God's Word in Action: Changing the World Through Compassion, Service and Justice

God's Word, the Bible, commissions believers to reach out to people in need. The God's Word in Action initiative is committed to helping Christians put His Word into action on the local and global levels.

Thomas Nelson, a leading Christian publishing firm, launched the initiative in the spring of 2011. God's Word in Action encourages, educates and inspires Christians with tangible ways to serve other people. The project website provides numerous resources and ideas for changing the world through justice, compassion and service.

As a partner with World Vision, God's Word in Action addresses global and domestic poverty. Christians can change the lives of families across the globe through child sponsorship and health fund donations.

Join the movement and work alongside other Christians who are serving people at home and around the world. The God's Word in Action website offers Scripture verses and weekly challenges to help you put His Word into action where you live.

Believers worldwide form one body: the body of Christ. They are known as His church. Jesus is the head, and each Christian is part of the body. Jesus does His work on earth through the body, His followers.

According to Charles Stanley, the founder of In Touch Ministries, "believers are a breathing and acting part of Christ." They are His feet to carry the gospel message, His arms to love and care for others, and His hands to uphold the weak. Jesus reaches the world through His church.

God's Word in Action motivates believers to get involved in the work of Jesus Christ. Everyone can do something: spread the Word, feed the homeless, sponsor a child, help humanitarian causes, provide a service or volunteer time.

The God's Word in Action website provides Internet links for several resources, ministries and organizations where Christians can get involved and make a difference. The sidebar includes links for three of these organizations. Here are two related books:

Are you ready to put God's Word into action by sharing your faith? Do you want to tell the world about Jesus Christ, but you don't know where to begin?

God can use you to share the gospel as an online missionary. Digital media is continually changing the way we communicate with people. The Internet, mobile phones and online social networks offer excellent opportunities for evangelism.

Global Media Outreach and Internet Evangelism Day are two great resources for putting God's Word into action at home. All you need is a computer with an Internet connection.

What does God's Word says about helping people in need? Here are some of the verses that speak on the subject.

"It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35 (NASB)

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 (KJV)

"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done." Proverbs 19:17 (NIV)

"He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing." Deuteronomy 10:18 (NIV)

"...learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause." Isaiah 1:17 (ESV)

"...I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me." Matthew 25:35-36 (ESV)

"But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish" Psalm 9:18 (NIV)

Here is another way to put God's Word into action: buy a Thomas Nelson Bible. When you purchase a Thomas Nelson Bible at a Christian bookstore, part of the proceeds will help a child through World Vision.

The fundraising part of the campaign applies to purchases at Christian retail stores in the United States, through March 31, 2012. Thomas Nelson will contribute a minimum of $75,000 to World Vision. This donation will provide children worldwide with vaccinations, clean water, healthy food and basic care. Here are some Bibles to consider:

For more on The Word of Promise dramatized audio Bible -- its history, its voice cast, and how you can listen for free over the Internet -- see The Word of Promise Dramatized Audio Bible -- Free Online Version.

Copyright © 2010. Annette R. Smith. All rights reserved.

Published: May 26, 2011 / Modified: March 12, 2012