Isaiah 58:6 - "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?"

I want to briefly describe the points laid out in this text and also how the leaders of Living Acts Church would like to see our Body mobilized in the ministries of mercy and giving and showing love to our City. This text gives us a framework for how we would like to move on this. Lifeline Ministry (Mercy Ministry) will seek to focus on these four areas:

1. Reconciliation ("...to loose the bonds of wickedness") - Lifeline Ministry needs to involve itself in ministering to the "spiritual" and "relational" needs of society above all else. We are minister's of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-19). Our message is the Gospel. We are to take the Gospel to a world that needs to hear it. We do this through: a. Evangelism - Sharing the Gospel with those who haven't heard and deepening others life in the Gospel. b. Counseling - Using our God-given wisdom to help others in a variety of ways. c. Prayer - We are to continually pray fervently for God to loosen the dark hold that wickedness has on other's lives.

2. Relief ("...to undo the straps of the yoke") - Lifeline realizes that "relief works" (mowing yards, giving money, food pantries, clothing, etc.) are not going to be able to free others completely and can only "undo straps" of the yoke. We should give relief to others, but as we know it fails if no follow-up care is given. We should do this! We will do this. But as a church we realize that ultimately what people need will require much more from us. Churches usually only do this particular ministry and get aggravated over time at the lack of fruit. We don't just give hand-outs, but hand-ups.

3. Rescue ("...let the oppressed go free") - We are to "free" the oppressed when and where we can. This may be giving aid to related ministries or supporting adoption, caring for orphans, or whatever else. When needed we need to give more than our money or time, but may need to open our homes to those in need or provide ways for people to "get out" of harmful situations.

4. Reform ("...break every yoke") - This is the long haul of mercy ministry. This is helping others in every way we can, but for the long term. Helping others find jobs, educating, getting involved in every area of the City we can to permeate society with the Gospel. We seek the overall welfare of the City of which we are exiles (Jer. 29:7). This takes a love for the City of Tyler & a love for the City of God.

For more information on Lifeline and how to get involved, contact Mandy Glasscock at: [email protected]