Answering the Call: Real Armor-Bearers Walking with Your Pastors but Willing to Follow First

By Teresa Bellard

Real Armor-Bearers, you will learn:

How to hear the voice of God to become an effective Armor-Bearer.
How to have the mindset to be a builder for the kingdom of God.
How to be consistent and stay true in your position.
How to know the spirit of those who labor amongst you.
How to find favor with God first and men second.
How a good soldier never goes into battle without putting on the whole armour of God, knowing how to fight in combat with the right weapons.
How to receive double in the anointing with an overflowing cup.
How to run with the vision of visionaries in the local church.
How to discern the seasons and times you are in.

Armor-Bearers Today, but Ministers for Tomorrow

• Language: English
• Publisher: Teresa Bellard
• Release date: Sep 29, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370425105

Teresa Bellard

Teresa Bellard was born the seventh child to Shirley R. and John M. Thomas. She has six siblings: Joseph Thomas, Anita Steward, Deborah Pruhdomme, Audrey Brown, Jennifer Lewis, and Bobby Thomas, all of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Teresa, known as Sister Tee, is a minister, wife, mother, businesswoman and author. She shares in marriage of 23 years to her husband Derek Bellard Sr., and is blessed with two children, Derek Jr. and Ebonee’ Bellard. Ms. Bellard is a graduate of Washington Marion Magnet, class of 1989. She attended Baytown Technical College, earning a degree as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Continuing her education, she majored in Word Processing at Sowela Technical Community College. She’s also a graduate of Delta School of Business with an Associate Degree in Medical Office Assistant with honors and was on the Dean’s list. She has earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Life Christian University with honors of being Cum-Laude in 2008 and 2009, graduate of 2011, and is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Theology. She is currently a member of Living Word Christian Center Church under the leadership of Bishop Joseph L. Banks and Co-Pastor, Recording Artist Cathy S. Banks. Teresa holds the position of Administration Executive Secretary as well as Administrative Assistant at the Program/Degree Campus at Life Christian University in Lake Charles, LA. She is active in church and serves as an Armor-Bearer and an assistant to the pastor and co-pastor, and is also a part of the intercessory team. She’s an Independent Beauty Image Consultant, Business Woman, and the Founder and CEO of Zealous Women Inspiring Generations Organization and Magazine. She’s an Inspirational/Motivational Speaker and encourages all women to discover what matters to the heart. God has bestowed her to minister, evangelize and empower all women to love themselves and to get to know Jesus first, and know that His love is unconditional. Teresa has an anointing in ministry that draws women to share their personal situations and circumstances. She is diverse and knowledgeable in the Word of God and enjoys helping others to reach their full potential that God has set out for everyone. Her confident, genuine, and caring spirit is one of a kind. To contact the author for Armor-Bearer Materials or booking to speak and/or minister, write, or call: TERESA BELLARD P.O. Box 533 LAKE CHARLES, LA 70615 PHONE: [phone] WEBSITE: www.teresabellard.com EMAIL ADDRESS: [e-mail]

Book preview

Answering the Call

Real Armor-Bearers

Walking with Your Pastors

but Willing to Follow First

Teresa B. Bellard, Minister

Answering the Call Real Armor-Bearers

Walking with Your Pastors but Willing to Follow First

By: Teresa B Bellard

Copyright © 2016

Publisher/Distributor: Teresa B Bellard

Published in Lake Charles, LA

Print ISBN#: 978-1975983802

Library of Congress #TXU 2-029-394

Cover Design: Delia Latham / Heaven’s Touch Designs http://heavenstouchdesigns.com/

Project Editor: Pamela S. Thibodeaux http://pamelathibodeaux.com

Printed in the United States of America

Scriptures where indicated with bold type are modified by the author for emphasis.

Unless otherwise noted: Scripture references are from the KJV, NIV and The Message Bibles. Scriptures marked KJV are taken from the KING JAMES VERSION (KJV): KING JAMES VERSION, public domain. Scriptures marked NIV are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV): Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. Scriptures marked TM are taken from the THE MESSAGE: THE BIBLE IN CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH (TM): Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE: THE BIBLE IN CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH, copyright ©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Note:

This is a work of personal, creative nonfiction. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the above publisher of this book. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in for encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.

