How to be an effective minister of the Gospel

When we see people who could benefit from knowing Jesus but they ignore him, or who need his healing love but they don't trust him, or who are suffering through trials but they're blind to the help that Jesus offers, we want to help them. And to be an effective minister of the Gospel for them, we can learn from today's Gospel reading.

Notice:

1. Jesus did not tromp over to the blind man and tell him that he could be healed. The blind man had to go to Jesus. We have to wait for others to come to us or show readiness to receive us, rather than force our help upon them. To get their attention and invite them, we make it visible that Jesus is the reason for our own faith, and we teach them what Jesus is like by imitating him. However, they have to make their own steps toward Jesus. Meanwhile, we can pay attention to how we could imitate Jesus better and more often.

2. Because people were attracted to Jesus, the blind man heard the commotion and responded. In everything we do, if we are so full of Jesus that people are attracted to us (coming to us for help, for prayer, for encouragement, for insight, or for friendship), the "blind" ones will take notice and begin to wonder if we can help them, too.

3. The moment the blind man initiated his request for help, Jesus stopped what he was doing and gave the man his full attention. We have to be willing to give our time and full attention to others at the very moment that they're ready to experience Jesus. We must not waste the opportunities they give us, even though this won't be on our time schedule (ministry is rarely convenient, but always it is God's perfect timing).

4. Only when the blind man "came near" to Jesus did he hear the invitation to receive healing. He heard: "What do you want me to do for you?" When you ask this question of those who are drawn to you, it's Jesus who's asking it through you. Their answer will tell you what they're ready to receive from him.

5. When the man asked Jesus for sight, he received both a physical and a spiritual healing. Jesus affirmed him by pointing out that it was the man's faith that had healed him. As we minister to others, we help them most effectively when we recognize and affirm the good that God is doing within them.

It's impossible to force someone to change. We don't make ministry happen; we can only participate in the ministry that God is already doing in their lives. To be successful, we must first notice where others are on their journey of faith. Then we invite them to seek what God wants to give them. If they take the next step into true faith, this faith will save them.

https://gnm.org/

The spirit that's guided by Wisdom

In the Old Testament, "Wisdom" is a name for the Holy Spirit. Today's reading, from the Book of Wisdom, lists the qualities of a soul that's guided by wisdom, i.e., guided by the Holy Spirit of God.

Find this scripture in your bible and bookmark the page. This is a good checklist to use while waiting in line for Confession or facing a difficult decision. Or when you feel insecure or inadequate, use this list to discover who you really are, according to God and how he designed you to be. Are you uncertain about the Lord's calling for a vocation or career path? Use this list to examine how well you're using the gifts that he has given you.

And by the way, if you need assurance that God is not just a "he" but has a feminine side, notice that Wisdom is called a "she". How very wise to view wisdom this way! Women are usually more intuitive than men (female brains are designed that way; we have more neural connections between the brain's two hemispheres).

What makes wisdom different from knowledge? Wisdom is the divine intuition that understands the right use of the facts that knowledge has provided. But let's get back to the main point.

Read the description of the Spirit of Wisdom -- slowly. Because we are made in the image of God, this scripture is describing you and me when we let the Holy Spirit work through us ... (Pause now to actually read it.) ...

Now read it again to see what you're really like! Look at the gifts of the Holy Spirit that you have access to. You received this Spirit of Wisdom during your baptism. Do not underestimate the wisdom that dwells within you!

We don't fully experience this wise nature of ours because sin closes us off to it. When our relationship with the Holy Spirit is active and healthy and growing, we share in God's holiness. We have a spirit that is:

1. intelligent (so, ignore the people who have called you "stupid")
2. holy (you are part of the Body of Christ)
3. unique (there is no one else who can do what you can do, the way you can do it)
4. manifold (you are multi-talented)
5. unhampered (nothing can stop you when you're doing God's will)
6. secure (you safely reside in God's love and faithfulness)
7. tranquil (you can have peace no matter what else is going on)
8. all-powerful, all-seeing (God can help you deal with anything)
9. pervading all spirits (greater is this Spirit in you than all evil spirits combined)
10. (meditate on the rest of the list)

What on this list do you need more of from the Holy Spirit right now? Well, you already have it! Do something that activates it. Be who you really are.

https://gnm.org/

5 Powerful Prayers from the Bible

The Prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:10)

When the author of Chronicles dutifully provides us with a list of Judah’s descendants, he can’t help but stop himself. Right in the midst of all these names, he comes to Jabez, a man he wants us to notice, a man of true honor. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve caused pain or if you’ve ever wanted to believe that God can do more than you can ask or imagine, this prayer is for you:

“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.”

