A SERVING LIFE
Dear Partner,
Faith never stops. And just as Faith never stops, serving others never stops either, ever!
The number one principle when it comes to serving is doing it for the Lord and not unto men. “A true leader serves.” That’s what I learned from watching my Father, Pastor Terry Minor Sr live out during his time on the earth as he pastored for 29 years. And as I observed him and followed after those steps, I can say to this day that I have now faithfully served others, churches, and ministries for 20+ years of my life, and still do to this very day.
In Colossians 3:23 NLT it says…..
23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
When it comes to serving and helping others, there’s hardly ever a bigger gratification elsewhere! It’s similar to what happens to us internally when we give, instead of receiving! Yes we receive, gladly……but in comparison…..something is sparked deep down inside us that only giving can do, and science backs this up! Certain awesome things happen to our brain cells when we give, that doesn’t happen when we receive…..WOW! Giving and serving is literally for our GOOD!
But here’s the thing, not all giving or serving is publicly seen. Some are seen, and some are done privately according to the WORD of God and there are reasons why. Let’s take a look at a few scriptures on serving and giving.
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.
1 Peter 4:10 NLT
And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20:35 NLT
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.
Galatians 5:13-14 NLT
But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
Matthew 6:3-4 NKJV
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Matthew 6:6 NKJV
But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Matthew 6:17-18 NKJV
No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.
Matthew 6:24 NLT
I am not trying to brag or put the attention on myself but here’s a glimpse of what the 20 plus years and counting of what my serving has looked like in churches, ministries and other leaders such as from ministry of helps, painting walls, hammering nails, fixing things, building things, coaching Christian sports teams, handling materials and pickups and drop offs, media team, sound team, computer lab team, worship team, dance team, choir, arts and crafts, children’s ministry, youth groups, running social media accounts, graphic design, logo design, setting up and running the live stream for church services, photography during church services, equipment set up/tear down crew for 17 plus years at ministry events (STILL TO THIS DAY), ministry tv commercial crew, and the list goes on.
And a beautiful part of it is now that I’m married, my wife Hannah has served alongside me for 11 years now in ministry! From outreach events, youth gatherings, small groups, inner city outreach, pastoring a church for 3 Years and 6 Months, books and product creation, and a WHOLE LOT MORE but done in private!
The list of serving I have is more lengthy and interesting than what I listed but here’s an even more interesting part, serving more than half of that list for over 16 years and not a single pay check or donation for any of it. I mean there’s nothing wrong with that, but we don’t serve to “get paid.” If that was the case, there wouldn’t be any servants! However, God, through THE BLESSING will see to it that you prosper and BLESS YOU because of your heart to faithfully serve!! That’s the awesome God we serve. It’ll add to you being put in the right places at the right time and set you up for what’s “next” to come to pass.
But it starts with the heart. Our motives have to be right and pure because what’s in the dark will EVENTUALLY be exposed in the light. As I always shave said, “time exposes everything.”
Serving takes you to another level when your heart is right and motives are pure and you’re doing it for the Lord knowing HE sees you. However, others around you may have no clue where and how you serve continually, and that’s ok, because what GOD sees in secret, He will reward you openly!
I’m reminded of a time after one of my events in Virginia where I rapped, preached, and some elderly as well as young kids received their healing in my meetings. After the event as I helped the church pick up chairs and tables, they looked at me quite strangely and as I perceived their thoughts, this scripture came to mind……
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Matthew 20:28 NLT
Again, I am not bragging, and does this feel funny bringing up? Of course! But it must be talked about more often from leaders! God wants us, as believers to lead with our actions and WORDS!
HALLELUJAH! The intents of this letter is to encourage you to serve God, and if you already are, keep serving! God sees and knows everything you are doing for him. So with that said, pray, trust God for direction and find somewhere to serve!
Faith never stops and neither does serving…..IT’S BEAUTIFUL and it is one of the very most Christ-like things we’ll ever do!!
I am praying for you often! Remember,
ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE IF A PERSON BELIEVES!!
Terry Minor Jr
