Ministry's Source

Friends,

We have several friends who minister in what one might call an official capacity to the Body of believers. Over time, each has wrestled with the big questions of ministry... Is the ministry effective? Am I doing the best I can?

But these are not the most important questions. The most critical issue every believer must confront is this:
Am I doing what God wants me to do?

Ephesians 3:6b-7 [NKJV] ... emphasis added
His promise in Christ through the gospel, of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

No ministry belongs to man. All belong to the LORD. Whether the work is done under the auspices of a recognized organization - like a church or a mission - or not, the work is assigned according to the will of God.

Every believer must ... daily ... pray that the LORD direct his steps (He promises to do so) in the path the advances the Kingdom of God. Then we will recognize that His will is being done.

Be encouraged, Jose

Not for nothing

Friends,

Jesus came with a purpose and a mission. He was sent to do a perfect work, perfectly. He was sent to do a complete work, completely:

Luke 4:18 [NKJV]
The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

This is Jesus, the Lamb of God, the King of all kings ... Announcing for all to hear why He stepped off of His throne to walk this earth. It was not to live for Himself or to bask in the comfort of His deity. It was to take action and to live out His mission with zeal and passion.

If we are being formed into His image, then our mission and purpose is the same. We are not saved to live for ourselves or to simply do what is right in our own eyes. We are not saved to smugly continue a life of sin.

No.

We are saved to minister with energy and enthusiasm in whatever calling God has for us each day.

Be encouraged, Jose

Don't hold back

Friends,

Look around you.

Your brother needs your prayers.
Your sister needs you to listen.
Another one needs to hear that you care.
Yet another needs help with a bill.
This sister needs someone with a truck.
That brother to know that he isn't battling alone.

Look around you.

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. - 1 Peter 4:10 [NKJV]

What has God given you? How freely do you share it? If you are holding yourself in reserve, then you are disobeying the Lord's direct command.

Look around you. There is great need for you.

Be encouraged, Jose

Go To The Finish

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. II Timothy 4:6-8 [KJV]

As Paul states at the end of the letter, he ran his life's race to the very end. He stayed strong in the faith. His reward in heaven was a crown of righteousness. For his reward on earth, he was able to see the progress of his ministry. He did not get to see the completion, but knew that he did not have to watch the ministry grow to completion. His job was to start the plant off with water and seed planting.

How about us? Are we going to the finish, or are we standing around watching the seeds we planted, waiting for them to sprout and grow? That part is not our job. Our job is to plant or water or both and move on. We have to continue the race. We cannot get stuck watching and waiting for some ministry we started to get to full maturity. We can trust as Paul did, that if we give our all and do our best, God will handle the rest.

Be Encouraged and remember that "today is the first day of the rest of your life", a quote that my wife likes to remind me of often.

Martin

Fulfill your calling

But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:5 (NKJV)

You have declared for the Kingdom of Heaven and have purposed to perform your dues here on planet earth. The road may not always be smooth, there will be ups and downs, seasons of feelings of neglect, inertia, despair and even afflictions.

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
Colossians 4:2 (NKJV)

He that has invested so much in you is awaiting the Return on His investment, while the world is waiting on your manifestation. Therefore, arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi