THE LORD HAS PREPARED US FOR SERVICE

“After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you
—for I will be going through Macedonia.
Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter,
so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go.
For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit;
I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.
But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost,
because a great door for effective work has opened to me,
and there are many who oppose me.”
1 Corinthians 16:5-9

Uppermost in God’s thoughts is man’s salvation.
He expects Christians to have the same mindset.
We’ve been charged with advancing His kingdom
by sharing the gospel and discipling others.
As His servants, we’re to focus on His agenda,
not preoccupy ourselves with earthly concerns.
No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs,
but rather tries to please his commanding officer.
(2 Timothy 2:4).

To achieve His plan, God will open doors of service for each of us
—in local churches, neighborhoods, workplaces, or foreign lands.
Our part is to watch for opportunities and be ready to take an active role.
Spiritual preparation includes prayer and a daily quiet time,
plus accountability with other believers.
Whether God assigns us major tasks or smaller ones,
we must be in position and all set to say yes.
When we answer His call, we will discover He has
equipped us with everything that we need to fulfill our mission
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life
through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
(2 Peter 1:3).

The most important work in our world is to help with the Father’s redemptive plan:
He is rescuing people from the power of sin, adopting them into His family,
and transforming them from rebellious, self-centered beings
into reflections of His obedient and loving Son Jesus.
Those of us who have been the beneficiaries of God’s saving work
have an obligation to assist in His plan to rescue others.
We have a responsibility to prepare ourselves—by surrendering our desires for His,
committing to know Him better, and obeying His directions.

The Lord has prepared work for each of us to do
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.
(Eph. 2:10).
How is He asking you to use your spiritual gifts and abilities to fulfill His plan?

(InTouch Ministries)