Stan and I were again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe one morning having breakfast together. We had both ordered the blueberry pancakes. As we waited for Ricky to bring them, Stan mentioned he’d been talking to a neighbor who had found how to have a fulfilling life. Since I’m interested in having that kind of life, I asked Stan what his neighbor had to say.
“What he said,” Stan replied, “is that he took a cue from one thing Paul wrote to his friend Timothy.”
“What’s that?”
“Paul encouraged Timothy to fulfill his ministry.”
“So?”
“My neighbor said he assumes Timothy did what Paul encouraged him to do and, as a result, found fulfillment in doing so.”
“Well,” I replied, “that’s probably great for Timothy that he found fulfillment in his ministry, but what about people who don’t have a ministry to fulfill?”
“Find one and fulfill it,” Stan said with a smile. “That’s the way to be fulfilled!”
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Bible verses to consider:
. . . fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5.
Therefore, gird your minds for action, . . . . 1 Peter 1:13.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I’m not fulfilled by fulfilling a ministry. Help me be fulfilled by doing what you have for me to do for you and your kingdom in redeeming the lost world. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Do you want to have a ministry to fulfill for God and His kingdom because you have life with Him through the finished work of Jesus’ cross. If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, do you have a ministry to fulfill? If yes, how are you doing with it? If no, why do you not have such a ministry? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need to have a ministry to fulfill? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journalling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?