Now comes the hard part for many people, did you notice we are called into ministry by God? He calls us and expects us to minister to Him. Aaron and his sons didn't sit around and have others minister to them, but they were busy doing the work God called them out to do, just as we must be active in ministering before the Lord. Do you worship, pray, and read God's word everyday? Do you actively participate in a ministry in your church, even if it is to run the vacuum on Saturday mornings? Or do you just attend church Sunday morning and get ministered to? God gives us no choice, we must be active in a ministry to Him and in our church or we lose out. Now comes the even harder part, did you know your ministry to God is a full time job and any other work you do is secondary? Aaron and his sons primary job was to do the work of God, all other tasks were secondary, even attending funerals (Leviticus 22). Now don't get me wrong I'm not saying you must not go to funerals but I am emphasizing a point God is trying to get across to us. Remember, today Jesus asks us to do everything unto Him (Colossians 3:17, "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.").

Now you may ask, "What do I do as a priest and minister?" Easy, in this order, first and most importantly, personally seek God everyday through worship, prayer, and reading of His word. Next, if you're married, then minister to your family through worship, prayer, and reading His word. Next, be an active participating member of a bible believing and bible living church. Ask God to lay a ministry on your heart and while you wait for His answer (that is, if He doesn't answer right away) help out in areas that most churches need help, greeting people, cleaning, children's ministry, etc. You will easily be able to tell where your heart stands with God. Don't think these ministries are insignificant, because they are not, and I have seen God grow people out of these ministries. As you work in God's church He will lay a ministry on your heart, and when He does, do it. If you do all these things, God will bless you tremendously.

Now another hard part, everything you do whether it is prayer, worship, service, work, do it all in faith and love to God (Romans 1:17, "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith."). Read Hebrews 11 and you will see those who do the will of God do it in faith because of what He told or asked them to do. We give of our time, treasure, and talent not to gain something, but in faith of and to please God. If you do something for the Lord to gain something or for praise from man, then your reward is the accomplishment of the task itself and not from God. We do things for the Lord only to please Him. This is a heart issue, if you find yourself grumbling or complaining instead of having joy in your heart for serving the Lord in everything you do then you need to do a heart check. Remember, you are servants of God, just as Jesus never depended on man for praise or acceptance, we must do the same (John 2:24-25, " ²⁴But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, ²⁵and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man."). And remember, do it all in love or it is all meaningless (1 Corinthians 13:1, "If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.").  

Dear Heavenly Father, it is an awesome responsibility you give to all believers to be priests and for us to minister to You, help us this week to seek You as priests and ministers, first in our personal walk, then in our family, then in our church, and finally whatever is left over, in Jesus name I Pray, Amen.

God's Many Blessings to You,

john
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Encouragement >From The Heart Website updated January 11, 2001.
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Scripture references (unless noted otherwise): The Open Bible, New American Standard
copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977
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