18.4.08

Choose To Obey, Not Simply Choose

I have been reading Walt Mueller's book on "Engaging The Soul Of Youth Culture." It is simply a book that speaks of what kind of young people we have in our midst and how we can win them over. Many of us have found it difficult to engage our youths for a simple reason that we are not hearing them enough, or that we choose not to entertain their "nonsense."
Many a times, I hear this statement saying that young people choose to believe in "what I like" or what "feels good to me." I'm not sure if you agree with me on this, but as what Ravi Zacharias said about our postmodern young generation is that they "hears with its eyes and thinks with its feelings." Yes, the world has rejected modernism's rationality and reason. Today, the intellect is replaced by the will. Reason is replaced by emotions. The way that we now know what we know is not through observation and scientific inquiry. In a postmodern world, emotions are the final judge of what makes something good, true and right. Left and right, people would label such and such as "Emo" makes me think that it is a cliche rather than a deep conviction of who that person is.
But I know that God has made us as people who are capable of choosing to obey Him rather than simply choosing what I feel is right or wrong with our emotions being stirred up.
Remember, men may have the facts of the matter, but God has the last say in whatever we do. Yes, choose God for He knows who you are deeply and is intimately acquainted with you(Psalm 139).

2.4.08

Ministry versus Job

Some people have a JOB in the church; others involve themselves in a MINISTRY.
What's the difference?
If you are doing it just because no one else will, it's a JOB.
If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it's a MINISTRY.
If you quit because somebody criticized you, it was a JOB.
If you keep on serving, it's a MINISTRY.
If you'll do it only as long as it does not interfere with your other activities, it's a JOB.
If you are committed to staying with it even when it means letting go of other things, it's a MINISTRY.
If you quit because no one praised you or thanked you, it was a JOB.
If you stay with it even though nobody recognizes your efforts, it is a MINISTRY.
It's hard to get excited about a JOB.
It's almost impossible not to be excited about a MINISTRY.
If our concern is success, it's a JOB.
If our concern is faithfulness, it's a MINISTRY.
An average church is filled with people doing JOBs.
A great and growing church is filled with people involved in MINISTRY.
Where do we fit in? What about us?
If God calls you to a MINISTRY, don't treat it like a JOB.
If you have a JOB, give it up and find a MINISTRY.
God does not want us feeling stuck with a JOB, but excited and faithful to Him in a MINISTRY.