Do We Run After "BIG NAMES" and Avoid the "NO NAMES"?

Now let me say this, this is not a blog to trample on the feet of men and women I admire. NO this is to ask you a few questions.

A friend of mine had a conference a few years ago and we were talking about how slow her registration had been. Even her friends who said they would register to support and live in the same city had not done so. When she asked why, One response was: "Well I just found out "Big Name" Preacher is doing something that same weekend so I am going to that instead. I'm praying for your event though. Girl, I know God is going to do a great thing at your event." WOW for real, that is like a slap in the face. Lord, help your people today!

It is my belief that she meant every word. But let's look at what this message is really saying. First, we as Christians have become just as star-studded as the world. We hear Prophet, Evangelist, Bishop, Apostle or Pastor "big name" is going to be somewhere and we will almost sell our children into slavery to get there. While our Pastor, at the church we attend, can't get us to come to a prayer meeting. We will hop from state to state or city to city to see "Big Name" singer but our church musical struggles to have 100 people in attendance. Now I am not saying this because I have not done it myself, but that will not stop me from speaking the truth and shaming the Devil. I will repent along with you.

Second, her statement shows that she does not uphold her word. She gave her word she would support and then she chose not to keep her word in spite of circumstances. My Bible tells me that all liars will have their part in the lake of fire. (Rev 21:8). Harsh, maybe but it's the truth. If we give our word that we are going to do something we should keep that word. If we look at how God views His own Word, that would give us an understanding on how we should handle our words. The Bible says: 

I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. (Psalms 138:2)

It seems to me that we need to watch what we say and only say what we truly mean. Now I am not saying a person can't change their mind, however, it struck me that this dear Sister was not going to tell her "friend" that she was not going to come to her event. If she had not called her she would have been expecting her to show up. I mean after all she had said she would. Things do come up and plans must change, but call up the person you told you would do something and let them know. Treat them the way you want to be treated. 

I know the hard work behind setting up a conference and trying to follow God's direction for the conference and then you have to worry if anyone will come to hear the word of the Lord...Now it's a shame that many times the life-changing word that I have received did not come from the "Big Name" preacher,  I ran to see, but the "No Name" preacher in the little church on the left-hand side of the street in the neighborhood no one wants to witness in. Not always but it is the case many times. I have been in a service where a "big name" was scheduled but for some reason they did not preach or was delayed at the airport, etc... and the replacement preacher, if you will, preached a Rhema word for me that changed my situation. On the other hand, I have listened to a "BIG name" preacher and shouted but left in the same bondage I had come in. The reverse is also true. But let me make my point, please!

Which makes me think, are we putting too much in a name?

Lastly, If God has called someone to preach His word and he esteems His word according to Psalms 138:2 as He does...Why would we think that the Word that comes from the "No name" preacher is any less than the Word that comes from the "big name" preacher. Let me ask you something...When was the last time you heard a sermon that you can still talk about today. Not who preached the Word but what the Word actually was. I have heard many sermons from "BIG name" preachers and to save my life I can remember one point. Then there are some that I can remember and probably even re-preach if I had to. I kid you not, I have more sermons that I remember from Bishop Rufus K. Turner, (My Bishop). I know someone might be saying WHO, but that's my point, He has spoken into my life more and I remember more of what he said than I can remember from Prophetess Bynum, Paula White, Bishop Jakes, Pastor Jamal Bryant or Joyce Meyers, just to name a few. These are anointed men and women of God, however, they are messengers just like I am a messenger of the Gospel.

Let me say this again, this is not to make you stop going to hear "BIG Name" preachers, but it is to bring your attention your motives. Remember, this friend said, "Girl, I know God is going to do a great thing at your event." My thought is this, what if the deliverance you need is at the small "no name" conference, but you are at the "big name" conference with others who are just as star-studded as you are. The Spirit moves and stirs you but doesn't change you... However, the other conference, the Spirit of the Lord is there changing lives, breaking bondage and putting the Devil on the run... there is power and manifestation, not emotional feel good stuff. Now this can happen at any conference (the emotional feel good stuff, that is) but I think we need to check our motives. 

