Living in the World of "I"

Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT)

^“3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. ⁴ Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

This morning while spending some time with the Lord, I read these verses.  As soon as I did, I thought of Kingdom Here and the men who live these verses out each Wednesday morning.  Then, I began to think about my life and how I act outside of the Wednesday mornings we go downtown.  I realized, as a follower of Jesus, I am called to live this way each day in everything I do and everywhere I go… whatever the situation.  Jesus is the perfect example of someone who lived these verses. (See Philippians 2:6-11).

So often we look out for #1 (ourselves) and don’t worry about anyone else. In this passage, Paul, is telling us not to live this way.  He understands our selfish nature and wants to show us a better way to live life.  Not only is it better for us but it is better for those around us.  Imagine the impact of a community where we took these verses to heart and truly lived by them each day… thinking of others and their needs first instead of our own.  It doesn’t have to be a huge act… just something as simple as holding a door for someone, letting someone out in traffic, smiling at the cashier, praying for a friend, loving your spouse, and the list goes on.  Often the small things in life are the ones where people find the most joy.

In a world where the “I” is all some people think about; let us be a people who “take an interest in others.”  After all, we are called to a higher purpose and to live our lives not as the world lives them but as Jesus, the one who called us to himself and gave us the example. 

As you live your life today, are you thinking of the interest of others?

Stephen for Kingdom Here

Perspective

This morning was another great day for Kingdom Here.  Robbie shared a great word from Luke and we saw about 50 men, women and children.

Each time we go downtown, my life is put into perspective and I am truly humbled.  Today’s verse of the day on YouVersion (a great free Bible app) is “Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.” (Pr 22:4)  In today’s culture we see humility as a sign weakness but as King Solomon says here, humility brings “riches, honor and life.” Humility is simply not putting yourself about others.  Jesus was the perfect example as He died on the cross for you and me.  The opposite of humility is pride… which is said to “go before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Pr 16:18).  Pride is positioning yourself as better than those around you. 

During each visit downtown the pride in me is gone and I am reminded that even though I have a house, car, whatever; I am no better than the people we come in contact with.  My challenge this week is to be more humble… don’t position yourself as better than someone because of outward appearances or situations.  Let’s all lead a life where our “wages are riches, and honor and life.”

Stephen for Kingdom Here

New Member, New Perspective

I have been involved with Kingdom Here Ministries for a couple of months now.  When I first began going I was not sure what to expect.  Now, it is something I look forward to each time we visit our friends downtown.  To be able to listen to men and women, who are homeless and in need, thank the Lord for watching over them and providing for them is the most amazing thing in the world.  How many times a day do I complain about my car not being as nice as I wish, my pantry not having the snacks I want, or my house being too much to keep up?  These are all important things in our lives, but when they take place of the Lord, we have allowed them to consume us and we forget the people who live in our city who would give anything to have a car, a pantry, or a house.  

On one of our last trips at the Salvation Army there was a bird eating grass. This is nothing uncommon or out of the ordinary but on this occasion I was reminded of Matthew 6:25-34.  In vs. 25 Jesus tells his followers not to worry about what they are going to wear, eat or drink, that life is more important than these things.  He continues in vs. 26 to say “26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”  

So often we forget the promise God made to us, that He is going to watch over us and make sure we have what we need... not what we want.  Just like the men and women we are reaching through Kingdom Here have what they need. Next time you see a bird, think about the Lord and be thankful for what you have and know you are going to be taken care of…just like the birds of the air.

Stephen for KH

60 Visits...And Counting!

Hard to believe we have made around 60 visits to witness to Augusta’s homeless community.  We have had some life-changing encounters, and have learned a lot along the way.  This past visit was no different…as we were wrapping up at Mercy Ministries, a young man came to talk with us.  The events of his life had a significant impact on the group—murders, abuse, prison, etc…all things that most of us only see on the news.  His account of just a few of these experiences had us almost in a state of shock--

Our bi-weekly visits give us a glimpse into the lives of strangers--from the depths of life’s challenges, to the success stories and victories that are shared with us…Yes, there are great stories and great things happening when people are given a chance to get their lives back on track.  One gentleman has been so excited the last few trips to tell us he is a few weeks away from graduating the Salvation Army program, and already has a full time job line up.  Others are actively pursuing work on a daily basis.  Others share their appreciation for both the physical items we bring, as well as the devotions we share with the groups.  Others tell us about how what we are doing has given them some hope and a different outlook on their lives.

We have had the opportunity to speak to a few different churches—Warren Baptist and Trinity on the Hill—to share our story and what we are doing.  Our goal is to continue to do this and get small  groups, businesses, and individuals to support our ministry.  Things like sponsoring a breakfast, buying a package of socks or soap can go a long way in providing for our neighbors.  We consistenly bring a message of Good News, and our goal is to continue and grow our ministry. 

