A Living God Service Church
Independent Christian Missionary Ministry Not 501c3
Greetings and Salutations
Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray this message finds you strengthened in the inner man, steadfast in your faith, and walking closely under the guidance of the Holy Spirit today.
Today’s Teaching: Ordered, Not Expected
When you have a heart to serve, saying no or being unable to meet a specific request can carry a heavy weight. We often have the desire to help everyone, but we simply do not have the ability. It is easy to let the disappointment, frustration, or subtle judgment of others make you question your own path. But a vital truth we must hold onto is this: Your steps are ordered by God, not by the expectations of the people you couldn't help.
Human expectations are often driven by immediate needs, personal timelines, and specific viewpoints. When we must set a boundary, people will sometimes use spiritualized logic to challenge that decision. They might say things like, God always provides when He sends someone, implying that if you don't have the immediate means or desire to fund them, you must not be sent. Others might argue that you must first be rich because Jesus was rich before He started His ministry, using financial prosperity as a false metric for spiritual readiness and authority.
When people cannot get what they want from you, it is common for them to manipulate spiritual principles to make you feel disqualified or out of alignment. Today, many will push religious systems on you, saying things like, You should always be under a prophet, or warning others not to listen to anyone who isn't formally submitted to an earthly hierarchy or a specific religious institution.
Whenever I am unable to assist financially, I always suggest that these individuals approach the well known, lucrative ministries that possess vast resources. Yet, they often get upset with me when I say this. Why? Because they know, just as I do, that those massive organizations will not even respond to them.
This brings us to a critical question: Which is it? Are the massive, wealthy ministries, who have plenty but refuse to help the poor, pioneering, independent ministries, the ones operating in error? Or are the small ministries, who do not have the wealth but would help if they could, the ones who are wrong? Many of those major ministries once treaded right where we are standing today, yet having reached prosperity, they shut their doors to the small and the struggling.
But scripture repeatedly shows that God operates outside of man's religious frameworks, wealth metrics, and narratives:
The Lesson of the Pomegranate: In scriptural imagery, the pomegranate is a profound symbol of righteousness. Just as a pomegranate is tightly packed with seeds, we are called to view our brothers and sisters as filled with good deeds and divine potential, rather than looking at them as empty. We are called to believe God is with them for the very sake of the works they produce, rather than judging them by the size of their bank accounts or institutional metrics.
Acts 4 and The Religious Elite: When the high priests and elders saw the boldness of Peter and John, they marveled because they perceived them to be unlearned and ignorant men, meaning they hadn't gone through the traditional rabbinical schools or institutional systems. Yet, they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. Jesus did teach them the Torah, but He taught them with true authority, not according to the Pharisaical narrative. Even when Peter stood before the council in Acts 4 verse 9, he declared: If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man... They weren't rejoicing in the healing; they were interrogating the credentials behind it.
The Prophet Amos: When the established religious authorities tried to silence him, Amos responded directly in Amos 7 verse 14: I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit. He wasn't part of the professional guild or line of prophets. He wasn't the spiritual son of an earthly mentor. He was simply a man called directly by God from following the flock.
Ephesians 4 and Specificity: As Ephesians 4 teaches us, Christ gave gifts to men, equipping individuals for distinct roles, some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. God sends some to some, not to all. He sends all to some, but everyone is not called to minister to everyone in everything. We cannot wash all the feet on Earth, but we can wash some.
We must understand that ministry does not always look identical or public. As Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 5 verse 25, Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid. Some works are open before all, while others are done in secret, known only unto God.
Even our Lord Jesus Christ navigated this balance. He performed miracles before some but strictly refused others. He compassionately fed the 5000 and the 4000, yet when the crowds demanded a sign on their own terms, He flatly refused them. And when He refused to meet their demands, they turned on Him and accused Him.
Man’s disappointment is not God’s disqualification. God does not consult financial demands, organizational charts, or the theological opinions of others to determine your calling, your timing, or your capacity. He knows your boundaries, your current season, and the specific lane He has called you to run in. Being obedient to His direction sometimes means standing firm in a no, even when it is misunderstood or weaponized against you.
