Faith in Action
Today was my most extensive outing during my recovery. Charlie Simineo picked me up early this morning and we made a trip to Grand Junction where I represented the Rocky Mountain Energy Forum. This is at the District Council for Assemblies of God churches in Colorado and Utah. It was great to see many friends who have been praying for me and were excited to see me.
Of course most asked me about Debbie, and were disappointed she wasn’t able to make it. I believe those who have followed my illness and recovery closely have identified with the dedication that Debbie has shown and the load she has carried. Now that she is working she is keeping busier than ever. So, I wasn’t surprised when they would greet me and say, “boy, it is really great to see you…. is Debbie here?!”
It was good to have several people express interest in the work of the energy forum and who signed up to received information on webinars that will take place in the future as we discuss the potential of Colorado energy and its importance to our economy and issues that Christians care about.
One of those issues is related to ministry to the poor and disaster relief for those impacted by natural disasters. Hal Donaldson from Convoy of Hope spoke in the evening service tonight and shared about the challenges he faced in seeing Convoy of Hope become a viable ministry to America’s inner cities, as well as responding to disasters around the world. After 20 years they have just marked serving 65 million individuals with food assistance and disaster relief. The impact of rising energy costs to organizations like this is considerable due to transportation costs and the cost of food.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:16, 17
We do have a responsibility to reach out those in need and provide hope that their lives can be different. That applies to the homeless and helpless, those caught in the bondage of human trafficking and those in the bondage of drugs and alcohol.
I am thankful for the thousands of children, teens, and adults that are served by people of faith who put their faith in action in reaching to the “least of these.” When disaster strikes you will find people of faith in action. When there is a need you will find people of faith rising to the occasion to fill the need. The motivation is love for God and love people that God loves. That is the unique perspective that bring an impact to what they do and why they do it.