Faith and A Testimony

If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. Isaiah 58:10.

I want to share with you an amazing God story. This is not my story, but the story of the family of God at Life Church, here in Oak Harbor, WA. Last year, our pastors decided to stretch our faith and seek to give away 400 food bags to the needy parts of our city. This year, our goal was 800 bags, serving Oak Harbor and a neighboring area, Anacortes.

This focus on “genero-city” included faith building messages and reminders of God’s promises. As we turned our eyes away from ourselves and onto Jehovah Jireh (The God who will provide) our faith was built and stretched. We were asked to give $40 per family, but not only supply for their need, but also to pray for them. Praying for “my” families made it so real. By God’s grace, I was able to contribute so several families would be provided for. It was a joy, not a burden.

I have always loved to give. It is something God has worked in my heart and soul, but somehow, through these teachings, I found myself looking for more needs to be met! Not only did we give financially, we also sacrificed time and energy. The Sunday before the give away, cards were placed at each targeted area, alerting the occupants that bags of food would be distributed the next Sunday. 800 homes received these cards. On Wednesday, about 130 people came to fill the bags with food goods for 800 Christmas dinners. Each bag also contained a Bible and invitation card to Life Church. Sunday hams were added to these bags and new teams set out to deliver them.

As each team delivered these bags, they offered to pray for the people. It was amazing how many people accepted that offer. One woman was so glad to receive her bag, but was more concerned that her friend would get a bag. The problem was that this woman was quite deaf, so they were instructed to knock very loudly at her apartment. This gal watched closely as another team went to her friend’s door, but she didn’t answer. Her friend said, wait, I have a key to her apartment. She is my best friend. When she unlocked her friend’s door, they discovered she was asleep in her recliner…but a pot on her stove was on fire! The timing of this food bag delivery saved her life and possibly the homes of many.

We heard another touching story. A young child came to the door, and then called her mom and siblings. Her mother had just told the children that they had no money or food for Christmas dinner. The children were very sad of course, and then our team showed up! Only God’s timing could turn things around so quickly. Prayers for healing, hope and provision were given to many.

My part during the delivery time was to be part of our intercessory prayer team. It was a joy to follow the Holy Spirit as He led us to pray for God’s leading for each team member. We felt His Presence, and they did also. We are still praying the seeds sown will bear much fruit for each family, and that the Bible would be read, and the blessing of the reading would be evident.

What is the take-away for me and you? It always pays to be obedient to the Holy Spirit, no matter how much it stretches your faith and your provision. It is always worth it. God cares for the poor, the widow and the orphans, we should too. Isaiah 58:10-11 in the message gives us this promise: If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and -out, Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight. I will always show you where to go. I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places–firm muscles, strong bones. You will be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. If we love and care for those our God cares for He will care for us.

Father, please help us to love others as you love us and as you love them. The poor, the orphan, the widow, the disabled, the weak and the strong. Help us get our eyes off ourselves and onto others, in Jesus’ Name, amen.