The Work of Ministry Part 1

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."  Ephesians 4:11,12

 

Isn't it nice to be needed?  To feel appreciated.  To use your talents, skills and spiritual gifts.  How about this one...to be used by the Creator of the Universe to further His kingdom and to bring Him glory?  I love ministry.  I love being used by the Lord to make an impact on His behalf for His children, but ministry is not always a wonderful feeling, it also takes a lot of hard work and dedication.  If you have been following the Lord for any amount of time, surely you have been involved in some type of  ministry during your walk with our precious Savior.  If you are a wife and mother like me, you serve Jesus as you minister to your family on a daily basis;  and yes, that includes cleaning toilets!   

I think it is easy for us Christian women to often forget what are the main priorities that Christ would have us put first in our lives before we over commitment ourselves in various outside ministries.  Let's look into the scriptures and see what the Word of God has to say about a woman's role and her character. 

"...the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."  Titus 2:3-5 

Do you see the order of this verse regarding what a godly woman should be doing?

First:  It talks about our godly character, hence our relationship with the Lord.

Second:  we are to love our husband.

Third: we are to love our children.

Fourth:  we are to work on our godly character again and we are also called to be homemakers.

That's a lot of ministry for each day!  I get tired just thinking about all my responsibilities!  

Depending on the season of life that you are in, it will determine how much time you can allot for outside ministries.  Obviously if you are raising babies and toddlers right now, that in itself will require a lot of your time at home.  If you have chosen to homeschool your children, that will limit your involvement to outside ministries as well.

Listen to what the Lord is telling you.  If you have been serving in an outside ministry which is taking you from your first ministries, be obedient to the Lord's prompting and step down from your involvement, (more on this topic will be covered in The Work of Ministry Part 2). On the other hand, perhaps the Lord is telling you to get involved in a ministry, step out in faith and answer His call.

Most importantly as we pursue the Lord we want to honor Him by being obedient to His word.  So, in a nutshell, love Christ, love your husband and children and keep your home....then serve others!

I have just scratched the surface regarding this topic and I will write more in the coming days, but for now, my first ministries are calling me!

A True Friend

It is inevitable that at some point in our lives we will get hurt by our friends, after all, we live in a broken and fallen world and no human being is perfect.  When you feel the sting of pain from others, know that your Savior has an undying love for you. 

Isn’t it nice to know that Jesus will always accept us, never condemn us and give us unconditional love?  He will always be merciful and ever so gracious to us all the days of our lives.  He will accept our personalities and all the quirks that go with it.  He will overlook our failures and cheer us on when we fall.  He will always forgive us of our sins when we confess them to Him.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9 Jesus is the perfect friend and He will always be there for us.  “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”  Proverbs 18:24  Our Savior’s outstretched arms and scarred hands will embrace us when we run to Him for healing, comfort and acceptance.

"He found him in a desert land and in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye.”  Deuteronomy 32:10

There will be times when we experience a deserted wasteland in our own lives, but God is encircling us and instructing us.  We are the apple of His eye and His eye is the only eye that truly matters.

You are loved.

Jesus at the Dumpster

The dust is finally starting to settle over here after our recent move and I do apologize for not taking the time to post any new articles in the previous weeks.  For some time now, it has been on my heart to write to you and share how I encountered Jesus at the garbage dumpster. Yes, yes, I know, it is an odd statement, but a true one!

I was tired of digging in dumpsters.

