iShineInMinistry

Matthew 6:1 (NET)

Be careful not to display your righteousness merely to be seen by people. Otherwise you have no reward with your Father in heaven.

We are getting right to the heart of things in July, looking for a complete and total reset as we do the work of the ministry at iShine. We are taking a long, hard look at ourselves and making sure our hearts, minds and motives are in the right place. Last week, as we talked through remaining humble, a thought stuck in my mind as I was volunteering for an event. The question that we must all ask ourselves as we serve is, “Who is this for?”

I know that the answer to this question may seem pretty obvious to us; but we need to really ask ourselves the question, then let God answer. Are the things that we do in ministry for us, for people or for Him? Our sole aim should be to glorify the Lord, even if no one else sees or acknowledges our efforts. We should not do things just to make others happy or to get accolades or show off how wonderful we are, but we should do everything we do because we love Jesus and want to bless His heart as we worship Him with every part of our being. We should not do the bare minimum just to get by or say we were involved; we should have that servant’s heart, that desires to do all for the glory of the Lord and also come alongside our brothers and sisters as they serve and be a help to them (not out of obligation, but out of love).

The verse above speaks of the one that does things just to be seen by others. If your heart is in this place right now, I would encourage you to take a little break and get your eyes back on the Lord and heart back under His submission. He is the one that we want to please in the long run, not our pastors, missionaries, friends or ourselves. As we please the Lord, they receive the benefit, but it should not only be about being a pleaser of man or being popular in our social circles. I hope that you and I will always take the time to see where our heart loyalties truly lie as we serve our heavenly Father.

2 Corinthians 3:17 (NET)

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom.

Thank You Jesus for freedom and for Your Love that poured out on the cross for us. Thank You for making us new creations, able to do Your will and abide in You. Thank You for the precious promises that we find in Your word that help us, guide us and continue to remind us that we are free in You. Thank You for the calling of ministry that You have placed on our lives…what a privilege and an honor to serve and be a handmaiden of the Lord.

Lord, God we ask that You will help us to not get trapped in the lie that we must always, perform, must always say yes to every task and must always be prefect to be in Your will. We know that our heart’s desire is to serve You, but we also know that the enemy will use any and everything he can to get our eyes off of You. Please remind us that where You Spirit is we have liberty and freedom, that we can walk in the calling that we have been called and not place any legalistic rules or regulations on ourselves as we serve.

We thank You for You plans and Your perfect will. Please allow us to be flexible and ready in season and out of season for all the amazing things You plan to do. Please help us to keep our hearts, eyes and minds fixed on You Lord. We love You and praise You for freedom. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Isaiah 61:1

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted…

Psalm 30:5 (NKJV)

...His favor is for life;

Weeping may endure for a night,

But joy comes in the morning.

Let's take the month of May and dedicate it to steadfast prayer...here is one to start us off!!

Lord Jesus, There are so many things to ️praise and thank You for and that in itself is a blessing that overflows. I know sometimes the circumstances in life feel overwhelming and I get my eyes off of You and what truly matters. Please remind me to have a heart of thanksgiving, love, grace and mercy. I pray for a heart of joy, a heart that is grateful and a heart that trusts in her Savior at all times. Thank You for the many new thoughts, ideas and plans You have placed on my heart and in my mind. I pray that I will wait upon You and Your perfect timing as You direct my plans and promise to give me a future filled with hope.

Let my heart not be troubled and let me remain focused on the blessed assurance that I am Yours and You are mine. Go before me and help me be fearless as I pursue You and Your plan for my life. I love You, trust You, thank You and ️praise You Lord.

Be with me always and let me abide in You all my days. I pray these things in Jesus' name, thank You Lord, amen!

James 1:5 (HSCB)

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.

It is happening again. That one part of your life that feels like a thorn in your flesh is rising up, causing havoc and making sin abound in your life. You panic at this thought, mostly because a woman in ministry, a leader, a woman that fears, loves and trusts the Lord should not have these kinds of issues. What will people say if they find out, what would they do if they saw…you?

We all have some issue or problem that proves to be a bigger struggle than other areas. I once heard a pastor’s wife admit during a teaching that she tells little lies/exaggerations literally all the time and asked for prayer because she let one out within two minutes of telling us this issue. We need to be transparent and truthful with ourselves about our issues. Harboring them alone only gives the enemy the opportunity to use that isolation to turn a struggle into a life-dominating sin.

Are you holding a temptation or struggle in right now, keeping it to yourself so that people see you in a certain light? If so, please note two very important things. First, the sin of pride is allowing you to avoid getting victory in this area. Second, you are playing the part of a hypocrite. You are acting one way in front of people; meanwhile, there is a spiritual battle taking place in your own mind and body. Do not allow a tailspin of despair, more sin and ruining of you from the inside out to take place.

I encourage all of us ladies to find our “person”. This is that lady who you know you can trust and know will commit you to prayer and looking to Jesus as you overcome. We are not meant to do these things alone, especially when we are ministry leaders! So, humble yourself and let the Lord do that healing work in that area…and we all know what area it is for us!

James 4:10 (NKJV)

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will life you up.

Psalm 98:1

Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!

For He has done marvelous things;

His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.

We love those wonderful ministry traditions that we get to enjoy year after year and watch the Lord move and change hearts. We may go on a mission trip, attend an outreach, or go to a women's event and marvel at the amazing things God puts in motion because He is just so faithful. With all the amazing things that can take place, we may 'nicely ignore' when God is telling us that it is time to do a new thing. We are so happy with how He is currently working and see no reason to move things around!

Have you ever heard the that the definition of insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result? Maybe you are hoping for some new breakthrough or a revival in the ministry you oversee, yet the same good things are happening...but you know they may not be the God things that you are praying for.

Please take the time to allow God to show you how to transition to the new thing that He wants you to do. There may be some ground work and kinks to work out, but of course His will is going to be done and this is ultimately what we want as we serve Him faithfully. Be blessed and listen to God's promptings - it may be time for a new thing!

Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)

Behold, I will do a new thing;

now it shall spring forth;

shall ye not know it?

I will even make a way in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert.

Pray about what new thing the Lord may be showing you in ministry!!