*DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTION*

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020

*MINISTRY IN THE MARKETPLACE*

*BIBLE READING: ACTS 16:17-34*

*“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 2 Cor. 5:18-19 (NKJV).*

Since Adam rebelled against God in the Garden of Eden, God has been on a mission to reconcile man back to Him. He has not spared any resource in His quest to redeem mankind and creation. God’s mission on earth required the sacrifice of His only begotten son, Jesus to pay the ultimate Price. Thereafter, God gave us His Holy Spirit to be with us till the close of the Age and preserve the harvest Jesus secured by His blood. This mission to redeem man is God’s heartbeat and there was no price that was too high for God in restoring fellowship with man. The magnitude of this mission (the Great Commission) was emphasized by Jesus to His disciples before He ascended back to Heaven– *“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Mathew 28:18-20(NKJV).*

The Great Commission is not the exclusive mandate of the Five-fold ministry gifts but God’s Assignment to all believers. The Assignment of the Five-fold is basically to equip the believers and ensure that they are mature for the work of the ministry – *“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13(NKJV).*

It is a fallacy to assume that ministry is solely done on the pulpit and reserved for the Five-fold ministers. Apostle Paul inspite of fulfilling his ministry was also a tentmaker- *“So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers (Acts 18:3 NKJV).* Five-fold ministers may utilise the pulpit to equip and empower believers to display their light to the unbelievers in the marketplace. Your job in the marketplace is a platform God expects you to utilise to reconcile the lost back to Him. The fact that you spend about 70% of your time each week day on your job is not a justification for not obeying the Great Commission. However, it is very important that you see your job as a platform for ministry and do your job as unto God – *“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24(NKJV).*

If you don't know where you should function as a marketplace minister, seek God to know the specific sphere of the society He has called you to; such as family, education, government, media, arts and entertainment, religion, or business, then go and gain the requisite knowledge and skills in that sphere that will distinguish you and cause men to come to the saving knowledge of Christ. Do not become a stumbling block to the lost in the marketplace through your conduct; rather, cultivate values such as honour, integrity, diligence, empathy, trust, excellence, etc., which will attract the lost to your God.

*PRAYER
Father, I thank You for paying the ultimate Price to redeem me. I receive grace to be faithful to the ministry of reconciling men back to you daily and using every opportunity. I receive wisdom to take over the sphere of influence You have strategically positioned me for the Glory of your Holy Name, amen.

*CONFESSION
The wisdom of God in me gives me strategies to win souls for Him and to excel in life.