The Five Fold Ministry

And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Messiah: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of Elohim, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Messiah: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Messiah:  Ephesians 4:11-15.

I've prayed for the people with those calls for years.  I believe people with these specific calls will be brought together in some places, in the end of days.  I'm not talking about "the titled and entitled" people, I'm talking about servants of YHWH who walk in the call of these five offices of ministry and take their responsibility seriously.  I know, I have one of these calls, and so I began to prepare as I prayed for this group, believing we will assemble as the end of days unfold.

In preparing for this prayer to be answered, I purchased a round drop leaf table, specifically for the purpose of meetings and meals when these folks are gathered.  Round, so none of the servants sit at the head or foot of the table with the other servants, but rather, gathered equally around knowing Y'hshuwah Messiah is the head and clearly above us!  After buying the table and ordering comfortable office chairs to sit around it, I thought I was ready, but I had overlooked a very simple detail.

I had a complete place setting for four, with extra plates and bowls accumulated along the way.  I've never used the coffee cups and saucers as the coffee pot goes several hours any given day, I prefer individualized mugs, for easy handling and identifying.  It everyone has a different mug, they are easily reclaimed where ever they are left.  The dishes, though, had not occurred to me.  I was ready for five people to be gathered for meetings and I thought meals, but one person would be "set apart."  I had taken such care in the round table and unique coffee mugs, even having an eight place setting of the very good Pesach plates, wine glasses, and silver, but I had not prepared for every day service.

I told a friend, after finding this "new" set of dishes at a thrift shop, here I'd prayed and prayed and set all the big things in place, but something so simple as matching plates but not enough for what I was asking for.  I didn't take them all out of the cupboards but I was very blessed to find a full service of 8 plates, bowls, dessert plates, even a couple of serving plates, but only 2 coffee cups.   Is that not perfect?  I have half a cupboard full of various mugs.  YHWH knew what I had need of.

I wonder how many times we do that as we pray and believe, yet there is something very simple that we can actually do toward receiving an answer to that prayer.  I'm so glad, now, to have enough plates.  Funny how "ready" we think we are . . .

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  James 2:17