Cool Numbers

Today we read John 5-6.

One of the great joys that I have in ministry is being able to minister alongside my fellow church members.   We have ongoing ministries that keep us busy all year long.  This time of year, however, always has a lot more people asking and I have been blessed in recent days to be a part of wonderful experiences that have been blessed and led by the Lord.

At Thanksgiving we provided 99 turkeys to 100 families.  One man said that he did not want a turkey because he 'wouldn't know what to do with it.'  Last Thursday night we served 100 families hams that were donated by a local grocer and, just like at Thanksgiving, each family also got a good bag of groceries to accompany the meat. Did we plan for 100?  Yes.  However, we have planned for that many before, but never had that many.  This year it was a blessing to turn no one away and to have none left over.  The day before the last giveaway a local farmer and faithful member of our church donated 15 boxes of world famous Vardaman Sweet Potatoes and each family went home with a good sack o' taters.  That ministry comes alongside the Samaritan Purse Christmas Shoebox Ministry, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, the Prison Christmas Bag Ministry, the monthly free medical clinic, our ministry to travelers (twice just this week), and the many families that have been adopted for the Christmas season.  It is a blessing to be a part of these wonderful works of God.

I was reminded of all of that this morning as I read about the feeding of the 5,000.  One key verse that we base our ministry policies on is found in John 6.10a- Jesus said, "Have the people sit down."
Why is that important?  It is important because that was the processing procedure for the Lord. Sit them down so that the feeding can be organized.  That is what we do.  We do not ask financial questions.  We do not ask for identification.  We simply ask that they allow us to get their name, pray for them, and only take one bag per household.  Most need it. Some may not.  That is for the Lord to work out with each individual.  He told us to feed the hungry and I am happy to be a part of such a ministry as I am with First Baptist Church.

Exactly 100 families...twice...ain't that cool!  Have a blessed day!