“For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”

–Matthew 7:8

Have you ever asked for something that you really wanted? Did you get it? I’m guessing for most of us the answer to the first

question is yes while the second answer is probably yes and no. We have all wanted things because we are human beings and it is in our DNA. It has become clear to me as I have watched my children grow that this is not something we learn, it is something that is deep down inside us, ingrained in us. Seeing as it is an innate

characteristic I don’t think it is necessarily a bad one. After all there are some things that we NEED to have. We need food and water to sustain us so wanting after those things cannot inherently be bad. I have to admit there are things on a daily basis that I want for myself, my family, the church, the world.

One of the things that has been in my thoughts and prayers for some time was how can we, as a church, reach out more to the community around us. I wanted a way for us to open our doors and let people know that they are welcome here. I had been considering this one day recently when I received a phone call from a woman in the community, Heather. She was reaching out to me because she was hoping to find a place in Blissfield to host a community meal. She has done similar meals at other locations and wanted to do something similar here in Blissfield.

We have talked and met on several occasions since then and I am very excited to share that on August 2nd at 5:30 we will host our first meal here at Emmanuel.

Heather has food donations lined up from a number of

surrounding Grocery stores and we will be able to offer this at no cost to any and all from the community who are in need of a meal. Our hope is to get the word out to the

community and let people know that they can come, no strings attached, and get something to eat. We will have more details in the coming weeks but if you are interested in helping with the setup/serving/cleanup I would be happy to get some volunteers lined up to help.

Reading the Scripture above from Matthew made me realize that God will provide when we ask for what we need. It may not always come instantly and it may not come in the shape or form we expected, but God does provide. So I am curious have you asked God for what you NEED, not what you want, today? I encourage each of you to spend some time in thoughtful prayer with the Lord in the coming days and ask, search and knock on that door, I bet you’ll be surprised at what is on the other side.

Blessings,

Pastor Devin