Summary: We must use our spiritual antennas to show us when we need to be lead “off task” so we can be “on task” and “in the Spirit.”

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In Matthew 25:35 we read “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

The daily grind of ministry can blind us to real Kingdom needs. We all want to be known as someone who can “get the job done.” False success tells us to never get “off task.” Human achievement demands dedication and no distractions. However, ministry success is not measured in tasks completed and boxes checked. Ministry is a subtle and human work. Ministry is a nuanced people business. We must allow our spiritual antennas the freedom to lead us “off task” so we can be “On-Task” and “In the Spirit”.

Sometimes we stop to lend a hand. Sometimes it’s a cup of cool water to a little child. Sometimes, however, we embrace a weary volunteer and let them know they are valuable. People are His purpose. People are His plans. Ministry is more than tasks, duties and deadlines.

It would be a shame if we climbed to the top of the ministry ladder, only to realize that we placed the ladder against the wrong wall. You never know how God could use an “off task” distraction to change the world. Keep your spiritual antennas high today.

Summary: As under-shepherds, we are called to “share in the suffering of Christ.” But in our suffering, we can entrust ourselves to Him who judges righteously.

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1 Peter 2:21-23 says “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.”

Ministry is ripe for retribution and a desire to extract revenge. Those we serve sabotage our efforts, subvert our vision and sever healthy relationships. We should not be shocked since the Great Shepherd drank this bitter cup.

As under-shepherds, we are called to “share in the suffering of Christ.” Those you serve will wound you. You will be maligned, gossiped about, falsely accused and your character called into question. These are givens for those enlisted in ministry. However, we now have a choice. Do we take up arms or do we entrust ourselves to Him who judges righteously?

Peter summarizes, “Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but give a blessing instead.” We have an example to follow in the Lord Jesus Christ. Today, lay down your feelings of injustice. Come to the High Priest who experienced these temptations and yet did not sin. Pray to Him, for He knows.

Summary: Ministry demands an almost superhuman ability to deal with other human beings. By God’s grace, we can bring our ministry wounds to the cross.

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2 Timothy 2:24-26 tells us, “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”

Ministry brings very opinionated and often demanding people across our paths. Ministry demands an almost superhuman ability to deal with other human beings. God, help us to not be quarrelsome. Lord, help us to be kind to the person in our ministry who wronged us. Allow us the wisdom and forbearance to teach and gently correct others while under personal attack.

Ministry needs a tender-hearted leader who sees people as sheep, harassed and helpless, lacking a shepherd. It takes an extra measure of God’s grace when a former friend does unfriendly things to you in the ministry. We are called to take up our cross. Today, bring your ministry wounds to the cross. Pray this passage today. Allow yourself to be grounded and grow to be like the great Shepherd of us all.

Summary: Ministry cherishes unity as a Kingdom value - which is very different from what the world values in leadership. We fulfill a Kingdom calling and should operate under the values of the Kingdom.

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In Ephesians 4:1-32 we read “I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” As ministry leaders, we must delicately navigate leading the flock.

The world prizes rash and unapologetically aggressive leaders. Ministry favors a posture of thoughtfulness, humility and gentleness. The world rewards running roughshod over the weak. Ministry favors those who tactfully leave no one behind as we lead the flock to higher ground. The world celebrates decisive action, even if it is divisive. Ministry cherishes unity as a Kingdom value.

Which kingdom influences your leadership? Are you walking in a manner worthy of the Kingdom from which you have been called? Take your leadership cues from the Kingdom playbook and not from the ways of the worldly and unwise.

Today, you have a calling to fulfill in the Kingdom. Therefore, operate under the values of this Kingdom. Today, as you enter meetings, which kingdom are you representing? Today, as you deal with people, solve problems and complete tasks, which kingdom dominates your actions?

Summary: One of our jobs in ministry is to bear the burdens of others.

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Galatians 6:2 tell us “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Bearing burdens is a high calling. Every vocation has a unique set of “job hazards.” Every career has associated risks. Doctors are exposed to disease, truckers are subject to dumb-drivers and lumberjacks run the risk of falling trees.

Ministry has a unique set of job hazards. Ministry is a people business. Everyone around you is carrying a secret and sacred burden. As shield bearers for the Kingdom, one of our jobs is to notice heavy-laden sheep and shoulder some of the load. Sheep, however, hide their lacerations from the flock. Our job is to know the flock and perceive even the smallest limp. As shepherds, our role is to bind the broken-hearted, comfort the weary and, yes, even take upon ourselves the load of another.

Isn’t this what Jesus did? “He who knew no sin, became sin for us…” This is one of the many job hazards associated with ministry. Why? Bearing the burden of another is hard but it is good, fitting and right. Are you willing to dig beneath the surface? Are you willing to ask for your eyes to see invisible burdens? Will you enter into the hardship of another? Help someone today. Reach deeper. Support boldly. Bear a burden.