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Dedication

I would like to dedicate this book to the Real Armor-Bearers, those who stand by their pastors during the good, and the trying, times in the ministry; those who are willing to stand no matter the cost to protect the Shepherds that God has placed over them and their lives.

Jeremiah 3:15 KJV reads, And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Armor-Bearers, it is very important to know God has called you, assigned you, and equipped you to perform the thing which He has called you to do.

Jeremiah 1:5 KJV reads, Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Those who are called by God came into the world not knowing what the purpose or destiny was for their lives, but the word of Jeremiah 29:11 KJV reads, for I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Those He calls will carry out the duties, the instructions and directions He leads us to, because His word, II Chronicles 7:14 KJV reads, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Real Armor-Bearers will submit and humble themselves before those who are in authority over them.

We must always remember to never go ahead of those God has placed in authority over us, but walk with them, willing to follow first through this journey that God has set before them as pastors and us as watchmen and watchwomen; as Armor-Bearers.

Acknowledgements

To my support system, my husband Derek Sr. and my two beautiful children: son Derek Jr. and daughter Ebonee’ whom I love so much, with all my heart. I’m so proud of each of them for allowing me to do what I love to do the most: spending time in the word of God and typing away. Most of all I appreciate them for being good listeners even when they really did not want to hear everything I had to say.

To my parents, John and Shirley, the two people who made it possible for me to discover who I was, Whose I was, and what I was to become in life. I honor my parents and love them so much. Thank you, Daddy and Mama, for being there for me when I needed you the most. I love you both.

To my family and friends who stayed by my side and gave me words of encouragement to stay focused on completing the assignment I had started. How wonderful to have family members and friends who really care and who really believed in me when I needed them the most. Thank you so much for your support. I love you all.

To my spiritual parents, Bishop Joseph and First Lady, Co-Pastor Cathy Banks–Thank you so much for teaching me how to walk in excellence in the things of Christ, and the importance of maintaining my character, dignity and integrity in the things of the ministry. Both of you have been there for me and I want to say, Thank you so much! I have the best pastors and the best church home in the whole world. I love you my spiritual parents.

To Laura Washington, an amazing woman of God and author of Letting God Touch Our Soul; Foundations for Living, Letting God Ignite Our Spirit. Thank you so much for your guidance and wisdom in assisting me every step of the way in my journey to my next level in life. May God continue to bless you in all your endeavors, with much love and gratitude.

To Lashaunda Webb, Reflection Photography. Thank you, woman of God, for supporting me for such a time as this with some amazing photos and words of encouragement to keep pressing my way through on what I’ve started, heading towards my destiny. Thanking you with love, for your generosity.

To Jerry Chilson, former Youth Pastor & Director of Social Media Operations, thank you for your kindness and for always being there, going beyond the task of making sure, right at the last step, to the finish line, that I was going to break through that yellow tape with a smile. You’re an amazing pastor. God bless you and may God continue to use you to the fullest capacity in the ministry. Thanking you with love and openhandedness.

To Hattie Ashton, Distinction Photography, thank you for some beautiful photos and words of wisdom. You are truly an amazing woman, wife and mother with a kindred spirit. Thank you for always saying yes, never hesitating to be by my side every step of the way, wanting to see me achieve my goals and dreams in life. Thank for your support, kindness and adoration.

Thank you, Pamela S. Thibodeaux, Writer, Editor and Book Professional, for your help, professionalism and expertise in supporting me on my first book project. It was under your guidance that I was able to accomplish this assignment the Lord placed in my heart. Your experience showed me the right decision to make in the guidelines for writing. You taught me how to transform my words and thoughts in a more skillful and knowledgeable way. Without your help it would not be possible for me to deliver such high quality work in this period of time. I would like to thank you for being such a wonderful business woman, as well as a friend to me in my work.

