EXCERPT

Serve Me more.

A few years ago, I was disquieted in my spirit. Things were going well enough, yet I could not escape this nagging feeling that something was missing. I had accepted Jesus into my life as Savior and Lord years earlier, and had spent the subsequent years diligently pursuing Him. At the time, I was busy in the church teaching Sunday School, leading Bible Study and singing in the choir. My wife and I were also dedicated to our weekly devotional sessions with one another and with our children. In addition, each month my wife and I published and distributed a free Christian newsletter to encourage and inspire the saints of God. Given this, I truly believed that I was doing what the Lord would have me to do. Yet, something was not quite right.

After seeking the wisdom of God and asking for His help, the Lord spoke to me early one morning and told me exactly what I needed to do to overcome my problem. His answer, however, was not what I expected or wanted to hear. In His still, small voice, the Lord revealed His wisdom and said simply, Serve Me more. These three words threw me for a loop.

Serve You more? But Lord, Im already doing all that I can. Im busy both in the church and outside the church, doing whatever I can to be a blessing to the body of Christ. Im sure I could be doing more but Lord, are You sure that is the answer to my problem? Serve You more? Are You sure Lord?

I stayed in this mode for a couple of days. I simply could not believe that doing more was the cure for my troubled spirit. It just had to be something else, I thought. At that time, I believed I needed to receive, and here God was telling me to give? After a couple of days of contending with God, I finally came into obedience and made a quality decision to do in faith what the Lord had instructed me to do. After all, I had never known the Lord to be wrong about anything.

Within days, the Lord began to show me how I could do more to serve Him. He presented me with new ideas; He made me more sensitive to the needs of others and placed within me a desire to meet those needs; He gave me a true spirit of praise and taught me the importance of ministering unto Him before ministering unto His people. As I purposed to avail myself more to the service of the Lord, an amazing thing happened: that nagging discomfort in my spirit lifted, and I had a joy and peace that I had never experienced before.

The Lord had taught me a valuable lesson: ministry brings the blessing. And it brings it in abundance. Over the years, my wife Evelyn and I have put this powerful principle to work in our lives. We have come to learn that when one of us gets a little down, the best thing to do is to begin doing something for somebody else. Its not always easy, but when we get past ourselves and step in to meet someone elses need, the Lord always steps in and meets ours. Always.

After the Father gave us this personal tutorial in this valuable lesson, the Holy Spirit led me deeper into this truth through the Word of God. In Jesus miraculous feeding of the 5,000 this unshakable principle is vividly brought to life. This story is so important that it is the only miracle recorded in all four Gospels (Matthew 14:13-20; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; and John 6:1-13). Each writer gives his own unique account of this amazing story, adding unique textures and layers to the life-changing principles that are revealed in the Scripture text. As you study this familiar story, you will clearly see that serving others is the key to experiencing prosperity and abundance in your own life.

In this miraculous story, God reveals seven powerful principles relating to ministry. Before examining these principles in detail, however, we will first consider Gods perspective on ministry and meeting the needs of others; a perspective that is clearly revealed in His written word. In all, you will come away with eight life-changing principles that will both establish you and guide you on your rewarding journey as a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, chances are you may have never thought of yourself as a minister of God, but if you are a born-again believer, thats exactly what you are. As you read this book, get ready to discover just how you can fulfill the important call on your life to serve others.

Although this book focuses primarily on Matthews account of the miraculous feeding, interwoven throughout are accounts from Mark, Luke and John that prayerfully will add depth to your study and understanding of this wonderful text. Various translations in addition to the King James Version are also referenced along the way to provide deeper insight into the Lords call to ministry. I pray that you will be blessed by the presentation of this fabulous story, and the revelation that God has blessed me to share with you. I also pray that you will share your spiritual insight with your family, friends and others. Most of all, I pray that you will put the principles contained in this powerful teaching to work in your own life, that you may share firsthand in the awesome discovery of just how wonderfully blessed your life can be when you minister unto others.