The Making Ministry Blog (2 Corinthians 3:18 AMP) » Ministers

Glorious Workforce Strategies

Karen M. Pina — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:00:52 +0000

Mentee,

The last time you received a lesson, we explored the state of those who are in the workforce who are “perceived to be lucky, fortunate,” and even blessed to have a j-o-b during these though times. For us whether we have a job or not, our Father ensures we have what we need to live in this realm and do what He’s called us to do (Psalm 37:25, 2 Peter 1:3). That said, we shouldn’t be found striving, jockeying and competing for positions, steam rolling over folk to get what we believe we need, and entertaining gossip.

This is what I’ve come to equip you to handle today. When someone in the workforce approaches you and begins to gossip, you entertain it if:

#1 – You simply listen
#2 – You add to or validate what’s being said either verbally or through your body language and overall posture

We shouldn’t do either of the above. Here are some very practical strategies you can utilize:

Scenario #1
A co-worker, colleague, client, or your boss shares some horrible thoughts and opinions about someone else you work with or do with business. Here’s how you handle it. You say, “Hmm, I’m so surprised by what you’re saying about ______________ (fill in the blank with the person’s name they are gossiping about and slandering) because s/he has nothing but good things to say about you. I strongly suggest you go to him/her and tell them how you feel.

Scenario #2
In scenario, the same thing occurs, and your response is similar with a slight variation. Let me illustrate. You say, “Hmm, I’m so surprised by what you’re saying about ______________ (fill in the blank with the person’s name they are gossiping about and slandering) because that’s not my experience with him or her at all. I simply don’t tolerate ___________________ (fill in the blank with whatever the accusation or the gossip they’re spreading) that from anyone just like I don’t tolerate gossip. I hope this helps shed some light on how you might best deal with ___________________ (fill in the blank with the individual’s name they are talking about).

Beloved, both of these scenarios point back to the person who’s gossiping as “the problem” and puts the garbage back in their lap to deal with and clearly keeps you out of it. Also, by sharing what’s acceptable and not acceptable to you, you’re modeling how you want that individual to not only relate to you, but how you relate to the one person they’ve supposedly having bad feelings or ill will towards.

I pray these two glorious approaches help. If there are some things you do to handle gossip, I’d love to hear about them by replying to this post.

With rich glory,

Prophetess Karen M. Pina

Don’t neglect the gift!

Karen M. Pina — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:00:18 +0000

Till I come, devote yourself to [public and private] reading, to exhortation (preaching and personal appeals), and to teaching and instilling doctrine.

Do not neglect the gift which is in you, [that special inward endowment] which was directly imparted to you [by the Holy Spirit] by prophetic utterance when the elders laid their hands upon you [at your ordination].

Practice and cultivate and meditate upon these duties; throw yourself wholly into them [as your ministry], so that your progress may be evident to everybody. – 1 Timothy 4:13-15 AMP

Many times we hear this scripture and we bypass the members of our family and go straight to being a blessing with our spiritual gifts to the church and the body.

Today, He sent me to tell you, don’t neglect the gift (i.e., the children, your heritage). Your children can and should benefit from the gifts He’s blessed you with, ministry and business leaders. For example, one of the spiritual gifts He’s blessed me with is teaching. Now what good is it for me to teach everyone else, but not teach the children He’s blessed me with what they need to know (i.e., both spiritually and naturally)? See, what’s He’s exposing through me?

It’s time to focus on being a minister right in your home. We are not fit to minister outside the home if we’ve not poured all we have out like a drink offering right into our very own seed (1 Timothy 3:4-5). Don’t neglect your gifts (i.e., your children).

With glorious wisdom,

Prophetess Karen M. Pina

Prophetic Word & Instructions to Five-fold Leaders

Karen M. Pina — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:00:02 +0000

Yesterday, Yahweh released this word to the body of Christ, and I’m impressed to share it here. I preface it by saying, “This is not aimed at specific ministry or business leader.”

Will you continue on the ancient path that wicked men have walked?

Everywhere you turn leaders are being ousted for sexual sins. At the same time, these leaders don’t possess David’s spirit. You see, when they are confronted with their sin, they lie, deny, and in some cases even crucify the one who confronts and inquires. The hearts of many leaders are surely wicked, and they are not turned to Yahweh (God). These men and women are not after Yahweh’s heart, but are after the lusts of the flesh, the pride of life, and the lusts of the eyes.

Because they are not quick to confess and repent, they are snatched away before their time and their foundations are washed away like a river (Job 22:16). Instead of running to Yahweh to be cleansed of their sin, they say, “Leave us alone, God (Job 22:17)!”

Oh what a tangled, deceptive web Satan laid that entrapped them in uncleanness and bondage.

“So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin.” – James 4:16 AMP

In some instances, it’s simply man choosing wrong over right. When man chooses man-made glory over Yahweh’s glory, they end up walking on the same ancient path that wicked kings before them walked. Will you continue on the ancient path that wicked men have walked (Job 22:15 HCSB)?

If you need ordained direction and support back to your foundation, we are here and we are a confidential, anointed safe space in which you can get free and experience His glory (i.e., His power, character, and nature) once again.

Blessed and happy and to be envied are those whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered up and completely buried.– Romans 4:7 AMP

If you’re going to cover your sins, you don’t need Him to cover them, and He can’t cover what you conceal. Come clean to be cleansed, beloved. He’s waiting with open, merciful, loving arms of atonement and forgiveness. The fallout of sexual sin is devastating. It ruins marriages, families, lives, ministries, churches, and elections and callings unnecessarily. There is an option, and it is honest confession and true repentance. How many casualties will you take with you by continuing on the ancient path of wicked kings? Unharden your heart and hear His voice (Hebrews 4:7).

With great grace,

Prophetess Karen M. Pina

The Dead Things Must Go

Karen M. Pina — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 20:00:49 +0000

But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead. – Mathew 8:22

Mentee, as I showered today, I conversed with Yahweh about some remaining dead skin underneath my arms. Immediately as I continued speaking to the mountain He said through me, “This temple is life, and every dead thing must go.”

He continued ministering to me like this: I don’t eat dead, processed things in this live temple. Even further, ever person or connection around me that’s dead must go if it can’t be quickened to life by Ruach HaKodesh. Prayerfully, you’re allowing Him to minister the same thing to you as I immediately knew He wanted me to share it with you.

Beloved, no matter how much you love the dead food or people, the dead things must go if you’ll see His glory the way you say you want to.

With glorious and divine wisdom,

Prophetess Karen M. Pina

Just Give Him What He Wants!

Karen M. Pina — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 20:00:06 +0000

The word ‘give’ is found over 1,599 times in the Bible, many of which have to do what Yahweh will give us. Here are a couple from just the book of Genesis alone:

Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you; and as I gave you the green vegetables and plants, I give you everything. – Genesis 9:3 AMP

Arise, walk through the land, the length of it and the breadth of it, for I will give it to you. – Genesis 13:17 AMP

And blessed, praised, and glorified be God Most High, Who has given your foes into your hand! And [Abram] gave him a tenth of all [he had taken]. – Genesis 14:20 AMP

This last one gripped me as we see Abram freely giving to Yahweh. No, this isn’t about an offering, donation, or admonishing you to tithe, although, I pray you do so as He leads. This post is about challenging us to give as freely as Abram did.

You know I watch peoples’ actions pretty closely. For the scripture tells us we will fully know them by their fruit, not their words. What I see as I look around is a lot of folk giving Yahweh lip service. Their praising (albeit emptily). They tell Him how great, wonderful, majestic, and glorious He is, but their obedience to His commands reveal they really don’t believe He is great, majestic, wonderful, etc. Today, look over your life and find the areas that you are withholding from Him and then give Him what He wants from you.

From gracious glory to gracious glory,

Prophetess Karen M. Pina

Are you Seeking the Right Kingdom?

Karen M. Pina — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 20:00:38 +0000

But seek aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. – Matthew 6:33 AMP

Far too many have made the “things portion” of Matthew 6:33 their motivation for seeking the Kingdom. The sad part about it is they are deceived into thinking they are seeking Yahweh’s Kingdom, and truly they are not.

Here is what we are to seek:

>>>–Righteousness
>>>–Joy
>>>–Peace
>>>–The manifestation of His glory (power, character, and nature)

Then all the things that the world seeks, longs for, and lusts after will be ours, right? Wrong! This is exactly what seeking the wrong kingdom looks like. The scripture teaches we are to be in the world, but not of it (ref). So if I’m not of it, then why would I want it’s stuff?

When this verse is kept in the context of the chapter, you’ll notice themes of how to receive your reward by doing things in secret, praying and fasting in secret versus to be seen o men. The chapter paints a perfect picture of those who “play” the part of being seen correctly by men versus being concerned about Yahweh’s accurate and unflawed perspective of them.

We are taught the proper perspective towards things in this chapter. We are taught to pray for our daily bread, not to worry about needs beings met, and then He brings it home. He tells us:

But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal; For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. – Matthew 6:20-21 AMP

So, we see our concern should be on heavenly treasures, not earthy, worldly, material treasures. If you’re seeking clothing, food, and materials, you are seeking the wrong kingdom. The glorious Kingdom of Yahweh is so must vaster than this. Our concern, according to this chapter, should be on seeking Yahweh’s way of doing and being (i.e., His glory). Are you seeking the glory of a man-made kingdom or an eternal, spiritual kingdom? My prayer is that you are seeking the right Kingdom, mentee?

