Devotional Index

April Devotional

Ministry — Empowered by Christ

Galatians 6:9 —"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

In the Christian life, we are all called to minister to others. Satan, however, likes to bring things into our lives to distract us and to turn our focus inward instead of upward. When we set out to minister for God, we can easily neglect three important aspects of true ministry. These areas would include having a pure motivation, a clear mindset, and a Christ-centered mission.

As a believer, the motive for what we do is just as important as what we are actually doing. 1 Corinthians 13:3 says "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." Even if we go through Christ-like motions, if our heart's desire is not purely for the glory of God, then Jesus Christ is not being ultimately glorified.

Colossians 3 lays out a fitting Motivation for every believer. Verse 17 reads "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." This means that everything we do, whether the daily mundane or the heartbeat of the ministry (which can be one and the same) is all to be done for the ultimate glory and praise of God.

Are we to do this for the attention or approval of those we minister to? Verses 22-24 remind us of the following: "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."

Our highest calling as a believer is to be a servant of Jesus Christ. In the same way that we are to respect and obey our earthly authorities, we are called to honor and obey our highest authority, Jesus Christ.

But how exactly can we do all things in the name of Jesus? In relation to our Mindset, verse 16 says "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." When we fill our minds and hearts with God's word - not just a little bit, but literally fill them - His Spirit will guide us in teaching and admonishing others, not in our own abilities, but in His strength for the glory of Christ.

Colossians 3:1-3 also reminds us of where our thoughts are to be settled. It says "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." Our heart's affections are to be set on heavenly matters instead of earthly interests. We are to always be conscious of the eternal impact of what we are doing today.

We also need to remember our overall Mission in life, which is to glorify God by:

• Living a life that is pleasing to Him
• Leading others to do the same

We can only do this as we ourselves walk in obedience to God. We must be willing to follow the promptings of His Spirit in our hearts and lives.

Three things are necessary in order to be sensitive to God's Spirit. We must be willing to:

• Deny ourselves
• Draw close to God
• Depend on His strength

When we deny ourselves, we are recognizing our position as subjects - really servants - in the court of heaven. Matthew 20:26b-28 says "but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."

James 4:8 says "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." How can a person draw nigh to God? The verse goes on to say "Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded." We must come to God for the "the washing of water by the word" as described in Ephesians 5:26. Our hearts, initially purified before God in salvation, will remain in right fellowship with God as we heed the conviction of His Spirit; we are to be sensitive to His voice as He speaks to us through the Scriptures.

We must also depend on God for His strength as we minister for Him. When we try to carry the work of the ministry on our own, we realize our strength is limited and our hearts become discouraged.

Psalm 55:22 says "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." When we turn to God instead of trying to bear our burdens alone, we find His strength is sufficient to overcome our weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

Power in ministry only comes from the Head of the Ministry, Jesus Christ Himself. The fruit of living a Spirit-dependent life is described in Galatians 5:22-23. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

Any fruit that is being produced through fleshly strength will "rot quickly." Galatians 6:8 reminds us "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." When our ministry is empowered by the Spirit of God, the fruit that comes will not lead to corruption, but will last eternally.

We need to remember that "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" — 2 Corinthians 5:10.

A simple poem reads as follows:

The judgment is coming, its purpose is sure:
To burn wood, hay, and stubble away.
May what matters the most, at whatever the cost
Be our motive we earnestly pray.

For our heart's lone desire is that thus through the fire
All our efforts will not pass away;
And may Jesus shine through all we say and we do
And "Well done" be the words that He'll say.

May God encourage us in the remembrance of His presence.

May we be refreshed by the empowerment of His Spirit as we walk in obedience to Him.

— Rebecca Krueger
Member of Brookside Baptist Church, Brookfield, WI
Fulltime Secretary/Counselor, Alpha Women's Center, Milwaukee, WI