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Take Notice
August 2, 2012
While standing in a checkout line, I was estimating my bill and trying to keep my son from wandering away. I barely noticed when the woman ahead of me shuffled toward the exit, leaving all of her items behind. The clerk confided that the woman didn’t have enough money to pay her bill. I felt terrible; if only I had been aware of her situation earlier, I would have helped her.
In the book of Ruth, Boaz became aware of Ruth’s plight when he saw her gleaning in his fields (2:5). He learned that she was recently widowed and was the breadwinner for herself and her mother-in-law. Boaz saw her need for protection, and warned his harvesters to leave her alone (v.9). He supplied her with extra food by instructing his workers to let grain fall purposely (v.16). Boaz even addressed Ruth’s emotional needs by comforting her (vv.11-12). When Naomi heard about this, she said, “Blessed be the one who took notice of you” (v.19).
Are you aware of the needs of the people around you—in your church, neighborhood, or under your own roof? Today, consider how you might help bear someone’s burden. Then you will be fulfilling God’s plan for you (Gal. 6:2; Eph. 2:10).
Help me Lord, to notice
The hurting, sick, and lost;
Guide me as I help them
Regardless of the cost. —Schuldt
God works through us to meet the needs of those around us.
Read: Ruth 2:13-20
Giving to the needy .... comes with many possibilities. Now as with everything, church, organizations, there is the element of not knowing for sure how the monies are used. The method I use varies from time to time. Monthly I give to City Church in Amarillo that focuses on the 'inner city' essentially 'street kids.' They feed them every day, taking sack lunches to them in their neighborhood. There is a TV broadcast each week of the weeks services they perform. They teach them about God, Jesus, ... all summer they have on going Vacation Bible School, there in Amarillo, Texas. Different surrounding Baptist Churches send in youth groups to put on the classes. City Church hosts these Youths that come to work with these street kids, provides beds, food, and teaching of the process. Amazing works at every level.
They have a web site."City Church, Amarillo". Donnie Lane is the pastor now. His Dad, Don E. Lane started this church about 10 or so years ago; and He passed about three years ago. They have wonderful volunteers now, that make over a 1000 sack lunches 'every day' all year long! They take sack lunches into the 'City Church' going into their areas and bringing some of the street kids too, as teachers or instructors, to do a Vacation Bible School, in other cities, ... Houston, or Dallas, etc. They take a group of the high school ages youths to Summer Camp.
They buy Christmas presents for all the children, wrapped and chosen items especially for the child's likes, and delivers them for Christmas. A WONDERFUL MINISTRY. I am proud to participate. The Salvation Army is good too for helping locally, today they are giving away free fans. City Church, Amarillo, Once a year at the end of summer in the park for the families, A free meal and a time of visitation for all of the families of these children a salvation "JESUS LOVES ME" message is given.
There is also a small school in the City Church, for the lower grades. Free, they pick the children up and feed them breakfast and teaches them, gives them lunch, and takes them home later.
Also I support A few Ministries that teach over television and the "Baptist Bible Hour", that gives a message every Sunday via the Radio. etc. The point being It seems a good idea to find and support those groups we deem to be doing a good work through their ministry. It is the least I can do. And Prayer, lots of Prayer.
