It’s been a hectic week and it’s not looking any slower for the weekend. Today, I’ve pulled a first. In my rush for time, I’ve copied my sermon notes and packed it into this devo. If you weren’t with us on Sunday, maybe you can catch the gist of where we were at.
Also, don’t forget we are praying that God will reveal Himself to the ‘Saul-like’ tough people in our lives. We are asking Him to transform them as He did with Saul-Paul. These names will not be released. We will pray for them in our services for the next three weeks. You can add someone to our list be click here.
Don’t forget to grab your Krispy Kreme doughnuts tomorrow a.m.!
Aloha,
allen
Thoughts
I must admit, I am a sign reader. If something is written on a billboard, vehicle, or building, I generally read it out loud, even if I am by myself. One of the statements on tow trucks that always catches me off guard is the words “Not For Hire” posted on the side. It’s a bit perplexing. If you’re ‘not for hire’, why are you hauling that vehicle?
So, I looked up the meaning of this phrase. After tons of DOT sites and questions, this is the most succinct answer I found:
“It means that vehicle is not for sale [hire] at that time for doing what it can at that time, i.e. a tow truck with that would mean that that tow truck is not available to you at that time. You cannot use its services.” (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_not_for_hire_mean_on_trucks)
As a minister there are some things that I, by the nature of my calling, must know how to do. I can pray. I can offer biblical counsel. I can find answers. I can share Scriptures and lead someone to Jesus. These are all aspects of what I am called to do as a minister. As a tow truck is designed to tow, a minister is designed to minister. It’s why we are created.
However, because a tow truck is designed to tow doesn’t mean that it is meant to stop on its way to one accident to help you with your stalled car. There is a proper procedure that you must go through. You must call and request help from their dispatcher. It is your responsibility. It is not the driver’s responsibility to contact the dispatcher and get you moved up the list. He’s there to assist, but he’s not for hire.
Likewise, God’s ministry is not for hire. God has not created and gifted ministers to go around doing spiritual work for you. We can certainly pray for you, but our prayers mean nothing if you are not aligning yourself with God. Peter could not pray for judgment to bypass Simon, if Simon was unwilling to repent. God’s ministry is not for hire.
We cannot expect people to pray us through to victory if we are unwilling to pray ourselves through to victory. The ministry of the body is designed to assist us in our spiritual development and growth. It is not designed as a rental center where we can enact the services of others to do it for us.
Application
Have you ever asked someone to pray for something for you that you were unwilling to obediently fulfill? (e.g., praying for an addiction that you have no plans to give up, etc.)
Describe the balance between the role of a minister in spiritual assisting and not being for hire.
Is there an area in your life right now that you are asking people to pray you through, but are unwilling to make the changes yourself?
Prayer
Father,
Much could be said about the importance of ministers in my life. They are incredible equippers and encouragers for me. May I never begin to treat them as mediators between myself and you. No one can pray a repentance prayer for me. It is my responsibility. Though others pray for me, the difficult marks of discipleship must be made by me. Help me today to commit to that process.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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