Jump In:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good evening all.\u00a0 I just got home from my church\u2019s kickoff for our summer VBS.\u00a0 We kicked it off with a fun food truck rally.\u00a0 We had several hundred people attend.\u00a0 The weather threatened, but we ended up with a beautiful afternoon and evening.\u00a0 It was great to see so many people again in 3D.\u00a0 The cool thing that happened was all the people after the event was over, jumping in to help.\u00a0 We had 7 people set up but had close to 2 dozen help tear down.\u00a0 No provocation, just started to help put away tables, chairs, tents and the sound system.\u00a0 It was amazing that what had taken hours to build was put away within 30 minutes.\u00a0 This is the servant heart that we need so much in our churches today.\u00a0 If everyone showed up to serve without coercion, we would be able to focus on our ministry so much more effectively!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Life is full of unexpected problems and needs, large and small. Pay attention to moments when God calls you to action, no matter how ordinary or extraordinary the situation may be. See \u201cdisruptions\u201d as invitations to share Christ\u2019s love. Write a note. Visit the sick or the grieving. Share a meal.\u00a0 Now the actions of the people helping today were not life changing for anyone.\u00a0 It was a very simple act of giving 30 minutes of their time to help put things away.\u00a0 It is a state of mind to jump in and help.\u00a0 The bible points out that our actions reflect our response to grace, our faith and our relationship to Christ.\u00a0 We should be willing and ready to jump in to help another no matter how small or big.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c<\/em>O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.\u201d <\/em><\/strong>(Micah 6: 8)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/em>What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don\u2019t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, \u201cGood-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well\u201d \u2013 but then you don\u2019t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn\u2019t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.\u201d <\/em><\/strong>(James 2: 14 \u2013 17)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dear children, let\u2019s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n (1 John 3: 18)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ideas for Action: <\/strong>Practice one of the actions listed in this week\u2019s description: Write a note, visit someone who lives alone, and\/or share a meal.\u00a0 Help out a friend, neighbor, or even a stranger in something simple.\u00a0 Hold a door open, pick something up, smile!<\/p>\n\n\n\n How can you jump in to help someone this week?<\/p>\n\n\n\n