Jesus' Love Transforming Community

Stories

Throughout the Bible, God calls his people to act in obedience, even when they don’t have the adequate resources to do what they are called to.  In fact, God often places his people into “impossible” situations in which His action is totally necessary for success.  Gideon’s “army” is reduced in size when facing a much larger army.  Jericho is taken by little more than a parade.  Elisha faces a great number alone.  David uses only small stones to face a Giant.

Likewise, Jesus constantly called his disciples to do things they were not equipped and resourced to accomplish.  In fact, when they are sent out 2 by 2, in Mark 6, they aren’t even allow to bring a wallet,food or extra clothes on the mission he sends them out on.  When they face a hungry multitude, Jesus tells them to give the people something to eat!

Why?  Why does God call us to give what we don’t have, to do things we are not equipped to accomplish on our own?  Often, this is how God makes Himself evident in the lives of His people, and increases our dependence and Trust upon him.

How is God working through you to meet the needs of others and to impact His Kingdom?  Use the comments below to share your stories of how God’s generosity is at work through your life!

4 Comments

  1. Having just made herself a baby carrying wrap that she loves, my talented wife Jody is going to make (and dye) four more wraps to give away. Such a wrap would cost about $100 to buy, but only about $30 to make. The leader of a local baby-wearing group who has volunteered to dispense the wraps to mothers who cannot afford a wrap of their own.

  2. We were thinking of ways to use the $100 so that the gift would be multiplied, as with the loaves and fish in Mark 6. Instead of buying a $100 worth of fishing equipment and giving away our catch, we decided to look at local organizations that are already equipped to do the multiplying. I spoke with some folks at FOOD for Lane County about food donation vs. financial donation to their organization. Because of their connections to grocers and other agencies, locally and nationwide, FOOD for Lane County can acquire up to three or four times the amount of food and supplies with $100 cash, than with me giving $100 worth of food that I bought at the grocery store. In other words, the gift of $100 has the potential to make a $300 impact.

  3. We partnered with Zac & Stephanie Tendick to support their new “Coffee & Donuts” with community members, parents and students in their Youth For Christ ministry in Pleasant Hill. The program allows parents and others to come in and get acquainted with Zac in a casual way so that trust is built. Our prayer is that this continues to help the ministry grow and more of the Pleasant Hill community (both the students and the adults that come in contact with Zac!) get to grow in faith.

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