Genuine wisdom,

Prophetess Karen M. Pina

Brand you, brand me

Karen M. Pina — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 20:00:13 +0000

In 1997 Tom Peters, the motivational training whiz started the concept of individuals branding themselves just like organizations. Since then, it’s gone viral, so to speak, and everybody is branding themselves. It’s like if you don’t have a brand, you are nothing. Even ministry leaders have fallen prey to this man-made wisdom. Today in prayer and reading the word, I found a nugget for us to hold on to. There is a brand that Yahshua gives, and it is the mark of being persecuted for His name sake. These brand marks become the vindication and power of our apostolic authority as believers. Here’s the scriptural backing:

From now on let no person trouble me [by]making it necessary for me to vindicate my apostolic authority and the divine truth of my Gospel], for I bear on my body the [brand] marks of the Lord Jesus [the wounds, scars, and other outward evidence of persecutions--these testify to His ownership of me]! – Galatians 6:17 AMP

So the next time you or someone you know is tempted with validating yourself with a brand, look to the brand marks of the evidence of not only reining with Christ, but suffering for and with Him. Now’s that’s a glory we can all glory in privately. I never ceased to be amazed by how we want our gory to be public and how we want to shout it from the rooftops and how we want to boast in it. It doesn’t belong to us! It’s His glory that He allows us to partake in. You’ve already been branded if you accept His suffering with joy knowing that in your weakness His glory rests upon you and knowing that if you are suffering with Him, you’ll reign with Him too both now and forevermore!

With full and complete glory,

Prophetess Karen M. Pina

Are you afraid to go?

Karen M. Pina — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 20:00:12 +0000

What heavenly realm is your flesh stopping you from going into? What level of glory will your fear stop you from ascending into? You know mentee until you allow His perfect love to cast the demon of fear out of you, you’ll remain earth bound. There are some places He wants you to travel for Him. He wants to literally pick you up and translate you to Third World countries to see what He sees and then pray and obey what He says. There are some things He desires to unfold in your prayer closet, but I hear Him today telling me, “You can’t go with fear.” It will hinder us every time. Today, admit you’re afraid and them seek forgiveness and deliverance from it by praying the scriptural prayer below.

Bring us into the maturity of Your love, ABBA. Amen. – 1 John 4:18

With full and complete glory,

Prophetess Karen M. Pina

You are complete – Part V

Karen M. Pina — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:00:09 +0000

Mentee, until you master this area of making, don’t look for relationships! There are two more realizations of Yahshua that we must come into as leaders. The first is He considers family those who do the will of His father. The second is when He takes over the lives of His disciples it causes division and separation from biological family, friends, and people in general who aren’t willing to do what it takes to be a disciple. So the next time you start looking around outside of yourself to connect with some great noun (i.e., person, place, or thing) or to explore a relationship with another individual, ask yourself, “Are they doing the will of the Father? Is the will of my ABBA their priority? Are they considered a part of His royal family?” I am not saying don’t be open to meeting friends and family (i.e., spiritual family) in ministry. I’m saying they can be as polite and cordial or as rude and rejecting as they come, either way rest in the fact that you are complete with or without people. If you don’t have the relationships you desire, consider this: My All Knowing Father is protecting me from someone or something that isn’t good for me right now! I’m shouting hallelujah right about now . . . how about you?

11 For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows [present] grace and favor and [future] glory (honor, splendor, and heavenly bliss)! No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

12 O Lord of hosts, blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts in You [leaning and believing on You, committing all and confidently looking to You, and that without fear or misgiving]! – Psalm 84:11-12 AMP

1 SO BY whatever [appeal to you there is in our mutual dwelling in Christ, by whatever] strengthening and consoling and encouraging [our relationship] in Him [affords], by whatever persuasive incentive there is in love, by whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy,

2 Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention. – Philippians 2:1-2 AMP

With full and complete glory,

Prophetess Karen M. Pina

You are complete – Part IV

Karen M. Pina — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 20:00:12 +0000

Mentee, He is leading me to continuing pouring out to you and allowing Him to make you in the area of no relationships. I see so many ministers who don’t allow Him to make them in this area end up in inappropriate relationships with the people in the ministry. Because they won’t allow Him to bring them to completeness, you’ll find such pastors leaving their wife for the church secretary. The other thing you’ll spot in leadership that is unmade in this area is the pastor (or other five-fold leader) sleeping around in the church with this one and that one and with the choir members and the praise leader, etc. These unmade leaders end up confiding in people around them in ministry things. They share things they shouldn’t share and instead of assuming the role of being a vessel assigned to help, support, and train, they befriend. Have you ever seen a leader and their protégé or mentee walking around looking like besties? This is not what Yahweh intends! Even Yahshua maintained the appropriate perspective of those He loved them, and at the same time the premise of that love and their relationship hinged on Him doing the will of the Father for those He gave Him and placed in His life. Does this hold true for you?

Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you earnestly in his prayers, [pleading] that you may [as persons of ripe character and clear conviction] stand firm and mature [in spiritual growth], convinced and fully assured in everything willed by God. – Colossians 4:12 AMP

With full and complete glory,

Prophetess Karen M. Pina