Devotionals for the Heart: When Jesus Christ calls you into ministry

Answering the Call from Jesus Christ
A devotional by Christine Monteiro

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”—Galatians 1:10 (NIV)

I was lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to fall asleep, but my thoughts wouldn't stop circling.

My mind was filled with questions. I asked myself: Should I continue with the ministry? I thought God called me into ministry. Ever since I met my Savior (Jesus Christ), there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to dedicate my life to serving Him, in whatever field He called me into to serve His people.

Over the years, God has shaped my heart for ministry through real-life experiences. Twenty-five years have gone by since I surrendered myself to God and not a day goes by that I want to try to run away. Instead, I want to equip myself to do His work.

When Jesus walked on this Earth gathering His disciples, it didn’t seem to me to be a complicated process. He used a personal approach that required a radical and sometimes immediate commitment from those He chose. Jesus didn’t conduct a lengthy interview with each disciple. He didn't ask about their educational background, their ministry portfolio, or any references. Maybe that was because Jesus knew all about them? One thing I believe is that He calls out ordinary people who are willing to serve Him, regardless of the circumstances, because ministry is a personal invitation from God.

For many years, I waited to be in the ministry. I try to equip myself by being involved in a church and belonging to one. But after many years, I am facing rejection and being overlooked, and I have no idea why. However, one thing I’m certain of is that my unique approach to loving broken people makes me feel left out.

After my husband passed away, I pursued the coaching profession because I wanted to help as many people as possible to find their purpose in life. So, I became a certified coach. After many years of practice, I thought I could start helping in ministry. I enjoyed being asked to preach or share my story about my brokenness and talk about how God restored and helped me during my dark moments. I tried to join a mission organization and obtain a scholarship through an organization but found that I am not qualified.

I’ve learned that an organization may have rules and boxes for you to check, but God’s Kingdom doesn’t run on man-made checklists. Ministry is not limited to pulpits or titles; it happens in daily life, in homes, in workplaces, in conversations.

What qualifies someone for ministry isn’t institutional approval but faithfulness to God. Faithful ministry is fueled by love, humility, and a spirit of obedience. Read 1 Samuel 16:7, Micah 6:8 and 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 for details. If I want to wait until I can meet every organizational standard, I will continue to chase approval and validation from humankind then I might never experience serving God.

I believe that God will open new doors for me. I will carry out my ministry in my personal life, at my job, through my writing, and in my coaching. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” I strive to achieve that Biblical standard of ministry.

Maybe you too feel rejected by people. But remember: God has not rejected you. Read Christ’s words to His disciples in John 15:16 (NIV), “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”

Maybe people have rejected you, but God hasn’t. If He called you into ministry then that calling cannot be taken away by human qualifications. Ministry is not about where you serve, but who you serve.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for your mercy and grace in my life. Your never-ending love gives me the strength to survive and thrive. Thank You for reminding me that ministry is not about human qualifications but about Your calling. Even if people reject me, I know You have chosen me. Help me to live faithfully for Christ and to minister in every place You send me, with humility and courage. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “The Potter’s Hand” by Darlene Zschech. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Nobody” by Casting Crowns ft. Matthew West. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “The Cause of Christ” by Kari Jobe. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Who You Say I Am” by Hillsong Worship. Listen to it here.

~*~

Author Bio:

Christine Monteiro is a certified transformative coach, writer, and keynote speaker who is passionate about helping others navigate the complexities of purpose, personal growth, and resilience. 

Christine’s journey to becoming a coach started four years ago, following the loss of her husband to brain cancer. That experience left her feeling as though she had lost her purpose—a feeling she deeply understands in clients who she works with now. Through self-discovery and training, Christine found the missing pieces in her life and regained her purpose and drive that now motivates her to help others.

Christine coaches her clients from all walks of life—from young adults to retirees—helping them to embrace change, set meaningful goals, and confidently pursue their dreams. She has received training through Creative Results Management and holds credentials from the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Christine also has certifications in Positive Psychology and Mental Health Coaching from Yale and Light University. Her diverse approach to coaching her clients combines empathy with strategic insight, helping them to navigate every stage of life.

