Caring for the poor

Passing The Buck

1. In the first centuries of Christianity
the poor were fed, clothed, and sheltered
at a personal sacrifice and the Pagans
said about the Christians: "See how they love each other."

2. Today the poor are fed, clothed, and sheltered by the politicians at the expense of the taxpayers.

3. And because the poor are no longer fed, clothed, and sheltered
at a personal sacrifice but at the expense of taxpayers Pagans say

about Christians: "See how they pass the buck."

 

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." Matthew 25:35

"I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy." Psalm 140:12

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." Isaiah 61:1

"The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them." Isaiah 41:17

"He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap;" Psalm 113:7

"When Jesus heard this, he said to him, You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" Luke 18:22

"Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow." Isaiah 1:17

"She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." Proverbs 31:20

"But he lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks." Psalm 107:41

"A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." Proverbs 22:9

"He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done." Proverbs 19:17

"Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD , do not delay." Psalm 70:5

"But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish." Psalm 9:18

"Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor?" Job 30:25

"He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor." 1 Samuel 2:8

"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land." Deuteronomy 15:11

"If you mistreat the poor, you insult your Creator" — Proverbs 14:31

God is more happy when I help the poor and the oppressed than when I do my religious duties like praying and going to church. Though these things are important too, without compassion for the poor and oppressed, spending time reading the Bible and praying doesn’t really have a point. If my relationship with God hasn’t changed my heart so that I have compassion on the poor and oppressed, then I’m obviously missing something. It’s like Jesus said to the Pharisees, how they give a tenth of their money and spices to God, but they have neglected the more important matters, things like justice and faithfulness.

If I Were More Like My Master

If I would be more like my Master,
I would leave my footprints in the sand.
I would take away someone's burden,
and lend another one a helping hand.

If I would be more like my Master,
I would be gracious and merciful too.
I would comfort an ailing brother,
and show a lost sister what she must do.

If I would be more like my Master,
I would walk upon the turbulent water.
I would safely reach my destination,
and encourage others how not to falter.

If I would be more like my Master,
I would be free from the battle of sin.
I would show other's true compassion,
and help them with their own fight to win.

If I would be more like my Master,
I would see the hungry people to feed.
I would take and offer whatever I had,
and give them more than they could need.

If I would be more like my Master,
I would spread the Good News all around.
I would speak of God's love and forgiveness,
and that a new life is theirs to be found.

If I would be more like my Master,
I would have a spirit of complete servanthood.
I would humbly assist and aid all who are needy,
just as the Lord, my Master would.   

How to Help the Poor

Have you ever noticed how Jesus seems to walk right into traps laid by the Pharisees and religious leaders? Jesus wasn’t dumb, so I sometimes think He stepped into their traps on on purpose. Why? Because usually, their traps used hurting people as the bait. They knew Jesus was a sucker for hurting people.


And Jesus, crazy God-Man that He is, played along, to show us what the heart of God is really like.


One of these instances is in Luke 6:6-11 where Jesus is teaching in a Synagogue on the Sabbath, and a man is present who had a withered hand. Although the text does not say that the Pharisees brought him, the presence of this man in the Synagogue on the Sabbath is still a trap for Jesus, however the man happened to be there that day.


And curiously, Jesus did not have to help this man right there on that day. He really didn’t have it. It wasn’t life threatening. He could have waited until the meeting was over, and then invited the man over for the Sabbath meal, and then after the sun went down, healed the man then. What would have been the harm in that?


Why does Jesus purposefully seem to run headlong into this controversy? Why did He so deliberately and publicly violate some of the Jewish Sabbath traditions?


I think one reason is because it wasn’t just about healing that one man. Jesus also wanted to teach the Pharisees and the other people who were present about the purpose of the Sabbath, and the purpose of God’s Law in general.

Revealing the Heart of God

Jesus wanted to show all the people the heart of God; not just the one man with the withered hand.


And what is the heart of God as revealed in the Law? The Law was given to help people love each other, and treat each other with fairness and respect. It was never intended as a way of barring people from God, or restricting people’s access to God. it was never supposed to be a way to separate the sinners from the righteous.


In many ways, the Law had come to accomplish the opposite of what God had intended. It had become an instrument and tool of death, rather than a means of restoring life and giving health.


This is part of the reason Jesus asks the question in Luke 6:9 about saving a life or destroying it. The Law can be used in either way, and while many religious leaders used it to destroy life, Jesus wanted to show how to use the Law as means of giving life.

How to Help the Poor

And how does Jesus help the man with the withered hand?


He enables the man to help himself. This man wanted his hand back; not a hand out. He was not looking for a free meal or a free bed, but some help getting his feet back underneath him so he could return to work.


This man had been forced to begging, but Jesus was giving back to him his ability to work.


That is how you save a life. That is how you help the poor. You restore their dignity. You treat them as human. You give them the chance to work and provide for themselves and their family.

