Having access to some of God’s finances over the years (Thanks Mom and Dad) has allowed Marlis and me to look for biblical investments (ministries, individuals) that currently are being blessed. So, our search is to seek what God is already blessing and try to be an encouragement to those efforts
We have identified some biblical criteria for this ongoing search. Along the way we realized that the end result has really mapped out our personal ministry perspective.
- Matthew 22:37:40, Jesus said ”Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” All of the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.
- Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (The Great Commission) The work of the Church! (Those Following Jesus)
- Discipleship is not a program, it’s a lifestyle, a lifelong endeavor.
- Romans 8:28,29 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.
- A personal relationship with Jesus is about knowing who we are and knowing who Jesus is and recognizing the necessary connection.
- 1 Corinthians 10:23, 31 Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible but not everything builds up. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.
- 1 Corinthians 6:12 Everything is permissible for me but not everything is beneficial, Everything is permissible for me but I will not be mastered by anything.
(Most of the scripture used is from the Christian Standard Bible.)
I have always appreciated “simple”. The above few verses are the “bottom line” of understanding the basics of Christianity for Marlis and me. We like to observe whether or not some, if not most of the above, can easily be identified within a ministry and by those personally involved in the ministry efforts.
That is our basic process, can most of the verses above easily be observed, is God blessing the ministry activity? That is how we select those that we want to encourage.
Out of the 40+ ministries that we currently are involved with we can’t even tell you what church that 90% of them attend. This is by design on our part because we prefer not to have our prejudices involved in those relationships. We much prefer to focus on Jesus and the “majors” of the faith.
The Church is the body of believers, brothers and sisters.
We love you!
Roger and Marlis