In Articles, Devotional, Teachings

I am sitting in my hotel room now in downtown Vienna, Austria.  It is dark and cold here and the snow is coming down outside.  It has been a very long day of travel (my flights were delayed three times), but I thought I would take a moment to write the 5th and final part of this series on discovering the will of God for your life.

I hope that this series has been helpful to you and while I have so many more thoughts on this subject, I want to conclude by encouraging you to begin to answer the call of God on your life today.  Begin to take that first step.

You can study music theory your entire life, but you will never learn the play the piano until you sit down and start doing it.  It will be difficult at first.  Your fingers wont know what to do.  You will feel frustrated and even discouraged at times.  Sometimes you will feel uncoordinated; like you have all thumbs.  Sometimes you will feel like a failure.  And it is the fear of these feelings that keeps most people from following God’s call.

I cant say that everything I have done in ministry has been wonderfully successful.  In fact, I could point to many initiatives that turned out to be dismal failures.  But even in the negative experiences, I learned valuable lessons that I draw from today.  Thomas Edison spent years and thousands of failed attempts to invent the lightbulb.  He said, “If I find 10,000 ways something won’t work, I haven’t failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward”.  He refused to fear failure.

In Matthew 25 we read the story of a master who distributes money to his servants before leaving on a long journey.  To one servant he gives five talents, to one two talents and to the last servant one talent.  I’m sure you know the story; the first servant invests his five talents and soon has ten.  The second servant invests the two talents and soon has four.  But the third servant hides his talent in the ground.  What is fascinating is the explanation that this unprofitable servant gives to his master upon his return.  He says, “I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth” (Mat 25:25).

He buried his talent because of FEAR!

What was he afraid of?  Fear of failure?  Fear of being mocked?  Fear of hard work?  I’m not sure.  One thing is clear; whatever he feared, he feared it more than he feared his master.

When God created Adam, He created him “from the dust of the earth”.  We are vessels of earth.  And it is in this “earth” that so many bury their talents…because of fear.

The cemetery is one of the most tragic places in town.  Not because of the people buried there; but because of what is buried in the people that are buried there; books and songs that were never written, sermons that were never preached, forgiveness that was never granted, inventions that were never developed, so much potential that was never realized.  So much has been buried and lost for all time because someone was afraid of criticism, rejection, financial difficulty or physical danger.

My friends one day we are all going to stand before the master and give an account of what he has entrusted to us.  Oh that we would fear that day above all and be willing to risk everything so that when it comes, we would not be ashamed.

What if that servant had invested his one talent and then the stock market crashed and he had lost it all?  I think the master would have had much more patience with him.  At least he would have done something.  You’ll always loose 100% of the battles you never fight.  Today there are so many people sitting around doing nothing because they are not exactly sure what to do.  My friend…what are you afraid of?  What do you have to loose?  Doing nothing is even worse then failure.

Here’s a recap of the previous points

  1. Use what you are good at and what you enjoy for the glory of God
  2. Serve someone else’s vision
  3. Do what you can do and use what’s in your hand
  4. Stop procrastinating
  5. Don’t bow to your fears
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Showing 24 comments
  • lea
    Reply

    This was so helpful GOD bless you man of GOD ,,THIS teaching was so powerful ,,thas exactly what I needed…

  • Komal Erick
    Reply

    God bless

  • Komal Erick
    Reply

    very very bless full

  • Komal Erick
    Reply

    very very bless full person

  • Mark Hamlet
    Reply

    Daniel thank you so much, the Lord has used you mightily to answer all the answers of my heart. Praying not only to start and never stop.. Well only when I go home to be with our Lord.
    But with his strength and courage to do his will.

    God bless

    Mark

  • Kartenlegen per Email
    Reply

    Thanks for the inspiration, your blog looks excellent! I have been having trouble getting motivated working on mine but this definitely pumped me up!

