BEHOLD, THE DAILY BREAD
One by one the wheelchairs came rolling into the lobby. Those with walkers squeaked to the available chairs. As they got settled, coffee, hot chocolate with danishes were passed out. Finally, it was time. Bible study time. The director would open with any prayer request. Silent. She would ask for someone to open in prayer. One woman would shout out “ Thank you Jesus!” Another would raise their hands exclaiming the same. And then the reading would begin. Four different devotions would be read, each with words of encouragement, how to treat others, remembering that God loves them…even when they were in their darkest days. Here’s the thing. This wasn’t just “ another bible study “. This was at a memory care facility. To have any real conversation, was, at best, a hit or miss. Yet, they responded to God’s Word. In my role as a caregiver, I am limited to sharing any religious ideology. Yet, here was my client, listening to the Word being spoken, smiling, engaged. Now, you could say they are not really understanding…and maybe that’s true. But what I have witnessed each time I have been there is that the verse in Isaiah 55:11 “ God’s word shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it”, is true. I prayed for a way to share Jesus with my client and God did it through a bible study at a memory care facility. God’s Word is POWERFUL. It changes the hearts of people. It is the reason we, as Christians, need to be reading our bible daily, so that our lives will be in line with His purpose, and to know Him better. How about you? Are you spending daily time with God, reading your bible, praying, sharing the good news with others? if so, no one has to convince you the power of God’s word. And if you have been sharing your faith with someone, praying for them, sometimes being able to give them some encouraging bible verses…don’t stop…don’t give up…their eternal future is at stake. Although we are not the ones to change them, we are to share what God has done in our lives. And for those still not convinced about Jesus…I challenge you to pick a bible and just start reading… If God can reach the hearts of those who’s minds are now challenged through hearing the word, HE can reach anyone! As Christmas draws closer I pray that the baby in the manger, Jesus, doesn’t just stay there, but comes into your life…forever…Like one resident shouted out “ Thank you Jesus…Thank you Jesus!” Amen.