There are numerous ways to get involved and be a part of something that has an eternal impact on someone.  Is there anything more important than that?  We would love to have your help, ideas, time, financial assistance, etc…. 

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few…

Graham for Kingdom Here

Hope

Hey friends!

Well, we are well into another cold winter in Augusta (with this past week's temp getting into the high 70's!).  We continue to make good effort in reaching and ministering to the homeless in downtown Augusta.  God has been good and continues to bless us with great donors, donations & provision.  We'd like to send a special thanks to Keith & Lexi Larson who spent a day making 60 sack lunches.  I can't adequately explain the gratitude I could see on these people's faces when we handed out a bag full of food.  Many of these men and women only see 1 meal a day.  Thanks, Keith & Lexi, for being the hands & feet of Jesus!

Quick story about a man we met this past trip...Chester Hope.  How very fitting that Warren Baptist, the church many of our group members attend, began a yearlong study on HOPE this past Sunday.  This man, homeless & broke, exuded his last name.  He told us stories about the opportunity he recently had to visit the land he grew up on in Burke County.  He was able to do some maintenance & yard work on the property and you could tell it was something that he felt good about doing.  When we asked a little more about his situation & why he was hanging around Mercy Ministries he said the he just felt a calling to help minister to some of the other men and women in the downtown area who were down on their luck.  Basically, in his own words, God had called him to spread HOPE to the hopeless.  It was an encouraging conversation and we committed to pray for each other in the upcoming weeks.  So, please be in prayer for Chester, specifically that he would have God-sized encounters with those seeking Jesus & that he would be encouraged in his ministry.

Again, so very grateful for your support and partnership.  We'd love to have anyone interested make a trip downtown with us.  We go every other Wednesday (specifically for the next few months: 1/23, 2/6, 2/20, 3/6, 3/20, 4/3, 4/17). 

So, in closing:

^"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."  Romans 15:13

Be Love!

Jamie for Kingdom Here

Making a Difference - Proof!

Hey folks, just a quick blog post to fill you in on what's happening with KH.

The weather here in Augusta has begun to get chilly and this always means a difficult time for the homeless.  We are going to do anything and everything we can to help with that this year & we would be grateful for some new partners to come along side us and get involved.  Click the link on the menu to the right and see how you can join us. 

We had a great trp downtown this morning and were able to minister to about 65 folks.  It's always a good thing when you run out of biscuits!  Robbie did an excellent job speaking on the Gospel of Luke and how we are all "lost sheep" that Jesus rejoices over when one comes home.  One of the things we often wonder is whether or not we are truly making a difference in these peoples lives.  Sure, we help meet the physical needs but are we saying and doing the things necessary to help guide them closer to Christ & a relationship with the living God?  Robbie pondered this question during his message today. 

Shortly afterwards, Jimmy, one of the guys we haven't seen in a while, came up and offered proof.  He told us that 2 weeks ago he was baptized.  Yes!  He told us that we were making a difference and encouraged us to continue our work. 

All Glory to God!

Be Love,

Jamie for Kingdom Here

Pops, Greg, and Street Lights

This past Wednesday was one of the best we have had.  We gave out 80 biscuits and probably had close to 100 people we were able to talk with.  We are encouraged in the last several weeks that they are getting more attentive to our message.  We ask you to pray for our group each Wednesday morning and that God will prepare the hearts and minds of those we talk with and that they will continue to be receptive to his word.  

One of our favorites is “Pops”.  Pops is turning 63 this week and has a love for the Lord.  Pops asked us to pray for him because he feels like God wants him to do something big with his life and is a little frustrated that he can’t figure out what that is.  Pops is a wonderful influence on the young men and women that he meets.  Some we meet downtown are reluctant, but it is encouraging to us to see many like Pops who are ready and willing to follow the Lord.  We ask that you pray for Pops and that God will continue to walk ahead of him and show him the path he wants him to go down.

Another great story this week was from our friend Greg.  Greg talked about some of the hardships he has had and the fact that God just wants us to walk in the light.  Greg used the analogy of a street light.  He noted that he did not want to walk on the dark sidewalk at night, because he never knew who was going to jump out at him and it was dangerous.  He explained that he wanted to walk on the street where the lights were, so he could be prepared and see where he was going.  Greg noted that every day he woke up was a day that he was able to choose the path that he walked down.  Greg held his hands up and put his hands together forming a V, and noted that he had made the decision to go down the path of the light.  He was tired of going down the sidewalk and wanted to follow Jesus who is the light of the world.  Greg, who served our country in the military, has some excited things coming up including a scholarship to a 12 month program that will allow him to build on some of the skills he learned in the military.  We ask you to pray for Greg as well.

Like many weeks we go down, we feel like we got more than we gave.  Please continue to pray that we will make an eternal difference in the hearts and minds of our friends downtown.  

Bill for Kingdom Here