Almost 16 years ago, I went through one of the worst times in my life, but it also turned out to be one of the best thing that ever happened to me.
While I was going through this storm and being tried in the fire, God was molding me into a vessel fit for His use. It was also during this two year time frame that I actually became a doer of the Word, instead of just someone just hearing the word, and believing it, but never putting it into practice.
I began to immerse myself in the Word, and found my heart being opened and led to do as God instructed us in Hebrews 13:2-3 and Matthew 25:34 – 45:
Hebrews 13:2-3: Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this osme have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.
Matthew 25:34-45: Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came unto me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ “Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ “Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’
By meditating on thse verses, I discovered a part of myself that I really hadn’t paid much attention to, at least not consciously. I discovered that it is part of my ingrained nature to want to encourage, motivate, inspire and uplift everyone who comes into my life, no matter your race, creed or color. And since I express myself better when I write, I took that desire and turned it into a monthly newsletter that I used to publish titled In the Know, a publication geared expressly toward those in prison.
It has been several years since I last published a newsletter. I let the world get in the way, and because of that, my life has been turned upside down and inside out. I honestly didn’t realize until recently how much of an impact my newsletter had on my life. I’m proud to say In the Know will be back very soon. However, I want to expand my ministry to others, and in this day and age, what better way to reach a whole new audience than by reaching out via the world wide web?
I am the Master’s vessel, cracked but not broken, “…fulfilling my ministry”. (2 Timothy 4:4). And just like the inspired Scriptures, the purpose of The Master’s Vessel is to bring you messaages that are “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
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