Do you feel it?

It seems that there is a new wave of the Holy Spirit blowing through our churches. There is a restlessness growing within our pews, an uneasiness, a feeling of excitement stirring from within. The Christian community today is not satisfied sitting in the pews, getting fed spiritually, and then simply going back home. No, there is a desire to do more, a compulsion to go beyond the four walls of our church buildings into the community and serve where there is a need.

Our Lord's ministry is needed in our communities, outside of the pew. The Spirit is moving and bringing about a new wave of service, helping those in need, just like Jesus did. Doing something even small makes such a big difference in the lives of those who do not expect it. We need to stop feeding only ourselves and start feeding others. We need to get out and practice what we preach. Faith without works is dead.

James 2:20,26 – But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. (NASB)

To join this new wave of the Spirit, we could choose to participate in some of these activities:

• Sharing food and drink with the hungry;
• Donating clothing to those who are in need;
• Visiting the lonely elderly and broken-hearted in old-age homes;
• Sharing the message of hope and forgiveness in mental institutions;
• Listening without judgment.

What other activities could you think of? In addition, churches need to organize community outreach activities that their members can get involved in.

James 1:27 – Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. (NLT)

Prayer: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the time has come for a new wave of service to grow. Grant us the courage and the strength to reach out to those in need and thus fulfill Your commandment of loving one another. Ignite a holy fire within us to bring about much-needed changes in our churches. Amen.

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About the author:

Rosemary Hagedorn <rosyhagedorn@gmail.com>
Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada
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