Ministry Business

 

Ministry Business

"And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 
(Luke 2:49)

Walk-Line:

What is our ministry business? Maybe you have never thought about this? You have your personal business, family business, your work business, school business, and social business. But what about your ministry business? And where does it stand as a priority in your life?

Luke 2:49 is a profound verse where Jesus, as a young boy, responds to His worried parents after they find Him in the temple: “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” This moment reveals several powerful biblical insights:

1. Jesus’ Awareness of His Mission

 Even at a young age, Jesus understood His divine purpose. He was committed to fulfilling God’s plan and was already engaged in teaching and learning within the temple. Have we ever asked yourself, even at a young age, what is God's plan for me, in regards to ministry for for Him? If we never have, as Long as we have breath, it's not too late to ask ourselves that question now.

2. Priority of Spiritual Matters 

This verse highlights the importance of prioritizing spiritual growth and devotion to God’s will over earthly concerns. Jesus was deeply invested in matters of faith, setting an example for His followers. Even as professed Christians, how often do we place earthly concerns, over spiritual matters?

3. Understanding of Identity

Jesus refers to God as His Father, emphasizing His unique relationship with the Father and foreshadowing His role as the Savior. It is important to know what are relationship is with God. He is our Heavely Father, who is our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of our lives. We are His children, and through His Son Jesus, we are His redeemed children, who belong to Him, and long to serve Him, all of our lives.

4. A Lesson in Seeking Him

His words indirectly challenge us: Where do we seek God? He is found in places dedicated to learning, wisdom, and the pursuit of truth. Jeremiah 29:13 says "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Are we seeking God everyday? Are we seeking to know His will for our lives? We get so busy seeking our own will, and wants, that we leave God out of the picture, all together. And how miserable that can become.

This passage ultimately encourages believers to be devoted to God’s calling and to actively pursue spiritual wisdom. What is your ministry business? I hope if you have not pursued it, you will be like Jesus, and be about it today. 

You will never regret it! GP

To be about our Father's business,
Is the call upon our lives today.
To know whom we belong,
To accept Him, and abide with Him
For all eternity.
_____g/Patterson 2025 All Rights Reserved
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2025 All Rights Reserved.

The Trust Factor

 

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 The Trust Factor 

 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently see Him." (Hebrews 11:6) 

Walk-Line: 

In the last few weeks, if have been tested with the challenge of trusting God. Why do I say it has been a challenge? I say this, because that which I have been dealing with lately, has brought about thoughts of fear, anxiety, and frustration. I am one that instead of searching for the peace I can find in the Lord, I become overwhelmed and angry over my negative circumstances. 

The Hebrew writer tells us that God counts on us, as His people, to exercise faith in Him. He is not pleased with us, if we don't trust Him. Two things stand out as requirements of demonstrating this faith. 

First, we must believe with all our heart that God is real. 

That He is a person, a spiritual being. 

Second, that He has our best interest at heart. 

That He will be our provider, the rewarder, of us, who diligently seek Him. 

 After many years of being a Christian, and a pastor, encouraging other people to have faith, you would think that by now, this would be an easy thing? As fellow believers, you know that dealing with the attacks of Satan, to cause us to worry, and despair, is not an easy endeavor. But the apostle Paul knew that the Lord Jesus Christ cares for us, when we find ourselves facing the severe battles of life. He provides the wisdom, and the strength to endure, whatever comes our way!

His response, should be our response as well. "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) 

When I am anxious, and deeply overwhelmed. 

When I am doubtful about how things will turn out. 

I can go to Jesus, and bring my cares to Him. 

He will give me the strength, to overcome my fears and doubts. 

 _____g/Patterson 2025 All Rights Reserved. 

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The Church: A Place Of Community

 

The Church: A Place Of Community

Walk-Line:

I know that the main purpose for coming to church is to worship God. As a community of believers, that is to be our highest priority. But there are times when I feel that believers come to church to be entertained, instead of receiving encouragement from our worshipping and fellowship together. It's like we are coming to see a show, instead of opening up our hearts to God, and to one another.

There are many Scriptures that highlight the importance of the church as a community, emphasizing unity, love, and mutual support. Here are a few key passages:

Acts 2:42-47

This describes the early church's fellowship, where believers devoted themselves to teaching, breaking of bread, and prayer. They shared everything in common, met together regularly, and cared for each other's needs—a beautiful picture of community.

 Hebrews 10:24-25

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another...” This calls for believers to gather and support each other.

Romans 12:4-5

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” This reminds us of the interdependence of believers within the church.

Galatians 6:2

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” This speaks to the care and support members of a Christian community should offer one another.

These passages collectively show how Scripture encourages the church to be a family—a place of connection, belonging, and love. 

