What Is Best For Others

I have been teaching English as a second language as a ministry to 30 immigrants three times a week. I have students from Brazil, Venezuela, South India, Mexico, South Korea, China, Austria, and Hungary. And what a joy it has been! From the first moment I met them all, I had an instant love for each one of them. It also gives me the greatest amount pleasure to to see them progress in learning our language.

My class is the first level, so it is the most difficult to teach. In the beginning, most of them understood very little or nothing at all. This is when my animated skills from years of doing children's ministry came in handy.

Because I have students from India, I was told to dress very conservatively, so as not to offend them. By conservative, I mean my tops must either be dresses or long shirts over pants, and turtle necks underneath.

Since I am not use to dressing like this with so many layers of clothes on, I get over heated when I teach. (I really don't know how I am going to survive when the warm weather comes.) Anyways, whether I survive or not, it is well worth it! because my desire is for each of them to respect me and my faith, so that one day they will receive the salvation message, and be saved. As God's children, we are called to try to do what is best for others, not ourselves, so that many people will be saved.

"Don't give offense to Jews or Gentiles

or the church of God.

I, too, try to please everyone

in everything I do.

I don't just do what is best for me;

I do what is best for others

so that many may be saved."

2 Corinthians 10:32-33 (NLT)

A Spectacular Ministry Versus A Sincere Heart

A spectacular ministry may impress some people, but it doesn't impress God. A sincere heart is what God looks for. A child of God with a sincere heart works hard to persuade others to come to Jesus. While a person with an insincere heart works hard to persuade others to come to him/her.

"Because we understand 

our fearful responsibility to the Lord,

we work hard to persuade others.

God knows we are sincere,

and I hope you know this, too.

Are we commending ourselves to you again?

No, we are giving you a reason 

to be proud of us,

so you can answer those 

who brag about having a spectacular ministry

rather than having a sincere heart."

2 Corinthians 5:11-13

In a sincere Christian ministry, it is Jesus who is spectacular! If it is the ministry that becomes spectacular, then it stems from an insincere heart. Nothing or anyone is to take away from or share the magnificence of Jesus Christ. He must always be our focal point. We are to brag about nothing or anybody else, but our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The More God Will Shower Us

"For the more we suffer for Christ,

the more God will shower us 

with His comfort through Christ."

2 Corinthians 1:5 (NLT)

Many times I have experienced the truth of this verse. The more we suffer for Christ, the more God showers us with His comfort. Standing up for Christ and the truths in His Word isn't easy. In fact, we will most likely suffer for it. However, it is well worth it! The comfort and goodness from God we receive outweighs any sufferings we might experience here on earth because no one or any thing is as wonderful and beautiful as the closeness of God.