Welcome Zeke. First, tell us About Submissioin Ministries.
This ministry exists simply to spread the love of Jesus Christ to the world. Our first book, titled SUBMISSION, released in mid November. As a “new” organization it is our goal to partner with other Christian ministries worldwide and allow the Holy Spirit to use us in whatever fashion will bring Him the most glory.
Thanks for introducing us to your ministry. Tell us a little about yourself.
I am 27 years old and have been married to my beautiful wife, Kathleen, for 6 years. We have three children (4, 2, and 2 months) that we love very much. I have been a minister since the age of 18 as a youth minister and evangelist. In addition to this, I operate a small business which constructs ornamental concrete such as flower pots, bird baths, etc. My family and I are passionate to see Christ glorified through our lives, and constantly seek to use our lives to share the Gospel. This has led our family all over the world. Our most recent “adventure” involved us literally driving to a town in Texas, renting an apartment, and seeking the Lord. Although we knew nobody or anything about the place, God gave us an entire church fellowship in 2 days! This turned into an incredible 7 month stay that is surely not finished yet.
Wow, a fellowship in two days is quite a feat. Some writers say reading as a child prompted them to want to write. Were you an avid reader as a child? If so, what did you read?
I only read as instructed by teachers or requirements related to school. This usually kept me in a book, but outside of that, I was not an avid reader as a child.
Why do you write?
First of all, writing helps me process thoughts and retain information. In addition to this, I write for the purpose of releasing the message God has placed on my heart. By putting it in written form, the message has the potential to reach people whom I will never get to meet personally. I greatly enjoy personal discipleship and relationships, but hopefully these words will impact lives around the world.
Tell us about your latest book.
SUBMISSION, heeding only His voice, focuses on addressing the need for solid Scriptural obedience. Using testimonies from the Word of God as well as a few personal experiences, my hope through this book is that God’s people will become more sensitive towards not only hearing His voice, but obeying it!
What inspired you to write this particular book?
Compromise is way too commonplace today. I have seen it in the church, in families, and in my own life. If revival is to take place in our society, God’s people must be willing to operate with the level of obedience and submission God requires. Mixing our opinions with God’s commands or desires is the very recipe for disaster. If we will fully release ourselves to Jesus Christ, and be willing to follow Him the way He commands, a shift will take place in our society! Ultimately, shortcomings in my own life with regards to submissions sparked this fire.
That's an interesting subject. What themes do you write about?
So far, my writing consists of topics related to spiritual revival in the lives of Christians.
Evangelism, discipleship, and encouragement appear to be a consistent theme.
What is your writing schedule and where do you write?
I can usually write anywhere that offers silence, but usually my writing occurs at the kitchen table.
Do you have to juggle writing with a job, family responsibilities or other obligations? How do you balance it?
Finding time to write while managing the responsibilities of family, work, and ministry can be quite challenging. I never lose sight of the fact that my ministry is in my home. As the Holy Spirit opens doors and assigns tasks, I take them. However, I am careful not to allow my “service” to become a distraction to the fact that Jesus wants me, not what I can do for Him. My mentality is this: be an open and available vessel through which the Lord can move to accomplish His work. By doing this, I keep plenty busy and my relationship with my Lord and my family does not diminish.
Does your faith affect your writing? How?
Absolutely. I write to bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ and out of love for the Church. Because of this, any topic I address will involve an aspect of urging the Body of Christ towards revival or presenting the Gospel message.
What are you working on right now?
I am working on the SUBMISSION series, which will hopefully materialize into several works focused on Biblical obedience.
Read What Zeke Writes about Preparing for Obedience Below
So often we cry out to God for His working in and through our lives. We beg for His will and plan to become clear to us day by day. In those quiet moments when we feel as if God has forgotten about us, our only yearning is His leading. In this condition of longing for His voice, it is absolutely critical that we prepare ourselves to respond when the call comes forth.
Preparing for obedience is about daily crucifying the desires of our flesh so that the works of Christ can be manifested in our lives. Galatians 2:20 states: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.” Why is this so critical one might ask? Often times, God may bring forth a call that does not come close to what you had in mind. He may ask you to sacrifice in ways you never imagined. He may ask you to do things you never thought you were capable of or comfortable with. If we do not prepare ourselves for absolute obedience, the call may come and we may not answer.
When we crucify any and all personal, fleshly desires and willfully submit to God’s purpose for our lives, we position ourselves for His glory. As we daily surrender to Him, His desires become our desires and we prepare our hearts to obey no matter what God asks of our lives. In this spiritual condition, we remain active and ready to respond to His call upon our lives.
Consider an athlete for example. Often times they know not when that BIG moment will arrive, but he or she must steadfastly prepare for that "such a time as this" moment. Are you daily preparing yourself for obedience? If not, one of two things will happen. 1) You will not hear the call. 2) You hear but do not have the courage to obey. God has a mighty plan for you! Prepare to respond to the call.
Faithfulness and intimacy with the Father is the only way to ensure that you and I remain in a condition that is prepared to obey His voice when it is our time to be used. Consider Abraham as you analyze and ponder this subject. Because he pursued a relationship with God, he was willing to offer his son as a sacrifice. Abraham could have rationalized in a number of ways. First, this was his son! Who could possibly slay his own flesh and blood? Also, Isaac was the promised seed. Sacrificing him had to appear contrary to God’s plan. Despite these two intense factors, Abraham prepared his heart to obey the command of his Father.
The question is not, “will God speak”. The question is, “will we obey”.
BIO
ZEKE LAM is the author of Submission, (http://www.amazon.com/subMISSION-heeding-only-His-voice/dp/193748100X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323527425&sr=1-1)
a book that draws readers closer to the Savior. He is also the founder of SUBMISSION Ministries—a ministry devoted to seeing lost souls encounter God and live lives fully surrendered to the risen Christ. A graduate of Liberty University, Zeke’s deep passion for following Christ’s will has led him through many years of youth ministry and itinerant evangelism. Both of these experiences have enriched and fueled his desire to hand others the keys to a Christ-centered life. Zeke resides in Virginia with his beautiful wife, Kathleen, and a growing family of future world-changers.
Read more about Zeke and Submission Ministries at http://submissionministries.org/
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