Here comes 2009 and as always we wonder what the year holds for each of us, especially when it comes to ministry and what we believe the Lord is asking each of us to accomplish. Here at Be the Gift, the very heart of our Ministry is to offer the opportunity for Christians to put their faith into action, particularly in the areas of helping single parents in their community and helping orphans around the world.
The reason we are so passionate about getting Christians into action is because it is the very essence of how God made us. We believe that our spiritual journey was never meant to be full safety and predictability, but full of adventure, challenge and yes even some danger. Jesus didn't die on the cross just to keep us safe, Jesus died on the cross to empower us for an adventurous spiritual journey. What we are missing in the church today is not education or resources, because most of us are educated way beyond the level of our obedience (let that soak in). We don't lack the resources to help single parents, orphans or to spread the Gospel around the world.
Dare I suggest that what the twenty-first
century church needs are more daring people
with more daring plans?
Daring plans like in 1 Samuel 17 where a young man named David had a plan to defeat a giant that defied the armies of the living God with only five stones. In Kings 18 a prophet named Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal, taunting and making fun of them throughout the day before finally calling upon God where fire fell from Heaven. How about Paul's daring plan, in the city of Lystra (Acts 14) where some Jewish men rallied the crowd against him. Paul was then stoned by them and dragged outside the city thinking he was dead. Paul's plan, he gets up and goes back into the city. All over God's Word we read about men and women experiencing a journey that takes them to a place beyond themselves, where only God can take them.
Being in the ministry for over 25 years I have never seen Christians get so excited until they see God use their talents and abilities and love of Jesus to minister to HIS people. They come back from an orphanage where they helped feed hundreds of children, they helped a single mom fix a problem with her home or they raised money to help someone in need.
Something special happens deep within a Christian when they give of their time, step out of the church walls to help someone in need and live on the edge for Jesus Christ.
The will of God is not an insurance plan;
The will of God is a bold and courageous plan.
Come and get involved with Be the Gift with one of our single parent projects or mission trips, I promise your life will never be the same. Give us a call to see how we can help each other. God Bless and have a happy, adventurous and challenging New Year!!!
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