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/