Watch Focus: Advent - Remember the Poor, Homeless, Widows, and Orphans 

Seeing Shepherds by Daniel Bonnell. His sacred art is found in churches and cathedrals throughout Europe and Israel. 

This week begins the four-week celebration of Advent in traditional churches around the world. As we enter this season, may we remember the widows, orphans, poor, and homeless in our midst and extend the power of the gospel to all who are in need. The holidays are traditionally a time of celebration, food, and fellowship. May we remember those in need here and in other nations. We pray that they will receive the eternal Bread of Life: Jesus. We ask God for guidance in giving practical assistance to the needy in our midst. May we make room in our hearts for the poor, the homeless, and many who are suffering around the world. Out of the richness of His grace, strengthen your local community of faith and reach out to those in need around you. Consider a gift in this season of giving to one of the many Christian charities who serve the needy all year long.

Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” 
 
James 1:27, “Visit orphans and widows in their trouble.”
 
Daniel 4:27, “Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor.”
 
Matthew 25:40 “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto”

Proverbs 19:17, “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done.”

Psalm 82:3-4, “Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked.”

Deuteronomy 15:7-8, “If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.”

Acts 11:27-30, “Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.”