Prayer
Refusing to lean on our own understanding, and building upon the posture of the early church in Acts 4, let us pray:
Heavenly Father,
We come before Thee with a heart of gratitude for Thy sovereign guidance and perfect timing. Lord, grant us the discernment to know the path Thou hast laid out specifically for us, and give us the strength to walk in it without wavering.
Deliver us from the trap of people pleasing and the weight of human expectations. When others misunderstand our boundaries, question our credentials, or try to force us under the yoke of man made structures, remind us that our validation comes from Thee alone. Like Peter and John, let our lives testify that we have been with Jesus, regardless of what the religious systems say.
Help us to see others through the lens of the pomegranate, recognizing the seeds of good works Thou hast placed within them, and trusting that Thou art with them for the work's sake. Keep us from the bitter spirit of those who accuse when their demands are refused, remembering that even Christ withdrew from the crowds when necessary.
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings, their judgments, and their doubts. Just as the believers prayed in Acts 4, grant unto Thy servants that with all boldness we may speak Thy word. We pray that if miracles, signs, wonders, and healings will make us bold and cause the naysayers to back off, then stretch forth Thine hand to heal; and grant that these wonders may be done by the name of Thy holy child Jesus. Let the manifestations of Thy power silence every false accusation.
Guard our hearts against false guilt, and let Thy peace, which passeth all understanding, rule in our minds. We pray for those we cannot assist, asking that Thou wouldst provide for their needs according to Thy riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Keep us faithful to the work, dedicated to the few or the many Thou hast placed directly in our path, and content to wash the feet Thou hast called us to reach.
In the mighty, precious, and matchless name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we pray.
AMEN
In His Service,
Pastor Jesse Preston
A Living God Service Church
Independent Christian Missionary Ministry Not 501c3
A Living God Service Church
Independent Christian Missionary Ministry Not 501c3
Greetings and Salutations
Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray this message finds you strengthened in the inner man, steadfast in your faith, and walking closely under the guidance of the Holy Spirit today.
Today’s Teaching: Ordered, Not Expected
When you have a heart to serve, saying no or being unable to meet a specific request can carry a heavy weight. We often have the desire to help everyone, but we simply do not have the ability. It is easy to let the disappointment, frustration, or subtle judgment of others make you question your own path. But a vital truth we must hold onto is this: Your steps are ordered by God, not by the expectations of the people you couldn't help.
Human expectations are often driven by immediate needs, personal timelines, and specific viewpoints. When we must set a boundary, people will sometimes use spiritualized logic to challenge that decision. They might say things like, God always provides when He sends someone, implying that if you don't have the immediate means or desire to fund them, you must not be sent. Others might argue that you must first be rich because Jesus was rich before He started His ministry, using financial prosperity as a false metric for spiritual readiness and authority.
When people cannot get what they want from you, it is common for them to manipulate spiritual principles to make you feel disqualified or out of alignment. Today, many will push religious systems on you, saying things like, You should always be under a prophet, or warning others not to listen to anyone who isn't formally submitted to an earthly hierarchy or a specific religious institution.
Whenever I am unable to assist financially, I always suggest that these individuals approach the well known, lucrative ministries that possess vast resources. Yet, they often get upset with me when I say this. Why? Because they know, just as I do, that those massive organizations will not even respond to them.
This brings us to a critical question: Which is it? Are the massive, wealthy ministries, who have plenty but refuse to help the poor, pioneering, independent ministries, the ones operating in error? Or are the small ministries, who do not have the wealth but would help if they could, the ones who are wrong? Many of those major ministries once treaded right where we are standing today, yet having reached prosperity, they shut their doors to the small and the struggling.
