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Devotionals by Raul Ries

TUESDAY February 25, 2025

Counted Faithful

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry....
1 Timothy 1:12

Paul began to thank Jesus Christ who enabled him to become a part of the ministry. The word enabled means “to have the ability.” Jesus enabled Paul to be a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The word minister is not only in reference to the position of a “deacon,” but literally in the Greek language, it also relates to those who are active in any type of ministry in the Church.

God gives a person the ability for ministry, and then He desires that they are faithful to that call. The word faithful means ”trustworthy.” We are to be trustworthy in all that God has given us to do. Can God trust us to do the work, or are we going to be slothful? When Paul instructed the Corinthians about the ministry, he encouraged them to consider these things: Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).

In 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, “servants” literally means “under-rowers.” It was used of men chained to an oar, as slaves––designated to row on the bottom tier in the ship. The word stewards is in reference to being a “house manager.” Did you know that you are to be a house manager over both the spiritual and material things you have been given? When we stand before the Lord, He is the One who will give the final judgment for our stewardship and faithfulness in all aspects of this life.

Most of us have been given a home, finances, a spouse and children. How are you taking care of them? The mysteries of God have also been given to us as stewards. Be counted as faithful as you share God’s mysteries with others. God has expectations; He wants us to be trustworthy and faithful in everything.

The Lord does not so much look at the work that is done, as at the faithfulness of our hearts in doing it.
~Jeremiah Burroughs~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!

About Somebody Loves You

'Somebody Loves You' program is designed to equip listeners with the necessary tools to live out their faith. 'Somebody Loves You' features Raul Ries' humorous, sensible and comprehensible teaching of God's Word.

About Raul Ries

Raul Ries is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Golden Springs and President of Somebody Loves You Ministries. After his miraculous conversion in 1971, Raul began to read and study the Bible extensively even though he had a limited education. In 1974 he began a home Bible study with seven other committed individuals. Soon, he started to preach and counsel youth during the noon hour at his former high school, Baldwin Park High. Calvary Chapel West Covina grew out of Raul's home fellowship, as well as his Kung-Fu studio, and was soon meeting weekly at an old converted Safeway store. In 1993, the congregation moved to Diamond Bar and occupied a 101,000 square-foot corporate building on 28 acres. Calvary Chapel Golden Springs (as it is now called) draws between 10,000 - 12,000 in attendance weekly.

Author of several books, including Fury to Freedom (the story of his early life and dramatic conversion), Raul Ries has also produced three films: Fury to Freedom (feature film dramatization of the book); A Quiet Hope (a riveting and stirring documentary detailing seven soldier's accounts of the Vietnam War and its aftermath); and A Venture in Faith (a documentary of the history of the Calvary Chapel movement).

Contact Somebody Loves You with Raul Ries

Mailing Address
Somebody Loves You Radio
P.O. Box 4440
Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Telephone
(909) 396-1884