I am so thrilled to have my first guest post here on my blog. I met Katie at the Declare Conference last summer in Dallas. I was very inspired by her passion to encourage others. To read more from Katie you can visit her blog Katie M. Reid {finding grace in the unraveling}. She is also a contributing writer at God-sized Dreams.
I read the book, Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis. I was inspired by Katie’s willingness to follow God wherever He led and to obey Him no matter the cost. For her that meant moving to Uganda and adopting more than a dozen orphans—as a single mom.
I was convicted and embarrassed by the little that I was doing to meet the needs of the poor. Not everyone is called to move overseas or parent a dozen children, but we are all called to be faithful to what God has set before us.
What could our family from the Midwest do to touch the world? We were surrounded by Amish neighbors and corn fields, we lived in a small town, but there was a stirring within to extend ourselves on behalf of others.
I wanted to be more faithful in giving to others on a consistent basis, not just if we had some extra money, but to put it in the budget so that we were accountable to be more generous.
And then Extension 26 was birthed. It’s a simple thing: Give $26 on the 26th of each month to a ministry that is spreading God’s truth and love.
The challenge is to be stretch ourselves on Christ’s behalf and encourage others to do the same. Of course, people can give more or less and at different times—but the point is to be consistent.
Each month on my blog we showcase a different ministry that God has crossed our paths with to: educate others about what they are doing, give a financial gift and encourage them.
It is tempting to feel like our small offering isn’t making much difference, but the size is not what matters. What matters is the heart that offers what it has, asking Him to multiple it and use it for His purposes.
I was tired of not doing anything, so we decided to do something.
Ask God what you can do to impact the Kingdom.
You might not move to another country or adopt a child, but you can bring a meal to a sick friend or pick up some extra groceries for a needy family in your church. You could shovel the walk at your neighbor’s house or write an encouraging card to a friend.
We are not trying to earn God’s favor through our works. If we are in Christ, than His favor is already ours. The point is to be open to how God wants to use us to extend His love to the world—the world at large, our community and those within our home—because we love Him.
One of my friends decided to sponsor a child through Compassion International, so she gives to the same organization each month.
The sky is the limit. Ask God to creatively lead you in the area of generosity.
How can you give of your time, talents and treasures to impact the Kingdom in some way?
There are so many ways to give, it doesn’t have to be monetary. I love how Casey uses her blog to highlight various ministries that are doing good around the globe in Jesus’ name.
Get to know more about these organizations and prayerfully consider coming along side them today.
Talk about conviction, check out these lyrics from Matthew West from his song, Do Something:
I woke up this morning
Saw a world full of trouble now
Thought, how’d we ever get so far down
How’s it ever gonna turn around
So I turned my eyes to Heaven
I thought, “God, why don’t You do something?”
Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, I created you”
If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it’s time for us to do something
For a list of Extension 26 recipients, go to this link.
Matthew 25:40 "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the
least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"
With Grace,
Katie M. Reid
Bio: Katie M. Reid
is a tightly wound woman who fumbles to receive and extend grace in
everyday moments. She delights in her hubby, four children (and one on
the way) and their life in ministry. Hot or iced tea and
cut-to-the-chase conversations are a few of her favorite things. Through
writing, singing, speaking and photography, Katie encourages others to
find grace in the unraveling of life. She has published articles via
Focus on the Family, iBelieve.com and MOPS. She has a memoir piece,
about her brother with Down Syndrome, Extra Salt on the Fries, published in Tales of Our Lives: Reflection Pond and has recorded an album, Echoes of My Heart (both are available on Amazon).
No comments:
Post a Comment