MONDAY, JANUARY 15
“Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.”
2 Corinthians 4:1 ESV
WHEN LIFE HAPPENS: HELP OTHERS
An airplane engine caught on fire. The pilot said, “Don’t worry we can fly with three engines.” Then 2nd engine caught on fire. The pilot then said, “It’s O.K. we can fly with two engines.” Finally, the 3rd engine caught on fire. The Pilot was seen walking down the aisle with a parachute, he turned to the passengers and said, “Don’t anybody panic, I’m going for help.”
When people are in trouble they need others who will stick around and help them through it. The Apostle Paul knew what it was like to have bad days. He had several bad days and suffered anything from beatings, to shipwrecks, to imprisonment. But he knew that his pilot would never bail-out on him. During his trials, Paul learned a lesson we all need to heed: One of the best things you can do when you are having a tough time is look for other people who need to be ministered to.
Paul said his ministry was by the mercy of God. Paul had been a persecutor of Christians. He held their coats when Stephen was stoned. He knew that it was only by God’s mercy he was alive and that motivated him to minister to others even on his worst days.
The sense of “mercy” we have received from God should motivate us too. List specific ways God has shown you mercy. Who are some of the people who have stuck around when you were having bad days? Now think of specific people in your life that you think God may want you to minister to. Thank God for His mercy in your life and the people He has used to minister to you.
