IF YOU ARE NOT EXCITED, YOU MUST BE EXPIRED
To be honest (which is not really a strain) I am excited about my ministry life. Not just the possibilities of the next leg of the journey, but the life of ministry I have at the present time.
The needs are great,
the opposition is massive,
the rejection is formidable,
BUT
the grace of God,
the power of God,
the message of God
IS GREATER than all of the obstacles I encounter.
There are sooooo many tools to use, but as Jesus said, the laborers are few. God chooses to use us to do His bidding in this world. Consider these verses.
Laborers Are Few
Matthew 9:36-38
(36) But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
(37) Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
(38) Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
God's Great Power In His Vessels
2 Corinthians 4:1-11
(1) Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not:
(2) but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
(3) And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish:
(4) in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them.
(5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
(6) Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
(7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;
(8) we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair;
(9) pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed;
(10) always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body.
(11) For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
We Speak For God
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
(18) But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation;
(19) namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.
(20) We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
THE SON OF GOD GOES FORTH TO WAR
Reginald Heber (Anglican minister)
1812
(to follow in His train is follow in His path, steps)
1
The Son of God goes forth to war,
A kingly crown to gain;
His blood-red banner streams afar:
Who follows in His train?
Who best can drink his cup of woe,
Triumphant over pain,
Who patient bears his cross below,
He follows in His train.
2
The martyr first, whose eagle eye
Could pierce beyond the grave,
Who saw his Master in the sky,
And called to Him to save:
Like Him, with pardon on his tongue,
In midst of mortal pain,
He prayed for them that did the wrong:
Who follows in his train?
3
A glorious band, the chosen few
On whom the Spirit came,
Twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew,
And mocked the cross and flame.
They met the tyrant’s brandished steel,
The lion’s gory mane,
They bowed their necks, the death to feel:
Who follows in their train?
4
A noble army, men and boys,
The matron and the maid,
Around the Savior’s throne rejoice,
In robes of light arrayed.
They climbed by strength divine from heaven,
Through peril, toil, and pain:
O God, to us may grace be given
To follow in their train.
Called To Follow In His Steps
1 Peter 2:19-23
(19) For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
(20) For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
(21) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
(22) Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
(23) Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
