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Thoughts on Today’s Verse…
We minister by grace. We are saved and made holy by God’s grace given us by Jesus. We are declared righteous and blameless before God because of the grace of Jesus. We are given spiritual gifts to use in ministry for the Church because of the grace of Jesus. We are given strength from the Holy Spirit to persevere during difficult times because of the grace of God in Jesus. So, what ministry we find ourselves capable of performing, what opportunities we have to serve and make a difference in people’s lives, and what power we have in fulfilling our ministry are all given to us by grace. Our ministry, service, and efforts are not something we boast about. The Lord‘s power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-11) as we offer ourselves to him to be used for his glory.
My Prayer…
Glorify your name, O God, the Eternal Father of grace. Thank you for Jesus, who has redeemed, gifted, strengthened, led, and empowered me to serve. May you be glorified in all that I say and do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Bible References
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
1 Timothy 1:12
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service.
In verses 12-17 of this chapter, Paul is giving thanks for the true grace of God! He is not boasting of the fact that Christ has considered him trustworthy enough to appoint him to His service, rather he is still in wonder that God would love him after all the persecution of Christians that Paul had done before his salvation. And that God would choose to use him, who had been so unrighteous, instead of someone he considered more worthy.
Don’t you just love how God works! He takes all our unrighteousness and turns us into people who are fit to be in His presence and do His work on this earth, all because of the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:7).
It doesn’t matter how you started out on life, it is how you finish that God is interested in. God is just looking for a willing heart, a heart that loves Him and is in obedience to Him, to carry out His will for us in this life. To spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the yet unsaved, and to love others as He loves.
What ministry has God called you to? Whatever it is, do it with your whole heart! Maybe He has given you the gift of a music ministry, or a gift of evangelism, possibly the gift of praying with people or visiting widowed people in your community who are lonely and need a friend. There are thousands of ways that God gives us strength to bring about His will and bring Him glory. When we are in tune with the Holy Spirit that indwells us, He will lead us to all that God has planned for us while we walk this earth.
Father God, thank You for sending Jesus to die for my sins. Thank You for loving me and for giving me the ministries in my life that You have blessed me with. I am totally aware that apart from You I am nothing! It is only through Your strength that I get up each day and purpose in my heart to do Your will. I love You Abba, and pray that You take my life and make it one that always brings You honor, glory, and praise, Amen!