* Full-time Ministry

Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.

1st Samuel 12:24 NKJV

I have a great respect for the offices of pastors and elders and apostles and teachers and missionaries and those whose job it is to "run the church." I know the dedication it takes. The sacrifices. The around-the-clock hours. The isolation and sometimes extreme loneliness. You don't get that kind of anointing to fulfill that kind of ministry without a high level of commitment. I honor their ministry and their lives, but this is not to them.

Wow...full-time ministry. Oh, how some long to be in full-time ministry...

How would you define ministry? The dictionary says it is the profession and services of a minister. What is a minister? Well, the dictionary does list member of the clergy as one definition. Another is somebody's agent or representative. Still another definition is a government diplomat ranked under ambassador. What does it mean to minister? First definition - help somebody. Give help to somebody in need. Wait a minute... Aren't we to represent Christ? Aren't we supposed to help others? Doesn't 2nd Corinthians 5:20 say we are ambassadors for Christ? Then we are ministers to the lost and dying world around us!

Every Scripture that instructs us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, to serve Him in truth with all our heart, to do anything - and everything - for Him with ALL that we have, with ALL that we are, with ALL that we possess - none of those qualify the instruction with just only pastors...only elders, no, only apostles and teachers. No, no, no! Deacons and missionaries only.

Is that what it says? Absolutely not - it is directed to ALL of us. Are we alive all the time? Are we breathing all the time? Are we a Christian (all the time)? Then we are in full-time ministry. How are we doing so far?

Prayer:

Father,

          Open our eyes to see Your Word. Open our hearts to the living, breathing part of Your Word. Help us to see we are to be Your hand extended, spreading the Truth of You in word and deed. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.