It might be that God wants us to go to the "BIG NAME" conference but did you even inquire of the Lord. I think when God has anointed a person to plan a conference and they are being led to have certain speakers, it because God has something special He wants to do in that assembly of folks... We must be mindful where the Lord wants us to go and what He's trying to do in our lives.

Go where the Lord leads you but do not forsake the "no name" conference because you are thinking "who is that? I have never heard of him/her" or "who else is going to be there?" Remember God can use anyone or anything to bless you. He is the one who knows what you need. Inquire of Him and if He tells you to go... GO... whether "BIG NAME" or "NO NAME!" You may just receive the Word you are looking for because you were obedient.

Now as I close, let me say this too. We preachers whether BIG NAME or NO NAME need to stop prostituting the Word of the Lord. Going to the highest paying church and putting on a show. If you have a Word to deliver, deliver the Word and let God deal with the other. I am one who believes that a preacher SHOULD be paid for bringing a life-changing Word. Especially those in full-time ministry, however, stop this madness of I can't preach for less than $$$$.$$ (Fill in the blank) amount of dollars. 

The Gospel was given freely to you so freely give and let God touch the hearts and minds of the people. I know many churches will not pay or pay very little but the word says my God shall supply all your needs according to HIS riches not the saints. Churches need to pay or allow you to take up a love offering but stop demanding credit card numbers, large deposits and large sums of money for something that came to you freely. Now this is not to say that you can't have a set amount...but remember this is the Gospel and not some cheap speech! Okay, I have said it all.

BTW - for those who are wondering, yes I am in full-time ministry and yes I have a suggested honorarium that I charge to preach, however, I also listen for the voice of the Lord and will make the adjustments he tells me to make. No, I don't consider myself a "BIG name" preacher but I do know if I show up to preach, there is a Life-changing, bondage breaking, set the Devil on the run - WORD from the Lord for the house.

You are Bound No More. 

Pastor Linda Hillman 

(c) 2015 LAH Ministries International 

Booklindahillman@gmail.com 

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In The Meantime

Update for Turning your Purpose Into Purpose Cruise Retreat

You still have time to join us. Register today to start your payment plan. You can use Registration Code: LHILLMAN

Meet The Session Speaker of Turning Your Past Into Purpose Retreat Cruise 2016: Evangelist Robin 'Favor' Mason

Robin Mason is a gifted teacher, workshop and seminar leader , evangelist and powerful prayer leader. Robin is a mother of 5 children and is the wife to Elder Gerald Mason.

Robin has a passion and heart for GOD and His Will........she has zeal to see "Thy Kingdom come on Earth as it is in Heaven" her zeal for GOD and HIS WILL birthed Tap Into Favor INC. an organization that is geared towards going beyond the Veil and Tapping Into the Heart of GOD through prayer and the renewing of the mind.

Tap Into Favor is a non-profit organization that supports broken women through counseling, workshops and modification principles.Robin currently holds a Masters in Marriage and Family (MFT) counseling and has a behavioral health business. Her goal is to establish counseling services for the low-income and to the uninsured. Robin's heart's desire is to help women, men and families come out of the ordinary to extraordinary by Tapping Into the Favor of GOD, using Godly principles to heal the heart and soul of man!

Meet The Session Speaker of Turning Your Past Into Purpose Retreat Cruise 2016: Evangelist Kelsi Marie Arceneaux

She can be described as a unique individual whose primary focus and goal in life is to be a vessel, set aside for the Master’s use. One aspect of her personality that has kept her rooted and very close to ministry is her “all or nothing” perspective of commitment. She commits to something with everything she has to offer or she does not commit at all.

