God Has A Job For You!!

This is the first of several posts I am planning to write on Christian service. Today we are focusing on the subject of family mission projects. God is at work all around us in the hearts and lives of people we know. But, we must recognize His work for what it truly is and join Him by making ourselves available to reach out to those in our realm of responsibility. My prayer is that we will be sensitive to His leading as we seek to obey his word today!

“Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13) “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

As we consider the true weight on these words we should feel compelled to serve more, to give more, to work more, and to be better stewards of all that God has graciously given to us. God desires that we leverage everything at our disposal for His kingdom. Did you catch the last part of Ephesians 2:10? it says, we are created to do good works which "God prepared in advance for us to do.” This means that God has a job for you. God has a mission for you, today!

There are at least two important thing to note here. First, our works DO NOT earn our salvation. Salvation is a free gift that is available to all who follow Jesus Christ. Our works are simply an expression of our salvation. Secondly, it’s important to note that though we are all part of the same body of Christ, NO ONE can do your job for you. No minister can do it for you, no friend can do it for you, your parents cannot do it for you, your children cannot do it for you. God has a job for you. He wants to use your hands and feet to reach people who desperately need him.

As I was preparing today’s devotional message I thought of a few family mission projects I could suggest to you. But, be mindful of what I just said, “God has a plan for you” so be sensitive to his leading. With that in mind, you may already know what He is leading you and your family to do today. If not, here are few suggestions:

• Reach out to your neighbors. Find a creative way to let them know you care about them.
• You could prepare a special gift for your neighbors like cookies or banana bread, or a potted plant. Be sure to include a note from your family perhaps wishing them a happy summer and hoping to get to visit with them soon.
• Find a way to serve your neighbors (especially elderly persons) by helping them clean their house, or weed their flower beds, or cut their grass, or just go sit and visit with them.
• Visit a nursing home, hospital, shelter, or food kitchen and minister to people in their time of need.
• You might want to try taking a 2 hour mission trip in your neighborhood or to a park to meet people and invite them to your church. I have found that kids are especially great at handing out invitations. My boys love ringing doorbells with me.
• My final suggestion is to consider prayer walking in your neighborhood.

Whatever you decide to do with your family today, be sensitive to the Lord’s leading. He has a plan for you – TODAY! If you have other great family mission project ideas (and I know you do) go ahead and leave them in the comment area of this post. We would love to hear them and perhaps try them out.