Stories - Page 62 of 84 - The Christian Heart

How Everyday People Live Out Their Christian Faith

Illustrating how men and women display their love for Jesus in their day-to-day lives.
Little things that may have an eternal impact. Might these stories motivate you to use your talents?

Other Prayer
NEVER STOP PRAYING FOR THEM

Sometimes, the hardest battles we fight as Christians are the spiritual one within our own family. That is certainly the case with me growing up in the Philippines. My mom was a born-again Christian and all the kids followed in her footsteps. But my dad was an unbeliever and that created a very uncomfortable situation in our family. I would go to church or family gatherings feeling joyful but incomplete without my father. We grew up committing ourselves to the ministry, and our dad didn't like that one bit. Our house was like a military training camp with my father being the commander. His every word was an order that needed an immediate call to action or else there would be a skirmish. But then, it was a blessing in disguise because it made us grow spiritually responsible. Even though we were young, we knew our dad needed Jesus in his life and just like gold, our faith was tested. We witnessed a major struggle in their marriage when my father committed adultery. It was chaos but this persecution made us dwell more in prayer and in worship. In the midst of this trial, we grew deeper on our faith. The Lord taught us to trust Him completely as we prayed for our family's restoration. During this painful period, God's grace filled our hearts with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. And then, after eight years of intercession, my dad had a change of heart. He started to join us in our family camp and even… Read More

July 2, 2018
Church Activities Food
SERVING THE CHURCH VOLUNTEERS

I am a people person. It’s just the way God made me. Growing up, I was always in trouble in class for talking and no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t stop. Now I know why: It’s how God made me. I attend a very large church and struggled to find a place to connect. I am not a Bible scholar, so teaching Sunday School wasn’t a great fit. I’m a bit too scatter-brained to teach children. But, I can serve those who serve. That is my life’s mission. We have hundreds of people each week who sacrifice their time and energy to serve in all sorts of ministries. I decided it was time to serve them. Each Sunday morning, I get up super early to drive to church so I can set out simple breakfast items and coffee for those who will serving. Some of these wonderful people will be at the church from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm, so around noon, I'll set out snacks and soft drinks. As the volunteers make their way to the room, I greet them with a big smile and thank them for their service. Sometimes folks want to talk for a few minutes, sometimes they need a bit of prayer, sometimes they need a word of encouragement. I see myself as the church’s cheerleader, cheering the team on to victory in Jesus each week. I know it may seem small and insignificant, and maybe it is. But I believe the work I am doing matters. It matters to the volunteers who are hungry,… Read More

June 29, 2018
Loving Your Neighbor Prayer Unique Ministries
PRAYING FOR REFUGEE FAMILIES

As a seminary professor, my days are filled with theological questions, biblical languages, and the deep study of scripture. It's a wonderful occupation and I love it. However, it is what I do outside of work that gives me the greatest joy. Each week, I spend two evenings with Congolese refugee families that have settled in our community. I bring them items they need, help them find work, and get them plugged into English language centers. But really what I do is simply listen. I listen to their stories of their homeland. I listen as they share about the horrors of war. I listen to their difficulties as they try to navigate life in the United States. I simply listen. And then, as the Holy Spirit prompts me, I ask them if I can pray with them. There are no great theological discussions. I just ask them if I can pray and when they respond positively, I pray. I pray with them for jobs and health. I pray with them for family left back in Congo. It's nothing profound or earth-shattering. But those prayers are meaningful. Those prayers bond us together. Those prayers lead to eternal significance as I demonstrate the love of Christ. Those prayers lead to Congolese refugees finding Christ in the midst of their tumultuous life. It's simple really. I just love these refugees. I think that's what God wants us to do with all people on earth.

June 26, 2018
Adoption/Foster Care Children Mission Work
ESTABLISHING A GIRL’S HOME

It is said that history often repeats itself. Twenty years ago, my daughter spent Christmas break ministering in an Indian orphanage. She met four orphans who would drastically impact her life. Some fifteen years later, she was able to reconnect with one of those children. She learned that he was now a seminary student and had a strong desire to see a children's home open in Pune, India. Feeling the pull of the Lord on our lives, my husband and I went on a short-term mission trip last year to India to meet this young man and his wife. Once there, we were shocked to learn some staggering statistics about life in India. Some 53% of girls are illiterate and 50% are malnourished. Each year, one million girls die before their first birthday. Ten million girls have been aborted in the past 20 years just for being female. Two million children between the ages of 5 and 15 are victims of sex trafficking each year. This grim reality in India was astonishing. As a result, we felt a call by the Holy Spirit to start a girls' home, and shortly thereafter the Straight Arrows Foundation was created. We now provide small group homes to girls who are true orphans, victims of sex trafficking, and those involved in child labor. We do not run an orphanage, as we desire that they be "orphans no more". Instead, we offer homes with a family unit where each girl can grow up in a nurturing and loving environment. We want to… Read More

June 21, 2018
Church Activities Labor
BEHIND THE SCENES

For a long time, I just went to church. I didn't want to be too involved because being out front is pretty scary. I don't know a lot of scripture or a lot about theology, so I felt I was pretty limited on what I could do. Then a friend asked me what area I serve in at church. I sheepishly told him nowhere. He was astonished. We talked a bit about me, my personality, and what sorts of things I like to do. He said the sound team was looking for more help. He said they'd train me and I would get all the help I needed. It sounded pretty interesting, so I talked with the team leader. I absolutely love helping with sound. I love that I'm in the background, making sure the worship team sounds great and the pastor can be heard well. I love that I'm able to do this without anyone knowing I'm even there. That is, unless something happens like a mic cuts out or there's some feedback. For me, serving as a sound guy is like what Jesus said in Matthew 6:1-4: "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the… Read More

June 18, 2018
Children Overcoming Obstacles Prayer
A PEACE THAT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE

My love for the Lord led me to be a youth pastor. Last year, I left my doctor's office with the news that I had cancer. During treatment, I woke up each morning and wondered if the hours of chemo at the hospital and sickness would actually result in shrinking tumors. I remember feeling so tired and having no ambition or desire to do anything, just waiting for the day to pass. Thankfully, I have now beat cancer twice. My cancer diagnosis and treatment has reminded me that I am not in control. It was God's way to shake me a little and tell me that He holds my life in His hands. While this sounds scary, it's really a beautiful thing to remind myself of daily. The Bible talks about peace that surpasses understanding. I like to call it "the peace that doesn't make sense" since I don't understand how I can have peace during these trying times, yet God grants it. When I needed encouragement, I looked to the Bible and reminded myself of truths like, "God is my strength." I asked God to help me remember this truth and make it be bigger than my negative feelings and circumstances. This perspective was huge in getting me through the rough days. God has also used my cancer to better love and lead my students I oversee and teach at church. One of the greatest ways to lead is by example, and my kids were my constant reminder and encouragement to live for the Lord through hard times. I reminded them (and their… Read More

June 12, 2018

Browse all categories

Adoption/Foster Care 38

Church Activities 60

Financial Help 18

Loss Of Loved One 41

Loving Your Neighbor 67

Mission Work 52

Overcoming Obstacles 123

Prison Ministry 12

Senior Citizens 22

Special Needs 48

Unique Ministries 174

Verbalizing the Gospel 78

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