KNOWING GOD THROUGH PERSONAL MINISTRY

August 10, 2018

“I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:12-15

Did you just participate in CID? If you did, you have just had a very personal experience of working hand in hand to serve God and others! No doubt, as you served in this way, you felt closer to God and more connected with Him than before. That’s the way it works.

When you begin to serve others, whether it’s working at a homeless shelter, leading a small group, or working on the host team, you’ll see your faith grow as God meets you at your point of service. If you have ever volunteered to do something for which you felt totally unqualified, then you know first-hand what an experience like that can do for your faith. You are aware that you learned more from your nervous but sincere efforts than you could have imagined. A large part of your learning was coming to know God’s faithfulness and care first-hand.

Personal ministry enables us to experience God’s power in our weakness. We may feel ill-equipped and unprepared, but these opportunities are incredibly rich experiences through which God grows our faith. At first, you may perform an act of personal ministry or service to benefit someone else. In hindsight, though, most people feel like they are the ones who have benefited the most. Perhaps you went to cheer up a hospital patient and learned faith from her. Or you taught the children and ended up learning from them. Personal ministry is doing the work of Jesus, and puts me into partnership with Him. Nothing will help me know my Father better.

  • “You will never know God completely until you are in over your head.” Have you experienced that in personal ministry yet?
  • Are you currently and consistently serving?
  • How is God growing you through serving, or how do you need to grow through serving?
  • Pray: Jesus, I want to partner with You to do Your work in the world. I know I will know You better and better as I rely on You. Help me today to see what I need to do, and willingly do it. Amen.