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.

Today is the final day in “Pray May”. Let us continue to seek the Lord all the days of our lives and grow in our prayer lives!!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)

Rejoice always,

Pray without ceasing,

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Lord Jesus, thank You for this wonderful month of prayer, where we got to fully draw closer to You and really sit at Your feet. I thank You for each and every single prayer that You heard; we know that You will answer, because You are faithful and true.

Thank You for each person and situation You laid on my heart to pray for and for giving me an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. I pray that I will keep this heart of prayer today and always, that You will fill me fresh with Your Holy Spirit and that I will continually desire to seek, love and serve You with all of my heart. Keep my heart focused on You and You alone. Be my strength, my song, my exceeding joy and the reason that I have hope…today and always.

Thank You, Lord for this month, for this time and for every good and perfect gift that You continue to give us each and every single day of our lives. We love You Lord and praise Your holy name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Psalm 119:11-12, 15 (NIV)

I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.

Praise be to you, Lord;

teach me your decrees.

I rejoice in following your statutes

as one rejoices in great riches.

I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.

Psalm 119:107 (NET)

I am suffering terribly. O LORD, revive me with your word!

O LORD, please accept the freewill offerings of my praise! Teach me your regulations!

Lord Jesus, we know that there is a time and a season for every purpose under heaven and even the hard times are blessings waiting to be uncovered. We know that You have a huge, perfect plan and we thank You for the opportunity to be used for Your glory, even in trials and trying circumstances. We thank You for the end result of overcoming and enduring...we know You are faithful.

Lord we thank You that we can cling to the promises of Your word and that You are our refuge, our strong tower in times when we do not understand. In times when we are hurting, You comfort us, in times of heartache, You cover us. We thank You for the many ways You see us through the hardest times of our lives. We thank You that You are a gracious, loving Father that does not leave or forsake us.

We ask that You help us to fix our eyes on You and You alone in these moments so that we can continually have hearts of peace, hope and joy...even in the storms. We ️praise You Lord for the love that You pour out on us all the days our our lives. Help us to always remember that true, wonderful love in times of trouble. We love You and ️praise Your name...amen!

Dear Lord, we know that You are our refuge and strength in times of trouble and that our hearts can trust that You will be our defender. We know that You are for us, that You make us brave and help us to move forward in faith even when we don't understand...especially when we don't understand!

I pray that You will give us courage in those times of doubt, confusion, nervousness and fear of the unknown. I pray that we will put on the whole armor of God and let You protect us in those moments where we need You to be strong on our behalf. We know that You always show up on time; I pray that we will trust in that promise and know that we can walk boldly in the calling You have placed on our lives.

Remind us of Who You are when we forgot...help us to be strong and courageous so that we can we more than conquerors and bring glory to Your great name. We love You Lord and ask these things in Jesus' name, amen.

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

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…