  • Pastor Ravi Daniel
    Reply

    ” Freely you have received, freely give ” (Matthew 10:8)
    “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
    ( Jeremiah 3:15 KJV)

    Dear brother in Christ God bless you ,
    Me Ravi Daniel From Faisalabad Pakistan .
    Dear we have a big team who working for the way of “Jesus Christ ” and dear we also Invite to you and your team to come in Pakistan and we work in Pakistan together .Our people wait you dear we hope you understand our team feelings and our people feelings.
    Thanks
    God bless you
    Pastor Ravi Daniel from Faisalabad Pakistan.
    Waiting your Response

    And we all hope this year and my “Jesus” change your mind and move your heart in the side of Pakistan .And dear we hope this year you come in Pakistan and we Prayer together in Pakistan.And reached many unreached areas of Christ with Jesus Message.
    Thanks
    and you know
    “Every thing is Possible in the name of Jesus”
    and dear “Jesus Christ is coming soon catch the soul of Pakistani people for Christ”
    We hope you understand our all planing in the way of “Jesus”
    and this is a chance “Jesus”
    give you
    ” that you come in Pakistan and we work together in the way of Christ.
    we all waiting you and your Prayers meetings ,seminars, Conventions,crusade in Pakistan.I hope you accept our Invitation.And my “Jesus Christ “send you in Pakistan.
    thanks
    God bless you
    and think from mind and heart.
    We want you reach unreached people of God in Pakistan.
    thanks
    we need your prayers .
    We also want we arrange your meetings and seminars and Convention in Pakistan in the name of Christ.
    you know through your seminars and meetings we reached many villages of Christ people in Pakistan.And your meetings and seminars change our life with prayers.And our team and you many unreached areas of Christ people with the message of Jesus Christ and hope message.Christ is coming soon praise the name of Lord.
    We hope we reached unreached areas of Christ of Pakistan .We share the message of God to all Pakistan Christ people.
    Thanks.
    We hope you come in Pakistan.Our Jesus Christ send you in Pakistan very soon our all prayer for you .
    “Thousands of Christ people waiting you in Pakistan”

    Pakistan needs Jesus and it was among the Christian that I found air I could breathe and peace that was real.

    “Thousands of People waiting you.”
    Christ is Coming Soon!  Time is Running Out Fast!  Win Souls for Christ!

    “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
    that whosoever believed in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).”

    “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”

    Matthew 28:18-20

    And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
    Mark 16:14

    “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105)

    Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always , even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)
    The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the Lord’s favor.
    Luke 4. 18 – 19

  • Earl Middleton
    Reply

    Daniel, thank you for paying the price to share what God has given you. Question: how did you become involved with CFAN, and what would you say to someone who senses a call to share God’s word with the nations of the world?

  • jim parry
    Reply

    Dear Daniel,
    hello Again been sometime Last Time I’ve E:mail you
    have move Away from Hazleton Pa
    I’m believing God Will Open Up a door Here To Start bible Study. as Far As Place Of Fellowship None Here
    in Valley View Pa Close To hegins

  • marty weinberg
    Reply

    SORRY, I PUSHED THE WRONG BUTTON AND SENT IT BEFORE
    COMPLETION.

    JOEL WAS HONORED AT THEIR WORLD-WIDE CONVENTION.
    THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN HAVE BEEN SPONSORED THROUGH
    HIS MINISTRY.

    HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!! EXPECT A MIRACLE!! IN JESUS NAME. MARTY WEINBERG

  • marty weinberg
    Reply

    DANIEL, PRAISE THE LORD.

    PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU ARE PLANNING TO VISIT CALIFORNIA AGAIN THIS YEAR.

    ARE YOU PLANNING TO VISIT GHANA? I SPONSOR A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG GIRL THROUGH WORLD VISION.
    HER NAME IS TAADOR MAKPUTBI. 10 YEARS OLD.

    JOEL WELDON AND MY DAUGHTER DEBBIE ARE ASSOCIATED WITH WORLD VISION. LAST YEAR, JOEL WAS HONORED AT
    THEIR WORLD WI

  • Tomas Matocha
    Reply

    Dear Daniel,
    I have just returned home from the Vienna Christian Center service, where you preached. It was really big blessing to me and my father as I translated to him. The fire of Holy Spirit is what we need.

    I am very blessed by it. I asked Holy Spirit to prove in my life. I asked him to make me burning. I want to live a life of fire.

    I had a lot of thoughts going thru my mind when returning home. I was thinking of what it means to live such way. I decided to let Lord lead it.

    And finally, after coming home I read your todays last message on this topic that answered my questions and encouraged me to live my life bravely in Christ. I see nothing much in front of me but I will do what I can. I will make a step even it looks like a small step. But as you said, every journey starts with a step.

    Hope to meet you again, my friend.

    Tomas Matocha,
    Czech republic

    PS: Thank you for the book.

