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I want to speak to you today about doing ministry with great peace.
[Philippians 4:1-10 KJV] “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. [2] I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. [3] And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life“.
[4] “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. [5] Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. [6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”.
[8] “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. [9] Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. [10] But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity”.
Honestly, you are my beloved, my joy, and my crown. You are the people I always look forward to seeing. My heart-felt desire is to see you, and I want to see you again and again. It is important to also state that your salvation and prosperity is more closely connected to what your ministry to God and to the kingdom. Let us learn from other ministries. I love the way they have turned the church into a bunch of missionaries invading our communities at dawn and at night. This is the time to catch the revelation that ministry is the secret to success. Every member must become a missionary and a minister. We are entrusted with the word of reconciliation. This is the time to save money, buy PA system and preach the gospel at dawn out of our own volution and conviction.
Matthew 6:33 teaches us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto us. We also read in John 4:36 downwards, that those who reap and gather souls unto eternity shall receive wages. Those who serve the Lord in ministry get blessed. He opens the heavens and pours this blessing upon them. God will bless those who open up and receive the challenge to serve Him faithfully.
Is there anyone among us who wants to prosper? Then begin to preach the gospel and serve to gather men into eternity. This is the secret to great wages and increase.
It is, however, important to state that ministry can sometimes hurt. It is not so easy to bear the burden of ministry; coupled with the many wounds to get from well-meaning people you trusted. Sometimes, ministry just hurts. How then can anyone of us do ministry with great peace? What are the secrets to serving with smiles?
1. Be of one mind and help one another:
Others may not be like you but it’s just ok to be of one mind and to help each other. I depend on you and you depend on me. You must learn how to tolerate and forgive each other, and dwell in unity. We are begging all of you to be of one mind. Let go of the bickering, and bitterness, and quarrels. No one person can reach the world alone, learn to live with others. No man is an island.
2. Do not expect too much; Let your moderation be made known to all men:
Godliness with contentment is the greatest and most effectivecure for anxiety. The Bible says if you want to do ministry and serve with great peace, Let your moderation be made known unto all men. Many of us don’t have peace because we are not moderate and temperate.
3. Be anxious for nothing, in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God:
These are the four realms ordimensions every prayer must have: the dimensions of;
- Worship
- Petition – Prayer Requests,
- Supplication – Spiritual Warfare, and
- Giving Thanks.
Pray without ceasing. Pray with all kinds of prayers and supplications in the Spirit. A praying minister will have great peace.
4. Think about these things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of a good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy
Most often than not, many of us focus on the negative things rather than the right things. Many of us allow the devil to bombard our minds and disturb our thoughts. The Apostle Paul encourages us to focus on the right things. He tells us exactly what to think on. The devil will move people around you to distract you with negative attitudes, emotions and behaviours.
5. Do what you have both received, heard, learned, and seen in your pastor:
There is no greater privilege than to have a mentor you can imitate. A fatherless child cannot go as far as a child who is fathered. If you want to find greater peace in ministry, follow and imitate your pastor. You will never regret it.
6. Raise funds to support your apostle:
There is no greater blessing than for your pastor to smile because of you. When you put a smile on your pastors face, it is credited to your account in heaven. Your account will be credited when you learn to raise funding to support your pastor’s missions. Though he may not need a gift from you, you will be blessed if you flourish in your giving towards him.
You must serve the Lord with your gift. You will never regret this decision. Decide to serve the Lord with your gift.
Be blessed, I love you!
Noah Simpe Bediako
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