I remember distinctly when I was praying and fasting for my life direction in 2017, that the LORD asked me, "What do you you want to do, Ferry?". I answered straight away that I wanted to do something great, meaningful and fulfilling. At that time, I was praying about whether to focus on my life direction to building school or church. Both are my passions, and I want to know His will for my life. And His answer for me was not whether I should build a church or school. Instead, I should build both. I need to build a church first, then the school, which is a school under the church covering.
I was quite surprised that I gave those three words very quickly. To me, there is nothing greater than making disciples; giving the gift of salvation to others is the most meaningful to me; and lastly, only when I live for Jesus I experience maximum fulfilment.
So partners, today God is asking you as well - "what do you want to do?"
In 2020, through encountering people and His Words, He led Novy and I to start this church, "Living Word Family Fellowship". Now, I am living the answer to my prayer. Through this church, I get the opportunity to do something great, meaningful and fulfilling; I am making disciples, sharing the gospel of salvation and building a church, the bride of Jesus. He died on the cross so that the church could be born; therefore, the church is always at the heart of Jesus.
Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV)
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
Partners, God is encouraging you to have a great expectation for Him. Whatever you ask or think, He's able to do it "exceedingly abundantly". And if you have a "great expectation", He will do it "exceedingly abundantly above all your great expectations". The good news is that His power to do it is already in you and working in you. Don't underestimate the greatness that He already put in you.
"A potential is what you have been born to use. It's inside of you, but often you don't realise that you have it. Because it can only come out when there is a demand. Without the demand, it will remain hidden abilities and unused capacity."
- Crossby E. Harris Jr.
You demand your potential to come out when you're having and making a great expectation intentionally. Then, the Holy Spirit will work with you to let that greatness that is already in you, your potential, to come out and shine. I started this church in 2020 because I made a great expectation in 2017 to do something great, meaningful and fulfilling for my life. I've made a demand to do something great, meaningful and fulfilling through building a church, and my potential to build a church realised itself three years later.
Philippians 2:13 (NKJV)
13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
However, it takes a lifetime to get your potential to come out fully. Hence, there is always room for growth to another level for everyone, including myself. Yes, I've started this church; however, the church also needs to grow to share the gift of salvation with more people and make more disciples. Furthermore, there are things that He would like me to do still while I'm on earth to expand my ministry, which is not yet revealed to me at the moment.
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV)
9 But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Partners, God is saying to you today, think big and have great expectations. He has already put His greatness through your potential in you. But, He needs your permission to let their potential out by making the demand - your "great expectation".
You can start making your great expectations by answering questions such as these:
What makes you sing?
What makes you cry?
What do you dream about?
Your great expectation should also match your potential in you, which is your spiritual gifts. Click below to take the assessment to find out your spiritual gift.