JOE: Well, here I am again on the street of Skid Row, downtown
Los Angeles at Fred Jordan Mission. I just wanted to
welcome you to the show, FJM tv. I'm Joe Jordan and I have the
privilege of serving those in need in Jesus' name every day
that I'm here, and what a blessing. We have families and
kids. We have all of our homeless guests, all of our
unsheltered guests that are here. I mean, there's really
chaos all around. We're serving over here on the corner. We're
serving children and families here with food boxes and
turkeys. God bless you. And just such grateful hearts and
everything. But I wanted to share with you today, our
viewers at home, those who help us, those who help support this
ministry and all of the thousands that we serve every
single day. I want you to know though that the Lord loves you
and he wants to meet your needs as well. In Psalm 1:18, it says
this, this is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and
be glad in it. It doesn't say I might or maybe I should. It
says, I will rejoice in it. And I want you to rejoice in it too
because today is a day that the Lord has made, and what a great
day it is. You know, some of us though are having hard times. I
know that. I talk to people on the streets all the time and
they're suffering through a lot of things. It's really cold
right now and they're shivering. And so some of our staff reached
out to some of our partners for extra blankets. Some of our
donors have given extra so that we could buy all of those warm
clothes and we could get hoodies and different things to give to
families and to men and women who live here on the streets of
Los Angeles. But no matter what, we as a ministry, we as Fred
Jordan Mission want to rejoice and be glad in today. You know,
today is not always perfect, but today is a day that the Lord is
with us through it all. And we're not asking for every day
to be perfect, but we're just asking God to give us direction,
to give us a heart to serve those in need, to give us the...
not just stamina, but also all of the resources and the energy
to accomplish His will and His purpose in our lives. You know,
I stand on these streets of skid row and minister here and have
for decade, after decade, after decade for one reason, because
I'm called, called by God to be here to serve those in need in
Jesus name. And what a blessing. There's families right here.
There's a man right here. God bless you guys. God bless you,
kids. Enjoy. And again, we do everything that we do because
we're called to be here and serve those in need in Jesus'
name. I wanted to share with you a few of the thoughts on this
passage, this is the day the Lord has made and we will
rejoice and be glad in it, because each and every day is a
gift from God, they're not promised to us. Like, we don't
know if we'll be here tomorrow or not. I mean, I hope you are.
I hope I am because I love my family and I love my children
and my wife, and I love what I do and our staff, and I love
sharing the love of Jesus and God's Word with you, our
viewers, to try to encourage you. If you're a Christian, I
want to encourage you to just continue to dig into God's Word
and become more like Jesus because He can make us more like
Him if we're willing to. Willing to every day say yes to Jesus
and no to ourself. Yes to Jesus and His righteousness and no to
our sinful, selfish ways. And so I want to encourage you, and if
you don't know Jesus today and you're at home and maybe you're
suffering or, you know, you're having a hard time, I want you
to know that we care. We're not just here on Skid Row and
serving all of those around us that we minister to every day,
but we're here also and have been on television since 1951 in
order to minister to you at home. And I hope you know that
there are people, our ministry, our staff, our volunteers, that
are praying for you at home no matter what you're going
through. But each and every day that God gives us- God bless you
guys. Bye. Each and every day though that... that we get from
God is truly a gift. There's a gift that we have to think about
like this. Today is a day that we can honor God, we can choose
to love God, we can choose to serve God, or we can choose to
do our own thing. I know for many years I chose to do my own
thing and it was pretty empty. It was pretty, just, not great.
