Keeping the Vision 5

Romans 15:5-7

I can’t help but feel a little guilty when I see someone else working harder than I do. In the past few weeks we have had some church dinners and we have cleared away the Christmas decorations. All these events required several people pitching in and doing what they could to get things accomplished.

I was not the hardest working person in all of these situations. In actuality there were likely only one or two people who really put in extra effort. But instead of feeling jealous or guilty we should celebrate the fact that this person or that was able to do something – find a ministry – in which they could excel.

It takes a great deal of people, in fact all of us, to accomplish the work of God’s kingdom. Each of us is blessed with certain gifts and abilities. Each of us has various interests and areas of expertise or skill. When all of these come together any job can be accomplished.

Paul has something to say about the diversity of work in the church. What does he want for the believers? What will be the result of a spirit of unity? What should we do? Why?

If we will live out the love of Christ in our faith walk, if we will do things for the ministry of the world, we must be willing to do our part in what needs to be accomplished. We cannot sit idly by and allow everyone else do the work of God. But we should also not be the persons who try to do everything on our own.

True ministry, truly doing the work of God’s kingdom, requires that every one of us step forward to do our best. God is able to give us the endurance we need to get things done, and when we know we have done work for God we are blessed with a sense of encouragement.

We must work toward a sense of unity in our places of worship. When we all join together in ministry we are giving glory to God in a unified voice. Accepting our place in the work of the kingdom and accepting the work of others brings praise to God.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What must you do to celebrate your own ministry as well as the ministry of others?

Keeping the Vision 3

John 8:12

In these winter months when the days are dark early, we usually turn on our garage light in the afternoon and leave it on until late at night so that all of our family members will have some illumination in all of our comings and goings. We have timers on many of our lamps for the same reason. As the day gets dark the light switches on automatically so we can walk in the light.

In this passage from John we again have Jesus teaching a crowd of followers. How does he describe himself? What benefit do the people get when they follow Jesus?

Our lives may have many dark spots in them. We may have times of fear and worry, times when we are challenged to keep moving on. But Jesus brings us light so that our darkness can be illuminated and driven out.

But Christ is talking about something other than the light we might see from a lamp. He is talking about the light of God’s love and wisdom. Jesus is that embodiment of the love of God. He is the living light of God’s grace and wisdom.

As the light of God, then, Jesus shines this light of God on all those who believe in him and follow him. When we follow Jesus – that is, when we try to live and act as Jesus did – we receive this light from God.

Just as Jesus shines the light that is from God, so we as believers should also shine the light. We should receive the light of God’s wisdom and grace that flows through Christ, and then reflect it out into the world so others may come to know the tremendous love of God.

Unfortunately many houses of worship, churches and religious groups have a number of members who are more than willing to bask in the light of God but do nothing to help shine that light to the world. They are more than willing to let the light of Christ shine on them, but they take no part in helping the light shine on others.

As believers we must estimate the cost of our ministry. We must determine how and where we will work to help shine God’s light in the world.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What will you do to help shine the light of Christ?

Keeping the Vision 2

Romans 15:14

We all need some encouragement now and then. It is heartening to have someone list your strong points and have a little confidence in you. When you are feeling weak and lonely, when you think you are destined to failure, it is good to hear some positive words.

In the story of “Winnie the Pooh,” Pooh’s friend Christopher Robin tells him, “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.” Good words for the little bear and good words for each of us to hear about ourselves.

In his letter to the Romans Paul gives some encouragement to this group of new believers, people he has never met. Of what is Paul convinced? What can these people do?

We can imagine that the new Christians in Rome may have felt a bit uneasy with this new religion they were dealing with. They really had no great leaders yet to put them on the right path and help them through the challenges they were facing.

But Paul had some faith in these believers. He was convinced in his heart that these people were good people. They had within themselves the right spirit, the right attitude, sufficient knowledge and ability to help each other along the way. This young church did not need Paul; they had one another.

