helping hurting people

Hebrews 13:16 (NLT)

And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

I just left an incredible meeting with influential people in our community.  Some of them are from faith based organizations, some from non-profits and some from government agencies.  It really was eye opening.

Each of us come from different points of view.  Our philosophy, vision and practice are worlds apart.  Yet one thing is central.

We all want to help hurting people.  

These people look different as well.  Some are families, some are single, some have kids but are all alone.  Their needs can come from different angles as well.  Yet deep down there is something that holds them and us on the same page.  That something is life and the desire to live.

I believe that we all can live with hope and purpose.  We all must live with truth, and truth is a person whose name is Jesus.  Hope comes from Him.  Dreams are fueled, filled and fulfilled by Him.  Yet so many of the people we want to help don't see hope, they don't have dreams and they can't see past the next bill, the next meal or the next conversation.

It is time that we help hurting people by offering them hope.  This hope doesn't come in the form of a Bible or a sermon.  This hope comes in the form of our time and a relationship.  Yes, we can help with services and meeting needs.  And that is what opens doors.  But it is past those needs where their hope will be found. 

When we help hurting people, hope can be seen, and the hope we must offer must be Jesus.  Put everything else aside.  Nothing else heals like Jesus' hope.  Nothing else fuels our dreams like Jesus.  These are the promises, this is the person that we need, that hurting people need.

Psalm 33:20 (NLT)

We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield.

Very often God places people in my path that clarify our vision and our calling to help people that are in need.  It is incredible to listen to the stories of many of these people.  Our ministry partners at The Community Fellowship are a huge part of pouring in to the lives of people that are hurting.

God reminded me today that we are here to help hurting people.  It is that simple.  We demonstrate the love of God to our community in various ways all to help hurting people find hope in Jesus.  I want to be like Jesus!

Mark 10:45 (NLT)

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

John 3:17 (NLT)

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

Matthew 12:21 (NLT)

And his name will be the hope of all the world.

The hope we give to hurting people is Jesus!

NOTE: much of this devotion was first shared in March of 2010.