See To It

Daily Reading: Colossians 4

Scripture Focus: Say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” (Colossians 4.17)

Devotional Thought: In Colossians 4, Paul reminded a minister named Archippus: "Fulfill the ministry that you have received." But, it isn't just to Archippus. God wrote the Bible for all of us, and I believe God needs to remind many, many people, "Please do what I called you to do."

What does it mean to see to our ministry?

• Get started. Sometimes the hardest part of a job is getting it started. I have a "workshop" in my basement that I have been meaning to clean up and clear out for literally years. I just kept putting it off. Finally, I asked a friend to come over on a particular day and help me. With her standing there staring at me, what else could I do? I had to get started! And so we cleaned out the room. (We made a mess in the garage, but that's another story!) When God calls us to do something, we need to get started!

• Remove impediments. Is there something preventing you from effectively serving the Lord? I know of a man who felt called to serve on his local church board, but couldn't give up smoking which disqualified him from serving. One day, he just quit, reasoning, that if his smoking was preventing him from serving, and God was calling him to serve, then the only logical thing to do was stop smoking! Are there habits that harm your testimony? Situations that stifle your witness? Prior commitments that press claims upon your time and energy? Remove them!

• Constantly improve. As we fulfill our ministry, God desires to give us greater and greater responsibilities. We can only handle that greater responsibility if we "study to show ourselves approved unto the Lord, a workman who needs not be ashamed."

Prayer: Lord, thank you for including me on your 'team.' Help me to take seriously the assignments you have given me and to fulfill my ministry. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 18.7-12

7 Then the earth reeled and rocked;

the foundations also of the mountains trembled

and quaked, because he was angry.

8 Smoke went up from his nostrils,

and devouring fire from his mouth;

glowing coals flamed forth from him.

9 He bowed the heavens and came down;

thick darkness was under his feet.

10 He rode on a cherub and flew;

he came swiftly on the wings of the wind.

11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him,

thick clouds dark with water.

12 Out of the brightness before him

hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds.