Ministry Heart

Eph.3:7-8 - “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Mt.3:11, Mk.1:7, Lk.3:16, Jn.1:27, Acts 13:25 - John the Baptist’s attitude. Acts 5:41 - Peter and the apostles’ attitudes. 1 Cor.3:9 - He’s made us his co-workers. Jn.15:14 - Doing what is close to his heart develops intimacy with Him. Phil.3:7-9 - Paul said nothing (not even ministry) compares with that! Mk.6:30-31 - “The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” The greatest ministry activity you can do is to connect with Him. Dt.10:9 - “That is why the Levites have no share or inheritance among their brothers; the LORD is their inheritance, as the LORD your God told them.” For those of us in full time ministry He is our inheritance! Jer.30:21 - “Who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?” Ps.119:10 - David put told God, “I seek you with all my heart.” (I want to be able to say the same). Is.40:31 - “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Lk.10:38-42 - Mary, Martha and one thing that matters. Ex.19:3 - Moses leaves 2 million people to connect with God. God dictates the next 13 chapters of Exodus to Him. Upon returning he finds them worshipping the golden calf (analogy) and they were so out of control even their enemies were laughing at them. Moses destroys the 10 commandments, makes them drink the gold of the calf in their water and allows the Levites to slaughter their brothers for a day. Ex. 32:31, 34:28-30 - He then does the opposite of what any rational leader would do, he leaves them, again, after that (!!!), and returns to seek God for another 40 days, returning radiant! He must be your first ministry commitment. 19th century missionary Henry Martyn said, “The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Christ, the more missionary we become.” In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers writes the following (on 1 Cor.3:9): Beware of any work for God which enables you to evade concentration on Him. A great many Christian workers worship their work. The one concern of a worker should be concentration on God, and this will mean that all other margins of life, mental, moral and spiritual, are free with the freedom of a child, a worshipping child, not a wayward child. A worker without this solemn, dominant note of concentration on God is apt to get his work on his neck; there is no margin of body, mind or spirit free, consequently he becomes spent out and crushed. There is no freedom, no delight in life; nerves, mind and heart are so crushingly burdened that God’s blessing cannot rest. But the other side is just as true - when once the concentration is on God, all the margins of life are free and under the dominance of God alone. There is no responsibility on you for the work; the only responsibility you have is to keep in living constant touch with God, and to see that you allow nothing to hinder your cooperation with Him. The freedom after sanctification is the freedom of a child, the things that used to keep life pinned down are gone. But, be careful to remember that you are freed for one thing only - to be absolutely devoted to your co-Worker. We have no right to judge where we should be put, or to have preconceived notions as to what God is fitting us for. God engineers everything; wherever He puts us, our one great aim, is to pour out a whole hearted devotion to Him in that particular work. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do with thy might.” Jesus and the Father. Ps.127:1