"We are not saved by our good works, but by grace, through our faith. However, Jesus himself has prepared things for us to do that bring His presence into situations: things that bring hope, peace, and joy to the lives of the people we interact with."

Have you ever felt inadequate and known you are not qualified "to minister to someone", but also realized that your heart really wanted to help? Have you ever felt Holy Spirit nudge you to make a difference even though you do not feel equipped?

Ephesians 2:10 ESV says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." We are not saved by our good works, but by grace, through our faith (verse 8). However, Jesus himself has prepared things for us to do that bring His presence into situations: things that bring hope, peace, and joy to the lives of the people we interact with. Does the responsibility of this thought terrify you? How can you step up to encourage others when you feel so unprepared and unqualified? I'd like to build you up today, so that you will feel excited and ready to step out of your comfort zone, and trust God.

One way to begin, is to study God's word and start believing it is written for you. It doesn't reveal a generalized philosophy, but a specific plan for your life. The more you know of God's word, the more you begin to let it transform how you think and believe. Then your true identity in Christ comes into focus. You grow to have faith that He is doing a work, and you can partner with Him. You do not need to have a degree in theology to share your experience with others as you perceive that God is moving. Let's meditate on the following verses and see where God's word leads us.

Romans 8:26-27 "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."

Hebrews 7:24-25 speaks of Jesus saying, "... but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."

God himself is interceding for you, leading you, guiding you, and working in the lives of those you are impacting. You are not doing the work, God is. It is He that is powerful and transformative in your life, and for those you care for. You can recognize that you are powerless, and point the way to the one who is all powerful and all loving.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."

It is God who is in control and is doing the work. We are His, and we continue to grow in character and fruit. When we follow, we represent Him to others. We also present others to God when we pray for them. The Holy Spirit is the deposit of the fulfillment of all God's promises. We can rely on Him.

2 Corinthians 3:4-6 "Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant - not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."

Wow, what a promise! It is God who makes us competent. He is bringing life into situations because He is bringing Himself: His presence. We get to participate and watch Him do miracles. We become stronger, and we find joy in reflecting His character and watching Him heal and deliver others.

2 Corinthians 2:14-15 "Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place."

2 Cor 3:17 "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."

2 Corinthians 3:12 "Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech."

You can put your faith in the one who brings freedom. Be bold because the power rests in God. The joy you receive when you walk with Him will testify to His transforming power.