Worship as a weapon in the faith fight

By Mark Bacolod
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Preparation. To set apart for a time when the prepared is ready for use. As I sit and type I think about Holiness and its similarities to preparation. Among the many emotions that come with working through this Change Makers ministry and upcoming project – Fear has crept in. What if I can’t get it together? What if I get it together and it’s no good or unclear? How do I separate performance from preparation? How do I put the fear in it’s place and see it as another form preparation?

Another emotion is Pressure. We need those we are ministering to but we don't want our neediness to leak out onto them. Neediness is good in that it creates a place to receive. We all have needs and God made it this way. But in leadership, If we are needy in an unconscious way we latch onto people and risk losing our potential authority and influence. I think of the need to fundraise. The need to finance the start up capital for the needs of men and women our project wants to serve. The need to repay the work and funds Change Makers has chosen pre-invest in this project. The need to eventually partially fund my salary if this project becomes an independent social enterprise. How do I balance the pressure?

How does God use our faithfulness when preparation doesn’t perform? Is it more hard work? Is it rest? …

Or is it worship?

Speaking with a life coach (Michael J. Pfau, M.Ed., PCC, BCC
ICF Certified Coach) – He states in our monthly call that, “If we are aware of our needs, we can come to God for Him to meet us in our need. Having our neediness met by God allows us to create a space of love, compassion and true care for others and they will feel safe and supported. It also brings out creativity, trust and patience. This attracts clients versus repelling them.

The purpose of ministry is not to draw clients in. Rather it is about Holiness and Holiness has to do with Worship. Worship, with a foundation of love, demonstrated in preparation, means being in service to others and genuinely wanting to help. You can’t fake this. You can’t copy this. You can’t cheat this process. For it’s the process that meets your needs and defeats your fear(s).

“Over the past month I’ve kept hearing that voice saying, "You need more”.
If that’s so, then that’s what becomes your focus.
GETTING more.

Then God provided me with wisdom:

Stop looking to GET. Stop looking for more altogether. Instead, start looking to GIVE. Look for ways to add value to the lives of other people. Look for ways to help others become successful in the area of life you are passionate about. Help the man who is wondering, "Do I even matter?" to find the purpose for his life. To help the mother of small children who laments, "Will I ever get time for myself?" to find space to breathe deeply. Worship as a weapon in the fight of faith means: Looking for ways to GIVE hope and help to those all around you who are desperately seeking.”

Prayer requests

1. A financial plan drafted by 1/31/2019 for this upcoming Change Makers project
2. A community after school program scheduled in June or July 2019. 
   (Solid date needed; volunteer team/committees needed; activities and vendors TBD)
3. Pilot program started by end of February 2019