7-14-23

The sign on the 7/11 said : we know that school is out and some kids rely on school lunches. So M-F 12-1 any kids under 18 can have a slice of pizza, a banana and a slushy FREE!

Cool! This business owner took it upon himself to supplement where the government left off. 

Hebrew’s 6:10 God is not unjust: he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Proverbs 19:17 whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. 

Luke 6:38. Give, and it will be given to you

Hebrews 13:16. Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have because God is pleased with these kinds of sacrifices. 

Galatians 6:2. Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Proverbs 11:25. Generous persons will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed 

Deuteronomy 15:11. Poor persons will never disappear from earth. That’s why I am giving you this command: you must open your hand generously to your fellow Israelites, to the needy among you, and to the poor who live with you in your land. 

James 1:27. Religion that’s pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this : to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” 

I believe the Bible had it right. WE should be taking care of each other. Every now and then there will be a survey result that states that Christians give more than the other demographics. It should be true; we are called to give. 

I’m not talking about the flimsy “pay it forward” movement. I don’t’ see anything wrong with paying for the coffee of the guy behind you, and then expect them to do something nice for someone else. It can lift the spirits of both giver and receiver; however, it doesn’t actually do anything for anyone. I have heard what we should be doing is going into schools and paying for lunch tickets for kids who can’t afford them or something I have done for years is getting the school supply list at Walmart and then buying supplies for several children and bringing it to the teachers. Not all kids can afford new markers, folders, pencils, pens, glue, etc and NOW they need wipes and hand sanitizers. Even if a teacher is lucky enough for all the kids to bring most of the stuff in, it gets used or lost before the end of school year. 

At this church we support several missionaries, several ministry causes such as one of my favorites “We are Called to Care”.  It’s hard though as I have a cousin who has a trailer that has been outfitted with showers for the homeless, it’s called “Showers of Blessings”. They set up every Saturday in Rockford and supply clean clothes, a hot meal and a shower for our unhoused in Rockford. A great place to help. Then we also have the Jamesons who have started the Jubilee Bible Camp. What a great way to teach young minds about Jesus! Then of course, just helping individuals as needed. There are always so many places and people with needs.

Lord, help us to be your hands and feet. Give us wisdom when spending our resources. Let them all glorify you. AMEN!

Shirlene Peterson