Tag: Sacrifice

Blessed in Bereavement

While in Guam, on Next Steps 2015, the missionary’s Dad passed away leaving a tremendous heritage. My missionary friend could have gone home. He didn’t. He had a choice. He stayed. What sacrifice. What commitment. I’m forever grateful.

One morning the Next Steps team gathered round. We prayed. We gave flowers. We hugged.

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Blessed with prayers. Blessed with concern. Blessed with flowers. But, Bailey, blessed with words. Words worth sharing:

“I heard one time that from pain we grow, and through growing we learn, and after learning we teach.

Through every painful experience that you have been through, God wants to use you to teach others to grow in Him. Knowing that God has His hand on your lives and on your ministry, you confidently grow and heal and learn to use this pain for His glory.

As you see the bloom of these flowers, know and understand that although they made fade, the word of our God stands forever. The promises God has given you still remains, His call is still active. Stay strong. And lean on His word.

The Next Steps team, and the Next Steps individuals are praying for you constantly. We love you very dearly.”

Thanks, Bailey! You’ve taught us in a few words we can be blessed in bereavement. Thanks, Brother and Sister David Brott, you’ve blessed us even in your bereavement.

photo credit: Red Carnations in a vase via photopin (license)

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Give All You’ve Got

The story is often told of Mary and Joseph making the long journey to Bethlehem for the census.  Mary and Joseph are turned away by an innkeeper who proclaims,  “There is no room for you in the Inn.”  Songs have been written about this, and messages preached.  As the Innkeeper turns the couple away, he remembers that he has a stable, and offers for them to stay there.  The Innkeeper is blamed for being insensitive to Mary’s condition and not being able to discern that it was the King of Kings that would be born in that stable.  However, there is another aspect.  He could have sent the family away from his premises all together.  But, when he saw Mary’s condition and assessed the situation, he offered the only available space in his inn – a stable.  The Innkeeper’s suggested response reminds us that:

God never requires anything more from us, than what we are able to give.  

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How often have we declined to offer what we had because we didn’t think it was good enough?  He can take our little and make it grow just by His touch.  One man has said, “Little is much when the Master is in it.” How many times have you failed to give what you had because you did not feel it was enough?  Even in areas of financial giving, be reminded that if you can’t do something BIG, why not do something Small?  If we all would give a little then a lot would be accomplished.  Don’t do nothing just because you can’t do everything.  And when it comes to you, God only expects you to give what you have.  The few talents that you have when yielded to the Lord Jesus can accomplish much.  You may feel that you are not rich enough, talented enough, or smart enough to be used of the Lord.  Put these feelings aside, surrender yourself to God, and give it all you’ve got.

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He Gave All He Had

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).

The story is often told of Mary and Joseph making the long journey to Bethlehem for the census. Mary and Joseph are turned away by an innkeeper who proclaims, “There is no room for you in the Inn.” Songs have been written about this, and messages preached. As the Innkeeper turns the couple away, he remembers that he has a stable, and offers for them to stay there. The Innkeeper is blamed for being insensitive to Mary’s condition and not being able to discern that it was the King of Kings that would be born in that stable. However, there is another aspect. He could have sent the family away from his premises all together. But, when he saw Mary’s condition and assessed the situation, he offered the only available space in his inn – a stable. The Innkeeper’s suggested response reminds us that:

God never requires anything more from us, than what we are able to give.

How often have we declined to offer what we had because we didn’t think it was good enough? He can take our little and make it grow just by His touch. One man has said, “Little is much when the Master is in it.” How many times have you failed to give what you had because you did not feel it was enough? Even in areas of financial giving, be reminded that if you can’t do something BIG, why not do something SMALL? If we all would give a LITTLE then a LOT would be accomplished. Don’t do NOTHING just because you can’t do EVERYTHING. And when it comes to you, God only expects you to give what you have. The few talents that you have when yielded to the Lord Jesus can accomplish much. You may feel that you are not rich enough, talented enough, or smart enough to be used of the Lord. Put these feelings aside, surrender yourself to God, and tell the devil, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). In the “Parable of Talents” mentioned in Matthew 25:14-30 everyone was given talents “according to his several ability” (Verse 15). Not all had the same amount of talents but those who used theirs received more. The man who did not use his talent had it taken away from him and given to another. It has been said, “If you don’t use it; you lose it!”

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In and Out of Ministry

“Ministry” is a Greek word diakoneo meaning “to serve” or to “serve as a slave.” Effective ministers operate within their calling serve God, His Gospel, and others. Ministry stems from a devotion and love for God (the first greatest commandment) and a love for others (the second greatest commandment). Desiring to make a difference in this world, and in the lives of others, they give everything of themselves expecting little in return. Love is foundational in ministry. Eastwood Anaba in the Pastor & His Love stated, “A loveless life is a burdensome life. A pastor’s life and ministry without love is a difficult one. The ministry is becoming increasingly difficult for many ministers because of the lack of love in their hearts….The potential of believers can be maximized when pastors walk in love. We cannot seek the well-being of people we don’t love.”

Warren W. Wiersbe and David W. Wiersbe in their book 10 Power Principles for Christian Service: Ministry Dynamics for a New Century give ten pivotal, foundational principles or guidelines for ministry.

  • The Foundation of ministry is Character
  • The Nature of ministry is Service
  • The Motive of ministry is Love
  • The Measure of ministry is Sacrifice
  • The Authority of ministry is Submission
  • The Purpose of ministry is the Glory of God
  • The Tools for ministry are the Word of God and Prayer
  • The Privilege of ministry is Growth
  • The Power of ministry is the Holy Spirit
  • The Model for ministry is Jesus Christ

In another great book, On Being a Servant of God, Warren Wiersbe describes and defines “ministry.” “Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God.”

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet” (Frederick Buechner).

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men. Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord, Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).

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I Will Give You All!

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

“I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). We are called upon to present ourselves as living sacrifices. Give up your life as you continue living it; “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2). Daily we pull ourselves onto the altar of sacrifice. I admit, sometimes I do slip or fall off. However, I don’t stay on the ground for long. I pull myself, yes, sometimes drag myself, back onto the altar.

Billy Cole preached a message called “The Reward of Sacrifice” and it has made it into his book Teachings by Billy Cole. His text was 1 Samuel 6: 7 – 14. Two cows were tied to a cart, to carry the Ark of the Covenant. Their calves were kept at home. The two cows lowed as they went on their way. That was their initial sacrifice. Reaching their destination, the cart was destroyed, and the cows paid the ultimate sacrifice—their lives as a burnt offering. I remember Brother Cole saying, “The reward for sacrifice is another, bigger sacrifice!”

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose” (Jim Elliot).

Bruce A. Howell wrote, “As I scan the list of heroes of faith in Hebrews 11, I notice these men and women of vision had one thing in common. When it came to serving their God, they never counted the cost. They willingly gave all. It’s been years since I’ve heard that little song, “Take it all…What this world can offer me, take it all. For one hundred years from now, it won’t matter anyhow.” Oh, for a resurgence of that attitude! How much is biblically expected when it comes to contributing to the kingdom of heaven; making a kingdom investment? The answer contains three simple letters: ALL.”

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he…selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it” (Matthew 13:44-46).”

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