It was during Kelsi’s college years that she began to contemplate her “life plan” and consider what things she would spend her time, energy, talents and gifts trying to cultivate. She realized that the thought of the career path she had chosen, caused her to feel a great sense of hopelessness. Kelsi became overwhelmed with the thought and feeling that something was missing and knew there had to be something more defining, fulfilling and reflective of a deeper thirst that she was created to do. She began to pray for guidance and soon realized that within her was a yearning and burning for ministry.

Currently, Kelsi’s ministry consists of preaching and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, radio broadcasting, blogging and the recent publishing of her first book, “Clarity Is Divine”.

Kelsi’s mantra is: “If God can take empty space and form a world-if He can create man from the dust, then surely He can do something with me, a vessel yielded and broken, whose only confidence is that God is All that His word says He is, will do all that He says He will do and knew ME before the foundation of the world!!!! Glory Be to GOD”  

Meet The Keynote Speakers of Turning Your Past Into Purpose Retreat Cruise 2016: Prophetess Kelly Crews

Prophetess Kelly Crews is the CEO and founder of Kelly Crews Ministries (KCM). The vision and passion of this ministry is to proclaim the saving, healing and delivering power of Jesus Christ worldwide. KCM empowers people globally to walk fully and freely in God’s purpose for their lives. God has truly anointed and appointed Prophetess Crews to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ with grace and love, dividing asunder the spirits of mediocrity and complacency in order for people to experience the extraordinary manifestation of God’s glory. She truly walks in an Isaiah 61 anointing, “to bind up the broken-hearted and set the captives free.”

  

Kelly Crews Ministries was birthed in 2003. She knew she was given a great mandate to boldly speak the Word of the Lord and it could not be ignored. Kelly has had to overcome devastating adversity in her life from the time she was a child, but never let the challenges obstruct God’s calling. Through this ministry, God allows her to travel all over the world preaching, teaching, singing and prophesying the Word of the Lord. Prophetess Kelly has authored and published four books, You’re Priceless, I Thought He Really Liked/Loved Me! What Happened?, The Designer’s Original” Foreword by Dr. Jamal H. Bryant and her latest release, Maximize Your Life. Some words to describe the ministry of Prophetess Kelly would be impacting, dynamic, radical, life-transforming, challenging, power-packed, revelatory, relational and real. God uses her voice as an instrument to shift atmospheres and bring change to people, houses and regions.

She has served in leadership for many years in the Cleveland and Akron, Ohio area. Prophetess Kelly says that she has taken all the limits off of God. As she is continually giving God glory, the sentiments of her heart are simply this: “Lord, please don’t ever take your Spirit from me, for I am nothing without you. She has committed her life to glorifying God by going wherever she goes. Accordingly, her personal life and ministry truly exemplifies the saying, “Lord, I’m available to you!” She is the proud mother of two beautiful children, Jordan and Makayla, who are her pride and joy.

Meet The Host of Turning Your Past Into Purpose Retreat Cruise 2016: Pastor Linda Hillman

Linda A. Hillman is a faithful servant of the LORD.  Her credentials reads like a Who’s Who in the Bible—she’s been through the school of very hard knocks and has survived and thrived because of her trust in the LORD and her saturation and application of His Word.  Adversity has to take a back seat to Linda because, in her own words, “God can and will do, I am a living witness.”

As a ministry leader, Ms. Hillman’s resume includes but is not all inclusive:

*Founder and President of W.H.O.L.E. Ministries

*Founder and President of Living Above Hurt Ministries

*CEO/Master Coach of Destined 2 B U Empowerment Group

*Currently an Elder and Single Adult Pastor on the Pastoral Staff of Victory in Praise Church, located in Stockton, CA

*Hosts a weekly small group in her home

*Has implemented cell groups in different ministries

*Has worked in home mission churches for 5 years

Three other areas that make up her ministry niches are Evangelism, Christian Education and Music.  Her work as an evangelist is a tribute to her determination to serve God’s children.  She sings and preaches wherever the LORD sends her—she’s even travelled Europe, helping to save the lost and lift up the saved.  As an educator, under the direction of Bishop Rufus K. Turner, Ms. Hillman assists in the development of VIP Bible Institute.  But it’s her music that has brought her to the attention of Christian music lovers with her appearance in the McDonald GospelFest two years in a row. 

