NO "HOLY BUNKER" for US!

We had our church FOOD PANTRY & CLOTHING CLOSET on Tuesday. To say I am so proud of our CHURCH for serving in this way is quite the understatement. The hours and hours of dedication spent by the volunteers for this monthly event is nothing short of inspiring. I have been involved with this type of outreach many times in the past and I always get the same feeling. I am thankful to have a church that truly views this as a calling. This month we even served a THANKSGIVING MEAL. There were many different people who volunteered their time and energy to make food, work distributing food, or helping in the clothing closet. I witnessed first hand the true labor of love by our congregation. 

My personal joy working the FP&CC is just meeting, talking, and praying with people. It is definitely not the hard work most people put into this mission, but my heart is to make these people feel important. I want them to know someone cares, personally, about them and I also want them to WITNESS the POWER OF PRAYER at work in their lives. Even though this day is only a few hours long, I am mentally and spiritually exhausted when it is over, but I am also mentally and spiritually renewed. I love it when the "regulars" come up to me and express the joy of answered prayers from previous months. I know God is working!

The words of JESUS  in John 17:15-17 comes to mind when I have these opportunities:

"I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth, teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth." (John 17:15-17, NLT)

When we talk about being HOLY, SET APART, that does not mean we remove ourselves from the fallen world. NO, JESUS SENDS US INTO THE WORLD. I know this is not my home. This is a temporary location before I reach eternity. I am not called to "hunker down" in my HOLY BUNKER until I am called to my heavenly home. NO, I am called to go out and demonstrate the love of JESUS to a hurting, lost, and dying world. When I get the opportunity to serve in the midst of those hurting it warms my heart, it gives purpose. 

Jesus gave his HOLY SACRIFICE for us when he hung on that CROSS. He gave a sacrifice that I might live with him both today and in paradise. Until I am called home, I will share is truth, his love, his grace, and his mercy with as many people as I can. I am so thankful to have these opportunities to reach out into our community. I praise God for his gift of service. 

Heaven Father, I praise you for the opportunity to serve our community. I praise you for the dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to serve your children. I ask that you bless them, in amazing ways as they go through their day each day. I ask that you SHOW UP in a powerful way by answering the prayers of those that we serve. Lord, you are powerful, mighty, and I know your heart is for those who cannot help themselves. Please Lord, demonstrate that power in the lives of those we served this week. AMEN!

__________________________________________________

If you haven't repented of your sin, accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross, dying for your sins, or if you have not committed your life to Jesus, TODAY could be that day. give your life to the Lord. 

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10, ESV)

If you gave your life to Jesus today, text the word "faith" to (765)-896-4302 and we will follow up with material for you and join you in your walk of faith!