Follow-up to May 8th teaching

It’s not about what you don’t have

If I were a musician and could sing, I might be inclined to use my abilities for the Lord on the worship team. But I can’t sing nor play, so it has never crossed my mind to be on a worship team.

It is easy to forget though that a worship team consists of more than just the singers and musicians. It includes the sound person or the person who handles the projection of the words to the songs on the screen.

You see, the natural tendency we have is to focus on what we can’t do or what we don’t have. Ministering to others is not so much about what we can or can’t do, it’s a question of – “is this an opportunity God has put before me?”

In Acts chapter 3, Peter and John are heading into the temple for a time of prayer. As they get close to the gate Beautiful, there is a man who has never walked a day in his life begging for money. They had probably passed by this man on other occasions.

In themselves, neither Peter nor John had the ability to make a man walk. Nor did either of them have money to give to the man. It would be understandable if they had just walked past him as they had at other times.

But this time would be different. Why? Because Peter and John’s focus was not on what they didn’t have. Their focus was on the Lord Jesus. As such, they were sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

On this day, the Holy Spirit leads them to bring healing to this man. In obedience to what God was leading them to do, they step out. Through the gift of faith and the gifts of healing this man was made whole.

Peter and John, as well as the other 10 Apostles, were able to carry out the Great Commission and their calling as Apostles, because of two things. An understanding of the Gospel message and the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember that chapter 3 happens after chapter 2 where the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the 120.

Every day there is a potential opportunity to minister to someone. God has given you what you need; the Gospel message and the Holy Spirit and whatever else you will need.

Do you need resources to carry out what God has called you to do, remember Paul’s words – “And my God will supply every need of yours.”

Do you need a particular spiritual gift – “to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit”

Do you need wisdom – “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God”

Do you need counsel -  “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper (Counselor), to be with you forever”

The reason I say it’s not about what you don’t have is because of Him whom we serve. God has given us our mission and with it the ability to carry it out.

So, as you go forth into your day, if you are presented with a ministry opportunity, trust God and watch what He does through you.