The Ministry of Presence
“Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.” - Acts 14:19-20
The 14th chapter of the book of Acts gives us a picture of what is perhaps the greatest role the church can play in the lives of people. And that is the ministry of PRESENCE. This chapter reveals a perfect picture and ideal image of the role of the church in the lives of those who have been beaten, battered, and bruised by a cold and callous world.
Acts 14 states, “Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe” (Acts 14:19-20). Paul was able to get up and continue to do the mission God had for him because he had the presence and support of others.
Steven Davey, author of The Ministry of Presence says, “Everyone in the body of Christ qualifies to be an expert assistant to the suffering.... You do not have to be brilliant, persuasive, articulate, or experienced... you can bring comfort to the hurting without ever being ordained or certified. You do not have to be anything but available to be a wonderful tool in the hand of God.”
Who needs your presence? Who would benefit or be blessed by you showing up and giving of yourself and your time in their life? If you do not have an immediate answer, pray and ask God to reveal to you who is in need of your presence, today!
The 14th chapter of the book of Acts gives us a picture of what is perhaps the greatest role the church can play in the lives of people. And that is the ministry of PRESENCE. This chapter reveals a perfect picture and ideal image of the role of the church in the lives of those who have been beaten, battered, and bruised by a cold and callous world.
Acts 14 states, “Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe” (Acts 14:19-20). Paul was able to get up and continue to do the mission God had for him because he had the presence and support of others.
Steven Davey, author of The Ministry of Presence says, “Everyone in the body of Christ qualifies to be an expert assistant to the suffering.... You do not have to be brilliant, persuasive, articulate, or experienced... you can bring comfort to the hurting without ever being ordained or certified. You do not have to be anything but available to be a wonderful tool in the hand of God.”
Who needs your presence? Who would benefit or be blessed by you showing up and giving of yourself and your time in their life? If you do not have an immediate answer, pray and ask God to reveal to you who is in need of your presence, today!
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