Rearming The Saints
A few weeks ago, I had a dream. In the dream, people received a six-digit numerical code. The code specified what type of body parts a person would receive while they were being assembled. The codes that had been assigned to some people were incorrect. I was involved in the assembly process. The people I worked on had received the wrong code and as a result, the wrong type of arms. Based on what I knew about their calling, gifting, and the types of arms available, I was given the task of rearming them.
The dream seems to be referring to my calling as one of “arming” the body of Christ. When I think of “arms” I often think of weapons, equipping, and training. The usual context of that language is in equipping the body of Christ for ministry. (See Eph. 4:11-12) In the dream, there was a problem. The code had six digits, which probably represents a number given by man. People had been assigned the wrong codes and as a result, received the wrong arms. I would interpret this as an error on the part of leaders in misidentifying their calling of the people they lead. My job was to remove the arms they had been given and rearm them with the ones they needed.
The dream is a revelation about correcting others—specifically in the area of ministry. This is a strange subject for me, since I gave up on correcting others years ago. While I enjoy teaching those who are willing to learn, I don’t enjoy correcting people. But this dream seems to be a call to make corrections in others. And I don’t think it’s just for me. I believe this is a word for others who are similarly called to train and equip the saints.
I’m not certain how leaders have misidentified the calling of believers, but I have a hunch. It’s common for us to want others to walk in the same type of calling that we do. What father doesn’t want his son to take up the family business?
The value we place on something is personal, yet we tend to project our values onto others. Pastors desire to train and equip more pastors. The same is true for evangelists and prophets. I suspect that herein lies the problem.
I once knew a man who pastored a small church. In talking with others who knew him, it became obvious that he was called as an evangelist and apostle, but he wasn’t walking out that calling. He was miserable in the role of pastor. He got excited and energized every time he traveled outside the US and operated as an evangelist, yet he never fully embraced that calling and instead, accepted the pastoral role he’d been given.
This man’s ministry is an example of how we tend to fall into the habit of operating in things we’re not called to. There are many reasons why we do it—mostly out of convenience or following the traditions of men. The solution proposed in the dream was to re-arm people based on what was known about their true calling, their true gifting, and what arms were available to them.
It’s been my experience that before we can effectively correct others, we must have a relationship of mutual trust and respect. Yes, we can speak correction to anyone we want, and many of us do, but correction from strangers is almost never heeded. That type of correction bears no fruit and often creates bitterness, mistrust, and resentment. A relationship of mutual trust and respect allows us to speak words of correction in a way that they can be received. And it’s only when correction is received that it bears fruit.
The calling and gifting of others are matters that require God’s counsel. Once trust has been established, we can ask God what areas of ministry a person is called to and what type of gifts they have that will help them operate in their calling. Arming them for their calling is a matter of understanding how the weapons of warfare function and how they aid us in operating in our calling.
If a friend is called as a prophet, we would do well to encourage them to spend time developing the ability to see visions, receive words of knowledge and words of wisdom, since prophets are people of revelation. These weapons (arms) help them walk out their calling. If they are called as an evangelist, we might help them receive training in healing and miracles, since healing and evangelism make a powerful combination.
Leaders who are able to correctly discern the gifting, calling, and weaponry of others and who can successfully correct them are an invaluable resource to the body of Christ.
A timely and relevant word. There’s not a single one of us who wants to waste their life doing things they aren’t called to do, much less things that don’t empassion us. I pray that I can be teachable enough to take correction if (or when) I’m traveling down the wrong path. I also pray that I would have the compassion and wisdom to to the same for those I’m in relationship with.
Mr. Dave, I can relate to this article. I was given a dream about young children and finding their “True Colors” (as in the old Cindy Lauper song). I took it to mean discovering their gifts and callings.
The desire is in our hearts, but the “arms” carry out the service. There is a disconnect there it seems. Sometimes we know what is inside but have no mentor or a fear of walking out that calling. I think most of the time our callings are beyond our “reach” (arms again), in human terms – just as Moses did not feel up to the task God had given him. We may feel unworthy of the task because of lack of confidence.I suspect this is exactly why God has placed that calling in us – so we have to rely on Him instead of human confidence and experience.
He once said to me ” You won’t know how to do a thing until the end of it” when I was afraid to do something one time that I believed He had asked me to do. I didn’t want to fail Him. The failure would have been in the not doing it, not the outcome.
Bless you, Mr. Dave
Your subject matter is what I deal with all the time. I am called to be an Apostle, Seer Prophet, and Teacher of Revelation Knowledge. Every Church I try to attend, I am rejected by the Leadership. I am called to deal with Local Church Foundation, Five-Fold Discipleship, and Body of Christ growth. I am a servant with no desire to rule it over anyone — but that seems to be what they are afraid I will do. I am a Veteran of the Vietnam war. I was an infantry ground combat medic. I’ve been rejected most of my life because I stand for the Truth of the Word, which is Jesus.
FORDMACK
If you are called to be an apostle you don’t have to call yourself a Seer Prophet, and a Teacher. The whole five-fold is your experience. I think that you would do well to have that spirit of rejection dealt with. I have met five apostles in the flesh and none of them introduced themselves as an apostle. Apostles should be known “through the spirit” and though the fruit. Scripture says a man gift will make a way for him.
I hope you can realise that I only bothered to type this as I care
Really appreciate this dream, glad you shared it & your interpretation.
