Pantry of Praise

Honoring the Lord

2012-02-11T19:00:00.000-08:00

“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Proverbs 3: 9-10

God’s word, the Bible, is straight forward with instruction of how we are to live our lives. In Proverbs the command to honor the Lord with our wealth by giving the firstfruits of all we have resulting in our vats being full to the brim. It sounds simple but for many people taking steps of faith to willingly give their firstfruits of wealth is hard.

God, who is the first and best requires the first and best from each of us in return. Placing God first with our time, money and talents results in us desiring to give more and more to honor and please him. In return our hearts are overflowing with joy, peace, contentment and love that can only be found through honoring him.

February is a month known for love. Why not show your love and honor to the Lord by placing your trust in him with your firstfruits each morning? Dedicate your time, money and talents to him over these next few weeks and allow your heart and soul to be filled to the brim with the overflow of God’s goodness and love.

In Honor of Him,

Marty

Fresh Bread for Your Food Recipients

2012-02-11T18:56:00.000-08:00

“You were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
1 Corinthians 6: 20

Dear Friend,

God loves you so much he sent his son Jesus to die on the cross just for you. Why not honor God in return by giving your heart, body and soul over to Jesus today? What a wonderful gift of love.

This slice of living bread was served to you today by God’s word, the Bible and the ____________________________________ ministry.

Can This Idea for Your Food Pantry

2012-02-11T18:54:00.000-08:00

Kudos to the volunteers who honor God with their time, money and talents.

Purchase enough Kudo bars for each volunteer in your food pantry ministry. Cut out hearts with red construction paper and write a thank you note to each person. Attach a thank you note heart to each Kudo bar and give them to your volunteers. Heartfelt thank you notes are always appreciated when attached to something tangible.

February Food Collection Idea

2012-02-11T18:51:00.000-08:00

Place the following ad on your church website and/or bulletin for the month of February.

Attention All Couples!

Show your love for God and those who are in need by giving to the food pantry this month. This month’s food selections are things that go together such as …

Spaghetti Noodles and Spaghetti Sauce

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Pancake Mix and Syrup

Strength for 2012

2012-01-03T19:02:00.001-08:00

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 2 Peter 4: 11

As I look forward to the upcoming ministry year, I cannot help but look back and see the hand of God and His powerful strength and provision for the past year.

Volunteers who served God through His mighty strength to....

Spend countless hours bagging food for people they do not know.

Stock shelves with food only to find them bare within hours after stocking.

Shop for sales and purchase large quantities of food.

Pray and show concern for people who are constantly in need.

Lift bags of food and assist people with the love of Christ in just a matter of hours.

Write encouraging cards each month for the food pantry recipients.

Collect food through food drives when the opportunity arises.

As I think about the volunteers God has brought to our food pantry it humbles me to think God has allowed me to be a part of a ministry He has so carefully orchestrated for his glory. For it is only through His power and strength that all this could be accomplished. What an amazing God we serve.

For the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8: 10B

Joyfully Serving Him,

Marty

Fresh Bread For Your Food Recipients

2012-01-03T19:01:00.000-08:00

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” Psalm 28: 7

Dear Friend,

Today is a new day. Trust the Lord with all your heart and allow him to be your help. For it is through His strength that you will find true joy.

This slice of living bread was served to you today by God’s word, the Bible and the ________________________ ministry.

Can This Idea for Your Food Pantry

2012-01-03T18:59:00.001-08:00

Start the New Year off right by making bookmarks for your food recipients to keep. Nothing fancy or elaborate needed other than the simple word JOY written on a 3 x 6 inch construction paper cut out. Type or write the following …

J esus

O thers

Y ou

January Food Collection Idea

2012-01-03T18:57:00.001-08:00

Place the following ad in your church bulletin or website and see the Jammin’ results.

January Jam – Do you have a favorite Jam or Jelly? Why not purchase an extra jar or two and donate them to the food pantry this month? In fact, while you are at the store why not pick up the jams other half known as peanut butter as well. Once your donations have been purchased and dropped off, go ahead and eat a PBJ in honor of us. Happy Eating!

