Ministry

Lately, I've found myself passionately defending "The least of these"  Matthew 25:30-46  

It's become popular to bash the poor and ignorant.  I'm called to minister to them, so I have a different perspective.  Where some people seem to see hateful leeches, I see hurting, frightened souls crying alone at night.  I want to minister. 

Every day for about 4 years I have asked God to put His love into my heart, and He has certainly given me empathy for those most white women would find "scary".  I'm called.  I feel their pain, I want to salve it.  I know Jesus can make it all better and I so want to share Him. 

Is this another round of "I'm so holy" - no.  God in me is doing all of this.  I pray He can use me.  I'm a tool, nothing more.  Anything I do can be done by others.  God can use anyone for "my" work.  It's an honor to be used at all. 

It really bothered me at first when people talked about "My ministry".  I felt very uncomfortable.  However, God does use me.  I'm glad. 

God's transformed me from a bitter, fearful, person, into someone who's amazingly brave, venturing into a scary ghetto, standing on a busy median (I have a traffic phobia), and loving on the gangbangers.  It's an honor. 

See, that's the thing so many don't get, even the Christians.  Even a few Christians I respect: God created everyone.  Even the person on welfare in the ghetto.  What, an EBT card means you can't get saved?  Huh? 

Is it a Christian thing to say "Well, I don't care if your children starve to death, if you steal from the system you should lose your benefits for life?"  It wasn't said, but strongly implied.  I was horrified. 

We, as Christians, have to watch our witness!  Are we showing God's love? 

I am the first to admit I fail dismally.  I get bitter, angry, paranoid.  I gossip, I judge.  I have pity parties.  I am impatient, rude, and selfish. 

God wants EVERYONE at the feast in Heaven.  Matthew 22.  The "wedding garment" represents salvation, by the way.  No one is admitted to the feast (Heaven) without salvation. 

How can people get saved if no one reaches them?   Romans 10 
¹⁴ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵ And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

 

Someone has to go.  For Acres Homes, that person is me.  I will continue to go until God stops me or I die.  Simple as that. 

 

People are hurting.  Someone is in such pain they want to end their life.  Others are overwhelmed and desperately seeking Someone to help carry their burdens.  They need Him; and they need me to make an introduction. 

 

One of my Facebook friends asked a question tonight: how many pairs of shoes do you own.  I looked: I have 4.  My slip on steel toed work loafers; a pair of cheap sneakers for days off; sandals for church (I can wear them pretty much any day of the year); and a pair of plastic slip ons I got at the Dollar store over 4 years ago - used for yardwork. 

 

If I had the extra money, I'd use it to buy Bibles.  I don't need stuff.  I find myself increasingly content with my cheap men's t-shirts, a pair of jeans or two, basic undergarments, and a case of Bibles.  I've got a loving husband, a steady job, and two wonderful cats. 

 

Best of all, today God restored the lost money.  Someone turned it in. 

 

PRAISES!