helping those in need

I am very proud of our youth who continue to run with the DNA of our church in helping people who are in need.  This coming weekend many of our students and their leaders will be part of the 30 HOUR FAMINE sponsored by World Vision.

Each of our students are encouraged to raise money to help feed hungry people around our world.  They have shared that $35 will feed a child for an entire month.  That is a small amount to give to serve a child, but what is reality for The Community Fellowship is that we are helping hungry people eat every day.  What an honor it is to serve those who are in need.

Please take a few minutes to go to the 30 HOUR FAMINE website and give what you can.  CLICK RIGHT HERE for that website, or you can see any of our students or their leaders (Adrienne or Jennifer) to give your gift.  This pastor and dad is proud of my three children who have made a commitment from noon this Friday until 6pm Saturday to fast from eating to help those who are hungry.  Our students will be serving in various ways this Friday and Saturday.  If you would like to help with this project, CLICK HERE to email Adrienne Hubbard for more details.

PSALM 41:1-3  NLT

Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!  The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble.  The Lord protects them and keeps them alive.  He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies.  The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health.

Years I have been sharing the journey of those who are hungry, hurting and homeless in our community.  Each year this journey gets closer to home and even more of a reality.  But what gets my attention the most is the fact that serving others in the name of Jesus is one of the most difficult things in the world.  Have you noticed that?

People will oppose you along the way.  But Jesus told us that would happen.  There will be times when you have to dig for resources and help.  But Jesus did that as well.  The more we try to help people the more people we meet who need help.  I love this stuff even if it is often frustrating.

Gaining perspective on a regular basis is a must.  We may acknowledge that there are hungry people and people with needs all around us.  The needs are also varied.  The stories I hear break my heart and even lead to some tears.  The toughest or hardest tears for me is when my heart gets attached to a person and I begin to share their journey.  I don’t always have what they need, but there is still hope.

The verses above are the real perspective we need from God.  Literally, God blesses those who serve the poor.  He will rescue them and be their nurse or helper.  It takes courage to really help people.  Did you read that?

It is easy to click on a website and give.  It is easy to hire someone else to go and do something good.  It is tough to leave our comfort zone and join the journey of those who are struggling, yet there nothing more fulfilling than being part of helping someone’s life change.

God didn’t call us to Americanize the world.  We aren’t looking to pack our churches with people.  We are seeking to make sure more people go to heaven.  That means people need real hope.

Why do we feed hungry people?  Who do we help the homeless?  Why do we get involved with those who are hurting?  We do those things because serving wins us the opportunity to share hope!

I challenge you to help our students raise money to feed people.  I ask you to help our church help hurting people (GIVE HERE), but what I really beg you to do is to get out of your comfort zone and spend some time with hurting people and offer someone the real hope that we and they need!

2 Corinthians 8:14  NLT

Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.