19 - A Heart That Shows It Cares

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 15:58

Let’s think about the life you and I are seeking to live as God’s women.

The author tells of the Seven Sacred Pools in Hawaii and how one pool is filled with the fresh water that falls from the ever-present rain clouds until it is running over into the second pool and then once that pool is filled it overflows into the third pool and so on until it spills into the sea.

The seven pools can be used to illustrate the fullness we can enjoy and the far-reaching impact we can have as we live according to God’s plan.

When we visualize the top pool and how it’s view is obstructed by that cloudy mist, we can see how we enjoy our hidden life with God, the private life we nurture in Him.

This private life is unseen by others. We are filled by God’s Spirit as we dwell in His presence and drink from His Word. He replenishes our dry souls until we are filled with His goodness.

It is then that our fullness will overflow down into the hearts of the people nearest and dearest to us – our husbands.

We share with our husbands from the fullness of our relationship with God, tending and nurturing that most important human relationship and developing the qualities that God desires in us wives.

God grows in us a servant spirit and a heart filled with love that swells until it cascades into the hearts of our children.

Our relationship with God, our husband, and our children will then overflow to fill our home with God’s love and the beauty of family.

These “flowing waters” feed our spiritual life, family life, and our love life in our refuge – our home.

When these waters overflow they will then begin to fill our pool of what God wants us to do for Him and His people. Here we feel passionately according to God’s purpose for us.

When we are faithful to follow after God’s heart – when we tend and nurture each aspect of life as He instructs – the ministry He uses us in can have an impact beyond measure.

We can now submerge ourselves in this fresh pool of knowledge, discipline, and training until sure enough, the water rises and overflows into God’s limitless ocean of ministry and service that builds His people up.

Let’s look at some ways that we as Christian women can influence the lives of others for eternity.

Learn to Reach Out

Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. – Luke 6:30

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. – verse 35

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. – verse 38

Your presence and sometimes a single touch are worth a thousand words. You may feel that you don’t have the right words to say or the perfect Scripture to share, but remember that your very presence is a source of comfort.

Be a giver. We can give a smile, a greeting, a warm question, a touch, a hug, and a name. Always use the person’s name!

Be bold. Be bold and give to the people God places in your path. Learn to reach out to the people you meet up with every day.

Become a generous soul. Don’t just give, but give liberally, cheerfully, bountifully, hilariously, extra, above and beyond.

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. – 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. – Proverbs 11:25

Begin by asking yourself “Who can I give to today?”

Money is not the only way we can give. What are some other ways you can think of that we can be that liberal soul or cheerful giver?

Learn to Look Out

Develop a “generous eye”.

He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. – Proverbs 22:9

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. – 2 Chronicles 16:9

If you see someone in need you can simply ask them if there is anything you can do to help or if you can pray with them.

People all around us need a tender word.

Be direct. Whenever you see a person in need, be direct. Walk straight up to her and see what she needs and what you can do. Don’t sit idly by and wait for someone else to come by. God has allowed you to find this person in need. Now allow your heart to overflow with care.

Go to Give

Be all there. Before going to an event such as a worship service or a ladies meeting, pray that you will go to give, to reach out, to be direct, and to withhold nothing. Place your thought life on guard by not thinking about other things like what you are going to fix for dinner.

Live to the hilt! While your there, give totally by trying to reach out to as many as you can. Minister to as many people as you can in as many ways as you can.

Divide and conquer. Break out of your click. We are so bad to form our clicks, our comfort groups and this creates tunnel vision on our part. Step out of your comfort group and then you will be able to better minister to others. You will receive a great blessing by reaching out!

Develop Your Prayer Life

We always come back to prayer, don’t we? A woman after God’s own heart is a woman who prays! Her heart naturally overflows in prayer as well as care. Prayer ministry is a ministry that makes a huge difference in people’s lives.

Prayer isn’t easy. It’s definitely a discipline, but it’s also a ministry that flows from a full heart.

Three decisions to help you place yourself before God so He can fill your heart with concern for others:

1. Determine a time. Schedule a time.
2. Determine a place. Choose a location that is quiet and secluded.
3. Determine a plan. Use a notebook. List who you want to pray for and how often.

Having a plan will help you to not forget anyone or anything.

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; - Ephesians 6:18