Greetings My Friend,
In order to live my life fully at this point I need to be focused on "me" quite a bit. Having Parkinson's Disease I choose to learn as much as I can, allow myself the time I need to replenish myself and to even cook the right foods that will help me. Being this self focused is strange to me although it is necessary. I have been asked to work in ministries such as women's circle and such and I can no longer do these things. Sunday's is the day I allow myself to be "over" busy since I go to Sunday school, services and evening Bible study. Part of my Sunday routine is a 2 hour nap between church and evening Bible Study. I miss being in ministry activities such as mission trips, being involved in the work of the church and such although God has me in ministry that aligns with my abilities. Ministry for me is online, writing and praying for the most part and when I am out I can always be a smile to a clerk who is having a hard day. In all of this my life is full and rich even with my disabilities. In 1 Thessalonians I read, " Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God and our Father;" Paul was saying he prayed constantly for the new believers and the work they were doing. This passage reminded me of the importance of prayer in ministry and comforted me. I generally pray for family, friends, our church, country etc. What I was reminded in this passage is that those in ministry also need a lot of prayer for strength in difficulties and fruitfulness in their work. There are persecuted Christians around the world who need strength to continue on the fight for what they believe in Jesus' work on the cross. There are missionaries who are in countries that won't allow Christian's to spread the Word and their lives are in constant danger, so prayer is needed for them as well. Even at home prayer is needed for our minister's, youth director's and Sunday school teachers. The work of the church in the community needs prayer needless to say I have a lot of untapped work to do for the sake of advancing the Gospel as Jesus directed us to "go forth into all the world making disciples of every nation and tribe." In my reflection's I also realize not all work of the Gospel is visible, there is a lot of behind the scenes work going on all the time, like the Bible being translated into more and more languages, people organizing the mission areas that missionaries enter into. Then I am also reminded that the Gospel can be given at a restaurant by the way I tip the waiter, speak to the wait staff and even pray over my meal. I love the lesson I learned one time of "preach the Gospel and sometimes use words," in other words our actions do much for advancing the message of Jesus Christ. I suppose I could end that sentence with and pray that you will be a witness in word and deed so that Jesus would be known in as many ways as possible. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet
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