OPEN HANDS
‘Extending Kindness and The Love of GOD,
To Those In Need’
‘Throw- Away People …’
We, being Christians know better than most why people are homeless, what the real reason is, because we live in a fallen world, plain and simple. Things don’t always work in a fallen world. And if you don’t believe that, check your theology because there is something wrong there. People are homeless because when man turned his back on GOD and went his own way, we became vain in our thinking, and our hearts became darkened. Society doesn’t work without GOD in control:
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:18-32
No matter what social programs are in place to combat the problems of this world, no matter who’s in charge in whatever country, without GOD in control, this world is never, I repeat never going to get any better. Man is not going to bring in ‘The Kingdom’, only Our LORD JESUS CHRIST can do that. In fact as you know, Our LORD JESUS said it will get worse, Matt 24:6-7; Mark 13:5-8; Luke 21:9-11. The Apostles also teach us what these days that we are in are like: 2 Tim 3:1-13; 2 Pet 3:1-18 
People are homeless because of the world we live in. As a Christian, as Your Heavenly FATHER’s child it is your duty, no it is your right and priviledge to help those in need. There are people, lost people, who don’t know the Love of The Savior, sitting in doorways, laying on the street, on benches in parks, on corners, who have no hope. If you look closely, you can see it in their faces. Blank stares of hopelessness, guilt and shame. And so were some of us:
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
We don’t judge how they come to be where they are, we just know that they’re there. The question for you to ask is, what can I do about it?
You can offer hope.
You can give a smile. You can tell them about Our Resurrected LORD, The Savior, of The World, you can offer some comfort, just for that day you see them.
I’m sure there is someone that you always notice, someone that is always in the same spot, day after day. I am praying that by what you read here, The LORD will use to open your eyes to see what I call the ‘lost ones’, and the ‘throw-a-way’ people. Someone’s mom or dad, someone’s brother or sister, someone’s child.
‘A Story, her story, I’rma’s …
Her name is I’rma (pronounced ‘ear-mah’). She is homeless, @ least last time I saw her (which was almost 2 years now) she was. I have no idea where she is now. I saw I’rma maybe a month or 2 before I ever spoke to her. This is her story: She sits, or should I say squats on the corner of a building downtown. The remarkable description about this is, upon approach towards her from the opposite side of the street, you see ‘an object’ against a building on the corner. But as you get closer, it is clear it is a person squatting down with their head buried. It’s as if you are looking @ a box or something. She is motionless, just squatting there.
The only thing you can see is her flip-flop, white sock, clad feet. There is a bag next to her, and that’s it, nothing more. I saw her every Sunday morning on my way to Church in all types of weather, whether it was sunny, snow, or rain – she was there in the same position. She could have easily been a fixture adorning the building, for she was that motionless, and non-descript. I saw despair. Hopelessness. Most people that walked past her never gave her a glance, let alone a 2nd one. Some stood as close as a foot to her. She could have easily been a garbage can, taking up less space. Her position placed her about the height of a fire hydrant.
‘The Heart of Our FATHER …
Almost immediately, I believe the first day I saw her, Our FATHER made me aware of her. Shortly after that, I had an occasion to see her standing, which afforded me an opportunity to speak to her. I introduced myself, and discovered her name, where she was from (Africa), children she left behind, but not the reason why she is here. I believe I gave her something, either something of eat or money, I followed the leading of The HOLY SPIRIT to give, to help.
I can’t really remember the details but I remember the encounter. We talked briefly, and was told she didn’t like shelters, which is why she probably preferred being outside. Most homeless prefer not to stay in a shelter for many reason, most of which safety is a factor. The meeting made an impression on me, so much so, I wanted to invite her home for Thanksgiving, which was maybe a month away @ the time. I wanted to give her a family, a home, for the day, a place of rest.
I did, and she refused …..
There were other attempts on my part to help her, some met positively, others not so much. I’d like to say that the story has a better ending, but to tell you the truth, I don’t know because I haven’t seen her in a long while. This woman’s plight touch me to the point of me wanting to save her. However, she didn’t need me, she needs Our LORD. What’s remarkable here, i.e. what is to be said is this, it doesn’t matter whether or not they respond. What matters is that we are obedient to Our FATHER, HIS will, and HIS heart. Here are Scriptures from Our LORD’s Word to serve as reminders of HIS Heart: Deut 15:10-11 1 John 3:17-18 James 2:15-17 Psalm 112: 1-10 Prov 21:13 Prov 22:9 Isa 58:7-12 2Cor 8:1-24 2Cor 9:1-15. There are of course many more, these are just to give you pause to think.
I’rma’s story is one of many, all very simular. One common denominator, lack of love. There is One who cares about them. He moves mountains, as well as make them. This doesn’t require you to participate in, or join an extra group. In fact you already belong, if you are indeed GOD’s Beloved Child. 1Cor 15:58 Eph 1:6 1thess 1:4 2Thess 2:13 James 2:5 1John 3:2 3John 1:5
‘Now, The Appeal …
’I'm Not Asking For Much …
OPEN HANDS was started as an outreach to the Homeless to provide those on the streets with the bare necessities. You know, some of the items we take for granted every single day? It was started as a way to introduce the Love of The Savior. We as GOD’s children must ‘Open our Hands’ and give what is needed, love. To share what we have, tell them about The LORD, why HE came, and why HE is coming back.
This is how it works, that person you see everyday has needs. Come on, have you ever rally thought about it? Where do they get socks, underware, their next meal? We can help them by the basics:
- Get a bag
- Fill it
- Then give it
Simple enough, not complicated in the least.
This is an individual Ministry, i.e. I is performed alone, however it can be performed in groups as well. This is what I do, I give them a complete meal, you know carryout, or something I’ve made, a sandwich, something portable. You see they don’t have a place to store a lot of groceries, and personal items. I also put in fruit, and water. I wouldn’t put in anything sweet, they may have diabetes. I also put in a Gospel Tract, or sometimes a Bible, something that they can read later. Sometimes I tell them its in there, sometimes I don’t. It doesn’t matter, because Our LORD will use it for HIS purposes. Often, I will put in socks, gloves, a scarf or a hat, maybe some underwear. I get a bag, fill it, then give it, with love.
Before all of this though, you should pray and ask GOD to lead you. Ask The HOLY SPIRIT to help you get started to help them. Ask HIM to open your eyes, so you can Open Your Hands. You will be surprised @ what you will hear, you just have to be willing to listen. All of this, the giving, the loving, the witnessing comes down to a matter of, being obedient to The Word of GOD. Are you are wondering if you are called to do this? The above Scriptures already answered that question.
FAITH
We are told in Scripture, Heb 11:6 and further: Heb 11:1
James further tells us the following:
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2:14-18
‘Give Him Praise, for what HE has done, and what HE will do … Though You!
I have but one request. Well, not really one but two. The first is this:
Do This! The second, once you have done the first:
Come back and post a word of Praise! The the third, yes there is a third:
Tell Some Else, so they can do #1!
That’s it, that’s the appeal. A simple one. One from the Heart, The Heart of Our FATHER, Our LORD and Saviour JESUS CHRIST, and The HOLY SPIRIT. I look forward to hearing Words of Praise!