JOY
By: Rev. Sharon Frank | EMW Network Coordinator
We just came through the season of people proclaiming “Joy to the World”. And rightly so, for we celebrated God coming so we could experience His presence and hope.
This issue proclaims “Joy to You!”. We get to serve a great and powerful God. As Oswald Chambers wrote; “Joy means the perfect fulfillment of that for which I was created and regenerated, not the successful doing of a thing. The joy our Lord had lay in doing what the Father sent Him to do. We all have to find our niche in life and spiritually we find it when we receive our ministry from the Lord. In order to so this we must have companied with Jesus; we must know Him as more than a personal Savior. Have I received a ministry from the Lord? If so, I have to be loyal to it, to count my life precious only for the fulfilling of that ministry.”
We find joy because we are secure. We have daily assurance and reassurance. God, You dwell with us, are close to us, understand us, speak to us. You are the one and only, so we don’t have to guess who or what is right. We are comfortable and secure within the boundaries. What boundaries? Grace and truth. Grace? Yes, the grace we count on that You will accept us, forgive us and then go on to bless, guide, provide and use us.
To cultivate joy in ministry, cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Each day write down specific things you are thankful for– a single opportunity or blessing of ministry. It will not only focus you on the way God is moving but also focus you toward thankfulness that God is using you to accomplish it. Even if the situation is not totally positive, it still points to the fact that God is present and moving.
As you read the following articles, may your joy of ministry be renewed and challenged to grow.
We just came through the season of people proclaiming “Joy to the World”. And rightly so, for we celebrated God coming so we could experience His presence and hope.
This issue proclaims “Joy to You!”. We get to serve a great and powerful God. As Oswald Chambers wrote; “Joy means the perfect fulfillment of that for which I was created and regenerated, not the successful doing of a thing. The joy our Lord had lay in doing what the Father sent Him to do. We all have to find our niche in life and spiritually we find it when we receive our ministry from the Lord. In order to so this we must have companied with Jesus; we must know Him as more than a personal Savior. Have I received a ministry from the Lord? If so, I have to be loyal to it, to count my life precious only for the fulfilling of that ministry.”
We find joy because we are secure. We have daily assurance and reassurance. God, You dwell with us, are close to us, understand us, speak to us. You are the one and only, so we don’t have to guess who or what is right. We are comfortable and secure within the boundaries. What boundaries? Grace and truth. Grace? Yes, the grace we count on that You will accept us, forgive us and then go on to bless, guide, provide and use us.
To cultivate joy in ministry, cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Each day write down specific things you are thankful for– a single opportunity or blessing of ministry. It will not only focus you on the way God is moving but also focus you toward thankfulness that God is using you to accomplish it. Even if the situation is not totally positive, it still points to the fact that God is present and moving.
As you read the following articles, may your joy of ministry be renewed and challenged to grow.