Ministering to Others

[LauraA]

Let's share some ideas of how we can minister to others. I was listening to the radio and they were talking about ways to minister in a tight economy. Here are some of the ideas:

1) Take a meal to a neighbor or friend who isn't feeling well, or would like a few minutes of company. You have to cook anyway, so making one or two extra portions shouldn't cost too much. Let them see the love of God in you.

2) Watch a single parent's child for a couple hours. It won't cost anything, but will be a blessing to him or her.

3) Clean the house for an elderly neighbor or relative. Visit for a few minutes.

What are your ideas?

[Meadow]

The Lord spoke to my heart yesterday and said "It only takes a few words that can make all the difference." The opportunities are there and we face them every day whether it's at work or at Walmart or a gas station- the world is full of hurting hearts and a few kind words can make all the difference in your day and attitude. It's important to remember how your day is going can and will affect others around you. If you shop somewhere on a daily or wkly basis take notice of who is around you and be willing to open a door God puts before you. Make a habit of going thru the same person's check out line get to know them at little more each time you go and each time shine that light let God do the work through you. He will eventually open that person's heart up to you and they will be drawn to you because of seeing the Love of Christ in your life.
A few years ago I had a woman come up to me and said, "You are glowing in the spirit. The Lord is very strong in your life." That was a very special moment and memory for me from someone that doesn't even no me to come over to me to tell me that. But it's truly seen in our actions offered in Christ's Love.

[Kelly]

I had a similar experience Leigh. My friend & I went to Jeremy's show in Snyder. It's a small town and I quickly realized it's a VERY Christian town! The people there were just SOOO friendly! The night we got there, my friend and I went to WalMart to get gifts for the guys & this lady stopped us & said "You two have the most beautiful Christian smiles!" So sweet! :)

One thing I've always heard about doing is paying for the person behind you in a drive-thru restaurant. Love that idea!

There are SOOOO many little things you can do too...something as simple as a smile and a "hello" to a stranger can make all the difference to that person & you may not even know it.

[Convicted]

I agree with everything you guys have said.

1) I think just the way we live, ourselves, can greatly minister to someone else. More than we know at times. So first off, I'd say making sure our own lives are aligned with God; which then is a reflection of His love to others, since His power is working in us. Plus, once our own hearts are in the right place, God instills in us the desire to go out and willfully minsiter to others.

2) Reaching out to others in whatever way you can. Just taking the extra time to think about people, and involve yourself in their lives. People want love; and this world doesn't have much of it. In fact the world in itself doesn't have any. When I ask people the question (which I do often to get them thinking) "What is love?" It's really heartbreaking to know that most of them don't even know the real answer.... And some don't even "believe" it exists. Though I know they still feel the longing for it deep down inside. But the more we "Go the extra mile" for someone, the more His love pierces into their hearts, and can penetrate through those barriers that are blinding their eyes, to reveal to them Love. And sometimes we can be completely clueless of how much of an impact we're really having in their life. Just things like simply smiling to strangers, or just saying a kind phrase to someone you don't even know.... initiating a conversation with someone to show interest and concern, and compassion for their life. So often, you can just walk by someone, knowing the Truth, and make it like they don't exist because we're so concerned with our own lives that we don't want to stop and take the time (for various reasons) to think of someone we don't even know. But that's exactly what Jesus did. He exerted Himself in the lives of those others forgot about.... If we're Christians, we should be all the more passionate to reach out to others since we know this hope that's everlasting, and can truly save someone from an eternity of destruction. Actually I never once had anyone come up to me on the street, (or anywhere) and say Anything to me about God. I guess I was always that person. =] But it's kind of sad. I think ir all really comes down to having compassion for others, and being more selfless. Let's take a moment to think of why, we don't minister to others more often? ............ There probably are some genuinely valid reasons, however, how many of those reasons aren't that valid? What makes them valid and what does not? What prevents us from being more concerned about others to the point that we actually reach out to them?

I could think of various things we could do, but I think those reasons vary on the situation and the person you're with. I'd just pray to God, to open my eyes a little more further, and ask Him to show me more opportunities that I could be a blessing to someone else. Much of the time, we have to take the initiative when reach out to people. Usually, when I go to a store, people always want nothing to do with anyone... even at most Christians stores, which is disappointing. Anywhere you are, just be a witness of His love. Whether you're at a restuarant, a grocery store, a gas station, a mall, a church, a community event, your neighborhood, or just walking anywhere and you see someone... Just show the other person His love, in whatever you can.

[cori]

i've done the paying for the person behind me thing before, and..it's AMAZING!!! :) especially if they don't know you're doing it until you're already gone. :D i LOVE it!

everything that you all have posted already are definitely GREAT ministry opportunities. anything i would suggest are either already posted, or some variation on one of them. i'm NOT accepting that as a completed assignment, though - i'm challenging myself to find at least 2 other ways to minister to someone, different from what is already posted. :) (this could take a while...i'm not very original...lol...)

