"To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering...." (1 Peter 1:12)
The word translated, "ministering," is literally, "serving." I wonder how much, "not to themselves...they were ministering/serving," has been going on over the 2000 year history of the Church. I know the phrase is, "self-serving," but there is also much, "self-ministering."
It is a spiritual and psychological battle to put others before ourselves. Yet the Bible teaches such virtue, e.g., "The Good Samaritan." I heard Ralph Bell, an associate of Billy Graham many years ago, sum up the parable. "The priest and the Levite asked, 'What will happen to me if I stop and help this man?' The Samaritan asked, 'What will happen to him if I don't?'" This is an attitudinal question which we need to keep in our praying repertoire. The Bible says, "The heart is more deceitful than all else....Who can understand it?" (NASB). I heard a prominent preacher once say that this refers only to the unbeliever. If that is the case, then why are so many professing "believers" wallowing in disillusionment, so many "backslidden," so many who have just given up and quit? Why so many "ministers" who have gone astray?
You and I are called to reveal The Christ in us, "But I am among you as he who serves." Perhaps something like, "Not to us, but to you we are ministering," should be written above the door of every church building in the world, should be on the letterhead of every mission, Christian organization. Not just the, "O, yes, right; we are serving you," but the true meaning of these, "God-Breathed," words. We should not have to be reminded of them. Rather I hold on to the promise that these words are as the Living Triune God declared/promised, "I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts...." May it be, Lord Jesus.
Father, in Jesus' Name, may I never forget that my service to Your Church, indeed, to humanity is not to me but to them. Amen.
********************
Read of Pope Frances' statement that he wants to be a Che Guevara to the Palestinians at:
jhs58.blogspot.com
The word translated, "ministering," is literally, "serving." I wonder how much, "not to themselves...they were ministering/serving," has been going on over the 2000 year history of the Church. I know the phrase is, "self-serving," but there is also much, "self-ministering."
It is a spiritual and psychological battle to put others before ourselves. Yet the Bible teaches such virtue, e.g., "The Good Samaritan." I heard Ralph Bell, an associate of Billy Graham many years ago, sum up the parable. "The priest and the Levite asked, 'What will happen to me if I stop and help this man?' The Samaritan asked, 'What will happen to him if I don't?'" This is an attitudinal question which we need to keep in our praying repertoire. The Bible says, "The heart is more deceitful than all else....Who can understand it?" (NASB). I heard a prominent preacher once say that this refers only to the unbeliever. If that is the case, then why are so many professing "believers" wallowing in disillusionment, so many "backslidden," so many who have just given up and quit? Why so many "ministers" who have gone astray?
You and I are called to reveal The Christ in us, "But I am among you as he who serves." Perhaps something like, "Not to us, but to you we are ministering," should be written above the door of every church building in the world, should be on the letterhead of every mission, Christian organization. Not just the, "O, yes, right; we are serving you," but the true meaning of these, "God-Breathed," words. We should not have to be reminded of them. Rather I hold on to the promise that these words are as the Living Triune God declared/promised, "I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts...." May it be, Lord Jesus.
Father, in Jesus' Name, may I never forget that my service to Your Church, indeed, to humanity is not to me but to them. Amen.
********************
Read of Pope Frances' statement that he wants to be a Che Guevara to the Palestinians at:
jhs58.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
