God is Watching

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." Psalm 82:3-4

In this Psalm, Asaph is pointing out how God will judge the wicked, especially as they have been unfair with those that God cares about and protects. God is an advocate for the orphans, widows, poor, needy, oppressed and weak. In being so he expects us to have the same heart and passion. We do, we should and we should more. We must not turn away from those who need help or who are desperate or downtrodden.

God is watching. He sees our benevolence or lack of concern. He knows our efforts and our inaction. Even though this particular passage is aimed at those who do not know God and are callous to the pain of the less fortunate. We live in the comparative lap of luxury and it is so easy to ignore or detach from those who are in need.

I believe this is one of the wonderful things that church accomplishes together. When we reach out as a church with 10% of all giving to missions; that meet needs locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, we make a difference. We can do things corporately that individually is difficult if not impossible to do. This is a vital part of what and who we are as Grace Harbor Ministries. Even when we struggle financially as a church in paying bills and making ends meet here at 12881 Newport, we still maintain our commitment to mission. That is the right thing to do.

In addition to what we do financially, we also sponsor or partner in several other outreach ministries including our own GUILD Food Ministry, the Trader Joe's Food Program and the Neighborhood Food Pantry. We have supported Community of Faith and other local churches with volunteers and funding. We have Benevolent Fund that often helps those in need of assistance with utility bills and other requests. We also provide a connection to IAS Counseling that provides low-cost family and marriage counseling. Our Counselor contact is Kim Petteway-Turner. Our commitment is to be there and to care in our community.

I would encourage you to pray about sponsoring a child. We are very happy with Compassion International for connecting us with 8 year old Krystal Beth Ocas in Peru. I also suggest volunteering in a food program. I am specifically looking for someone who could pick up the Panera Bread donation on Mondays a.m. between 7:00 and 7:30a.m.. If that could be you. please call me or contact the church office. So many ways to serve. We could use an extra helper to put out the food on Sunday mornings, too. Of course, we should pray and of course we should always help to be a voice for those whose voice is not heard.

Above all, do something as an individual and at least support Grace Harbor's efforts to do the right thing, too. I pray that as you do you will touch the heart of God and that He in turn will bless yours. If you have a need or know someone at risk, please help us help how we can.

Yours in Him, Pastor Fred

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