This week's verse: Matthew 25:40, “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.’
Devotion:
Two years ago, in a small group that met on Wednesday nights in our church, a friend of mine came up with a brilliant idea to have a free yard sale. The assignment: find a need and do something about it. The need: people. The goal: to help. Simple, yet profound.
So, our small group set off on a wonderful adventure of the first year of the Rummage Sale. It wasn't necessarily a yard sale because it would take place in our church's gymnasium. But, there was definitely going to be some rummaging - because the goal was to ask people to donate anything and everything. Our small group accepted all sorts of donations: clothes, toys, baby items, household items, and practically anything else worth giving.
Another small group came up with the idea to serve a nice, hot meal during the rummage sale. As they prepared for the meal, our group prepared for the rummage event.
The people in our church were gracious; donating selflessly for weeks leading up to the rummage sale. The week prior to the sale, we all were sorting every night. The small group was featured in both of our town's newspapers. WBGL and our local radio station broadcast for the event.
What else could we ask for? We had a gymnasium full of goodies, a tribe of volunteers helping throughout the week and advertisement across several counties. We just needed the people to show up.
Through lots of prayer from us (and for us!) - the 1st year came and went with an explosion. It was almost a whirlwind - setting up, people coming, taking down, and then it's done. I really couldn't wrap my head around it until it was said and done and stories started to circulate.
~Like the man who walked in and picked up some blankets and left.
~Like the people who lined an hour before the rummage sale began.
~Like the woman who insisted on donating money and gave us $5 to put in our offering plate.
~Or the woman who called the church and asked if it was okay to donate brand new items, such as heavy coats for winter.
Such simple things with such profound meaning. Sometimes it's not what you do, or how you do it, how you experience it, or how long it takes, but it's the love that is put into it that makes it a celebration - a love for the Lord that is uncrushable. Psalm 115 states, "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness." (NLT)
Dear Lord, thank you for the love you show us as you work through us. Help us to remember we are all created in your image. We all deserve to know you, to love you, and to experience your love. Thank you for your Jesus. Thank you for your presence in our life and help us to show others this love for the growth of your kingdom. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Power Verses:
Psalm 117:2, "For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD." (NIV)
1 Corinthians 15:57, "But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ." (NLT)
5 comments:
I am always so blessed by helping with the giveaway! Thanks to God's blessing, everyone's hard work and the way it was organized, I think it was the best one yet!
Next year I promise to be there! Thank you and your people for doing this.
I love the fact that you all did it. You didn't wait for someone else that has a job title in the church to do it. You all took it on yourselves and made it happen. As a result many, many people have been and are being blessed. Totally cool!!!
I was hanging on every word... You describe extremely well.
thank you for sharing this great post.
Post a Comment