September 11, 2005
"A Heart To Help"
A Call to Faithfulness—Part 13
Selected Scriptures
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
—2 Timothy 2:1
What do you do with storms?
1. Heed the lessons to be learned from storms.
- Everyone faces storms in life.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
—John 16:33
- Everyone at some point needs help.
...Since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.
—Romans 12:5 (NLT)
- God uses storms:
To get our attention: Jonah is our example.
To bring us back to Himself:
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.
—Psalm 119:67
To protect us:
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
—Genesis 50:20
To deliver us from eternal destruction:
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
—Matthew 10:28
2. Evaluate your life.
Real life is not measured by how much we own.
—Luke 12:15 (NLT)
We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
—1 Timothy 6:7
What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul.
—Matthew 16:26
3. Lend a helping hand:
- By sharing with them
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
—1 John 3:17
- By serving them
By helping each other with your troubles, you obey the law of Christ.
—Galatians 6:2 (NCV)
4. Pray faithfully.
Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you.
—1 Samuel 12:23
Lifework
God shows his love by working through people. We must get involved in practical ways. We must think of others more than ourselves. These people need something strong and lasting that will give them security and stability. Everything in the world can be taken away. The only thing that cannot be taken away is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Let's not just talk about Christ's love, but show it in action. Jesus said that on judgment day, one of the things we are going to be judged for is how we treated other people.
I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me...
—Matthew 25:35-36
Suggestions:
- Fill a hygiene bag
- Fill a child comfort bag
- Fill a student supply bag
- Invite a neighbor to fill a resource bag and invite them to church
- Give blood
- Give money (see flyer in the worship guide)
- Buy SCRIP gift cards to send to displaced families (see Carol Holloway at SCRIP table)
- Consider taking in a displaced family
- Consider being part of a mission team this next Easter or summer (more information to come)
- Plan now to be involved in both Thanksgiving and Christmas outreaches (shoebox ministry and blanket ministry)
How will you help? Everyone can do something!