We have different beliefs and values. One of the things we value the most is being
successful and spectacular. I grew up in China and lived there for 18 years. It is a
common thing to pursue fame and fortune in Chinese culture. For example, we make
judgments to people according to apartments, vehicles, and their annual income.
Materialism lasted over multiple generations. It is not only taking place in China but
also in many other countries. Pursuing a better life is not a bad thing, just like the fuel
filled in our engines and keep us going. However, it becomes toxic when it is the only
thing we value.
Ministry leaders and those who are in training are human as well. How we act
and talk will be affected by the context we are carrying. There is no exception. In our
unconsciousness, more or less, we tend to expect ourselves to do something great. 1
The hope we are having is to bring differences to the world and make it a little bit
better. There is no problem with dreaming big. However, it becomes a problem when
the big dream and ambition turned into our destination of ministry. Though we don’t
bring it up to the table all the time, we are facing the temptation. We want to be great.
We want to do great things, just like a hero.
Jesus has a fully divine nature and a fully human nature, never sinned; but he was
tempted as we do. Jesus was tempted by Satan three times. The third time, Satan
brought Jesus to a high mountain. Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms, and its
authority and splendor. To obtain fame and fortune, the only thing Jesus needed to do
was worship Satan. (Matthew 4) The temptation that ministers are facing is similar.
Sometimes, we want our names to be spectacular in the name of serving God.
What comes alongside fame and fortune is the feeling of control and the
sweetness of power. 2 When we are tempted, we are also challenged by losing that
sweetness. For example, we feel out of control, when church attendance numbers are decreasing.
We feel discouraged when the congregation’s spiritual life is not growing
significantly in the effort, we put in. We feel insecure when congregations don’t like
our sermons. We feel stressed when the church we are serving is facing a crisis. What
should we do in these kinds of situations?
The good news is that we have hope. First, Jesus, as the second Adam had
overcome temptation. For He set a new example of victory for us. He showed us that
it is possible to overcome the temptation of the spectacular. We can overcome it, not
with our willpower, but with His word and Holy Spirit. Second, the ministry we are
involved in is the Mission of God. The mission of God in Latin is Missio Dei. It
means that God is doing all things to unfold his plan. Sometimes, we misunderstand
that this mission is our mission. We tend to think about whether the ministry will be
succussed in accordance with how well we do. However, it is not about us. It is about
Him. (Proverbs 16:33) The kingdom is God’s kingdom. The mission is God’s mission.
God is actively letting His will be done; and letting His kingdom come. We are
invited to his mission to see how he works. It is ok for us to be human. It is ok for us
to have limitations. It is ok for us to not be perfect. Today, if we have tried our best
and trusted in God with all we do, it is enough. We don’t have to be great to save and
fix the world. Jesus Christ is the savior. Let Him do his work. May His name be
glorified alone.
Debbie Jin
I don’t normally comment but I gotta say appreciate it for the post on this one : D.
Keep on writing, great job!
I have been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found anything that grabbed my interest as much as this piece.
Boba99Merupakan salah satu game online terbaik sepanjang masa
It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is
time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I want to suggest
you some interesting things or suggestions.
Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article.
I wish to read even more things about it!
Usually I don’t read article on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to check out and do it!
Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thanks, very nice
article.
Amazing! This blog looks just like my old one!
It’s on a entirely different topic but it has pretty much the same
layout and design. Excellent choice of colors!
Amazing! Its truly remarkable post, I have got much clear idea on the topic of from this post.
Таким образом, бесплатная юридическая
помощь в Москве — это необходимый ресурс для жителей столицы.
Консультации помогают людям лучше понимать свои права и обязанности.
thank, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your article. I really appreciate your wonderful knowledge and the time you put into educating the rest of us.
Does it look like we’re in for a big ride here?
We can see that we need to develop policies to deal with this trend.
This excellent website really has all the information and facts I wanted about this subject and didn’t know who to
ask.
I favored your idea there, I tell you blogs are so helpful sometimes like looking into people’s private life’s and work.At times this world has too much information to grasp. Every new comment wonderful in its own right.
I don’t normally comment on blogs.. But nice post! I just bookmarked your site
ESLATOTO hadir sebagai situs gacor terbaru 2025 yang menawarkan kelebihan deposit QRIS mulai 5000.
