Be Prepared For Service (Part 2)

We left off with the story of the beautiful young shop attendant ‘randomly’ asking me to inspire her. Well, it seems that the words that God spoke to her through me were exactly what she yearned for and with a hearty spirit of gratitude she expressed it when she said, “It’s been tough, I really needed those words”. Deep down within her she had been nourished and energised by the hand and voice of God.

So what does ‘being prepared for service’ mean?

1. Knowing the scriptures-God’s word: Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

2. Totally submitting and depending on God: Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;  He’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all!  Surrender control and let God be God over all!!!

3. Walking with God: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognise what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.

4. Obeying God’s instructions: Let His will be your command. Just do what He says even without having the full picture! 😉 Be conscious that it is not you but God working through you. He knows the end from the beginning and He will CERTAINLY accomplish His purposes!

These simple steps will make you purposeful and effective everywhere and in everything you do; in your life, family, work place, relationships, to the ends of the earth. Your labour will never be in vain!

Finally, I cannot end this blog without sharing one of the many wonderful examples throughout the bible that show how God moves through people in order to accomplish His will on earth. This is the conversion of Saul of Tarsus (who was persecuting the Christians) to  Apostle Paul via  Ananias.

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, ‘Ananias!’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he answered. The Lord told him, ‘Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.’ ‘Lord,’ Ananias answered, ‘I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.’ But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.’ Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord – Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here – has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptised, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Have a God-led Labour day and end of week!!

2Timothy 3:16-17, Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans 12:1-2, Isaiah 55:10-11, Acts 9:11-17.