“A person’s words can be life-giving water.”  Proverbs 18:4

Good morning friends!

Blessings to each of you as we start this glorious day.  My excitement is welling up over this weekend’s opportunities with the Magic City Miracle.  As I watch the volunteer numbers increase, I continue to remind myself that these are not just numbers, they are people.  

I have the privilege of being a site leader for one of the ministries.  And as such, I get a copy of each person’s registration form that has signed up for my site.  I sat down last night to read through them and two things struck me:

1.  I don’t know 90% of the people on my team;

2.  There are many that have no church affiliation.

I am guessing this will be the case for most of our teams.  As I ponder this, God is reminding me of something very important.  Everywhere I turn on Sunday will be an opportunity to share my faith.  Most of us will hit the ground running on Sunday afternoon, with enthusiasm and joy – all focused on helping those related to our service sites.  And that is wonderful.

But as I think about it, I am convinced that there is much ministry to be done with the people working beside us as well.  

As church people we are trained to be concerned for others before ourselves.  Because of that I believe there will be many good Christians in service on Sunday that have problems and issues themselves, but they will push those to the side for the benefit of people that have “problems a lot worse than mine.”  It is how we think.

And let’s think about those people coming out of the community that are unchurched.  Good people, wanting to make a difference in their community, but maybe they just have never experienced the grace and love of Jesus.

Friends, we have a wealth of opportunities in front of us to share our faith, speak words of life and encouragement, and to be witnesses for the Savior.  I encourage us all to be in prayer over our particular assignments.  Let us ask God where we might be used to build someone’s faith.  And let us faithfully consider how we might respond when those opportunities present themselves.  This, my friends, is the true work of the kingdom.

Gracious Lord,

You are so good.  And we know that You have a divine plan.  Help us, Good Shepherd, to not be so focused on the work of hands that we miss the opportunity to minister through our conversations.  Help us to really see those people that You place with us.  Give us wisdom and discernment in our interactions.  Fill each of us with Your Holy Spirit, so that when the time comes, we have the right words for those that need to hear them.  Teach us to speak life to a lost and hurting world.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we pray,

Amen