CHAPLAIN’S CORNER Pastor Ron Baptiste Founder of Covenant Confirmers Ministries Inc. www.covenantconfirmers.org Covenant Confirmers Ministries; a “Certified Recovery Congregation” Founder of TN. Biker Medical Clinic Inc. www.Tennesseebikermedicalclinic.org Messages Available on Podbean https://covenantconfirmers.podbean.com Live You Tube https://www.youtube.com/user/ covenantconfirmers1/live
THE PREPARATION TIME Matt.22:14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.” The word chosen can also be translated; “sent” or “set apart.” I noticed there is a time gap between being called and being sent. This is known as “Preparation Time.” This is like building a foundation for a building, whatever size building you want, is based on the size and strength of your foundation. There are many Christians today that have been called to the ministry, but have not been chosen-sent yet. Over my twenty-two years of pastoring a “biker church,” I have seen members come and go in motorcycle ministry, Christian motorcycle clubs, and biker churches. Today when one is Called by God into the ministry, they think they should immediately start their own ministry without any training, without any mentorship, without any accountability. They start out with great passion but quickly burn out. This is what I call “Microwave Ministry.” Acts 13:2 “separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work I have (past) CALLED them.” Vs.4 “so they being (future) SENT forth by the Holy Ghost.” Notice the time gap between being Called & Sent. I first noticed this while studying the relationship between David and king Saul. 1 Sam.13:14 King Saul had broken the commandment of the Lord and Samuel pronounce judgement on him; “Thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought Him a man after His own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his own people.’ We now know now that the Lord was referring to David, but biblical historians believe this event happened eight years before David was born. Jerm.1:5 “Before I formed you in the belly. I knew you. Before thou cometh forth out of the womb, I sanctified thee, I ordained thee.” David was called to be king before he took his first breath, but he was not sent yet. 1 Sam 16:13 David was anointed King in his father’s house but he was not yet on the throne. David was 17 years old at this time. It has been 25 years since David was called. In the next several years David would kill the giant, fight armies, run from King Saul, have his own army turn on him at Ziklag. David would be 30 years old before he would ever sit on the
throne as king. All those years between being called and finally being Sent; were “The Preparations years” preparing him to be king. These experiences helped shape David for the “Call” that was on his life, David would be 30 years old before he sat on the throne. “As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil…’ The key word here is WALK, do not run and do not camp out, but learn from your mistakes or you are doomed to repeat them. All the challenging experiences you’ll go through are like tools in a tool box, they will only help you when it’s your time to lead. Until next time, keep your face in the wind and your kickstand up. To be found faithful, Pastor Ron
8 ThunderRoadsTennessee.com OCTOBER 2021
