A Challenge to Christians and Churches in America
I would like to tell you about our church's Free Bible Ministry.
We began it with God's help about a year ago, and now have 40 businesses helping us hand out free Bibles in our city to anyone who wants them.
We do not argue with people about religion because we are just messengers.
If they want a Bible for free, then they are welcome to it with no strings attached.
We will answer questions, pray with them, take prayer requests for later and listen to them if they want this.
Our small church has really gotten excited about this ministry.
Today, they gave about thirty Bibles to help meet the vast need.
Some we have to repair to the best of our ability, but new Bibles can also be given.
Dollar Tree stores in our area stock new Bibles for just a dollar each.
I don't know if they do this in your area or not, but if you are interested, check it out.
Each of us has a God-given purpose besides the gifts He has given us to minister to others to glorify God and not ourselves.
When I was going through Bible College to get my degree, I had no idea I would be doing evangelism now.
But God taught me through being a hospital chaplain for ten years before I got to the ministry I am doing today with others in our church.
I thought I was destined to become a church pastor, but God had other plans for me.
Through being a chaplain, I learned to listen to others.
One person jokingly said I had a "degree in listening".
What are your listening skills like? If you don't listen you will not get the message someone is trying to communicate to you.
Just like if you were in school and didn't listen to the teacher or professor, you would probably fail the class.
The point is, you can find your purpose and gifts if you pray about it, then learn to listen to what God wants for your life.
This is the only way you can keep from going in circles looking for what you are meant to do.
In college, this kind of person was called a professional student, because they kept taking more and more classes but never used the knowledge.
You or your church may not be called to do a Bible ministry like ours, but God will show you the nature of the ministry He has in mind for you.
Our God is a creative God.
His creating did not stop when He created everything, creating is still happening before our eyes.
When you go on your errands or to the doctor's office, do you care enough to listen to what is being said around you or to observe the body language of people seated near you? Do you care enough to listen or give encouragement, maybe even pray with someone right where you are? As you learn to care and be compassionate, God will open new avenues of ministry for you and your church.
If you have a local swap meet, rent a space and put out Bibles, tracts, brochures about your church etc.
to invite others to know the love of God.
Concentrate on those who are walking by your booth and keep praying as you wait for opportunities to minister.
Put an empty chair next to you so people can sit down if they need to talk to you about something going on in their lives.
Don't worry about the number of people who take a Bible or need prayer, the object is not the number of people but that you are there obeying what God wants you to do in that environment.
I challenge you and your church to ask God for His direction for your ministries.
It is okay if it is different than someone else's, as long as you are obeying God and giving Him the glory.
God will give you the strength and what you need to accomplish His will, but it will be a test of your faith in the process of time.
It may come all at once or you may have to wait for the resources depending on what God wants.
God is not a vending machine, but He wants all of us to trust Him in every aspect of our lives.
Only God knows how much faith you have, so don't be daunted by those who would say "You don't have enough faith".
God will build on the faith that you have in various ways.
He is teaching you in this way to trust Him in all circumstances you experience.
Pray and be open to what God tells you to do.
Learn to listen to God.
Join with others in your church who have a similar vision for ministry, then get out there and hep others with the gifts and resources God will supply.
We began it with God's help about a year ago, and now have 40 businesses helping us hand out free Bibles in our city to anyone who wants them.
We do not argue with people about religion because we are just messengers.
If they want a Bible for free, then they are welcome to it with no strings attached.
We will answer questions, pray with them, take prayer requests for later and listen to them if they want this.
Our small church has really gotten excited about this ministry.
Today, they gave about thirty Bibles to help meet the vast need.
Some we have to repair to the best of our ability, but new Bibles can also be given.
Dollar Tree stores in our area stock new Bibles for just a dollar each.
I don't know if they do this in your area or not, but if you are interested, check it out.
Each of us has a God-given purpose besides the gifts He has given us to minister to others to glorify God and not ourselves.
When I was going through Bible College to get my degree, I had no idea I would be doing evangelism now.
But God taught me through being a hospital chaplain for ten years before I got to the ministry I am doing today with others in our church.
I thought I was destined to become a church pastor, but God had other plans for me.
Through being a chaplain, I learned to listen to others.
One person jokingly said I had a "degree in listening".
What are your listening skills like? If you don't listen you will not get the message someone is trying to communicate to you.
Just like if you were in school and didn't listen to the teacher or professor, you would probably fail the class.
The point is, you can find your purpose and gifts if you pray about it, then learn to listen to what God wants for your life.
This is the only way you can keep from going in circles looking for what you are meant to do.
In college, this kind of person was called a professional student, because they kept taking more and more classes but never used the knowledge.
You or your church may not be called to do a Bible ministry like ours, but God will show you the nature of the ministry He has in mind for you.
Our God is a creative God.
His creating did not stop when He created everything, creating is still happening before our eyes.
When you go on your errands or to the doctor's office, do you care enough to listen to what is being said around you or to observe the body language of people seated near you? Do you care enough to listen or give encouragement, maybe even pray with someone right where you are? As you learn to care and be compassionate, God will open new avenues of ministry for you and your church.
If you have a local swap meet, rent a space and put out Bibles, tracts, brochures about your church etc.
to invite others to know the love of God.
Concentrate on those who are walking by your booth and keep praying as you wait for opportunities to minister.
Put an empty chair next to you so people can sit down if they need to talk to you about something going on in their lives.
Don't worry about the number of people who take a Bible or need prayer, the object is not the number of people but that you are there obeying what God wants you to do in that environment.
I challenge you and your church to ask God for His direction for your ministries.
It is okay if it is different than someone else's, as long as you are obeying God and giving Him the glory.
God will give you the strength and what you need to accomplish His will, but it will be a test of your faith in the process of time.
It may come all at once or you may have to wait for the resources depending on what God wants.
God is not a vending machine, but He wants all of us to trust Him in every aspect of our lives.
Only God knows how much faith you have, so don't be daunted by those who would say "You don't have enough faith".
God will build on the faith that you have in various ways.
He is teaching you in this way to trust Him in all circumstances you experience.
Pray and be open to what God tells you to do.
Learn to listen to God.
Join with others in your church who have a similar vision for ministry, then get out there and hep others with the gifts and resources God will supply.
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