Now the question is for us. Do we have what it takes to be good people? Are we of sufficient character and wisdom to be able to correct those who have gone astray from the holy path of faith? Do we have the competence to teach one another and the new believer in what it takes to be a Christian?

I believe the answer is, yes. If we can rely on the spirit and grace of Christ, if we can center our lives on Jesus, we will have what it takes to move forward in our Christian living and to help others in this path of faith. When it comes to being a good Christian it may be that you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can you do to help others strengthen their faith?

Keeping the Vision 1

Luke 14:28-30

Are you prepared for the rest of 2012? Do you have everything in order for all the things you will face, all the struggles and the good times, the challenges and the joys? Most importantly, are you where you need to be with your faith and what you are going to do as part of God’s kingdom?

That’s a lot of questions and a great deal to think about, but that is what it takes sometimes to get through life, especially a life of following Christ. This passage in Luke is part of what Jesus said to a large crowd of people – probably including his disciples – who were following him as he taught. What does he say about a person who wants to build a tower? What might happen if a person is not prepared for what is in store?

Naturally, such an approach is good advice to anyone who is planning a big venture. If you are thinking about building a house, adding on to your current home or remodeling you will need to know what the cost is going to be, and you will need to decide if you have the resources to get things done. The same is true of buying a car, getting groceries, planning a trip, and so on.

But it is also true about our faith and our involvement in being faithful. That is, after all, what Jesus is getting at. This crowd of followers may not have given enough thought to all the commitment required in following Jesus. What might be expected of them? Will they need to change the way they think and act?

As we enter into a new calendar year it is a good time to examine ourselves and our own commitment to Jesus. As believers we need to estimate the cost of what it will take to be truly Christian. We may need to make changes in our lives – changes in how we look at our finances, changes in our attitudes to others, changes in what we do at work and how we act in public AND private.

Jesus encourages us to estimate the cost of what we will do. We must estimate what it is we are willing to give and give up for God. We must look at what we are willing to do in order to serve God and further His kingdom.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What new thing will you do for God in 2012? Do you have the resources – money, time, spirit, attitude – to get it done?

Plan Your Ministry 5

Jeremiah 29:11

As an adult I love most vegetables and I have taken on much healthier eating habits in the past year than I have ever had. But when I was a child I was just like any other kid. I hated vegetables and sometimes wondered if my mother was actually trying to poison me by making me eat some of those strange things on the table.

Of course she was not trying to poison me. In fact, just the opposite was true. She wanted me to eat well so I would be healthy and strong. So often our present circumstances keep us from seeing the good intentions meant for us.

There are many times when we may question what is happening around us and what is happening in our society or our very church. Does God want evil to prevail? Does God want the church to fall apart?

No, of course not. God wants what is best for us and wants the good and holy work of His church to succeed. This sentiment is pointed out in this passage from Jeremiah. What does God know? What assurance does He give?

This was the message for the Israelites living in exile, living a life with little hope. They felt defeated and lost. But God reminded the people through His prophet that God had plans for them – good plans, plans of hope and prosperity.

We may need to remember this assurance from God ourselves. God knows what the future holds. He wants us to succeed and be happy and holy. He has plans for us – big plans of accomplishment and success.

We may not understand what God is doing all the time, but we must trust that His plans are for our good, for a bright and hopeful future. We may not understand what we are to do, but we must trust that God’s plans are for the good and we should live out those plans.

How can we get to this future God has for us? God has the plans for our future; we simply need to get those plans from God. Through prayer and diligent seeking we can learn the plans God has for us and then live them out. Through careful organization and prayerful thinking we can set our ministries into motion to serve God and humanity and to glorify the Lord.

With the right source of inspiration, the right attitude and approach, we can live into the bright future God has planned for us.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What plans does God have for you?