TESLATOTO menyediakan situs slot aman dengan peluang Maxwin setiap hari.
Nikmati sensasi bermain nyaman, lancar, serta menguntungkan bersama platform slot deposit 5000 yang selalu siap memberikan sensasi jackpot terbaik untuk
semua pemain.
Hi, possibly i’m being a little off topic here, but I was browsing your site and it looks stimulating. I’m writing a blog and trying to make it look neat, but everytime I touch it I mess something up. Did you design the blog yourself?
I am really grateful to the holder of this website who has shared this impressive post at here.
Woah this is just an insane amount of information, must of taken ages to compile so thanx so much for just sharing it with all of us. If your ever in any need of related information, just check out my own site!
Whаt’s Going doᴡn i am new to this, I stumblｅd upon this I’ve
found It positively usｅful and it has aіded me out loads.
I hope to ցіve a contribution & aid other users
like its helped me. Gгeat job.
This blog post is excellent, probably because of how well the subject was developed. I like some of the comments too though I could prefer we all stay on the subject in order add value to the subject!
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a
brand new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with valuable
info to work on. You’ve performed a formidable
activity and our whole group shall be grateful to
you.
Its such as you learn my thoughts! You appear to understand a lot approximately this, such as you wrote the ebook
in it or something. I believe that you simply could do with a few percent to drive
the message home a bit, however instead of that, that is
magnificent blog. An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back.
This is the best blog I’ve ever read, I appreciate it, thanks!
I think this is among the most significant information for me.
And i am glad reading your article. But wanna remark on some general things, The site style
is perfect, the articles is really excellent : D. Good job, cheers
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I do not know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
It is the best time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be
happy. I have read this post and if I could I want to
suggest you some interesting things or suggestions.
Perhaps you could write next articles referring
to this article. I wish to read more things about it!
Bandar99 merupakan salah satu situs game online yang terpercaya gampang maxwin.
bob99 merupakan salah satu bandar game online terpercaya yang mempunyai fitur gampang menang di Indonesia tahun2025.
situs slot online hari ini mudah menang kupontoto
situs slot gacor hari ini mudah menang bersama
link online hari ini mudah menang rajaberlian
slot gacor hari ini mudah menang rajapools
Γεια χαρά σε όλους! Εδώ είμαστε πάλι, η ομάδα των ειδικών, για να βουτήξουμε σε ένα θέμα που καίει πολλούς παίκτες στην Ελλάδα: ποιές ξένες στοιχηματικές εταιρίες δέχονται τους παίκτες από την χώρα μας ελεύθερα, χωρίς VPN και γρήγορες πληρωμές; Έχουμε περάσει ώρες ατελείωτες δοκιμάζοντας διάφορες πλατφόρμες τζόγου, διαβάζοντας ψιλά γράμματα και μιλώντας με ομάδα υποστήριξης, για να σας δώσουμε την ξεκάθαρη εικόνα για το τι παίζει σε αυτές τις πλατφόρμες πραγματικά.
You mаde some reaⅼly gοod points thｅre.
I loⲟked on thｅ internet for additional infoｒmation aboսt the
issue and found most people ѡill ցo aⅼong with yоur views оn this web site.
Get fast hosting plan with 4GB RAM, 4 AMD Ryzen cores, and 4TB bandwidth.
Ideal for students to test websites.
I will immediately snatch your rss feed as I can not in finding
your e-mail subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service.
Do you’ve any? Please permit me realize so that I may subscribe.
Thanks.
Good post. I study something more difficult on different blogs everyday. It’s going to always be stimulating to learn content material from other writers and observe a little bit one thing from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content material on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link in your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
Good site! I truly love how it is easy on my eyes it is. I am wondering how I might be notified when a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your RSS which may do the trick? Have a great day!
Nevertheless, it’s all carried out with tongues rooted solidly in cheeks, and everybody has got nothing but absolutely love for their friendly neighborhood scapegoat. In reality, he is not merely a pushover. He is simply that extraordinary breed of person solid enough to take all that good natured ribbing for what it really is.
I simply could not leave your site before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the usual info a person supply in your visitors? Is going to be back often to inspect new posts