HOW VALUABLE ARE THE THINGS THAT I DO?

SCRIPTURE:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them 
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” 
(Matthew 28:19)

MEDITATION:
If you like your employer and believe the company is fair to you,
then you develop a loyalty to the company, right?
Instead of thinking of your work as drudgery, 
your thoughts are about how much you can help the company be successful.

If it requires ‘going the extra mile’ you do it, 
because you are appreciative of how your employer provides for you, 
and how it appears to care about your contributions as an employee.
You have a desire to do the best job you can.

Now, what about your Savior?
Think about how much He did for you, how much He provides for your needs, 
how much He loves you, how much He cares about you, 
and how much He appreciates what you do for His earthly ministry.

When you finish with your assessments, doesn’t it give you a burning 
desire and passion to serve Him in whatever capacity He asks you to serve?
It could be in some specific ministry, or it could be in living a daily life 
that emphasizes your faith in Him and creates a desire in others to know Him.

Christian mission work is unique in its aggressiveness throughout history. 
In its purest form, Christianity has no “axe to grind”, no system to foster, 
and is not motivated by profiting financially. 
Its job is simply to “seek and to save the lost”; nothing more, nothing less. 
The words “apostle” and “missionary” mean the same thing: “One who is sent”.

The New Testament is a book of missions. 
The Gospels tell of Jesus’ missionary accomplishments, 
and the Acts tell of the missionary activities of the apostles. 
The disciples were launched into the world as individual missionaries 
after the departure of the One they worshipped and followed, Jesus Christ. 
We can read in the Bible about the impact their efforts had on others 
as they carried the Gospel to the lost.

Peter went to Lydda, Joppa, Antioch, Babylon, and Asia Minor. 
John went to Samaria, Ephesus, and to the cities on the Mediterranean. 
Thomas journeyed to far away India. 
Paul used the roads the Romans had built 
to take the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire.
 
Today there is a great need for believers to point others to Jesus.
The world is shrinking in size but expanding in population. 
We live in a world of conflicting and confusing beliefs. 
Our world is one with complex problems. 
But, most importantly, we live in a world of dire spiritual need.

ACTION:
If someone asked, “How are you contributing to the earthly ministry of Jesus?”
what would you say?
When you think about the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for you, 
doesn’t it make you want to devote a portion of your life to Him, 
so that when you see Him face to face you can hear Him say to you, 
“Well done good and faithful servant”?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, forgive me for my selfishness and my lack of effort to 
contribute to Your earthly ministry. Help me to change this day and start 
looking for how I can serve as a missionary in Your service and point the 
lost to You. I know that when I show a desire to contribute, You will 
provide me with all that I need to be effective. Thank You for loving me 
enough to die for me; help me to show that I love You enough to serve You 
in whatever capacity You desire of me.”