Today was a day of preparation. We prepared for the first meal--House of Hope Fellowship's outreach to the homeless who live in the City. 30 plus homeless attended and were bussed to the 9th Ward to eat at House of Hope Fellowship. Our family spent the day together, preparing. We wrapped candies for dessert. We bought needed food for the guests. We also bought some gift bibles to distribute. Doug spent time in the Word preparing to give the spoken Word at the meal. Jack practiced his worship songs for the evening. We prayed in advance for all of the guests and for the Lord's Word to be spoken and praised. Also, much of our time was spent sorting over 200 canned and dried goods that were all donated by kids and families at City Tree Christian School.
We didn't realize just how much food we had brought in our RV until we pulled all of the donations out of the back of the RV and sorted each item on the picnic table at our RV park. We sorted for breakfast, lunch and dinner items so we could create balanced food bags. We were amazed at just how much was given from each families' cupboard. As we worked, the rain came, it even down poured. But, this only made us more determined. All in all, we filled 10 very large gift bags for the poor and needy. We brought them to tonight's meal and we watched as homeless people poured over the bags and each left the meal with their own supply of dry and canned food for the days ahead.
Tonight's Word was on fellowship in Christ and the Fellowship of the Believers in Acts 2. Specifically, Acts 2: 42-47:
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
We were challenged tonight to ask ourselves: Do our lives reflect a fellowship of believers described in Acts? Are we devoting ourselves to the apostle's teaching and to fellowship? To breaking bread and to prayer? Do we sell our property and possession to give to anyone who had need? And so on. And, then the obvious question: If not, why not? Doesn't the world tell us to store up our treasures for ourselves and our families? We don't need a community, we can do it alone? Well, tonight, we witnessed fellowship on several levels, but mainly simply sharing with those in need. But, we were struck by the impact of the sharing from 1800 miles away. Young children and their families at City Tree Christian School deciding to look in their cupboards to share food with strangers in need. They didn't have to donate, they could have ignored the request. But, they didn't. Instead, they took the time and effort to see what was in their cupboard and what they could share with others. And, you can see when 200 families get together, just one can per family can impact at least 30 homeless and hungry!! This is a simple but powerful example of fellowship in Christ together: not going it alone, but instead combining resources and making an impact on those in need in the name of the Lord! Praise the Lord that each of you were called to give something and because you did, 30 homeless who left tonight's meal in a downpour of rain will eat for at least another week. It was so beautiful to read the sweet message sent from CTCS kids to those in need in NO on the green poster (see above!)
What is in YOUR cupboard and what are you willing to share with others in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
No comments:
Post a Comment