As I read the book of Acts, I was intrigued by the healing power that the Lord Jesus gave the disciples in the early church. I envy this time in the disciples’ lives. Why did Jesus allow them to do this? The answer is obvious. To bring glory and testimony to the name of Jesus.
Today, we do not see the miracles the early church saw in the Book of Acts, so how do we bring glory to Jesus today? Most commonly, we do it with our testimony of how the Lord has made us into new creations and how we love others.
How do we open dialogue with an unchurched person? How can we make someone not feel like a project? I remember a time in my life when I felt like a project. I still remember how I felt as a non-believer to be another person’s project because I had no idea that I was a broken man who needed to be saved.
I think the missing ingredient was “investment.” If I open a savings account at the Bank of Stockton but do not put any money in the account, I can not make a withdrawal. If I make a modest deposit of $100, I can make a paltry interest of a few cents, and I can only expect to withdraw $100. But what happens when I make a significant investment? I can expect a big return on my investment.
So this leaves us with the question, who are you investing in that does not know Jesus Christ? This investment is not money but love, and we make deposits by being the Hands and Feet of Jesus. We make a deposit when we cook a meal for someone we do not know. When we give rides to doctors or babysit the kids of single moms, we invest. We must love well before sharing the Love of Jesus, who laid down His life for us.
This is why Helping Hands and The Blessing Tree are vital outreaches of Vine and Branch. Have you ever spoken with Cindy Nowicki about her insane passion for loving others and how she does it? Do and get involved with Helping Hands right where Jesus has you planted in your neighborhood, workplace, or friend group.
In Him,
Pastor Chris