Last year I attended a leadership conference and heard simple but profound words from a Man of God that are and can be effective in the kingdom mandate that was given to Believers. “The Man of God speaks to the Man of God to get more Men of God.” As I began to meditate on this statement, my thoughts were of Jesus as He walked through the country looking for, and calling a few good men.

            The disciples, the men that were in His inner circle, were history makers. Jesus chose these men before the foundation of the world. They were predestined and did not even know it. They broke away from the tradition of the day. Jesus chose those that He had ordained that would imitate Him. He walked in the manifestation of His teaching.

            As Jesus walked the countryside, strategically placed and in position, were the first to be called, the four fishermen. (Matthew 4:18-22). Standing near the water, they were used to going into the deep to catch fish, but there was something greater for their nets. “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:20). The minute Jesus spoke the words, “Follow me” the spiritual commission was activated. Reading the passage you will notice how quickly they left everything behind indicating their submission to the call. Please note that He did not call the tax collector first. 

            These same seasoned fishermen who were called from a life of being on the water now having to work on the land for the greatest catch in the form of a man. Have you ever wondered why Jesus picked those first whose area of expertise was in the water? Peter walked on the water after he saw Jesus walking, a notable manifestation of the supernatural. He walked on the land with Jesus experiencing the supernatural before he imitated Jesus and walked on the very element of nature that he used to work in.

            The gospels give an account of a great catch in Luke, Chapter 5 that broke the nets. It was so much that they had to call for help. When Jesus told them to “launch out into the deep and let down their nets,”Peter’s answer was “Nevertheless at thy word.” I wonder if this response was because he already experienced the supernatural of walking on the water at the spoken word of Jesus.

            Jesus was on a preaching and teaching tour throughout the land while the disciples experienced the power through the manifestation of signs, wonders, and miracles. As He walked, He called others. Jesus saw Matthew, the tax collector and said, “Follow Me,” the commission. In John 1:45-49, Phillip found Nathanael and told him about Jesus. Nathanael had his doubts, but the words that Phillip spoke compelled to go and see anyway. Jesus already knew who Nathanael was and what was within him. Jesus also knew that Judas was going to betray Him, and He chose him anyway. (John 6:70).

            The twelve disciples were prepared to carry the work of Jesus to the world. He gave them “power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” (Luke 9:1-2). These were not the only ones to receive the commission. When Jesus spoke about eating His flesh and drinking His blood in John 6:53-68, the words were hard enough that many other disciples were offended and turned back from their walk with him. Only those who had the revelation understood His words were the words of eternal life. Those that remained were filled with faith and power to complete the mandate that had been placed on their lives.
            A quick note for leadership who has members going and coming in the revolving door, discern the pillars from the bricks. Jesus chose pillars to launch THE knowledge of God and THE move of God that we are still in today. Pillars are chief firm supporters for a superstructure. They not only provide support, but strength. Bricks crack and crumble under pressure from blows and can be moved. Depending upon the placement, moving some bricks will not cause a collapse. On the other hand, moving a pillar leaves an opening in the foundation.

            The seventy in Luke, Chapter 10, went out two by two into the cities laboring for the harvest. They returned with the joy of success astonished and marveled at the power of God operating through them. Street soldiers on a ground attack transforming a city. They did not need a pulpit and four walls. In fact the church and the pulpit of that day were on the street. This is a new, but old strategy in this war against the enemy. It is new to some because they missed basic training where it is on the ground, man to man.

            Agents of change will plant the seed of the word. The water will come along through the voice of another. Agents of change do not need fame or fortune. They thrive off of the compelling love of God within for His people. Agents of change do not need theme music while they are speaking the truth of the Word of God. Silently they move through the jungle of the city making an impact reaching the overlooked and misunderstood.

            A couple of years ago, I had an encounter that will forever be with me. As I was traveling to Charleston on Hwy 17, I saw a man walking carrying the cross on his shoulder. The site of this overwhelmed me as I felt the anointing go through me. I immediately thought of two different men that I had seen on Christian television, which traveled nationally and internationally who were compelled to do the same. One of them had been walking all over the world for over forty years. What awesome commissions to submission of an extraordinary call that would leave an imprint in the hearts many! Are you available?