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13)

This prayer is the true classic. Most of us have said this prayer and could likely recite it right now. But there’s much more to this model that Jesus gave us than rote recitation. This is a prayer with real power: God’s kingdom coming, God’s will being done, all that we need for the day. It’s truly power packed. So, take a closer look at what it teaches:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.”

Jonah’s Prayer for Salvation (Jonah 2:2–9)

We may never be swallowed by a great fish, but we can still experience the shame and regret that Jonah felt after he ran from God. The prophet’s plea to the Father provides a poignant scaffolding for our own prayers of repentance. And remember that God heard and answered this humble, honest prayer:

“In my distress I called to the Lord,
    and he answered me.
From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help,
    and you listened to my cry.

You hurled me into the depths,
    into the very heart of the seas,
    and the currents swirled about me;
all your waves and breakers
    swept over me.

I said, ‘I have been banished
    from your sight;
yet I will look again
    toward your holy temple.’

The engulfing waters threatened me,
    the deep surrounded me;
    seaweed was wrapped around my head.

To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
    the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you, Lord my God,
    brought my life up from the pit.

“When my life was ebbing away,
    I remembered you, Lord,
and my prayer rose to you,
    to your holy temple.

“Those who cling to worthless idols
    turn away from God’s love for them.

But I, with shouts of grateful praise,
    will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
    I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”

David’s Prayer for Deliverance (Psalm 3)

This one was a tough choice because the Psalms are stuffed full of cries and petitions. If you ever want a primer for prayer, you can’t go wrong with this wisdom book. But we chose Psalm 3 because it provides a concise portrait of crying out to God in the midst of great stress. David’s words are no less relevant to our modern workplace and lifestyle as they were to his battles:

Lord, how many are my foes!
    How many rise up against me!

Many are saying of me,
    “God will not deliver him.”

 But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
    my glory, the One who lifts my head high.

I call out to the Lord,
    and he answers me from his holy mountain.

I lie down and sleep;
    I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.

I will not fear though tens of thousands
    assail me on every side.

Arise, Lord!
    Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
    break the teeth of the wicked.

From the Lord comes deliverance.
    May your blessing be on your people.

Hannah’s Prayer of Praise (1 Samuel 2:1–10)

When Hannah received the child she begged God for, her first instinct is to praise the One who provided. She wants to thank Him for His greatness and His deliverance. Too often we pray before receiving, but then forget to pray after God answers. Let this prayer guide you in thanks:

“My heart exults in the Lord;
my horn is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.

“There is none holy like the Lord:
for there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God.
Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.
The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble bind on strength.
Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn.
The Lord kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low and he exalts.
He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's,
and on them he has set the world.

“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,
for not by might shall a man prevail.
The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces;
against them he will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

The Bible is our source of instruction for living. When you cannot find the words to pray, turn to these Scriptures for guidance and experience the power of God's Word.

https://www.biblestudytools.com/blogs/inside-bst/5-powerful-prayers-from-scripture.html?utm_source=today%27s+topical+bible+study&utm_campaign=today%27s+topical+bible+study+-+biblestudytools.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=2851720&bcid=c3ebbfbd83674aa89d0d42748adc21c9&recip=548552100+

What do you want most from Jesus?

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter 

May 21, 2019

Today's Prayer:

Lord, Your peace surpasses all peace the world can give me. It transcends all injustice and all pain I may suffer. Do not let me stop seeking peace in You. Amen.

Today's Readings:

Acts 14:19-28
Ps 145:10-13ab, 21
John 14:27-31a

Imagine what it would be like if Jesus were to visit you in person -- visibly and audibly. He sits you down next to him, holds your hands in his, and tenderly tells you that you're about to die. He says that soon he will take you home to live with him forever in heaven.

And further imagine that he smiles at you and then says that before you go, you can give a gift to the people you're leaving behind on earth -- any gift at all, no matter what the cost or how impossible it might seem. It'll be your last will and testament. What gift would you choose?

Let's say that you want to give a healing to Uncle Joe, money to pay off the debts of your unemployed friends, and a soul-mate for your single co-worker. But Jesus explains that it must be one and the same gift that you give to each person, a gift directly from you, representing who you are. This gift is the legacy that you will leave behind. They'll mention it at your funeral and joyfully discover that they all received the same wonderful gift from you. It will comfort them in their sorrow.

The legacy that Jesus left behind -- his gift to us, which he explained in today's Gospel reading -- is peace. True and lasting peace. A peace that calms troubled hearts. A peace that drives away our fears. A peace that is heaven on earth.