Bible Verse of the Day

 “speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord , always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 5:19-20

Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord? What do you think this means? Why is it even important?

As I read this I think of that it means to praise God no matter what your circumstances are. I know that sometimes this is hard to do, especially when we question why God may let us reside in certain situations. It is remembering that God is the only one with a pure heart towards you, that desires for you to have a full and abundant life in Him. It is seeing the truth that He supplies what we need to sustain us through whatever it is we face and that He is there holding our hand leading through the storms and celebrations of life.

Why is it important?

Well you see this is the one thing the enemy tries to steal from us, our communion (relationship) with our Heavenly Father. He knows when he can break this he can manipulate us in almost every way, he knows that this is our source of strength and life, it is the cutting off of our spiritual oxygen.

So what do we do when life throws us hard times? We trust and try to walk in Him through it, by keeping our relationship intact. The promise God offers in this is that He will remain with and in us and will love us through anything we face.

Walk in love with Him today, it is your life blood in this world.

Faith Does

There’s something that you know God’s called you to do. You’ve been wrestling with this for a while now.

Someone he’s called you to reach out to. Somewhere you just know He wants you to go. Something He’s impressed upon you to do.

And you may be thinking, “I’ve waited this long…what’s another few days?”

Because procrastination is the enemy of doing what God wants. And procrastination often takes the form of “good” things. But don’t let even good things get in your way any longer. Don’t let distractions do what they do best…distract you. It’s just not worth it. The King has called.

Faith does.

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. James 2.18

50 Ways to Keep Your Heart Alive

Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much a heart can hold. – Zelda Fitzgerald

Most poets, spiritualists, and even some medical doctors believe there is a mind-body-soul connection. Our hearts provide the source of power necessary for this connection. What’s in our hearts, the condition of our hearts and the size of our hearts determine how strong this connection can be and how long it may last.

On a functional level, we need our hearts to distribute blood throughout our bodies. On a spiritual level, we depend on our hearts to give nourishment to our souls. But, it’s an ebb and flow. Meaning, we need to give our hearts a reason a reason to stay alive or they will stop.

Becoming isolated from others, feeling discouraged and losing hope can shut down our hearts in the metaphorical sense. Left unattended for long, our minds, bodies and souls will soon begin to shut down in the physical sense as well.

During times when I feel my heart is shutting down, I rely on these ways to keep it alive:

1. Living simply and remembering there is power in less; not more.
2. Seeing love in my friend’s eyes.
3. Keeping hate from entering my heart.
4. Asking, “What do I want?” And then listening for the answer.
5. Erasing the self-limiting tapes that play in my head.
6. Expecting little and giving much.
7. Forgiving.
8. Watching my brother become a man.
9. Knowing He is not done with me yet.
10. Remembering to play like a child.
11. Feeling an ounce of resurgence after a setback.
12. Enjoying a summer night, a cold beer and a baseball game, all at the same time.
13. Going to bed knowing I didn’t take any shortcuts.
14. Receiving an unexpected kiss from my niece.
15. Savoring the first sip of coffee in the morning.
16. Remembering the depth of my faith when my soul feels raw.
17. Waiting for the good to rise out of the bad. It always does.
18. Realizing I get to choose who I share my heart with.
19. Taking one step forward as a reminder I do have the ability to keep moving.
20. Acknowledging my reality so I can change it if it’s not working.
21. Laughing when a circumstance goes from the absurd to the surreal.
22. Exercising on days when I really don’t feel like it.
23. Understanding my passion to help others is beautiful.
24. Dreaming of what’s next.
25. Appreciating the abundance in my life.
26. Learning to replace my anxiety with peace.
27. Surrendering my plan for His.
28. Falling to sleep with my dogs next to me.
29. Tasting a fresh-cut watermelon.
30. Embracing the fact my life has an expiration date.
31. Understanding it’s not failure I sometimes fear, but happiness.
32. Standing tall in the face of truth – even the uncomfortable truths about myself.
33. Remembering what’s right in my life.
34. Saying, “Yes” to things I want for myself.
35. Experiencing the confidence I possess.
36. Slowing down and doing nothing.
37. Asking for help and then feeling worthy to receive it.
38. Trusting the process three years ago.
39. Giving myself grace.
40. Allowing good things to happen.
41. Realizing I am more than enough.
42. Healing the child within.
43. Singing happily throughout the house.
44. Having a second chance to be a better sister and friend.
45. Hoping the Rangers will win one World Series in my lifetime.
46. Knowing the pain I have experienced does indeed have a purpose.
47. Beginning to love myself more.
48. Realizing life is about doing, not just being.
49. Discovering the unexpected.
50. Living from my heart everyday.

So how's your love life?

