Christian televangelist, Evangelist Mike Bamiloye has shared his story on how himself and wife struggled through Ministry and why this is inevitable for any one in the ministry.
He teaches below
IN THE JOURNEY OF MINISTRY Some times ago, when my wife and I came into a terrible financial adversity and everything around us was completely dry. I would go to my wardrobe and begin to search pockets for any long forgotten money. I would search all drawers for whatever amount of money I could get. I became so depressed for this financial lack, that one evening I sat on the verandah of my house, and I began to ask The Lord: “Have You forgotten all my past financial sacrifices? Have you forgotten all those sacrificial givings and sowings You commanded us to make and we made? Or didn’t You accept our Offerings? You had troubled our spirits to give to people, why can’t You now trouble some people’s spirit to come and give to us? Don’t You answer our Prayers again?” We had so many debts to settle. So many pressing needs to meet, but there was no money to do them. I was so frustrated and depressed. This was not so long ago. In ministry, there comes a time of mountains and valleys, harvest-times and seed-times, dry and wet seasons: yet, God created them all. At another time, sometimes ago, My wife and I were traveling out of the country for a programme we were invited for. After passing through the immigration, we came to the Custom Officers who asked us how much money we carry with us on our journey. My wife and I glanced at each other and looked back at the Officer. I said: Fifty dollars. the officers looked at us with a surprise. He would wonder how a couple whom people were greeting left and right would be traveling to US with only $50 in their pocket. We had depended on the food on the plane to sustain us till we got to Dallas. This is Paul’s submission, about the dynamics of ministry: Philippians 4:11-13 KJV [11] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. The Lord who visited the land of Egypt with astounding signs and wonders and did an inexplicable miracle at the Red Sea and brought waters out of the rock for millions in the desert was and still is God of Israel. He transformed Himself to cool pillar of cloud in the day and warm pillar of fire in the night. He deliberately suppressed the whole of nation to Manna everyday till the Israelites were fed up with that one kind of food. He could give them varieties. He could give them a buffet daily. He could give them Oriental, African, and Continental dishes everyday. He could give them assorted meat and with various fried chicken and roasted fish every day. This Master of the Universe could provide for them cakes, ice-cream, fried rice, salad and turned the water from the rock to sweet fruit wine for them. Oh! This King of the whole World, who created the world with the words of His mouth could command and a dinning table of Chinese Buffet would appear before the people every day. But, He did not do so. He supply them only one type of food every day. Manna. Not for one week or one month. FOR FORTY YEARS. Can you eat Rice alone for one week? Can you eat your best food alone, morning, noon, evening for five days. But God decided to give these people no options of food but only one: Manna. For Forty Years. No option of drink, but Water. For Forty years. No tea, no Sprite, Coke, Fanta, Maltina. No Five Alive or but Water. For Forty years. It is true, water is good for the body. But is varieties not the spice of life? And why did He chose to do this to His chosen people? Deuteronomy 8:2-3 2. And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3. So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. That is the answer to this puzzle of calling and ministry. He could do it, but did not do it. He made them walk in the wilderness to humble them and test the intents of their heart whether they would keep His words or not. HE ALLOWED THEM TO HUNGER AND THIRST and fed them with only one stable food for those long years to humble them and make them know that you don’t live for comfort and delicacies alone alone, but by every Word The Lord commands from time to time. What are you passing through that makes you begin to doubt the call and the visions of the work you have received? That the Lord called you and anointed you for His service does not mean that you will not face a lot of financial lacks at times. That you have answered the call of God into service do not mean you will now begin to have everything easy for you, because you will continually be tested for your faith #mikebamiloye”
This is a message for all ministers. God’s plan is perfect for us
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