I got one of the most encouraging emails this morning from a former student in my youth group. Her name is Catherine. She is heading to do mission work in Guatemala in a few weeks in an orphanage. I remember when I first got to First Bible Church of Decatur, AL. She was in the 6th grade. She thought that I was kinda weird and wonder why does this guy keep bugging me to come to youth group. Over time she came to trust Christ at a lock in. She grew into a wonderful godly young woman. God is using her tremendously in the lives of kids. God's grace is at work in the lives of those you invest in.
I am so thankful for her encouraging words. I have added her blog site to my blog list...it is Isaiah 25:1. Please keep Catherine in your prayers.
Investing into people is investing into the kingdom.
1 comment:
"Investing in People" is an important part of being a disciple of Christ. I have always said if we are doing our job whether at work or in ministry, we should be training others to the point of replacing ourselves. Allow me a moment to share a personal testimony: When I was 8 years old, my school teacher spent time with me after school to share Biblical teachings, encouragement, and the love of Jesus. One verse that she shared with me became my secret promise that gave me the strength to face difficult times then and continues to be a source of comfort and strength for me today, Jeremiah 33:16. I have shared the same verse with hundreds of people as well. In addition, I believe in putting God 1st, Others 2nd(investing into people), Self last...
Most Christians believe that's how it should be, whether they practice it or not.
Few have problems recognizing when "Me, Me, Me" gets in the way, whether they care to admit it or not.
But, putting others 2nd can get very confusing in relationship to God being 1st. It is God who teaches us how to love others and in so doing, we are loving Him.
However, when we have a passion for caring for the needs of others, you can bet Satan is looking for ways to trip us up and burn us out. Satan will use that passion against us (where we're being called upon up to 24 hrs. per day to help others in countless ways) until we find we no longer have time for God. Then others get 1st place and God gets nothing. In addition, we haven't met our needs and soon find we no longer have anything left to give.
It would go a long way toward keeping Satan within tight reigns were we to:
(1) spend quality time with God, even if we have to schedule an appointment.
(2) seek God's will, even above the feelings of others.
(3) learn to discern and detach a little from those who manipulate our time with no real intention of following God (while keeping an open door for the time when they don't just want attention, but a real help.)
(4) let go of responsibilities God didn't call us to, works that please man but not Him.
Only when God is 1st does everything else fall into place.
By the way, thanks for emailing me your blog address. I look forward to reading more.
rev.mrs.polk
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