Communion 4

Acts 5:17-20

When I was in college I stopped attending church because I was so disillusioned by the behavior of so many “Christians.” But when I shared my frustration with my uncle he told me, “Don’t let anyone else keep you out of God’s house.”

That comment really turned me around. I give my uncle the credit for starting a new life of faith that has resulted with my being in the ministry today.

The early church was not without its setbacks and problems. In Acts 5 Peter and other apostles have been preaching and healing many people out in the streets and in the Temple. How do the religious leaders react? What happens to those who are jailed? What command does the angel give?

The high priest and his associates were so upset with Peter and the others that they were jailed so they could be silenced. These leaders were trying to stop the ministry going on. But God intervened by sending an angel to set them free from prison.

And with that freedom came a command to keep doing what they had been doing. Their work was not yet completed.

As we work through our own spiritual growth and tend to our own faith journey we will encounter obstacles and road blocks. Some may be so big that they will keep us from living out our faith the way we should.

But we must remember Jesus’ instructions to the disciples at the feeding of the 5,000. “You give them something to eat.” It is up to us to help build the kingdom of God. It is up to us, in communion with the risen Christ, to be about saving souls and spreading the good news.

No matter what may come our way, no matter what setbacks we might encounter, no matter what negative thoughts and words may come at us from those around us, we need to be about feeding the hungry souls of the lost. We need to be part of Christ’s ministry. We need to tell the people the full message of this new life.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you overcome your obstacles and preach about the new life in Christ?

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?

Pray for God's Help 2

2 Chronicles 7:13-15

As a teacher I expected order and discipline in my classroom. And so, to help our discussions and class time to be productive, I insisted that any student who wanted my attention or who wanted to speak should raise his or her hand first. I often told them that if they did not raise a hand I was not able to hear them.

Solomon is famous for his wisdom, but he is also noted for building the temple in Jerusalem. This was to be the place of worship, the place where the faithful could be in the presence of their God. In today’s passage God is responding to Solomon.

What has been the problem? What must the people do in order for God to hear their prayer? How will God respond?

In the time of Solomon the Israelites have evidently experienced hard times, times when they felt that they had been forgotten by God. But God reminded them that if they turned from sinning and humbly sought Him, He would hear their prayers. They had to behave a certain way to connect with God.

Many churches may feel that they are an oasis of goodness in a desert of sin. They may feel that there is little any of the faithful can do to help save the world. But we must do something to serve God’s kingdom.

If we are planning any type of ministry for ourselves or for our church, we need to recognize that one of the first things we must do is turn to God in prayer. By covering our intentions and activities in prayer we are working to ensure that our efforts will be blessed and filled with the power of God.

But our prayers must be offered in humility. We must seek God. We must confess our sins and find forgiveness in Him first. And then we may ask of God.

Although the tasks before us may seem insurmountable now, we need to remember that God will indeed hear our prayers. His eyes are open to us. His ears listen to us.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What prayer do you have for God?

Pray for God's Help 1

Nehemiah 1:8-11

When we came to our current appointment, land was donated to the church and money was being raised to build a new parsonage. Before the work began on the foundation we gathered on the property and held a special service. In that service we prayed for God’s blessing on the property and the house that would soon be there. It was important to consecrate the land, the work, and the vision with the power of God.

Nehemiah is the man who is known for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, and that is what the book bearing his name is all about. And here, at the beginning of this book, is the prayer of Nehemiah.

What does Nehemiah ask God to remember? What has God promised? What does Nehemiah remind God about? What does Nehemiah ask for?

Before he began his work Nehemiah turned to God in prayer. Before he laid the foundation of the wall he laid the foundation of the work, and that foundation was in the strength of God, the ability and success that only comes from God. If we are to face the challenges of ministry, if we will try new things or breathe life into existing things, we should first realize that we need God to be present with us. We must first turn to God and seek His blessings and strength in what we plan to do.

Our prayers are opportunities to be in communion with our Lord, but they are also opportunities to find strength and success. Our prayers can include requests for direction from God, instruction and guidance for where we should be in ministry, but we can also pray for God’s blessings on what we will do. Nehemiah was up front about his request – “Give your servant success.”

We need to be bold in our conversations with God. If you will be in ministry for God then both you and God will want to see success, so let us be willing to ask for it. Be direct, and seek God’s blessings on what you will do.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What success are you seeking?

Place Yourself Where God Can Use You - 4

1 Samuel 25:23-27

A successful play in football requires that everyone involved be where they are supposed to be and do what they are supposed to do. If the quarterback throws the ball but the receiver is not where he is supposed to be, the play fails. Even if the player had every good intention to be where he is supposed to be, unless he gets there things won’t work out.

