I have known most of the major Spirit-filled Bible-teaching ministers of the 20th century, and I’ve had the privilege of speaking for them. I was even honored to minister in the largest church in the world. One thing I noted about every one of the prominent leaders I met was that, although they were men and women of great faith, they were also people who walked in love at a very high level. Most of them are world-renowned for their faith, but without love, their faith would not have been notable. Their ability to love others made their faith work because faith worketh by love. (Galatians 5:6)
Love Yourself
The generals of faith, whose names are synonymous with anointed preaching and signs and wonders, were able to do what they did because of the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:5) God’s love inspired their work and guided their efforts.
Faith Leader, if you want to succeed, training, preparation, and hard work matter, but never downplay the importance of God’s love. Love activates faith and allows God’s power to move.
Our goal should be to grow in our love walk, and to do that, we must remember that loving others begins by loving God and loving yourself. Matthew 22:39 says, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. If you don’t value the life God gave you, how can you treat others with the respect they deserve?
A Serious Problem Today
Too many people don’t know how to love themselves so they can love others. We are honored as Faith Leaders to be out front in sharing God’s love and teaching people how to love themselves and others. For example, our ministry recently planted a church in Pensacola, Florida, where the United States Navy and Marine Corps send their pilots for at least some of their training.
Our pastoral staff there ministers on three different bases every week where we preach the gospel, cast out devils, and lay hands on the sick and see them recover. Our ministry is God-ordained and timely. We’ve been told that an average of 22 men and women in the various branches of our military kill themselves every day. Suicide is a serious problem today. It reaches into all age groups and strata of life. Why would anyone kill themselves?
Some want to destroy themselves because they do not love themselves. For others, it’s a matter of fear. They’ve been dealing with problems, or perhaps an addiction or other issues that are so big, they believe they are doomed. They don’t think they have the strength to fight or a way to win. But thank God, His Word is changing hearts and futures!
How to Minister to the Hopeless
When people are fearful and hopeless, they need God’s Word. When people are sick, they need God’s Word. When people are confused, they need God’s Word. Romans 1:16 says, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
The Word of God is the power of God that brings all deliverance, regardless of age or circumstance. I don’t care how bad a situation looks; God’s Word has the power to fix it, heal it, change it, or rearrange it.
God has a hope and a future for everyone. When they are desperate enough to consider suicide, they can’t see God’s future. It’s up to us as Faith Leaders to show it to them by ministering God’s Word in love.
Never Give Up
Perhaps you or someone you know is dealing with depression or even thoughts of suicide. Here’s what I would tell anyone who is facing depression:
o Decide to never give up.
o Keep living.
o Trust God.
o Fill yourself up with His Word; it will change the way you look at yourself and your situation.
Depression and hopelessness can also be triggered by physical and mental exhaustion. But Jesus said, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
The word labour means you are tired. Heavy laden means loaded down, and rest means refreshing. So, when you minister to those who are exhausted, carrying a heavy load, and are ready to give up, lead them to Jesus and share His Word. That is how you love someone to life! As they receive God’s love, they’ll learn to love themselves, and then they can love others and succeed in life because love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8)