Learning to serve God through creatures
There are times when animals, birds and fish put us to shame when it comes to serving God. Reading from the Bible, if we are humble enough, we can learn from God’s creation. Often we are docile, thinking that we are not fit to serve God. But looking at the following we all will be encouraged to serve God in some small way.
Ministry of the DOVE (Gen 8:7-12)
Noah was in the dark in the ark. He did not know what was happening outside. When he sent out a raven, it was flying back and forth with no message of hope. But when he sent out the dove it brought to him the goodnews of hope. “Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and
Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. After seven days when the dove went out again it never returned to him.”
We visit friends, chat with them and eat with them time and again, yet do not share the Gospel and leave them to eternal darkness. There could be people whom we meet once, twice and then never again. To them we can hand over a Gospel tract or a booklet like the dove to convey the message of hope and bring them out of darkness to light. By a few words or a short testimony we can plant in them a seed. It is our duty to introduce the Gospel to all we meet. All our friends, relatives and contacts open up a small window to let us see what’s happening in their lives. If we are watchful enough we can recognize a word of despair, a drop of tear winked back, a question of search and so on. We can enter through that window to minister to them. Be a dove for God!
Ministry of the RAVEN (1 Ki 17:1-6)
God commanded Elijah to hide by the Kerith Ravine for a time. He also assured Elijah that He had commanded the ravens to feed him there. Elijah obeyed God. But it looked as if he was whiling away his time not doing any ministry. He was not even cooking but just enjoying bread and meat twice a day. Anyone who would have seen him might criticize him saying that he was a lazy man of God. God and Elijah alone knew the circumstances.
We are quick to criticize God’s servants. There may be times in their lives when they just obey the voice of God to be alone, just spending time aloof, waiting for His command, “Arise, go to Zarephath” (v 9). It may be that God has spoken to you to feed His servant for that temporary period of time. Have you heard His voice? Have you obeyed God’s voice? Did you nurture that man of God tirelessly, morning and evening with the best that you had without expecting any return? Or did you shut off your ears to God’s command due to doubts and folded your hands counting the cost? Were you able to fly away after your ministry without expecting credit for your service? Be a raven for God!
Ministry of the WHALE (Jon 1:17-2:10)
Jonah was a disobedient prophet. When God dealt with him he probably wanted to die. Death wish was in his throat all the time. He wanted to do ministry in his own way, not God’s way. When he knew God was trapping him for His purposes and there was no way out, he requested the mariners to throw him into the violent sea. Reluctantly the mariners threw him into the sea and he was close to death. But God was not ready to let go off the game. He had prepared a whale to save Jonah and accomplish His work. If the fish had gone by the ship one minute early or one minute late Jonah would have drowned! But at the right time it obeyed God promptly and gobbled up Jonah. It was not a comfortable exercise for the fish to keep someone alive (and perhaps kicking) inside its belly. May be it felt nauseated for three days before it could vomit and release the prophet for the job.
Is God calling you to preserve His servant He is dealing with—a man of God rebellious, discouraged, angry and wishing death instead of obeying Almighty God? Men of God go through unimaginable trials. There are times when the thought of suicide sits like a hat on their heads. They may be fed up with the stress of ministry and their own shortcomings. May be God’s gentle voice is calling you to take in such a minister to give him shelter for a time being. May be God wants to whip him in your embracing arms, so he can withstand the discipline. It may not be an easy job for you but you’ll save a man of God, and through him a nation. Be a whale for God!
Ministry of the ROOSTER (Mt 26:31-35, 74-75)
Peter thought he was head and shoulder above the other eleven disciples in spirituality and made tall claims that even if all were to stumble he would never. He even challenged Jesus that he would not deny Him on any account. He never expected the trial to take him unawares. Twice when he denied Christ he did not repent. He continued to backslide till he went to the extent of cursing and swearing. What led him to repentance?
“Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times’.” His self-confidence flew in all directions like a house of cards in a gale. He wept bitterly and then rose up like a phoenix.
All around us we see backslidden men and women of God. The world mocks at them. The Church ridicules them. Believers run away from them. Do you feel that you should confront the backslider? Is God giving you the boldness to crow in his ears? Are you giving excuses to obey God’s voice? May be you are God’s rooster. May be a word spoken may activate the Scriptures lying dormant in his memory. You may be God’s instrument to pull up a backslider from the scum and give the Church a dynamic apostle. Was the cock mighty or powerful or talented? No! God wants only obedience. Obey the promptings of the Spirit. Be a rooster for God!
Ministry of the FISH (Mt 17:24-27)
Jesus had everything for a successful ministry except money. He had to look to others for monetary support. There were the temple tax collectors ready to pounce on Him if He did not pay the tax. His dear disciple Peter’s testimony was also at stake. He had left his thriving business to follow Jesus and so had no money to pay tax. Jesus could have performed a simpler miracle of making money appear on their offering bag. Instead, He chose to stoop down to depend on a fish to get his coin. That saved both Peter and Himself from becoming an offense to others. There were many fish in the sea. When Peter threw in the line it was a chance encounter cum miracle that a fish with a piece of money in its mouth managed to swallow the hook.