It was on a Saturday morning and I was just beginning to pack our home to move for the second time in 10 months. My husband had asked me what I was doing that morning and I replied with a disgusted tone, “Digging in dumpsters to look for boxes, again, for the third day in a row.” (I was not happy about what I had to do that day!) My husband dropped his head when he heard my words. Although his head hung in shame, I was still able to see the grief and sadness on his face and in his eyes. Even though he did not speak the words that were in his heart and on his mind, I knew he was telling me he felt like a failure, that he could not provide enough money for us to stay in our rental home. I knew he was telling me how he was sorry that he did not have the monetary resources to even purchase boxes nor the time to go look in the dumpsters to get them. I know this man’s heart. He would do anything for me and our children, yet, at the time, I did not feel like he was doing enough to provide for my selfish needs, and that was what my nasty attitude conveyed to him. I know... how selfish am I?  By my tone of grumbling and complaining, I realized in that moment that I had torn down my house. I fell again and I missed the mark and became the foolish woman. “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.” Proverbs 14:1

The only thing I have control over is my character; my actions and my attitudes. Jesus wants us to respect our husbands and to encourage them and lift them up, not tear them down. Although I was not arguing with my husband over some decisions, I certainly was not building my marriage (house) up. It was not my desire that day to be a foolish or contentious woman, but that is how I acted. “It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman.” Proverbs 25:24

As I set out that morning to literally frolic in garbage, I became so discouraged. I was tired of digging in dumpsters. I was overwhelmed with the thought of packing and moving again, only to face the possibility of another move, or homelessness within months after this move.  I was beat down with persecutions by family, friends and neighbors. I did not know if we would have money for our basic needs:  food, utilities, medications, or if/when my car would be repossessed. What made matters worse, just a few days earlier someone stole parts off my car which made it inoperable and posing a possible $3,500 repair bill. I felt in that moment that life could not get much worse than what I had been experiencing. I was losing it. I was going to that dark place of negative thoughts...you know the one. The place where you don’t want to hear comments like: this is just for a season, things will turn around, keep praying, etc. I did not feel like praying to Jesus that day. After all, what is He going to do? Is He going to come down off His throne and dig in the dumpster with me? Depression and despair were quickly becoming my friends once again.

I finally drove up to the last dumpster for the day and I could smell the foul stench of rubbish on me as I was walked over to the trash can. Interestingly enough, the sickening smell of refuse was all around me but it wasn’t until now that I had noticed and I thought, man I sure need a shower! As I walked up to the dumpster, the Lord prompted my heart and said, “Oh daughter of mine, you may physically smell repulsive right now and you may think your situation looks bleak, but what about those who do not know Me, those who do not put their hope and trust in Me, those who reject Me, those who will be spending eternity in hell? I heard my Savior loud and clear, in fact, I smiled when I heard His voice. I thought, “Wow, Lord, you met me right here.  (It was like Jesus was leaning up against the dumpster as I walked toward it in a down-trodden way.) "You knew I needed you today”, I thought to myself.  The "Great I Am" gave me a reality check, or should I say an eternal-reality check. I got back into the car and started to drive home and quite honestly, I wept for those who didn't know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

Every single one of us will go through tough times in life. Times when things don’t make sense. Times when you can’t hang on for much longer. Times when you ask yourself, “Does God really care about me”? I can’t even imagine going through life without having Christ by my side (or the times when He is carrying me because I can no longer walk!)

Was I going to be a sweet-smelling aroma to Him, He asked me? Would I still praise His name in the midst of all of this so others could see the hope, peace and joy I have? Or would I be a stench to His nostrils because of my selfishness, self-absorbed and self-centered actions and attitudes, He asked?

There was no reason for me to feel so discouraged that day. Why didn’t I put my hope and trust into Jesus at that time?

When you are faced with adversity, what type of smell will you emanate? Will it be a sweet smelling aroma or a foul stench? We always have a choice on how we will handle our actions and attitudes. As well, we have a choice in where we will put our trust. In whom will you put your trust? “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.” Psalm 9:10

Although I did not enjoy my time with the rubbish that day, I will never forget how Jesus spoke to my heart through this experience. Sometimes we need to go through hard things so we can experience more of Christ so we can be molded into His image.

He is so faithful too. He used the Body of Christ to drop off a multitude of boxes at my house the next day!

So, I encourage you to cling to Jesus when your world is filled with garbage and may you be a sweet-smelling aroma to Him as well!

