August 16, 2017 “Assignments”

Assignments

Weekends and Weeks
Here’s the routine: after the weekend of rest and worship, we engage in the work week. It is good to periodically conduct a review of our assignment.

• What has God called us to do?
• Where has He called us to do it?
• What kind of a person has He created us to be while we set about fulfilling our assignment?

Our Assignments

• In first instance, we are assigned to be excellent people. As representatives of Christ our moods and reactions, as well as our competence and actions, must reflect the nature of our Savior. As workers, our first assignment is to be someone who is pleasant to work with, cheerful in times of stress, dependable in our responsibilities, kind and respectful toward others. Those “Christians” who are bitter, cynical, suspicious, lazy, and grumpy busybodies and strife-mongers on the job have failed at their first assignment.
• In the second instance, each of us has been or will be blessed with a craft with which we can take our rightful place in the world. For those of us who must provide for our families or our own lives, it is a great blessing when this life’s craft is the means of that provision. Others, may find themselves working at assignments that do not reflect their interests. These assignments are blessings from God also. Believers have the power in the Holy Spirit to transform their “jobs” into “ministries” simply by following the word of Paul to the Colossians: Let your work become worship—a holy thing!
• In the third instance, we each have an assignment from the Lord in the mission of the church. In the imagery used by Paul, some of us are hands and others are feet, but we are all essential parts of the Body of Christ—the Church! Every church needs each of her members to accomplish his/her assignment from the Lord. When we fulfill our ministry assignments, we find joy for our souls, healthy exercise for our bodies, and rich nourishment for our spirits. We advance the Kingdom of God in our community and lives are forever changed.

Failure is bad.
When we do not take and complete our ministry assignments, two really bad things happen:

1. Ministry goes undone as lives are not changed, pain is not relieved, and the truth remains untold to some.
2. Some other member of the Body may have to try and be the hand they are called to be and the foot someone failed to be.

Their assignment is threatened because their energy and focus is diffused and our absence removes the special touch that God designed for us to share with others.

Today, knowing what your assignments are:

• Who you are called to be,
• What your are called to do in the community, and
• What God has assigned you to do for Him,

You can say with Psalmist:

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
(Ps 118:24)

Your joy will endear you to your co-workers, provide you with your life’s needs, and bring a smile to your Savior’s face. What a great set of assignments you have!

Scriptures:
Colossians 3:16; 23-24
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
2 Corinthians 5:20
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors…
1 Corinthians 12:14
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Colossians 4:17
… “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, my hand will find work to do today. I dedicate that work to Your glory. In do not just work for my boss; I work for You. I work to provide for those for whom I am responsible, but I recognize that You are my Provider. Lord, do not let me go about my work today unassisted—send Your Spirit to bless my work as a witness to You. I will not gossip or complain. I will be cheerful and encouraging to others. Let Your holy joy strengthen me today. All for Your Glory, Lord Jesus, Amen.

Song:
Jesus, Use Me
Words and Music: Jack and Billy Campbell

1. Dear Lord, I’ll be a witness
If You will help my weakness.
I know that I’m not worthy, Lord of Thee.
By eyes of faith I see Thee
Upon the cross of Calvary;
Dear Lord I cry, Let me Thy servant be.

Refrain:
Jesus, use me and Oh, Lord don’t refuse me.
For surely there’s a work that I can do.
And even though it’s humble,
Lord, help my will to crumble.
Though the cost be great, I’ll work for You.

2. I’ll stand for Thee, dear Jesus,
Whate’er the cost may be;
I’ll spread the gospel to the lost each day;
But if it be The will, Lord,
To send me o’er the sea,
I’ll follow Thee though death should come my way.

Refrain

3. He’s the Lily of the Valley,
The Bright and Morning Star,
He’s the Fairest of Ten Thousand to my soul;
He’s the beautiful Rose of Sharon,
He’s all the world to me.
But best of all He is my coming King.

Refrain

Semper Reformanda!
Stephen Phifer

© 2017 Stephen R. Phifer All Rights Reserved