Our First Bible Study Meeting

Today we held our first intimate Bible study with the Arms Wide Open kids. God really pressed this on my heart last year when so many of our kids were beginning to accept Jesus into their hearts. I knew I had a responsibility to disciple them as well as mentor them but I was worried about where to hold Bible study groups and how to transport the kids to and from meetings. What does God say about that? "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Matt. 6:25-27 NIV. I know this, yet somehow I always find myself worrying. God provided a location and transportation, both free of charge. THANK YOU, GOD!! He continues to bless me so that I can, in turn, bless others. I taught these kids, who have only been Christians for two months now, about the standard God asks us to live by. We discussed the book of Ephesians where the Christian walk-of-life is outlined so well. We talked about sin and how to avoid temptation and falling into sin. We also talked about how to protect ourselves from the enemy and we discussed the armor of God in depth. I feel that we covered some of the essentials of Christian life, at least.

We then diligently packed bags for our second homeless delivery. In these bags we placed sandwiches, juice, potted meat, crackers and cheese, lotion, coupons for free McDonald's food, and even a toothbrush and toothpaste. We tried to think of things they might need but not have ready access to. As an added measure of outreach, we placed in each bag a verse out of Jeremiah 29:11 (For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ) and a prayer of salvation. The kids put these bags together with such joy and excitement, it was a sight to see! Then we loaded up the van and headed out. We searched the streets of Valdosta and found some of the loneliest, desperate, and desolate individuals. My heart aches at the depth of pain I could see in their eyes. We weren't in the poorest areas of town, or the most dangerous. We found them at Taco Bell, near the Mall, at a gas station, and just walking down the sidewalk. They were everywhere we looked. They are there, you just have to SEE them. To think so much need is here in our very midst as we go about the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. Lord, never let me be a person who passes them by, carelessly unseeing. Open my eyes and open my heart to SEE and direct my hands to DO, oh Lord. Thank you for the blessing You poured out through us and on us today!