God's Hands through us.....

"For as the body without the spirit is dead,

so faith without works is dead also."

James 2:26

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For the past 4 days, our church embarked on a project that we called "GOD'S HANDS".  It was all about reaching out into our community and being God's Hands to other people. We did everything from an outreach ministry, which entailed filling 538 small gift bags and hand delivering them to each door in our community, to several small construction projects.

We had several different crews that took on about 7 projects like painting porches, painting a whole a house, rebuilding a porch, tearing down a shed and hauling off junk and even yard work and the like. We had a kitchen crew that fed us delicious meals each day.  We had several businesses sponsor our efforts, which enabled us to buy all the materials necessary to reach out and do for those who couldn't do for themselves. We performed all the labor free of charge with a whole bunch of love thrown in there.

It was probably the hardest work that I have ever done. It was a hot, sultry, humid 103 degrees here in Louisiana and the sun was unmerciful. But our God was just overflowing with His mercy and just drenched us big-time with a good dose of it.

There were about 50 of us that took part in this and about 50 of us that were blessed immeasurably. To see peoples appreciation when you lend a helping hand is so rewarding. When they realize that you really are doing it for free, they are just overwhelmed. When we saw a project completed and the recipients joyful faces, we were filled with joy as well. There is nothing quite like the feeling of really being able to help others. We all worked together in unity and we could just feel the love grow between each of us each passing day. People helping people. Love being spread. God's Hands truly ministering to those in need.

I think that we all have come to know the meaning of the word 'exhaustion' in a new way. There were times when we weren't sure we would make it to completion. There was a time when part of a rotten porch fell with 4 of our workers under it but God's Hands kept the beams from hitting anyone and just fell all around them. Yes, His mercy and grace abounded.

God anointed us with strength when we were getting weary. A cool breeze when we thought we would melt. And a cooler full of bottles of water with scripture on them.

"For whoever gives you a cup of water to
drink in My name, because
you belong to Christ, assuredly,
I say to you, he will by no means

lose his reward"  (Mark 9:41)

As we gathered each evening (after we hung up our hard hats..) we came together for a time of fellowship and a WORD from God. Exhaustion quickly turned to exhileration. Weariness was replaced with worship. God took us from strength to strength and showed us His glory. And it was good.

God really revealed some things to me this week. I learned that I need to be more vocal about my faith. I learned that a faith without works is a dead faith indeed. If we truly have the spirit of God residing inside of us, we just want to do good works. In fact, we just HAVE to do good works. It just bubbles up inside of us and we want to bless others. We want to help others. We want to be God's Hands.

As I fall into bed tonight, worn out and exhausted, I am so thankful that God is who He says He is. And that He can do what He says he can do. And that I can do all things through Him.

Beth