Holding On

A lost home, no money to pay for rent, moving again and now theft to our car which will make the coming days ahead even more difficult, painful and laborious.  I could cry because of our afflictions, argue with God, doubt where He is taking us or be still and know that He is God.  So, I choose Christ today and what He has planned for our lives.  His presence is all around me.  I can feel His long flowing robe move past me.  I look for Him.  I seek Him.  I cling to Him.  When the waters are deep and the waves are crashing in, I rest in His promises.  I have no other choice but to do those things, well, actually that’s not quite true.  I do have another choice, a choice that the enemy would be so happy for me to make because I know I am making his job difficult.  I could choose to leave Jesus Christ and walk away from the faith because life has just gotten too hard….well, from one determined and tenacious soul, that’s not gonna happen!  I believe in Him.  I believe in His promises.  I believe He will not leave me.  I believe He will carry me when I need to be carried.  I could cling to the things of this world and become discouraged in the process or I can lift up my face to Him. There is a fire that burns down deep inside of my heart knowing that I will live for Him and Him alone.  Without Christ, I do not exist.  I have been made with one purpose, and one purpose only, and that purpose is to bring Him glory.  Period!  There is a purpose for all my pain.  There is a purpose for all of your pain too.  Let Him mold you into His image.  Let Him draw you closer to Him.  Let Him use you even in the midst of your storms because that is when His glory is revealed the most.  Regardless of the damage the enemy is trying to do in your life and mine, our God is greater.  Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy. "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."  John 10:10   The prince of this world desires to rip apart our lives. He wants to destroy our plans and dreams that we have for ourselves and our families.   Perhaps they weren’t great plans and dreams to begin with because God’s plans for us are to give us a future and a hope.  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 This is a promise we can rest on.  Our Creator can create much more greatness than what we could ever imagine!  "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."  Ephesians 3:20,21  GOD IS SOVEREIGN, we are not!  Even when I am falling apart and my world is crashing in, I want to bring Him glory.  So, I am holding on to Him because that is the best place on earth to be!  Will you hold on to Him as well? 

Have You Been Despised and Rejected?

Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World, the King of Kings and the Almighty God- "He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him."  Isaiah 53:3   Jesus is Perfect and yet He is rejected.

As I type this verse I can not help but feel pain in my heart for what our precious Savior endured while He walked on the earth and even still today as He is seated on the Throne in heaven.  He came just for our benefit, yet, what He encountered was rejection, sorrow and grief.  He had a longing to have fellowship with His creation, yet, they despised Him.  Do you ever feel like that by others?  Times when you have gone into a situation to have fellowship or to minister to others and they have rejected you and some have even despised you for it?  I know I have, in fact, I think 'rejected' could be added to my middle name because it has been a common theme for my life.  There have been times when I purposefully went into a situation to minister to someone, yet, they rejected me. Along with their rejection came my tears and my heartache and my questions to God.

Perhaps you have experienced an ache in your heart because you have been rejected by your spouse, family member, friend, coworker or neighbor.  Because of this, you have become acquainted with grief just like Jesus. We can't help but ask ourselves what have we done to cause the rejection.

Jesus was blameless and yet he was still despised, but we are not always blameless when someone rejects us. Sometimes we do offend others and they lash out at us for good reasons, yet, other times our heart and motives are pure but others still reject us for the choices we make for our families or the things we do or the convictions that we have or for the God we serve.
 
We may be despised by many, but never by Jesus because He will ALWAYS love us.  "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"  Romans 8:35

The sting of rejection never feels good whether we have experienced it for the first time or the 100th time.  Try to find joy as you cling to this scripture. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 5:10  This has become the verse that I hold on to when I am not received by others.

Although we would all like to be loved and received by many that will not always the case.  However, you and I are loved by the ONE that matters the most.  "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9
 
Jesus has called us out of darkness so praise His name for this even while you are being rejected and despised.  Remember, you may be persecuted, by you are not forsaken!

