COLD GRITS

 Article by Billie Miller

I grew up in the Deep South, Vicksburg, and a small city in Mississippi. One thing I love about the south is the good southern home cooked meals. This country boy loves to eat! LOL. As a southerner, during breakfast time, I prefer grits over potatoes. I love grits, especially when they’re seasoned right. I can almost taste them now – with some scrambled eggs with cheese; with some sausage, ham, or bacon. Yuuummmmm. Have you ever had fish and grits? Ok, now I’m officially hungry.

As much as I love grits, there are times when I don’t like them. I cannot stand cold grits. Have you ever had cold grits before? If you let them sit for too long, they’ll become hard, cold, and flaky. Nobody likes grits this way. Let me ask you a question. Even though the grits are hard and flaky, aren’t they still grits? Yes, they’re still grits, but they’re in a position or state that’s not enjoyable. Yes, they’re still grits, but when they’re cold it’s a turnoff. Yes, they’re still grits, but nobody likes them this way.

Another thing I love is a good ministry. I love it when a ministry is changing lives in their community or around the world. I love to see a ministry sharing the Love of Jesus Christ. I get excited when I see a ministry sowing into the lives of people.

As much as I love ministry, there are times when I don’t like them. I cannot stand a ministry that is traditional, self-centered, or just plain old greedy. If a ministry is not demonstrating the Love of Jesus Christ, they often become like the hard, cold, flaky grits. This is the reason why many churches don’t grow. A ministry that’s called by God can get distracted and become like the cold grits. Let me ask you a question. Isn’t it still a ministry? Yes, it’s still a ministry, but they’re in a position or state that’s not enjoyable. Yes, it’s still a ministry, but they are a turnoff. Yes, it’s still a ministry, but nobody likes them this way.

So what is the solution or remedy to this cold grits ministry? Here’s your answer. The best way to prevent grits from getting hard and cold is to continually stir them. By stirring the grits, you keep them in its pleasant state.

Likewise, churches and ministries are like grits – They need to be stirred up to keep them in its pleasant state. How does a ministry, the body of Christ, get stirred up? We do so by reminding each other about the Word of God.

“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you…”

2 Timothy 1:6

“Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you,”

2 Peter 1:13

“Beloved, I now write you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder),”

2 Peter 3:1

This is where a lot of churches have missed it. You want your church to grow? You want your ministry to be effective? Stay stirred up with the Word of God. People will be drawn to a stirred up ministry like southerners are attracted to stirred up grits.

BILLIE MILLER “The Motivational Minister” is a Bible teacher, speaker, and the #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of “Life in Righteousness: The Word is Your Life” and “30 Days of Righteousness: The Word is Your Life Action Plan”. Thousands of lives have been changed through Billie’s powerful teachings. For more information please visit www.BillieMiller.com. Follow Billie on twitter (@BillieMiller7) and on facebook (BillieMillerPage).