*RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

Sunday, November 20th .

Pastor Chris

*And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18).*

In the New Testament, you’d observe that the word “minister” is copiously used. It’s however important to note that there’re three Greek words from which it’s translated. The first one is “doulos,” which is like a servant or a slave. Paul sometimes called himself a “doulos” (a bondservant)—a slave or servant of Jesus Christ *(Romans 1:1)*.

Then another Greek word for “minister” is “hupe‌rete‌s,” which refers to the office of ministry, like we find in the story of the conversion of the Apostle Paul on his way to Damascus. During that conversion, Jesus said to Paul, *“…for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen…” (Acts 26:16)*.

Jesus appeared to Paul and called him into an office of ministry. We also find the same word in *1 Corinthians 4:1: “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers*_ (hupe‌rete‌s) *of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.”*

However, the third meaning of the word “minister” is the one every Christian has been called into, “Diakonia” (Greek), which refers to a person who serves, like someone who’s a waiter. In *Acts 6:4*, it was used to describe the ministry of the Word: *“But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”* We all have the responsibility to be servants of Christ, servants of His message and of one another. You have a responsibility to be a witness for Christ, to deliver the Gospel to other people.

God has made you a competent minister of reconciliation *(2 Corinthians 3:6 NIV)*. So, go wild for the Lord! Open your mouth and declare His Word of salvation boldly anywhere you find yourself. He’s counting on you.

*PRAYER*

*Thank you, Father, for counting me faithful and worthy to be a minister of reconciliation. I’m passionate about the Gospel, and I preach it with boldness to everyone in my world, catapulting sinners from the domain of darkness into your Kingdom of light, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.*

*FURTHER STUDY:*

*2 Timothy 4:1-2* I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

*1 Corinthians 9:16*

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

*2 Corinthians 3:6 AMPC*

[It is He] Who has qualified us [making us to be fit and worthy and sufficient] as ministers and dispensers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not [ministers] of the letter (of legally written code) but of the Spirit; for the code [of the Law] kills, but the [Holy] Spirit makes alive.

*DAILY SCRIPTURE READING*

*1-Year Bible Reading Plan* James 3:14-4:1-12 & Ezekiel 22-23

*2-Year Bible Reading Plan*

1 John 5:1-21 & Daniel 5-6