“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will reward them for what they have done.” Proverbs 19:17 NIV
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
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You may have heard of the devastating tornadoes that destroyed so many lives here in my hometown of Bowling Green, Kentucky.
So many people need our help, and it can be overwhelming. Not just tornado victims, we may have family members who need our help, a man begging on the corner, people in our church, and more.
What would happen if our goal were to help just one person at a time? Could it possibly make a difference?
People who need God’s love are all around me. People who need “a good Samaritan” are all around me. I can’t help all the homeless, but I can give a cup of coffee to one. I can’t feed all the starving children, but I can help one. I can’t help every tornado victim, but I can help one.
Jesus told the Expert in the law that he must love God and love his neighbor as himself. The Expert in the law said, “Who is my neighbor?” In reply, Jesus told him the story of the Good Samaritan. (Luke 10:25-37)
Jesus’ message was, “If you see someone who needs your help, help them!”
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Let us examine our hearts. Are we more like the priest and the Levite, or the good Samaritan? Do we show the love of Jesus to those around us, or do we pass by on the other side?
Lord, Show me how to reach out to my “neighbor”. Lead me along the path that will take me to the one you want me to help. Give me the opportunities to reach out in a personal way and to bring your love to the hurting. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
In His Love, Cindy
Please visit my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”
Psalm 122:6 NASB
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
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Someone close to me recently told me she was selling everything she owns and moving to a 3rd World country to help orphaned and abandoned children. I was shocked and speechless. I could hear my heart pounding in my chest. (Your moving where?)
“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.” Proverbs 3:27 NLT
She explained that God had called her and had confirmed it over and over. What could I say? I didn’t want to encourage her. What if it wasn’t God? But I didn’t want to discourage her either. What if it was? I could only listen quietly.
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27 NIV
Does God really call us to sell all and follow Him? That’s okay for “missionaries”, but when it’s someone you love, well, that’s different. I didn’t realize how different until it confronted me head-on. I doubt you will be able to understand the impact of my experience unless you experience it for yourself.
“Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!
The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble.” Psalm 41:1 NLT
My faith is being tested to the core. As long as I focus on God’s Word, I’m not in a panic. But to stay strong, I have had to continually stay focused on the Lord and stay in the Word. By immersing myself in the Word over the last few weeks, I have gone from “numb and shock” to peace. It has been an amazing process.
“Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!
The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble.” Psalm 41:1 NLT
How easily we can be swept up in our personal lives and never give thought to the plight of so many living in poverty and despair. For the most part, many American Christians live in a bubble. They don’t even observe the poor in their own town or city that may be only a few miles away.
“But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won’t help him—how can God’s love be within him?” 1 John 3:17 TLB
You won’t see them at Dillards or Chicos. You won’t see them in a nice restaurant or your favorite nail salon. You won’t even see them in your neighborhood. They may be hidden away, but they aren’t far away.
“Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.” Proverbs 28:27
Dear Heavenly Father, Soften our hearts. Create in us compassion and kindness. Forgive us for being selfish. Show us your will and lead us. Strengthen our faith in you. Guide and direct our way every single day. For you are our God, the Holy One, worthy to be praised. Amen
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
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