When she writes, Christine likes to focus on topics like finding purpose, coping with grief, and achieving personal transformation. As she writes, Christine draws from her own experiences as a single mom and empty nester. She enjoys sharing these insights on various platforms to reach a wider audience and foster community support.

When not coaching or writing, Christine spends her time sipping black coffee and swimming in the pool. She has found that having three independent children gives her a privilege to have a lot of “me time” that she didn’t have when they were growing up.

Devotionals for the Heart: How to use the gifts God gives you wisely

What Are We Waiting For?
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

“He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.”

—Matthew 25:15 (NLT)

Having just spent time on an unintended longer layover, time was on my mind.

What should have been about a two-hour jaunt, quickly turned into a six-hour plus time in the lovely Denver airport, Concourse C. Everything went well as we arrived at the gate, having procured our snacks and water for the wait. However, we began noticing wild updates for our upcoming flight with rapid-fire changes to our departure time. Great. Now, we had time on our hands when what we really wanted was to be at our destination with our family.

We toured our concourse and discovered an outdoor area where firepits welcomed weary travelers, a little dog run, and a view of the runway, planes and even the smell of jet fuel. This eased our minds knowing we had a place to escape the four walls of the airport.

But what to do with the unknown amount of time? Be like everyone else and stare at a phone, not conversing with a neighbor, family member, or stranger? No. A thousand times no. We are meant to engage in other’s lives, not a phone.

It was then the airline announcer made life enjoyable. She began giving us trivia about the airline we were traveling on. Now I know things I did not know and can dazzle others with the tidbits. However, it was the thought of what we could/should be doing with our unexpected time. No longer were we to be a certain place, with a certain agenda. In a sense, it was stolen time. What should we do with all of this unexpected time? Squander it? Use it? Waste it?

In the parable Jesus Christ shared in Matthew 25, He was emphasizing what He wants believers to be doing while we wait for end-time prophecies to be fulfilled. We are to be ready and to labor for God’s Kingdom and to serve Him (the King).

The master in the parable passes out talents (bags of money) to three different people: one got one bag, another got two, and still another got five. The size of each bag varied because each of his servants were given the talents in proportion to ability. We are not told what the abilities were, nor who has more abilities. It is here we can go off track and look at the unfairness of the situation, instead of looking at what needs to be done with the bag of money given to each person.

I’m sure you are thinking of your own abilities now or of the woman down the street, in the next pew, or in your office. She has it all together. Surely, she will be given more money. Or the man at the top of the corporate ladder, the dad with the perfect children or the plumber with a thriving business. He too, will be given more than you, or so you may think.

But who is to say this? No one. Only the Master (Jesus) knows this information. We are on a needed-to-know basis. Period. What do we need to know? Well, for starters, we need to look in our money bag and see how much is in there. Whether it’s one, two or five talents, we have been entrusted with money from the Lord with carte blanch on how to use it.

We are not given details on how to use it, when to use it, where to use it or with whom to use it. Rather, we are given the freedom to be creative, resourceful and thoughtful with the means to labor for the King (God). We should not look at what others are given but what we are given then get busy using our talents for God.

I can lose focus and valuable time when I am being distracted by the competition. When I give myself wholeheartedly to the task at hand, I can labor and make a difference. I can be faithful with my bag and have a return ready for my Master.

Let’s return to my story about the extra, unexpected time I spent at the airport in Denver (Colorado). With all that time in the concourse, we had a choice. Grumble and complain or make the most of the opportunity. Use it for God’s Kingdom or for self. We enjoyed talking with others who were in the same boat as us. We got to spend some time with folks we wouldn’t normally talk with. We don’t even know their names, but we knew their story.

Did we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with these people? No. Did we share love? Yes. Understanding? Yes. Compassion? Yes. Sometimes we over-complicate things and forget the simple—just be, love, enjoy. As we find ourselves with unexpected time on our hands, let us use it for the King. Little moments add up to big ones which make a difference in one life or in many.

