More Bible verses about serving one another
Mirriam-Webster definition:
minister
verb
ministered; ministering\ ˈmi-nə-st(ə-)riŋ
\ Definition of minister (Entry 2 of 2)
intransitive verb
1 : to function as a minister of religion
2 : to give aid or service; minister to the sick
History and Etymology for minister
Verb
Middle English ministren, borrowed from Anglo-French ministrer, borrowed from Latin ministrāre "to act as a servant, serve, supply" (Late Latin, "to serve as an ecclesiastic"), derivative of minister "servant
"I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” " {Psalm 122:1, multiple versions including NLT, and ESV)
Sure we're in lockdown but there's still lots to do, within the safe parameters of our current regulations, which are apparently some of the strictest at least in our nation. I truly believe that there will be a day when we stand before the Lord and He will ask us what we did with our time and resources. I am so very far from perfect, but I do continue to do all I can to seek and follow His leading, day by day. This has been a very busy week with ministry and today was a full day! I have no interest in judging anyone else. What you do is between you and God. I want to encourage and bless, not to condemn. He leads, directs, and blesses each of us uniquely. He knows our whys and our why nots. Absolutely no one, other than Christ is authorized to judge. I am writing this in hopes that together, we all seek to reach whatever potential that God has in store for each of us. This pandemic can be very discouraging for any of us. We need to continue to encourage one another in healthy ways that align with Scripture.
Today was a day full of ministry - ministering to others and being ministered to by others - and most/all? of these people filled both roles, at the same time. I am blessed, encouraged, uplifted. In fact, our Bible study today was all about blessing as presented in the Beatitudes. I believe that I was of service through love to hopefully each person in my day, today. As some are crying about their freedoms being stripped away, we are embracing whatever freedoms we have as commanded here, to use our freedoms to love serve one another. Demanding our rights shows love for ourselves, not for others. Christ's example was that He gave up His Heavenly rights to pay our otherwise fatal debts.
Praise God that not all churches are closed. Praise God that we do not even need a building for "church". Praise God that He has created his tabernacle within us, as followers of Christ, indwelled by the Holy Spirit. Praise God that where two or more are gathered, He is also with us. Praise God for the buildings that are closed while the flock work even more diligently to pray for and bless one another. In doing these things, He has established His church within each of us AND established His church within the church family. Praise God!!! and love one another, encourage one another, forgive one another, bless one another, be kind to one another - because we are commanded to and we need to.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18, NLT) "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."