Stories - Page 9 of 83 - 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?

Labor Verbalizing the Gospel
WELCOME STATION RV PARK

God has a specific way He reveals His plan to us. I feel He teaches me in a way that is similar to the unfolding of an onion. Every time I learn more about Jesus’ love, it shifts who I am inside. Most profoundly, He grows me into a better representation of Him as He peels back the layers of my selfish ways. This is what He had in store for developing our RV Park into a place of ministry. In 2017 while traveling to be with my husband's father before his death, we spent a night at an RV Park we frequented before. We had thoughts of wishing the property were for sale, and ironically, it was. In a time of grief, God was still showing us signs of His plan for us. After buying the property, we went through many trials and tribulations leading to growth of our Spirits. With each challenge, we were also given more opportunities to serve. In early Spring 2019, God spoke to me and I heard, “My Word must go forth.” I had several ideas on how to spread His Word. I sought out the little booklets of John but it would be costly. Surprisingly, God helped guide us to funds, proving it was meant to be. Then in 2020, two kind guests helped inspire another way of sharing God's Word throughout our property. One guest donated a check to our cause after praying and discussing the Book of John with us. The second guest helped provide comfort after a dog fight and offered his lasering… Read More

May 15, 2024
Labor Loving Your Neighbor Senior Citizens
THE HONEY-DO DUDE

My wife of 53 years passed away in November 2022. Not only did I grieve, but I also went into depression. On top of that, I have PTSD from serving in Vietnam. It was a tough time for me. I’m 76 and found myself just sitting around the house. I was sinking deeper into depression. I knew I had to do something about it. I reflected on what my mom drilled into me as a kid. I was raised going to church and the Christian doctrine of helping others was underscored to me time and again. She always told me loving and helping others is something the Lord wants us to do, so I thought I'd give it a try. I've always been pretty handy. I worked in construction for 60 years, starting when I was 16. I liked watching what others do and learning how to fix things. And one thing that always made my wife happy was me taking care of her “honey-do” list. So last September, I thought it'd be good for me to keep busy by helping other people. I posted something on our Facebook Community page, saying I’d help single women with the “honey do’s” they couldn’t do. I know many widows couldn’t afford a handyman, so I said I’d do the work for free. The first time I posted it, I got 800 likes. But not many takers. People were reluctant to trust me, to have a stranger in their house. I certainly understood that. But one lady I knew needed some work, and I went over and took care… Read More

May 8, 2024
Church Activities Overcoming Obstacles
HEALING FROM SEXUAL ABUSE

As a young girl, I experienced an unfortunate childhood. Abuse was common inside our home as well as depression. I witnessed that a young girl can't trust anyone, even the people who are the closest. Sexual and physical abuse seeped its way into my life, and I had no one to protect me. Because of many dreadful incidents, my mind was deeply affected. I began to see in a perspective of lust, emptiness and fear. I was young with a tainted reality, an unfortunate teenage girl who sought sin. My life kept spiraling down. I was changing more and more, but for the worse. Little did I know, God already had a plan. When I turned 18, I took on a job and then got engaged. I moved to Alaska with my husband. My best friend would frequently call me. I noticed she was so full of joy. This was strange to me. I began to crave whatever she had. She told me about Jesus, this amazing community, and encounters with the Lord. One day, she called me to testify my brother had been freed and received Jesus. I wanted that for myself as well. After hearing that, I cried out to the Lord and repented for everything I had done. I asked the Lord to change me, to help me become the person He needs me to be. That night, I started to see my life change. I was still living in sin, but this time, I felt convicted. My husband and I moved back home to South Carolina. The first week back, I… Read More

May 1, 2024
Church Activities Verbalizing the Gospel
STANDING FIRM IN THE FACE OF PERSECUTION

