meeting needs

Isaiah 58:7  NLT

Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless.  Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

There are times when needs seem to be greater.  It is at times like that we can make a big difference in the lives of the people we are around.  Some people have a hard time seeing needs while others are over run with them.

As it is winter and our area is about to be hit with extreme cold weather the needs of those who do not have heat or don't have a place to stay come to our mind.  There are things we can do to help others.  Are you willing to meet the needs that you see?

One way to meet those needs is to prepare yourself to meet needs.  That might consist of putting a few blankets or some food in your trunk so that when you see someone who is homeless or hungry that you can meet the need you see.

Another way to meet a need is to volunteer with a local church or organization that is meeting needs.  This might be a shelter or where meals are served.  It could be a number of places.  Each of these has need of volunteers year round.  They also have need of donations of money, food and other items.

A sure way to see needs and begin meeting them is to ask God to help you see needs.  It is amazing when you start looking for things that you will begin to see them.  God will open your eyes and give you opportunities to help others. 

You might not be able to do a lot, but you can do something.  Provide a meal for someone who is hungry.  Donate old blankets to shelters or clothes closets in your area.  You can give money to help an organization or give your time.  Another way to help people is simply to start conversations.  Far too often we see people and pass them by as we go through our day, but if we would give just a few minutes to talk to people, we might find many things we can do.

God cares about people.  His desire is to let people see Him and know Him.  As we follow God we will begin to care more about people.

1 John 3:17  NLT

If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion — how can God’s love be in that person?

I write this post because there are great needs around us.  Our church has had a desire to provide a homeless shelter in our community for a long time, and it seems that it is going to finally become a reality in the months ahead.  But there are needs right now.  The winter weather is making it hard on the people who need help.  There is a group of people in our community working to open a winter shelter very soon.  Please pray for that to happen.

May God help you and I to meet urgent needs as we see them.  May God give us the resources to help people that we come in contact with.  Mother Teresa said, “if you can’t feed 100 people, feed one.”  Make a difference today. 

Find a hurt and heal it.  Find a need and fill.  (quotes from Tommy Barnett)  Serve others by demonstrating the love of God.