(Philippians 2:4–7)
When a person serves as an armorbearer, he lays aside his personal desires to help fulfill the desires of the leader he serves. One day, while I was serving Pastor Caldwell, I asked God, “What about my dreams and desires?”
He told me to give them to Him and to work at fulfilling the desires and visions of my pastor. He assured me that if I would do that, He would see to it that my dreams and desires would be fulfilled. He reminded me that Jesus did exactly this same thing when He gave up His own will and desires in order to do the Father’s will for His life. In turn, the Father made sure that Jesus’ dreams and visions were all fulfilled.
I can honestly say that God has done that very thing in my life. In 1977 I had a vision to reach out and go into many nations. In 1982, I began to see that vision come to pass. I have already traveled to over forty countries and have preached in most of them. We have established churches and Bible schools in twenty-three of those nations. All this has come about because I decided to do what Jesus did; He sacrificed His own desires in order to fulfill the Father’s will. If you will do the same thing, God will exalt you, no matter what circumstances you may face.
Think of it in terms of sowing and reaping. “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:7,9). Habakkuk 2:3 will further encourage you: “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come.”
Be encouraged that your faithfulness has not gone unnoticed. The Father sees the things you do in the background to fulfill the vision of your leader—things that not even your leader knows about—and He promises to reward you openly. (Matt. 6:4.) Hang in there. In due season you will reap if you faint not!
- Meditate on the verses mentioned in the devotion and allow them to encourage you.
- Refuse to give place to discouragement, self-pity, envy, or jealousy. Proclaim it out loud!
- Plant a “seed” of action, finances, or prayer into your leader’s vision today.
- Rejoice in the Lord!
Heavenly Father, You know the dreams and desires of my heart, dreams that You have given me. I work so hard to help my leader fulfill the vision You’ve given him, and I do it joyfully. Sometimes, though, it seems that my own desires have been put on hold or that they no longer even matter. But I rely on Your promises. Thank You that if I don’t become weary or faint in well doing, in due season the dreams You have given me will be fulfilled and I will reap a harvest of blessing. Amen.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Terry has served as senior associate minister of a thriving congregation for over 23 years with over 40 years of experience in local church ministry. He is currently the senior pastor of Impact Church in Sherwood, Arkansas. Terry has authored four books. On the bestselling list, these books have motivated thousands of Christians to stand with their leaders in faithful service, helping them to fulfill God's purpose for their lives.
Terry is the Founder and President of Focus on the Harvest, Inc. He's traveled extensively, awakening believers to this strategic generation. Through his God-given passion, believers are ignited to discover their gifts and callings, commit to the vision of their local church, and focus on the harvest of souls throughout their city, state, nation, and world.
Terry holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southwestern University, where he met his wife, Kim. They've been married for over 40 years and have three children; McCall, Alex, and McKenna.
In May 2008, Terry and Kim began Impact Church, a dynamic and growing, multicultural body of believers in Sherwood, AR. We believe that Christianity is not a religion; it's a relationship. God loves each person individually. He desires everyone to know him personally.