Lining Up with God in Ministry

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  (Prov. 3:5-6)

These verses have been a good reminder to me throughout my Christian life of lining up with God in ministry and not relying on myself or human wisdom.  Lining up with God has required the following:

Congruence with the Word of God

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isa. 55:9-11)

Since God knows more than I do and since His ways are best, it only makes sense to line up with what He says.  In addition, lining up with God in ministry by adhering to His Word comes with PROMISED RESULTS.

The precepts and principles in the Bible provide a grid through which all else must be filtered because of whose Word it is and the life-changing potential it brings.  Even in teaching, when I stop and consider the Book I am teaching, it affects all I do, including my lesson preparation.

Lining up with God in ministry makes it all seem worthwhile because we know He will use it in some way.

Consistency with the Character of God

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal. (Is. 26:3-4)

We can’t always find a specific verse that addresses every situation in life or every decision we must make.  Sometimes we must look at principles in His Word.  Sometimes we must look at God Himself … His attributes.  God will never ask us to do anything that is inconsistent with His character.  When we keep focused on God, we are PROMISED PEACE.

When we make decisions or respond in ways consistent with the character of God, we are standing on a solid foundation. (Ps. 40:2-3)

The Ministry Worker’s Devotional: A Mighty Fortress is Our God looks at each of God’s attributes as a resource to hold onto in ministry. Put all these resources together and we have a mighty fortress in our God.

Lining up with God in ministry makes it all seem possible because we know He is all we need.

Controlled by the Spirit of God

Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. (Eph. 5:15-18)

Where are we going to get the wisdom we need to make the most of every opportunity?  The Holy Spirit came to live within us as our Counselor (Jn. 14:16, 26).

Where are we going to get the power we need to do what we know we should do?  The Holy Spirit came to live within us as our Power source (Acts 1:8; Eph. 3:16; Gal. 5:16).

As wine can take over and control a person, so we need to be filled with the Spirit of God (Eph. 5:18).  Our part is to walk with or live by the Spirit, to “keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16, 25). When we do, we get what we need — PROMISED PERSPECTIVE AND POWER.

Lining up with God in ministry makes it all seem endurable because we know we are not on our own.