As we continue with the story of Abigail, David and Nabal we see Abigail placing herself where she needs to be. What are all the steps that Abigail carries out? How do you think David will respond?.

Abigail’s ministry did not end with preparing the food David wanted. It also did not end when she found David as he was approaching her home. She had to put herself in his path and humble herself before the angry warrior, accepting the responsibility, and pleading with David.

Placing yourself at God’s disposal in ministry means more than simply having the best ideas and the best intentions. It requires that you put yourself completely into that ministry. When you are called into a ministry you must prepare for it, act on it, and carry through with it. This is all part of placing yourself in ministry.

It is not always easy discerning what God wants us to do in ministry. And when we feel we know what God wants, it is not always easy getting the ministry organized. These two steps are necessary for good ministry, but ministry can’t move forward unless we put ourselves in that place where God can use us.

There are times when we must be persistent in our work for the kingdom of God. We must take our ideas and our materials and then work with them. We must keep our feet firmly planted in the ministry, allowing ourselves to remain in that place where God can use us.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Are you in place for ministry?

Place Yourself Where God Can Use You - 3

1 Samuel 25:18-22

This past summer at our community VBS I lost my temper with one of the volunteers. It was an embarrassing time for me. I had committed a terrible sin and had to seek forgiveness. To do that I had to find the person I offended and apologize. It was all resolved in the end, but the offended person did not want to speak with me at first, and I did not look forward to that necessary confrontation.

Today’s passage is a portion of a long story involving David, a man named Nabal and Nabal’s wife, Abigail. David and his men have been protecting the shepherds in a certain region and David sent messengers asking for some food, an expression of gratitude for what they have been doing. But Nabal rejects David, which angers him.

What did Abigail do when she learned of the offense? Where does Abigail find David? What were David and his men doing?

The intelligent wife of the foolish Nabal must correct the mistake her husband has made. Nabal has failed to show proper appreciation for the protection and security his servants and property have received. David is so angry he is planning to attack Nabal and his servants, killing every one of them.

Abigail sets out to avert catastrophe. She has prepared the food that David was looking for earlier, but that is not enough. She must go out and find David, literally placing herself in his way so that good may be done.

We can imagine that she was not looking forward to this task. She was putting herself at considerable risk, standing in the way of an angry warrior and his soldiers. But to accomplish what needed to be done she had to place herself in a position that would guarantee the deed was accomplished.

When we answer God’s call to ministry we may feel reluctant to do the work. The ministry may require some sacrifice on our part. Or it may seem too much. We may hesitate putting ourselves on the line to do the work of God’s kingdom.

But that is what we need to do. When we answer God’s call we must place ourselves into the thick of the situation, putting our own confidence and comfort on the line for God. We are often called not to simply provide for a ministry, but actually be part of it. We should step out in faith and place ourselves where we can be used for God’s good.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Where do you need to place yourself to do ministry?

Answer the Call - Ministry 5

Mark 5:41-43

When I was younger and got sick with the flu, a cold or a fever, I only wanted two things – lemonade and pear halves. This may not strike you as anything special (or desirable!) but to me those two foods offered great comfort at times when I didn’t feel good. Many people have “comfort foods,” certain meals or dishes that help to fend off the blues or feelings of sickness.

Even when our problems are not physical ailments, but emotional ones, addressing our physical needs can work wonders.

This passage is the end of a much larger story. Jesus has been summoned by a synagogue ruler to offer healing to his daughter. Upon his arrival at the house Jesus is informed that the ruler’s daughter is no longer sick, but deceased.

What does Jesus do? What two things does he instruct?

A few things strike me in this story. First, Jesus is not swayed from his ministry by the comments of others. Even when told that it is too late to do anything Jesus persists with what he will do.

Second, Jesus takes action. His ministry does not involve teaching a lesson by talking. He doesn’t go off into seclusion to pray. He acts. He goes directly to the place where he is needed and raises the girl from the dead.

Finally, Jesus takes care of the girl’s physical needs. Not only does he cure her of illness and raise her from the dead, he has the family feed her. It’s important. The Bible mentions it specifically.

Jesus addressed the needs of a person in his ministry, and in that example we see the type of ministry we need to adopt for ourselves. We need to go to where the problems are and deal with the physical needs of others.

As James pointed out, “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Our faith should compel us into some ministry, and that ministry is likely to require our getting involved. If we will show the love of God we will probably need to act in some way, to deal with others, and to lend a hand.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Who needs your help?

Answer the Call - Ministry 4

James 2:15-17

One of the key elements of our denomination, United Methodists, was the early societies who gathered for prayer and study. It was important to these groups that they would do more than pray for a person in need – they would do something about that need. Unfortunately many have lost sight of our heritage and forgotten this attitude of action that was so essential to the early church. Many have become quite complacent in their faith.