Economic crisis is engulfing ministries too. Many powerful ministries are struggling to make their ends meet. Expenses are enormous. Expenses towards Revival Programmes, Evangelistic Outreaches, Salary of Staff, Medical Expenses, Literature Printing, Children’s Education, Administration, Buildings, etc.—all these have to be met. Are you sharing the burden of ministries by giving away your portion? May be an appeal caught your eye or you met a poor man in dire need. Don’t try to shrug it off. If you have excess money, think if there is anyone who is more in need of that money than you. What was not needed for the fish was most needed for Jesus. Be a little fish for God!
Ministry of the COLT (Mt 21:1-16)
Unknown to the Colt there was a need in the life of Jesus. May be the colt was thinking that it needed Jesus; but Jesus was thinking “I need a colt!” Of all the animals Jesus chose the foolish donkey to carry Him to people. Elephants are fit vehicles for kings, and horses are majestic and fast. But the colt was foolish, weak, immature and untrained. Yet, that was the choice of Jesus. Moreover, it was a village donkey full of inferiority complex, not a city-bred confident one. Though the colt was not ready to go, the owner was pushing it to go. So the colt, went fulfilling a Scriptural prophecy, carrying a humble King not knowing the great honour that was to befall him. Then followed a ministry of praising, cleansing and healing.
You need Jesus. True. But do you know that Jesus needs you? You may think that you are useless, good for nothing, foolish, weak, unwanted, unqualified and uncalled. You may be filled with fear and inferiority complex. But do you know that these are just the qualifications the Lord of the harvest is looking for in you? Is The
Light of the world pressing you to go out to a slum or hospital or neighborhood or a mission field where people are sitting in darkness waiting for a ray of hope? Are you resisting His call by giving excuses? Say boldly “Yes Lord!” The most honourable job in this world is to carry Him to people. Go! Do not throw away your eternal rewards.
He will work hand in glove with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you! Take heart, little donkey! Go for God! Be a colt for God!
(The author of this article is Mr. Tamizharasan, a missionary with the Blessing Youth Mission.He is a hardworking ardent soulwinner.)
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
Learning to serve God through creatures
There are times when animals, birds and fish put us to shame when it comes to serving God. Reading from the Bible, if we are humble enough, we can learn from God’s creation. Often we are docile, thinking that we are not fit to serve God. But looking at the following we all will be encouraged to serve God in some small way.
Ministry of the DOVE (Gen 8:7-12)
Noah was in the dark in the ark. He did not know what was happening outside. When he sent out a raven, it was flying back and forth with no message of hope. But when he sent out the dove it brought to him the goodnews of hope. “Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and
Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. After seven days when the dove went out again it never returned to him.”
We visit friends, chat with them and eat with them time and again, yet do not share the Gospel and leave them to eternal darkness. There could be people whom we meet once, twice and then never again. To them we can hand over a Gospel tract or a booklet like the dove to convey the message of hope and bring them out of darkness to light. By a few words or a short testimony we can plant in them a seed. It is our duty to introduce the Gospel to all we meet. All our friends, relatives and contacts open up a small window to let us see what’s happening in their lives. If we are watchful enough we can recognize a word of despair, a drop of tear winked back, a question of search and so on. We can enter through that window to minister to them. Be a dove for God!
Ministry of the RAVEN (1 Ki 17:1-6)
God commanded Elijah to hide by the Kerith Ravine for a time. He also assured Elijah that He had commanded the ravens to feed him there. Elijah obeyed God. But it looked as if he was whiling away his time not doing any ministry. He was not even cooking but just enjoying bread and meat twice a day. Anyone who would have seen him might criticize him saying that he was a lazy man of God. God and Elijah alone knew the circumstances.
We are quick to criticize God’s servants. There may be times in their lives when they just obey the voice of God to be alone, just spending time aloof, waiting for His command, “Arise, go to Zarephath” (v 9). It may be that God has spoken to you to feed His servant for that temporary period of time. Have you heard His voice? Have you obeyed God’s voice? Did you nurture that man of God tirelessly, morning and evening with the best that you had without expecting any return? Or did you shut off your ears to God’s command due to doubts and folded your hands counting the cost? Were you able to fly away after your ministry without expecting credit for your service? Be a raven for God!