So how's your love life? Do you love God? God says we are to love Him with all our heart, mind, body, soul and strength. But not only God; we are to love others. Those who are genuinely born of God not only love the Father, but the child born of Him. Thus Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment: we are to love one another even as He loves us (John 13:34 and 35). It would be time well invested to meditate on the ways He expressed His love toward us, toward others, even toward the one who would betray Him.

And what is it that keeps us from loving like this?

John, the apostle of love, tells us in his first epistle by way of a warning: "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away . . ." (1 John 2:15 and 16).

Yet the world is so very present, isn't it? So alluring! So tangible! So appealing to our flesh, our ego, our desire to be, to attain, to "make it"! But you have to ask yourself, will it last? Is it worth what you pay in time, in energy, in relationships?

Ours is a culture of concupiscence—a culture that has infiltrated the church. We have a love of softness. We are told, "You deserve it! You earned it. You owe it to yourself to be good to yourself!" Oh Beloved, we hear it and we believe it. We have so loved softness that we have not endured hardship as a soldier of Christ. We have not disciplined ourselves for the sake of godliness.

And part of godliness is loving—as He loved—sacrificially, selflessly. Loving others not just with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. When we love His way, then we assure our heart before Him, and we have confidence in the coming day of judgment, because as He is in this world, so are we. They know we are His disciples by our love—His love unleashed in us to overflow on the world about us.

“If I have not love, I am nothing,” Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:2. Jesus said that the second greatest commandment, after loving God, is loving people. Indeed, if we “live a life of love” as God desires (Ephesians 5:2), we will naturally obey most of His other commands.

What’s a girl worth?

What’s a girl worth?

I was 13– Excited to be out late at Denny’s with my friends, talking and laughing, effervescent, carefree. He was much older, at least in his 30s, but he zeroed in on me. He leered, scruffy face so close, stinking drunk, and he loud-whispered words I’d never heard about what he wanted to do to me. He said he would make me quiver, and he did. Just not the way he meant.

I sought comfort from two women I thought would understand, but they could only see the moment through their own dark-tinted lenses. My experience wasn’t as bad as theirs had been, and they brushed it off. I was alone with fear and shame.

What’s a girl worth?

I was 15– Too young and too scared, desperate to keep my older boyfriend, reluctantly willing. He gave me a magazine as a guide, full of bodies and skin, excitement and impossibility. He wanted me to learn what to do for him. So I did. And when he used me all up, he left me to guilt and self-loathing. And I dared not seek comfort where it had not met me before.

What’s a girl worth?

I was 17– Feeling like a woman behind the wheel of my red convertible, waiting for the light to let me get to my hostess job, mature, nearly grown. He honked his horn and filled the space between his car and mine with shouts and dirty laughter: He liked how I ate my banana. I drove away stupid and small.

What’s a girl worth?

I was 31– Creating a place of laughter and heart-baring, writing good words, typing out truth. I opened up so others could too and invited conversation. He was anonymous and cowardly. He sent a message to describe how he’d defile me if he had his way. I was shaken and suspicious.

When I turned to my communities, two scoffers stood out among the supporters. Women who suggested it was my fault, expected, deserved.

What’s a girl worth?

I know the statement of my worth comes from the lips of the One who made me, but yet– but yet. When the shouts of men say You’re just a thing to f--k, when the sneers of women say Oh well– the voice of truth is hard to make out through the chatter.

And I need the strong voices of my brothers and the sweet singing of my sisters to raise loud the truth of our Father’s words, to remind me what a girl’s worth.

***

Have you ever struggled to believe what you’re worth when God and the world disagree?

Fervency in Prayer

“…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

James 5:16

The Apostle James [as he's called in Gal 1:19] DOES NOT tell us ”the prayers” of God’s people avail much…no…he says, the “EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER” of a righteous man avails much!

The words effectual fervent have been translated from one Greek word, energeo [en-erg-eh’-o], and it means to work in effectually; to be mighty in - to have energy and to be energetic! God tells us through James that if His children’s prayers are going to “avail much”, and if the prayers of the people of God will “move the Arm that moves the world”, it will have to be by the “effectual fervent” [energetic] prayers of the people of God!

Please note: We have no power to control God…

-We cannot dictate to Him nor can we command Him…

-We cannot resist Him in the execution of His purposes…

BUT: we may humbly ask Him for what we desire…

AND [it gets even better!] God graciously tells us in James 5:16 that such asking will have much effect for our own good and for the good of our fellow-men!

If there’s anything that can prevail with God, it has to be prayer…humble, fervent, and earnest petitioning!

WHERE’S THE FERVENCY IN OUR PRAYERS?

Where’s the “worked in and worked up” praying that God says will avail so much with Him? Where’s the energy, earnestness, and sincerity that’s boiling so hot in us that we MUST commune with our God? That’s the praying we need to do…that’s the praying we need to have!

HOW CAN WE GET IT?