Run to Obtain an Imperishable Crown

Overachievement and perfection, accompanied with doubt and fear. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves as we homeschool our children. Looking back over your year, you will most likely ask yourself if you did enough. Did I teach my child enough math facts? Are my children becoming better readers and writers? What about science and social studies, did we do enough experiments and read an assortment of books? It is very natural and expected to assess how your year has gone. For the most part, this is a very healthy thing to do.  But sometimes we do it with the wrong perspective or our priorities are out of order and our assessment becomes inaccurate, and when that happens it is very common to feel defeated in our journey.  We often hear the saying, “Put first things first”. So, if you were to assess your year, what were your priorities and what did you put first? Did you place a higher emphasis on teaching your child her multiplication facts over training a rebellious heart?  Or did you work more on shaping your child’s heart towards Christ rather than writing. Perhaps your answer is both. But realistically, you know in your heart that you placed a heavier emphasis on one over the other. I know for myself that when my priorities change I find myself rushing through devotions and Bible reading so I can get to the ‘so called’ more important subjects. Although that is not my heart, it is how I have been conditioned by ‘the world’.  Yes, we want our children equipped so they can build the Kingdom of God and we want them to thrive in life, but there is always a cost to consider. “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way.” Isaiah 53:6 It is a constant battle of our mind to continue to pursue Christ and His ways BEFORE all other things. We need to always remember what the Bible says, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 In this verse, “all these things” refers to our basic necessities of life; food and clothing. Earlier in this passage Jesus said, “these are the things that the Gentiles seek after” and he rebukes his disciples as he tells them that “their Heavenly Father knows that they need all these things.” Will this passage still apply to our children when they are grown? Of course it will! However, it is very easy today in our society to get caught up in the ways of the Gentiles, but that is not how we would think or even speak to others as we purpose to educate our children.  In our minds we are educating them so they could further the kingdom of God and also so they could provide for their families. Our intentions are good and honorable, but God does not require your children to have minds filled with a bunch of knowledge, He is seeking men and women who have a heart after Him, like David. 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.'Acts 13:22 The Bible does not state that David was an educated man like Paul, so it is safe to assume that he was not. What the Bible does say about David is that he was a shepherd who tended and protected his flock of sheep from lions and bears; he had boldness as he approached the king, along with courage and faith as a young boy when he fought the giant, Goliath; and he was a servant as he played his harp to King Saul. This was David’s resume before he became the King of Israel! When you read Paul’s resume, most assuredly according to the world’s standards you would be impressed by it, Paul himself said, in Philippians 3:4 that “he was a man who had confidence in his flesh”, he goes on to say, ”But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Philippians 3:7 When you get to the end of Paul’s list of achievements, this is what he had to say about it, “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8  Paul knew what mattered most in his life. He spoke with authority about worthless pursuits.  Don’t lose heart or become discouraged if you feel that your children are not measuring up. Are your goals unrealistic or are your standards too high? Perhaps your children are excelling academically but your home life is a mess and you are losing your mind because of all the pressure you put upon yourself. Keep in mind the race that you are running. “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 As hard as this journey may be at times, be encouraged to know that you are running to obtain an imperishable crown, one with an eternal purpose. Your children will reflect the things that you pour into them so make sure that the things you pursue will last forever. God does not require your children to have a college degree in order to use them, but what He does require is their heart!

2010, The Year of the Terrier

The Year of 2010 in the Engle household

From the perspective of Scruffy, their dog

While I sit outside everyday and peer through the sliding glass doors of my house, I watch my owners and their children go through life, and the following is what I have witnessed over the last year…

They moved me to a new home.  They lost their old one, although, I hear Jolene say, “It is not lost, I know exactly where it is, besides, it was a temporary dwelling place, our permanent home is in Heaven and I know how to get there.” I happen to like my new home, there are lots of squirrels that come into my backyard that I chase every morning but I have yet to catch one!  So, do you know where your eternal home is?  “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.”  Philippians 3:20

I know my owners were saddened to move.  They experienced a loss of income because of the real estate market which resulted in the loss of their home which equated to broken dreams, frustration, heartache and worry as to where they would live. “And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."  Matthew 8:20 My owners are thankful that the Lord has provided them with a place to lay their head.  I am thankful too; I even have a doghouse with a big fluffy pillow for my head!  It’s a nice pad; you should come over and see it some time.

