This is the third of a three part series on three ways that we who lead God’s people can “guard our hearts” (Proverbs 4:23).
“Guarding our hearts” in ministry helps insure we will finish our life and ministry well and not “disqualify” ourselves. I’ve already written about the need for "God-centered" motives in ministry and for "cross-centered" living. Today I’m looking at a third way of “guarding our hearts” as we lead God’s people – that of living in God’s Word.
3. Is the Word of God "dwelling richly in me"?
Professor J. Robert Clinton and his students carried out a comprehensive study of over 1,200 spiritual leaders. As they examined the results of this research, one things was clear: Those spiritual workers who finished their ministry well were people whose ministry was grounded in Scripture. Dr. Clinton writes,
The Word of God is true and last’s forever (Isaiah 40:8). It equips me to lead God’s people (2 Timothy 3:16-17). If I work to become a Bible-centered leader who uses God’s word in ministry with confidence, then I can be sure that my service for God will have lasting results.[1]
I think one of the greatest challenges in ministry, especially in parts of the world where the work goes ahead slowly, is that of holding on to hope in God and confidence in the message entrusted to us (i.e. the gospel). This is especially difficult when we don’t see many visible results in ministry. Being "filled with hope" is possible, in such cases, only through faith and trust in God. But where does such faith come from?
Faith, when what we are trust God for is not visible, is based on God’s promises. And God’s promises are found in our Bibles. This is one of the reasons why life in God’s Word is so important for those who lead God’s people. We guard our harts when we find nourishment for our souls in the Bible.
[1] J. Robert Clinton, Having a Ministry that Lasts. Barnabas Publishers. 1997. A sampling Clinton’s writings are available for download at: http://www.bobbyclinton.com/articles/
