Effort has three components to it, energy, words, and deeds. Let's take a look at each one of these components.

We will first look at energy. We don't have unlimited energy. We may be still standing and looking like we are being productive; but, our best production may be all used up; God wants our best. He isn't going to like being put on the back burner.

It is during those times when we are all charged up, fresh, clear thinking, and ready to go that God wants us. We may be at the right place, at the right time, talking to the right person, saying the right things, and still not have the strength to give them our best efforts.

The human body often controls the quality of our thinking and communicative skills. We have to listen to God and let Him guide us in the directions of our day. Pouring everything we have into one thing and leaving the rest of our day exhausted, isn't what God usually wants.

Another issue is our ability to respond to the peace of God. Worry, fear, frustrations, anger, and excitement can deplete our energy supply. Our emotions have to be placed under God's control. Getting ourselves all worked up over something isn't the same as the Spirit's anointing.

God has plans for all of our relationships. The big issue is knowing what God wants said as we talk to those around us. As we read the Gospels, we can see Jesus saying all the right things to those who were around Him. There are a lot of issues that can keep us from saying and doing what God wants presented.

• Social pressure against Christianity.


• Fear of not saying or doing the right things.


• Not wanting to be considered weird.


• Not being properly trained.


• Not being able to hear what God is saying.


• Feeling like we know what to say or do when we don't.


• Experiencing resistance and letting it stop us before God is through moving through us.


• Experiencing resistance from one person or group and letting them keep us from going ahead and ministering to the receptive person or group.

Letting God take over our relationships means letting Him take over our deeds and conversations.

Words are some of the most important aspects of our relationships. But, living the life in front of people is vital. If our life doesn't measure up to our words, then we come off as hypocrites. However, none of us are going to be able to live a perfect life. As a matter of fact, that is a part of our gospel message.

Christianity isn't a life for angels; it is a life for human beings. God didn't ask the angels to present the gospel message; He commissioned us humans to do it. Why? Because we are more qualified to understand what other humans are going through. We all struggle; we all hurt in basically the same areas. God wants to use those who can feel that struggle and pain in others. People needed love and care and Jesus gave it to them. That is what He wants us to express when we minister to them.

When we have our mind made up as to what we should say or do to people, is the moment we can't hear what God wants presented. It feels better to us to have something prepared to say. As we watch Jesus work with people we can see that He seldom said or did the same thing.

Each person has a need that is special to them. We have to be willing to let them tell us what they need. Seldom did Jesus assume what their need was; He was always asking people questions. As the person was talking, He would identify what they wanted. Then He would listen to the Father to get the message the Father wanted them to have. Here is a great example of this.

Mark 10:46-51 (NIV) Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and His disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. "What do you want Me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."

What else would a blind man want? Jesus didn't assume; He asked questions. People are open to having certain needs met; they aren't open to others. Once God meets their needs in one area of their life, it helps other doors to be opened.

When we let God open our eyes to the person's various needs, we will know which questions to ask them. As they let us help them with those needs, they become receptive to more of what God has to offer. Once we get to the place where we can hear God telling us who to talk to, we can then find out from that person where they are open to God's help. From there we can respond to the ministry of Christ for them by receiving His power, wisdom, and information. This makes us ready to start carrying out Ministerial Spiritual Warfare by using the full armor of God.