Serving the Lord (part 2)

To fulfil your ministry means to fully perform all the duties of your ministry, to fully carry out the service God has given you. This is not only the expectation of the Lord, but certainly also your own desire. How can you accomplish this?

Have a clear understanding of your job! Not even the hardest worker can do everything. Make sure that the something you do, is what you are expected to do. How careful even Jesus was, not to do just anything, but the right thing! On one occasion He explained, I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Mt 15:24). Jesus loved the whole world. And He would die for the sins of the gentiles as well. Would it not have been good for Him to do part of His preaching in a gentile country? Would it not have been great to show His disciples how to preach the gospel to this group of people? And in the light of constant Jewish opposition, would He not have had much more success in other nations? No, Jesus knew that He was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. It was not yet time. It was not what the Father had in mind for HIM now. Jesus knew both the people group and the ministry He had to focus on. In CEF® your calling is to proclaim the gospel (ministry) to children (people group). May the Lord always find you faithful, fulfilling your ministry!

Watch out! Don’t get distracted! As soon as you start your ministry you may be invited to also help here or get involved there. Often these opportunities are not bad; they simply consume your time. Or maybe you read something on the internet just to relax a minute, but you get distracted and the minute becomes an hour. We all need to regularly ask ourselves: Am I focused on what I am expected to do or am I entangling myself in the affairs of everyday life (2 Tim 2:4). This does not mean that you do not care for your family or that you can never relax or that there is nothing to enjoy about life. Jesus is the best Lord you can imagine. He will give you much joy and enough time to take care of your responsibilities. But sometimes you will have to make your decision: Am I willing to focus on my ministry or do I split my focus between ministry and something that does not deserve my time?

Persevere in your ministry! Sooner or later difficulties will arise. Opposition from people, lack of funds, the devil attacking, misunderstandings on the team … This is the time to learn to persevere! Paul was a true example in this area. Wherever he preached the gospel, he very soon got into trouble, but he never gave up. When he came to Lystra, people were exited at first, but then they became unfriendly and in the end even stoned him. It’s hard to believe, but Acts 14:20 says: The next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. To relax there? No, to continue his ministry!

Do you understand your calling? Will you avoid distractions and persevere in your ministry? Then God’s blessing will surely not be long delayed.