respond to disasters and to needs

Proverbs 3:25  NASB

Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;

Isaiah 41:10  NASB

‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

We have all seen the news reports.  Currently Hurricane Matthew has been charged with taking more than 20 lives across the Caribbean.  Countries, including ours, has fled the most difficult areas and have prepared for what may be a horrible storm.

Reports are coming from Haiti and are very hard to hear.  Pictures from the southern east coast of our country show vacancies every where as people have left their homes for safety.  What do you do when disaster happens?

There is much that we can do when hard times come.  Disasters come in all shapes and sizes.  Some take lives or change lives forever.  It takes so many of is, of great organizations, to begin the process of rebuilding and giving hope.  That is one thing that I want to do and I want to lead our church to do.  We are to give hope.

In today’s devotion I want to point you in some very important directions.

First, pray.  Pray for those currently in the path of storms.  Pray for those who experiencing their own storms of health crisis or family problems.  This is the place to start.  Remember how we trust God.  Instead of worrying, pray.

Philippians 4:6  NASB

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Second, do something.  This can be as simple as walking across the street and picking up the tree limbs from your neighbors yard.  This could be going a few states and hundreds of miles to help victims of floods.  It could even be more like getting on a plane going to war torn countries and helping orphans.  You get the point.  When we can do something, we must.

1 John 3:17 NASB

But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?

Matthew 25:40  NASB

The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

Third, give.  You might give through your local church or through an organization you care about.  You may say you are poor, but remember that we Americans are some of the richest people in the world.  Many people around the world live with nothing.  Here are a few places you can give and make a difference.

Our church would be honored to help your gift serve others.  Go to www.thecommunityfellowship.org and click “Give Online”.  To help with housing homeless friends choose “The Community Dream Center”.  You can also give at church to help with hunger, benevolence or event for disaster relief.

Our ministry partner, NAMB Disaster Relief, would also appreciate your gift to help their work in the middle of disasters.  Go to https://www.namb.net/send-relief/disaster-relief/hurricane-matthew to help with the working to help those impacted with the hurricane happening now.

Finally, a couple other places to help would be the Red Cross at http://www.redcross.org or the Salvation Army at http://www.salvationarmyusa.org. 

Proverbs 11:25  NLT

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

It really is that simple.  Pray.  Do something.  Give.  When we help others, we are helping God, says Matthew 25.  Continue to watch for needs and meet them.

This Saturday from 9am until noon is The Community Fellowship’s 2nd Saturday FREE meal and clothes closet.  It is an honor to serve those in need.  Would you please share this with people you know in our area that are hungry or who need clothes?  Volunteers are also needed and should arrive at 8:30.

There are similar outreaches where you are.  Find them and help or get help.

As Tommy Barnett has shared, “Find a need and need it.  Find a hurt and heal it.”  Your prayers, your action, your gifts make a difference!