Let’s Pray: Father God, my desire is to please You by using the talent or talents You have given to me. Help me to stop spending unnecessary time on myself and serving my personal interests. Help me to stop being distracted by the time wasters lurking around every corner. Teach me how to use all my talents for advancing your Kingdom. Thank You that You created me for a purpose, and You have given me the abilities to serve You in every moment, every hour, every season. I love You, Lord. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Time That is Left” by Mark Schultz. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “What Are We Waiting for?” by for KING + COUNTRY. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Little is Much” by Downhere. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Kerry Sue’s life is very full because she is a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson. 

Kerry Sue met her husband in college and served on the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the United States of America to raise their family.

Kerry Sue’s family was a homeschooling family for 20 years and they enjoyed it immensely. For the last 24 years they have lived on a small farm in Northern California where they have raised many farm animals, along with growing and preserving their food. Kerry Sue’s family farm has been a great source of enjoyment and a place to host many family gatherings. She maintains an open-door policy for dear friends—old and new.

Following and serving Jesus Christ is an integral part of Kerry Sue’s life as well as her family’s. Whether it’s singing in the church choir, teaching children or leading and lecturing at a women’s Bible study, Kerry Sue loves to demonstrate her love for Jesus by giving to Him in service. She’s been a blogger for more than eight years, a Bible study writer for four years, and a devotional writer for more than two years.

Kerry Sue feels led to write about finding God’s Sovereignty in our suffering because of her own ongoing journey of more than four years, with the hope to encourage others.

~*~
Connect with Kerry:
Blog: https://www.sovereignblog.com/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerry.teravskis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksteravskis/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sovereignblog

Devotionals for the Heart: God's opinion is the only one that matters

 

Work Unto the Lord
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”—Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)

As a writer, I want everyone to love what I write. My hopes are that they will be touched, moved, pointed to Jesus Christ. But the reality is when I’m focused on pleasing people, then I’m focusing on the wrong thing.

As much as I hate to admit it, no matter how hard I try, there is always going to be someone who I can’t please. If my goal is to please mankind, then I’m going to work with a short-sighted mindset. My thoughts may range from “What does [this person] think of this?” to “Did I please [so-and-so]?”

And as a result, by trying to please everyone, I’m going to find myself dissatisfied because not everyone will be pleased. But the Bible says in Colossians 3:23 to “work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men.”

We are called by God to fulfill His calling in our life. Sure, our work is meant to build His Kingdom and to encourage other believers, but we are not to focus on finding approval from anyone other than God. When a servant does the bidding of his master, he shouldn’t worry about what those around him think. He needs to be focused on obeying his master, regardless of what other people think.

I was reminded a while ago that even though Jesus was perfect, He didn’t please everyone either. In fact, He actually had people who hated Him and His work.

We can learn from Jesus because He focused on what His Father (God) thought of Him instead of what others thought of Him. If Christ had focused on the disapproval of a few, what might’ve happened to His ministry? Instead of focusing on people-pleasing, Jesus focused on doing the will of His Father, which allowed His ministry to grow into what God had ordained it to be.

I want to encourage you today with these words: Don’t focus on pleasing the crowd but instead, zero in on pleasing Your Creator (God). He alone has called you to good works and retains the right to define you.

It can be so tempting to compare ourselves to someone else, but the truth is, we’re not to compare our best to someone else’s best. God has gifted each of us with individual talents. In the realm of writing, for example, my style of writing may be different than yours, but God can use both of us to minister to people.

When we’re following the call of God and truly giving Him our best, then that’s enough. Even if it looks different from someone else’s best.

Sometimes when I’m sitting down to write, I struggle with wondering if it is “good enough” or if it will impact anyone. I’ve learned though that when I do my best and give the results to God, He’ll do the rest. Most often when my writing feels inadequate to me, God will send someone who shares with me the impact it had on their life. This reminds me that apart from God, my work is inadequate. Only God can give my work meaning and allow it to have an impact on people.

