When God calls you to take a step forward

[Stan Arney]

I'm a member of the Southern Baptist Church.
Currently, I'm just a "member" (i.e. not a Deacon or Pastor, etc.)

I was given a "vision" by God, a few weeks ago, in which He instructed me, on ministering to His people, and He gave me a specific list of items, to make sure to share, with everyone. When God Himself, selects you, and requests that you do something, you better do it, huh. I have been praying on this, ever since.

I know, He is asking me, to step out of my "comfort zone", and help to lead His flock. I just need to know, how should I proceed? I contacted the local association, Heart of Kansas Southern Baptist Association, for instructions for their "internship" program. Their response is below:

"Our internship is a way that we partner with our churches who have men in them who may have a sense of call to ministry. To be in the internship program that we offer, you will need to have a formal agreement with your church and pastor to serve with them as an intern, and then we just supplement that for the local church. Hope that makes sense."

 

[Iconoclast]

I'm a member of the Southern Baptist Church.
Currently, I'm just a "member" (i.e. not a Deacon or Pastor, etc.)

I was given a "vision" by God, a few weeks ago, in which He instructed me, on ministering to His people, and He gave me a specific list of items, to make sure to share, with everyone. When God Himself, selects you, and requests that you do something, you better do it, huh. I have been praying on this, ever since.

I know, He is asking me, to step out of my "comfort zone", and help to lead His flock. I just need to know, how should I proceed? I contacted the local association, Heart of Kansas Southern Baptist Association, for instructions for their "internship" program. Their response is below:

"Our internship is a way that we partner with our churches who have men in them who may have a sense of call to ministry. To be in the internship program that we offer, you will need to have a formal agreement with your church and pastor to serve with them as an intern, and then we just supplement that for the local church. Hope that makes sense."

What do you mean....when you say...you were given a vision?

Do you mean a visual, or audio vision??? Do you hear a voice, or see something? Or do you mean something else?

 

[Stan Arney]

To answer your Q? about what do I mean about "vision"

My "vision", was when I was lying down, attempting to sleep, I was more awake, than asleep.

In this vision, I was in an auditorium type place, with lots of other Believers.
I was able to fly around the room, by God's grace, God was in the room with me, I could see him, but no I cannot describe him, and He spoke to the audience. He also asked me to tell them about salvation, and how even murderers, as long as they accept His free gift of salvation, would be saved, and this angered some of the people. He also told gave me a list to make sure and share with everyone, which applied just as much to Believers, as it will to the "Lost", once they accept Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, people were healed of sickness, etc. Nothing was done, by me, it was all by God, and His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are possible. God also instructed me to read from some of the books of the Bible, and that I was to "step up", and start sharing His Word, with everyone. (Which He made understood, to become a Teacher and Pastor, of His people).

 

[Iconoclast]

My "vision", was when I was lying down, attempting to sleep, I was more awake, than asleep.

In this vision, I was in an auditorium type place, with lots of other Believers.
I was able to fly around the room, by God's grace, God was in the room with me, I could see him, but no I cannot describe him, and He spoke to the audience. He also asked me to tell them about salvation, and how even murderers, as long as they accept His free gift of salvation, would be saved, and this angered some of the people. He also told gave me a list to make sure and share with everyone, which applied just as much to Believers, as it will to the "Lost", once they accept Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, people were healed of sickness, etc. Nothing was done, by me, it was all by God, and His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are possible. God also instructed me to read from some of the books of the Bible, and that I was to "step up", and start sharing His Word, with everyone. (Which He made understood, to become a Teacher and Pastor, of His people).

What was on the list?

 

[Stan Arney]

What was on the List?

These are the things, He told me to share:

1. Believe in God, the one and absolute only
2. Jesus His only Son, died on the cross, for all to see
3. Admit that you sin, we all do, and He sees everything
4. Acknowledge sin is wrong, should go without saying
5. Know that God forgives you, each time that you ask
6. Accept that you are forgiven, is a required task
7. Release yourself, from the bondage of your past sin

He told me to study, "Hebrews" (along with some other books in the New Testament)

 

[Iconoclast]

These are the things, He told me to share:

1. Believe in God, the one and absolute only
2. Jesus His only Son, died on the cross, for all to see
3. Admit that you sin, we all do, and He sees everything
4. Acknowledge sin is wrong, should go without saying
5. Know that God forgives you, each time that you ask
6. Accept that you are forgiven, is a required task
7. Release yourself, from the bondage of your past sin

He told me to study, "Hebrews" (along with some other books in the New Testament)

All of these things we have all been told in scripture already.So why would you claim that God has given you a special message that tells us what we already have for 2000 years???