But when I decided to give my all and give my heart and give
my life to Jesus, I asked Him to forgive me of my sins, come into
my heart and be my Lord and Savior. That's when life got
better. That's when life was fulfilling. That's when life was
really at its best and continues to be. Not that every day is a
perfect day by any means, but every day I know I have Jesus
with me. Every day I know that He walks with me, that He
sustains me, that He protects me, and then He allows me to do
His will and His work so that I can try to spend my life
honoring Jesus. And, you know, we think about it as, yesterday
was terrible, or last week was terrible, or man, it was a hard
time with our spouse, or we have family issues, or, you know,
there's a relationship that's broken, and then it kind of
lasts into the next day and the next day, and pretty soon, like
today, we can be thinking about tomorrow, and wow, if today's
not great, tomorrow will be a bad day. But I want you to know
this, every day is a new day. Every day is a new day that God
can fill with grace and love and mercy. We can have a new
beginning, a new start. Think about it. Every day, the Bible
says, is a new day for us. And I want you to know as our viewers,
today is a new day, a new day to love God, to forget about the
mess of the past or the broken relationship, or- And not that
they just go away, but to take this day to focus on better
things, things that will lift you up, like God's love for you,
things that will bring you hope, like knowing that if we're gone
from this life today or tomorrow, that eternity is ours
if we know and trust Him. A completely new and glorious
day can be yours every day if we're willing to look to Jesus.
Stay tuned. I'll be right back.
JOE: In just a few days, Town Avenue is going to be filled.
Filled with what, you say? Bikes. Yes, literally hundreds
of bikes have been donated. Thousands of toys have been
donated. And of course we can't forget the massive food boxes
for Christmas dinner that's been provided. But you say, well, why
are you telling me all this? Because I want you to know that
this street, this lonely street here on Skid Row in downtown Los
Angeles in front of Fred Jordan Mission will have thousands of
cars and people as we declare and demonstrate the love of
Jesus for Christmas. A few short days, it's going to be amazing
here, seeing the joy on the children's faces, seeing the
excitement on their faces. But, you know, we still need your
help. We need your prayers. We need your support. Would you
stand with us this Christmas as there is so much more month at
the end of the money for most people in our country. These
children and families need us to step in to bring a hope and a
brightness to this Christmas. Of course, we're going to share
Jesus, but we also want to demonstrate His love by meeting
people's needs and blessing children with toys. Without us
here and you as our partners, it wouldn't happen. But with your
best gift, we will see an amazing day as Jesus touches
the lives of boys and girls, moms and dads, men and women
here on Skid Row.
ANNOUNCER: Join the conversation by connecting with us on social
media. We are on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more.
Visit us at social.fjm.org
♪
JOE: As we think about it, if you lived on the streets, if you
lived right here on Skid Row in the tents behind me, in the
cardboard box next to it, or over here on my other side under
a blue tarp, would there be joy in your life? Could you look at
this passage where it talks about the joy of the Lord is my
strength? Could you talk about rejoice in the Lord? Could you
take this passage that we started with from Psalm 1:18,
this is the day the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be
glad in it, and really live it out? Well, you know, it's
amazing to me how resilient people are. I mean, my heart
breaks. It breaks to see people live on the streets in America.
When I look around and I see how many buildings and how much
money and how really prosperous we are as a country, and then I
look behind me and all around me and I see the devastation of
people's lives and what they have to live through, I just
wonder, are there any that live here on the streets that
actually have joy? Are there ones who live on the streets
that have peace? Well, I'm here to tell you, yes, I've met so
many. Yes, there are some that are just not happy and some that
are just devastated. But I'll tell you, those who come to the
mission every day, come through our chapel, hear about the Word
of God. So many of them know more of God's Word maybe than
even I do as a pastor. It's amazing. And they actually live
on skid row. They live on the streets. They live in our
doorways. They live in the tents behind me. You know, they live
where these families live just blocks away and they come here,
and yet they have such joy because they know Jesus. And
you're like, Joe, really? People on Skid Row know Jesus and they
have joy and they rejoice and they're glad in it as far as
today, being here? Yes. It's amazing. Not everybody on Skid
Row, but you know what? Not everybody in the church that I
see is happy or really walking in joy every day, but there are
so many who live on our streets here on Skid Row that have great
joy because they trust in Jesus. They've placed their trust in
Jesus for salvation. They've placed their trust in Jesus for
their daily provisions. And even though they have to come to Fred
Jordan Mission to get their meals, to come get a blanket, to
come get a jacket or socks or shoes, you know, God placed this
here to care for them. And so they thank God for that. And,
you know, it's not about Fred Jordan Mission, and it's not
about all of our staff and what we do. It's about God's calling
in our lives to be here in the most desperate place we could be
in Los Angeles to serve those who are in desperate need of
God's love and provisions. And aside from all the blankets and
the warm clothes and the socks and the shoes and the food that
we provide, we're also able to share the gospel, the message
that Jesus loves them, that Jesus cares, and that Jesus died
for our sins. And I want you at home to know the same thing.
