In March of 2001 my life "suddenly" changed for the better. After spending my preteen years in a community Methodist Church, I had not attended church but a few times up to March 2001 (I was 38 years old by then). It was then my wife begged me to get the kids (4 and 6 at that time) to Sunday School. They attend Bel Forest Christian Academy in Bel Air. Reluctantly, I finally took them. To my surprise, they had an Adult Class. How amazing to sit with adults and discuss the Bible. I truly enjoyed it. The real amazement happen when I sat through church. I had been raised in a church without "alter calls", and without the message of the need to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior.

For the first time in my life, I heard a message that caused me to realize I was lost in sin (I had broken all God's 10 Commandments), I had no righteousness of my own, and somehow knew that I would be judged for it. I heard that I could accept God's gift of salvation, that Jesus had died for me, in my place. It seemed too easy, so I waited until the next week. I was burdened by the truth all week that I had in fact sinned against God. I had lied, stolen, committed adultery by lusting after women not my wife, and had hated people which Jesus saw as murder. I knew all week that had I died, I would stand guilty before God and deserve hell, which seemed reasonable for a law breaker like me (and still does). Both my wife and I received the Lord's grace that next week. Since then my life has been an amazing ride. I have read through the Bible and study its words, plus have read numbers of books that have help my growth. I also do not know what I would do without Bibles Studies, Christian radio, and fellowship. I read "The Jabez Prayer" and "Secrets of the Vine" in May 2001; "The Man in the Mirror" and "Experiencing God" in June 2001, and many more books since then. Upon reading the "Man in the Mirror" by Morley, I felt inspired to tell my Pastor that it would make a great men's study. His reply, go ahead. Shocked, I said how. My Pastor said don't worry, He will teach it through you. By August, I found out I had been nominated as a Deacon. How in the world could I fill those shoes? It didn't matter. God was in control. I remember my Mom said, "What did you expect when you prayed that your coasts would be expanded". Right out of The Jabez Prayer.

I felt called to ministry, but how? When? I am an environmental consultant by profession. I own my own business (propertyprofiles.net). How could this all work? Proverbs 3:5-6 states Trust in the Lord with all you heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

While on a trip in early fall 2001, I found my answer. I had the task to inspect a 750 acre parcel with a man described as a real tough guy from OK/TX area. It was strange when I met him. Just like an appointment as described in "The Jabez Prayer". I seemed to be given a glimpse into his soul and a task to share with him what had happened to me, and how I met Jesus. We got stuck in the sand twice that day. I had been slowly witnessing to him, and finally told him I wasn't the least bit surprised that we got stuck. I told him that God knew how stubborn he was, and that I would need the whole day to talk to him. After getting back to my car, thanks to his friend, I followed them to the printer to get a plat map. When he went in, his friend asked what I had done to him. He said he seemed changed. All I did was present the Gospel, the Holy Spirit did the rest. After I left and headed south from West Palm Beach to Miami for my flight, I prayed that he would not be able to rest until he read "The Man in the Mirror" by Patrick Morley, a book that I recommend to all men. To my surprise after praying for him ½ the way to Miami that he wouldn't be able to to get settled until he got that book, my cell phone rang. It was the man I spent that day with. He apologized for his earlier behavior and asked my forgiveness. Then he asked for the name and author of that book again; and immediate answer to prayer. A few days later he left a voice message that he was up nearly all night reading for two nights. He also said his life was never going to be the same and thanked me.

God's answer was clear as crystal - "Minister Where You Are". You see, by being open, available, and flexible, God can lead any of our paths. We don't need to try harder, we just need to allow Him to change us (be our Lord) and direct our paths. I heard it said "The Key to Letting God, is to just Let Go". This experience is what lead me to begin this ministry and the web page "ministerwhereyouare.org". Ultimately, it comes down to one question; My will or His will? I had been told early on in my "saved life" that if I worked hard I can earn a crown in Heaven. It didn't seem right to accept it, especially since without Jesus giving me a new heart it wouldn't even be possible. Later someone said that it is appropriate to put my crown at Jesus' feet when I get before Him. That sounded better. Later I thought, even though God gives us free will, maybe we should be giving it back to Him hear while on this earth, and live for the One willing to die for us, so I could live. That certainly seems fair, doesn't it? Like a servant sent free, we too should love and trust the Master enough to become Bondservants!

