NOVEMBER 28-29

'And the King shall answer and say unto them, “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” - Matthew 25:40

Here at Netherfield we are planning to run a once monthly soup kitchen. During discussion of the pro's and con's, my mind went to family accounts of my parents activities in the late 1930's/early '40's.

The East Coast took a real pounding during the Second World War. Hitler's bombers flew in over the North Sea and up through the River Humber Estuary, with the sole purpose of taking out the oil refinery and ports of Immingham, Hull and Grimsby, thereby crippling trade and the economy of Britain – starving Britain into submission. Needless to say, as in all wars, it was the 'ordinary' communities of these areas that suffered. Hundreds were made homeless as houses were destroyed, and children were orphaned in the blink of an eye.

Against this backdrop my parents operated a soup kitchen from their scullery, ensuring a hot, sustaining meal to an ever-increasing queue of homeless families, salvage workers, and my brothers, who worked 24hours/7 searching bombed houses and factories to ensure all living were rescued....yes, the soup kitchen ran on through the night.

Sad to say, and an indictment on our society today, the needs of our communities are little changed. Changes in government legislation and the Benefits system, along with high levels of immigration, have fuelled the need for emergency shelters and food banks – now a common sight in every town and city, as are the charity shops. When will it end? What can we do?

Compassion – is to love, to show mercy, concern for – to act kindly. The New Testament speaks about God as the compassionate one. God's compassion is demonstrated in the ministry of Jesus for and among his people ( Matt 9:36 ; Mark 6:34 ). It's extended to the helpless crowds ( Matt 9:36 ), the sickly masses ( Matt 14:14 ), the hungry people ( Mark 8:2 ), and the blind ( Matt 20:34 ). The waiting father ( Luke 15:20 ) is filled with compassion when he sees his son returning, just as God has compassion on us and accepts us when we repent and return to him.....Do we have the compassion to stand up and be counted?

There's always something everyone can do. Emergency centres and food banks, charity shops and homeless centres, are always in need of volunteers. If health does not allow for physical input, perhaps we could contribute financially? or with clothing?  Or join a prayer support group – if you don't have one, set it up. Talk to the Lord and He will tell you where you are most needed - the place He has for you.  We are so blessed.  Let us pass on this blessing and love our neighbour as ourselves.

”For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” - Matthew 18:20.

Our music today, “Where No-one Stands Alone” - Selah.

       

     Housekeeping details for you

     The point of this short blog will become clear if you decide to use this reading in the way we intend it. Netherfield Seventh-day Adventist Church believes in healthy churches. You can see what that means if you head to the relevant Healthy Churches page of the website. We also want other churches to be healthy. That means you can join in our campaign to create healthy churches, with healthy people serving the people in those churches.

     A healthy church is one where Jesus comes first. A healthy church is one where the people work together to put Jesus first. One thing we are doing is to join people together to spread that news. I would like you to look at our prayer partners page. This will explain how we want you to use this short devotional. Very basically we want you to find a like-minded Christian friend who you will join with to : choose to pray together every day, decide together on a way to serve other people together, to help them grow as Christians - and to invite the Holy Spirit into your life every day. This blog that you will receive every day simply gives a common spiritual purpose. If you are a newcomer and want to join the blog with this object in mind click here