December 4, 2022
“The defeated, the demoralized, whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ, but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it! 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (MSG)
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” Romans 12:3 (NIV)
“Dear brothers and sisters, I appeal to you by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so there won’t be divisions in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”
1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT)
Moving to Michigan many years ago, God allowed me to meet and work with some awesome women with a heart for ministry. In retrospect, I can see the hand of God and how He orchestrated and positioned me not only in Christian ministry but in my work environments which fostered a greater compassion for those who are less fortunate.
I am grateful for Wilma Parham and our work in ministry for over 30 years and for her continued commitment to our current community-based ministry with the Sunrise Home, a Transitional Housing Program Mentoring Forum. I am grateful for my daughter Portia who went with us yesterday as well as in the past and for her contributions and support. I am especially grateful to Lori and her husband Pastor Lemoyne Robinson for their commitment to ministry and their donation and prayers also on yesterday. I am also grateful for the support of Brenda Rudolph who made significant contributions in the past to the ministry.
Jesus taught the disciples about serving others in Mark 10:42-45. He says “So, Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you, it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (NLT)
We as Believers in Christ are to minister to others out of our devotion to Christ and we have love for others! We should minister by meeting people’s needs with love and humility on Christ’s behalf. Ministry to others should be impartial and unconditional, always seeking to help others as Jesus would. Matthew 20:26, says “But among you, it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.” (NLT) God delights in a surrendered Heart!
Working in nursing, and in this journey called life, I have witnessed many who were living a great life with all of the comforts and security; and one tragedy, one diagnosis, (heart attack, stroke, terminal disease, etc.) one bad judgment or decision can change the entire trajectory of their lives FOREVER! We are living on God’s grace moment by moment. He grants us our next breath and the next heartbeat. Praise God for His love and faithfulness to us!
God has called us as Believers to minister by meeting people’s needs with love and humility on Christ’s behalf. Christians are to minister to others out of their devotion to Christ and their love for others, whether they are believers or unbelievers. Ministry is from the heart and delivered to the heart.
The Sunrise Home is a Transitional Housing Program Mentoring Program is an arm of Heart Expression Ministries International. The Home is
specifically for those who are survivors of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking. The Sunrise Home is one of 13 Housing Programs governed by Wayne County Neighborhood Legal Services. See the details here: https://barbragentrypugh.com/work-with-me/ The Sunrise Home headed by Director Gena Harris Lewis offers occupants supportive services through stability, support groups, educational enhancement opportunities, employability skill building, financial empowerment, health and well-being through intensive case management and personal life coaching.
The Mentoring Forum consists of mature women who are committed to reaching victims within our community who have survived exploitation, through mentoring, coaching, teaching and sharing. Our goal is to empower women to reach their full potential by providing objective support for their personal reflection, self-examination, and learning as they experience hope, growth, and healing. The ministry is committed to sharing wisdom tools while modeling a healthy relationship, allowing the mentee to identify a healthy pattern for future interactions with family, friends, significant others, and other personal relationships. We are committed to creating an atmosphere of empowerment whereby the women will share, grow, and mature in all areas of their lives: physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially, and pursue God intimately.
A MINISTRY-MINDED HEART: True Ministry is Centered On the Message of Christ. There is no need for using impressive words that are weak in content. The Apostle Paul stressed solid content and practical help for his listeners. He wanted them to be impressed with his message, not just his style. You don’t need to be a great speaker with an extensive vocabulary to share the gospel effectively. The persuasive power is in the story, not the storyteller. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:22-23, “When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.” (NLT)
FATHER GOD, Thank You for Word that tells us what You expect from us as Believers in Christ. Help us to be true servants to what you have called each of us to do in Christian ministry. Help us to be committed servants, in the Precious, Powerful and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen!