Reflecting God's Power in Our Ministry

[S] Nehemiah 6:16; Luke 24:52-53 --
 ¹⁶When all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations surrounding us saw it, they lost their confidence; for they recognized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. 
 ⁵²And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
 ⁵³and were continually in the temple praising God.

[O] Nehemiah 6:16 highlights the implicit nature of doing God's ministry which cannot be compromised.  When others, especially including our enemies, recognize that our ministry is accomplished by the help of our God (i.e., God working through us), our fame is reduced and God's glory is raised and praised.  People should really say that it couldn't have been done by man's efforts alone and so it had to be God who worked through those who are involved. Whenever the other people's credit stop with men, we need to be very careful not to push our proud-o-meter into the red zone.  Under the Nehemiah's leadership, what seemed totally impossible got done and yet the credit was given to God.

[A] In a different context, but in Luke 24:52-53 the picture of the people returned with great joy and were continually praising God in the temple looked so refreshing and this happened right after they had experienced the power of God through the ascension of Jesus Christ.  Likewise, as we continue to roll out the small group ministry at our church, we need to keep in mind God's power must be transparently displayed and the people who recognize that are filled with great joy and continuous praising of God.

[P] Dear God, as we develop our small group ministry at church, please protect our hearts so we won't cloak Your glory in the midst of us.  May we reflect Your mighty power and let that reflection touch many lives and in the end bring us to the point of great rejoicing and praising in You.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.