Ministry of the WHALE (Jon 1:17-2:10)
Jonah was a disobedient prophet. When God dealt with him he probably wanted to die. Death wish was in his throat all the time. He wanted to do ministry in his own way, not God’s way. When he knew God was trapping him for His purposes and there was no way out, he requested the mariners to throw him into the violent sea. Reluctantly the mariners threw him into the sea and he was close to death. But God was not ready to let go off the game. He had prepared a whale to save Jonah and accomplish His work. If the fish had gone by the ship one minute early or one minute late Jonah would have drowned! But at the right time it obeyed God promptly and gobbled up Jonah. It was not a comfortable exercise for the fish to keep someone alive (and perhaps kicking) inside its belly. May be it felt nauseated for three days before it could vomit and release the prophet for the job.
Is God calling you to preserve His servant He is dealing with—a man of God rebellious, discouraged, angry and wishing death instead of obeying Almighty God? Men of God go through unimaginable trials. There are times when the thought of suicide sits like a hat on their heads. They may be fed up with the stress of ministry and their own shortcomings. May be God’s gentle voice is calling you to take in such a minister to give him shelter for a time being. May be God wants to whip him in your embracing arms, so he can withstand the discipline. It may not be an easy job for you but you’ll save a man of God, and through him a nation. Be a whale for God!
Ministry of the ROOSTER (Mt 26:31-35, 74-75)
Peter thought he was head and shoulder above the other eleven disciples in spirituality and made tall claims that even if all were to stumble he would never. He even challenged Jesus that he would not deny Him on any account. He never expected the trial to take him unawares. Twice when he denied Christ he did not repent. He continued to backslide till he went to the extent of cursing and swearing. What led him to repentance?
“Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times’.” His self-confidence flew in all directions like a house of cards in a gale. He wept bitterly and then rose up like a phoenix.
All around us we see backslidden men and women of God. The world mocks at them. The Church ridicules them. Believers run away from them. Do you feel that you should confront the backslider? Is God giving you the boldness to crow in his ears? Are you giving excuses to obey God’s voice? May be you are God’s rooster. May be a word spoken may activate the Scriptures lying dormant in his memory. You may be God’s instrument to pull up a backslider from the scum and give the Church a dynamic apostle. Was the cock mighty or powerful or talented? No! God wants only obedience. Obey the promptings of the Spirit. Be a rooster for God!
Ministry of the FISH (Mt 17:24-27)
Jesus had everything for a successful ministry except money. He had to look to others for monetary support. There were the temple tax collectors ready to pounce on Him if He did not pay the tax. His dear disciple Peter’s testimony was also at stake. He had left his thriving business to follow Jesus and so had no money to pay tax. Jesus could have performed a simpler miracle of making money appear on their offering bag. Instead, He chose to stoop down to depend on a fish to get his coin. That saved both Peter and Himself from becoming an offense to others. There were many fish in the sea. When Peter threw in the line it was a chance encounter cum miracle that a fish with a piece of money in its mouth managed to swallow the hook.
Economic crisis is engulfing ministries too. Many powerful ministries are struggling to make their ends meet. Expenses are enormous. Expenses towards Revival Programmes, Evangelistic Outreaches, Salary of Staff, Medical Expenses, Literature Printing, Children’s Education, Administration, Buildings, etc.—all these have to be met. Are you sharing the burden of ministries by giving away your portion? May be an appeal caught your eye or you met a poor man in dire need. Don’t try to shrug it off. If you have excess money, think if there is anyone who is more in need of that money than you. What was not needed for the fish was most needed for Jesus. Be a little fish for God!
Ministry of the COLT (Mt 21:1-16)
Unknown to the Colt there was a need in the life of Jesus. May be the colt was thinking that it needed Jesus; but Jesus was thinking “I need a colt!” Of all the animals Jesus chose the foolish donkey to carry Him to people. Elephants are fit vehicles for kings, and horses are majestic and fast. But the colt was foolish, weak, immature and untrained. Yet, that was the choice of Jesus. Moreover, it was a village donkey full of inferiority complex, not a city-bred confident one. Though the colt was not ready to go, the owner was pushing it to go. So the colt, went fulfilling a Scriptural prophecy, carrying a humble King not knowing the great honour that was to befall him. Then followed a ministry of praising, cleansing and healing.
You need Jesus. True. But do you know that Jesus needs you? You may think that you are useless, good for nothing, foolish, weak, unwanted, unqualified and uncalled. You may be filled with fear and inferiority complex. But do you know that these are just the qualifications the Lord of the harvest is looking for in you? Is The
Light of the world pressing you to go out to a slum or hospital or neighborhood or a mission field where people are sitting in darkness waiting for a ray of hope? Are you resisting His call by giving excuses? Say boldly “Yes Lord!” The most honourable job in this world is to carry Him to people. Go! Do not throw away your eternal rewards.
He will work hand in glove with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you! Take heart, little donkey! Go for God! Be a colt for God!
(The author of this article is Mr. Tamizharasan, a missionary with the Blessing Youth Mission.He is a hardworking ardent soulwinner.)
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