How can we go from “prayer” to “the effectual fervent prayer”? Just 4 thoughts briefly…

1. There must be DESPARATION

When was the last time YOU were desparate for:

-The POWER of God?

-The PRESENCE of God?

-The PROMISES of God?

-The PEACE of God?

-The PERFECTION of God?

[Jesus said in Matt 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Perfect means complete, pure, holy]

When was the last time YOU had a deep-felt, desperate need for these things from God? That would also have been the last time you had effectual fervent prayer.

2. There must be CONVICTION

Many don’t have Holy-Ghost conviction on their lives. Many don’t know the conviction that prevents sleep, produces misery, and points to Calvary!

Where’s the conviction that comes when we pray for souls? It seems that nothing happens when we pray…Why? Well, it might be:

1. We’ve become cold…

2. We’ve become careless or we “care less”…

3. We’ve become corrupted by the world…

4. We’ve become comfortable in the world…

Are we – are YOU – really convinced that souls are going to Hell? When was the last time in praying for a lost soul that God broke your heart and tears ran down your face for that soul?

*CONVICTION will bring us from “prayer” to “effectual fervent prayer”!

3. There must be INTERCESSION

Why don’t we intercede on behalf of others, as we should? Could it be that:

1. We’re satisfied with things we have and of who we are?

2. We really don’t see the need to pray?

3. We really don’t have the heart to pray?

Start interceding for someone else. Start going to God on someone else’s behalf. Philippians 2:4 says, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others“. Do you see the great need for it? Do you have the heart for it? To be a true intercessor for others will bring about effectual fervent prayer!

4. There must be COMPASSION

I read of a pastor one time that God used to plant a church in the middle of a tough, inner city. When asked how it was done, he replied, “Wet eyes, bent knees, and a broken heart.”

Jude 22, “And of some have compassion, making a difference”.

When you have compassion, it shows that:

1. You believe in Hell…

2. You believe in the coming judgment…

3. You believe in the brevity of life…

4. You have concern for the souls of men…

And therefore, COMPASSION will bring you from “prayer” to “effectual fervent prayer”!

Are you ready to pray…effectually fervently…will all humility / energy / sincerity?

Are you ready to “work out” with God what God has already “worked in” with you?

PRAY…JUST PRAY!

When everything seems hopeless

I think we all have experienced times in our lives when things just seemed hopeless. Sometimes our situations feel so out of control and we can’t believe what is happening.

We can’t believe that our parent died at such a young age.
We can’t believe that our spouse walked out on us.
We can’t believe that we have just been diagnosed with cancer.
When we come to this point in our lives, it feels like there is no way past our problems. We’re convinced that life will never be the same again. We feel like there is no hope.

When we find ourselves in this place, we have to remember that we are not the first people who have ever felt this way. Millions of people throughout the ages have felt these exact same feelings.
Jesus’ disciples felt this way the day He was crucified.

Hope had died in the hearts of Jesus’ most loyal friends and followers the day He died on the cross. They felt more powerless, more hopeless than they had ever felt in their lives.

The problem was, the disciples were only seeing part of the message. “Christ defeated” was all they knew. But then on the third day the fog of disappointment and misunderstanding lifted, and they (and the world) received the complete message: “Christ defeated death!”

Defeat was turned into victory; death was turned into life! In a matter of hours, the disciples journeyed from hopeless to hope-filled. From powerless to powerful.
This is good news for all of us in who are in desperate need of hope today!

The problem is that everything that we hope in will one day eventually disappoint us. Every circumstance, every situation, every relationship we put our hope in is eventually going to wear out, fall apart, give out and go away.

This is why I can find hope in the midst of any crisis I may face. I can have hope when it feels like there is no reason to have hope.

I can have hope because my hope is based on a powerful, in-control God who can do and will do the impossible.

My hope is based on a God who has defeated death itself!

This same hope is available to you as well.

When everything seems hopeless we need to remember:

Even though life is uncertain, God is not. While our power is limited, God is limitless. He still has the whole world in his hands.

Your world may feel chaotic and hopeless right now but remember God is still in control!

Almighty God, Your Word says, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" So I give You permission to search my heart and mind so that I can face my true anxieties about losing hope in what I mistakenly have confidence in. I want to put my hope in You LORD, for those who hope in the LORD shall renew their strength. They will soar like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint - thank You Father.

For the Listmakers Among Us - 35 Reasons not to Sin

Are you a list maker? Does having a list help you prepare? Read on to discover 35 Reasons Not to Sin and feel free to add to the list. Just leave a comment.

Discovering the Truth about a thing is not easy. Being prepared is the best offensive measure you can take. On the subject of sin, it is good for us to see the results of sin in our lives and become aware of the effects on ourselves and on others.

“Sin will cause you to go farther than you want to go, stay longer than you want to stay and pay more than you want to pay.”

