Page 17 - Week of Emphasis Devotional

Daily text: James 2:15-18

It is clear from today’s scripture reading that Jesus expects more from us than empty words
when interacting with the poor. Rather than hollow religious pronouncements, our Saviour
desires that we exercise strong faith and demonstrate good works in meeting the needs of
others.

Real faith, and the works that accompany it, is not made up of only spiritual things, but also
of concern for the vulnerable and their most basic needs – such as the need for food. When
needs arise, we should unite prayer with action rather than substitute action with prayer.

Globally, because of the coronavirus pandemic, hunger is growing. Food prices have risen
40% this year alone, 270 million people suffer from acute malnutrition, and 41 million people
in 43 countries are just one step away from famine.
1

Here in Canada, the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened food insecurity and hunger among
families and individuals. Studies show that hunger, right here at home, is on the rise.
2
Although the marginalized are sadly overrepresented, today even people with jobs are
struggling to feed their families. To help meet this mounting need, ADRA is at work right
here at home. With the help of our friends and partners, we invested $1.5 million in food
assistance projects for COVID-19 responses across the country. We also implemented a
national eco-garden program to help communities grow healthy food and stretch household
budgets. We are working to build resiliency with youth and Indigenous communities, the
elderly, the disabled, and all those who need God’s gift of food security.

Questions for reflection/discussion:

1. By performing the miracle of feeding the 5,000, Jesus showed that people’s needs were
important. What if Jesus had started a discourse on the Kingdom of God while they were
still hungry? Would the crowd have been as receptive? Did Jesus’ concern and care of
their physical hunger naturally open the way for Him to meet their sprirtual hunger?

2. Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who
believes in Me shall never thirst.” (John. 6:35, NKJV) How can we interest people in Jesus
if we don’t meet their basic human needs? How does this apply to ministry and mission?

3. Given current events and the pandemic, how can we pivot our ministries in a way that
will make our church more relevant? Can we leverage our resources like ADRA, ACS, and
community-based services to meet people’s needs and attract them to Jesus?

Quote: “There are people in this world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the
form of bread.” -Mahatma Gandhi

Appeal: Will you thank God for His bountiful provision of food? We are so blessed, living in
abundance. How can we share our surplus with others?

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for being the Bread and Water of Life. Thank You for
feeding and nourishing our souls. Help us to to lead people to You, the only source for the
hunger and thirst of our souls. Bless our efforts to meet the needs of those around us. Give us
courage and wisdom in pointing them to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1 U.N. World Food Program
2 Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/agriculture-agri-food/news/2021/08/minister- ADRA.ca 15
bibeau-announces-another-100-million-to-help-canadians-in-need-to-access-food.html