100 Days of Praise

Recently I heard a new term: eMinistry! Now, I have heard of eCommerce (buying and selling online), but this was something new for me. It was something that struck a chord with me. I'm not sure who coined the phrase, where it began, or even if it's something you have ever heard of, but it has put a new light on what I do here on my blog and in my web presence.

What exactly is eMinistry? I first heard this term over at a wonderful website Christian Mommy Blogger. They define it as this: "eMinistry is how we fulfill the Great Commission without having to leave our house." (Oh I love this!) There is more on their definition if you follow the link. Another website explains "using the web to transform your ministry." (link here). eMinistry is taking His message to the internet - to those who may never hear or see it. Wow!

Before we look into your individual eMinistry, lets take a look at your Spiritual Gifts. Then, we'll take a venture into how your Spiritual Gifts & eMinistry are connected.

First, let us discuss your Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). The image below shows this passage in both the New King James Version (NKJV) and The Message (MSG). Both of these translations are vital in understanding your gifts! Note that EVERYONE has ALL these gifts!

What are the Spiritual Gifts? They are:

- word of wisdom (wise counsel)
- the word of knowledge (clear understanding)
- faith (simple trust)
- gifts of healings (healing the sick)
- working of miracles (miraculous acts)
- prophesy (proclamation)
- discerning of spirits (distinguishing between spirits)
- different kinds of tongues (tongues)
- interpretation of tongues (interpretation of tongues)

How are your Spiritual Gifts and eMinistry related? Think of your own personal blog or online presence. What is it that you write about more than anything? What topics do you write, draw, or create the most? What topics have you devoted to your blog?

Now, think of the Spiritual Gifts. Your Spiritual Gifts & eMinistry are related in more ways than you may have thought of. Look at the following examples:

- If you write tutorials or how-to's for others, it is safe to say that you are working within the gift of the word of knowledge (clear understanding).
- Is your blog about family, reconciling marriages, raising children, relationships? I would say that you are working with more than one gift: word of wisdom (wise counsel), word of knowledge (clear understanding), gifts of healings (healing the sick and broken relationships), and even discerning spirits (distinguishing between spirits).
- Do you create Scripture Art, drawings, or other forms of art? This could be several gifts as well (depending on your message) - word of wisdom (wise counsel), faith (simple trust), gifts of healing (healing the sick and broken).
- Are your posts and writings full of encouragement and inspiration? This could be your gifts of faith (simple trust in God), prophesy (proclamation), gifts of healing (healing the sick and broken), and word of knowledge (clear understanding).

You are using your Spiritual Gifts and may have not even known it! Your eMinistry will blossom as you become aware of your mission and use your gifts! Your calling is to spread His good news. You are called to tell others about Him. You are commissioned to love people and heal the broken - and you do that through your words, writings, and art.

Don't lose heart if your blog is not gaining the momentum you had thought it would. Don't be discouraged if your "numbers" are not rising. Lift your chin up... you are called to do more than watch your "numbers" - your calling is greater! If just one of your creations helps just ONE other person, isn't it worth it all? If just one thing you write changes ONE person's life, isn't it worth it? If just one blog post transforms a marriage, isn't it worth it? If you set one captive free, break one person from their chains, heal a broken relationship, show one person their Heavenly Father's love, teach one person the way of truth, encourage just one... isn't it worth it?

You may not be rewarded with a comment, email, "like", "follow", or retweet, but your reward in Heaven will be GREAT! Hold on to that promise!

I'm sharing this at: Monday MeetUp, Monday's Musings, Motivating Monday,