Faithfulness

“Well done thy good and faithful servant!” ~Matthew 25:23

Will we be faithful? Will we choose to be faithful in our generation? What does faithfulness look like? Will we leave our faithful mark in history? HIS STORY.

If you are a faithful woman of God then I want to be friends. LOL!

What does faithfulness mean?

Faithfulness:

Noun

· Lasting loyalty and trustworthiness in relationships

· The fact or quality of being true to one’s word or commitments, as to what one has pledged to do, professes to believe

· The fact or quality of being dedicated and steadfast in performing one’s duty, working for a cause

· The quality of adhering to fact, a standard

Life is a journey and a process. We are all at different levels of growth in our pursuit of these qualities so be at peace sister. None of us have it down perfectly. However, what does our heart desire? What qualities are we committed to working on to become good and faithful servants?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” ~Galatians 5:22 & 23

Each one of the fruits of the Spirit can only be produced over time. They are proven over a long period of time and through having the same relationships. The only way to becoming and resembling Jesus is through time, a long time. There is no microwave oven or quick download to having these traits produced and overflowing in us. The thing about these qualities is that they are internal works of the heart. Our intentions and motives are put in check. They are the hidden truths that truly only God can see fully. Time is a great tester of our intentions and motives. Let’s be honest, we all know how the honeymoon phase works. Everyone is great at first and maybe for a while, even a couple of years. But at year 10 or 20, all the truth of character usually comes out.

In 2007, Pastor Nathan became an ordained Minister. An ordination ceremony is the recognition of the grace of God that marks a person, calling them into His Service. It is a process by which individuals are consecrated, set apart, and elevated from the laity class to the Clergy. They are thus authorized to feed us the Word of God, encourage us in our walk with Christ, and equip us to do ministry to advance God’s Kingdom. At his ordination ceremony, they laid hands on Pastor Nathan, anointed him with oil, and prayed over him. They bestowed a stole over his robe as a sign of his commitment to “The Call.” It was a Holy moment. It was one of those moments that I felt God’s presence and the fear of the LORD pierce my heart and would change my view forever. At the time it didn’t seem that significant. However, in hindsight, I know God had me there for a much bigger purpose to witness this Holy moment. I have thought about this moment a hundred times since. Who knew then that we would go on to support Pastors and follow them for the next 16 years and counting as they build God’s church? God knew!

“Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” ~Ephesians 4:11-13

I grew up going to the same church with Pastor Nathan as kids. He was a few years younger than me. I remember seeing him and his rowdy brothers get into trouble in Children’s Church or with their mom. I knew Pastor Nathan as just another kid from church. But on that day in 2007, he was no longer just “Nathan of Washington” he became revered as “Pastor Nathan: Called by God.” I have been careful to not make the same mistake as some did in the New Testament. Many people referred to Jesus as just “Jesus of Nazareth” to others he was revered as “Jesus Son of David.” There is a major difference there. Just because current society has dishonored authority and there is a lack of respect for leadership, the Holy Spirit has been kind to remind us through the years that God and His Word don’t change. Respect and honor have been a continual heart check and high priority.

“Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I promised that your branch of the tribe of Levi would always be my priests. But I will honor those who honor me, and I will despise those who think lightly of me.” ~1 Samuel 2:30

At the time of Pastor Nathan’s ordination, my husband Jeff and I were youth leaders under His leadership as he served as the Youth Pastor. We never dreamed what the next 16 years would hold. We never dreamed of starting a church with them. We never could have dreamed of the faithfulness it would take. Honestly, after 22 years of life together we couldn’t have dreamed of all the love, the joy, the peace, the patience, the kindness, the goodness, the faithfulness, the gentleness, and the self-control that would be produced and endure with one another. Like any long-term relationship, we’ve experienced it all together. We were committed and resolved to allow the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us and through us. That moment in time at Pastor Nathan’s ordination has kept me dedicated through moments of truth that HE was called by God and that I was not! Thank you, Jesus! (LOL!) Witnessing his ordination has kept me committed to seeing God’s church advance by supporting our Pastors in any way possible. It has kept me steadfast to the vision that God puts in our Pastors’ hearts and not what is in my heart with my preferences. Hello somebody?

When Pastors speak from the pulpit to “Bring the tithe” or “Sign up for a Dream Team,” I reverence them as God’s voice saying, “Bring the tithe” or “Sign up for a Dream Team in My house.” When they say, “Join us at prayer night,” I reverence them as God’s voice saying, “Join me at prayer night in My house.” I hope I never take Pastors words lightly, as a suggestion or with the attitude that someone else will do it, but instead, as a command directed to me from the voice of God and His house and as a benefit to my life and just not as a duty. As I look around, I’m so glad that my Champion Family has this same reverence, and that you all see the vision. It shows. Y’all are killing it by your giving, serving, and building relationships in your Champ Groups! What’s important to God is priority to us! Amen?

“But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what He wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.” ~Matthew 6:33

As we are embarking on one of the most exciting times in the history of our Church, God’s church, we get to be the ones to play a part in this new building of God’s Church. God is assembling us Champions for this moment in time. I am so excited as I look around our Champ Fam and see those of you who are faithful to the call and the mission. You see the vision. You are a faithful vessel that God is choosing. I see so many consecrating yourselves, being set apart, and getting things right for God to use you at a greater level. I pray that we will all continue to remain faithful to Him, faithful to our families, and faithful to one another. I pray that just like Nehemiah, we continue to take ownership as if we were the only ones responsible for its completion. I pray that we will resolve to have the mindset that if I don’t, no one else will. The time is now and the people that God has chosen are us. Let’s together fight for a deeper level of commitment and unity. Let’s together raise up a new standard and a higher level of honor for our Pastors as this is a Holy moment. Pastors Nathan and Joie are a gift from Jesus Christ himself sent to us and to our families.

“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.” ~ Ephesians 4:11

Who knew that when we committed ourselves to our Pastors what was to come? We didn’t know what was on the other side of years of obedience to honor, protect, and love our Pastors. You all were at stake. You all were who God had in mind when he began this work to build His church. Who is waiting for you? Who is waiting on the other side of your obedience as we build this church…God’s Church, God’s Kingdom? In 30 years, we will look back in time and realize the thousands that were waiting for us, counting on us and we were the faithful ones. Individually we are strong but together we are unstoppable! Let us go be a force in the earth!

“And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.” ~Ephesians 1:23

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[b] will not overcome it.” ~Matthew 16:18

“Who knows, perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this." ~Esther 4:14

Let’s continue to be faithful in this next chapter of history. May we each one day hear these words, “Well done my good and faithful servant!”

You all are a gift from God to my life! I love you, my faithful sisters! Let’s DO this!

Love,

Janelle