Management or Ministry?

Something my mum said about children's ministry provoked good thought, that there is a difference between management and ministry.  Sitting the kids in front of a TV or allowing them to play on their devices in class may manage their behaviour, but it won't minister to their souls.  A manager conjures up images for me of a hireling, but a minister is a servant of all.  In a Sunday School lesson, the end does not justify the means--especially when our ends do not line up with God's.  Do we tolerate people or do we love them?  To love others requires an investment of time and effort which benefits others.

Jehosheba and the high priest Jehoiada provide a good illustration of the conduct fitting of God's faithful ministers.  2 Kings 11:1-3 reads, "When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal heirs. ² But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king's sons who were being murdered; and they hid him and his nurse in the bedroom, from Athaliah, so that he was not killed. ³ So he was hidden with her in the house of the LORD for six years, while Athaliah reigned over the land."  Joash was a vulnerable infant facing death when Jehosheba bravely stole him away from his murderous grandmother and hid him in the Temple.  For six years he lived in the house of God.

Whilst kept in the house of God, the high priest Jehoiada made preparations for the day Joash would ascend to the throne and be made king.  Not only did Jehoiada speak with rulers and captains of the guard to prepare for the coronation, but Jehoiada taught Joash about God, His laws, and his responsibilities as king.  Without a godly father to teach him of God and his ways, priest Jehoiada prepared the child to rule righteously.  Now most of the kids who attend church are not facing an immediate threat to their lives, but they all have a desperate need to know God and to learn to trust Him.  Joash was threatened by Athalia, and this world will stop at nothing to steal their formative years, deceive, kill and destroy.  Joash was the rightful king Jehoiada took under his wing, and we have an incredible opportunity to teach kids about our good God who desires for all people believe on Him and be saved.

Jehoiada wasn't just interested in feeding, clothing, and keeping Joash quiet and well-behaved, but to prepare him to answer the call God had placed upon His life.  God had a calling upon Jehosheba, Jehoiada and Joash, and He also has a call upon our lives and the souls of those precious little ones God brings to church.  We have the opportunity to minister to these children, not just manage them.  A manager is more concerned about kids being low-maintenance and well-behaved in class, whilst a minister seeks to communicate God's love, how to walk with Him, and to inspire a child to enter into the bright future God has for those who trust Jesus Christ.  Raising infants, toddlers, and kids filled with energy will be messy business, yet God enables us by His grace to be their ministers as unto the LORD.  When we feel like we can't manage, God ministers to and through us.

Brought Through

God's word is profound and enduring, and even portions of scripture which seem mundane or repetitive can be treasures hidden in plain sight for those who seek God by reading them.  Instead of looking at reading the Bible as a task to be endured it is better to view it as an intentional opportunity to hear God speak into our lives today.  I discovered such a passage today in the book of Ezekiel as the prophet described a vision he saw.

Ezekiel 47:2-4 reads, "He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side. ³ And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. ⁴ Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist."  Ezekiel accompanied a man who measured the depth of living water which flowed from the temple.  After 500 yards the water reached up to his ankles, and 500 yards later the water came to his knees.  It must have taken a good while to wade through the water which grew in volume as it flowed towards the east and revived the Dead Sea.

During this passage Ezekiel often repeated the man he followed "brought me through."  How well this statement relates to the life of a child of God!  We have come to Jesus Christ through faith and He is the one who leads us through all seasons of life by the Holy Spirit.  It didn't matter if the waters were to his ankles or knees:  Ezekiel was brought through them--even when walking became more difficult as the water grew deeper.  Looking back, we can affirm it is God who brought us through trials which seemed to go on forever, through seasons of depression and weariness.  Many times we have lost all sense of direction and a Christ-centered perspective, but Jesus brought us through.

How many times does scripture illustrate the faithfulness of God to bring His people through difficulties to a place of deeper and greater blessing by His grace.  God did not only bring His people to the edge of the Red Sea or Promised land but caused them to enter and He brought them through even in the midst of their enemies and idols.  Moses was brought to the boundary of Canaan, and though he was not permitted to physically enter God brought him through to eternal life in paradise.  Jesus did not leave His disciples perpetually toiling at the oars on the Sea of Galilee but brought them through to arrive at His intended destination.  God brought them through, and He will bring you through too.

Isn't it strange Ezekiel would walk in the stream which became a great river when he could have walked on the bank?  Most of us would have tried to avoid being wet, but Ezekiel was brought through in the midst of the stream.  We often attempt to skirt or avoid any difficulties--even ones God has determined to bring us through for the glory of His name and the strengthening of our faith.  This testimony of how Ezekiel was brought through teaches me I can trust God's leading in the present difficulty which feels like it will sweep me off my feet.  Trials and pressures of life that even look like are heading for disaster are carefully measured in depth and duration by the One who leads us.  Remember we can always trust Jesus Christ who will surely bring us through, and in the process we will grow in love and adoration for Him.

