Tag: Ministry

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Impactful Ministry Through Ordinary Life

“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything builds up. No one should seek his own good, but the good of the other person.
1 Corinthians 10:23‭-‬24 HCSB

Every single day we get up and live this life here on earth. But, are we truly making an eternal impact for the Kingdom of Heaven? I believe that because you are reading this you have a desire to lead by example and bring people close to the Father. But how? Many of us aren’t behind the pulpit. The wonderful news is that you do not have to be. Your example leads every single day!

It is essential that we are mindful to keep in step with the Spirit. There are unbelievers and believers alike searching to draw near unto the Father. As Children of God we leave behind an example. One that leads people closer to Christ or one that leads them further away. Everyday life is a ministry to heal the broken hearted, heal the sick, and set the captive free. By being in His presence, you are continually being formed to look, speak, and act more like the Father. That is wonderful news for the grocery clerk, the gas station attendant, your kids, and spouse!

We must be mindful of things we do because we are ambassadors of heaven. We represent Christ. After all, to be a Christian is to be ‘Christ-like’ also known as a ‘little Christ’. Being mindful of reflecting Him to others will leave us to really be intentional on how we live day to day life and how this effects those that surround us. What may be permissible may not be beneficial for others. We must not only think of ourselves, but the influence we are stewarding for the Kingdom of Heaven. All we do should be done from a place of building up the Body Of Christ. This includes standing up for injustice and correcting wrongs. But, we must do all of this from a place of humility, honor, and love.

Reflection Questions:

  • What does your example say about you?
  • When people see you, are they met with the Father?
  • Ask Holy Spirit to help you be mindful of the example you leave behind to others. Ask Him to help you be intentional about being in His presence. In doing so, who you truly are in Him will not only be revealed in Word but activate you into action!
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Your Life Preaches

In the letter to the Corinthians Paul is defending his authority and God given assignment. He continues to explain throughout the scriptures that he is commissioned not on his own will but by God himself. In between the lines you can see that Paul is being attempted to be discredited by false apostles and teachers. However, Paul comes back with this dispute,

“Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present.” 2 Corinthians 10:11 NKJV

What Paul is emphasizing above is his fruit matches his God given labors. Or in today’s terms, Paul practices what he preaches. What you do in everyday life, especially if you claim to be a Christian, accounts for more than words ever could. Never underestimate the power of speaking the Word of God. But do not miss the fact that your life is giving off a message every single day. Your life preaches louder than what you could on a Sunday morning or that phone call to your lost family member or friend.

A relationship with God is not an event of making oneself look good based on outside appearance, that is religion. Having a relationship with God is continually inviting the Holy Spirit to transform you from the inside out. There are countless amounts of people who are going around saying their Christian’s and living the same life. How could one be a new creation and old creation at the same time? That is simply impossible. Which is why Paul emphasizes in 2 Corinthians 10:11 that his life is the same as what he speaks.

We need to eliminate the saying and wrongful practice of, “do as I say and not as I do”. The book of James put’s it this way, “Hearing God’s teaching and doing nothing is like looking at your face in the mirror and doing nothing about what you saw. You go away and immediately forget how bad you looked.” (James 1:23-25 ERV). When we do not grab hold of the teaching we have been taught or act upon the convictions of the Holy Spirit, eventually we end up looking no different than the rest of the world.

Paul explains that the major difference between who is true and who is false is the one who is true puts into practice what they learn. Holy Spirit desires to continually mold you to be more like Jesus from the inside out. He understands that there will be times that you will slip and fall, but thankfully he will be there to help you get back up. Our lives, as Christian’s are called to be out of this world. Our lives are called to manifest the Kingdom of Heaven. Let our lives shout the love of God, redeeming work of Jesus Christ, and miracle working power of the Holy Spirit!

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Ordinary Ministry

There are many people who walk around that believe what they do has no value or importance. I myself felt this way and maybe you have too. Because I no longer held the title, I was no longer *fill in the blank*. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, the bible and the world have completely different views on being a great leader and that does not always include a title.

“Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 10:26-28 NKJV

Jesus did not come to the earth and sit on a throne. Jesus washed feet and ate his last meal with the one who would betray him. He served. When he was on his way to perform a miracle, if someone needed him he met them there. You can see this in the examples he left for us in the Gospel’s. Like the time he was on his way to heal Jarius’ daughter or the time Jesus stopped to acknowledge the woman’s faith that made her well (Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43). When he was passing through Jericho, Jesus chose Zacchaeus to stay with even though the crowds looked down upon him since he was a tax collector (Luke 19:1-10). These are just a few examples found in the Gospel’s where Jesus displays his servant-hood and it barely scratches the surface of looking at the servant Jesus is.

Are we really what it means to be a Christian, a little Christ? Are we just calling ourselves ministers but not understanding what it actually means? Having ministered really means to serve. In the Greek “to be ministered” is the word diakonéō which means, caring for the needs of others as the Lord guides in an active, practical way.

Jesus did not let the busyness of his schedule effect those who needed his help. He continually throughout his life (his ministry) met people’s needs. Jesus did this even when it may have felt inconvenient to us if we were put in that circumstance. He continually displayed true ministry through allowing people to get to know him, healing, prayer, encouragement, or even a rebuke. He even displayed service by cooking the disciples breakfast (John 21:9-13).

We are called to be the light and the salt of the earth every single day. As “little Christ’s” we must imitate him through having the heart of a servant. Servanthood simply put is meeting people’s needs in God’s timing and ways. Are we willing to be interrupted to serve? Are we willing to do the things no one else is willing to do? Are we as the church going to serve with the motive of serving and not man’s applause? These are all questions we must ask ourselves. Then, we must put love into action.

God desires us to display his love through practical ways. Ministry does not have to be on a stage. Most often, it is behind the scenes for only God to see. We can see a glimpse of heaven on earth each and every single day if we take those little steps of obedience he has called us to take. Never underestimate the power of what the world calls “ordinary ministry”.

More Scripture To Meditate On:

  • For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you demonstrated for his name by serving the saints—and by continuing to serve them. Now we desire each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end, so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance. -Hebrews 6:10-12 CSB
  • And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. -Galatians 6:9-10 ESV
  • Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. -Matthew 6:1-4 NLT