Take some time and read over this list. If one item causes you to stop and ponder, think on that reason and be ready as you go about your day of the affect your sin (and mine) have on ourselves, on others, and most especially – the Holy Spirit of God.

1. Because a little sin leads to more sin
2. Because my sin invites the discipline of God.
3. Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.
4. Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.
5. Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.
6. Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.
7. Because I am doing what I do not have to do.
8. Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.
9. Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.
10. Because my sin saddens the godly.
11. Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.
12. Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.
13. Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.
14. Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.
15. Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.
16. Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.
17. Because my sin may influence others to sin.
18. Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.
19. Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.
20. Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.
21. Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.
22. Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.
23. Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.
24. Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.
25. Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.
26. Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.
27. Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.
28. Because my sin is adultery with the world.
29. Because I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.
30. Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.
31. Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.
32. Because to sin is not to love Christ.
33. Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to believe.
34. Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it, never because it is worth anything on its own.
35. Because I promised God He would be Lord of my life.

Can you think of another reason to add to this list? Feel free to comment.

When was the last time God blew your mind?

When was the last time God blew your mind?

When was the last time he revealed something that made you want to sit down?

When was the last time you saw something in scripture that overturned the tables in your inner temple?

When was the last time you learned a lesson that made you say, out loud no less, “This is big. This could change everything.”?

When was the last time God answered a prayer with such flare that it caused you to ask, “Did that just really happen?”

When was the last time you got caught up in a real, live “God thing” that kept you up at nights?

When was the last time God put a burden on you, a passion that energized you and turned you to jell-o at the same time?

When was the last time God turned the tables on you so brilliantly that you had to laugh out loud at the hilarity of it all?

When was the last time you saw yourself—like, the real you, totally exposed and flawed, so raw and unphotoshopped that you wanted nothing more than to be able to look away, but couldn’t?

When was the last time you stepped out in faith so audacious, so crazy-stupid and “out there” that it made a holy pretzel outta your innards?

When was the last time someone who loves you had to make sure you were hearing God right because the direction you’re headed seemed a tad irrational?

When was the last time you looked a practical matter of obedience to God in the eye and realized, “This is gonna hurt.”?

When was the last time you felt that glorious free-fall feeling you get when you could care less what people think and start living free of the peanut gallery?

When was the last time God looked so big that you felt really small?

When was the last time you screamed and bucked at the concept of hell and then collapsed in a surrendered heap because of what the eternal ramifications are for actual people all around you?

When was the last time you had a personal apocalypse—a revelation of truth that ended the world as you knew it?

Just askin.’

The charity of Christ

Charity - The charity of Christ – Luke 10:25-37

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins 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.’

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Reflection:-

The charity of Christ is the source in us of all our merits before God. Grace, by uniting us to Christ in active love, ensures the supernatural quality of our acts and consequently their merit before God and before men. The saints have always had a lively awareness that their merits were pure grace.

Christ has given us a share in his own life through death on the cross and Resurrection, and so we must be as Christs for one another and give in the same way. “To whom much is given, much is expected.” To those who call themselves Christian has been given more than to anyone else in the world.

“By charity, we love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves for love of God. Charity, the form of all the virtues, binds everything together in perfect harmony (Col 3:14).” The charity of the Samaritan made him pleasing in God’s eyes, though to Jews he was a heretic and an outcast, judged condemned. The priest, a leader and holy man among the Jewish people fell short in God’s eyes, for he was without charity.

“Christ died out of love for us, while we were still enemies. (Romans 5:10) The Lord asks us to love as he does, even our enemies, to make ourselves the neighbor of those farthest away, and to love children and the poor as Christ himself. Why charity? To share in Gods life and love and thus be happy. Living the virtue of charity bears the fruit of divine love and a foretaste of heaven which is the state of perfect fulfillment and eternal happiness in the presence of the living God.

How is charity lost? God has given us free will, and therefore we must cooperate with his grace and freely choose to do His will. If we choose to break his law with sufficient reflection and full consent of the will, we loose the virtue of charity having sinned mortally. Venial sins weaken charity and can lead to mortal sin. Charity is our greatest gift and our greatest call. St. Pauls hymn on charity might be the most beautiful in all of Scripture.

“If I . . . have not charity,” says the Apostle, “I am nothing.” Whatever my privilege, service, or even virtue, “if I . . . have not charity, I gain nothing.” Charity is superior to all the virtues. It is the first of the theological virtues: “So faith, hope, charity abide, these three. But the greatest of these is charity.” We must love all, including our enemies, and must pray for them or we are without charity and therefore without God’s love. Let us begin now the regular practice of prayer for our enemies as well as for those who love us that the doors of heaven may not be shut against us.

Our burden and privilege as Christians is to be held to the very highest standards of conduct in thought, word and deed: Christ Jesus Himself. We desire to live abundantly, that is forever, and only in Christ is found such abundant life. If we would live forever we must begin now to live in Christ and persist in this life until the end.

