Church as it is meant to be...

This past week our church was getting ready for our "As You Have Need" distribution. The women's ministry decided to sponsor an event that would ask the members of our church to donate their own personal goods for the benefit of the community. We sent out letters to the surrounding community to advertise our FREE sale. Anyone was welcome. As you can see in the pictures below we were blessed beyond my imagination with goods. Our church space was quickly changed into a Thrift Store before my eyes.



Here are some ways I saw God "do far more abundantly than all that [I asked or thought] Ephesians 3:20."
(1) True sacrifice of those in the church:
~People brought so much stuff. Not for tax credit or for profit, just because. Some realized that we lacked in a few areas so they went home to give even more of things they use, but could do without.
~Women took off work in order to help in Wednesday mornings set up. The women in the bible study I lead agreed to help set up. What a blessing and I could not repay them for their sacrifice. But there were two women who took personal time off of work to help. Brings tears to my eyes because to me.... this is what the church is all about. Sacrificing self for the good of others. "...to him be glory in the church Ephesians 3:21a."
(2) The stories of those who came to the distribution and the blessing that our small effort was making in their lives. My friend April writes about it best.
(3) Community in the church. Those in our local cities had and still have a need and so we attempted, and will continue to attempt, in a small way to meet it.
~"Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common...There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold...and it was distributed to each as any had need."
(4) Every Bible we had was taken
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account Hebrews 4:12-13."
(5) There was an overwhelming expression of gratefulness.
(6) We had very little left! Over 40 Families came and were able to find some practical things that each needed. Here are some before and after pictures of the distribution. Almost every room was left this empty!

Saturday morning I meditated on this verse. How I marvel in the fact that we have God who fulfills His word and is faithful to those who seek him. May God receive all of the glory! Pray that all of those who came will recognize that all that they have is because of the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ our Savior.

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen Ephesians 3:20-21."