Surrender to God's Will

People struggle with the unknown.  We like to plan, prepare, and strategise.  We all have expectations we hope are met.  Fluid situations, changed conditions, and chaos cause us to feel unsettled and can produce stress.  Fundamentally we prefer to be in control or at least have a sense of control of our lives.  There are aspects of life we do have a degree of control over, but even the most controlling realise there are things beyond us, things which are “out of our hands.”

Knowing God is sovereign and reigns over all is quite comforting when it seems the world has gone mad.  We rest in God’s hands as His beloved people, yet He is not in any way controlled by or dependent on people.  Our prayers might be hindered but His arms are not shortened that He cannot save.  He will accomplish His will regardless of the schemes of Satan or perceived ineptitude of His people.  Knowing God’s will is different than my will helps in trusting Him, for even Jesus said to His Father, “Not My will, but yours be done.”  The Father was intent on saving the lost, and Jesus shared this exact desire.  It was the way the Father determined which caused Jesus to pray fervently and sweat blood in anticipation.

D.L. Moody wrote this concerning the will of God in his book Men of the Bible:  “A great many people are afraid of the will of God, and yet I believe that one of the sweetest lessons that we can learn in the school of Christ is the surrender of our wills to God, letting Him plan for us and rule our lives.  If I know my own mind, if an angel should come from the throne of God and tell me that I could have my will done the rest of my days on earth, and that everything I wished should be carried out, or that I might refer it back to God, and let God’s will be done in me and through me, I think in an instant I would say:  “Let the will of God be done.”  I cannot look into the future.  I do not know what is going to happen tomorrow; in fact, I do not know what may happen before night; so I cannot choose for myself as well as God can choose for me, and it is better to surrender my will to God’s will.”  [Moody, Men of the Bible, The Bible Institute Colportage Association, 1898, pg. 7]

God’s ways are higher than ours and His thoughts are not ours.  It follows that God’s will is far better than ours because He knows all, will accomplish all, and He is faithful.  There is much we know and more we do not know, and our knowledge, experience, and troubling unknowns can move us to make excuses for not surrendering to God today.  God’s will shall be performed according to His Word, not according to our preferences or expectations.  If we kick at the goads worry and bitterness will be our companions; if we attempt to leverage words to goad God to do our will frustration and disillusionment will follow.  Knowing God is good and makes infinitely better choices for us, we can confidently choose His way.

Choosing God is to embrace His will, knowing He does all things well—even when life seems futile and a hopeless disaster. Surrender to God and to His will, for having done the first it only follows.  The One who has saved and redeemed us is also able to guide, protect, and provide for us all by grace.

Marvelous Transformation

Today at Calvary Chapel Santee a message was preached on Acts 4 and focused on the transforming effect of a relationship with Jesus.  Through the name of Jesus Christ spoken by Peter a lame man was miraculously healed before many witnesses.  The only explanation for the man previously lame suddenly walking, leaping, and praising God was the power of God through Jesus' name.  The physical healing of the lame man provided an opportunity for Peter to preach the Word to an intrigued and engaged audience.

Religious leaders who did not believe Jesus was the Son of God or in the resurrection from the dead took offense to the preaching of Peter and other Christians and brought them before the Sanhedrin, rulers of the Jews.  Acts 4:8-10 says, "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: ⁹ If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, ¹⁰ let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole."  A marked change was seen in the lame man who stood before the elders, but a more profound and enduring transformation was demonstrated in Peter (who previously denied Jesus three times) because he was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Peter had been transformed through faith in Jesus and his relationship with Him--something the religious leaders themselves concluded.  Acts 4:13 says, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus."  Pastor James made a great observation:  these rulers were correct in their assessment, but not entirely.  It was true they had been with Jesus while He remained on earth, but they continued to walk with Him.  They were filled with the Holy Spirit in their time of need and guided to answer wisely because of their current relationship with Jesus.

This passage provides hope for healing and transformation for people physically but also for those who lack boldness, have denied Christ with their words or deeds, and played the fool.  The hope, healing, and deliverance Jesus provides is not just for people new to the faith but to those who have walked with Jesus a long time.  This truth is a blessing to my heart and to all those who are burdened with their own failures and sin.  Jesus Christ is a Saviour of Jew and Gentile, to believers new and old.  He brings the refreshment of Living Water to all who seek and abide in Him by His grace.