February 21, 2012 7:12 pm

Ministering In Love

Posted In: Ministry

One of the most prolific statements written in the word of God is found in the book of Matthew chapter 22.

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."(Matthew 22:37-40 KJV)

These scriptures should be an anthem for apostolic ministry today. An ingredient needed in every minister is love. We need an overwhelming love for Jesus Christ as well as an unconditional love for people. Love will make you get down on your knees and pray, love will make you bless the Lord in the good times and the bad, love is what will prolong your ministry!

When we don't see things going well in our ministry, our family, and our churches, the only thing that will keep us going is our love for God. The Old Testament was hung upon the branches of love. Everything God created stemmed from love.

The Bible says that God is love, so in the beginning "love" created the heavens and earth. Everything that God created came out of a heart filled with love, we should be cautious to not stray from this foundation.

We must have a love for God's people; we must minister to the sheep of God's pasture. When I think of love, I think of a man that was after Gods own heart, David. We must strive to possess the character that David had and not the character that his brothers possessed.

When Samuel called Jesse and his sons, the first son that came was Eliab. Samuel thought this was the one the Lord wanted to anoint but he lacked something. God told Samuel he doesn't care about appearance but instead he looks on the heart. Eliab's name comes from the root Hebrew word "el" which means mighty, strength, or power. Eliab had the right stature but God knew that when Goliath would challenge Israel later that Eliab would cower because of his dependence on his own power and not on God's.

The second brother’s name was  Abinadab, he had a willing spirit. He wanted to be used by God and wanted to do whatever it took. Abinadab's name comes from the Hebrew word "nadab" which means to impel; hence to volunteer, to present spontaneously, offer freely, offer ones self willing. He was willing to be anointed but God knew that wasn't enough. He needed more than availability, God was searching for a burning love inside of someone and he didn't have it.

The third brother came whose name was Shammah. Shammah's name means astonishment and wonderful. Shammah had the charisma and the oratory. He seemed to do all things well, he seemed cut out for the job but there was still something that God was searching for and it wasn't in Shammah.

Samuel asked Jesse if these were all his children. Jesse told him that David was keeping the sheep, so Samuel called for him and anointed him. David's name means love and loving. God reached back to the thing everyone forgot about which was, love. Love will keep you watching over the sheep. Love will empower you to take down the bear and the lion that comes against God's sheep. Love will face the giant problems the people of God may be facing. Love is where you tap into the anointing of God. It's all built up, wrapped up, and tied up in love.

The most essential ingredient in our walk with God and our ministry is to love God and love his people. God is looking to use someone that is filled with love.

"And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will."(Acts 13:22 KJV)

Written By Victor Jackson

Evangelist - Belleview, FL

 

 

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