  • Deb Peterson
    Reply

    Thankyou for your words of encouragement on finding God’s will-I know my gifts have been on sleeper mode partly while going through a time of pruning and preparation for ministry of His choosing. It is scary, but I’m trying to take those first few steps of faith and God is definitely with me. Pray I always follow His leading and submit to His will. God bless you in fulfilling your call with Reinhard Bonnke. Deb P Ohio

  • Daniel Kolenda
    Reply

    Perhaps you could suggest something that you are interested to learn more about Ijiwade?

  • Ijiwade James
    Reply

    I hope you start with another series as the Lord leads you to strenghten us the more. You’ve done so well Evangelist Dan.

    Thanks

  • Daniel Kolenda
    Reply

    Jojo, thank you for upholding our team in your prayers. I pray that the Lord may give you supernatural courage and grace in this season of your life. Blessings!

  • Daniel Kolenda
    Reply

    Marty,

    It’s great to see you here. I just preached in California last weekend. Thank you for your words of encouragement. I will check out Joel’s webpage. Blessings. PS. Im sure that the form just remembered your name in auto-fill

  • Daniel Kolenda
    Reply

    Jerry, be encouraged my friend…God has more confidence in you than you have in yourself. He believes in you, don’t forget to trust Him. Bless you my friend.

  • Daniel Kolenda
    Reply

    Ijiwade, Thank YOU for your constant feedback. I am blessed that you are blessed.

  • Jojo Infante
    Reply

    Praise God Daniel,i thank Jesus for your mesg of encouragement i was so blessed and honor God knows where He leads us when He want to speak to us personally,i have this fear sensation lately about month now i do not know why,i believed God are teaching me to focus forward even when things are not right in our circumstances,that we need to cast out fears.When Jesus said let not your heart be trouble He meant He cannot let not for us our heart, is us should stand strong and fear will go.God bless you richly i always pray for you and R.Bonnke and Cfan team because you blesses me each time i open your website,also keeps me on fire for the lost and hurting souls here in London at job,in the road,people i met especially when the Holy Spirit led me to share the Gospel!

  • marty weinberg
    Reply

    DANIEL, AFTER I SUBMITTED MY E-MAIL, MY NAME CAME
    UP AS M!!ARTY. DO NOT KNOW HOW THAT HAPPENED.

  • m!!arty weinberg
    Reply

    Dear Daniel, PRAISE THE LORD
    I praise and thank G-D for your ministry. I found you this evening on G-D TV. YOU SHINE FOR JESUS!!
    Your faith level and love for JESUS fills the heart of G-D to overflowing. G-D BLESS YOU!!
    I am a Jewish Believer, came to know the LORD on Oct.
    1,1978 THANK YOU, JESUS!! IF IT WAS NOT FOR THE INTERVENTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND HIS LOVE FOR ME,
    I WOULD BE DEAD OR IN PRISON. (testimony at a later time.)
    I RESIDE IN DUBLIN, CALIFORNIA. BORN IN NEW YORK,
    JULY 10,1943.
    CURRENTLY,I’M
    AN ELDER AT THE INDIAN CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF THE VALLEY IN SAN RAMON, CA. ( ICCOV.ORG)
    I WILL PRAY FOR YOU EVERY MORNING….. PRAY FOR YOUR SAFETY AND PROTECTION, PRAY FOR YOUR HEALTH,
    PRAY FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT TO GIVE YOU HIS PEACE,HIS REVELATION, HIS WISDOM, AND HIS DIRECTION.
    KEEP YOUR EYES AND MIND FOCUSED ON HIM, PREACH HIS WORD AND EXPECT MIRACLES!!!
    LORD BLESS YOU, Marty Weinberg
    (Please allow me to share a blessing. My daughter married JOEL WELDON ten years ago. They are in full-time ministry. Joel is a Gospel Singer and Song-Writer. His songs are song in Churches around
    the Globe every Sunday. http://www.joelweldon.com)

  • Jerry
    Reply

    Thank you for your word from God. I have been so scared of failing at my new job.I feel God has blessed me with this job but the stress of learning it and dealing with the everyday problems makes me question it. I told them I would stay until they found someone new but they don’t seem to want to let me go. I have not done anything that someone else could not do so this is very puzzling to me. God bless.

  • Ijiwade James
    Reply

    Thank you Evangelist for your numerous words of encouragement especially to me. May God richly bless you and your ministry. I’m praying for you. Good night.

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