The First Requirement of Ministry by Os Hillman
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By Os Hillman
The First
Requirement of Ministry
by Os Hillman
"The priests are in mourning, those who minister before the
Lord." - Joel 1:9b
The
first requirement for being used by God in the life of others is to mourn on
their behalf. We must identify with their pain and suffering. Each of us must
be broken for others first.
In
order to be fully used by God in the workplace, we need to understand what
breaks God's heart. When we understand what breaks God's heart, we are able to
mourn on behalf of a grieving person, or a nation we are called to serve. What
breaks God's heart? When we begin to answer this question, we begin the first
step to becoming instruments of change for those things that are important to
God. Perhaps it is an overemphasis in our own talent and abilities, or lack of
complete trust in Jesus. Perhaps it is the lack of respect for human life that
leads to the killing of innocent babies. Perhaps it is the deceit and pride
that often rule the workplace of commerce. Or perhaps it is the strife and
divisions among His own Body that grieve Him most. When we begin to mourn over
our own sins in these areas, God begins to use us as instruments of
righteousness to affect these things. It was only when God let me see my own
sins in the workplace and how they broke His heart that I began to be an
instrument for His purposes.
Today,
ask God to show you what things in your world are breaking His heart. Then see
how He might want you to be the priest to affect for Him. The first step is
identification with what breaks God's heart.
Os Hillman
By permission only. To learn more
about Os Hillman, go to: www.marketplaceleaders.org.
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"And the Lord said to Joshua, 'This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.'"(Josh 3:7-8). Joshua had been a faithful number two man under Moses for 40 years. Can you imagine serving one man for 40 years? Now that is faithfulness! Even so, when the time came to pass the mantel to Joshua, God knew he needed to be elevated in the eyes of the people in order for Joshua to accomplish his purpose. That is the purpose for elevation - so that you and I can fulfill our purpose and our mission.
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"Then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years. Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband." Ruth 1:3-5 Naomi's life was going well. A great husband. Two fine sons who had two wonderful wives. Then the unthinkable happened. Her husband died. A little time later both her sons die. Her and her daughter-in-laws find themselves in the midst of shattered dreams. This isn't how life was supposed to be.
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"While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, 'Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.'" Acts 10:19-20 Peter had never preached to the Gentiles. In fact, he believed it was against Jewish law to associate with the Gentiles. God needed to change Peter's attitude about this, so God gave Peter a vision that showed him it was permissible to preach to the Gentiles. The Spirit came to Peter and informed him that some men were about to come visit him, and he was to go with them. He went with them, and the Lord did great miracles in the lives of Gentiles through Peter.