Priority One

Acts 18: 5

But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.

Here is a clear recitation of the responsibility of the minister. This passage just says it so clearly that it is a blessing. And this is what we all want our ministers to do, dedicate themselves completely to the Word.

Before this time Paul was still plying his trade as a tent maker. He came to a point, though, where he realized it was time for him to go into full time ministry. Then he needed to dedicate his time to the Lord and the Word.

It is so very easy for ministers, and especially pastors, to involve themselves in everything that goes on in the church and the congregation. It is so very easy to encumber oneself with good works and meetings to the degree that the special time that should be devoted to the Lord and to His word begins to slip away.

If you are a pastor or minister, read this as a warning. Check yourself routinely to make absolutely certain that you are doing as Paul did, devoting yourself to the Word. If you are a lay person, you have a role in this too. Ask yourself what you and your congregation can do to afford the pastor the time to do the things she or he really need to do. How can you help your pastor? Are there some small things you can do for them like mowing their lawns? Perhaps there are responsibilities around the church that can be shared among congregation members. Ministers, rededicate yourself to your time with the Lord and his word and allow your congregation members and friends to help you in your primary mission.

Truth be told, while this is a great reminder for all of us ministers, the reality is that this is the calling of every believer to some degree.  It is a good time of year for us to step back and remind ourselves what it means to be a Christian and perhaps, carve out a few more minutes for the Christ.

Send Me

Isaiah 6: 8

Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

I will be honest with you. I just returned from an exciting weekend conference in Huntsville, Alabama with the dynamic folks at Impact Ministries (www.impactministries.com). We arrived home at midnight, thrilled with all that was shared at the conference but a wee bit on the tired side. So, I pulled this Word of the Day out of the archive. I don’t think you are being cheated though. I find myself, again, really attracted to this verse and even though I was there when this was written by my own fingertips a few years ago, I find it inspiring, especially after a powerful weekend fellowshipping around God’s Word. I hope you enjoy it.

What a poignant and moving passage of scripture! It is called Isaiah’s commissioning. Perhaps it stirs your heart because there is something in you that cries out, “Send me Lord.” Maybe you feel the call of the Lord on your life when you read these words.

We all are part of the body of Christ and every part of the body is important. Maybe you have been called into “the ministry” and maybe you haven’t been called into a pulpit ministry, but everyone has their part in the ministry of Christ. You are uniquely suited to do that for which you are called and no one can do what you can do because your uniqueness makes you uniquely qualified. You are the only person like you in the world and the only one placed exactly where you are. Maybe you are the mother of someone who will never be who they should be except that you fulfill your job. Only you can be the encourager they need. Maybe you are a great influence in your job. Or maybe you finance the work of the kingdom and without you some preacher will never get sent. Your faithfulness is key in the Kingdom of God. There will never be another you and only you can do what you have been given to do. Don’t minimize who you are but rather tell our Lord, “Here am I. Send me.”