 

[Stan Arney]

Last answer

I know it, whether you, or anyone else's chooses to, I really don't care.

Take care and may God bless, you and yours.

 

[Iconoclast]

I know it, whether you, or anyone else's chooses to, I really don't care.

Take care and may God bless, you and yours.

It perhaps took place in your mind in your sleeping state.It has in fact not taken place in reality however.:thumbs:

 

[Stan Arney]

OK

Once again, you believe what you choose to believe.

And I will have faith, in what I know, did happen.

Have a wonderful Easter, take care and may God bless, you and yours.

(I didn't post this, to be told, whether or not, it occurred, only to share, what I was told to share)

Hebrews

"Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts."

 

[annsni]

I believe that what you experienced was just a dream of your own making. This is what makes me believe it:

"how even murderers, as long as they accept His free gift of salvation, would be saved"

The wording is very modern and not at all what is in God's Word. There is nothing about "accepting" in the Scriptures but instead, it's a modern construct that we have created - and very modern wording.

But what you dreamt came from maybe your feeling that there is more that you should do for Christ and that is a good thing. Get and stay in the Word. If you feel called to ministry, speak to your spiritual leaders and get their input as well. Some feel "called" to the ministry when they are not and oftentimes ministry leaders will be able to guide the "called" and confirm whether they are qualified to be in the ministry (remember that there are qualifications in Scripture for ministry). But most of all, be bold in your testimony. You don't need to be a minister to spread the Gospel.

 

[Mexdeaf]

I once had a dream that the Lord returned - I saw a bright light, heard the trumpet and a shout (remember- I'm deaf), and it was as real as the nose on my face ... until I woke up, still in my sleeping bag on the floor of my apartment in Chattanooga, TN.

Boy, was I disappointed - I was looking forward to a real bed in Heaven!

Do we have "spiritual" dreams? Perhaps.

Does God call us through dreams? Not in this day and age.

Are you called? Not my place to decide. If you asked me what I thought, I'd say that I needed more evidence of a calling than a dream.

 

[Oldtimer]

But what you dreamt came from maybe your feeling that there is more that you should do for Christ and that is a good thing. Get and stay in the Word. If you feel called to ministry, speak to your spiritual leaders and get their input as well. Some feel "called" to the ministry when they are not and oftentimes ministry leaders will be able to guide the "called" and confirm whether they are qualified to be in the ministry (remember that there are qualifications in Scripture for ministry). But most of all, be bold in your testimony. You don't need to be a minister to spread the Gospel.

That's good advice. And especially so with regards to talking to spiritual leaders. No matter how hard we may try, there isn't any replacement as good as talking face to face with another human being.

AMEN to you don't have to be a minister to spread the Gospel. God hasn't called me to shepherd a flock. He is using me in other ways. So, Brother Stan, regardless of what God calls you to do, you are still serving Him.

How to proceed? Pray first and foremost for His guidance. Talk to your pastor and/or trusted deacons. If for some reason you can't talk to either of them in your church, seek out other pastors in your area.

And, in closing, have patience. God works in His own timeframe. If this is the path He has chosen for your life, the way will be revealed to you in due time. Don't get in too big a hurry and jump the gun, as that old cliche goes. You just might turn left, when God intends for you to go right at the next intersection.

 

[Mexdeaf]

That's good advice. And especially so with regards to talking to spiritual leaders. No matter how hard we may try, there isn't any replacement as good as talking face to face with another human being.

AMEN to you don't have to be a minister to spread the Gospel. God hasn't called me to shepherd a flock. He is using me in other ways. So, Brother Stan, regardless of what God calls you to do, you are still serving Him.

How to proceed? Pray first and foremost for His guidance. Talk to your pastor and/or trusted deacons. If for some reason you can't talk to either of them in your church, seek out other pastors in your area.

And, in closing, have patience. God works in His own timeframe. If this is the path He has chosen for your life, the way will be revealed to you in due time. Don't get in too big a hurry and jump the gun, as that old cliche goes. You just might turn left, when God intends for you to go right at the next intersection.

Good words :thumbsup:

 

[annsni]

And, in closing, have patience. God works in His own timeframe. If this is the path He has chosen for your life, the way will be revealed to you in due time. Don't get in too big a hurry and jump the gun, as that old cliche goes. You just might turn left, when God intends for you to go right at the next intersection.

Amen! My husband felt called to the ministry but it was a few years before that came about. But we trusted God and His timing and it worked out perfectly, IMO.

 

[righteousdude2]

And what about these verses?

1.Joel 2:28 - “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.

Acts 2:17 - ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.'

To throw out a blanket statement that, "Does God call us through dreams? Not in this day and age." does not take into consideration, these verses.

Are we going to question the supernatural ability of God to be supernatural and do things that are above and beyond what we feel is our within our comfort zone? If we are not willing to trust Him, especially when the action, we encounter are backed up by Scripture, is to say His Word is no longer alive and applicable to this day in which we live.

I would encourage this brother to check out Scripture, and test this dream and its message by proceeding forward. This would mean contacting his pastor and talking with him and getting under the throes of his pastor [as his spiritual mentor] to begin working and serving in any role his pastor deems he is fitted for. And that may mean washing toilets and mopping floors and graduating into leading Bible studies, between janitorial duties and gardening work around the church as a volunteer. And I agree with Ann and Oldtimer. They both gave good advice!

I wonder what men of OT days thought when God gave dreams and visions. Noah may never have built the ark. Joshua may never fought the battle at Jericho. And Gideon would never be remembered by the group of believers that place Bibles in Hotels under his name. Even Paul had dreams. Of course, he had the blessing of living in the "day!" didn't he. So, he didn't have to question his dreams, or did he?

I know Iconoclast will have his words for me, so, hit me brother....I'm ready! :laugh:

 

[Stan Arney]

Post Script

For anyone interested in seeing my Christian background and ideas, try reading my poems, 74 are online at ChristArt.com

http://www.christart.com/poet/Stan Arney

People from around the world, have chosen many of my poems, to share with others.

I don't take, what happened lightly, and I have been in prayer, reading and re-reading His Word, i.e. my Bible, diligently.

Take care and God bless, each and everyone of you.

 

[Iconoclast]

dude

1.Joel 2:28 - “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.

Acts 2:17 - ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.'

To throw out a blanket statement that, "Does God call us through dreams? Not in this day and age." does not take into consideration, these verses.

Sure it does...he just does not leave out verse 16;
16 `But this is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel:

Are we going to question the supernatural ability of God to be supernatural and do things that are above and beyond what we feel is our within our comfort zone?

Our comfort zone is not the issue...scripture is.

If we are not willing to trust Him, especially when the action, we encounter are backed up by Scripture, is to say His Word is no longer alive and applicable to this day in which we live.

This is a false conclusion you have come to.It is not backed up by scripture anywhere.For someone to add to the sealed revelation is falsehood.
This guy did not hear from God.He was not given this list, or anything else.

I wonder what men of OT days thought when God gave dreams and visions.

before the canon was closed they obeyed God...why do you wonder about this at all,as scripture tells us exactly what they did.:thumbs:

Noah may never have built the ark. Joshua may never fought the battle at Jericho. And Gideon would never be remembered by the group of believers that place Bibles in Hotels under his name. Even Paul had dreams. Of course, he had the blessing of living in the "day!" didn't he. So, he didn't have to question his dreams, or did he?

They did live in that DAY...we live in our day.

I know Iconoclast will have his words for me, so, hit me brother....I'm ready!

As usual I would encourage you to stay in the word.When you do, you offer good material.When you go outside you encourage error ,like with this poster.

 

[Oldtimer]

This is a false conclusion you have come to.It is not backed up by scripture anywhere.For someone to add to the sealed revelation is falsehood.
This guy did not hear from God. He was not given this list, or anything else.

They did live in that DAY...we live in our day.

As usual I would encourage you to stay in the word.When you do, you offer good material.When you go outside you encourage error ,like with this poster.

So, you put a limitation on God. Put a limitation on the Holy Spirit.

