Things To Remember When Serving The Lord
May 2016
"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
Colossians 3:23
If you are saved, your life is a ministry and there is something that God has placed you on this earth to do! I always remind myself that the life I live outside of the four walls of the church will ALWAYS be my greatest sermon, testimony, and MINISTRY! No, you may not be called to be a pastor, preacher, teacher, blogger, praise and worship leader, etc., but trust me.....GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO DO SOMETHING! He has called you to make a difference for His glory in your sphere of influence! Today, I just want to encourage you. Whether the life you live for Jesus is your only ministry right now, or if you are a renowned preacher or author there are some things that you must keep in mind while you are doing what God has called you to do/serving the Lord! I got saved at the age of 13, preached my first mini message at 19 and started this blog at 21. Now at 25, I will be honest and say that although ministry has many positives, at times ministry/serving the Lord can be very discouraging, if YOU are not focused. If you are one who truly wants to make a difference and point others to Christ….it gets a little hard when it "seems" as though you are not making a difference or really reaching anyone. But friend, once again I just want to encourage you! You are making a difference, even if it's just one person that says, "Girl, you always encourage me" or if you lead just one to Christ today......Heaven is rejoicing over that one! I also ALWAYS remind myself of David. He never gave up because he did not become king overnight or when he expected to become king. He was not discouraged.....HE DID NOT QUIT. He stayed faithful to the calling of God on his life! And just like David.....in spite of what it looks like, in spite of what it feels like, and in spite of what it "seems to be" you must stay faithful to God, His Word, and to what He has told you to do. Don't allow circumstances, situations, or others to distract and discourage YOU! God is working in your life even though you may feel like nothing is coming to pass. He is preparing YOU! He's using this time to teach and equip you........so pay close attention to what He is saying to YOU.....HE'S POURING INTO YOU ALL THAT HE IS SO THAT in due time....in His ordained time......the calling that He has for your life will manifest! Here's some words of encouragement...........
1. When it comes to dreams, plans, visions, and goals make sure they are Christ orchestrated, Christ fueled, Christ centered, and Christ focused!
Seems like a no brainer right? Wrong! Sometimes in ministry, especially when your ministry begins to really take off if you're not careful dreams, goals, plans, and visions become:
- Self orchestrated
-Self fueled
-Self centered
-Self focused
A self centered ministry won't make a lasting impact! You CANNOT impress people with YOURSELF and the LORD simultaneously! Direct your attention away from yourself completely and place it on Him entirely! It's all about pointing others to Him anyway!
2. You cannot become all God made YOU to be if YOU doubt what He says about YOU!
Listen friend, what God says about you is truth.; the opinions of man or your fickle feelings are not. No matter what people say or don’t say, no matter how you may feel or don’t feel God says that you are chosen, anointed, and called. He sees YOU…..always make sure that you are seeing yourself through His eyes and not others.
3. Don't disqualify yourself! God uses those the world considers the least likely.
Sometimes we think that just because we don't have the same exact jaw dropping story as Sis. so-in -so that God can't use us or better yet, that our ministry and testimony won't be as effective! The devil is a liar! God can and will use the part of your life that you think is useless! Stop comparing yourself to others and stop disqualifying yourself! It is God who qualifies those who He calls and it is YOUR faith that will release His ability to make your name great......all for His glory!
4. ALWAYS value your reputation with God more than your reputation with man.
Listen, sometimes we think that we have to say, preach, or post the most popular/attention catching thing because that other ministry does it and everyone and their momma loves it! "Crowds come and go. The same crowd that shouts "Hosanna" today will shout "crucify him" next week. Be a God pleaser, not a man pleaser." Say what God tells you to say and not what man wants you to say!
5. DON'T despise small beginnings!
Listen, everyone starts somewhere. You may have only a few supporters now, but it won't always be that way. Don't get so discouraged by the numbers that you allow the enemy to keep you from moving forward and doing what God has told you to do! Where you are now is not where you are going to stay! Your story ends in victory.....and friend, GOD will get all the glory from it!
6. Don't expect everyone to understand what God has called YOU to do. He told YOU not them!
Sometimes, when it seems as though no one is on board with your ministry, it can cause you to second guess your purpose. DON''T!!! Stop doubting yourself because some don't understand! He TOLD YOU, NOT THEM! One day they will understand......just be faithful to what God told you to do!! Allow Him to lead you!
7. When you are about the Father's business you really don't have too much time to be in anyone else's!
WE must always remember to be about our Father's business! His business is in His Word! His business is what He called you to do. Sometimes we are so busy looking at others, looking at their grass and watching them run their race; that we forget that we have our own grass to tend and our own race to run! Stay focused! Be like Christ and only do what God says do, only go where God says to go, and once again, only say what God says to say!
8 The less time you spend with TRUTH the easier it is to believe LIES! Likewise, the MORE time you spend with TRUTH the easier it is to RECOGNIZE lies!