Right Place, Right Time

2011-12-06T19:31:00.000-08:00

Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, "Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I'll join you at once in your worship." Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time! They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh. In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country. Matthew 2: 7-12 (MSG)

Have you ever wondered why King Herod chose to stay on his throne instead of going with the Magi to find the Christ child? Was it because he was too comfortable with where he was in life? Or was it his lack of faith in prophecy actually being fulfilled?

One can only imagine what went through the King’s mind who was so threatened by the birth of this child that a couple of years later, he ordered all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity, two years old and under, to be killed. (Matthew 2:16)

Yet as you read the story of the birth of Jesus, the people who were blessed are the ones who actually got up and went to find him. The shepherds, Simeon, Anna and the Magi all blessed for going forth and seeking to find the Christ child.

The Message version of the Bible tells us about the Magi in verse 10, “They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!” Don’t you just love that? Their long uncertain tiresome journey ended with them being in the right place at the right time to worship and honor God’s son.

People we come in contact with each day are seeking a Savior. Food recipients are no exception. If we take the time to see each person on a journey and perhaps our food pantries being the light that leads them to our Savior then we are all at the right place at the right time.

Worship and honor God this Christmas by leading those you come in contact with to the Light of the World. Allow them to see the star of Bethlehem shining brightly. After all they actively came to your door to find him.

Shining for Him,

Marty

Fresh Bread for Your Food Recipient

2011-12-06T19:29:00.000-08:00

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. Matthew 2: 10

Dear Friend,

Wise men today keep their eyes on the star of Bethlehem. Joy and peace can be found when you follow the one true Light of the World, Jesus. Have you met him? He is the reason for the season.

This slice of living bread was served to you today by God’s living word, the Bible and the _________________________________ ministry.

Can This Idea for Your Food Pantry

2011-12-06T19:26:00.000-08:00

Cut stars out of yellow construction paper, (five stars per bag of food given). Write the letters J, E, S, U, S on each star. Randomly tape them on canned goods that will go inside each bag of food for your recipients. When your food recipients take their groceries home they will discover the five stars and spell the name Jesus.

December Food Collection Idea

2011-12-06T19:19:00.001-08:00

Are you or your Sunday school class or small group having a Christmas gathering? Instead of exchanging gifts, why not encourage people to bring food to donate to the food pantry? Make a game out of it, such as … so many points for money, large cans or canned meats and so many points for small canned goods. Have prizes for the people who bring the most food, who spend the least amount of money using coupons, or those who bring the most appetizing donations. Have fun!

Harvest of Thanksgiving

2011-11-03T19:22:00.000-07:00

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9: 10-11 (NIV)

Although I am not a gardener nor do I have a green thumb for growing vegetables, I do understand fall is the time to prepare fields for planting. Cleaning out the weeds, plowing and mixing compost into the soil equips it for sowing seeds in the spring.

Once spring arrives and the field is prepared once again, the seeds are planted. Sunshine, rain, weeding, patience, and prayer reap a bountiful harvest in the spring due to preparation of the field back in the fall.

A food pantry ministry is much like a field that needs to be prepared for reaping a harvest. Fall is the time for us to prepare. Planting seeds of prayer, encouragement, grace, and love into food recipients and volunteers prepares this ministry for a generous harvest of blessings from God.

God’s face begins to shine, souls are touched, and God’s people generously give, even in the dead of winter, simply because godly seeds are being planted into the hearts of his people.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 2 Corinthians 9: 6

Generously sow and generously reap a harvest of thanksgiving this fall.

Heavenly Father, help me to generously sow seeds that will reap a harvest worthy of your praise. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Cheerfully His,

Marty

Fresh Bread for Your Food Recipients

2011-11-03T19:18:00.001-07:00

God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9: 7b (NIV)

Dear Friend,

Cheerful givers were kind enough to share food with you today. Cheerfully give God thanks for his provision and for the people he placed in your path to help you.

This slice of living bread was served to you today by God’s word, the Bible and the __________________________ ministry.