Plan Your Ministry 4

Romans 15:23-25

Working at the daily newspaper in Hamilton was a stressful job because of its very strict deadlines for when work needed to be completed. One morning one of the editor’s did not show up for work. We had no idea where he was or why he wasn’t at work, but the job had to get done so we all pitched in and divided his duties among us. When he finally showed up about three hours late the manager asked where he had been.

“The police knew where I was,” was his only response.

For teams to function well, for ministry to work, we often need to communicate with one another.

We may have a passion for certain ministries and we may love being involved in those ministries, but we should never lose sight of the fact that we are not alone. In his letter to the believers in Rome what information does Paul share with them? What is he hoping for? What must he do now?

There is no evidence that Paul ever made it to Spain and most scholars agree that he went to Rome only because he was a prisoner of the empire. But when this letter was written Paul had plans. His current work was finished. He had to go to Jerusalem. And after that he wanted to go to Rome and then Spain.

He told the church in Rome that he wanted to visit, but also that he wanted them to help him in his work. In this obscure and somewhat uninspiring passage we see Paul working out his plans. But we also see Paul being inclusive.

In this passage he has stopped with his teaching on spiritual matters and is including the believers in his ministry by letting them know what he is doing. He also invites them to be part of his work.

As we examine our ministries and as we make plans for our ministries we need to recall that we are not alone in our work. As we make plans for ministry we must invite others to be part of that ministry. And an essential part of successful teamwork is the sharing of information. As you enter into a ministry with others be certain to share the work and keep everyone involved in the loop of knowledge.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Who needs to be invited into ministry?

Plan Your Ministry 3

Romans 10:14-15

“I need details!” was the message on a t-shirt that Greg, one of the volunteers at our previous church, often wore. While working with him on various projects I found it to be quite true – Greg did best when he had a lot of information.

What do you need? When do you need it? Where do you want it? Why do you need it? Who else is involved? The more information you could provide to Greg the more successful the ministry and the smoother everything went.

In the letter to the church at Rome Paul outlines a familiar progression in ministry. This logic moves from the end to the beginning. What is the real progression required in helping believers?

We must send someone into ministry so that person may preach. When that person preaches others will hear about God and believe. When someone believes in God they will know they can call on God.

The ministry has a plan. Send someone and have them preach so others can believe. In that plan are not only the steps for the ministry but the reason for the work.

As we examine our own call to ministry, whether we are working on new ideas for ministry and outreach or evaluating current ministries, we must have all of our details in our planning. Simply having a call or desire to serve God is not enough. Having a vague idea of what should be done is a start, but a good, solid plan for effective ministry will have clear details.

As we work out the plan for our ministry we should organize the details and information so that the plans follow from beginning to end. What is the process? What resources do you need? How will you go about the ministry?

We should also be aware of our goal. We may be doing it for the love of God and people, but it helps to be more specific and intentional. Why are we doing this and who are we reaching?

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you organize a ministry?

Plan Your Ministry 2

Nehemiah 2:13-18

You would think that putting a screw into a piece of wood would be no big deal, but two years ago I learned I wasn’t doing it right. I always simply put the screw to the wood and turned it as I pressed against it. There were times when the screw would go in fairly easily, but often it was a struggle. Then someone pointed out how helpful a pilot hole is to guide the screw and keep the wood from splitting. It only took a minute to have someone point out my problem and give me a solution.

Nehemiah 2:11-15 focuses on Nehemiah’s assessment of the work that needs to be done in rebuilding Jerusalem. He looks over the problem and begins to develop a plan on how to restore the city. What is his invitation to the city officials? What was their response?

Verses 11 through 15 give us the details of Nehemiah’s inspection. He examines the ruins of Jerusalem without the presence of others so that he might have an accurate, first-hand picture of what needs to be done. When he is finished he explains the situation and his intentions to the leaders of Jerusalem, and they are willing to help him accomplish his ministry.

Most churches have ministries already in place or at least ministries that once existed. To serve God and to revitalize a church we may need to breathe new life into existing ministries or adjust current ministries to address current needs and changes in our culture.

