Let it Start with Me...

1 John 3
17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

I've been "church'n" today. Listening to God's Word and what He has to say.

God gives us all gifts. Not all of us are called to be a youth pastor, or sweep the church after everyone leaves. Some of us are called to be the hands and feet of God right where we are.

Maybe you saw that pregnant girl on the street corner who has nowhere to go, and doesn't know how she is going to make it until her next meal. Instead of judging her for all the reasons you can think of for being there, why not approach her, get to know her, find out the truth, see if she is ready for a hand up? That extra bedroom you now have since your little girl went off to college could be there for a reason. Instead of selling that big old house just because you don't like the room, try filling those rooms up with God's love. Maybe your little girl was just the training you needed. Now, there is opportunity for more.

Perhaps you don't have the room. But, you have a car. And, you have the time. That homeless veteran who needs a ride to the VA clinic, sure would thank you. Maybe he needs helps getting his prescriptions filled.

Or, maybe you made a big casserole last night and only ate half of it. There is a homeless camp just down the rode with a few people in it that sure wouldn't turn down a home-cooked meal.

How about those old clothes that you don't wear anymore? There is a girl down the street who lives in an old house who is struggling to pay the bills, and winter is coming. I'm sure she would appreciate that old jacket you can't wear anymore...or those dishes you were thinking about giving to the Salvation Army.

I'm not knocking the Sally or Goodwill, but the money they make off your old stuff doesn't fill the immediate needs of that single father who is struggling to raise his baby girl alone when he can't find a decent job that will cover his childcare expenses. He could sure use that swing set your kids grew out of -- or their old clothes, for that matter.

There are lots of ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Especially here, in Texarkana. How often do you look around and say, "Lord, give me an opportunity."

Perhaps you see a need that you can't fill, but you know someone who can. Do you leave that needy person alone because you can't fill it and hope they find the help they need? Or do you talk with them and take them by the hand and lead them to the person who can?

I'm just saying.

Sometimes, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus right here, right now. Not just on Sunday. Not just at the church house.

You ARE the church. YOU are the only Jesus some of these people will ever see.

Be what you are called to be!