But God partners with us
1 Chronicles 16:29 [Psalm 96:8] Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his presence. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
Psalm 116:12-18 What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me? … I will keep my promises to the Lord. … I will fulfill my vows to the Lord.
Hebrews 13:16 Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.
For several years in a row, when my friend Rhonda learns that Dave and I will be traveling to Colombia and that leaders from Venezuela will be joining us there, she has shopped for and filled suitcases with basic hygiene and first aid products. These are hard to find and/or terribly expensive in Venezuela. I’ve seen pastors weep over receiving razors, shaving cream, bandaids, vitamins … When those suitcases arrive in Venezuela, it’s better than Christmas!
My laptop died a couple of weeks ago just before I traveled to Oregon for mission meetings, leaving me stressed because I was writing to a deadline. While I was gone, my son-in-law Brian researched and purchased a new one for me, and after I got back, sat with me on a Sunday afternoon to configure it for me. He had already rescued the hard drive and borrowed from work the device needed to transfer my documents to the new laptop.
When Dave and I travel together, our neighbor Rebecca watches over our house, brings in packages from our porch that didn’t arrive before we left, and feeds our fish. She brushes away our thanks, saying this is how she can contribute to our mission work.
Our friends LuAnn, Daniel, Ryan and Kelly, and a host of volunteers invest long hours caring for and teaching immigrants and refugees in our city. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me (Matthew 25:35-36, 40).
These are only a few of many practical acts of worship that have touched my heart in the last couple of weeks as I watch people partnering with God to bless and care for others, bringing joy to our Lord’s heart.