When we come to church, does it feel like we are coming to an entertainment event? Or does it feel like we are coming to join with our Christian family, to worship, and to encourage one another, as the body of Christ? GP

We are called as Christians to assemble ourselves together.
Not to be entertained, as many think.
But to worship and encourage one another,
with God's Word we diligently seek!
______g/Patterson 2025 All Rights Reserved

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The Length Of Our Days

 

 

The Length Of Our Days 

 "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12) 

Walk-Line: 

 This year I will be 72 Years of age. When I look back on my life, I think about all the experiences I have had. Experiences shared with family, friends, the churches I have served, the job experiences outside the pastoral ministry. All the the things that I hoped to accomplish, and those that I did, as well as those I didn't. To see how I have grown, and matured over the years. It is quite an experience in itself, just to think about the past years, and all that has taken place. And the question that haunts me, is whether I accomplished what the Lord wanted me to? Did I please Him in the years of my dwelling on this earth, in this life? And most of all, am I ready to go home to be with Him, when He calls me? 

Have you taken inventory on your life? I would say that the most important question for all of us, is: What is our relationship with our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ? Have we accepted Him, as such, and are we striving to live for Him, all the days of our lives? Yes, we need to "number or days" and make them count for the Lord, as we journey through this life. GP 

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Our days, how fleeting they are, 

Like the sand in an hour glass, 

They quickly gather to an end. 

How did we live our lives? 

Did we do all that the Lord intended for us to do?

We are to number our days, and think seriously about them! 

____g/Patterson 2025 All Rights Reserved. 

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The Small Church

 

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Walk-Line

This last Sunday, our pastor reminded us of the significance and role of a small church. I thought I would share some Scriptures that speak to this subject.

Matthew 18:20 - "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." This verse speaks to us that the presence of Jesus is not dependent on the size of the congregation, but on the unity and devotion of the believers.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 - "Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him." These verses emphasize that God's power and purpose are often revealed through humble and seemingly insignificant things, including small congregations.

Revelation 3:8 - "I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." This is our Lord Jesus' message to the church in Philadelphia that highlights that even small churches with little strength can have a significant impact by remaining faithful to God's word.

Acts 2:42-47 - "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Here Luke describes the early church, which started small but grew through its dedication to fellowship, teaching, and prayer.

These Scriptures can offer encouragement to small churches, reminding them that their size does not limit their potential to make a significant impact for God's kingdom. 

No matter the size of our Congregation,
No matter the size of the building where we meet.
What matters is that the presence of Jesus, 

resides in the hearts of those precious Saints. 
_____g/Patterson 2025 All Rights Reserved.
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Bummer Lambs

 

Bummer Lambs

" I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me," (John 10:14)

Every once in a while, an ewe will give birth to a lamb and reject it. There are many reasons she may do this. If the lamb is returned to the ewe, the mother may even kick the poor animal away. Once a ewe rejects one of her lambs, she will never change her mind.

These little lambs will hang their heads so low that it looks like something is wrong with their necks. Their spirit is broken.

These lambs are called "bummer lambs." Unless the shepherd intervenes, that lamb will die, rejected and alone. So, do you know what the shepherd does?

He brings the rejected lamb into his dwelling, feeds it by hand, and ensures its warmth near the fireplace. Wrapping it in blankets, he cradles it against his chest, allowing the lamb to sense his heartbeat. When the lamb gains sufficient strength, he reintegrates it into the field alongside the rest of the flock.

But that sheep never forgets how the shepherd cared for him when his mother rejected him. When the shepherd calls for the flock, guess who runs to him first?

That is right, the bummer sheep. He knows his voice intimately.

It is not that the bummer lamb is loved more, it just knows intimately the one who loves it.

It's not that it is loved more, it just believes it because it has experienced that love one on one.

So many of us are bummer lambs, rejected and broken. But He is the good Shepherd. He cares for our every need and holds us close to His heart so we can hear His heartbeat.

We may be broken but we are deeply loved by the Shepherd.

~ Author Unknown / Dawnings

Have you ever been rejected, like a 
"bummer lamb" of the fold?
Be assured, Jesus, our Good Shepherd,
will keep us tightly, in His hold.
_____g/Patterson 2025 All Rights Reserved.
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Here In The Real World

 

Here In The Real World

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

(2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

Walk-Line:

Alan Jackson recorded his first single that climbed the charts, entitled: "Here In The Real World." A song that speaks of how things in a couple's relationship is not always like what is portrayed in the movies. Sometimes there is not a happy ending. The apostle Paul speaks of a delusion that people will have in the last days. He calls it a "wicked deception for those who are perishing." It's fine, if we just indulge ourselves in the things of the world, instead of embracing the truth from God's Word, that speaks of how things are "Here In The Real World." The truth is that,"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God, is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) 

In Christ we can have the hope of salvation and the abundant eternal life, right here, right now, in this real world! GP

The world cannot promise eternal hope,
In this real world we know.
But Jesus provides the blessings of heaven,
That this world cannot, here below!
______g/Patterson 2025 All Rights Reserved.

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