Monday, Jan 26, 2009

TWG - January 26, 2009 - Priority of Prayer and the Word

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Another wonderful day of worship is past. I love being in God’s house with God’s people. And despite the fact that my grandkids were still on vacation and not there, it was still a good time. Sunday School went well with John and Marnie stepping in to do a great job with opening assembly. Church was awesome. Worship was good. And the message about the responsibilities of leadership in the family was a needed one. We spent some time laughing and talking with Dave & Barb and Brad & Karen. Then it was back in the evening for a well attended and profitable Child Safety Meeting. I pray that we will make the commitments necessary to reach our generation. I put a picture of one of the Awana boys I pick up on the blog at http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com. Check it out.

Today is January 26, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. Together we are strong. As we walk though the word together we help each other grow.

Today's Scripture reading is Joshua 8; Psalm 131; Colossians 1


Today’s thought comes from Acts 6:2-4 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

The ministry takes great effort. Nothing great was ever accomplished by mere mediocre attempts. If something is worth doing, it is worth all your sweat, blood and tears... but, there comes a time in the ministry when it grows too great a burden for one man. In the early church it became too demanding for the twelve apostles! The church was exploding! There was a multitude of disciples. The Apostles were astutely aware of their main responsibility, so they began to look for worthy assistants who could come along side them and relieve them of some of their tasks. Thus was born the two classes of ministers in the church: Elders and Deacons. The Elders (Apostles in this case) would give themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. The Deacons would “serve tables” and take care of other business. Different ministries with one goal in mind; accomplish the mission Christ left for us. One is not less important than the other, instead the menial tasks make the ministry more effective. The Elders have two vital goals, prayer and the word. They must be God’s mouthpiece to the people in the ministry of the word, and the people’s mouthpiece to God in prayer. This is a ministry patterned after Moses of old. Moses would enter into the presence of God to get instructions for the people. Then he would go to the people and pass on what God had instructed. On a few occasions Moses spent as many as 40 long days alone with God in prayer! So much time passed that the people thought he had died! It wasn’t that he was neglecting his duty, it was that the message was so important that he needed every bit of that time to get a grip on it. This is what an Elder does! He is to explain the principles of God’s kingdom to the people under his care, and he is to take their needs and questions to God in order to find answers. The Apostles did this continually. The word continually indicates intense, persevering unwearied effort. The ministry takes extraordinary effort. The Deacons were meant to assist the Elders by doing the grunt work and the menial tasks of the ministry. They were to “serve tables.” In fact the word Deacon means “servant.” Their job was to carry out the business of the ministry so that the Word of God could be preached and the prayer life of the Elder would not be hindered.

Dear Father. Help me to be willing to put my best effort into the ministry to see that I get your message in prayer and that others get your message from the word. Help me to be willing to do the menial tasks of serving as well so that others will have the freedom to minister. Whatever you call me to, I want to do it with all my heart.

Because Your loving kindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 9:58 AM |   

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