Summary: There is a wearisome cost to serving the Lord that most do not understand. But the Bible encourages us that the persevering will reap a harvest.

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Galatians 6:9-10 says “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Ministry is one of the loneliest “people jobs” in the world. People surround you and yet you cannot share some of the realities of your job. Your banker friend can share, “My boss is a train-wreck”. Your bookkeeper friend can lament, “This company is going in a futile direction.” However, your boss is their pastor and the direction of your job is the direction of their church. It gets complicated really fast, doesn’t it?

There is a wearisome cost to serving the Lord that most do not understand. Doing good, especially to the faith-household, takes endurance. Seed planting is the first step of a fruitful harvest. Yet, seed germination can be slow. Some seeds sit dormant for a long time.

Keep doing the good you are doing. Keep sowing seeds. Don’t give up. The persevering will reap a harvest. Today, you will have the opportunity to sow seeds. Keep your eyes on the dream of the harvest.

Summary: God has warned us about our tendency to love only those who are easy to love. Yet, the kingdom of God is for those who have nothing to give.

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In James 2:1-2 we read “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, do not treat them differently.”

Some people are easy to love. We might call them VEPs (Very Encouraging People). As a leader, it’s great when you are surrounded by VGPs (Very Gifted People) who can move our ministries forward. Somehow, our humanity is drawn to the VRPs (Very Rich People).

However, the Kingdom of God is for everyone, not just the pretty people. The Kingdom is not only for the “Spiritual Navy Seals,” “Discipleship Green Berets,” and “Special Forces of the Faith.” God warned us about our tendency to love ONLY the easy, the gifted or those from whom we can enlist.

The Kingdom of God is for those who have nothing to give. The Kingdom has a special place for those who have nothing, from our perspective, to contribute. Thank you for loving all who cross your path today; not just the easy people, the rich people and the gifted people. This is an Everybody Kingdom. Who needs attention from you today, despite what you think they could do for you? Call them. Reach out today.

Summary: Jesus is our great example of showing kindness in the face of evil.

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Luke 6:35 tells us “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”

In life and ministry, we will encounter different people. There are VCPs (Very Challenging People). There are VNPs (Very Needy People). You might run into some VAPs (Very Antagonistic People).

Ministry is a high calling. We are called to “do good” with no expectation of earthly remuneration or recognition. Why do we do it? Why do we endure the misled, the mistaken and even those who seek to malign us? The Most High is our example. He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

Thank you for your love to all as you serve. Your reward will be great. Can you think of a time or a situation where you were a VCP or a VNP or even a VAP in someone else’s life or ministry? When I consider the challenges I have been to the lives of others, it gives me fuel to handle others with a greater measure of grace today.

Who do you need to love today, regardless of their challenge to your life and ministry? Can you be kind to the ungrateful today?

Summary: Your personal experiences as a volunteer - both good and bad - can be used to shape you as a leader today.

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Luke 6:31 says “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

I was a volunteer for years before becoming a leader of volunteers. My experiences as a volunteer influenced how I lead volunteers. As a volunteer, I had positive experiences and less positive experiences. I had leaders who cared deeply for me as a person. Yet, I had leaders who blew me off and did not know me as a person. Our interactions were polite but only transactional. Our relationship was based on what I did for them and not who I was to them. Those latter experiences hurt.

Then I found myself as the leader. I now had a chance to treat volunteers the way I wished I had been treated. Those formerly painful memories became fuel. I got to retroactively right someone else’s leadership wrongs. I felt empowered and was filled with direction.

Has someone ever led you in a way that hurt you? I imagine yes. Has a leader ever made you feel like a widget and not a worthy co-laborer? Sadly, we have all felt used. Can you leverage the wrongs of others? Yes, you can. Can the ways others have poorly lead or are poorly leading you right now influence how you lead others today? Absolutely. Let the pains of the past be fuel for today.

Summary: In God’s grace he has given us gifts and abilities. Let us be fruitful with this grace he has given us.

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2 Corinthians 6:1 tells us “As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.” Grace is defined as unmerited favor. God has given us grace. God has not bestowed favor on us because of our great worthiness. His grace or favor is purely out of His great love.

One way God’s grace is seen is in the gifts and abilities He has given to us. Beyond this, He allows us to work in His Kingdom. He gave us gifts; that is favor. I could have been given none. God lets me work with Him; this is favor. I could have been sidelined.

This verse, however, urges us to be fruitful, lest God’s favor or grace was all for nothing. In His grace he gave us stuff. Will things be better because He gave me gifts? The term “in vain” means to go forth “without success or a result.” I want the grace given to me to produce much fruit. God gave us something. Let’s not waste it.

Are you being a fruitful worker? Are you laboring for Him out of love and gratitude for the grace He has given? Let us march forth today with a renewed commitment to make good on the grace He has given. What unique gifts has He given to you? How has His favor been shown, uniquely to you? You are a one-of-a-kind creation. May we never forget that God wants fruit from His investment.