Eric has had to sell many items and do what he can to make ends meet right now, but at least he still has enough money to feed me!  Although I have heard him talk about cutting out that expense as well!  I know it has been a real struggle for him to provide for his family, but I always hear Jolene tell him that she loves him and that the Lord is in control of their lives.  I am not sure what that means but they seem happy because after all, they never kick me!  Are you too struggling to make ends meet in your home this year?  "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”  Matthew 6:26

I think Jolene needs to buy some new jeans because her old ones seem to be getting a little tight. I think she has gained about 5 pounds this year, although Eric doesn’t seem to notice.  I guess she should have eaten less of her food and given me her table scraps, if she had, she would have saved some money on my food bill too!  It’s a win-win situation for both of us! Hey, if you happened to gained weight too, remember what the Bible says, “For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."  1 Samuel 16:7 I love my owner just the way she is, but I love her even more when she throws my toy!

My owners are still homeschooling the boys.  Seth is now in the 6^th grade and Noah is in the 4^th grade, although, their grade level is not too important to their parents.  Their desire is for the boys to be pleasing to the Lord and to grow in Godly wisdom.  The boys are so very different from one another.  One’s strengths is the other one’s weaknesses and vice versa.  Yet, I hear Jolene say, “Every child is gifted in their own way because they were made by the Creator of the Universe. “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him.”  Genesis 1:27 “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.”  Psalm 139:14 Although I am not made in the image of God, the Creator of the Universe did make me too and I have some pretty fabulous gifts.  You should see them!  I am lightening fast (although apparently not fast enough to catch one a those stupid squirrels.)

My family takes me on more walks now.  They say it is because Jolene’s health has improved after 10 long years of battling a chronic illness.  She gives credit to the Great Physician.  If you are sick perhaps you need to go see Him, I am sure He can help you feel better too.  But maybe you have gone to see Him and He has not healed you.  Paul the Apostle had a health problem too and he asked the Lord to remove the thorn in his flesh three times and God said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  2 Corinthians 12:9 If you are ill, I hope you boast in your infirmities too, just like Paul, and try to remember that God’s grace is sufficient for you!

Jolene told the boys the other day that there may not be many gifts under the tree this year, but there are many more above the tree if you just lift your head up and keep your eyes on the Lord!  She wanted to remind them of what matters most in their lives.  God is seated on the Throne in Heaven.  Many blessings will be poured out on them.  "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants."  Isaiah 44:3

In spite of all the disappointments, hardships, obstacles and headaches that my family has experienced this past year, they are filled with joy and peace, although, they do become tired and weary at times!  I get tired too; it must be because I keep chasing those SQUIRRELS!  However, they have a hope within them because of their relationship with Jesus Christ.  He is the Lord of their lives and they try to live a life pleasing to Him in spite of their sinful nature, shortcomings, imperfections and failures.

So, did you happen to get kicked in your teeth this year?  Maybe you lost your job or your boss cut your hours and you don’t know how you are going to pay the bills?  Or perhaps is someone in your house always sick and the docs don’t know why and they never seem to help them?  Maybe you have a child who is always struggling with school work or worse, they are becoming more and more rebellious?  How about this one…you and your spouse are constantly at each other’s throats.  Depressing isn’t it?  Yes, I know all too well how difficult life can become, after all I am a dog!  “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”  2 Corinthians 4:8-10.

Jesus Christ came to earth as a babe to offer hope, joy, peace, forgiveness and eternal life to all who accept Christ into their hearts. If you have yet to ask Jesus into your heart, will you do so this Christmas?  You won’t regret making this life-changing decision!  If you know Jesus, we hope you draw closer to Him in the coming year! "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."  Luke 2:11-12

Oh, I gotta go! I think I see a squirrel!

Merry Christmas,

From the Engle Family (Eric, Jolene, Seth, Noah and Scruffy)