Foreword

First, I would like to thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving Teresa Bellard such boldness and knowledge to share with the people of God. Over the years I have known Teresa, I have found her to be a woman who loves God and His word. She has been found to be faithful to God, her family, and the ministry. I have observed her increase in knowledge and revelation of God’s word and her outstanding work as a servant of the Most High God. I have seen the incredible transformation of Teresa over the last several years. I believe that God has a tremendous future ahead for her. This amazing book is a must read for anyone that is serving in the capacity of an Armor-Bearer or has been called or desires to serve in that position. This book will simply prepare you and give you many biblical examples as well as the dos and don’ts of serving in an Armor-Bearer’s position. Every great leader needs a tight circle, someone who is willing to serve and support without creating distractions. This book will reveal the heart of a servant that will cause them to be promoted from a behind-the-scene way! Joseph L. Banks, Senior Pastor, Living Word Christian Center, Lake Charles, LA.

After reading Teresa Bellard’s book, I am totally convinced that it will help to develop anyone who has an assistant or someone that serves in any capacity in ministry, learning the importance of the gift of assisting others to achieve their vision and purpose. It enlightens us and shifts our mindsets to look at service from the place of empowerment and not from a place of weakness. I would also recommend that this book be introduced in the marketplace, to administrative assistants and those aspiring to assist in the corporate world. Cathy S. Banks, Co-Pastor, Living Word Christian Center, Lake Charles, LA.

It is with great privilege and honor that I recommend this wonderful and authentic book Real Armor Bearers Walking with Your Pastors but Willing to Follow First by my loving wife, Teresa Bellard. Teresa has a great compassion to help and lead others with serving in the ministry. Teresa is committed to the uplifting of the body of Christ by utilizing the word of God. I have witnessed the tireless effort of scriptural studies and reference documentation throughout this wonderful process. Teresa has been a blessing to our church family as well as our immediate family. Throughout this entire book, Teresa inspires everyone to take advantage of God’s promises. Teresa brings us to a time of faithfulness which will transform our thinking. This is so very influential and a Must Read!!!! God Bless. Derek D. Bellard Sr., Man-Up Ministries, Living Word Christian Center, Lake Charles, LA.

Teresa Bellard has the gift of being a visionary. Her vision is seeing all men and women as her brothers and sisters, and recognizing God in everyone. I have known Teresa for many years and have witnessed the love of God flowing through her life to all whom He places in her path. I believe Teresa has submitted herself to God and to the leadership in her home church, and am confident she is well equipped to be a leader herself. The information presented in this book is a "must read" for anyone who feels that God has called them to the position of Armor-Bearer. Thank you, Teresa Bellard, for answering the call. Laura Washington, Author, Motivational Speaker & Spiritual Mentor

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter I

Answering the Call

Jeremiah the Weeping Prophet

Chapter II

Don't Let Others Change Your Mind, When Answering the Call

Nehemiah the Layman

Chapter III

Time Out, Armor-Bearers

Self Examination in Your Position

Chapter IV

Anointed and Appointed Finding Favor with God and Men

God to Samuel, Samuel to Saul, Jonathan to David and David to Saul, Armor-Bearers to Pastors

Chapter V

Putting on the Whole Armour of God

Standing Without Wavering

Chapter VI

Double Portion in Every Area of Your Life

Catching the Mantle: Elisha Chosen as Elijah’s Protégé and Successor

Chapter VII

The Vision of the Visionaries

Running with the Vision

Chapter VIII

Know the Seasons and the Times

There is Nothing New Under the Sun

In Closing

Conclusion and Final Remarks by the Author

About the Author

Introduction

Armor-Bearers in the Old Testament were Men of Great Stature. They were servants who carried additional weapons for commanders and/or were responsible for killing enemies wounded by their masters.

Today, there are women who serve in the church that fall under the title of Armor-Bearers; women who carry the armor of a church leader (the Bible or sword of the spirit), and who attend to the pastor’s wife or the co-pastor. The position comes with high responsibilities that should not be taken lightly by those who serve. It is more than just serving the pastor, the pastor’s wife, or the co-pastor; it is guarding them and protecting them with your own life.

This comes with knowing that God, not man, called you.

God gives discernment to the man and woman He places in the local church to put the right servants in position to carry out the duties of Armor-Bearers or any other office/position in the church/ministry.

Being in position is one thing; however, your character and integrity, as well as doing things decently and in order, is a requirement that must be met on a regular basis. You must follow the instructions and directions of those who have authority over you, not going ahead, but walking with them, willing to follow first.