Jesus loves you. Jesus cares, and He cares about your
circumstances. And maybe you don't live in a tent and maybe
you don't live in a doorway or in a cardboard box. Maybe your
head doesn't have to lie on the concrete streets or sidewalks
across from me. I understand that, but it doesn't mean that
life isn't hard for you. And for you at home, that life is just
really hard, I want you to know this. There can still be joy in
your life because the Bible says that the joy of the Lord is our
strength. Let Jesus be your light. Let Him be your joy. Let
Jesus be your strength, and He will. He will. And I also wanted
to share with you this. If we keep our hearts and our minds
not on the things of this world or the things that drag us down
to the things that hurt us, the suffering and the sorrow,
because there'll be all of those things, but those are temporary.
But if we keep our eyes and our minds and our hearts on the
things that are eternal, like God's Word, God's promises and
heaven to come, then we know that that destination, once we
leave here, that perfect place, heaven with Jesus will be a
place of complete peace and joy and it'll be something to look
forward to. We must always remember in all of our decisions
that we make every day that we think about eternity and not
just temporary things for today. Place your life, your trust and
your hope and everything you have as we share with those
guests on the street, as we share with these families coming
through, being blessed with food and dinners and all of the
things that they're taking home, we always let them know to take
the best gift home you can, and that's the eternal hope of
Jesus. Always remember that God loves you. Always remember that
God cares. And always, always do what we see in God's Word. Love
the Lord with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength, and
follow His commands. You know, I wrote this and I just wanted to
share it with you. Today, choose Jesus, Today, choose following
Jesus as your Lord and Savior, because if you make that choice
and you follow His path and His ways, you can always know this
today, that if you do that, God will honor that. In Hebrews
3:7-8, it says this, today, if you hear His voice, do not
harden your hearts. No, listen to God's voice. And if God today
is speaking to you at home, He's speaking to those that we're
serving here on the streets. He's speaking to these families-
God bless you. Bye kids. These families have heard the message
that Jesus loves them, and I would just say this, give Him
your heart today. Give Him your life. Give Him your situations
and just let God know that you need Him. I remember when I was
in some of my darkest times and roughest times in my life and I
was in those deep valleys that it was at those moments that I
realized I just couldn't do it alone, but I needed Jesus, I
needed God on my side. But, you know, for many years, I just
kind of... didn't ignore him, but I just knew that's the way
to go, but I was doing my own thing, and so I kind of just
pushed God over here so I could go do my thing and not live in
guilt. But I lived in guilt and shame every day because I knew
the right way. I knew the truth, and I knew the truth would set
me free, but I didn't walk in it. You know, it just reminds
me, I just want to share with you a great little booklet,
"Overcome Your Hardships By Realizing That You Are Not
Alone." And this little booklet I want to send to you today, if
you would like it, just write us, DM us on one of our social
media platforms, go to fgm.org. We even have just a e-book
version of it that you can get. But "Walking Through the
Valleys," and it talks about the life that I lived of walking
through valleys alone and afraid and at times in some desperate
kind of measures, but God was there. And when I finally cried
out to Him, He walked through those valleys with me and He
took me back to the top of the mountain. If you're in a valley
today or if you find it hard to rejoice in the Lord, and if you
find it hard to live out this Psalm 1:18, that this is the day
the Lord has made and rejoice in it, because maybe there's not
much to rejoice about, God's got a better way and plan for your
life, and He did it for me. Write us and get this today or
reach out to us and get this booklet today and be encouraged,
because you can walk through those valleys and you can grow
and you can really, really, really learn to rely on Jesus in
your life. If you don't know Him today, all you have to do is
this. Jesus, I'm a sinner. Come into my heart. I believe you
died on the cross for my sins. Make Him your Lord and Savior,
and Jesus will come into your heart. He'll forgive you, and
He'll be your Lord and Savior. And then start walking with Him.
