how can a new believer serve the Body?

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Permalink Reply by Leonard T on June 3, 2012 at 1:40pm

One great way is through what is known as servant evangelism. One example of this is loving people by doing good deeds such as going to a park where children and their parents go and give away free lemonade. We do this among other things to reach out to our community. Some ask how this glorifies Jesus. It does so by sharing His love through random acts of kindness and when people ask why you are doing it you tell them that you are doing it to bless them and to let them know that Jesus loves them.

 

Lord Bless,
LT

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Permalink Reply by Amanda on June 3, 2012 at 2:44pm

You can become a volunteer in a nursing home. How to Volunteer in a Nursing Home

In nursing homes you will find people on all levels of care. Some of the people on ventilators, feeding tubes, and in vegetative states rarely have any visitors at all and are forgotten souls. They spend there days just laying there, and the only interaction is from nursing staff and purely clinical. We never know how much these people in these conditions are aware of and it is likely that any type of human interaction would make a huge difference in their lives. Plus, you never know. Even if someone is unable to physically communicate with you, they may still be able to hear and think. Reading Bible passages to them, praying for them, playing music for them, and simply holding their hands are really huge things to do for someone. Plus, they may make a decison for Jesus in their hearts through your interaction and no one may ever know it except they and God.

"I was sick, and you cared for me ..." Matthew 25:36.

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Permalink Reply by Jenny on June 4, 2012 at 9:15am

thank you both~

Amanda, what you said about volunteering in a nursing home struck a chord in my heart. Can you please pray the Lord prepare me in the way He would have me go? 

thanks for that link:)

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Permalink Reply by Amanda on June 4, 2012 at 10:22am

I will pray. Just one visit a week to one patient -- that is making an eternal difference for someone or to Someone IMO.

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Permalink Reply by Jenny on June 4, 2012 at 10:25am

do you wait for the person to bring up the topic of faith or bring it up yourself?

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Permalink Reply by Amanda on June 4, 2012 at 10:40am

In the past, I would start out something like what LT said above. Of course most of my interactions were through my job. I always worked in healthcare from the time I was 19. I won't tell you my age but I will say I have worked many years :)

You start out slowly just like making a friend. Most nursing homes and hospices train volunteers. So that part will be managed by them but the other part, your spiritual sharing is up to God and you, as God leads and God will lead you, trust me on that.

Some will be bitter against God and likely people, too and a real challenge. But you will find someone receptive. Remember Philip and the eunuch? Philip knew the gospel and the eunuch was ready to receive it and the Spirit helped them make the connection. Acts 8.

But if you visit the ones who are in vegetative states, comatose, etc... You introduce yourself and tell them why you are there and tell them everything you are doing for them "I am going to wash your face. I know the cool water will feel good to your brow" or "I am going to get you an extra blanket. This room is cold and your arms are cold" Etc...

Then just things like "I have brought a CD of Handel's Messiah. It's Christmas time. I am going to play it for you and sit here and hold your hand."

These are just personal examples. I did these things for people, mostly those who were actively dying, through my job. I would sit long hours with people.

When I held their hands I would just lay my hand under their's, not over it, not wanting to hold them down in anyway but just hoping their spirit would rest and they could leave in peace finally. Some did. Some didn't.

But you can do these things for people who are not dying. There are people in nursing homes on life support that can live for years. Maybe they can still hear and think. Some are still conscious. Others never open their eyes. They are still people though and still souls.

 

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Permalink Reply by Jenny on June 5, 2012 at 8:26am

thanks for praying

your description of volunteering sounds wonderful

i tried to volunteer at hospice before being converted and felt i wasn't emotionally mature enough to handle it. i will pray about this

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