|
Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "I Am Not Skilled To Understand"1 (Lyrics) |
At our church in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada, we have hostess groups that provide a service within our church family, serving lunches and other light refreshments following funerals, or for birthdays, anniversaries, and other church-related activities, as requested.
Recently, two of the hostess groups had prepared a luncheon following a funeral. There were leftovers, and the family wanted to help others out by giving them this abundance. There was no problem for the hostess groups to find a place to take the leftovers where they would be well received and appreciated. However, on the way, while packing up the food in the car at the front of the church, they spotted six men lounging. So, they went over to them and asked if they would be interested in some sandwiches from a funeral. All but one came alive and graciously accepted. They started eating the sandwiches immediately and exclaimed how good they were. You could see the joy on their faces. It was a little thing to do, but what a difference it made to them!
The rest of the food was delivered to the original destination, and, as always, it was readily accepted with open arms. Not everyone is as blessed as we are. God is forever sending people in our path to be helped.
We also have a pantry at our church, and every Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., people come and receive a bag of groceries and often, a frozen meal prepared in advance by our faithful volunteers. What a wonderful outreach to our community!
When we open our eyes and look at all the problems in the lives of people around us, we'll realize how good we have it. We are all called to help people in need. When we begin helping other people, we're doing God's work!
What does it look like in our daily lives as Christians to share each other's troubles and problems? Do we act, or pass them by? It's the little things that count — over and over and over — like sharing leftover sandwiches from a funeral reception with the homeless or preparing food to hand out every week.
Romans 15:2-3a – Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?" That's exactly what Jesus did. He didn't make it easy for himself by avoiding people's troubles, but waded right in and helped out. (MSG)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are so blessed! Give us hearts that care for those around us and help us to reach out to those in need. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share on Facebook Send your feedback to the author Leave a comment
DR, EDWARD B;: "May 23, 2025: Please pray for Eddie as he enters a new phase of life that his Christian plans for..." 
Health: "May 22, 2025: Please pray for our nephew Rob who is facing prostate surgery and has several other..." 
Thank you for your continued prayers!: "Update May 21, 2025: Thank you for your prayers for Rick and for continued prayer. He and his wife..." 
Although PresbyCan doesn't have a mobile app, you can still have a PresbyCan icon on your mobile phone home screen. 
A wonderful challenge for us all, Dee.
Aging has changed the way we can help others – Now prayer and phone calls are the way.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today.
Blessings.
Amen Dee. What a great ministry and Bravo to those ladies who approached the homeless men just as Jesus would have done!
Thank you for sharing how your church meets special needs. There is surely a blessing in sharing and generously giving. Sometimes we are afraid to be generous with what we have to share. Blessings.
Hi Dee! The family cottage is nearby. We were just thinking that when it is our month, we would drive over to Owen Sound for church.
Thank you for your excellent Devotional. Loved it.
Good morning, Dee,
I loved your inspiring devotional. It is so nice to hear of a church which is thriving and has multiple hostess groups.
I joined in your prayer and hope that I figure out a way to reach out more and then I pursue it. Thanks for sharing. Blessings.
Thanks, Dee, for your important words today. Yes, we sure need to reach out and help wherever we can, especially these days as it seems more and more people are in need. Jesus certainly is the greatest example of one who is ever ready to give help and following His ways will give us the greatest results in our lives. Blessings for preparing these special writings.
Good morning, Dee,
Greta and I just read your devotional after breakfast.
Good words indeed.
Thank you so much, good work the church is doing in Owen sound.
Have any of the ones you helped started coming to church, I was wondering.
Blessings.
Dear Dee,
Thanks so much for all the helpful ideas you shared in this morning’s devotional.
Thanks also for all the devotionals you have shared down through the years. I have really appreciated getting these devotionals for several years now. What a blessing they have been. I don’t always take the time to say thank you. But this morning I felt I needed to say thank you for all the ways that your church provides for others.
May God bless you all.
Beautiful rendering of being hands of Christ Dee! Blessings.
Just getting around to listening to your very good, and timely devotion. Keep writing!
Thank you, Dee. The little things can lead to bigger things, like drawing people to Jesus.
That sounds like a church that has the right idea of what Christians are supposed to do. The hands of God, doing his work.
Thanks, Dee for highlighting St. Andrew’s!
God Bless You and the others, Dee Renaud: There but for the grace of God go any one of us. I try also to help others when I am out and about. Sometimes I will take food from my shopping baskets and pass it to someone in need who might happen to cross my path in a given day. God knows.