If we accept this gift of peace, we have to trust God no matter what's going on around us. We cannot trust our own interpretation of what's best for us and how our problems should be solved. We have to trust in God's wisdom and limitless compassion. If we take our eyes off of Jesus, we turn away from this gift. Remaining in constant communication with him will keep us securely in his peaceful embrace.

Fear tells us not to trust God, which steals our peace by replacing it with troubled hearts. Fear always lies to us. Remember it this way: F.E.A.R. = False Evidence Appearing Real. To regain the peace that Jesus has given you, first identify the falsehoods that your fears are speaking. Then ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what the truth about it is. Listen carefully. If you need help discerning God's voice, talk to a spiritual director or a prayerful Christian friend. Once the truth becomes audible, trust it and act upon it before fear gets a chance to speak up again!

What gift do you want most from Jesus today? If you have his peace, everything else you want will either follow automatically, in God's perfect timing, or they will no longer matter.

Re-read this Gospel passage and put your own name into it. "My peace I give to you, ." Interpret these verses as a personal testament of love from Jesus to you. Receive the gift he has bequeathed to you!

http://gnm.org/good-news-reflections/

A Prayer to the Holy Spirit

“This is the mystery of Pentecost: The Holy Spirit illuminates the human spirit and, by revealing Christ Crucified and Risen, indicates the way to become more like him, that is, to be ‘the image and instrument of the love which flows from Christ.'” (Pope Benedict XVI, June 4, 2006)

Dear Father, in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, I ask you to stir up within me the fullness of Your Holy Spirit. Help me to grow in my relationship with the Third Person of Your Holy Trinity and to live in His power and use His gifts.

Lord Jesus, You promised, “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). Help me to remember that I don’t know everything, and that this is okay, because the Holy Spirit understands it all. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and His understanding of everything that is happening in my life.

O Holy Spirit, Jesus asked the Father to give me the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17). Help me to recognize You in the scriptures. Open my mind to understand Your truths, and open my heart to accept Your truths in faith even before I gain right understanding.

O Holy Spirit, Jesus said, “The one who receives the seed that falls on good soil hears the word and understands it. He produces an abundant crop” (Matt. 13:23). Be the gardener of my life. Nourish the seeds of heaven that You have already placed within me and make it grow so that Your love, Your ways, and Your kingdom will always grow within me and produce much good fruit for others.

O Holy Spirit, Jesus said, “Do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say” (Luke 12:11-12). Help me to trust in You always. Help me to remember that with You, nothing is impossible, and that You work everything according to what is good and right and timely, even if it doesn’t seem so to me.

O Holy Spirit, Jesus said, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and everything else you need will be given to you as well” (Matt. 6:33). Help me to let go of all my earthly attachments. First help me to recognize what I am attached to that is not of You, and then hold my hand as I walk away from the things of the world. Give me the determination and the strength to let go so that I have no other gods before me. I want only You.

O Holy Spirit, You are the Comforter. Help me to let go of the losses in my life. Heal my heart. And help me to face my sinfulness and to feel genuine sorrow for the damage ~ both intentional and unintentional ~ that I have inflicted on others and in so doing have inflicted on Jesus. Comfort me as I mourn my need for forgiveness, and give me Your spirit of rejoicing over this new growth in me.

O Holy Spirit, Jesus freely chose to suffer and die for me because of His tremendous love for me. I have pains in my life ~ hurts, wounds, sufferings, trials, difficulties ~ and I want to run from them. Strengthen me to follow in Jesus’ footsteps so that I can walk my road to Calvary without fearing evil, and lead me into my new life of victory and resurrection.

O Holy Spirit, Jesus said that He would not leave us orphans, but would send You to us (John 14:18). How often I have wept or complained because it seemed like You were not with me in my sorrows and sufferings! Help me to recognize Your presence in ALL situations. Help me to turn to You and find You, for You never leave me nor abandon me. You care even more about me and my problems than I do. You are working a plan for my benefit, to make good come from everything that happens to me. Help me to discover Your presence in every moment of my life.

O Holy Spirit, by the cross of Jesus we are healed! By His resurrection we live in the new life of total, unconditional love. Help me to share that healing love with all those around me. Jesus commanded, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Help me to declare with power the Good News of Jesus Christ. Send me to where You can use my gifts and talents to make a difference.

O Holy Spirit, You gave Yourself to the Virgin Mary and she said “yes” to becoming the mother of the Messiah. Help me to say “yes!” to whatever it is You are calling me to do. I want to serve the Father and make Jesus’ love more evident in the world around me.

