SEE AND PROVIDE
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” Acts 2:45
Theme: When living in the presence of the Holy Spirit, believers see and provide for each other's needs.
LOOK UP
Hyperfocus can be a blessing when I need to complete a difficult task. However, when serving, attention to more than a single task is vital. The Holy Spirit often directs us while we are already serving.
Maybe you served at the Toy Store in December like my friend Elia. She told me about how she had an opportunity to do more than check-in that day. Elia translates our devotions into Spanish each week. You may be reading this because she serves. At the Toy Store, she was helping Spanish-speaking families check in. There was a mix up in finding some tickets – that was stressful. Yet, because she had to make small talk, she found out more about one family, connected with them, and has since recognized and spoken to them when they started attending The Cove. Her attention to the Holy Spirit’s prompting to engage was integral in allowing them to feel welcomed and loved in our community. She didn’t get too focused on her tasks; she remembered to listen to the Holy Spirit and care for people.
WHAT NEED?
Some of us need attention, some need clothing, or need to be known. Some people need a meal, or a bag of groceries. Sometimes we need prayer, electricity, bathrooms, or running water. The Church is bigger than any one of us – maybe we think we can’t make a difference for our brothers and sisters abroad, say in Africa. Yet, we have a team in Uganda now, building bathrooms; they need those! If you were a part of the All-In campaign last fall, you paid for them. Cove Kids (at the Salisbury Campus) is getting much-needed bathrooms. You served our community partners by bringing in everything from period products to food staples. You went out and worked with your hands, doing yardwork and serving meals to help our neighbors. You saw the needs and you reached out a hand to provide.
LIVING IN THE PRESENCE
Keep listening. Keep living in the presence of the Holy Spirit. During this Holy Spirit sermon series, we heard last week about the byproducts of abiding in the Spirit: worship, thankfulness, and serving. When we are filled with the Spirit, we find that we are “... addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:19-21, ESV). In providing for each other’s needs, we submit to each other. And we do all these things out of reverence for Christ. Good work friends. Keep on.
Make It Personal: What is more difficult for you: seeing a need (opening your eyes) or providing for a need (opening your hands)? What practical steps might a believer take to keep both eyes and hands open this week? Do this out of reverence for Christ.
Pray: Lord, help me to see the needs around me this week. When I see needs, I want to be prepared to act. Help me to prepare today – by putting cash in my wallet, snacks in my car, or whatever I may need to do Your work. Not everyone has the same assignments, and yet I trust that You can use whatever I have for Your glory. Thank You for my home, groceries, money in the bank, health, strength, and other resources. Help me to release control and trust You with each of them. In Your Name I pray. Amen.
Read: Ephesians 5:18-21; Acts 10:1-2; Proverbs 31:20; Matthew 25:34-40
Weekly Memory Verse: “...complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” Philippians 2:2 (ESV)