Only about 2.3% of India, one of the most populated countries in the world, is Christian. Unfortunately, Christians in India face many challenges and persecution, and Banka Kranthi, 27, is no exception. Banka was born and raised in Baranipadu, in the district of Khammam in the region of Vemsoor. As a child, his father preached the Gospel, so the Word of God and fear of the Lord was put into his heart at an early age. His father often set out on preaching missions, and through his father’s actions, Banka was able to see the true love of Christ. Banka’s childhood exhibits the importance of parents raising their children in the “way they should go” according to Proverbs 22:6. When his father preached by foot, Banka was able to preserve whatever devotion was preached that day into his heart and mind, and he has never lost it. Moreover, because of his father’s teachings, he lived a clean life. Despite social pressure around him, he never fell into trouble, and he devoted himself to God daily. Of course, India is a multi-faith community, with Hinduism as its most prominent religion. According to the caste system, which still plays a role in India, Christians are perceived as inferior in many ways. Further, though secularism is emphasized, there has been a recent rise in persecution toward Christians, including mockery and physical attacks. In fact, India currently ranks as the 11th worst country to live in terms of Christian persecution. On top of these attacks, his people are often lacking basic necessities, so he has to have… Read More

April 24, 2024
Children Overcoming Obstacles
TRUSTING GOD’S PLAN

It’s amazing how we can plan out everything in our lives to the smallest of details. But so often, everything we planned can evaporate in just one day or a single moment. Our wedding day was scheduled for October, but Uncle Sam had a different plan. On July 31^st, Duane was drafted into the military and was deployed to Vietnam. We were reeling and wondering, now what? We got in our car and drove from Minnesota to Milbank, South Dakota where we found someone to open the courthouse since it was a Saturday and it was closed. We were able to get in and grab our marriage license. We then found a justice of the peace at 6 pm to perform our five-minute wedding ceremony. Later that night, we ate at the local drive-in, then drove back home after one hectic wedding day. Did I ever imagine I would be married last minute in a courthouse in Milbank, South Dakota? No, of course not. But the memories we have to look back on and cherish will forever be in our hearts because we trusted God would see us through an unexpected obstacle in our lives. Fast forward a couple years, and we were expecting our first child. However, after a couple months, I ended up in the hospital having a miscarriage. We had a second miscarriage before our first daughter was born in January of 1968. After the first two miscarriages, we had three children in three years. All in all, we've now been married almost 60 years and have six amazing children, 18 wonderful… Read More

April 17, 2024
Labor Overcoming Obstacles Unique Ministries
THE OLIVE PRESS

Have you ever had a “lightbulb” moment? For me, these moments literally have a golden glow about them in my memories. These are the moments I know are from God. These moments are where He lights the path and leads the way. The Olive Press, my business born out of a “lightbulb” moment, has its own kind of glow. This is the kind of glow you can feel as soon as you walk in the door, and it’s because of the people. This kind of glow is the kind that only comes from Jesus changing your life. And in His grace, He has grown The Olive Press to be a vessel for that change. As a rule, The Olive Press hires exclusively women who need us. Women who come to us from addiction, abuse and even prison. We provide them with a work environment committed to Christ and to new life. We begin each morning with a devotional, stopping at any second in our jam-packed days to answer questions about Jesus or to pray with one another. We play worship music all day long. We show them that restoration is simply what God does. Who He is. This business started as an Etsy shop with seven listings, and one wholesale customer. Now, by the goodness of God, we exist as a storefront, an Etsy shop with over 1000 listings, and 100+ wholesale customers. We are able to support not only our beautiful employees but other local ministries as well. Portions of profits go to aid victims of sex trafficking and purchase essential supplies… Read More

April 10, 2024

Browse all categories

Adoption/Foster Care 38

Church Activities 60

Financial Help 18

Loss Of Loved One 40

Loving Your Neighbor 67

Mission Work 52

Overcoming Obstacles 119

Prison Ministry 12

Senior Citizens 22

Special Needs 47

Unique Ministries 170

Verbalizing the Gospel 77

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