Ministry is truly our Christian gift to others. But we first need to realize that God has called each of us to serve Him in the place He already has us. You do not need to have a degree in Theology to minister. In His eyes we all have a ministry. Many serve Him in church through a variety of ministries, such as music, teaching, youth work, by being a part of the church staff, or even in the mission field. Others serve in their community, at their job, or school, or even at home. Our love looks for a way to be constructive. Love brings out the best in other people.

The Bible tells us that God is love. He does not just have love, He is love! The love we have is truly an extension of Him. God knows you, and He knows your heart desires to serve Him. You are someone that He will use to make a difference, to share His love, and to touch the hearts of others, if you just take the time to listen to Him. Think about that for a minute. The Creator of the universe, who cannot be contained by anything, chose to make His home on the inside of your heart. That means that perfect love is on the inside of you.

"…Follow the ways of your heart…" Ecclesiastes 11:9 (NAB)

If you look at the word "heart" you see the word "ear" in the middle. Your heart is where the Lord speaks to you. If we quietly listen we can hear God talking to us through our heart. When we cooperate with God and submit our will to His, we are allowing His perfect love to flow through us. Trust that He will always lead you in truth down righteous pathways to serve His will and spread His Love.

You may ask, what has qualified you for this high privilege of being used by Him? Is it your talents, your looks, your personality, your education, your influence, or your résumé? It is none of these; rather, it is truly and simply the response of your heart toward Him. Stop ignoring the things that make you unique. You were born at just the right time, in just the right place, with just the right gifts, to fulfill a plan that nobody else but you can fulfill.

Don't just get up in the morning thinking about yourself, and how you can make your own life better. Think about how you can make someone else's life better. Ask yourself, "Who can I encourage today?" "Who can I build up?" You truly have something to offer those around you that no one else can give. Someone in your life needs your help. Someone in your life needs your encouragement. Someone in your life needs to know that you believe in them.

As His servant, remember that your ministry, whatever that may be, is truly His idea and not yours. He is the One who knows you, who has whispered to you in your heart, and who has equipped you to serve Him so that you can help others. God is always searching for those whose hearts are yielded to Him, so that He can work His wonders through them. As you help others, and as you sow seeds of encouragement to bring out the best in them, God will send others along your path that will build you up so that you can also move forward into the blessing He has in store for you!

"For the eyes of the Lord search back and forth across the whole earth, looking for people whose hearts are perfect toward Him, so that He can show His great power in helping them.…" 2 Chronicles 16:9 (TLB).

Ministry is His Christian gift to each of us.

Family-eStore.com will try to provide you with articles of interest to a Christian and patriotic way of life. The articles are written by Steven E Coffman (Owner) of Family-eStore.com (National Essay Contest) winner 1969. I am a person with strong Christian and patriotic beliefs. Tenacity, faith, and a belief in God, Country and Family are key components to success in life.

The Christian articles are only intended to bring you closer in your relationship to our Father in heaven.

The Patriotic articles are only intended to show pride and patriotism to our “Land of the free and home of the brave," (The United States of America).

I hope that you enjoy and are enlightened by them.