In this letter from James – possibly the brother of Jesus – such an attitude is addressed. What scenario is presented? What comment is made about good intentions? What must our faith have?

Too often we can get caught up in only part of our faith. We can become very good at attending church and studying the Bible. We can become well versed in Scripture and be quite comfortable in our prayer life. But something is missing.

Faith involves more than just the head and heart. True faith involves the hands and feet. Faith in Jesus must be lived out, put into action.

This passage is in no way meant to discount the power of prayer or to take away the need for compassion and strong faith. But our beliefs and our compassion must be accompanied by action. If we will believe in Jesus Christ then we must live out Christ in the world. We need to be Jesus to other people.

This involves doing acts of mercy not just having mercy. This involves acts of compassion not just the feeling of compassion. This involves the sacrificial giving of love not just embracing a loving spirit.

We are to put our faith to work by giving to the needy, spending time with the lonely, visiting the sick, and sharing the good news with the broken. Some ministries are in the church – volunteering to help teach, to help with the worship services, or to help in church functions. Other ministries are outside the church – visiting shut-ins, taking food to the hungry, or participating in mission trips.

While attending worship, praying, and studying the Bible are important, you may need to honestly evaluate who you are helping in what you do.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What work needs to be done?

Answer the Call - Ministry 3

2 Corinthians 3:2-3

Not long ago there were several “messages from God” on billboards around some of our cities. They had clever ways of attracting your attention and urging people to attend church. Some messages were things like “We need to talk. – God.” Or “Don’t make me come down there! – God.”

Most people would love to hear a direct message from God. Most people would probably change their ways and their way of thinking if they could simply hear the voice of God speaking directly to them.

Today’s passage is from Paul’s letter to the believers in the church at Corinth. To what does he compare the believers? How are they a letter?

Paul creates a wonderful image to describe those who follow the teachings of Jesus and do the work of God. They have become like letters or messages from God. No, it isn’t the very voice of God others might hear or want to hear, but in their actions of kindness and compassion, in the example they set by their way of life, these believers are living messages from God.

Through their behavior the people of the church of Corinth were showing non-believers what God is like. The people themselves were living messages.

We live in a hurting world and a world that so often seems confused as to which is the right direction to go spiritually. How do we teach them the ways of God? How do we show them what God is all about?

We do that by becoming living letters of God. We can be the voice of God to the lost and the marginalized, to those who need guidance and support. We can offer hope and direction through our own words of kindness and caring. We can express God’s love by sharing ourselves and our own love, by helping those in need and living a life of confidence in God’s kingdom.

Your ministry may not be one of preaching and teaching. Your ministry may not be to serve at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. But all ministries should be seen as God being lived out in our attitudes and behaviors.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What does your “letter” say?

Answer the Call - Ministry 2

Isaiah 6:5-8

Sometimes it’s fun to dig out old photographs and see what my family and I looked like so many years ago. It can be fun to let our children get a good laugh at the old clothing styles or the picture of their conservative Dad with hair to his shoulders (Yep. I was “groovy.”). Times like that can be fun, but they are also a reminder that I am not who I was. I have changed.

This passage is a classic Scripture reading that describes the call of the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah has a vision of God seated on His throne. About the Lord are billows of smoke as angels fly around and heaven shakes with thunder.

What is the prophet’s initial response? What does the seraph (angel) do? What does God ask? How does Isaiah respond?

“I am a man of unclean lips!” Isaiah realizes that he is not worthy to be in the presence of God. He is not good enough to serve the Lord.

But God remedies that. An angel purifies Isaiah and makes him worthy because God wants someone to be his messenger. And that is where we have the stirring response from Isaiah, “Here am I. Send me.”

Am I worthy to be a pastor? No. I’m the dorky guy in the weird clothes with the long hair. I have a past that I’m not completely proud of. And so many other people in churches use the same excuse – “I’m not good enough.”

No, we aren’t good enough; but fortunately God has set his coal on our lips and purified us. Like Isaiah we are made worthy by God to be in the service of God. So the excuses just don’t cut it any more.

We can take our old selves and our past and toss them out along with the old photos. And while we’re at it, let’s pitch those tired old excuses too. It is time to stop saying “I don’t think we can,” “I don’t think we should,” and “We’ve never done it that way before.” Let’s remember that our unclean lips have been made clean and our response to ministry opportunities should be “Here am I. Send me.”

DAILY CHALLENGE: How will you help?

Answer the Call - Ministry 1

Acts 6:1-7

The church where we currently serve held a fellowship dinner on our first Sunday. When the meal was done I asked our children to gather dirty silverware and take it to the kitchen to be washed. This was what we did in our old church.