Can This Idea for Your Food Pantry

2011-11-03T19:17:00.000-07:00

Are you wondering what to do with the pumpkin seeds you recently scooped out of a pumpkin?

Roast the pumpkin seeds then place several seeds in a baggie. Prepare enough bags of seeds for each food recipient to receive one. Type or copy the following verse onto a piece of paper or a pumpkin cut out and tie it to the bags of roasted seeds.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 2 Corinthians 9: 6

Place roasted pumpkin seed bags in the bags of food for your recipients.

November Food Collection Idea

2011-11-03T19:14:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving is almost here and extra food is needed. Why not collect food of the season by color? Tape fall leaf cut-outs of red, yellow, brown, orange and green on your food collection box with the following food items written on the appropriate fall color leaf. Make sure you let people know when the food items are due so you can place them in your Thanksgiving baskets or bags of food.

Red - Cans of Cranberry Sauce

Yellow – Cans of Corn

Brown – Boxes of Stuffing Mix

Orange – Cans of Pumpkin

Green – Cans of green beans or mixed greens

Season Changes

2011-10-02T19:20:00.000-07:00

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2

Fall has arrived here in Chesapeake, Virginia, where I live. The crisp cool fall air quickly gives way to leaves changing color and painting the skyline trees with the beauty of red, brown and gold everywhere you turn. In the blink of an eye the season has changed from summer to fall.

Changes of the seasons are something we have come accustom to expect. For many of us, we look forward to the beauty that comes with the changes of each season. Season changes, that are a gift from our Holy Father, arrive every three months like clockwork.

God’s word tells us that we are to be prepared to preach the word of God no matter what season. As food pantry volunteers, we are to be ready to give an answer to those God brings to our church doors who are searching, seeking and hoping to hear the truth that can only be found through Him and His word.

Sometimes in order for God’s word to be preached or to go out among those who are in need of physical food, we need to reevaluate ourselves and the ministry God has placed before us. Is this the season to boldly present gospel tracts? Is this the season to ask for donations of Bibles to be freely given to those who do not have one? Is this the season to boldly share our faith with each person who comes by for food?

Prayerfully, boldly yet humbly go before God’s throne seeking His face about this season and time in your food pantry ministry. Place God first and allow Him to guide and direct your ministry into a new season of sharing more about Him and His word.

Heavenly Father, I humbly ask that you prepare my heart for change. Bring about a new season of boldness within the food pantry ministry so more people will hear and learn about you. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Prayerfully His,

Marty

Fresh Bread for Your Food Recipient

2011-10-02T19:16:00.001-07:00

“For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” Colossians 1: 16

Dear Friend,

Happy Fall! The beauty of fall was created by God for us to enjoy. Today, give thanks to God for creating you, your family, the season of fall and those who served you. Praise God for these wonderful gifts.

This slice of living bread was served to you today by God’s word, the Bible and the _______________________________________ ministry.

Can This Idea for Your Food Pantry

2011-10-02T19:15:00.000-07:00

With orange construction paper, cut out pumpkins large enough to write or type the following verse and note … 1 Chronicles 16:8 “Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” Friend, write down three things you can give God thanks for then share them with a friend.

Place the completed pumpkin cut-outs in bags of food for your food recipients so they are encouraged to think even more about God’s goodness.

October Food Collection Idea

2011-10-02T19:12:00.000-07:00

Many churches provide a fall or harvest party for their church body or community. When making flyers for your church body and community to know about this special event, why not ask each person or child attending the party to bring a canned good as their entrance fee? Make sure you have a food collection box at each entrance of your party for people to place their canned goods in. Happy Food Harvesting!

Miracle of Multiplication

2011-09-05T18:52:00.000-07:00

In God’s word, the Bible, John 6: 1-13, we read about the feeding of the five thousand. Jesus’ desire was to feed the crowd of people, whom had followed him and the disciples for some time. Jesus knew the people needed to rest and have a bite to eat, but of course there were no stores or restaurants available to purchase food. Besides, Philip pointed out to Jesus, in verse 7, that it would take at least eight months wages to feed such a large crowd.