[Convicted]

Hm... When ambulances drive by with their sirens blaring... sometimes I pray for the situation and any people involved.

When I'm driving, or sitting a parking lot waiting for someone.... I always tend to contemplate about the big picture, and I tend to think about all the people who are around at that time. And I'll just start intensly praying for people... and they don't even know it. I'll even pray for the property where stores are located!!! And sometimes, I'll just watch people in a hurry or traffic.. (and those who constantly go over the speed limit!) and I'll just think, "Everyone's in a hurry.... but do they really know their True destination?" So... I do a lot of praying, in situations like that.

There's other things we can do though... Like I mentioned in another thread... You can go to nursing homes, homeless shelters, knock at peoples doors, give a gift to someone out of the blue, call a random phone number and try to start a conversation? lol or you could just tell them three words... You never know what will influence someone's life. Do something for someone they don't expect; that's usually something that will catch their attention the most.

I could think about this in detail for a long time.... I think we should just challenge ourselves to experiment more, and take another step outside our comfort zone, to reach out to others. God may ask us to do something for someone that we may not even want to do... But it's definetely worth obeying Him.

[LauraA]

Another way to minister to people is to send a card. Ask the Lord to place someone on your heart who could use a little encouragement, and send them a card. It can really make someone's day.

[Meadow]

Hm... When ambulances drive by with their sirens blaring... sometimes I pray for the situation and any people involved.
When I'm driving, or sitting a parking lot waiting for someone.... I always tend to contemplate about the big picture, and I tend to think about all the people who are around at that time. And I'll just start intensly praying for people... and they don't even know it. I'll even pray for the property where stores are located!!! And sometimes, I'll just watch people in a hurry or traffic.. (and those who constantly go over the speed limit!) and I'll just think, "Everyone's in a hurry.... but do they really know their True destination?" So... I do a lot of praying, in situations like that.

There's other things we can do though... Like I mentioned in another thread... You can go to nursing homes, homeless shelters, knock at peoples doors, give a gift to someone out of the blue, call a random phone number and try to start a conversation? lol or you could just tell them three words... You never know what will influence someone's life. Do something for someone they don't expect; that's usually something that will catch their attention the most.

I could think about this in detail for a long time.... I think we should just challenge ourselves to experiment more, and take another step outside our comfort zone, to reach out to others. God may ask us to do something for someone that we may not even want to do... But it's definetely worth obeying Him.

I do that too. :) Prayer is so powerful! Back in OCT we had this fall gathering at church- cook out, bonfire & marshmallows...but we all were gathered around the fire and the pastor's wife gave us each a piece of paper and pen. We were told to write a prayer and that once we were all done would pray and then put our prayers into the fire. I wrote a entire page. I can't remember word for word, but I do see the Lord responding to some of those prayers. I thought it was a pretty cool idea and now looking back at how it means so much more to me seeing those prayers being answered. It definitely wasn't a typical prayer time- it was even more sacred!
For those who haven't heard me say this (i mean read not say):
To me a prayer is like a "platenium" Hallmark card that we don't deserve and we definitely can't afford the price, but the price was already paid. Jesus paid the bill before we even thought about how much it would cost. An endless flowing river of grace and mercy. May my prayer set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice Psalm 141:2.
Prayers should be sacred to each of us. :)

[Meadow]

Another way to minister to people is to send a card. Ask the Lord to place someone on your heart who could use a little encouragement, and send them a card. It can really make someone's day.

Laura- I have to thank you- you have blessed me and encouraged me soooo many times w/ your special cards you put your own sweet personal touch on. :) Love you Leigh

[LauraA]

Thank you, Leigh. You're so sweet....:)
I love you.

[drake71449]

cards are awesome...we are thinking about getting a dvd cam to record services and take to ppl who dont attend or cannot attend

:p

[chatterbox4christ]

I work in a grocery store and with me being a cashier I come in contact with people everyday...except the days im off of course. I simply say hey how are you...and when they wait for their groceries to be bagged they'll open up about what their going through and a lot of the stuff I can relate to.. its gotten to the point now that even when im not at work, like at walmart and I see someone I want to ask them how are you doing today? well me being from alabama I usually say how are yall today? lol but no in all seriousness my workplace has helped me open up so much more now

[Kelly]

I'm the same way. I work at a storage unit on Saturdays and when people come in to move in, I hear all kinds of stories. You'd never think working in a little office at a storage unit would provide opportunities to teach people about God, but boy is it ever! I hear stories of divorce, death, homelessness....it breaks my heart, but I've had many customers tell me that I've brightened their day, just by my attitude or my smile, which is so humbling and awesome to hear at the same time! You don't have to bring each person you talk to, to God right away...just that one little step...one kind word....one smile....could change just one day in a person's life and you never know what could happen from there!

[chatterbox4christ]

even though you plant that seed it may not grow til days later or years later...

[chatterbox4christ]

and when that day comes they'll say to themselves you know something there was something different something peculiar about that guy or that woman..