Moments When the LORD is Truly Close

Since September, a group from LINC Baltimore has been serving a meal to the hungry and homeless on Baltimore Street once a month.  Those who come through the line are mostly men, though there are some women and children.

During yesterday's servant event, a strong witness to Jesus came through the people we served.  It was cold - about 29 degrees and windy. The closeness of the LORD was tangible.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted 

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  PSALM 34:18

We see virtues of Jesus shine through... 

Patience... a line forms and everyone waits patiently for the tables and food to be set up. No one complains or grumbles.  

Thankfulness... is so openly expressed by each one, even those that come when we have run out receive what is left and thank us for coming.  

Generosity... many want to come through for second helpings. Yesterday one man got in line a second time saying "I really want to come through again, has everyone eaten?" Looking at the line of 10, I asked if there was anyone who had not had anything to eat yet. There were two who raised their hands.  

That man jumped out of line saying
"I can't take more when others have
not had any, that's just not right." 

Appreciation...  "We appreciate what you're doing! If you weren't here, we wouldn't eat tonight."  Differently than thankfulness, appreciation shows understanding of the worth and importance of something.   

Last night, the joy of knowing Jesus was palpable!  One man talked about just having gone to church, saying "thank you, Jesus.  It's all about Jesus."  Another man talked about being a Messianic Jew - knowing Jesus in the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, and having the ability to help his Jewish brothers and sisters see that Jesus is the Messiah.

When the food was gone and we were cleaning up, the one who had jumped out of line so that others could eat, helped clean up and dispose of trash.  

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and crushed in spirit..." kept running through my mind.  It is a blessing to prepare and serve this monthly meal.  Those receiving it seem to experience the provision of the Lord in measure beyond what I have experienced.  

Serving in this small way each month has expanded
my ability to see the amazing Spirit of the Lord at work!

The LORD is truly close!

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  MATTHEW 25:35-40

Living Mission, Jesus style... 

Find a place to serve in your community 

and experience the LORD at work!

Your Story Matters

Your life,
the one you are living today, 

is part of the great story of humanity.  

People throughout the ages have sought to understand the story of humanity, and yet it holds a certain mystery. In this great story we see creative power, life and death, good and evil, brokenness and restoration and what is possible through the power of love. 

Amid the brokenness, hope exists within the human spirit.  It is the Lord God who says 

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

JEREMIAH 29:11  

He could have left us in despair, though this is not His way.   

Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 

But because of his great love for us, 

God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ 

even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  

EPHESIANS 2:3-7  

He is consistently calling people to know and experience his love.  When you know this love, your story is forever connected to God's great story, and now the opportunity exists to express the hope you know, and help others experience his love. 

The Lord is worthy of all of our praises!   

In whatever way you've experienced the hope that comes only from the Lord, share it!  
Help someone who needs hope find the one who gives it freely!