Hello Saint,
Have you ever asked the question, “Is my job, my ministry or is my ministry a job?” If so, then the answer is … YES!
The Key - Has everything to do with your perception and understanding of “working for the Lord”.
Definitions:
Let’s begin this blog with a bunch of definitions, just to get started.
Definition of Ministry, is the work or vocation of a minister of religion. Also in some countries a government department headed by a minister of States.
Ministry actually comes from a root word that means “to serve”, an activity of a servant, duty, task.
Definition of Business – the practice of making one’s living by engaging in commerce; a person’s regular occupation, profession, or trade; line of work; buying or selling; is an organization where people work together to make and sell products or services
The Question: Is your work a place of serving or is your ministry a place of serving? Can you work and serve at the same time?
Didn’t Jesus come “to serve”? Didn’t the apostles and disciples “serve”? When you look throughout the Bible you find the apostles working as fishermen and some making tents. Just because they did that, didn’t make them less or more of an apostle. They worked and served the Lord at the same time. For example, Paul in Acts 18:1-3 and 20:33-35 we find that he was a tentmaker and shared the Gospel with Aquila and Priscilla who were in the same line of work as he. In Philippians 4:14-16, he talked about receiving gifts but it was for their credit. Therefore one can imply that when you work, it’s also to be given to help others, which is also serving.
Ministry is an activity. Rather you get an income from it or not, it’s what you are called to do. Therefore, select what you do wisely. Some jobs are a stepping stone to your forever job but regardless you are to minister to all those God’s placing in your path, as He leads.
Believers, we are tasked to spread the gospel and share our faith. That is the service we are called to do in the unique way that God’s called us to do it.
Saint, that’s not a task we do alone. Remember you, I, are one person in the body of Christ. Therefore, there is unity in numbers. That’s not a cliché.
There is no job more spiritual than another. When you follow Christ, you work, rather to get an income or not, YOU ARE IN MINISTRY!
Colossians 3:23 – 25 (ESV) says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Next Steps:
Podcast New Release: The most recent podcast episode is focused on praying for your writing business where guest CJ Hitz and host, Lyvita Brooks, discuss how to continue growing in Christ through developing spiritual disciplines and practices that spark consistency, as well as, insight on how to get out of depression from not writing.
Monthly Spiritual Disciplines for Growth – October
Spiritual Discipline to Practice: Worship
This is the month to begin preparing for the holidays. The holidays always bring extra unexpected, good or bad, moments. Spending time during your quiet time (AM, Midday or PM) to focus on one of the names of God would provide a refreshing realization about who your God is and your relationship to Him, ultimately, resulting in giving Him praise.
Podcast Episode to revisit: Dwelling on the Names of God - Rest
Memory Verses: Try memorizing these three verses for the rest of October. Post them around the house, keep them nearby and recite during daily prayers, when applicable. Also write them in your journal as you reflect on what Holy Spirit is sharing with you from God. I post Weekly Memory Verses every Monday on Instagram @hangingoutwithjesuspodcast and Monthly Memory Verses on Pinterest/hangingoutwithjesuspodcast.
Bible Reading: Read through the Book of Mark in two different versions
Plan to start October 1st and read one chapter a day until you finish on day 31. I usually do my reading at night. Purchase a journal from the store or get a composition book. Record your thoughts. Make sure after you read, you stop and listen for Holy Spirit to speak to you.
Books I’m reading: Read 10 pages a day.
Send me a book title and author you’d like for me to read in the comment section? Also you can check me out other book reviews, recommendations and challenges I host on Goodreads.com or Pintrest.com.
Shalom!
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