We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry.In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors.We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed.Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything. – 2 Corinthians 6:3-10
All this talk of what to do and what we can still do, when to do it, how we’ll do it, where or why or how long… that’s all just so much chatter. God will show us, if we’ll only listen. I know because He’s shown me countless times. He’s led and prodded and provided.
Even the patient enduring we do is labor for Him. It’s pointing the way to His glory.
Things are listed in the above verse and are called “ministry”. They are things that we have no control over, and sometimes they are things we wish to avoid at all costs. Beatings, prison, mobs, exhaustion, hunger.
For myself I might say pain, sleeplessness, disability, and invisibility.
In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God.
How? How can we show ourselves ministers when we feel much more like victims?
Through purity, understanding, patience, kindness. Through the Holy Spirit within us. Through sincere love and faithful preaching of the truth.
God’s power is working in us.
This laboring that you are doing, right this very minute, when you feel worthless and abandoned, this is of utmost importance. How you face it is of utmost importance. It speaks to the world as nothing else can. What message are you sending out?
Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.
Dear God, be at work within us. Help us to feel as if we are laboring for You. We long to be useful in Your kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
This makes me think of the verse in the Message, “Throw yourself into the work of the Master, confident that NOTHING you do for Him is a waste of time or effort.” 1 Cor. 15:58 It can be big or small, seemingly insignificant or “important”, but no matter what, when God leads us he will always use us and and our efforts always have purpose.
Happy Labor Day, Shelly!
Love, Joan
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Happy Labor Day, sweet Joan!!! Thank you for sharing that beautiful verse here! I love it. Love you! Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
When I was young in the Lord people would say, “Only what you do for the Lord will last.”
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Such a beautiful truth, Chris! Thank you for sharing here. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
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Chris+Malkemes recently posted…The Bible and You
Joining with you in prayer, dear Shelly.
Thank you, Anita. You are such a prayer warrior, so that means the world to me. Love you. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Shelly, I am in heart agreement with you in this post…..and want to affirm you that you are a shining example of one who through purity, understanding, patience, kindness through the Holy Spirit within you, continues to encourage her brethren, even though at time you feel pretty darned awful.
This is a true sacrifice of praise and is very pleasing to our Lord and Saviour, indeed ! Oh that we might all behave as you do instead of feeling defeated with minor conditions.
((((Mary)))) I love you. Oh how I wish my heart were always that strong. Thank God for His mercy and grace in times of need. I have many. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Hi Shelly! I appreciate your encouraging words here! I just read that when it looks the darkest, that’s when you really have to shine your light. And you are close to the solution too. So that’s what I think about when times are really tough.
Hope you had a good Labor Day, and that it was a day you felt well.
Blessings,
Ceil
Great thoughts, Ceil! Thank you for sharing them here. You are such a great light-shiner! <3 Heart Hugs