There are countless people in the field of ministry today. We have

pastors, teachers, elders and deacons...to name a few. But how are

these rolls filled? Who determines their qualifications? Well, in our

message today we'll learn that it's GOD who determines where and

in what capacity a person should serve. He has specific qualifications that we're to go by.

Are you called to serve? For EVERYONE...the answer to this

question is YES. You see, God desires that we ALL have the heart

of a servant. He wants us ALL to be apart of HIS ministry. But we need to ask ourselves: Where am I called? How has God gifted me? You see, we can't just pick and choose, at random, where we want to serve. We're to allow GOD to dictate such things.

Today Pastor Terry touches on a very basic, yet overlooked subject in the church. Prayer. This simple act is so often overlooked. And yet, we'll learn today that prayer should be one of the core components of our lives as individuals AND as corporate bodies. So, why isn't prayer more important?

It's easy to fall into the rut of simply praying for people's needs. We ask God to do all sorts of things for ourselves and those around us. And though that's not necessarily bad, our focus in prayer should be that we and those around us would be drawn closer to the LORD...either in our daily walk with Jesus or for the very first time to be saved.

God has given us all that we need to live as His children. He has

given us clear instructions as to how we're to function, both

individually, as well as within the body. Well in today's message,

we'll learn the specific rolls that God has given us as men and

women. And when we operate according to HIS specifications, we'll experience unity.

God's ways are not our ways. His wisdom...His thoughts...are higher

than ours. And because we are human...because we still have to

deal with our flesh, we'll struggle, from time to time, with clarity in His Word. So believer, if you're EVER struggling for understanding, if you're unclear as to what God is trying to say...just ASK Him.

As a society, we've become desensitized. The things we listen to...

the images we see...none of them phase us today. We've become

a people who have no shame or idea of REAL modesty. Our clothing, music and merchandise is all geared toward wickedness. Why is that? How could we have gone downhill so quickly? It's simple. We've chosen to IGNORE God's Word.

There's a bit of confusion in the world of Christianity today. There

are some who believe that being a Christian consists of a one time

prayer, and then we're free to live as we please. But that's simply

NOT the case! As believers, we're to be FOLLOWERS of Jesus. He

is our Savior. He is our King! And it's HIS Word that we are to live by.

What is your faith based upon? Where do you find truth? The

answer is...the Word of God. So believer, when you're sharing the

message of hope in Jesus with others, be sure that your words are

from God. Don't try to capture their attention with stories, dreams,

signs and wonders. You see, if faith comes by hearing the Word, then it's the WORD we should be sharing.

Where does salvation come from? How can we attain it? Well

according to the Scriptures, there's no way for us to earn our

salvation. In fact, it is a FREE GIFT from God. So when others come to you with a list of MAN-MADE rules, regulations and traditions...

when they claim that you're not a REAL Christian if you do not keep them...be leery believer, that's a lie.