You Are Ordained by God

One of the most important and meaningful days of my life occurred in 1983 when I was ordained as a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ. During that service, men of God came and prayed over me as I was appointed to fill the office of ministry to which God has called me. I cherish the memory of that day.

While we have special services to ordain men as pastors and preachers, there is also a very real sense in which every believer is ordained—especially appointed by God—not for a church office, but to be a fruitful Christian. Many today have fallen into the trap of thinking that “church work” is only the responsibility of vocational Christian workers. In reality, every believer is meant to be a fruitful, productive, active worker in God’s kingdom.

According to the words of Jesus, bearing fruit is God’s calling and purpose for your life. The Lord has appointed each one of us to "bring forth fruit." God has no backup plan for reaching the world—He has entrusted that task to each of us as His children. We must be telling the Good News and helping others come to faith in Christ. No matter what spiritual gifts and abilities you have, they are meant to be used to produce fruit.

Today’s Gospel Declaration Principle:

Do everything you can today to fulfill God’s appointed purpose for your life by bearing fruit.