Isaiah 1:19-20 KJV — “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: [20] but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.“
One of the worst mistakes I believe I have made in life and in ministry is to wait too long on unwilling people. The work of ministry is easier when you minister to willing people. If people want to eat the good of the land, they must be first be willing and obedient. No rebellious generation of men ever eat the good of the land.
One thing, I will tell any young minister today and any day is to learn to minister to willing people. You can’t force a miracle, even Jesus could work miracles only in places where people believed. Don’t stay in a place you are not honoured. Dishonour and familiarity will kill your ministry.
Mark 6:1-6 KJV — And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. [2] And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? [3] Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. [4] But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. [5] And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. [6] And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
In fact, if a city is not receptive to your gospel, the Lord advices that you move out. It’s called wisdom not failure. You must learn to minister in places where the harvest is ripe. Let us operate with wisdom rather than power. This is the season to abound in the work of the Lord.
Luke 10:8-12 KJV — And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: [9] and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. [10] But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, [11] Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. [12] But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
From today, intensionally minister to people who honour you and are willing. Don’t wait on people who are unwilling; they will kill your ministry.
Stay blessed!