IT IS BY GOD’S GRACE GO I

THE LORD LAID UPON MY HEART THIS YEAR THOSE ON THE STREET OF OUR CITY THAT WANDER AIMLESSLY FROM STREET CORNER TO STREET CORNER. THESE PEOPLE HAVE BECOME A FIXTURE MUCH LIKE A STREET SIGN, LIGHT POLE, TRAFFIC LIGHT THAT WE PASS BY EACH DAY. WE SEE THEM AS WE GO ON OUR WAY. IN OUR HEARTS WE HAVE SOME COMPASSION, WE MAY STOP AND GIVE THEM MONEY, FOOD, ETC, ETC, BUT DOWN DEEP WE PREFER NOT TO BE REMINDED OF HOW CRUEL LIFE CAN BE TO SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE MET WITH LIFE’S CHALLENGES AND LOSSES.

THIS WEEKEND I MET WITH A LOT OF GOOD-HEARTED PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR WAY AND PURPOSE IN LIFE, BUT THEY GET UP WITH EACH SUNRISE WITH HOPE FOR ANOTHER DAY. I HAVE MET MANY WHO ARE HUNGRY, BUT THE ONE THAT REPLAYS IN MY MIND IS A YOUNG MAN TOOK ONE OF THE PACKS I GAVE HIM. HE OPENED IT AND IMMEDIATELY GRABBED THE SOCKS WE PUT IN THERE AND TOOK OFF HIS SHOES. I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, “DEAR LORD, HE WAS BAREFOOT IN THAT COLD WITH NO SOCKS ON.” MY HEART SANK TO THE PIT OF MY STOMACH. THIS YEAR HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE TO ALL OF US, BUT TO THE HOMELESS IT IS EVEN MORE SO. THE PLACES THEY USE TO GET OUT OF THE COLD ARE CLOSED BECAUSE OF COVID-19. SO, THEY ARE WITHOUT ANY WAY TO GET AWAY FROM THE COLD, RAIN, OR WIND.

I AM REMINDED OF MATT 25:40 - 46 JESUS IS COMMENTING ON THE JUDGEMENT OF THE SHEEP AND GOATS. THE POINT THAT HE IS TELLING US AS BELIEVERS IS “WHATEVER WE DO TO THE LEAST OF OUR BRETHREN WE ALSO DO UNTO JESUS HIMSELF” THAT AS TRUE BELIEVERS IN CHRIST WE ARE CALLED TO ACTION TO HELP THOSE IN NEED.

I WANT TO TAKE TIME TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO HAVE DONATED MONIES, TIME, GLOVES, HAND WARMERS, FOOD, ETC, ETC. THE PRODIGAL SON PROJECT HAS BEEN A GREAT SUCCESS THANKS TO YOUR COMPASSIONATE GIVING. TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE OUR MINISTRY HAS HELPED ONE YOUNG LADY WHO WAS JUST INTERVIEWED AND HIRED FOR A GOOD PAYING JOB BUT COULD NOT START DUE TO HER POOR VISION BECAUSE SHE HAD NO FUNDS FOR EYE TEST OR GLASSES. WE HAVE STEPPED UP TO PAY FOR THESE SO SHE CAN START WORK SOON AND NOT LOSE THIS OPPORTUNITY. THAT’S WHAT GOD CAN DO THRU OUR GIVING, BRING A MIRICLE.

GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU, REV PHILLIP COLE