Service Shows God's Love

Scripture: "Even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many."(Matthew 20:28) If I were physically capable and could choose any job in the Christian Kingdom, I would choose to help young people achieve what seems impossible academically. Ive heard of teenagers that dropped out of school because they feel they arent brilliant, Ive had friends that were frustrated by poor academic background and inconsistent parental follow up, Ive seen potentials that are withering off because of the incompetence of teachers. I would want to get to help them, to help people who need me. But God did not plan that for my life now, at least Im not presently available where these needs are much required but that doesnt stop me from still serving God with my potentials. First of all, He gave me a body that is capable of much physical activity; and secondly, I am here where people needs God given joy.

Gods Plan, Not Ours

Why God would put a passion in someone that they cant physically nor culturally fulfill? The Lord lets us know that My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways (Isaiah 55:8). Do you also feel called to serve in a certain field, but find God leading you down a different path?

The Body of Christ

The Apostle Paul helps us understand some of Gods ideas. The Lord built us certain ways for His reasons, and He knows how we fit into the Body of Christ, even if that is beyond our understanding: In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. If God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with faith. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the

responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly (Romans12:6-8) Maybe God puts various passions in Christians so we can be better at the gifts Hes actually given us.

Jesuss Example
We want to follow the example of Jesus, and Jesus (although He was part of God) came not to be served, but to serve others(Mark 10:45). So we should be servants for the Lord, as well. Even though I cant help babies who need love, I do what I can to serve others. At church, I help with music and organization. At home, I try to make a godly, hospitable environment for guests, and I care for my husband and daughter. For work in ministry, I get to write encouraging messages (like these) and support my husbands work. Maybe God gave me a passion to serve so I can better use my gift to encourage others to reach out.

What Can You Do?

So I do encourage you to serve! What is near you that needs to be done? How can you share Gods love with those around you? Jesus sent His Disciples, saying, Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons (Matthew 10:8). We have the opportunity to serve joyfully; as St. Paul encourages us, Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people(Colossians 3:23) . See if your passions match your gifts and go preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are servants for Jesus sake ( 2 Corinthians 4:5)

Commissioned for a Mission

Scripture: And then He told them, Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.Mark 16:15. Did you know that when you become a Christian, you also accept commission as a missionary? That might not be how we traditionally think of it, but Gods love is so intense and strong that once youve made it part of your life, you cant help but share it! Besides that, we want to do what God expects of us: in the Gospel of St. Matthew, Jesus told His followers,make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.(Matthew 28:19-20);

How Do I Start? With prayer, always with prayer. St Paul wrote, Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. (Colossians 4:2) Communicate with God; He wants to hear from you and share your life. Have a conversation with Him by praying and reading the Bible or fellowshipping with other believers. Work on discerning His will for you, and strive to fulfill it. God calls all of us to share Jesus with the world, and our responsibility is to listen and answer Him with a yes. Pray with an open mind and an open heart. Then be prepared to serve and go and serve again. He gives His people many ways of missioning. Even if you never actually talk to someone about the Good News, they might be watching you, and your Christian lifestyle becomes an example to them. You might be called to share words about Gods love in your family, with friends or coworkers, in your neighborhood, etc. Maybe youll end up sharing Gods love online, even with intentional online missions. Your mission field is your own backyard. God also has job openings in other ways. Churches and missions organizations use many methods to get people to get the Good News to other people!

Supporting and Sending

Jesus told His Disciples, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so I am sending you. (John 20:21) As part of your God-given mission, you might be called upon to follow Jesuss example of sending others physically out into the world on intentional missions experiences. Ways to serve include prayer support, financial support, and material support. Any Christian can fulfill a part of their commission by praying. St. Paul requested from his friends in Thessalonica, Pray that the Lords message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes... Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people The Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from evil. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-3) Those who spread Gods Word and share His love are not well-liked by the forces of evil! So it is important that they are being prayed over. The Bible tells us that The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.(James 5:16) Sharing financial support is one of the easiest ways to help send out a missionary. It can be a joy to work on your ministry through giving, and it is a God-honoring action. God can use whatever we can share: give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7) And when we are generous with the Lords work, He is generous with us: Honor God with everything you own; give Him the first and the best. Your barns will burst; your wine vats will brim over. (Proverbs 3:9-10) The more you give, the more God will give you. Finally, offering material support to send a missionary is similar to providing financial support its still giving, but rather than money, you can give stuff. When you provide for someones physical needs, it is as though you are physically missioning yourself. As the Lord taught, Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)

A Most Important Mission Its a pretty big job that weve agreed to do, but that is what love is about! As Christians, we can trust God to teach us about our own strengths and weaknesses. We can offer ourselves and our skills for God to use to His glory St. Paul wrote, Your body has many parts limbs, organs, cells but youre still one body. Its exactly the same with Christ. By means of His one Spirit, we entered into a large and integrated life

in which He has the final say in everything. A body isnt just a single part blown up into something huge. Its all the different-but-similar parts arranged and functioning together. God has carefully placed each part of the body right where He wanted it. no matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are a part of. Christs church is a complete Body and not not all Apostle, not all Prophet, not all Miracle Worker. (condensed from 1 Corinthians 12:12-31) So find out what part of the body you are. Where and how does God want you to be missioning? He gifted us all differently, so we can all serve in the way He wants us to and well most likely deeply enjoy something He has created us for. Find out where you fit in to help complete the Great Commission

Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved." But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? (Romans 10:13-15)