Being able to handle situations beforehand and keeping guard of the doors and the gateway, watching the entry and exits, the comings and goings around and about the pastor and/or co-pastor are of utmost importance.

Carrying the pastor or co-pastor’s sword or weapons–the equipment–which is handled before the preaching/teaching of the word of God must be done with respect and reverence, as is preparing the pastor/co-pastor’s table before and after sermons. The pastor and co-pastor are officials who are treated with great honor and are highly respected by their peers and superiors.

An Armor-Bearer’s prayer life, as well as having a personal relationship with God, is vital when fulfilling this position. It is so important to keep your pastor and co-pastor covered in prayer and with the Word of God daily. Having the proper attitude, not easily moved by what you see or hear, is required when asked to carry out a specific assignment.

The very call is: I will protect my pastor and co-pastor always, keeping one eye on them and the other eye on watch.

The focus for all Armor-Bearers is, if God called you to the position, He will equip you in it.

Chapter I

ANSWERING THE CALL

The Lord is Calling. Will You Answer the Call?

Hear the voice of the Lord. When He calls you, will your answer be yes? The choice is yours. If you are called, He won’t stop calling you. It’s just like that friend you really don’t want to talk to right now, but he or she just keeps on calling until you answer.

God doesn’t stop either if the fivefold ministry or the ministry of helps is calling for you to serve in the church, or preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s just a matter of time before you come to your senses and answer the call. You were already predestined for the call and sanctified and ordained for the position before the foundation of the world.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 KJV reads, Then the word of the Lord came unto me saying, before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

In 1995, I said yes to the voice and yes to the call of being born again into the kingdom of God. I answered, not only to the call as an Armor-Bearer, but also to minister the word of God. He predestined me, sanctified me and ordained me for such a time as this. He knew the thoughts and plans for my life before I existed in my mother's womb or came to the earth. Knowing that my answer would be, Yes, Lord, yes!

Even in hiding, He saw me and kept me in the light, away from darkness. His hands were always there to catch and pull me out.

God Knows the Thoughts and Plans for Your Life

God knows the thoughts He has toward you and the plans, the set time of your calling, and if He calls you, He will equip you. In the calling, He will not give you evil, but will give you peace, and an expected end–just as He told Jeremiah. He knows the plans for your life just as He knew the plans for Jeremiah.

Jeremiah-29:11 KJV reads, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

What He made happen for the prophets back then, He is surely able to make happen for those He calls to the ministry in the 21st Century. God knows everything about you–the mistakes you are going to make before you make them and how long it’s going to take before you say yes to the call. All you must do is believe that God is well able to perform everything down the path you are about to take. Just as God knows the number of hairs on your head, He knows the very first to the very last breath you will take. Oh yes, He even knows the ending before the beginning, because He knew you before you knew yourself.

Psalms 139:1-5 KJV says, "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me; Thou knowest my down sitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off, thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me."

There is Nowhere to Hide from God

There is nowhere you can hide from the Lord who made Heaven and earth. For surely if you go to Heaven He is there; if you go to Hell He is there; or to the deepest part of the sea, He is there!

There is nowhere to hide from God for He formed your inward parts and covered you in your mother's womb. You are fearfully and wonderfully made in marvelous works of Jesus Christ your Lord {Psalms 139:14}. God created you just the way He wanted you.

Everything God does is marvelous.

Jeremiah answered the call, but he had concerns and told God, I am a child and speak like a child.

God in return told Jeremiah, Don’t say you are a child, for you shall go to all whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak; do not be afraid of their faces for I am with you to deliver you.

The Lord put forth his hand and touched Jeremiah’s mouth and told him, I put my words in your mouth.

God will be Your Mouthpiece, Armor-Bearers

God will not allow you to be ignorant when you speak to His people, for it is His words, not your own, that you speak. God will command what you say. He will give you directions and instructions on what to say and do when you don't know what to say or do. He will be your mouthpiece.

There will be faces with frowns that go against everything you say or do and faces that will look at you with fire in their eyes, ready to attack with fiery darts. But God said He will put His words in your mouth. Therefore, you cannot be afraid of their faces. God said in His word that He will never leave us nor forsake us, meaning He is with us. So make sure