Missions is a way of life. It's being the salt and light of the world; and the heartbeat, hands and feet of Jesus by genuinely, proactively and ‘outrageously’ loving our neighbors. As Jesus modeled, it's about meeting people where they are, seeking out their needs and finding out what we can do to serve them... unless of course, people track us down, which also happened to Jesus. lol.
From the person you interact with at the grocery store to the individual you intentionally serve through an outreach, you have a great and awesome ability to change lives through something as simple as a kind smile, a listening ear, an encouraging word or a loving gesture. It's proactively thinking, "What can I say or do to actively bring the love and hope of Christ to this person or their situation?"
In this fast paced, often shallow world, people are yearning for someone who truly cares enough to take a genuine interest in them. And the truth is, you might be surrounded by people who feel this way-your friends, family members, co-workers, etc. So we're talking missional living, which is more than going off to some foreign country or serving strangers; it's about intentionally seeing the needs of those around you in everyday life, right where you are, at home and in your community.
In this fast paced, often shallow world, people are yearning for someone who truly cares enough to take a genuine interest in them. And the truth is, you might be surrounded by people who feel this way-your friends, family members, co-workers, etc. So we're talking missional living, which is more than going off to some foreign country or serving strangers; it's about intentionally seeing the needs of those around you in everyday life, right where you are, at home and in your community.
Here are some of the many key verses about loving our "neighbors" and helping those in need:
•Proverbs 3:27 "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them."
•James 1:27 "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress..."
•Mark 12:30-31 "And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
•Matthew 25:37-40 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you? And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’"
•James 2:15-17 "Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless."
•Proverbs 3:27 "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them."
•James 1:27 "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress..."
•Mark 12:30-31 "And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
•Matthew 25:37-40 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you? And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’"
•James 2:15-17 "Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless."
Who has God intentionally put in your personal mission field?
What's one way you can outrageously love each them this week?
*This is a repost of a formerly existing tab, which one day may make a comeback!
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