That Secret Place of Prayer

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

As you read Matthew 6:5-6, you find yourself in the middle of the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount. The subject that Jesus is preaching on in these verses is PRAYER!

I think it’s real interesting to note that Moses in the Law didn’t give command or regulation in regard to prayer, and even the prophets say little when it comes to the direct duty of prayer. So then how fitting is it that the revelation of a prayer-life is found in the message of the Lord Jesus Christ! I think it’s awesome…“Lord, teach us to pray”!

We see from the Lord’s message that prayer is expected AND anticipated. In verses 5 and 6 we read the repeated words from Christ “when thou prayest”. So it’s not, “IF you pray”, but it’s “WHEN you pray”! The relationship we have with our Lord requires us to pray because our God desires from us communion with Him.

Now a good teacher needs a classroom, wherever that may be. And if the Lord will be our Teacher and if He will teach us to pray, He too needs a classroom: “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet“ (vs6). God wants us to find a fixed spot – a private place – where we can daily meet with Him! That spot may be anywhere…It may change from day to day…But what CANNOT change is that we have a daily quiet time in which we place ourselves in His presence!

DO YOU HAVE THIS TIME WITH GOD DAILY or DOES THIS LACK WITH YOU?

Many of you – and I – truly believe that the Bible is the Truth, that it is the very Words of God. It is not hard to believe that we have the Truth, but what is hard is being faithful with the Truth! What’s lacking with us?

We hear of other beliefs that we would label pagan and not of God, but those followers of false gods will be devout and pray 3 to 5 times every day! They’ll stop what they’re doing and make their time in prayer an important time of their day and life. But for many a Christian, he will not even have a daily, secret place of prayer and quiet time with the True God and Saviour. Again I must ask: WHAT’S LACKING WITH US?

It just might be that we really don’t see why God calls us to the closet! Other beliefs are devout in communing with their gods…but why does the Only True and Living God call us to a secret place of prayer daily?

I. Because that’s where we’ll have His Presence!

How many times in verse 6 alone is “thy Father” mentioned? It’s repeated twice by Jesus, so it must be important for us to know!

You’re prayer closet ought never to be dark…because the Light of His Presence should shine forth!

You’re approach into your prayer closet ought never to be dull…because every petition and every praise will be from a child unto the Father!

Your attitude must be “I must meet my Father”! This ought to be our daily desire!

WHY does God call us to the closet?

II. Because that’s where we’ll have our Privacy!

vs6 – “…and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret”

God is One who hides Himself from the carnal eye, and He calls us to a “separation” from the world and from all the things going on around us so we can have that 1-on-1 time with Him! Just think about THAT…alone with God…why don’t we, or why wouldn’t we, take advantage of that?

WHY does God call us to a secret place of prayer daily?

III. Because that’s where we’ll find our Prosperity!

vs6 – “…and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly“

James says, “Ye have not because ye ask not”! Why don’t we see the Mighty Hand of God move in magnificent ways? Our closets are empty therefore making our lives and service empty! Remember in Hebrews 11:6, “…and He is a rewarder of them that diligently…” We can have prosperity in God’s Will from the prayer closet because we’re trusting and giving over all our needs to the great love and power of our Heavenly Father!

Do YOU have a secret place of prayer? Do you have a daily quiet time alone with God? Why wouldn’t we when in “the closet” we will find God’s Presence, a “1-on-1″ Private time alone with Him, and true prosperity in His Will?

Blessings and Miracles

It’s true that we serve a God of miracles. But brace yourself, because what I am going to say about that will come as a total shock to some of you. The Lord’s preference is not to meet your needs through a miracle.
Now before you think I’ve lost all my faith, hear me out. I define a miracle as the suspension or superseding of natural laws, and personally, I’ve received many. There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord performs miracles and uses them like a bell to draw people unto Himself.

But let me ask you, would you rather receive a miracle of healing or live with the blessing of good health? Would you rather have the Lord perform a miracle to pull you out of bankruptcy or be so blessed financially that He wouldn’t have to? I think the logical answer to both of those questions is obvious.

It’s always better to avoid problems, which is the result of living in blessing, than it is to be delivered out of them, which requires a miracle.

There are three important reasons for receiving from God through blessings rather than miracles. First, blessings prevent crises, while miracles deliver from crises. Second, a blessing is always a more abundant supply than a miracle. And third, miracles are a temporary fix, while blessings are permanent solutions. Therefore, if you’re living from miracle to miracle, it probably means you’re living from crisis to crisis.

God’s original intent for His creation was to function under His blessing instead of a miracle. If sin hadn’t corrupted God’s creation, there would be no need for miracles. Everyone would be healthy, everyone would be prosperous, and strife, the cause of broken relationships and wars, wouldn’t even exist.

Unfortunately, there is corruption in the earth, and there will always be a place for miracles. However, Jesus not only forgave us of our sins, He redeemed us from the curse and placed blessings on His followers.

