Angels Unaware
This scripture has always intrigued me. I find myself looking at homeless people or people who beg for money on the street corner and think, could they be an angel?
"Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!" - Hebrews 13:1-2 (NLT)
Yesterday I was driving through San Antonio after concluding a little business. I went into a yogurt shop and while standing in line heard a young man's voice from behind me ask for a cup of water. When I turned and saw him it was obvious, he was struggling in a way I have never had to experience.
After leaving the yogurt shop I felt the tug of the Holy Spirit tell me to look for the young man. I saw him sitting outside. When I drove over to him, I wasn’t thinking angel, but it could have been? I asked him what was going on, and he knew what I was saying. We connected. He told me his story – homeless and 24, beaten and abused the night before, no possessions, lost his left eye, and had been shot previously. He was in bad shape.
I ministered to him, gave him some money to eat for a few days. Told him to go home and make it right with his parents. He listened as I helped him understand the next steps to finding a career. I was able to pray with him. I gave him my number for a connection point, and yet, I don’t feel like I did enough. You ever felt like that? Like you did the right thing but was there more you could have done? Are these angels?
Pastor Carven from Namibia called me today and told me that his church has been given oversight to the 120 homeless people in Windhoek. They are living in a soccer stadium in tents. Powerhouse Namibia gets to meet with them, teach, and mentor them weekly. Here is a picture of this incredible ministry. These folks were sleeping outside in the riverbeds just a week or two ago. Now they are being taught practical ways to thrive! Pastor Carven and his church were chosen by the governing officials to lead this great cause and others because of their observable integrity over the past 15 years in this community. Building trust leads to favor. If we will take care of the people nobody wants, God will give us favor with people everyone wants.
I’m so proud of him and his church. I’m proud to be associated with Pastor Jose and Powerhouse Piura Peru, as they are seeing similar favor in their region. It’s a real blessing to see what Powerhouse Katy is doing for people daily, handing out tons of food each week and taking care of hurting dying humanity. The Rock Church in Seguin and the Enclave in New Braunfels are all doing what Jesus did by helping the helpless daily. It's not just a program we do once a year, we do it each day! There is no greater feeling. This is real church.
There are so many hurting people in the world that are willing to listen to you about this Great God that will restore them. The secret is, He uses saved people to save people. You are how He restores.
"He who wins souls is wise.” – Proverbs 11:30 (NKJV)
Today is your day. It truly is more blessed to give than to receive. Look for someone to help. Not manana, but today.
I’m going to go look for that young man again. Maybe you’ll meet him at Jordan Ranch one day. Cleaned up and serving God. You never know, he might have just been an Angel.
Here are three things you can do today to serve those most in need:
1. Pray that God will place someone in our path today that you can encourage and help.
2. Be a part of the outreach at your church so you can help corporately and touch more people.
3. When you are feeling sorry for yourself, go find someone to help. That is your purpose. You’ll begin to feel alive again.
If you’ve never attended a Men’s Encounter God retreat at Jordan Ranch, we will be hosting one July 30- Aug 1. Register at phckaty.com.
If you’d like to sow a seed towards Africa or Peru you can do that by clicking here. Designate where you want your investment to go.
G.F.