JESUS FIRST AND FOREMOST
I am a believer that all ministry has its source in one person – Jesus. According to Colossians 1, it is only in Jesus that we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the visible image of the invisible God . . . By Him all things were created . . . all things have been created through Him and for Him . . . He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church . . . and He has first place in everything . . . All the fullness of God dwells in Him . . . and by His blood He gives us peace with God . . . and although we were once alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled us in His fleshly body through death, in order to present us before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach. It is a personal pet peeve of mine to hear any minister say, "Well, under MY ministry ..." As far as I can read scripture, Jesus Himself said, I am the vine and you are the branches. If you remain in me, and I in you, then you will bear much fruit. For apart from me, you can do nothing. - John 15:5
There is no substitute for a living, moment-to-moment relationship with Jesus. It is impossible to live, much less minister to others, without that internal river of life that comes from being connected to God through Jesus by the Holy Spirit. From Him comes direction, encouragement, peace, new mercies every morning, and the confidence to move forward - trusting that, even when I don't understand, I know that He does–and that He always loves me more than I have the capacity to grasp. This is the source of everything I do in ministry, and my relationship with Jesus colors and influences every aspect of my life. In Him we live . . . we move . . . and we have our being..