Andrew, one of the disciples, points out that there is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, in verses 8 and 9, but questioned how far such a small amount would go to feeding so many people?

Yet, the boy was willing to open his hands and share with Jesus and the disciples what little he did have. Once Jesus blessed the food, it was distributed to those who were seated. The bread and then the fish were passed out among the people who ate until they were satisfied. Jesus asked the disciples to gather the pieces that were left over so nothing would be wasted. Twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish were collected once people had finished eating.

A multiplication miracle took place simply from a little boy sharing his resources with Jesus. Today, we have the same opportunity to see this miracle take place in the food pantries that we serve in. Men, women, families, small groups or Sunday School classes open handedly sharing small gifts of food so people in need can be fed.

Let me give you an example of this. When a person gives a food pantry four, twenty-five ounce jars of jelly, there are twenty-five servings per jar. That means one hundred mouths were fed from a simple donation of four jars of jelly.

Encouraging people to open handedly give small gifts of food each month to your food pantry is allowing Jesus to continue the multiplication of feeding people here and now. Pray and seek God about how He would like for you and your church body to faithfully give food each month. Put it into action and watch the miracle of multiplication take place in your food pantry.

Thankfully His,

Marty

Fresh Bread for Your Food Recipients

2011-09-05T18:47:00.000-07:00

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. 1 Chronicles 16:8

Dear Friend,

Today, God provided food for your table. Give him thanks. Brag on God and tell others how good he has been to you in providing for your needs.

This slice of living bread was served to you today by God’s word, the Bible and the ___________________________ ministry.

Can This Idea for Your Food Pantry

2011-09-05T18:44:00.000-07:00

I am always looking for creative ways to share Christ so others can feast at his table. The other day I was in a Christian bookstore and came across a Jelly Bean Salvation package. It reminded me of the time, many years ago, my husband and I did these for our youth at camp. Why not place the following idea in your bags of food for your food recipients. What a great way to share Christ and his salvation message.

Items needed: Black, Red, White, Yellow, Green, Purple, and Orange Jelly Beans

Snack size plastic baggies

Type the following, then place a copy of the message along with one jelly bean of each color inside the plastic bags.

Black – is for my sinful heart, which keeps me from you Lord.

Red – is for the blood you shed when you died upon the cross.

White – is for the cleansing of my sins as I place my trust in Thee.

Yellow – is for the streets of gold, which can only be found in Heaven with Thee.

Green – is for the everlasting life and assurance of knowing I will live with you eternally.

Purple – is for acknowledging you are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords for all eternity.

Orange – is for the rainbow of promises that are found in you and your word.

Thank you dear Lord for these colorful jelly beans and this simple message of love.

September Food Collection Idea

2011-09-05T18:41:00.000-07:00

Place a basket in your church foyer or hallway with a neatly printed sign attached … Miracle of Multiplication Food Collection. Using construction paper cut out loaves of bread and fish to place inside the basket. Before placing the cutouts in the basket, write down several items your food pantry is in need of on each cut out. For example: 5 jars of peanut butter and 2 jars of jelly or 5 boxes of spaghetti noodles and 2 cans of spaghetti sauce or 5 boxes of cornbread mix and two bags of dry beans.

Advertize your Miracle of Multiplication campaign on your church website, bulletin, facebook page or e-mail, with a simple ad encouraging them to help your food pantry this month.

Sample Ad: Miracle of Multiplication for September

John 6, we read about a boy open handedly giving five loaves of bread and two fish to Jesus and his disciples. After giving thanks, Jesus fed five thousand people and collected twelve baskets of leftovers with this simple gift. What a miracle!

Miracle of Multiplication is the title of our September food collection campaign. Stop by _____________________ (your basket location) and take a cut out loaf of bread or fish out of the basket marked, Miracle of Multiplication and purchase the items listed on your cut out. Bring the food items to the food pantry by ____________________________. Thank you for open handedly taking part in our miracle this month.