It's hard for me, but I’m slowly learning to trust God with the outcome and to remember to always work to please God, not mankind (2 Corinthians 5:9).

Let’s Pray:

Dear Father God, please forgive me for forgetting that Your opinion is the only One that matters! Forgive me for living a life to please others when I should be living to please You. Thank You that Your opinion is the only One that matters. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Proud” by Influence Music and Melody Noel. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.

When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

~*~
Connect with Hannah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/

Devotionals for the Heart: The Harvest

The Work of the Laborers
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” 

–Luke 10:2 (ESV)

On a recent trip to Germany, we stayed overnight in the home of a missionary couple living in one of Europe’s many wine growing regions. Renting their living space from a farmer who grows grapes for a co-op vintner has afforded this couple an opportunity to see the Bible’s agricultural metaphors come alive.

There is a special edition wine sold by the vintner for which the grapes must be hand-picked. Though the machine is far better at sorting out the unusable grapes from the good ones, the hand-picked edition is considered choice wine!

The Bible books of Psalm, Deuteronomy, and Jeremiah all tell us that God’s mighty hand and His outstretched arm do His work for Him. He clearly does not need us to do His work in the world, yet do we realize that He desires to use us?

Do we understand that our work is valuable to Him?

We need not to fear that our work is imperfect. God knows our frame. He looks at the heart behind our efforts, and perhaps it is there where He reminds us that the work is ultimately His. Yet He rejoices to partner with us in it.

My husband and I learned a lot about partnering together on this trip. He made high-level decisions such as taking three weeks off from work, spending time away from our children and investing money to seek God’s will for our lives. Meanwhile, he gave me free reign to go to the places I felt God had placed on my heart. Places that would appear in my writing. Places with church groups who were willing to meet and pray with us, and where we could mutually encourage one another. My husband drove over 2,000 miles in a country that is roughly the size of Montana while I navigated. Sometimes things went awry or didn’t work out, yet he didn’t berate me about it. We just picked up and continued, having learned something.

As I continued to turn the metaphor of the hand-picked grapes over in my mind, I was reminded of how my children will not eat grapes that look a little funny. I’ve selected these grapes from the bunch, washed them and put them on a plate. I know they are fine, however, my child refuses to eat them. How many people are there out there whose lives could become sweet wine, but we are afraid to reach out to them, like my kids refusing the grapes that look funny?

How convicted I am that so often, we try to mold people into what we believe they should look like as Christians, or reject them if they don’t fit that mold. There have been times when I felt it was my duty to tell a person how to live, rather than trusting the Holy Spirit to speak to and convict them. Of course, it is important that new believers receive discipleship, but have we been overbearing and careless, actually driving people away from God rather than toward Him?

Have we been driven away ourselves, attending church from week to week but never truly feeling like we measure up to the standard?

Have we been reluctant to enter into a ministry to which God has called us, simply because the people are too rough, or come from the proverbial other side of the tracks?

This is where the Lord’s work comes in. It is not the standard of other Christians we should be striving for. It is perhaps not even the standard that is held out by our teachers. Although we deeply respect them, they get it wrong sometimes too. God desires to commune with us personally through His Word, for He alone sets the standard. God’s Holy Spirit is able to show us where we have erred, and to lead us back to the correct path.

God loves those who have strayed, those who are so rough that we are afraid to look at or touch them. It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. If God has called us to minister in a place where there are many who are sick, He will equip and protect us to do so.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for loving me as I am. Continue to make me more like You. I humbly ask You to open my heart further, so that I may consider where I might serve You in a way I haven’t thought of before. Help me love those whom I have been afraid to. Further, Lord, may it not be me alone. I pray for many laborers to be sent forth into Your vineyard throughout the world. I acknowledge that the work is ultimately Yours, but thank You that You have asked each of us to partner with You in that. We look forward to seeing Your work completed. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “I Will Go” (song) by Steve Green. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

The only child of a single parent, Aubrey Taylor filled her younger years by creating characters and writing stories. This ended around age sixteen when music, friends and part-time jobs began to fill her time. After that came college, work, marriage, and children.

