Give thanks to God for the Body of Christ; for there are some in the Body who have purposed in their hearts to obey God. I pray for them daily. The Lord is aware of your labors of love, and your works of faith. You have diligently labored in the sight of God. All we have done up to now was for this moment. We have had years of training and spiritual development. We know how to walk in the Spirit. We know the true mind and heart of God. We are not ignorant of His Word. We have come to cherish the leading and guiding of the Holy Ghost. Now the time is here for those who were developed in God’s quiver to be shot out as arrows into the heart of the fields of harvest. The church at Thessalonica was sent forth in the same manner as the Father is sending us.
1 Thessalonians 1:5
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
This Gospel of the Kingdom, which we preach is not just mere words, but we experienced the power of the Word to change us. It has indeed given us assurance as to the welfare of our souls. We now know what it takes to make it into the Kingdom of Heaven. It is also important that we remember that we are ambassadors for Christ. For the sake of those whom we may influence, the need to reveal Christ is most urgent. Therefore, it ought to be the testimony of those whom we serve. It is imperative that they see the character, purpose and power of our God. If not, who will believe the report?
1 Thessalonians 1:6
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
We didn’t have great material substance, but had a willing heart and offered it to God. It was and is our joy to serve. We have an unction and an anointing to minister the powers of heaven to a dying world.
1 Thessalonians 1:7-10
7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
This is awesome. The Thessalonians received the word from Paul and went forth out of their local churches to evangelize the rest of Macedonia and Achaia. Paul says the fruit of his labor speaks to the manner in which he and other apostles labored among the Thessalonians. I know that there are many who would love to work exclusively in the ministry. This desire is real and genuine. Nevertheless they are holding down secular jobs that support their livelihood. Some of these are rapidly becoming discouraged because they feel trapped and unable to give the kind of servitude they desire. “Your job is not an offense to me,” saith the Lord. God is able to use you anywhere and at anytime. He has allowed you to remain and work in a certain territorial sphere of influence wherein loved ones, friends, and foes reside. It is the purpose of God to show forth the power of His Christ. He will use you in these places and among people who are of great importance to you. How much do you really love them? Do you fervently minister Christ in these environments? Or, are you reluctant to mention Him to some or in certain places? Are you teaching the members of your family Christ? Are you reaching out to those in your neighborhood, on your job, or in your house? These places are your first mission fields. Stop waiting for another sending. You have already been called to serve in your present environment. Don’t allow your job to become an offense to you. It is not the way of God to wait until you have situated yourself financially and made sure that you have something to fall back on in case ministry is not profitable or is not able to meet the demands of your lifestyle. That is your criteria for ministry; it is certainly not the Lord’s. His criterion for launching your full-time ministry is your willingness to serve in the fullness of your present environment. In due season, when you have proven to be faithful over a few, He will give you access for many. May the Lord Bless you and Heaven smile upon you.
