How to serve God

You may not want to go to the wilds of Africa or Asia. You may not even want to work with the youth of your church, but rest assured, God does want your service. There are a myriad of ways to accomplish "missionary work" from your own home or neighborhood. Read on....

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bible
• Willing heart

1. Take one of the major steps in serving God by establishing and nurturing a relationship with Him. Bible study and prayer are the two basic ways of starting out. Realize He is your God and invite Him into your heart.

2. Keep your eyes open now that you have the most important connection in your life established. God has a way of bringing opportunities for service right to you. Serving God is an every day event. Look for situations that you have power to act in. Then act. It may sound simple, but that is because it is simple.

3. Serve God in creative ways. Do you go camping? Invite a single mother and her children to go with you. Is there an elderly person eating at a restaurant? Ask to pay that bill with yours and leave them a message about God's love. Is someone broken down beside the road? Offer to call for help-unless you can do the help yourself. If you have it, offer them a bottle of water while they wait. If it is a woman who is alone, offer to wait with her until help arrives. Can you repair autos? Have a work day in the church parking lot and check the cars of the elderly, poor, single mothers, and college students. Speaking of college students, invite a few home for a home-cooked meal. Do you know someone who cannot come to church because they do not have a ride? Become that ride. Do you have carpentry skills? Get a group together and help someone who needs house repair but cannot afford it. Do you have a rake or two? Arrange for a group to do leaf raking at your elderly neighbors house. As I said, keep your eyes open.

4. Help at the local food bank, do meals-on-wheels, adopt a family at Christmas, volunteer at church or in an after-school care program. Visit the sick and home-bound.

5. Remember when you are serving God let them know that is why you do what you do. Always show your Christian character and give God the credit. As you do these things, pray for those you are serving. You will be amazed at the benefit you receive when you look for ways to serve God where ever you happen to be. Remember, in life, it is the little things that matter!

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure, if you use your car, that you have proper insurance coverage.
• Keep a song in your heart and kind words on your lips.
• It can become addictive. Don't forget your own family. That is the first missionary job God gave you.

[Wasatch]

on 1/16/2009 Service to others is a good cure for depression and self pity. Thanks for a good article.

[QueenofMisc]

on 11/26/2008 Very thought provoking! Creative ideas and ways to show that God loves people. And also to remember your family first. I can't send you a message, I guess it is a computer glitch and you may even be gone already (I remember something about your leaving on Wednesday), BUT... if you get this message first, Happy Thanksgiving! :-)

[amytrosen]

on 11/22/2008 Great article. Thanks.

[onlyhoney4u]

on 11/22/2008 Great article 5 stars*****

[shannonny]

on 11/8/2008 Ah, so well said! Prayer and the word of God are the foundation. But "faith without works is dead." And I'm glad you mention sharing the Gospel in some little way--our love and good deeds have to remain in direct service to the Kingdom. We're not merely do-gooders.