But scripture repeatedly shows that God operates outside of man's religious frameworks, wealth metrics, and narratives:
The Lesson of the Pomegranate: In scriptural imagery, the pomegranate is a profound symbol of righteousness. Just as a pomegranate is tightly packed with seeds, we are called to view our brothers and sisters as filled with good deeds and divine potential, rather than looking at them as empty. We are called to believe God is with them for the very sake of the works they produce, rather than judging them by the size of their bank accounts or institutional metrics.
Acts 4 and The Religious Elite: When the high priests and elders saw the boldness of Peter and John, they marveled because they perceived them to be unlearned and ignorant men, meaning they hadn't gone through the traditional rabbinical schools or institutional systems. Yet, they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. Jesus did teach them the Torah, but He taught them with true authority, not according to the Pharisaical narrative. Even when Peter stood before the council in Acts 4 verse 9, he declared: If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man... They weren't rejoicing in the healing; they were interrogating the credentials behind it.
The Prophet Amos: When the established religious authorities tried to silence him, Amos responded directly in Amos 7 verse 14: I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit. He wasn't part of the professional guild or line of prophets. He wasn't the spiritual son of an earthly mentor. He was simply a man called directly by God from following the flock.
Ephesians 4 and Specificity: As Ephesians 4 teaches us, Christ gave gifts to men, equipping individuals for distinct roles, some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. God sends some to some, not to all. He sends all to some, but everyone is not called to minister to everyone in everything. We cannot wash all the feet on Earth, but we can wash some.
We must understand that ministry does not always look identical or public. As Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 5 verse 25, Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid. Some works are open before all, while others are done in secret, known only unto God.
Even our Lord Jesus Christ navigated this balance. He performed miracles before some but strictly refused others. He compassionately fed the 5000 and the 4000, yet when the crowds demanded a sign on their own terms, He flatly refused them. And when He refused to meet their demands, they turned on Him and accused Him.
Man’s disappointment is not God’s disqualification. God does not consult financial demands, organizational charts, or the theological opinions of others to determine your calling, your timing, or your capacity. He knows your boundaries, your current season, and the specific lane He has called you to run in. Being obedient to His direction sometimes means standing firm in a no, even when it is misunderstood or weaponized against you.
Prayer
Refusing to lean on our own understanding, and building upon the posture of the early church in Acts 4, let us pray:
Heavenly Father,
We come before Thee with a heart of gratitude for Thy sovereign guidance and perfect timing. Lord, grant us the discernment to know the path Thou hast laid out specifically for us, and give us the strength to walk in it without wavering.
Deliver us from the trap of people pleasing and the weight of human expectations. When others misunderstand our boundaries, question our credentials, or try to force us under the yoke of man made structures, remind us that our validation comes from Thee alone. Like Peter and John, let our lives testify that we have been with Jesus, regardless of what the religious systems say.
Help us to see others through the lens of the pomegranate, recognizing the seeds of good works Thou hast placed within them, and trusting that Thou art with them for the work's sake. Keep us from the bitter spirit of those who accuse when their demands are refused, remembering that even Christ withdrew from the crowds when necessary.
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings, their judgments, and their doubts. Just as the believers prayed in Acts 4, grant unto Thy servants that with all boldness we may speak Thy word. We pray that if miracles, signs, wonders, and healings will make us bold and cause the naysayers to back off, then stretch forth Thine hand to heal; and grant that these wonders may be done by the name of Thy holy child Jesus. Let the manifestations of Thy power silence every false accusation.
Guard our hearts against false guilt, and let Thy peace, which passeth all understanding, rule in our minds. We pray for those we cannot assist, asking that Thou wouldst provide for their needs according to Thy riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Keep us faithful to the work, dedicated to the few or the many Thou hast placed directly in our path, and content to wash the feet Thou hast called us to reach.
In the mighty, precious, and matchless name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we pray.
AMEN
In His Service,
Pastor Jesse Preston
A Living God Service Church
Independent Christian Missionary Ministry Not 501c3
English
Arabic
French
Spanish
Portuguese
Deutsch
Turkish
Dutch
Italiano
Russian
Portuguese (Brazil)
Greek
हिन्दी