iShineInMinistry

 Matthew 14:28 (NET)

Peter said to him, “Lord if it is you, order me to come to you on the water.”

God allows so many amazing opportunities to go on an exciting journey with Him as we serve in full-time ministry. We get to help those who are hurting, take mission trips and partake in a plethora of blessings that are unique to our calling. When we yield to the Father, He gives us unimaginable experiences as we take steps of faith and learn to trust Him more. May I ask, what new adventure are you on with the Lord right now as you live the charmed life?

Now, some of you may be bursting with fabulous stories of things the Lord is doing in your midst and in the ministry. Some of you may have one crazy impossible story that ends in a “but God” moment and there may be just a few of you that feel like you have nothing to contribute to the conversation. My question for each of you is, when was the last time you took a step of faith into something completely unknown?

Are we continuing in the same plan on a different day and just getting by on our own abilities? Or, are we letting our great, big God show us indescribably blessed things? I hope it’s the latter and not the former, because otherwise we are missing out on some fantastic ministry opportunities!

While we continue to live the charmed life and serve in full-time ministry, look for those ways you can step out in faith and take a little (or gigantic) adventure with our Lord and Savior…who knows, you could end up in Sri Lanka (or the supermarket)! Trust Him to do the big things in life as you faithfully serve Him and allow His perfect will to be done as you minister to the people He calls you to.

Isaiah 6:8 (KJV)

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Mark 10:45 (HCSB)

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life – a ransom for many.

Hey you! Charmed Life girl in full-time ministry…how is your heart as you do the work of the ministry? Are you ready and willing to be a help to any and everyone that God places in your path? Are you ready to pray and step in to intercede when someone approaches you with a prayer request? Are you ready in-season and out of season when God calls you to do something that was not on your schedule? I hope that the answer to these questions is yes; but just in case, let’s dig a little deeper.

Who are the ladies that you spend time with the most? Do you find yourself only making a priority to serve if they are involved? When someone that doesn’t have the same appearance of what you are used to with your friends comes to the Bible study, do you welcome them with open arms or hope that they don’t sit at your table and take one of your friend’s seats? What drives you to serve? If the Lord calls you to do a particular outreach that He didn’t tell any of your other trusted friends to attend, would you still go…all alone? Are you truly living the charmed life as you serve?

Many times, even in full-time ministry, we ladies have the tendency to swing towards what is familiar serving to us. We pick opportunities that our friends also like or do things where we are sure there will be no sign of what could look like failure on our end.

Can I encourage each of us to take a bigger step of faith as we live the Charmed Life in full-time ministry this year? Pray for more faith and more chances to do things where God will show up…even if your closest friends don’t. Allow Him to truly rule and reign so that we can see amazing things happen as we serve in 2016. I pray that you will take this to heart and purpose in your heart to do the will of God, even if it means going it alone (God will be with you!)…trust me, you will be glad you did!

Luke 4:8 (NET)

Jesus answered him, “it is written, ‘You are to worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

I got to spend some time with the ministry team that I worked with when I was a Pastor's assistant in Las Vegas last week and it was such a great time. It was fun to remember working in full-time ministry and being able to minister all the time and work with like-minded people.

The other great part was sharing what it's like to be working as a light in the world in Manhattan. As I shared stories and experiences, I exhorted them to be an encouragement to those they minister to that work in the world...day-in and day-out. It is very much a battle for them (and now I understand what they mean firsthand) and those who work in full-time ministry get to be the ones that bless, serve and encourage those lights in dark places!

I pray that you will take this to heart and live the charmed life in ministry, blessing those that are sent out into the middle of all the darkness. Pray for them, encourage them, send them scripture and serve them with your whole heart so they can go out and sparkle for Jesus as you shine in ministry and bless them!

Have fun being an encourager to the body of Christ...they need you!!

Romans 14:18 (NASB)

For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.

Isaiah 43:19 (HCSB)

Look, I am about to do something new;

even now it is coming.

Do you not see it?

I am so overly excited about 2016 that I cannot even take it! I am ready for the New Year, for new wonderful things and for new opportunities to see the Lord move in my life.

I LOVE that God is always up to something and using each and every part of our lives for His sovereign plan. There are so many ways that we can look for the blessings in the big, the small, the fun, the fabulous and the not so glamorous parts of our lives.

This year, I am checking for each chance I get to look for God in every situation. I hope that you will take this chance too. We will praise the Lord at all times together, count it all joy when we fall into various trials, let the joy of the Lord be our strength and allow Him to be where our help comes from. 2016 is the year of the Charmed Life for you and me because we belong to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Celebrate that truth every single day starting now!

I want each of us to use the hashtag “TheCharmedLife” throughout the course of the year to remind us that God has everything in control and we need not worry. You can even use the image that I have saved to the iShine in Ministry Facebook page to share stories. Have fun, pray without ceasing and enjoy this year…Happy 2016!!

Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

…whatsoever things are lovely…think on these things.

Let's thank the Lord for the blessing we have as we serve Him today!!

Ephesians 1:16 (NET)

I do not cease to give thanks for you when I remember you in my prayers.

Lord, I praise and thank You for the blessing of serving in full-time ministry. I thank you that You called me and allowed me to be in this place to serve You at all times. I thank You for each and every person You place me in contact with and thank You that You count me faithful to be able to minister to each person.

Lord, I ask that You will keep me in a place where I am grateful and thankful for this calling every single day. Continue to fill my heart with love and compassion for Your people and remember that it is a privilege to serve them and be Your handmaiden.

I thank You for Your faithfulness in my life, my Savior and my God. I love You, Lord and praise Your holy name. In Jesus' name, amen!

Luke 1:48 (KJV)

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.