O Holy Spirit, I have my own expectations about what I should and should not do. I now surrender to You my ideas, my limitations, my preferences, and my goals. Fill me, Holy Spirit, with all Your supernatural gifts! Empower me to accept and grow in the supernatural life as much as the early disciples did. I want to be useful to You. I want to go where You lead me. Holy Spirit, send me forth gifted and empowered to make a difference spreading the Good News of God’s forgiving love.

Come, Holy Spirit; renew me. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

http://gnm.org/prayers/holy-spirit/

Seven Ways to Be Merciful

“God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7 NLT).

In yesterday’s devotional, we talked about seven facets of mercy. Today, I want you to consider some personal application questions for each of the aspects. I challenge you to commit an act of premeditated mercy in each of these categories this week.

Wait. Isn’t there a tension between mercy and personal responsibility? Yes, there is. But I have personally decided that if I’m going to err, I’m going to err on the side of being too gracious, too merciful, and too forgiving. I’d rather go overboard on mercy—just look at what Jesus did on the cross.

So, how will you be merciful?

• Be patient with people’s quirks. What person in your life has irritating quirks? How can you practice patience with that person this week?
• Help anyone around you who is hurting. See who around you is obviously hurting—and then look for a way you can help this week. If you can’t find anybody, then you’re not paying attention. Look closer!

• Give people a second chance. Who in your life needs a second chance? How can you show that person mercy and compassion this week?

• Do good to those who hurt you. Maybe you’re suffering from an old wound that you have not been able to let go of. Choose to forgive and then turn it around for good. Who is that person in your life? Will you make a phone call or a visit this week?

• Be kind to those who offend you. Who offends you? Maybe it’s a politician or a comedian that you can pray for. Maybe it’s a Facebook friend who has different views and says some pretty offensive things. How can you be intentional about showing kindness to that person this week?
• Build bridges of love to the unpopular. What person first comes to mind when you think of an outcast? Who spends their lunch breaks eating alone or doesn’t seem to have any friends at soccer games? What specific thing will you do this week to bridge the gap between you and that person with love?

Value relationships over rules. What unbeliever could you invite over for dinner in the next few weeks? Will you then step up and invite that person to church? This is your ministry of mercy.

Talk It Over

Will you pray this prayer today? “Heavenly Father, your Word convicts me. I want your blessing on my life, and I want to be a merciful person. As I look at these seven things, I think of shortcomings and weaknesses in my own life. I pray that rather than just hearing the Word, I would do something about it. Give me the courage to be merciful. Give me the strength this week to step out in faith and do radical, premeditated acts of mercy that point others to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

https://pastorrick.com/seven-ways-to-be-merciful/?roi=echo7-35168985893-53777744-a4ab8183bf249f5f872fe3e0bdaf9bdf

Seven Characteristics of Mercy

“The wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy” (James 3:17 NLT).

Mercy is like a diamond; it is multi-faceted. Today we’re going to look at seven facets of mercy, because I guarantee that learning how to be an agent of mercy will transform your relationships.

1. Mercy means being patient with people’s quirks.

How do you get more patience for your kids, spouse, or friends? The Bible says in James 3:17, “The wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy” (NLT). The wiser you become, the more patient and merciful you become.

2. Mercy means helping anyone around you who is hurting.

You cannot love your neighbor as yourself without being merciful. Proverbs 3:27 says, “Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it” (GNT). But God is not simply watching what you do. He’s watching your attitude: “[When you] show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:8 NIV).

3. Mercy means giving people a second chance.

When somebody hurts us, we normally want to get even or write that person off. But the Bible says, “Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ”(Ephesians 4:31-32 CEV).

4. Mercy means doing good to those who hurt you.

Mercy is giving people what they need, not what they deserve. Why should we do it? Because that’s what God does with us: “Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because [God] is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:35-36 NIV).

5. Mercy means being kind to those who offend you.

You’ve got to be more interested in winning people to Christ than in winning an argument. Jude 1:22-23 says, “Show mercy to those who have doubts. Save others by snatching them from the fire of hell. Show mercy to others, even though you are afraid that you might be stained by their sinful lives”(GW).

6. Mercy means building bridges of love to the unpopular.

This is what I call premeditated mercy, because you intentionally build friendships with people who don’t have friends or who are not accepted at work or in society.

When the Pharisees questioned why Jesus ate with tax collectors and other unpopular people, Jesus said, “‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners” (Matthew 9:13 NLT).

7. Mercy means valuing relationships over rules.

Romans 13:10 says, “Love fulfills the requirements of God’s law” (NLT). If you want to show mercy, put people before policies. Put their needs before procedures. Put relationships before regulations. Choose love over law.

https://pastorrick.com/seven-characteristics-of-mercy/?roi=echo7-35167343549-53775849-6417b985b314ef03506fde7fe8b2354c