Galatians 3:13 says, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.”

If we will believe we are blessed and act accordingly, we can avoid many of the problems that make us candidates for miracles.

Let me illustrate. Some believers pray for financial miracles but aren’t practicing the principle of giving and will not work. They know God loves them, so they’re counting on and believing for a miracle. And that’s just what it will take. They aren’t obeying God’s Word in faith, so they can’t receive the blessing God has spoken over them.

The Lord told us to work so that He would bless the work of our hands and that if we would give, it would be given unto us.

We read in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”

Deuteronomy 28:12 reads, “The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.”

Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

If we don’t obey Him in these commands, it’s either because of ignorance or we don’t fully trust His promises. That doesn’t mean the Lord hates us, but it means our unbelief is stopping the blessing He has spoken from coming to pass in our lives.

So, lack of faith in God’s blessing causes us to enter into crisis, and right before disaster, if we continue steadfast in our belief for a miracle, we receive just enough to get us over the hump. Then next month we need another miracle. I know this drill from experience.

Because miracles are “unnatural,” they are never permanent. The Lord created laws that govern the operation of His creation. He sometimes, temporarily, supersedes them, but always returns the situation back to the natural operation of those laws.

For instance, if we abuse our bodies, we can receive a miracle of healing. But if the root of the problem isn’t dealt with, the sickness or infirmity will return, and we’ll need another miracle.

But when we believe God’s Word and follow its instructions, it will teach us how to eat, exercise, and enjoy emotional health that works like a medicine (Prov. 17:22). The Lord would rather keep you healthy through His blessing than to heal you by a miracle.

And, unlike miracles, once a blessing is received, no outside force can stop it:

“Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it” (Num. 23:20).

The only thing that can stop the blessing of God in our lives is our unbelief. What a powerful truth. Balaam’s curse couldn’t stop the blessing that was on the nation of Israel. The blessing received in faith will always trump the curse.

So, what is the blessing of God, and how do we receive it? To begin with, the blessing of God isn’t things. The blessing of God will produce things, but the blessing isn’t things.

Galatians 3:14 says, “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

Abraham’s blessing has come upon us through faith in Christ, and the blessing isn’t the things that Abraham possessed. Would you want Abraham’s animals that have been dead for four thousand years? Do you want his tents and clothes? I don’t think so. What you want is the favor of God that was spoken over him, which produced his physical and spiritual abundance.

That’s what the blessing of God is; it’s His divine spoken favor. And that blessing, if mixed with faith, will produce abundance in spirit, soul, and body.

There is much more to the contrast of blessings and miracles than what I have been able to present here. I consider this to be one of the most foundational and beneficial truths the Lord has ever taught me. If you can make the adjustment from a miracle mentality to a blessed mentality, you will begin to prosper as never before.

The good news is, you are already blessed. The bad news is, most don’t know the power of that blessing. They would rather have a miracle.

If you receive this teaching in your heart, you will come to a place where you will pray, “Lord, help me to never need a miracle from You again. I want to live in the blessing.” When it comes to personal needs, miracles should be for people who don’t have the revelation of God’s blessing. Don’t let that be you.

Unshaken Love

The ancient Greeks and Romans (among too many other societies) have practised the chilling, abhorrent yet simple habit of exposing an unacceptable new-born infant. The unapproved child was abandoned upon a hillside until exposure, hunger, thirst or animal attack would claim their innocent life prematurely.

To be abandoned is to be destroyed.

To be abandoned is to be absent from life's anointings and available for life's assaults.

To be abandoned is to lose all protection and receive no advocacy.

To be abandoned is to be lashed by life's unfailing storms and endure them without comfort.

Isaiah speaks in chapter 54 of God's renewed grace and loving commitment towards a people lost to love, live to rejection and alert to abandonment. The Lord knows that the abandoned person enjoys no warmth and receives the commitment of no-one.

To the despised, the dejected and those in despair God rightly affirms His unfailing love that cannot be shaken by any event you may do or is done to you.

God's love remains secure above all earthly events, unaffected by any earthly actions.

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. (Is 54:10)

The Hole in the Heavens

There is a heart shaped hole in the heavens. It is where God's love has fallen through and watered the earth.

His heart lay wounded upon a deadly hill outside Jerusalem. It was pierced by a cross-shaped stake.

His punctured heart drenched Golgotha in crimson.

Heaven's heart was broken so mine could be mended.

Heaven's heart fell so mine could be caught.

Heaven's heart wept so mine could smile.

The hole in the heavens was to fill the hole in my heart.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

The Shadows of Distraction!

Wandering in distraction while seeking fulfillment is such a common manner of life.

The internet chat room, the ubiquitous dating sites and the personal columns in papers all stamped with the footprints of seekers.

So many are distracted from the things of eternity while pursuing the things of the present.

