Pastor Caroline - Wednesday December 8, 2021 - The Poor Among You

 

The Poor Among You

You will always have the poor among you.

John Chapter 12 Verse 8, Good News Bible.

 

I am ever thankful for the people who give to the poor. The people who open their hearts to the lonely and the lost. They spend their time talking to them about Jesus and the gift of salvation He brought at Christmas. They make sure these lonely and lost know Jesus and receive the gift of salvation as they offer prayer to them. They lift those who are poor in spirit.

 

To those who serve the sick; in hospitals, nursing homes, at home, in institutions and on the street; you help these people become well. To you I say thank you. You help to heal.

 

The hungry receive a meal from the community centres and churches that open their doors with a hot cooked meal prepared and ready to serve those who are hungry. How wonderful you are to do this work that welcomes the hungry to sit at a table of plenty. My heart of thanks is lifted to you, for you feed the hungry.

 

To those who over the past few weeks have called me and given me monetary gifts so that our church could give those gifts to those in need at this Christmas season, a hearty and humble thank you. With these gifts we were able to provide food, clothing, medication costs covered, a hair appointment for someone, (it was over two years since her last appointment) grocery cards purchased and distributed, toys for the sick children; a power billed paid, these are just some of the ways we used those funds to make someone’s Christmas a little brighter, sharing the love of Christ through the gifts given to our ministry. We also share the gospel of Christ as these gifts are given out. We thank you; and those who were the recipients thank you as well.

 

My prayer this Christmas is that we see the poor in spirit, the sick, the hungry, and that we reach out to them with the hands, feet and heart of Jesus. To be able to help with the needs of people is reassuring them that God hears their cry for help even if not spoken out loud, He knows their need. He promises to meet our daily needs. Through the gifts of others, needs are met and indeed this is how love is given in the name of the Lord.

 

As we read the scripture of John chapter 12 verses 1 to 8 God wants us to understand that the poor will always be with us and that we are to help others who are less fortunate than we are. Mary poured expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus, giving Him all she had in reverence to Him. Then she wiped His feet with her hair. She was serving Him with grace and love, not because He demanded such an action, but rather to show Him she loved Him and would gladly give freely unto Him. Oh; to have the heart of Mary and just share what we have with others out of the depth of that love. May we serve those we meet with grace and love at Christmas and all year long. May we give our daily bread to someone in need and in that action may the love of Christ fill the needs of the poor among us. May we give unto others as Christ has given unto us.

In the action of giving, we are blessed, and we are blessed, to be givers.

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  I will be back with a new writing and more encouragement from the Lord on Wednesday January 05 2022.  Be blessed and remember to give as it has been given unto you.