All I Want To Do

Since the start of my preaching ministry 27 years ago, all I ever wanted to do is my best to build the kingdom of God for His glory. I was called to preach at age 13 sitting at the table doing my ABCs and 123s when the voice of the Lord pulled on my heart to preach. I went to my pastor at the time, Pastor James H Mims, to talk to him about my calling. In his office he said something to me that I guess blew me away, he said, “I’m not surprised! I saw it long before you but you needed to know it for yourself”.

Over the years, I’ve been granted many opportunities to minister in local churches across Southern California and Texas as youth pastor, assistant pastor, musician, singer, administrator, janitor, gardener, sound technician, Christian Ed Director, or whatever I was called on to do, I did to the best of my spiritual capabilities. My inspiration in every opportunity was and is “all I ever wanted to do is build the kingdom of God in any capacity possible”.

There were and are some who took my passion for ministry the wrong way. I am self-motivated, I am very ambitious, I can be extremely stubborn when in believe in something, I can (do) get frustrated quickly with people who don’t do their best for God, I get frustrated when I don’t understand something or it’s not explained in detail, I am passionate about the Lord’s work, I don’t give up easy, I give the best I have to give, because all I want to do is build the kingdom of God for His glory.

I’ve made mistakes, some of my mistakes have cost me dearly (financially, relationally, spiritually, and emotionally). But all I ever wanted was to build the kingdom of God for His glory alone.

I’ve lost friends and been judged by those closest to me. Yet I gave my best in being a good friend and supporter. Because all I want to do is build the kingdom of God for His glory alone.

This may sound like a blog of confession and maybe to some degree it is. But more than a confession it is a written statement to express my motive for ministry work and life. Yes, I am trying to sell you on the fact that I am man of passion for God’s work, because;

“All I want to do is build the kingdom of God for His glory alone”

I think about what I would do if my season for pastoral ministry was to change to being a pew member or working alongside another pastor helping them build the kingdom of God or entering into pastoral ministry at another church. The transition would not be easy. It would not be easy because I love preaching the word of God to God’s people. I love nurturing God’s people as the under-shepherd. I love seeing lives changed to the good. I love First Goodwill Church. I do believe God has given me much to say to build His people and the church. The transition would not be easy to being a pew member or an associate but my final resolve is:

“All I want to do is build the kingdom of God for His glory alone”

As a Christian, all I want to do is glorify God in all that I say and do. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17)”.

As a Husband, all I want to do is be the best husband I can be. “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body (Ephesians 5:25-30)

As a Father, all I want to do is be there for my children in everyway. “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4)”.

As a Preacher, all I want to do is handle God’s Word without compromise. “Work hard so God can approve you. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)”.

As a Pastor, all I want to do is serve God’s people. “Care for the flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly--not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example. And when the head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor (1 Peter 5:2-4)”.

All I want to do is build the kingdom of God for His glory alone