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find a need and fill it

Proverbs 3:27 (NLT)
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them.

One of my favorite things to do at the LA Dream Center is to be part of is the ministry of Under the Bridge.  This ministry feeds people in various parts of the city.  Some of the meals are hot and some of them are more like a bag the lunch.  The people UTB serves are mostly homeless.  Many of the people come week after week and some even will ride one of the Dream Center buses to church.

Food is not the main this.  Food is the key that opens the door.  It is the switch that turns on conversations that lead people to hear about and hope to talk about Jesus.

Twice today I watched this ministry's leader, Matthew, have conversations with hurting people who seem to be seeking God.  One was a black man that I have seen before, and the other was an asian gentleman who was genuinely open to talking about more.

My job for the day was standing at the front of the line as people came for food.  I would begin conversations, hand them a Gospel tract and point them toward the food when it was there time.  I had some sweet conversations.  

Some of the people couldn't communicate very well because they didn't know English and I know little spanish or the several other languages that would have been helpful today.  Some of them has precious smiles.  But my favorite was one young man who stepped forward and was holding his head.  We couldn't understand each other very well, but when I asked if I could pray for him, he understood.  After my prayer he humbly said thank you.  Another precious lady answered my question of how she was with having a tough day.  We prayed together too.  Her smile was so sweet as she walked away.  Another was a young guy in his early 20's.  He was honest about life and that things were not well.  We connected, and he left after a short talk, a handshake and a smile.

All three of those may not have been life changing, but one of them may open the doors for them to walk toward God or for someone else to come to know Jesus.

Pastor Tommy Barnett has long said that the best thing we can do is to find a need and fill it.  We may not be able to buy someone a house or even fill their cabinets with food.  Maybe we can simply buy a meal or spend some extra time or simply just show you care somehow.  One easy way to share is to give someone a little bit of food.  It may open up a person's life to meet Jesus.

Isaiah 58:10 (NLT) 
Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.

Spend some time this weekend helping others.  Find a need and fill it.

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October 11, 2010 at 9:54:00 AM EDT
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