Paula Wiseman » ministry

Beginning Running

Paula — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:12:43 +0000

The last Saturday this month, my son and I are running 2 mile race and then right after, my husband is running a 10 mile race. My son's 11 and has never run a race, but I told him if he wanted to run, I'd run with him. So we are officially registered. He's mostly in it for the shirt. Oh, and lunch at Wendy's afterwards.

Analogies aren't perfect, but here are some things about our upcoming race that got me thinking…

It would be unfair and even a little cruel to expect Alan run the 10 mile race his first time out. Two miles is much better suited to his abilities (and mine). However, many times we expect new believers to behave the way veteran Christians do. Rather than saddle them with more than they're ready for, let's come alongside and run with them. Help them maintain their pace. Point out their progress and encourage them to keep going.

If I don't prepare adequately I can't help my son at all. It means getting up when the alarm goes off. Some days that means shifting my running time a little later in the day (when it's warmer) to ensure that I get it in. More running means more laundry. But he's counting on me. I can't let him down. I'm not sure we grasp how much newer believers depend on us. We have to shift our routines around for their sakes. If they see us giving up, laying down or sleeping in, they will too.

Having both races the same day, it will be tempting to look at the 10-milers and feel completely inadequate, especially since a number of them will run the 2-mile as a warm-up for their race. Sheesh. Thing is, the 2-milers get the same refreshments and the same shirt as the 10-milers. God lays a different race before each of us, and it's the one suited to our abilities and preparation. We shouldn't feel inferior to believers who have appear to have more faith, or more knowledge or some incredible ministry. At the end, we all get the same shirt- the righteousness of Christ.

How do you encourage folks who haven't been believers as long as you have?

STT: Second Corinthians

Paula — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:20:28 +0000

Second Corinthians is the most underrated, underappreciated book in the New Testament, maybe the whole Bible. In it, Paul is passionately personal in his defense of his ministry and his authority, but he also exhorts and encourages the believers in Corinth in a touching heartfelt way. It is packed with tremendous truth. (I could do several posts on my favorite verses…)

One thing worth noticing, even keeping a list of, is everything Paul says about God, Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit.

For example in 1:3-4, Paul says "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

The Father of mercies
The God of all comfort
He comforts us in our tribulation

Some major topics Paul covers include:

What does it mean to be a minister (and we are)? What are our responsibilities? What should we be doing? (You'll find these answers mostly in chapters 2-6)

What are our responsibilities when it comes to giving? (Look at chapters 8-9)

How a leader should conduct himself and how should we in the body respond? (Try chapters 10-13)

But the guts of the book are found in chapter 5:17-20. It is perhaps the most succinct statement of what God did for us and what our job is as a result. Love these verses!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Is Second Corinthians the most underrated book? If not, which one would you say?

STT: Fulfilling Your Commission

Paula — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:29:31 +0000

The last couple of weeks, we've looked at the value of sharing the insights you gain from your study. Last Tuesday, we discussed our own take-aways -actions we may need to take or attitudes that may need a tweak.

These two mesh together to help us carry out that "second greatest commandment" Jesus affirms in Luke 10:27- the "love your neighbor as yourself" part. Christianity, at its core, is about relationship. God seeks us for a relationship with Him, and as a natural extension, He expects us to build relationships with others. More specifically, He expects us to love others the way He does.

Bible study can help you to carry out this directive in several ways.

First, Scripture reveals the human condition. We're all fallen and failed, and in desperate need of God's grace. It's just that some of us have accepted that gift. Focused time in God's word will root out self-righteousness and grow our compassion for those around us.

Second, Scripture describes human nature. In the Proverbs, the Gospels and the Old Testament stories, we see a cast of characters that we immediately recognize. We regularly come in contact with (or maybe we are) fools, young hotshots, innocents who can't seem to get a break, schemers, women who take on too much and countless others. God's word gives us a deeper understanding of these folks and often gives examples on how to respond to them.

Third, Scripture addresses human circumstances. Loss, poverty, frustration, sickness, anxiety, good fortune, uncertainty, triumph, tragedy and many others get their share of ink in Scripture. Regular study helps us find comfort and context for ourselves and for others.

As you study be aware of passages or principles that will help you minister to others, and so fulfill your personal great commission.

Service With a Smile

Paula — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:38:49 +0000

In Colossians 4:17, Paul sends a message to a young man, Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." That's a tremendous charge, worth a closer look.

Take heed- From the Greek, it means voluntarily giving careful attention to. Paul's tone is one of encouragement.

Ministry- This is the word deacon comes from and carries an idea of waiting tables. We tend to think "ministry" is only for preachers or other big-shot Christians, but any of us can serve others and attend to their needs.

Received- This one means to "to take near". On a recent trip to a theme park, I received some money for one of the kids. (His parents were afraid he might lose it.) I kept it close to me in a pocket, protecting it, acting as a steward for the money, parceling it out as the boy had need of it.

Fulfill- This is an interesting word and several of the usages carry the idea of filling in what's empty, whether it's a hole or a net or an empty house. Don't leave anything out or undone.

To paraphrase- When you accepted Christ, you agreed to serve Him as needed. Don't you see what a tremendous role you've been entrusted with? Run with it!

Sometimes, in our way of thinking, being a servant is not such a great draw. But if someone we love asks for a favor, we deliver without hesitation. Maybe that was the issue for Archippus. We know from the letter to Philemon, that he was the son of a comfortably wealthy man. Maybe the transition from having servants to being a servant was a little difficult.

Paul said back in chapter 3: "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." Ultimately, all our service is to Christ, not the individuals who receive the immediate benefits.

What is your ministry? Are you fulfilling it?

Do You Know Your Calling? (lynnmosher.blogspot.com)

Challenges

Paula — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:18:38 +0000

Jesus had some real challenges in His ministry. We tend to think because He was God that everything clicked along smoothly. Everything DID click along according to plan, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it was smooth. He said we shouldn’t expect any better treatment than He got. Reading Mark 3 this morning, I saw a picture of ministry.

People will take advantage of your time and attention. Verse 20 said Jesus couldn’t even grab time to eat.

People will question everything about your ministry. Verse 21, Jesus’ own people, His family and friends questioned His sanity.

People will misattribute your motives. In verse 22, the religious leaders reasoned that Jesus had to be in league with Beelzebub.

If ministry wasn’t tough enough, what makes it more difficult is that these same people…

May be part of the respected religious establishment (v.22)

May believe they have your best interests at heart (v.21)

May be well meaning (v.31)

May be your closest associates, perhaps even family (v.32)

I tend to take opposition as a sure sign that I’m headed the wrong direction. That’s not always the case. I need to take the time in prayer and study to confirm with God. Once the confirmation comes, I can’t second-guess that.

The flip-side is a warning to be very careful before questioning or criticizing another’s ministry. I can’t presume to know how God is directing someone else.

People will take advantage of your time and attention. Verse 20 said Jesus couldn’t even grab time to eat.
People will question everything about your ministry. Verse 21, Jesus’ own people, His family and friends questioned His sanity.
People will misattribute your motives. In verse 22, the religious leaders reasoned that Jesus had to be in league with Beelzebub.