God whom I "worked for" then the numbers faded away and the word of God ruled. This pastor friend of mine began to not worry about numbers and began to concentrate on the word and lifting Jesus up and sharing the whole Gospel. He did not loose his job. The people began to really see what is the reason behind the gathering of the body of Christ. Souls began to be saved. Bodies healed, lives touched. It's not a "job". It's a glorious calling to share the good news about Jesus.

Sometimes we are even afraid of saying something because we are afraid to "offend" people. That's why Jesus was put to death. He offended people. I would rather offend someone with the truth from the Gospel then deny what is written in it. The word is straight from the Heart of our Father.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Tim 3:16-17 (KJV)

Inspiration. If you will look at that word in the Greek you will see that it actually means breathed into. God breathed that word into the writers of the word. He gave them the inspiration to write and what to write for our benefit and the benefit of all generations past present and to come.

Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Mark 16:15-18 (KJV)

[Lleslie Johnson]

Good word Dr. Tom. David always comes to mind when people start counting. It is definitely not about numbers. So often we forget, the job is not our source. We have to remember Jehovah Jireh and El Shaddai are not just names for a song. PTL He is all sufficient!! I have been examining and writing about the effects of the spiritual trio Pride Judgment Rejection. It is amazing the role this spiritual group play in our emotions, thoughts and actions. They trace back to the fall of man. If you go before that Satan's pride created the first fall. Offence brings rejection. I have not found any occurances where rejection is not associated with pride and judgment. Christ brought offence by rejecting the spirit of religion and legalism. He brought a spirit of Love instead of Judgment. He offended Caiaphas and embarrassed him. Pride has played such a major role in the history of mankind. Thanks Dr. Tom Blessings