Just as Gideon did not plunge forward into battle but waited for God to give him His plan, we need to examine our ministries and evaluate their effectiveness. Through an honest approach, an unbiased examination, and prayerful guidance from God we can look at the work of our church and decide if changes are necessary. Evaluating resources and needs are essential parts of planning God’s work.

As Nehemiah reminded the officials of God’s gracious hand upon him, we must remember to include God’s wisdom in our assessment of work and be gracious ourselves to those already involved in ministry. Our evaluations should be done in love and not involve harsh criticism.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How will you assess current ministries?

Plan Your Ministry 1

Judges 7:2-6

I used to watch the painter Bob Ross on Saturday morning television. He was one of those who taught painting and could finish a picture within thirty minutes. It always fascinated me how a painting could emerge from the mess that he started with. The first half of the show usually involved colors and shapes that made no sense to me but eventually evolved into something nice. It became evident that the work which at first seemed random was actually following a plan.

If we will place ourselves where God can use us, pray that God will help us, and picture what God wants, then we must plan out what we will do to make our ministry a reality. God gave Gideon a plan when he was facing the Midianites.

What was the problem? What was God’s solution? Why did God want fewer men?

As an armchair general, someone who enjoys examining military tactics and historical battles, this story has always set my teeth on edge. When facing an opponent in combat a leader wants as many soldiers under his control as possible. Yet God had a different plan for Gideon.

If you finish the story of Gideon and the Midianites (Judges 7:17-21) you will see that only three-hundred men were needed to fulfill God’s plan. Rather than confront the enemy in battle the Israelites under Gideon used psychology, tricking the enemy into believing they were outnumbered and surrounded.

The battle was a success because Gideon followed the plan that God gave him. God outlined what needed to be done and Gideon, rather than rush into battle without thought, obeyed God and followed the plan.

Our ministry ideas and desires may at first appear to be haphazard and messy. To achieve success we will need to plan our ministry, and yet also avoid the pitfall of becoming mired in so much planning that we are bogged down in indecision and fear.

As we face the challenges of ministry and of doing the work of God we will need to rely on God’s guidance. But we will also need to take some time and decide the best way to go about that ministry. Successful ministry follows well-planned organization.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you develop a plan for ministry?

Management 3

Luke 14:28-30

Not far from our home is the partial framework of a home that was started a few years ago. The corner posts were set up; a few rafter beams were added, and then nothing. The boards stand as a constant reminder that this project either ran out of money or was simply abandoned.

Without planning and honest assessments of our situations we may find ourselves in financial trouble. If we enter into service and ministry in areas where we are not called or skilled, we can end up with a failed ministry.

In this passage Jesus is talking to people following him about what is required to truly be a disciple of Christ. What analogy is presented? What lesson is taught?

Being a believer in Jesus and managing your personal finances can be similar in many ways. If you will manage your money properly it is wise to examine exactly how much you have before moving forward. If you will be a follower of Christ it is important to know what your abilities are.

Good financial management and stewardship involves some planning. You must take an honest inventory of your assets. How much do you have? Then look at your monthly expenses. What absolutely must be paid, and when must it be paid? What other obligations do you have, and what are the amounts you expect to spend on them? Can any money be saved?

If your income and assets are accurate, and your expected expenses are fairly close to being accurate, you should be financially sound in your living. If you budget your expenses and plan for saving, you can really have a stable financial future.

The same can apply to following Jesus. Take a look at what you are skilled at doing. What are your talents? Now decide where these might be used in the kingdom of God. Can you apply them to any ministry, and if so are you willing to do that?

I believe we are called to be sensible and intelligent in our living. Giving our money situation an honest and accurate evaluation can lead to strong financial stability and security in our lives. Giving our spiritual situation and service potential an honest and accurate evaluation can lead to strong and rewarding ministries for us all.

DAILY CHALLENGE: If you do not already have an accurate and workable budget, create one which lists your monthly income and accurate monthly expenses.