Hopeful in Ministry?

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If you are a leader, you may seek to follow God’s design for His church.  You may spur people on to doing their part.  You then HOPE the church will grow and build itself up in love.

If you teach, you may try to have the right teacher to student ratio, use creative methodology, and go the extra mile investing into you students’ lives.  You then HOPE that what you do will make an eternal difference in their lives.

If you are a people helper, you may come along side of people with counsel, comfort, and the assistance they need.  You then HOPE they will see the love of Christ coming through you.

Regardless of how you serve, you know there will come a day when you must stand before the Lord accountable for what you have done.  You HOPE to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Be Hopeful in Ministry Based but Put Hope in God, Not on What We Do

We can HOPE for many things in life and ministry yet only a few are certain like …

  • God’s unfailing love and faithfulness (Ps. 33:18; 147:11; Lam. 3:21-24),
  • eternal life in Jesus (Titus 1:2; 3:7; 1 Cor. 15:19),
  • His glorious return (Titus 2:13),
  • and the resurrection of the dead (1 Thess. 4:13-14; Rom. 8:18-25; 1 Pet. 1:3).

To know that HOPE we must know the Lord for He is the God of hope (Rom. 15:13). Jesus Himself is the living hope, the hope of glory (Col. 1:27; 1 Tim. 1:1).  Ultimately it isn’t what we do that brings hope but what He does, what He says, who He is.

Use the resources He has given you to serve faithfully and whole-heartedly yet put your HOPE in Him.

  • Hope stems forth from His grace (2 Thess. 2:16; 1 Pet. 1:13) not from your efforts.
  • Hope is rooted in the promises of His Word (Rom. 15:4; Ps. 119:81, 114; Titus 1:2-3) not in your plans and desires.
  • Hope is generated by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13) not by your feelings and good intentions.

This kind of hope springs forth into faith and love and into peace and joy (Col. 1:5; Rom. 15:13) and inspires endurance and courage to keep going (2 Cor. 3:12; 1 Thess. 1:3). This kind of hope doesn’t need to see immediate or obvious results to believe that God is at work.  — “Hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what he already has?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” (Rom. 8:24-25)

Without hope we will find little joy in life and ministry. We’ll tend to let the problems get to you (Prov. 13:12).  With the psalmist, when we find yourself getting overwhelmed by the cares of this life, may we say “Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God” (Ps. 42:5).

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5 Replies to “Hopeful in Ministry?”

  1. Thanks for the reminder. I used to do a little self-talk using Psalm 42:5. It was very therapeutic. Need to get back to it. Sometimes as a pastor when feeling down, it’s hard to turn to one of the parishioners.

    • It is good to have at least one or two trusted friends who are fellow believers, even if they are from outside your own church, with whom you can openly share and pray together. Either way, we do need that constant reminder to put our hope in God. We can pour out our hearts to Him like we can no others (Ps. 62:8), knowing that He has big shoulders. I should add, that even when do have a trusted friend in whom we can confide, God should still be the first place we turn if our HOPE truly is in Him.

  2. Pastor Rick, You don’t need to be afraid to talk to those in your Church or out! As Christians we can give you our support too. We love you and support you as a Pastor! In 1 Cor. 12:6-7 it tells us there are many ways God works through us to help others and a leader and teacher as you are needs help too! The Holy Spirit works through all of us as Christians! We are given different gifts that help us to help others through Jesus Christ! Don’t ever give up!! We are here to help you through Christ! I’m sure there have to be those in your Church who would be happy to help you in your most important walk in Christ Jesus!! Yours in Christ Leonard!!

  3. This Ministry tool is awesome and on point. I am enjoying it and I will continue to enjoy this toll for alongtime to come. God lead me here, He knew what I was looking for. Sincerely Rachel Reed

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