Read the Bible. Get in a good Bible believing church. And if
you want, watch FJM TV every week and I'll try to share
something to encourage you every week. Today from Skid Row, we're
serving those in need, those who live on the streets and also
thousands and thousands of families that come through
because you support us, you love us, and you pray for us. Pray
for these families - God bless you - as they come so that we
can declare and demonstrate His love to you. God bless you.
ANNOUNCER: 'Tis the season to be jolly. Sure, that is a cute
saying. Jesus is the reason for this season. Now that's a great
bumper sticker. But giving is the heart of Christmas. For over
80 years, Fred Jordan Mission has been giving to those on Skid
Row, the addict, the failed businessman, the distraught
mother, the abandoned sister, the lonely child. And what they
all have in common is not living in poverty. They all need help.
They all need hope and they all need love. Jesus was born in a
manger on Christmas Day, and at Fred Jordan Mission we celebrate
the Christ child, the greatest gift to the world. Again, this
year, Fred Jordan Mission's celebrating Christmas with those
on Skid Row and we need your help to share with our friends
family food boxes, new clothes, new shoes, baby necessities, and
for the kids, new bikes. Will you help us right now? You can
give online with confidence at fjm.org. That's fjm.org. Or
please send a check to FJM Box 12345, Covina, California 91722.
However you choose to give, will you please give a generous gift
today? And Merry Christmas to you and yours.
JOE: This is the day the Lord has made, and we will rejoice
and be glad in it. I'll tell you, today, our volunteers, our
staff, and all of us are rejoicing because we are here on
Skid Row at Fred Jordan Mission in downtown LA. Same corner,
same building, with the same vision to declare and
demonstrate the love of Jesus to those in need in Jesus' name.
You know, I shared with you a little bit about, you know,
valleys and different things that we all walk through and how
we can still rejoice in the Lord. And, you know, if you want
to get my little book, you can write in today, you can call us,
you can go to fjm.org or one of our social media platforms, but
it's a great little booklet, Overcome Your Hardships By
Realizing That You're Not Alone, "Walking Through the Valleys."
You know, I've walked through many valleys. Those behind me
and those all around me and these families and all of those
who live on the streets, they live in valleys regularly. And
you at home, you probably have a lot of valleys that you walk
through and lived through in your life, and I want you to
know, God wants to meet you right where you're at. God wants
to show and demonstrate His love to you right where you're at. So
today, if you're hurting, just reach out to us. We want to pray
for you. And also if you're able to, we need you to be our
partner to continue to do what we do with all of those on the
streets here, to love them, to share the gospel with them, to
let 'em know Jesus loves them, to feed them, to clothe them,
and to care for them. You know, it's cold right now, and even
with a jacket on, it's chilly out, and imagine living on the
concrete streets and sidewalks of Los Angeles. It's not a great
place to lay your head, but over 40,000 call this their home. If
you can, can you stand with us today? Pray for us today? And
give your best gift today? If you already support us, God
bless you. If you're just watching for the first time,
come out, see what we do. You can come any day of the week and
be a part of serving those in need in Jesus' name with Fred
Jordan Mission. Or you can just drop a check in the mail. You
can go on our website at fjm.org and give. But however you want
to be involved, just know this, we can and we do make a
difference in our community and on Skid Row when we get involved
and we serve those who have great needs, and you're a part
of that. God bless you.
ANNOUNCER: FJM Mission has been giving hope to those on Skid Row
for over 80 years, and we need your help to continue declaring
and demonstrating the love of God. Donate right now online at
fjm.org, or if a stamp and snail mail is more your style, then
please send your check to FJM 12345, Covina, California 91722.
Thank you.
ANNOUNCER: Join the conversation by connecting with us on social
media. We are on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more.
Visit us at social.fjm.org.
♪
FEMALE: (Singing) We will overcome this sorrow. We will
see the dawn tomorrow. We will soilder on down this road as we
reach for home, reach for home.
ANNOUNCER: Please, will you join us in feeding hungry children
and their families by phoning today? 844-FJM-FOOD, or donating
online, fjm.org.That's fjm.org. Or mail your check to Fred
Jordan Mission, PO Box 12345, Covina, California 91722.
Please, will you help?
FEMALE: Reach for home.
ANNOUNCER: The proceeding program was sponsored by
generous Friends and partners of Fred Jordan Missions.