This is huge! When you are saved, you must spend time with TRUTH-----the Word of God! If you don't, you'll be tricked by and believe lies! Lies like, "You're not called. No one is even listening to you. You're never going to make a difference. God can't and won't use someone like you!" This is why it is vital that everyday you spend time with Jesus. and put on the whole armor of God so that you can stand against the devil's schemes and WIN!
9. "Don't worry about how many "likes" you get; focus on how much like Him you're becoming." Christine Caine
When I read this, I was like, "Whew!" lol! Listen, we must LIVE what we post! Even if you only get two likes, as long as the truth of the Word is rooted in your spirit and as long as you are acting, living, and talking like Jesus......that is all that matters! Numbers are not everything.......JESUS is!
Be encouraged today and stay focused my brothers and sisters in Christ! God sees you and what you are doing for His Kingdom and He is proud of you! Don't let the enemy deceive you! Stay with God! "For there truly is a reward for those who live for God!" Psalm 58:11 NLT
Stay encouraged!
1. When it comes to dreams, plans, visions, and goals make sure they are Christ orchestrated, Christ fueled, Christ centered, and Christ focused!
Seems like a no brainer right? Wrong! Sometimes in ministry, especially when your ministry begins to really take off if you're not careful dreams, goals, plans, and visions become:
- Self orchestrated
-Self fueled
-Self centered
-Self focused
A self centered ministry won't make a lasting impact! You CANNOT impress people with YOURSELF and the LORD simultaneously! Direct your attention away from yourself completely and place it on Him entirely! It's all about pointing others to Him anyway!
2. You cannot become all God made YOU to be if YOU doubt what He says about YOU!
Listen friend, what God says about you is truth.; the opinions of man or your fickle feelings are not. No matter what people say or don’t say, no matter how you may feel or don’t feel God says that you are chosen, anointed, and called. He sees YOU…..always make sure that you are seeing yourself through His eyes and not others.
3. Don't disqualify yourself! God uses those the world considers the least likely.
Sometimes we think that just because we don't have the same exact jaw dropping story as Sis. so-in -so that God can't use us or better yet, that our ministry and testimony won't be as effective! The devil is a liar! God can and will use the part of your life that you think is useless! Stop comparing yourself to others and stop disqualifying yourself! It is God who qualifies those who He calls and it is YOUR faith that will release His ability to make your name great......all for His glory!
4. ALWAYS value your reputation with God more than your reputation with man.
Listen, sometimes we think that we have to say, preach, or post the most popular/attention catching thing because that other ministry does it and everyone and their momma loves it! "Crowds come and go. The same crowd that shouts "Hosanna" today will shout "crucify him" next week. Be a God pleaser, not a man pleaser." Say what God tells you to say and not what man wants you to say!
5. DON'T despise small beginnings!
Listen, everyone starts somewhere. You may have only a few supporters now, but it won't always be that way. Don't get so discouraged by the numbers that you allow the enemy to keep you from moving forward and doing what God has told you to do! Where you are now is not where you are going to stay! Your story ends in victory.....and friend, GOD will get all the glory from it!
6. Don't expect everyone to understand what God has called YOU to do. He told YOU not them!
Sometimes, when it seems as though no one is on board with your ministry, it can cause you to second guess your purpose. DON''T!!! Stop doubting yourself because some don't understand! He TOLD YOU, NOT THEM! One day they will understand......just be faithful to what God told you to do!! Allow Him to lead you!
7. When you are about the Father's business you really don't have too much time to be in anyone else's!
WE must always remember to be about our Father's business! His business is in His Word! His business is what He called you to do. Sometimes we are so busy looking at others, looking at their grass and watching them run their race; that we forget that we have our own grass to tend and our own race to run! Stay focused! Be like Christ and only do what God says do, only go where God says to go, and once again, only say what God says to say!
8 The less time you spend with TRUTH the easier it is to believe LIES! Likewise, the MORE time you spend with TRUTH the easier it is to RECOGNIZE lies!
This is huge! When you are saved, you must spend time with TRUTH-----the Word of God! If you don't, you'll be tricked by and believe lies! Lies like, "You're not called. No one is even listening to you. You're never going to make a difference. God can't and won't use someone like you!" This is why it is vital that everyday you spend time with Jesus. and put on the whole armor of God so that you can stand against the devil's schemes and WIN!
9. "Don't worry about how many "likes" you get; focus on how much like Him you're becoming." Christine Caine
When I read this, I was like, "Whew!" lol! Listen, we must LIVE what we post! Even if you only get two likes, as long as the truth of the Word is rooted in your spirit and as long as you are acting, living, and talking like Jesus......that is all that matters! Numbers are not everything.......JESUS is!
Be encouraged today and stay focused my brothers and sisters in Christ! God sees you and what you are doing for His Kingdom and He is proud of you! Don't let the enemy deceive you! Stay with God! "For there truly is a reward for those who live for God!" Psalm 58:11 NLT
Stay encouraged!