As in her favorite worship song, Welcome into This Place, Linda welcomes the call God has placed on her life to minister to His hurting people.  God has trusted Linda to establish His work in the world and she continues to “study and show herself approved” by pursuing a Master of Divinity in Theology.  Linda Hillman is certainly an exemplary example of loving, dedicated servanthood…and the world is a much better place because of the Spirit of God in her.

A Tribute to Dr. Myles Munroe

Dr Myles Munroe was a man that I admired and desired to meet one day. Gone to soon is what I can say about him. Not only did he change how I viewed purpose and prayer. He helped me to define how prayer would play out in my ministry and life.

“People generally fall into one of three groups: the few who make things happen, the many who watch things happen, and the overwhelming majority who have no notion of what happens. Every person is either a creator of fact or a creature of circumstance. He either puts color into his environment, or, like a chameleon, takes color from his environment.” ― Myles Munroe, Understanding Your Potential

“When purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable” ― Myles Munroe, Understanding the Purpose and Power of Woman

“You must decide if you are going to rob the world or bless it with the rich, valuable, potent, untapped resources locked away within you.” ― Myles Munroe, Understanding Your Potential 

These are just a few of his quotes that spoke to me and helped me to want to be a better woman, minister and overall person. there are not many times that we can be touched emotionally, spiritually and intellectually by someone we have never met but when it occurs, it is something special. Dr. Munroe did many things intentionally, one of which was to build up the people of god and make leaders become more accountable for our actions and lives.

I want to say he challenged us all to be more like Christ and to under the unity of the Body. He was an unselfish leader that taught the masses to be cherish the gift on the inside of them but to understand the bigger picture and share their gifts with the world as it pertained to their purpose.

I pray that in the time that I have had to gleam from this man of God through his sermons, teachings, books and articles of interviews that I will be able to pass on to the next generation a legacy as rich as the one he passed on to me.

I'll see you on the other side Dr. Munroe! We will meet in Heaven and I will tell you how your life inspired my own! RIP til we meet.

Update In Dates of Turning Your Past Into Purpose Women's Retreat Cruise 2016

NEW DATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

February 20, 2016 - February 25, 2016

Due to an unforeseen circumstance with Carnival, they asked us if we would be willing to move our cruise date back to February 20 - 25, 2016. We graciously agreed as we know God is going to move on this cruise like never before and we are going ahead with His plan. Mark your calendars with the new dates. The itinerary remains exactly the same. We look forward to seeing you there.

No More Gossip! That Includes Me Too!

Too often what’s going on in the lives of others is more interesting to us than what’s going on in our own. It’s like driving by a car wreck; you know the point where you slow down, not necessarily for safety, but slow enough to see the wreck? Am I the only one who does that? Unfortunately, not only do we pay too much attention to the wrong things in others, we tend to talk about them as well.

The truth is, the words we use and spread have power. We can tear people down just as quick, if not quicker, than we can build them up. James 3:9 warns about gossip saying, “Ironically this same tongue can be both an instrument of blessing to our Lord and Father and a weapon that hurls curses upon others who are created in God’s own image.”

Have you not seen a preacher preach Heaven down and then turn around in a few hours and during "Fellowship" say mean things and talk about another preacher. This should not be so. Many use Prayer as a way to gossip too. They talk about situations of others under the banner of prayer but when it is all said and done more talking about others was done than prayer for the situations. then we wonder why so much trouble has found it's way into our own lives. 

How do we abandon gossip? Paul, in Ephesians 4:29 tells us, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (NIV) When we do this, the quality of our relationships and the joy we experience in life will certainly increase.

Prayer:

Our Father, let our words be positive and encouraging. Give us confidence in You so that we do not feel the need to put others down. May we understand that we can use our words to serve others and build them up that can have an eternal impact on their lives. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

You are Bound No More.