The Church is so much more than simply a building with a cross decorating it, rows of soft chairs, nice music, a thought-provoking sermon, free childcare for a couple hours, and hot coffee. While all those things might be part of the weekend experience at a physical church, the capital “C” Church is so much more than that. It’s not simply the building we worship in. Instead, the Church is ultimately people—you and me. We are the body of Christ and His hands and feet here on this earth. We can show Jesus’ love and help those in our community, world, and even the local churches who need a little extra support. Yes, even those already in our churches need support at times. Paul writes in Galatians 6:10 (NIV): “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Being a believer doesn’t mean that we will no longer have physical or emotional needs. We all can use a little extra encouragement at times. And at times, there are those in the church that might even need a little extra financial assistance as well to get through a week or a season in life. Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit convicting you to reach out and encourage someone through a text, phone call, or handwritten note? Did you do it? Or did the busyness of life distract you onto the next thing? And what about financial assistance? Has the Holy Spirit put it on your heart to help someone with a monetary need? It could be as simple as dropping off a hot meal, groceries, a gas card, or even a gift card for a food delivery service to a family that is struggling right now. It could be surprising a family in need at Christmas with a box full of gifts for their children or buying school supplies for children at the church or in the community that might not have any new supplies. Or it might be buying diapers to drop off at your local pregnancy center or purchasing new clothes to donate to foster families. There are so many ways we can be the hands and feet of Jesus here at Bayside, in our community, and in the world. Will you listen to the Holy Spirit’s prompting and show them Jesus’ love in a tangible way this week? 

Who is God bringing to mind that needs your help? What can you do this week to help them? Journal about it and then make a plan to put it into action.