When
you first experience the pull of the Holy Spirit to do something, you
may not immediately understand what the Lord wants you to do. One day in
response to persistent prayer, spiritual awareness suddenly arises, and
you realize what God actually wishes from you. The thought of it scares
you, but then apprehension finally gives way to acceptance. With
acceptance comes anticipation. Ministry begins in fervent desire. You
serve the Lord unquestionably, and believe the ministry you offer makes
a difference. You experience the joy of knowing you are in the Lord's
will. But in the midst of the joy of service you unexpectedly deny what
He has required of you. You make a mistake-something that makes you
question your worth. You question your calling, and if you have what it
takes to continue. You turn to the Lord in repentance.
“Lord, what should I do?” you ask.
“Do you love me?” the Lord wants to know. The unanticipated question strikes hard.
You might be Peter on the shore, leaning over a bed of glowing embers,
warming his cold hands, and remembering another coal fire where he had
failed Jesus.
“Yes, Lord, you know I love you,” you murmur.
The question is repeated twice, and each time you answer, you are
abruptly aware of your failure. The Lord gently lifts your trembling
chin to peer into eyes that also once burned into Peter’s. It is at this
moment your failure is gone, and you, lost in His gaze, know you are
forgiven. “If you love me,” the Lord instructs gently, “feed my sheep.”
Soft and undemanding, the words are a statement to the fact that
you have been called. Lovingly the Lord has brought you to your place of
denial-your place of failure, and then called for your sacrificial best
so that you might understand that your worth is found in the humility
of your heart. What is the actual price of your sacrificial best? Being
sold out to the Master means that no price is too high to feed His
sheep. You must rise from the altar of your coal fire, and make Him your
altar. He is your focus now, not your failure. Never allow your failure
to hinder you, but to continually humble you.You should continue to
humbly share Christ’s message, His heart, and His love. Learn from your
failure, and move on. Remember that ministry is not about you. It is
about loving Him, and feeding His sheep. Leave the failure of your
denial, just as Peter did, and rise once more to His calling.
Remember...... “The gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Romans 11:29)!
When
you first experience the pull of the Holy Spirit to do something, you
may not immediately understand what the Lord wants you to do. One day in
response to persistent prayer, spiritual awareness suddenly arises, and
you realize what God actually wishes from you. The thought of it scares
you, but then apprehension finally gives way to acceptance. With
acceptance comes anticipation. Ministry begins in fervent desire. You
serve the Lord unquestionably, and believe the ministry you offer makes
a difference. You experience the joy of knowing you are in the Lord's
will. But in the midst of the joy of service you unexpectedly deny what
He has required of you. You make a mistake-something that makes you
question your worth. You question your calling, and if you have what it
takes to continue. You turn to the Lord in repentance.
“Lord, what should I do?” you ask.
“Do you love me?” the Lord wants to know. The unanticipated question strikes hard. You might be Peter on the shore, leaning over a bed of glowing embers, warming his cold hands, and remembering another coal fire where he had failed Jesus.
“Yes, Lord, you know I love you,” you murmur.
The question is repeated twice, and each time you answer, you are abruptly aware of your failure. The Lord gently lifts your trembling chin to peer into eyes that also once burned into Peter’s. It is at this moment your failure is gone, and you, lost in His gaze, know you are forgiven. “If you love me,” the Lord instructs gently, “feed my sheep.”
Soft and undemanding, the words are a statement to the fact that you have been called. Lovingly the Lord has brought you to your place of denial-your place of failure, and then called for your sacrificial best so that you might understand that your worth is found in the humility of your heart. What is the actual price of your sacrificial best? Being sold out to the Master means that no price is too high to feed His sheep. You must rise from the altar of your coal fire, and make Him your altar. He is your focus now, not your failure. Never allow your failure to hinder you, but to continually humble you.You should continue to humbly share Christ’s message, His heart, and His love. Learn from your failure, and move on. Remember that ministry is not about you. It is about loving Him, and feeding His sheep. Leave the failure of your denial, just as Peter did, and rise once more to His calling.
Remember...... “The gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Romans 11:29)!
“Lord, what should I do?” you ask.
“Do you love me?” the Lord wants to know. The unanticipated question strikes hard. You might be Peter on the shore, leaning over a bed of glowing embers, warming his cold hands, and remembering another coal fire where he had failed Jesus.
“Yes, Lord, you know I love you,” you murmur.
The question is repeated twice, and each time you answer, you are abruptly aware of your failure. The Lord gently lifts your trembling chin to peer into eyes that also once burned into Peter’s. It is at this moment your failure is gone, and you, lost in His gaze, know you are forgiven. “If you love me,” the Lord instructs gently, “feed my sheep.”
Soft and undemanding, the words are a statement to the fact that you have been called. Lovingly the Lord has brought you to your place of denial-your place of failure, and then called for your sacrificial best so that you might understand that your worth is found in the humility of your heart. What is the actual price of your sacrificial best? Being sold out to the Master means that no price is too high to feed His sheep. You must rise from the altar of your coal fire, and make Him your altar. He is your focus now, not your failure. Never allow your failure to hinder you, but to continually humble you.You should continue to humbly share Christ’s message, His heart, and His love. Learn from your failure, and move on. Remember that ministry is not about you. It is about loving Him, and feeding His sheep. Leave the failure of your denial, just as Peter did, and rise once more to His calling.
Remember...... “The gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Romans 11:29)!
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