EMBRACE - Week 1

Weekly Challenge #1, September 13 
    Make a relational contact with a neighbor or close friend; inviting them to Friend Day and seeking an opportunity to share God's love with them this week.

I am so excited to see what God is going to do through us as move in obedience with His heart to reach those in our sphere of influence with the good news of Jesus.  As we talked about yesterday in the message, to EMBRACE those around us we must be intentional, relational, and motivated by love.  We must show Jesus' love as well as tell them of His love.  I am praying today, that God would provide opportunities for spiritual conversations and that the Holy Spirit will guide your thoughts.

I want to give you some suggestions in how to carry out this week's challenge.  Neighbors and close friends may be the easiest to connect with personally because you already have a relationship.  It will still need to be intentional.  It may involve the sacrifice of time in order to connect.  Let me give you three suggestions.

1.  Use the gift of hospitality.  Inviting neighbors and friends to your house for a cookout or a meal is a great way to build relationship and break down barriers.

2.  Look for a way to serve them.  This can come in all kinds of ways.  It may be as simple as taking their trash cans up to their house or more significant in helping them with a project that they have been wanting to accomplish.

3.  Ask how you can pray for them.  I am convinced that praying for people is one of the most effective ways to break down spiritual barriers.  You may already know of needs in their life.  Send them a note letting them know you are praying for them and then follow up by asking how things are going.  If you do not know how to pray, ask them. 

Check back next week for some more suggestions.