The heart of God is for all mankind. When Jesus came into the world He came to reconcile the world back to Himself. He went into the synagoguges, preaching the gospel of the kingdom. He trained His disciples. He preached to the multitudes. However, a largest part of His ministry was reaching the poor. Jesus has a great burden that the poor become mighty in His name. I believe one of the key factors to seeing a revival is going back to doing what Jesus did - reaching poor people, loving them and believing they can become new creatures to the glory of His name.I read this morning from Luke 8 about the demoniac from Gadarenes. Jesus went on a boat ride with His disciples, through a storm along the Sea of Galilee to get to this man. And he wasn't just a demoniac, he had a legion (equals 12,000 in military terms). A naked man, screaming in the tombs, cutting himself. Many would shun such a man today and say he belongs in the insane asylums. BUT JESUS WAS THERE. And this man was not only delivered, but it says that He was "clothed and in his right mind" sitting at the feet of Jesus. He became an evangelist to his city. It was the outcasts, the poor, the down and outs that Jesus will go to. And I believe an awakening is coming that will burden the church to be the church in the streets again. Oh that God would raise up evangelists out of the poor in the streets of America like the man from Gadarenes.
Im so glad you posted this! :-) This has always been on my heart. If anyone has any suggestions on how to go about feeding the poor I would appreciate it. In our city you have to have a license. I do know of one woman who makes sandwiches and hands them out but she doesn't have a license. I guess I should call the city and find out. Im really interested in knowing how people get started.
Mattie said
It was the outcasts, the poor, the down and outs that Jesus will go to. And I believe an awakening is coming that will burden the church to be the church in the streets again.
Im really interested in knowing how people get started.
_________________Patrick Ersig