Everyday ministry

The Lord now chose seventy other disciples and sent them on ahead in pairs to all the towns and villages he planned to visit later.  These were his instructions to them: “Plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out more laborers to help you, for the harvest is so plentiful and the workers so few.  Go now, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.  Don’t take any money with you, or a beggar’s bag, or even an extra pair of shoes. And don’t waste time along the way.  “Whenever you enter a home, give it your blessing.  If it is worthy of the blessing, the blessing will stand; if not, the blessing will return to you.  “When you enter a village, don’t shift around from home to home, but stay in one place, eating and drinking without question whatever is set before you. And don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, for the workman is worthy of his wages! “If a town welcomes you, follow these two rules:  (1) Eat whatever is set before you.  (2) Heal the sick; and as you heal them, say, ‘The Kingdom of God is very near you now.’  (Mark 10)

This was basically today's sermon, but I thought it was so good, I wanted to remember.  Transitioning from the "job" of ministry to a lifestyle of ministry has been a hard one for me.  Not so much finding opportunities, but being intentional with my time and energy.  So often after the everyday, I am worn out.  I have to remember that ministry happens every day as. we. go.

Jesus sent out the 12.  Then he sent of the 70.  I think we are the 70, called to reach people with our lives.  Here are some reminders about how we accomplish this (thanks Mark Evans for the points, I modified them a tad).

1. Don't go it alone.  He sent them out in pairs
2. Pray for help.  I believe that prayer makes us good observers.  When I pray for God to send out workers, I become one of those workers.
3. Depend on God.  The more I have resources to depend on, the less I have to depend on God.
4. Let your love be what they see, not your stuff.
5. Stay focused.  Don't waste time along the way.
6. Be a blessing.  A blessing can be a look, a word, or a touch.
7. Build relationships.  This takes time.  Invest well where you are.
8. Be accommodating to build a bridge.  The whole eat whatever is set before you is bigger than food laws, it meant you were open and accepting of the relationship.
9. Meet them where they are.  Begin where people hurt.  Hurting people are open.