I don't know if Brother Stan simply had a dream created in the recesses of his own thoughts or a dream brought about by the Holy Spirit. Or, whether he saw a "vision" straight from the Son, himself.

From what I understand, men cannot know what's in the hearts of others. Men can only observe the fruit other's hearts bear. I don't know HOW God is active in your life, Brother Stan's life, or anyone else.

IMO, there's a big difference between prophets sent by God fortelling the future to nations and kings who did not repent and the working of the Holy Spirit in giving guidance to individuals. Also believe we have, in our day, the OT for a reason. Jesus didn't say throw away all that had come before Him. He came to fulfill, not to condem. Someone mentioned to me the other day, the "scarlet thread" that binds all of the scriptures together. Somehow that seems to be applicable here. Even those prophets of old had words that can still have bearing on what is yet to come.

Did God cease all interaction with man when the canon was sealed? If He did, then there's no such thing as a "God-called preacher" in this age. This isn't a discussion about speaking in tongues, snake handling, etc. It is about HOW God may CHOOSE to bring about His will in the life of an individual.

To say "This guy did not hear from God." is a statement that I cannot make.

In closing, I'm sure this is poorly written. Probably doesn't adequately convey what I'm trying to say. I just can't put limitations on our Almightly Powerful Creator in how He works within the hearts of brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

[wpbarrett]

great post Oldtimer, things get so negative on here at times. Time will tell on this, please let us know how God works this out for you Stan. I'm sure many have delt with this before.

 

[Iconoclast]

So, you put a limitation on God. Put a limitation on the Holy Spirit.

No...not at all. It is important to obey what God has revealed to us.

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book


Jude 1:3

King James Version (KJV)

3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.


You are free to do and believe as you wish".The Faith".....was once for all time delivered to the church. I believe we can only obey what God has revealed,not re-invent the wheel.

To say that with billions of people on the planet, God will give one person new revelation,and the ability to write a book of Poems with questionable teaching in them in some supernatural manifestation....does not remain consistent with scripture at all.

Scripture is given as a protection or a hedge to protect the saints, with a more sure word of prophecy.

I was given a "vision" by God, a few weeks ago, in which He instructed me, on ministering to His people, and He gave me a specific list of items, to make sure to share, with everyone. When God Himself, selects you, and requests that you do something, you better do it, huh. I have been praying on this, ever since.

In this vision, I was in an auditorium type place, with lots of other Believers.
I was able to fly around the room, by God's grace, God was in the room with me, I could see him, but no I cannot describe him, and He spoke to the audience. He also asked me to tell them about salvation, and how even murderers, as long as they accept His free gift of salvation, would be saved, and this angered some of the people. He also told gave me a list to make sure and share with everyone, which applied just as much to Believers, as it will to the "Lost", once they accept Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, people were healed of sickness, etc. Nothing was done, by me, it was all by God, and His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are possible. God also instructed me to read from some of the books of the Bible, and that I was to "step up", and start sharing His Word, with everyone. (Which He made understood, to become a Teacher and Pastor, of His people).

So we have these claims which I reject on a biblical basis as false claims to additional revelation:

1]I was given a "vision" by God, a few weeks ago

2]in which He instructed me

3]He gave me a specific list of items, to make sure to share, with everyone

4]When God Himself, selects you, and requests that you do something, you better do it,

5]I was able to fly around the room, by God's grace,

6]God was in the room with me, I could see him,

7] and He spoke to the audience

8]He also told gave me a list to make sure and share with everyone

9] once they accept Jesus Christ

10]In Jesus' name, people were healed of sickness, etc. Nothing was done, by me, it was all by God

11]God also instructed me to read from some of the books of the Bible, and that I was to "step up", and start sharing His Word, with everyone.

This did not happen ...in reality...none of it.It might have happened in his mind, but not in real life.

To say "This guy did not hear from God." is a statement that I cannot make.

I can and do make that statement...he heard nothing, was not flying around the auditorium, was not given this list,etc.

I don't know if Brother Stan simply had a dream created in the recesses of his own thoughts or a dream brought about by the Holy Spirit. Or, whether he saw a "vision" straight from the Son, himself.

Read the whole thread......he said it was not a dream, but an actual vision......I asked him in the first few posts to clarify...he did....when he was flying around the auditorium????