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serves me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. John 12:25-26

Do you prefer your life, with your free will, to what God has planned for you? Dare to trust and obey. Lose your life, by giving Him your free will in exchange for His will for you. You will never be more fulfilled, nor honored than when you serve Him. I pray that you may choose His will. All Jesus asked of Peter after he had backslidden was, "Do you love Me?". When he responded, "yes!", Jesus said, "Feed my lambs". Jesus asked this three times. He didn't ask why Peter denied Him; why he went back to fishing; He just wanted to know if Peter loved Him enough to unconditionally serve Him, going forward. How do you answer Jesus' question? Do you love Him? If you do "Feed His Sheep". He calls us all to ministry.

I invite you all to "Feed His Sheep" through ministering where you are (2 Timothy 2 and Matthew 28:19-20). Share your experiences that others may be blessed. Start by explaining to them that they have broken God's Law. The Bible says The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple Psalm 19:7. When a person understands that by lying, stealing, hating, lusting after another; they are a lying, thieving, adulterous, murder in God's eyes, and will have to face their day of judgment and answer for themselves, it will finally make sense to them why Jesus had to die in their place, and why they must depart from sin (repent), not going back. The Law allows us to realize sin (Romans 7:7) and then drives us humbly to the cross of Jesus Christ for repentance and forgiveness (Galatians 3:24). If we all could find a few lost lambs, and bring them home, God would turn His face to us, and bless us. Turn it all over to Jesus. Become an obedient disciple, and serve Him, out of appreciation (esteeming the blood of Jesus) and love for Jesus. I encourage you to send me any testimonies, devotionals you have written, questions, comments, suggestions, or ways you now "Minister Where You Are".

And please do not be deceieved by false teachers and teachings that claim you can't squander your salvation and fall away from the faith. If their teachings were true, the Bible wouldn't teach us to hold fast (Hebrews 10:23); and state that in the last days, many will in fact depart from the faith (2 Timothy 3). These teachers can cause you to loose your fear of God, and teaches you may remain in the practices of sin which God called you out of. James warns use to not be deceived, or risk being drawn away to spiritual death (second death) in James 1:12-16, so don't take Satan's bait, no matter who says it is OK to sin. Consider carfully the warnings to "believers" in Revelation Chapters 2 and 3, and don't let someone tell you they are hypathetical, or only to those 7 churches (God doesn't change). I am not saying Christians don't stumble, but know that when we stumble, and then confess our sins He forgives us (1 John 1:9); but we are called to live in obedience and holiness, without which no man shall enter heaven (Hebrews 5:9, 1 John 1:7, Revelation 14:12). Lastly, remember that those in Jesus hand (John 10:28) that cannot be plucked out are defined in the verse prior (John 10:27) as those who hear (in the Greek, keep on hearing) His voice and follow (in the Greek, keep on following) Him. A person who fails to keep on hearing and following Jesus can no more hope to be kept safe in the hand of the Lord (our shepherd) than a sheep could keep having confidence in the shepherds protection as he decides to not listen to his commands and walks off where dangers are waiting. That sheeps life depends on it hearing and obeying the shepherd and staying close by him. This too is the way we must live out our faith, committing our souls to Jesus Christ, in doing well (God's will in obedience) and enduring to remain protected (1 Peter 4:17-19) for as it says what will be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if thr righteous scarely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. He will keep those who are truly trusting in His blood and obeying Him.

May God Bless You Indeed!

In Him and He in me (John 15:8)

Jack Jackson - MinisterWYA@aol.com