It wasn’t until the world was beginning to come out of the COVID pandemic that God led her back to her love for writing, coupled with a passion she’d always had for history. It was time to start a new adventure! Her current long-term project is Gott Mit Uns, a German-perspective 20th century historical fiction series.

Aubrey lives in Upstate New York with her husband and three children. She’s busy keeping the home, caring for her family, doing research for and writing her books.

Aubrey enjoys music and is involved with the worship ministry at her church as well as a German choral group. She also plays gigs occasionally with friends as a singer and acoustic guitarist. After all that, she finds time to sketch, craft, and hike.

She is a lover of Jesus Christ, The Holy Bible, history, German culture, tea, and cats.

Aubrey has a special heart for those who struggle with severe anxiety, depression and PTSD.

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/

Devotionals for the Heart: Carrie's thoughts on working for God

Who Is My Boss?
A devotional by Carrie Del Pizzo

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” –Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

I was recently convicted by this verse.

Six months ago, I left my day job and stepped up my freelance editing work to full time. I didn’t make this move lightly. Freelance is risky, so my husband and I prayed long and hard over the decision. With three hungry teenagers to feed, we had to be sure freelance was the direction God was leading me, not the direction I wanted Him to follow me.

When I did make the move, God immediately seemed to bless my efforts, and I was suddenly making more than double what I had made at my day job.

The trade off what this I was working 12- and 14-hour days, but God took care of me. One of my clients hired a second editor to share the load, and this girl is a dynamo. She has lots of energy, really knows her stuff, and has no family to divert her attention.

As soon as she started with the company, she began making changes to the way we did things … the way I did things. She started trying to teach and train me, despite the fact that I am nearly twice her age and have been editing almost as long as she’s been alive.

Her ideas are good, but are they better than mine? You could argue that both ways, but it would be irrelevant. The fact is that the client likes her ideas.

I was faced with a choice: Edit their words the way they want them edited or stick to my communication principles and drop a paying client who clearly didn’t appreciate my skill.

After balancing my checkbook (sigh), I took it to God. If I stopped accepting work from the client, He would have to send me more work to pay my bills.

And then God reminded me that I am working for Him, not the client. That stopped me in my self-absorbed steps.

I’ve read this passage of scripture many times. Slaves are called to do good work for their masters. I was never a slave, so I figured it just meant I was supposed to work hard and be a good employee for my boss.

Now I’m my own boss and I choose my clients. I still perform my duties well. That’s how you get repeat business. But as a freelancer, I have the choice to run my business the way I like. But if God is my boss, I need to do good work for Him.

I looked inside, at my motives. Was I really trying to be a great editor? Or was I trying to soothe my wounded pride that didn’t like being told by a youngster how to do my job? Ouch.

To be honest, I’m still struggling with this one. I don’t always agree with the self-invented style guide of the other editor. But I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not my job to change her.

My job is to provide my client with quality work and a good attitude. In this way, I am doing my work as though I’m serving the Lord. And that’s my only goal.

What about you? Who are you serving? Do you work for your boss as though he or she were Jesus?

~*~
Author Bio:

In this world of texts, memes, and emojis, slowing down to truly communicate can feel like straining a muscle you haven’t exercised in far too long.

Seventeen years of business experience across a variety of industries has taught Carrie Del Pizzo the fine art of professional communications. Partnering with corporate executives and entry-level employees alike, she has written and edited major project proposals, direct marketing pieces, sensitive client communications, employee handbooks, and user manuals.

Carrie’s love of literature and story has led her to develop and exercise her fiction writing skills as well. Aside from her personal creative efforts, she also edits for self- and traditionally-published authors and enjoys writing short dramas for church presentation.

Carrie is a wife, mom of three Americans and host-mom to numerous exchange students. Italian-by-marriage means she loves to cook and eat. She lives in Spokane, WA, with her hilarious family, who keeps her in stitches and provides piles of material for great stories.