Jeremiah 1-3: He Gifts Us to Minister to Him

Jeremiah 1:11-12

Amplified Bible (AMP)

11 Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Jeremiah, what do you see? And I said, I see a branch or shoot of an almond tree [the emblem of alertness and activity, blossoming in late winter].

12 Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.

These verses hold personal significance in my heart.  In the post, A Branch Shall Bear and Grow Fruit, I recounted a visual experience, which the Lord gifted me.  In that experience, He revealed my primary calling, to minister to Him.  

When the Lord Almighty, Ruler of Heaven and Earth calls us to minister to Him, He does not leave us empty-handed.  He gifts us with abilities to walk out our call.  

What does that look like? 

God has specifically promised several characteristics...

• Empowerment of His Spirit
• Wisdom
• Understanding
• Counsel
• Might
• Knowledge
• Reverential and obedient fear of the Lord

Isaiah 11:2
Amplified Bible (AMP)

2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord—

Interestingly enough, the characteristics He gives us looks like tools we would use to minister to others. Could it be that ministry to Abba, not only occurs as we sing and dance and pray and submit ourselves to Him, but ministry to God also occurs when we minister to others?

Writing a blog, posting on Facebook, speaking life to patients, serving my family...ALL of it is ministry to the Lord and ALL of it requires His gifts to flow through my being.

This life is about choosing to lay down selfishness and jealousy and the "I want" or "It's not fair" or "They hurt me" attitudes in order to pick up the awesome gifts the Lord has provided.  Our own heart wounds often are preceded by allowing our eyes to turn inward towards ourselves, rather then outward toward others. 

One of the coping skills I encourage my patients to try is to get their eyes off themselves and look for someone they can help.  Ministry to others, ultimately ministers to the Lord, which releases healing balm into the soul!

Father, we desire to serve You with ALL of our heart and soul and strength. Empower us to minister to You by ministering to others.  In the great and awesome name of Jesus, AMEN!