But after they had gathered a number of place-settings we were informed everyone had brought their own silverware! What an impression we made.

Although it was a mistake at that time, the concept is still good. We must all pitch in and help where we are able so that ministry can move forward. We all have a part we can play.

As we return to our daily devotions this fall we are examining how we can answer the call of God, to step up into leadership and strengthen the church. The first step is realizing we are all called to ministry.

We see this in the early church, in fact at a very early stage in this new worship group. Why were some people unhappy? What did the twelve leaders say about their own ministry? Who was chosen to help the widows? What was the result?

It may strike a person as arrogant that the Twelve, the disciples, the leaders of this new church, were not willing to stop doing the preaching to wait on tables and clean up after meals. But what is essential here is that the Twelve realized preaching was their ministry. Other ministries had to be filled by people who were called to and would be skilled at those ministries.

Just as you would not expect a car mechanic to do your dental work, or for your plumber to diagnose an illness, churches should not expect any willing person to fill any spot that is open. Any ministry should be filled by those who are called to that ministry.

But it is essential that we all realize that we are all called to some ministry. God has not passed over any of us leaving us with no skills. Each must do his or her part in serving God. Each should find a place to fit in and do work.

In our new church we had to adjust to a new way of doing things. The same is true of all churches today. We may have to examine ministry and who will do it and change the way things have been done so that God’s kingdom may move forward and grow.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you help?

Recipe for Life 5

1 Corinthians 12:4-6

We have a rotation of responsibility in our house. Every night for dinner one of the three children will be responsible for setting the table, laying out the plates and silverware. After the dinner the other two are responsible for clearing the table, taking away the dirty dishes, putting them in the dishwasher, and washing up whatever doesn’t fit in the dishwasher. It is a fair and equal distribution of labor.

Our approach fits very well with the kitchen tip “Whoever does the cooking does not do the dishes.” This seems a fair approach to life in general, yet we don’t always apply it to our church family.

In this passage from 1 Corinthians Paul points out God’s distribution of labor. What is different? What is the same?

There are frequent squawks and disputes in a church family whenever there is any type of event at the church. Some of these issues even arise in the worship time. We may see conflict when one person feels they have done more work than another. Some feel they give to the church more than others.

But what we often overlook is that people contribute in their own ways. Some folks are gifted with the ability to cook great dishes to be shared. Others have the skills to make repairs. Others have been blessed by God with financial wealth which they share generously.

We can’t compare what we do with others in some attempt to decide who is doing more. We must realize that we all have different abilities and attitudes. We must trust that each person brings their own gifts to be used by God, and then we must trust that each gift is indeed used by God for His kingdom.

Some cook. Some wash. Some set the table. Some pay for the meal. As long as we are all doing the work with the intention of serving God we can all find satisfaction in knowing God is being glorified.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you respect the works and gifts of others?

Youth Week 2

James 3:13

When I first began the ministry years ago, each Sunday someone placed a glass of ice-water on the pulpit. I never saw who did it and no one ever came forward to accept thanks or praise. Even when I tried to watch for the person, something would come up that distracted me and when I went up into the pulpit the glass was there.

A simple glass of cold water can easily be overlooked or dismissed as unimportant, but I soon discovered I needed that water when I spoke. I counted it as a wonderful help to me.

It’s also important to remember that I never asked for the water and there were times when I didn’t drink any of it. Still, every week there was a glass of water in case I did need it.

Why all the fuss about a glass of water? Because it seems to fit with today’s passage. Who is wise among you? Let him show it by good deeds done in humility.

Wisdom is more than intelligence. Wisdom involves an understanding, intuitiveness, a comprehension of life. The truly wise person will understand the needs of others. The truly wise person will understand that good deeds are necessary to help others in Christian love.

And when the wise person sees a need, the wise person will do good deeds, but those deeds will be done in humility. The deeds will not be done to earn acclaim and praise – they will be done simply to help those in need.

Whoever delivered the weekly glass of water was wise enough to understand such a gift was helpful – not every time, but often enough that the water was there week after week. Whoever delivered the water acted in humility, a humility (I am certain) which came through wisdom. Whoever brought the water did so to help another person and not to earn thanks.

In their Summer of Service experience the youth in our church learned to serve others in the humility of wisdom. The work they did was not done to garner praise, but was done to help those in need. And much of the work was labor most people would not do even if they were paid.

Our youth experienced service done in humility. And now they will share this Christian attitude and experience with others. Hearing their stories, or simply knowing that these young people have lived out the Christian calling, should cause each of us to examine our own deeds and attitudes.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Is there a kind deed that you can do in the humility of wisdom?