“And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Philippians 4: 19, 20
As we traverse the chaos that seems to have enveloped our world it is important that we do not lose sight of the big picture; God alone is Sovereign. Nothing that is happening has surprised God. Nothing has caught Him off guard. He is not overwhelmed nor afraid. He has prepared in advance all that we will need even before we know we will need it. He is the Great I AM. He is undefeated. The evidence of this truth is all around us, if you chose to see it.
At our 16th Annual Day of Praise, held in June, our guest speaker, Pastor Tim Dennison, shared a message of hope and growth even in the midst of these most challenging times. Pastor Tim insisted that our God will continue to provide for the Care Mission and for us, as the leaders of this ministry. Not only will God provide, but He will provide an increase. We whole heartedly agree. Why would we not? Has the Lord not been faithful to provide more than we could have ever hoped for or imagined?
Over the past 18 months, out of an abundance of caution, genuine fear, or an overall lack of support, many food pantries across our nation have either closed or greatly reduced their services. But the mighty hand of God has provided increase for the Care Mission. God is now using the Care Mission to distribute more food than ever before, 9+ tons of food each week. Nine plus tons of food each week.
God has provided the wherewithal every step of the way. He’s opened doors for additional sources of food, additional sources of monetary support, additional sources of personal hygiene items, additional sources of household cleaning supplies, and additional sources of Bibles. We have been able to greatly increase the distribution of all these things because God has provided. Most importantly, God has increased the opportunity for us to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We serve a God of increase.
Who’s receiving these blessings? Currently we are assisting approx. 650 households per month, with approx. 2,000 individuals within those households. About 85% of these individuals are either children (18 and under), senior citizens (65+), or disabled adults. The remaining 15% are able bodied adults who are often the caregivers. Each household can receive assistance monthly, if needed, but only one time per month. These households must meet income requirements or be in a crisis situation. So who’s receiving these blessings? I would suggest they are the “least” Jesus speaks of in Matthew 25.
Still the greatest blessing is found in the service of our Lord. A vital part of this ministry are our volunteer servants. We praise God for them. But more are needed. God knows this and we are confident He will move hearts to serve Him by serving others. And we are humbled that God has allowed us, greatly flawed as we are, to be an instrument for His glory.
Please keep in your prayers; our nation, that we may become “one nation under God” again, our leaders, that they will be filled with Godly wisdom, Christians being oppressed all around the world, those who boldly stand for Christ, those who continue to deal with the effects of the many natural disasters around the world, those who stand in the gap to protect the innocent and our freedoms, those dealing with SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID madness, those overwhelmed by fear during these uncertain times, our Volunteer Servants and supporters, our Board of Directors, Kendra and Deon, that we do not grow weary, our safety, and the least among us, that they will one day thrive.
Food for thought;
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
John 8:36
Free indeed. Ironically, complete surrender is required in order to gain this sort of freedom. A complete surrender to Christ. Not a commitment to Christ. Not a dedication to Christ. Not an arm’s length relationship with Christ. We must surrender our life to Christ and allow Him to direct our commitments and dedication. We must embrace Him.
For most of us surrender doesn’t come easily. The notion runs contrary to our culture. Even though in reality we all surrender to something; pride, power, love of money, political correctness, the Social Justice gospel, pick the poison. Pick the sin. Pick your master.
About 30 years ago I realized that while I had accepted Christ as my Savior I had not surrendered my life to Him as my Master. My surrender changed everything. Everything. There are times I want to pull the white flag back and do things my way. To remain submissive requires consistent worship at the feet of Jesus. To expect freedom from a secular world is foolishness.
This freedom through Christ is both deep and wide. And its value regarding our ability to lead the ministry of the Care Mission cannot be overstated. Because the Son has set us free, we can present the Gospel of Christ, through the work of the food pantry, to anyone God brings our way. Anyone, regardless of their sex, race, faith, or political views. This freedom allows us to extend God’s love and grace to those we serve without first having to consider any of those things lest we be found politically incorrect or socially unacceptable. Since the desire to be politically correct or socially acceptable are not sufficient reasons to disobey the Gospel of Christ, to whom we have surrendered, we are free from those restrictions. We are not slaves to the approval of others. They are not our master.
Christ is our Master.
Among other things, to be free indeed is to have your world views formed by your relationship with the Lord, the teachings of Christ revealed in Holy Scripture. Rather than having your relationship with the Lord restricted by your world views. I’ve walked both paths. Being free indeed is the better way.
Thanks for your support.
Be Blessed,
Deon and Kendra