Experiencing God

Experiencing God-Chapter 23-Experiencing God in the Church

Question 1. How has the Holy Spirit alerted you to someone in your church who is struggling or in need? What might God want to do through you to minister to that person or family?

While going to church is not a requirement for a Christian to go to heaven, it is better to have fellowship with other Christians. We need to be dependent on each other so our love relationship with God grows stronger. When we are around other Christians we will understand what god is doing in and with our lives.

There is a lady at work who became a Christian almost fifteen years ago. She was going through a hard time in her personal life. She was visiting one of her sisters and she invited her to a church service. The sermon was on what she was going through at that time. At first she thought her sister knew what the sermon was going to be about. However, she was surprised as well. God was leading the pastor to have this sermon on that specific day. Because of this sermon, the lady became a Christian and was able to put the hard times behind her.

There are always needs in a church. These include needs for prayer, healing, financial assistance and guidance. If you attend a church that has no needs, it is best to find a different church.

I realize that I cannot meet the needs of all the individuals in my church. I do not simply have the wisdom and resources to fill each and every one. However, by listening to the prayer requests and praying, the Holy Spirit will alert me to a specific need.

The biggest need that I have struggled with, are my debt problems. While I am slowly digging myself out of this, I can use my personal experience to help people and offer advice to others who are in financial situations. While I might not be able to give them money, I can offer solid advice.

Question 2. Has God made you aware of a problem or need in your church? How might God use your life as part of the solution to that problem?

The problem with a lot of people, both Christians and non-Christians, is that when they are faced with a circumstance or need, they do not turn to others for help. They keep the need to themselves and try to figure out how to get out of the situation on their own. I am also like that, especially when it comes to when I have to pay a bill and I do not have the money to do it. While I turn to God in prayer, I do not turn to other people. I guess it is because I am full of pride and do not want others to know that I am struggling financially. It can also be that I am ashamed and do not want people judging me for not being wise with my money.

In my church there is always a call for prayer requests and praise reports of when prayers were answered. This is the main way of being aware of a need. While the others will pray for that person, there may be another person in the room who can personally help with the need. However, with every spoken request, there are others that are silent. I have to allow the Holy Spirit to guide me to an individual who may be hurting or in need as soon as I enter the church doors.

Question 3. When you attend church, are you alert to people who may need encouragement? If God has led you to some specific people, what have you done in response?

The first thing I must do is watch. Rather than focusing my entire attention on the sermon, I also must focus on the people who are around me. Is there someone who seems to be sad? Is there someone who appears to be distracted? Is there someone who looks like he wants to be somewhere else?

Then I have to take action. I must talk to the person and see if there is anything he or she needs help with. Maybe it is a mother who is having problems with her teenage child. I can offer advice since I am the mother of two teenage girls. I can also pray for this person, asking God to lead her in making the right choices.

Question 4. If you are not aware of people in your church to whom you could minister, why do you think that is? How could you be more spiritually prepared the next time you go to church?

The main reason is because I am self-centered. When I go to church, I want to go with a clear mind. However, there are times when I had a bad day and I am concentrating on those issues rather than on the sermon and the people around me.

I must be ready whenever I walk through the church doors. I have to do this by putting God first. As soon as I wake up, I must pray to him for guidance for the day. Then I must study the word before I start any daily activities… Then when I go to church, I will be spiritually prepared to watch, act and pray.

Reference:

Bible verses are taken from The Holy Bible. New International Version.

Questions are taken from Experiencing God Knowing and Doing the Will of God. Henry and Richard Blackaby.