7 common ways we error in our desire to do ministry well.

1. When your sense of security relies on the ministry’s success.

2. When your identity gets wrapped up in the success of your ministry.
3. When it has to happen your way and you can no longer be flexible.

4. When your service to God eats away at your one-on-one time with God.

5. When the predominant desire is to be seen and heard by others.

6. When you’re unable to take correction.

7. When you fear man more than God or live for any other reason than God’s Glory.

Auxano

I think a lot of us are suffering from spiritual motion sickness.

  We are busy and focusing too much on all the things around us.  We are inundated with so many details and so much information we aren’t able to grasp or process it all.  We strive to keep up with others and stay current with their daily posts. We are obsessed with the latest trends or following our favorite influencers. If I’m not careful I will spend hours scrolling through short videos on my media feed and making plans for way more than I’m capable of doing in my lifespan. Maybe we’re just distracted, tending to the very real responsibilities of our families, friends, and churches. These obligations can stack up fast and neglecting to count the cost even once can bring the whole house of cards crashing down with schedule-altering clarity. Sprinkle in old wounds, past failures, and other spiritual warfare and you, like me, will begin to look just about everywhere but ahead to the distant horizon.

With the holidays, fast approaching, most of us are, in some way, focused on…

The trimmings of the season; what we will cook, how we might decorate, and what gifts we will give. I also know that with the rising cost of living having the discretionary income to handle the ‘extras’ can be tricky.

Having the assurance of God’s love means I am able to take correction positively. I can see failure as a learning opportunity because my relationship with God is secure, and I am loved even when I experience or choose failure. Having a strong relationship with the Lord also helps us to take responsibility of our sin because there is no fear of judgement. As a Christian we have an amazing opportunity, thanks to Christ’s sacrifice, to confess our sins and restore lost fellowship with God and others. (1 John 4:18, Romans 8:1) Our identity, our strength, our circumstances, and all our resources come from God. This is not self-efficacy but a God-directed, God-efficacy. Faith and trust in God will never disappoint. They will produce a harvest of hope, and not one of hope alone, but one of courage and freedom. (Romans 5:3-5, Gal. 5:1) Only christians have a guarantee of success(in their faith) because that guarantee rests in Jesus, Himself.

Taking the time to dwell on scripture and the attributes of God helps us to cement the ideas and concepts of character and virtue that we need within our own heart. Yet, even when God’s Word is clear we are a people who easily forget. Taking the time and patience to critically think about the things of God is a discipline that must be practiced.