I think as you’ve said, relationship is important most times in correction, however there is also often a ‘grace’ supplied outside of such relationships at times too for the purpose of equipping.
The more mature, tho, are likely to be the ones willing to hear from someone outside of a relationship.
Also, relationship can be misused, as we know, and needs to be respectful mutually, for it to usually be acceptable.
However, in either situation, it’s important to know that while initially people may react negatively or seem to, many people go away and truly consider what has been spoken to them for two reasons. Truth has a ring that’s hard to ignore, & the Holy Spirit goes with them and works.
So even if the messenger or message isn’t first well received, it may still find good ground & be fruitful- tho the speaker/messenger may not be privy to it.
There are so many scriptures that speak about correction for the good of the one & body, and so many seem to only want to work with the ones who are asking.
Sometimes a correcting word is critical for the health of not just a person but an entire group being influenced. There was a time I said nothing just prayed-but because of the role/influence this person had, and what was influencing the person, many many many people were hurt etc etc. I dearly regretted not speaking the correction I knew was needed bc I was just beginning to walk in my own call. But the fallout was not worth my holding back. Eventually things came about but I realized later, too late, how much could have been saved and different had I had the confidence to speak, and take the heat that may or may not have come from speaking it.
Totally agree the code 6 digits -man’s.
I think it’s long evident, especially in particular denominations, that the majority of ‘equippers’ got stuffed into a pastoral mould or evangelist mould- they were the only acceptable placements or ones believed in at the time. It’s no wonder some ‘left ministry’ due to trying to make themselves function in a poor fit.
Great word, thanks again for sharing it.
Oh, thank God! For those of us who grew up in the institutional box the message was: If you truly love the Lord and want to follow him with your whole heart you must go into church, parachurch, or missions work and preferably become ordained. That is full-time Christianity. Everybody else is, although necessary, at best a part-time Christian and less spiritual. The highest spiritual rankings for women in my culture were reserved for pastors’ wives or missionaries. (A female missionary was allowed to preach and teach as long as it wasn’t from behind a North American pulpit. But she was allowed to “share” there. A married female missionary was expected to send her children to boarding school and work full-time in the field.) As with your friend many of mine, with unused talents and gifts, ended up as a “pastor” – a role which often was interpreted as an orator/administrator/and baptism, marriage and funeral director (aka the office of Hatch, Match and Dispatch).
Somehow we bought the idea (sometimes called Pietism -although that is not entirely accurate) that there is a dividing line between spiritual and secular activities. The closer to dedicated church work the better. Washing a sick neighbour’s floor for the purpose of converting them? Good. Washing your own floor because it is dirty? Meh. Washing the church sanctuary floor? Holy!
I agree with LifeTree. The six digit code also speaks to me of a man-made unspoken understanding of how the system works and how people are categorized. Intern to youth pastor to worship pastor to assistant pastor to associate pastor to lead pastor. This is the direction men with a heart for God are directed to take. (My pastor’s career-planning advice was to go to Bible School and find me a preacher husband. Seriously.)
I wonder if many frustrated, depressed pastors and missionaries with student loan debt from seminary need to be re-armed and re-directed without a sense of failure. I know we are told to give double honour to those in leadership. One pastor told me, “I believe in the priesthood of all believers, but not in the leadership of all believers.” Fair enough. But is there a way to honour those in leadership without dishonouring those who are not? Can someone be an ordained plumber? Is there a prayer-filled installation ceremony for a CEO with an apostle calling to lead a corporation? Is not the work of a fine chemistry teacher with a mercy gift as “full-time” as a missions board chairman? Is an artist with a body of work not a worship leader?
I love this dream, PM.
Chris Jesus really loves your heart
It doesn’t get any more amazing than that.
what an awesome dream! i literally felt something being shaken when i read it…hmmmm…wonder (will pray) what that’s about, but obviously your words are one of awakening and shaking the inward parts of us (me).
it’s nice to hear you’re being called to many new things…seems to me, God surely knows He can trust you with His heart and has given you more “talents” because you’ve done well with the ones you already have!
you’re a good example to many of us…thank you for always sharing His heart and yours as well…
I believe we are all called with more then one purpose. Gifts. Another words. I have a desire to evangelize and for healing . I do this as much as I am sent out . It’s possible to touch others profoundly by our love that’s not of this world. I’ve had people talk to me wanting to know how I have what they want . It’s seeing with your heart and spirit as you see others hungry for truth , joy ,more fullness of His Spirit. I see so many that are hungry for more of God . Not knowing it isn’t as hard as some pastors make them think it is. Trust the Lord with all your heart mind and soul and lean not on your own understanding. Others help us grow . Like a tennis player gets better when playing a more experienced player. It rubs off and is transferable. Thanks for the article . It’s was excellent . Praying Medic.
Wow, I think this one touched a bunch of us. As I was reading, it was like your words were a portal and I was walking in the spirit realm. (btw, I ran into you last night and said, “Hey, you’re supposed to be on vacation!” which doesn’t seem very meaningful – lol!)
As I continued reading, I clearly saw a part of “my calling” labeled, “Explorer” like Magellen – lol. I go out to find the bogs that pull everyone down. Then I get the keys and disburse them.
Certainly doesn’t fit the traditional christian path. No wonder Father kept side-tracking me every time I entered Bible School with my sights on getting ordained.
Thanks, PM 😀