CONTACT US

Intentional Service
by A.J. Wilson

“Prepare your outside work, Make it fit for yourself in the field; And afterward build your house.” Prov. 24:27

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it” Luke 14:28

“But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. . . we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,” Heb 6:9,11

One of the most amazing facts about the Bible is that it was written over the course of 1400+ years, and it has one scarlet thread throughout its pages.  Prophesies fill the Old Testament giving us testimony to who Jesus is, and that God is in control.  Then the New Testament shows us those fulfillments of all God’s planning.  The Old Testament shows us over and over that God makes plans for the future and we know that God’s plans will come to pass. 

What are you planning to do for the Lord?  I know we all make plans: vacation plans, work schedules, education plans, building plans, and many more things which fill the fast paced schedule we call life.  Again, what plans have you added to your schedule for the Lord?  Please do not take this to mean that we should not seek the Holy Spirit’s leading even in long-term planning; but it is intended for us to be intentional in our service to God. 

It is easy for everyone else to plan things and for us to step in and provide the manpower to complete the tasks.  Yet someone had to provide a plan and sometimes that should be you.  God has given you exceptional gifts that no one else in our congregation holds in the same combination.  This means if God gives you an idea of a future ministry and you keep it inside, it will at least delay the ministry, and it may never come to pass because God had gifted you for that.  There are skeptics that question the idea of planning in ministry or even preaching; they also unintentionally question the ability of the Holy Spirit.  After all can the Holy Spirit lead in advance, just as God has been leading and planning from the foundations of the world?

A passage that I have returned to many times is Hebrews 5:11-6:12 (part of which is quoted above.)  This passage encourages Christians to mature in their walk, giving reasons and ways to do so.  Paul also encourages maturity in many of his epistles; which can you find this week? (here is a free one,     2 Tim 3:14 )

©Copyright 2008 Rowletts Baptist Church.  All rights reserved.
Hosted and Designed by S & M Computer Services