get involved
reaching beyond ourselves
Henry Blackaby wrote a runaway best seller a few years ago called Experiencing God. It had a huge impact on those of us who deeply desire to not just know about God, we want to know God. More than that, we want to experience Him in our lives-daily, personally.
Blackaby suggests that the way to experience God is to discover where God is working and then join Him in the work. That's a pretty outrageous thought! Me, a partner with God in His work?? But it's possible.
Let me tell you something even more amazing. It's possible to not only serve with God in His work; it's possible to minister to God yourself!! Think about that.
Jesus was teaching one time and He said this, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Matthew 25:35, 36
Jesus' audience that day was as confused as you might be right now when they heard Him say that and so they asked, "Lord, when did we do these things for you?"
And Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me." Wow!
Within the pages of this booklet you will find opportunities to step outside the confines of our church and extend God's love to the needy, the hurting, and to "the least of these". And as you extend God's love to others, you are in fact loving God. And as you do that, you will experience His presence, His power and His smile upon your life like never, ever before.
This is reaching beyond ourselves. This is doing something that has eternal implications. This is living a life that counts!!
how to choose an outreach
Do you ever wish that God would just tap you on the shoulder and tell you His plan; like He spoke to Moses through the burning bush or like He spoke to Mary through His angel?
As you look over the servant outreach opportunities in the next few pages, it would be easy to get overwhelmed and say, "Where do I start?"
Rather than throw a dart at the sheet to determine your choice, or wait for your own personalized burning bush answer from God, why don't you start by "looking up", "looking out" and "looking in." Here's how...
First, look up... at how God has uniquely designed you. Some of us are "shaped" for outreach with kids, some with adults. God designed some folks as "hammer and nail" folks and some as "lap top and mobile phone" folks.
"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
Second, look out... at the human need all around you. You won't have to look far! There are neighbors in your street who need a touch of kindness… there are co-workers who could use a little hand… there are folks throughout our county who are steps away from the streets and some who are on the streets.
In horse racing, they put blinkers on the horses to keep them from seeing the crowd. Blinkers work well on horses, but blinkers on Christians keep us from seeing the needs of our friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Take off the blinkers!
"When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said, 'The harvest is great but the workers are few. Ask the Lord to send out workers into his harvest field'." Matthew 9:36-37
Third, look in... at your own willingness to answer God's call. It's one thing to find an outreach for you and your small group. It's another thing to follow through and serve. Don't let fear, indifference, procrastination, your busy schedule, or anything keep you from reaching beyond yourself, in God's name.
William Penn said "If there is any kindness I can show, let me do it now, and net deter, for I shall not pass this way again."
Then I heard the voice of the Lord say, "Whom shall I send and who shall go for us?" And I said, "Here I am, send me!" Isaiah 6:8-9
Saying "yes" to God may involve saying "no" to a few things that currently dominate our time and efforts. But that’s where "Reaching beyond ourselves" begins by saying "YES" when God says "GO".
At NorWest we offer a series of four courses of four hours each, which are designed to help people understand what we believe and help us in our spiritual growth. One of these courses specifically helps us understand our S-H-A-P-E; the way God has made us and shaped us to serve Him. Another gives us insight into mission.
All four courses build on each other and will be offered during the year. Each is well worthwhile attending.
- Discovering Church Community
- Discovering Spiritual Maturity
- Discovering My Ministry
- Discovering My Mission