"I Love The Work, But I Hate The Game"

Cuba Gooding Jr. made a statement in a film he was in, that I have never forgotten. It was in the film "INSTINCT." He said: "I love the work, but I hate the game." I can relate to that, in the work of pastoral ministry. All the power struggles we have, because various people want things to go their own way, instead of working together to accomplish the ministry program the Lord Jesus has already set forth for His church. Ministry has been stifled, even brought to a halt, because of the "games" or "activities" of trying to accomplish self-centered ideas and ambitions. Our church is to be the best looking church there is; better than any other church. The numbers are to look good, the activities are to be many, so we will look productive. We compete for the places of position, and activity, so we will look good, before all in the Congregation. Everyone has ideas on how things should be, and if my idea is not considered, I will take my ball and go home. Jesus gave His church a program of ministry in Matthew 25:34-40 (Please read) This is His idea for ministry of the church in this world. It is not about how the church looks, or how we look as we perform various activities in the church. It is about reaching out to the world on behalf of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is about meeting needs, and through meeting these various needs, we take advantage of meeting the greatest need of all, and that is introducing people to the Savior, Jesus Christ. Let's stop the power struggles, let's stop the games of selfish endeavor, and let's join together to be apart of the greatest rescue effort there is. It's not about polishing the fire truck, it's about getting out there, and rescuing those who are trapped by sin and Satan, and are on there way to the fires of hell. Let's lay aside the game, and focus on the work! GP
Picture By ID 32670422 © Flynt | www.dreamstime.com Thank you!

Serving Together

 "So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, "We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do." (Luke 17:10) 

 Do you remember Dave Thomas, founder of the Wendy's Restaurants? 

I remember in the commercials for Wendy's, he would dress as his workers, and share with people about the great food Wendy's had to offer. I read that one year he appeared on the cover of one of the companies annual reports, dressed in a knee-length work apron, holding a mop. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was like that. 

 In my sermons I have said this many times: "There are only two positions in the church; master and servant." Jesus Christ is our master, and we are His servants." And as Jesus's servants, we are to do what He has called for us to do, according to His Word. 

But in John 15:15 we are more than servants to Jesus, because we are His friends. He has revealed all things from the Father to us. He has revealed to us, that we are to be submissive, and obedient children of God. We are called to be saved, and called to serve. We are not to place ourselves on the throne, and think that people are to answer to us. 

We are, as children of God, to do our kingdom chores. We are to have servant hearts, and together minister to the needs of others, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 25:31-40) 

We unite together, as fellow servants, and friends of Jesus, to serve Him, and bring glory to Him, in all that we say and do! GP 

 Photo: 422737/2074 images/Pixabay License/Free for commercial use/No attribution required/www.pixabay.com

Lowliness Of Mind

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." (Philippians 2:3) 

*" In the ancient east, people's feet were caked with mud and dirt. The servant of the feast saw to it that the feet were cleaned. When Jesus washed the disciple's feet, He was assuming the role of a servant." "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." (John 13:15) 

To be like Jesus, is to have a servant's heart, instead of a selfish heart. The attitudes that I see, and hear about, in the church, are so disheartening. We are "biting and devouring one another"(Galatians 5:15) instead of showing love to one another.

How can the world see the love of Jesus, when they see the pride and arrogance of Satan, rubbing off on us as Christians? In our minds we are to constantly carry a towel and basin. We are to constantly look for opportunities to minister to the needs of one another.

Pride, arrogance, jealousy, conceit, are all tools of Satan, that are divisive, and destructive. If he gets a foothold with these tools, we as Christians are headed down a path of misery and destruction.

The Lord promised that He would take care of us, and He does.
We should desire to be instruments of love and ministry to others.
That through us, the Lord can provide His love and care. GP

* Deovotional book by Max Lucado - "GRACE"
 Photo By by Laura Merchant / Creationswap.com

Glory In Performance

"For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." (2 Corinthians 10:12) 

I like what Matthew Henry said in his commentary: "Ministers in particular must be careful not to glory in their performance, but must give God the glory of their work, and the success of it." (Zondervan NIV Matthew Henry Commentary) 

It is not the Lord's will that we compare ourselves to each other in regards to Christian service. We all have various spiritual gifts that are to be used to build the Kingdom of God, and build up the Christian community-the Church.

When you go to church, do you hear these words: "I could have taught that Bible lesson better!" "I could have presented a better report than the one that was given!" "If I was in charge, things would go a whole lot better!" On and on the words of comparison and competition are heard within the Christian fellowship.

The false apostles, Paul was censuring, were comparing themselves to other men, and by human standards; instead of comparing themselves to Jesus Christ. That's what all of us are to do. Those who are spiritual leaders, as well as those who are members of the body of Christ. Like buildings under construction, we are not finished projects. The Lord is still working on all of us to be what He wants us to be.

It's time that we as Christians get off our high horse, and pursue humility and submission to the Lord Jesus Christ. Just like Him, we are to help others to achieve spiritual growth, and effectiveness, in their personal ministries. When this happens, we as a church will bring glory to the Lord, and make a powerful impact on the world! GP

 Photo: 3dman_eu / 8726 images / Pixabay License / Free for commercial use / No attribution required / www.pixabay.com

To Each One

"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3)

Our spiritual gifts are gifts from God, along with the faith to use them. No one should think more highly than they ought to, because all that is given to us, is from God.

It's not of us, it is of God. It is vitally important that humility be shown, in both the receiving, and the using of our spiritual gifts. We should be grateful that God gives us the abilities, to be a blessing to others. Yes, selfishness has no place in Christian service.

But there is one thing we need to get a hold of: When we minister to others, we need to do as God does: He knows us so well, that He knows what to give us, so we will be effective in blessing others, for His glory.

We need to first get to know people, and understand what their needs are.
We need to realize that it is not "One size fits all." We all have different personalities, as well as different needs. There are cultures to be understood, backgrounds to be understood, circumstances to be understood.

From there we can use the various abilities, and faith, that God has given to us, to meet the needs of people all around us! Yes, to each one! GP

 Photo ID 25466151 © Andres Rodriguez | Dreamstime.com

Is There Joy In Serving Jesus?

 "Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing." (Psalm 100:2)

 Is it always a joyful experience to serve the Lord?

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth, in his second letter: "For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia; that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life." (2 Corinthians 1:8)

We don't know just what happened to Paul at Ephesus, but it was bad enough, that these hardships were life-threatening (v.9) How can we have joy in serving Jesus, when we have to go through experiences such as this? It is worth it, to go through such hard times in the service of our Lord?

Jesus was honest with His followers in Matthew 16:24. He said that to follow Him, was to deny oneself, take up one's cross, and follow Him. What joy is there in that?

Why did the Apostles after being beaten, and commanded to stop speaking in the name of Jesus (Acts 5:40) depart from the presence of the council, rejoicing, that they were counted worthy to suffer shame of His name." (v.40)

 The clear answer is that they loved Jesus. They loved what He had done for them on the cross. He gave His life, and so they were willing to give theirs. There was joy in that! Is there joy in that for us as well? GP

 Photo by graur razvan ionut. Published on 27 February 2010 Stock photo - Image Photo ID:
10013071
www.freedigitalphotos.net