Posted on February 28th, 2011 by TNichols
“What a great day we had. Our life group came together and got a lot done for the <Family> Home. Even the children were lending a hand. It feels great to be a part of such a giving Church ministry. I think we had about 25 people that helped between the two life groups today. What a blessing.” – Steve, Calvary Cares Day
Sometimes I hear people say, “I can’t make that big of a difference. I am only one person.” But this thinking couldn’t be further from the truth. Our efforts really do count. When we serve, we change the lives around us. And when we serve together, the impact is hugely multiplied. What kind of service can you offer someone? Inspire your life group, friends, or neighbors to serve with you. Search for needs now and see what speaks to your heart. www.MeetTheNeed.org
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Posted on February 23rd, 2011 by TNichols
Reach Up Show me your faith without deeds and I will show you my faith by what I do. James 2:18
Reach In Faith that saves produces good deeds. I just love the book of James as it is filled with practical actions and guidance in how to live out our faith. Believing in God is not the same as trusting in Him and doing what his word says. Deeds do not save us – only the blood of Christ can – but righteous action is evidence of genuine faith.
Reach Out How can we more outwardly live out our faith? We would love to hear some of your ideas. Go to Meet The Need and enter your zip code to see specific ways to serve others.
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Posted on February 14th, 2011 by TNichols
Romans 5:1-8
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
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Posted on February 11th, 2011 by JMorgan
Yesterday, I asked God this question. I was reading 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 and saw how God values love above all else – more than faith, spiritual gifts, giving to the poor, sacrifice, etc. But those verses don’t define what love is. Even verses 4-7 only describe characteristics of love, not what love really is at its core. So I prayed and asked God to reveal to me what love is. Through the circumstances of the day yesterday (which I could write a small book about), God revealed to me maybe the most important lesson I’ll ever learn – because it’s what is most important to God.
If you ask 1,000 people what love is, you’ll get 500+ answers. You’ll hear things like, “I just feel it”, “I just knew”, “I don’t know – there are no words to describe it”. Many never truly understand what love is. I don’t think I did until yesterday…
What is Love?
| Love |
Not Love – Self Centered |
| Getting into the mind of the person to fully understand what they need |
A general feeling within ourselves about someone. Thinking in our own minds about what someone else needs. |
| Genuine empathy (envisioning ourselves being in their situation) to try to fully understand what someone is going through |
Using our own minds to try to understand what someone is going through (unless we’ve actually gone through it ourselves & therefore already fully understand what they’re feeling) |
| Taking action to give them what they need |
Not taking action to meet their needs (either because we didn’t understand from their perspective what those needs were for the reasons above, or we failed to be empathetic enough to develop the compassion to act) |
2 Great Commandments:
- “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul and strength” – The most important way we can showing our love for God is to be like Jesus Christ and follow his commandments (Joshua 22:5). To be like Jesus and obey Him means thinking “what would Jesus do”. What would Jesus be thinking in a situation like this? It’s loving what God loves and hating what God hates (Psalm 97:10) because we (strive to) have the mind of Christ. Using our own sinful minds to figure out how to love God or show love for God is futile – we will fail because we’re doing it apart from Him.
- “Love your neighbor (which is everyone according to the story of the Good Samaritan) as yourself” – “Love your neighbor” is nebulous, general and undefined. “As yourself” is the key – it gives the context and definition of what it means to “love” someone else. We “love” ourselves (whether we really like ourselves is another story) because we are always “in” our own minds and empathize with ourselves – we have no choice! And we take action to give ourselves what we need. So “love your neighbor as yourself” is seeking to put ourselves in someone else’s place to understand what they’re experiencing and thinking (just like we do with ourselves every moment of every day, by necessity). To use the same example of the Good Samaritan, he showed love to his neighbor by empathizing with the beaten man and taking action.
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Posted on February 9th, 2011 by TNichols
Meet The Need supports two ministries E.C.H.O. and Lighthouse Ministries. I went out to visit them this week to connect them and other ministries together to serve the needs of others. We talked about the needs of these ministries and what they are able to offer families who are out of work, living from their cars, losing their homes, etc.
They are overwhelmed with the amount of people in need of food, clothing, shelter, furniture, etc. There isn’t anyway possible to meet all the needs with just the small amount of resources they receive. They can’t do it alone. They need you.
God has designed the world so there are those in need. Those that need to turn to Him to surrender and for guidance. Then there are those who have been blessed and can give. It is the fulfillment of the two greatest commandments (love God and love others). If you love God, you can’t help but to love others.
What do you have in your garage, closet, or pantry that you could give to someone who needs it? You may think it is just one thing and it can’t possibly make a difference. However, your one-item added to the one-item of hundreds more can make a difference. A difference in someone knowing our Lord and Savior. You see, these ministries do more than just give out needed items, they give the gospel of Christ and the hope of more. Maybe you can give more and give of your time. Share the love that you have received and serve in Jesus’ name.
In Matthew 25:35-40 Jesus says “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me”. When was the last time you gave or served Jesus?
Search Meet The Need for needs in your area.
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Posted on February 7th, 2011 by TNichols
“Dear Children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions.” (1 John 3:18)
The fruit of our relationship with our Father is seen by what we do. The love that He has in us overflows to those around us. We all have something to offer. There is a place for you. Are you experiencing discontent within the community, our nation, or the world? There is a place for you!
“I felt so good about myself after the day was over! I was glad that I came out to help assist building part of the house for the Family. Since I am young, I didn’t think I would be asked to do much, but I was wrong. Anyone can volunteer for Habitat for Humanity!” – Elina
There is a place for you! Go to www.meettheneed.org and Search for Community Needs in your area.
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Posted on February 2nd, 2011 by TNichols
Shiloh Restoration Tabernacle came on board with Meet The Need in January. They implemented all the suggestions we give to launch MTN to their congregation. After only two weeks they had greater than 27% of their members who searched, registered, and adopted needs!
They contribute their “success” to two primary things:
- Open access to all community needs for their members on their website (via MTN)
- Various forms of communication to members as to where to find needs on their website (via MTN)
Their members are so excited to be connected to the community. The staff was surprised to see how members from other churches brought resources and served to help fill the needs of the food drive they did (this was their “launch event”). 87% of the needs they posted for their launch event were filled in only two weeks!
Check out their website at www.shilohrestoration.com . Way to go Shiloh, you may be considered a “small church”, but you have a big start in transforming your culture to a lifestyle of serving! Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ!
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