Quote from Forum Archives on October 28, 2003, 8:12 am

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

It is my heart's desire to seek the Lord in all things, whether
at home, at work, or in my community, and especially in my
private thoughts. If you're serious about leading a life that's
filled with meaning and purpose, I encourage you to read and
think about today's message.

My three year old son likes a cartoon character, "Bob The
Builder", who says this: "We've got work to do". God created
each of us for a purpose. That purpose begins with Him and ends
with Him. It does also involve work, for God has given each of
us a set of tasks to do. Some of our tasks are mundane, but the
manner in which we do them has a great deal to do with our
response to the God who IS - the One who created us to have
meaning and purpose - and a yearning for Him.

Dear Lord, I pray that You fill our hearts, then our lives, with
deep meaning and purpose, that is satisfied by earnestly seeking
and finding You, and serving You each day among Your people.

Yours in Christ,
Brian

Our church along with thousands of others is in the midst of "40
Days of Purpose," a spiritual revival based on the great book by
Rick Warren, "The Purpose Driven Life." So our people are
asking, "What is my purpose?" Two years ago, I tried to answer
the same question based on another great book, "The Prayer of
Jabez" by Bruce Wilkinson. I thought it might be helpful for you
to read it again.

Sowing Seeds of Faith...

Name: GC -- Address: Bronx Email: mailto:cantyg@netscape.net
Comments: Just wanted to drop a line to everyone that posted a
prayer request or a word of encouragement on the Sowing Seeds of
Faith website. You just keep praying and thanking GOD for what
he has done because you might not see it right now but take a
closer look because things do change and prayers do get
answered. It's the small things that count and each of us
praying for each other in good times and in bad times.

Join over 7,000 prayer partners worldwide and watch the miracles
happen. It's free so click here and sign up today:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

Can't get enough Sowing Seeds Devotions: Read them daily by
clicking here: www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/Devotions.htm

"The Harvest is Great: The Workers Few"
Larry Davies

My Uncle was the head of Parks and Recreation for one of the
largest cities in the country. It's a demanding job managing
thousands of employees. Several years ago, he asked the leaders
of his local church how he could become more involved. They
asked him to serve on the Pastor-Parish Relations committee, one
of the most important tasks in any church. He also served on the
building committee and even became a trustee. As he talked, I
noticed that the church never seemed very interested in the job
my Uncle managed most every day of his life: A job, which often
impacted several million people. My Uncle was asking for a
ministry and the church put him on a committee.

I also read of a grocery store checkout cashier who could read
people's moods by their body language while standing in line.
She felt called by God to offer encouragement while bagging
their groceries. When is the last time you were offered a word
of encouragement at a grocery store check out line?

What about you? God called you for a ministry. Do you know what
it is? How should the church help? Committee work is important
but there is so much more. As a minister, I emphasize two
themes:

1. A church should provide an atmosphere of encouragement
and love for you to improve your relationship with God through
worship, prayer, Bible study and small group participation.

2. Help you discover your unique gifts and talents and use
them toward a ministry of serving and helping others within your
family, at work, at church, in your community and around the
world.

"The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them
ahead in pairs to all the towns and villages he planned to
visit. These were his instructions to them: 'The harvest is so
great and the workers are so few. Pray to the Lord who is in
charge of the harvest and ask Him to send out more workers for
his fields. Go now and remember that I am sending you out as
lambs among wolves. Don't take along any money or a traveler's
bag or even an extra pair of sandals.'" (Luke 10:1-4)

I found at least five major lessons in this passage:

1. The Lord chose: You don't just decide to serve God. You were
chosen long before you were born. The questions you should ask:
"What task were you chosen for? Are you doing it?"

2. Travel in pairs: God knows it is very difficult to work
alone. We all need encouragement either from a friend, a pastor,
a church group or family. Ministry always needs a partner.

3. Pray for more workers: Your life of prayer is just as
important as your willingness to work. Praying and asking for
God's help is an important part of your ministry.

4. Lambs among wolves: You are receiving a divine warning to be
careful. Remember wolves see lambs as only one thing... supper.
Serving God always involves risk. Be prepared.

5. Travel lite: The ad says, "less filling... tastes great!" Too
much stuff, no matter how good can become a burden and weigh
down your ministry. Keep your message and your faith simple.

How are most churches doing with following these basic lessons:
Actually, not very good. A survey was taken among active
Christians. What they found was startling:

* 70% never or rarely encouraged someone to believe in God.
* 45% never or rarely talked about their faith.
* 64% rarely pray.
* 77% rarely read the Bible.

Why? There are many reasons. We are afraid of controversy.
Churches tend to seek members rather than disciples. We're busy
and preoccupied. We fear rejection. We face too many choices for
our time.

What can we do about it? Several years ago, a minister friend
suggested I read: "The Prayer of Jabez" by Bruce Wilkinson about
a virtually unknown Bible character named Jabez hidden in First
Chronicles 4:9-10. "It's one of the best books I've ever read,"
he declared.

He may be right. Using the prayer of Jabez on a regular basis
can change your life: "Oh, that you would bless me indeed and
enlarge my territory that your hand would be with me and that
you would keep me from evil." And God granted him his request.
Next week, I'll use this prayer to answer the question: What
should we be doing as disciples in God's church? Until then...
pray for God's direction.

Read Sowing Seeds of Faith... everyday! Click here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/Devotions.htm

Are you receiving prayer concerns from around the world? Join
our prayer team today. Check it out by clicking here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

How can I regularly support your ministry? Become a Sowing Seeds
Ministry partner. Click here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ministry_partner.htm

Jesus said: "You are the light of the world--like a city on a
mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your
light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it
shine for all." (Matthew 5:14-15)

"Breaking the Peanut Butter Habit: Following God's Recipe for a
Better Life" now on sale only through our website.
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

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--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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