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Devotion:
The
saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those
who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. And
let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, to help cases of
urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
Titus 3:8, 14 (ESV)
These are instructions from Paul to Titus, Paul’s ‘son in
the faith.’ Paul tells Titus how to guide people to build a strong church in
Jesus Christ.
Paul speaks to us in today’s world as well. We who
believe in Christ are to dedicate ourselves to do good works in our churches
and in the world. We are to respond to the needs we see around us in helpful
ways. Not to be stagnant but to produce good fruit for Christ.
We do this by putting feet to our prayers. Getting out
and seeing where the need is greatest and working to fill that need.
A woman I an acquainted with got her picture in the
newspaper because she went to a local Christian Center and served meals.
Another woman, a friend, also go written up by the
newspaper for her efforts in assisting those families whose homes were lost due
to a fire. She recently finished work on an associate degree.
One of the men at our church is a firefighter. One winter
morning he and his crew received a call to extinguish a home fire that took the
lives of two small children. He and a few others created Fire Rescue Houses for
victims who went through losing their homes because of fire.
A faith-based organization that I worked in assisted
children who had a parent who was incarcerated. The woman who founded that
organization is an active member of our church.
God has a purpose for each of our lives. It may be
working in our churches or working in our communities. It may be working with
children or with senior citizens. We need to pray and ask Him to direct our
lives in ways that please Him.
Has God ever led you to work for Him in your community or
in your church? Did He equip you for that task beforehand or as you worked in that ministry?
Well said Cecelia. Yes, we heard His voice as well... that's when we started our non-profit Traveling Light, we support projects in 30 nations in Europe. We also have a coffee house in our town together with some friends, we receive people from all walks of life and listen to their stories.
ReplyDeleteMarja: Thank you. You truly have a servant's heart.
DeleteWow, I love these stories of people doing special things to help others in the community. So wonderful that they are willing to put their own lives on the line so to speak to help others. May God bless their efforts and help those in need. I truly admire those who are able to do such things. I guess we all do our part in different ways. Some of us maybe can't do the physical labor involved, but we can give of our money, prayers and other ways that support those who are out there. This really causes me to think about the way I spend my time...
ReplyDeletePam: The faith-based organization that I worked in closed several years ago. I spend my time writing and trying to pray for the needs of others and helping financially some city ministries through our church. God has been good to me and my family and allows me to do these things. Some time ago, I wondered if I was fulfilling the purpose He has for me.
DeleteCecelia, the ministry we have could would not and could not exist if it wasn't for the prayers and financial support of people... who probably never leave home!
ReplyDeleteI understand that. I have seen it work that way. Churches I have been in have had excellent times because of their mission outreach. God is good, all the time. I will add the name of your ministry to my prayer list.
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