The Joy of Ministry

I have been blessed to have been in ministry for about sixteen years now, and I am constantly amazed at God's faithfulness and mercy.

Truly His promises never fail....He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
His mercies are new every morning.

Day by day I cannot believe that He has allowed me to be a minister of the Gospel, and a minister of the Gospel in Saintfield, among many wonderful believers.
Considering my weakness and inability, my half heartedness and fickleness, I cannot understand His unfailing love and grace toward me. Sometimes I feel my inadequacy so intensely that I would rather do anything else other than ministry. Other times God allows me to see transformation in the life of someone in our church family, and I cannot think of anything else I would rather be doing.

Last night was such a great evening at our prayer meeting. To hear people pray so honestly and powerfully for others in our church, for the ministries of our church, for those in mission over seas..... is just such a wonderful blessing. It wasn't so much the words that were used, but the warm humility of seeking what God wants for each of these situations, and the clear understanding of the Psalms that we had studied together woven into our prayer time that was such an amazing blessing.

Here is the work of Christ by Word and Spirit in our hearts. As we draw closer to Him, by His grace He transforms us so that we pray what He wants (justly), with passion for Him and for the needs of others (loving mercy) and with dependance on His grace (humility). It is beautiful, it is Christ's work, and it brings such joy to ministry.