Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Matthew 28:18-20 —  Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

This week I am sharing ministry opportunities. Ministry is the act of serving others. On the back of the weekly bulletin at my church there is a section that has a list of ministry opportunities for the week. One of the ministry opportunities listed each week is called the Mustard Seed Ministry. 

Members of the Mustard Seed Ministry help cook and deliver meals twice a week to individuals and families who may have a need for a warm cooked meal. Today’s featured scripture is called “The Great Commission.” Jesus charged His disciples with the task of spreading the love of Christ. As followers of Christ we are also charged with the Great Commission. Those who choose to be a part of the Mustard Seed Ministry are a prime example of going into the world and sharing the love of Christ. 

You may not be a part of anything like the Mustard Seed Ministry, but how do you share the love of Christ with others? How are you responding to the Great Commission?

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the Mustard Seed Ministry. Open my eyes to ways You would have me step out in faith, walk on water, and share Your love with others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV —  So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 

This week I am sharing ministry opportunities. Ministry is the act of serving others. On the back of the weekly bulletin at my church there is a section that has a list of ministry opportunities for the week. One of the ministry opportunities listed every week is Sunday School. How can Sunday School be a ministry opportunity?

Sunday School is a time to gather with fellow believers. In our class we share joys and prayer concerns and we pray. The lesson includes the reading of scripture and questions in response to the scripture. To be a minister we must take time to be filled up with the word of God, so we may share it with others. During our Sunday School time everyone has the opportunity to join the discussion and share points of view. It is clear that Sunday School is a ministry opportunity for the teacher, but what about the students? 

As a student in a Sunday School I gain new understandings and insights which God may have me use in the future. The time of fellowship with other believers fills my heart with love and joy. Finally, by hearing the viewpoints of others as well as how the topic relates to them, I am able to make connections that may later lead to God using me to minister to them because of our shared experiences.

If you attend Sunday School, how has it been a ministry opportunity for you? If you do not attend Sunday School I encourage you to prayerfully consider it as a ministry opportunity for you.

Join me in prayer. Dear God, thank You for the ministry opportunity of Sunday School. I trust that You will use my time in Sunday School to fill me up so later I may pour You out for others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV —  So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 

Matthew 28:18-20 —  Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

James 5:13-16 NIV

Mark 10:13-16 NIV—  People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. 

Matthew 18:2-5 NIV —  He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. 

2 Timothy 2:15 NIV — Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Isaiah 6:8 — Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

This week I am sharing ministry opportunities. Ministry is the act of serving others. I pray that as you read this week you will be open to listening for God’s call for you to minister to others. Perhaps He will lay a new opportunity before you or maybe He will give you ideas to expand a ministry you are a part of currently. My prayer is that each of us will answer God’s call to ministry as in the song I Will Go by Big Daddy Weave.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Psalms 127:3 NIV — Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.

A few years ago as our VBS ended, the leader declared that all the volunteers had been planting seeds all week. What a beautiful reminder. The pulse of VBS is determined by the volunteers who so freely give to the children who participate. We are all called to plant and fertilize seeds. VBS is an opportunity to be a farmer for Christ. Take a moment to read Matthew 13:1-9 NIV.

Do you volunteer your time, talents, or money to help with Vacation Bible School?  What other ways are you farming for Christ and planting seeds? Is this an area you need to cultivate and grow? Ask God to guide you and be willing to surrender to His direction for you in supporting VBS. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank you for VBS volunteers who so freely plant seeds. Guide me as I strive to be a farmer for Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Isaiah 54:13 NIV — All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace. 

Usually the volunteers in charge of Bible story time at Vacation Bible School are creative actors/actresses who relay the Bible story and convey a valuable lesson to the children. The wonderful words they use leave an imprint on the lives of those who hear them. Have you ever helped with Bible story time at Vacation Bible School? If not, have you had the opportunity to listen to the Bible story time? Spend some time recalling your experiences with Bible stories in VBS or even in Sunday School. How have those experiences impacted your faith journey? How did the lessons you learned at VBS shape you? Today I encourage you to ponder the ways your Christian walk is affected by Bible stories today? When you hear stories in your Sunday School class or in worship, is your faith spurred on? Do you listen as if you were a child and allow your life to be transformed and your faith to be renewed? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for my memories of VBS Bible story time and the wonderful words shared with me. Open my ears, heart, and mind to the stories I hear today and may I continue to grow and renew my faith. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

3 John 1:4 NIV — I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Vacation Bible school crafts have come a long way over the years. In past years I have helped with the craft station at our VBS. I enjoyed hearing stories of past VBS crafts and the inventive ways the adults prepared for the crafts. Now, we have the privilege of Pinterest for ideas and ready-made kits for crafts. No matter the technique, crafts provide a hands-on activity to connect children with the Bible stories told. What memories do you have of craft time at VBS? 

What hands-on activities do you participate in now to connect you to the Bible stories you know? Do you serve at your church or in your community in a volunteer position? Do you lead a Sunday School class or sing in the choir? When entering a store do you hold the door open for the person behind you or share kind words with those you meet? Spend some time today thinking of the way you connect with Bible stories and thank God for the opportunity to be His vessel. What technique do you use to live out the Bible to those around you? 

Let’s pray. Thank You Lord for the examples You give us in the stories we read in the Bible. May I be mindful of the techniques I use to exemplify those stories to others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion