Brrrrr...it's cold outside!

Do you know that there are people sleeping outside every night? They have no bed and no warm house. That's just not right. It's not ok. It won't go away if we ignore it either. There are men, women, and children sleeping outside. Some sleep on nothing but the ground. Others may have a blanket or tarp to sleep on or under. Some are blessed and have a tent to sleep in. Yes, that would be considered blessed.

How can you help? Could you gather up warm clothes and blankets? Coats, gloves, hats, scarves, warm socks, and maybe even a pair of boots? Maybe you could donate food for the food shelf? If so, you can leave a comment or call 651-463-4762. Volunteer to help in St. Paul - help serve a meal, pass out clothes and blankets, or even just pray for someone. You could also make a financial donation to Breakthrough Ministries. There are lots of ways to help.

*OK...I MUST INSERT THIS RIGHT NOW* As I'm typing this, my email notification sounds and here's the email I get. I think I will just copy and paste the devotion right into my post.

Sent:

Sunday, November 04, 2012 11:36 PM

Don't Ignore The Poor GALATIANS 2:10 NLT 10 Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do. Not everyone who is poor is that way because of what they have done. Disasters happen. The enormity of the need worldwide can tempt us to just ignore the plight of the poor. We can't help everyone, but that should not keep us from helping someone. PROVERBS 28:27 NLT 27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed. If you are reading this, then by definition you are not one of the truly poor. You may be poorer than your neighbor, but there are many people poorer than you are. The truly poor cannot read, and struggle for food, which they don't have every day. LUKE 16:19-21 NLT 19 Jesus said, "There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man's table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. In this account, the rich man did not oppress the beggar laying at his gate, where he probably passed by every day. The rich man just ignored him. The dogs seem to have had more mercy. They at least licked the sores of the poor beggar, while the rich man did nothing to help relieve his suffering. PROVERBS 21:13 NLT 13 Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. God loves all the people of the world -- rich and poor. His will is not that anyone should suffer or be forgotten. God loves those who are poor. So we who have been blessed with more should not forget them. HEBREWS 13:16 NLT 16 And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. PROVERBS 19:17 NLT 17 If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD -- and he will repay you! GALATIANS 6:10 NLT 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone -- especially to those in the family of faith. Well...I guess it doesn't get much clearer than that. If you'd like to help, leave a comment, email Breakthrough, or call the number above. There are mothers, fathers, sons and daughters sleeping outside tonight. It's not ok.