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Last Tuesday night a film crew showed up with cameras, tripods, and all the paraphernalia that is needed for filming a segment either for the 6:00 news or a short miniseries on TV. Many of the homeless were wondering if they were going to be shown on the local news. I am sure that many would have no interest in that type of notoriety since some would not want themselves to be recognized for various reasons. However, it turns out that the Evangelical Institute was filming a promotional video for their school and wanted to include some of their students working in local ministries (such as Food for Life). Their students will be graduating next week and will return to their homes literally all over the world. We have been blessed this year with their faithful service and ministry each Tuesday night and we will miss them.
Tonight we diverted from the Romans study to consider John 3:14-18. In these scriptures the word “believe” or “believed” is repeated over and over. I have been thinking about this word “believe” and its meaning reflected in these scriptures. Obviously, it does mean that we believe that Jesus was a good man, a great teacher and that he taught everyone how they should live in this world but it is much more that. Belief must include the understanding that each one of us is vile and full of sin and that we are perishing. The Bible clearly states in many passages that life is short and during this time on earth we are preparing ourselves for eternity. Eternity will bring either bliss or misery. Believing is not a mere intellectual or a theorical understanding of Jesus and what he did on the cross but it has to be literally internalized within our very soul. We must BELIEVE Jesus is our personal savior from the wrath to come. When John 3:14 states “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life”; we must believe that Jesus was lifted up on the cross for me and you. And when it states in John 3:18 that “whoever believes in Him is not condemned; but whoever does not believe stands condemned already”; we must believe that each of us individually has either put our trust and assurance in what Jesus did on the cross for each of us individually or we will be condemned for eternity. Only when we have that realization can we truly believe as it is stated in these passages.
The numbers were little off tonight. We served 55 hot meals with the assistance of 12 volunteers not including the film crew. There was a terrible storm right before our ministry time, so some could have found shelter and decided to just stay put. As usual we did have some last minute requests. One needed a prescription filled. Another needed some food as we were closing and two others need a ride. Some form of ministry takes place from the very moment we arrive until we close the doors and leave. It can be difficult to meet every need but God is faithful and seems provide just what we need for each situation. Again, thanks to our volunteers who make it happen each Tuesday and a very special “thank you” to Adair and Ann Brewton for their dedication each week.
Again, a reminder that starting next week, we will minister to our friends on Thursday nights instead of Tuesday for the next six weeks.
~Marc
Tonight we diverted from the Romans study to consider John 3:14-18. In these scriptures the word “believe” or “believed” is repeated over and over. I have been thinking about this word “believe” and its meaning reflected in these scriptures. Obviously, it does mean that we believe that Jesus was a good man, a great teacher and that he taught everyone how they should live in this world but it is much more that. Belief must include the understanding that each one of us is vile and full of sin and that we are perishing. The Bible clearly states in many passages that life is short and during this time on earth we are preparing ourselves for eternity. Eternity will bring either bliss or misery. Believing is not a mere intellectual or a theorical understanding of Jesus and what he did on the cross but it has to be literally internalized within our very soul. We must BELIEVE Jesus is our personal savior from the wrath to come. When John 3:14 states “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life”; we must believe that Jesus was lifted up on the cross for me and you. And when it states in John 3:18 that “whoever believes in Him is not condemned; but whoever does not believe stands condemned already”; we must believe that each of us individually has either put our trust and assurance in what Jesus did on the cross for each of us individually or we will be condemned for eternity. Only when we have that realization can we truly believe as it is stated in these passages.
The numbers were little off tonight. We served 55 hot meals with the assistance of 12 volunteers not including the film crew. There was a terrible storm right before our ministry time, so some could have found shelter and decided to just stay put. As usual we did have some last minute requests. One needed a prescription filled. Another needed some food as we were closing and two others need a ride. Some form of ministry takes place from the very moment we arrive until we close the doors and leave. It can be difficult to meet every need but God is faithful and seems provide just what we need for each situation. Again, thanks to our volunteers who make it happen each Tuesday and a very special “thank you” to Adair and Ann Brewton for their dedication each week.
Again, a reminder that starting next week, we will minister to our friends on Thursday nights instead of Tuesday for the next six weeks.
~Marc
