Do Hard Things Challenge 10

We were encouraged this week by stories of teenagers who recognized a ministry need and, instead of saying, "I wish someone would do something about that", they did something about it!

From feeding the homeless in Oregon to renovating affordable housing for the poor in Mississippi; running a national political campaign to raising money and awareness for the global fight of slavery. These students took the challenge to do the hard thing, and have been impacting their local community, and surely the Kingdom of God, as a result.

In Matthew 9:1-8 we see Five essential characteristics of ministry that we need to make a part of our everyday as the Holy Spirit gives us eyes see opportunity to minister:

1. Jesus did not ignore his own city (v1)
2. Jesus was known for helping the sick (v2)
3. Jesus dealt with the heart, not just the body (v2)
4. Jesus was more concerned with Truth than everyone's comfort (v3-6)
5. Jesus pointed people to God. (v8)

What are you known for? Do you find it easier to minister to people outside of your "own city" of school, work, or home? Is the Word of God and the hope of Jesus a part of your ministry to the people around you? Do you speak Truth even if it makes people uncomfortable? Are you pointing people to glorify God with your words and actions?

Allow the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to the needs in your “own city” this week and then act, according to what God wants you to do, to meet those needs both physically and spiritually. The greatest need any man has is eternal, but, like Brantley said, “It’s hard for someone to get serious about heaven if he’s starving.” (Page 205)