Seeking God for your Ministry
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[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”left” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 
[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]John 15:5 – 1 Peter 4:7-11
The idea that service to God should have only to do with a church altar, singing, reading, sacrifice, and the like is without doubt but the worst trick of the devil. How could the devil have led us more effectively astray than by the narrow conception that the service of God takes place only in the church and by works done therein. … The whole world could abound with services to the Lord … not only in churches but also in the home, kitchen, workshop, and field.
––Martin Luther[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]It was a cold December day but the church was warm. Temperatures were nearing freezing outside but thankfully the baptistry was heated and the water warm. It was on that day back in 1995 that I gave my life to Christ. I remember going deep in the water and emerging a new creation. His. The church had a great mentoring program and it was clear to me from the beginning that my baptism was just the start of a life dedicated to Christ. Service in the Church was the natural next step. Back then I did not know much about anything but I had a small baby and it was easy and natural for me to serve the nursery. I moved up after a few months to the preschool Sunday school. Along with the kids, I learned the great stories of the Bible there. My service to the church felt easy and obvious at first. I guess God knew that I had much to learn and had me serve with the babies.
Then we moved and I had to find a new place to serve. I was asked where I felt led to do so. I believe that it was the first time anybody asked me that question. Felt led? What does that mean? This is when I learned about praying and asking and waiting. God had a place for me and a purpose. I had to figure it out. Easier said than done. It took me many years to practice and work on that concept. I still make mistakes but I know that I sense better what my ministry looks like and where I need to serve.
Ministry is grace-motivated obedience.
Martin Luther understood that ministry was not limited to the work of the priests or nuns. The moment we become a Christian, we have a ministry. So how do we figure this out?
In John 15:5 Jesus tells his disciples that he is “the vine and you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” At the core of our ministry is our relationship with Jesus. Apart from him we can do nothing. The other interesting fact from that verse is that Jesus is saying that when we abide in Him, we bear much fruit – singular. We would be mistaken to use our ministry as a show off tool for the rest of the world to see how pious we are. God has a plan and he wants us to participate. Not for our own glory but His.
The Greek word for ministry is diakonia. It means service. Our ministry is our faithful service to His people, a service rendered unto God to bring Him glory, build up His Church and reach out to His world. So the questions we always need to ask ourselves is “how can I bring Him glory where I am at”, “”how can I best build His Church here”, “how can I serve best at this time in my life”.
Think about it:
- What are some simple ways you can serve in a way that brings Him glory?
- What simple everyday tasks can you turn into an act of service to God?
- On a scale of 1-10 rate your relationship with Jesus today? What can you do to improve it?
Daily Reflections:
1 Peter 4:7-11
Day 1: Read 1 Peter 4:7-11
“The end of all things is at hand.” Having witnessed first hand the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus, Peter understood the urgency of his earthly ministry. Do you? How different would your ministry look if you were fully aware that “the end of all things is at hand’?
Day 2: Read 1 Peter 4:7-11
“Be self controlled and sober minded for the sake of your prayers.” Why do you think that Peter urges us to be self controlled and sober minded? How does that impact your prayer life? Your ministry? Prayerfully consider the ways that you are not self controlled and/or sober minded. Ask God to help you in those areas.
Day 3: Read 1 Peter 4:7-11
Peter calls us to love one another earnestly. The ministry of love is one that we all need to practice. Some people are easy to love, some are not. Yet all should be loved earnestly. Who do you have a hard time loving right now? Ask God to soften your heart and actively pray for your ministry of love toward that person and everybody.
Day 4: Read 1 Peter 4:7-11
“As each has received a gift.” Do you know your gift? There are many online assessments that can help discern your gift. Here is one to get you started http://www.spiritualgiftstest.com/spiritual-gifts. Do you use your gift? How can you be a better steward today of God’s gift to you?
Day 5: Read 1 Peter 4:7-11
“In order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” Our act of service, our ministry to the Church (with a capital C) is to glorify God. No matter how small or big your ministry is, it is an act of obedience to the calling God has placed on your heart. Spend time in prayer today. Search your heart and be honest about the motivation behind the things that you do. Realign it with His will. To Him be the glory, forever and ever. Amen. [/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”single solid” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”10px” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_6″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 
[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Welcome to Monday Minute With God. A place to start the week right and tools to keep you in the Word all week long.
This month we will spend time reflecting on hearing God’s Guidance in four main areas:[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]This week’s author: Muriel Gregory
Muriel Gregory is a French native but home has been wherever the army has sent her husband of 22 years. It is currently in Leavenworth Kansas. She is the mom to three children. Her passions are teaching the Word, traveling and living life to the fullest.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]
Work/Ministry/Marriage/Parenting
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