2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Paul’s ministry – “this ministry” – was the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the change from the old covenant to the new, from the Law and eternal death to the Spirit and life, from condemnation to righteousness. This ministry is ours, too.

Have you ever heard another Christian talking about how many people they’ve led to Christ and felt like an underachiever? Have you ever been tempted to engage in what Paul might call cunning tactics or truth-tampering to generate a notch in your belt? Ask the Lord to help you be content to serve Him as a mustard seed or particle of yeast and then to trust Him to do the work of expanding His kingdom.

Pastor Dave reminded us that our battle is not with the people who are rejecting the gospel. It is with the god of this world – Satan – who blinds people to the truth of the gospel. Think about someone you have been trying to win to Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you whether you have treated him or her as an adversary, an opponent. Ask the Lord to fill you with compassion, not exasperation or disdain, for people whose spiritual eyes have been blinded by the evil one.

Dave noted that when an unbeliever says to a Christian, “There’s something different about you!” what he is seeing is the light of Christ. If the light of Christ shines through us, it is not something we accomplished. If not, that light is not something we can manufacture. But it is something we can pray for. Lord Jesus, do your work in my life so that your light shines through me.

As we go about this ministry day-by-day, pray that we will have the right message: Christ is the Savior, not us. Pray that we will share that message in the purity of the Holy Spirit, not flavored by our egos. Pray that we won’t take the recipient’s response personally, either taking credit for belief or blaming ourselves for rejection. Finally, pray that we will persevere and not lose heart.

Calvary Family

Join Deni Martin in thanking God that her blood cancer is remission. “Remission” is a word she never expected to hear. Deni’s doctor took her off her cancer medication last fall because she had lost a significant amount of weight. Now, her doctor has told her she is in remission. Praise God!

Charlie and Kathy Tielrooy request prayer for their daughter, Emily, who serves as a combat medic in the Army. This week, Emily will be deployed to Poland for three months as part of a large NATO training exercise. Pray for Emily’s safety, both physically and spiritually. Emily has been baptized but is not walking with the Lord.

Kathy and Cary Oltmanns ask us to lift up their 26-year-old son, Michael. Pray that he will turn his life around and come back to the Lord. Please pray also for Natalie, a friend of Michael’s. Social Services has removed Natalie’s newborn daughter, Stella, from her care. Pray for Natalie as she attempts to get her life on track so she can regain custody of Stella and for the Oltmanns as they try to help her.

Next Sunday evening, the leaders and volunteers of our Children’s department are gathering to brainstorm ways to develop the ministry and plan for the future. Our Sunday morning programs face challenges of recruitment, staffing, and curriculum. Please pray for wisdom, creativity, and encouragement as they discuss these challenges and seek to strengthen this crucial ministry.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert
Calvary Community Church of Brea