Shortly before Jesus' death He was approached by such a woman. She had led a life so unhelpful to herself and so ignorant of Jesus. Yet in one simple action she corrects all. With tears flowing unhindered she anoints Jesus with all she has.

Instead of seeking Jesus to take from Him, she has sought Jesus to give to Him.

No longer would she wander amongst the shadows of distraction (which had marked her life so far) for now she had entered the brightness of fulfillment.

This sinful woman had given herself to Jesus and in return received the acceptance of heaven.

Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." Luke 7,47

A Word about God's Love

I love you. The Art of Love is simple. The Art of Love is giving yourself to someone completely. Laying down your life without any second thoughts, that's what Love is. It's forever giving and never expecting anything in return. Love is something beyond the self. Love cannot be contained. Love flows like a rushing River. Love is the beginning of Birth. Love and the makings of Love is not of the Flesh.

It is the Creation of the Creator. For the Creator is Pure Love. Love helps you grow. Love makes you strong. Love makes you wise. Love brings you closer to Jehovah, to Jesus Christ, to the Holy Spirit. Love is what every Christian should strive for, the Love of Christ, the Love of the Holy Spirit, the Love of the Father, Jehovah. Your God is not complex. Your God is simple. Simply Love. That's not hard to comprehend. You have to forget the self.

I know many People could never comprehend such a statement and yet it's so simple. Everyone has it. Everyone can use it. Everyone needs it. But if you don't practice your Love towards your fellow man, even on the little things, your Spirit will never be fulfilled. You will always be lacking. It will always have that craving of Dissatisfaction because what you give out, in the form of Love, you need to have filled in your Spirit.

You reach out for My Son Jesus Christ out of Love and He'll reach out for you, out of Love. He reaches for you without you even knowing it. I reach out for you. The Holy Spirit reaches out for you. We all have our Arms open. We want to hold you. We want to touch you. We want to Love you. We want to take care of you. We want to protect you, all out of that one Word, Love.

But you have a choice to Love Us or not. The Word is basically simple, but man has made such a complex meaning of so many different words that are basically simple. For if you want to go to Heaven, you have to know how to Love and not expect anything in return. Do it because you want to, because Christ Loved you. He died for you because He Loved Me. He died for you. I sent My Son to die for you because I Loved you.

I am talking to you now because I Love you. I want you to hear and understand the Love that's on My Lips. For if anything will save you, it will be the Love that grows in your Heart, that communicates with Me. It's not what Man tells you, Pastors, Theologians, Politicians. You have so many labels and titles but that's not important.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

The Most Beautiful Heart

One day a young man was standing in the middle of the town proclaiming that he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley. A large crowd gathered and they all admired his heart for it was perfect. There was not a mark or a flaw in it. Yes, they all agreed it truly was the most beautiful heart they had ever seen. The young man was very proud and boasted more loudly about his beautiful heart.

Suddenly, an old man appeared at the front of the crowd and said, "Why your heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine." The crowd and the young man looked at the old man's heart.  It was beatingstrongly, but full of scars, it had places where pieces had been removed and other pieces put in, but they didn't fit quite rightand there were several jagged edges. In fact, in some places there were deep gouges where whole pieces were missing. The people stared How can he say his heart is more beautiful they thought! The young man looked at the old man's heart and saw its state and laughed. "You must be joking," he said. "Compare your heart with mine, mine is perfect and yours is a mess of scars and tears."

 

"Yes," said the old man, "Yours is perfect looking but I would never trade with you. You see, every scar represents a person to whom I have given my love - I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them, and often they give me a piece of their heart which fits into the empty place in my heart, but because the pieces aren't exact, I have some rough edges, which I cherish, because they remind me of the love we shared.

Sometimes I have given pieces of my heart away, and the other person hasn't returned a piece of his heart to me. These are the empty gouges - giving love is taking a chance.  Although these gouges are painful, they stay open, reminding me of the love I have for these people too, and I hope someday they may return and fill the space I have waiting. So now do you see what true beauty is? "The young man stood silently with tears running down his cheeks. He walked up to the old man, reached into his perfect young andbeautiful heart, and ripped a piece out. He offered it to the oldman with trembling hands. The old man took his offering, placed it in his heart and then took a piece from his old scarred heart and placed it in the wound in the young man's heart. It fit, but not perfectly, as there were some jagged edges. The young man looked at his heart, not perfect anymore but more beautiful than ever, since love from the old man's heart into his. They embraced and walked away side by side.

Moral - Love one another sincerly Just as your father God loves you.

Here is what GOD says about the poor. . .

What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding down the poor when they look to you? Those who oppress the poor blaspheme their Maker, but the one who is kind to the needy glorifies God. The rich who oppress the poor are like a devastating rain that leaves no food. Better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be crooked in your ways and rich. Those who shut their ears to the cry of the poor will themselves also call and not be heard.

 

Do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the alien or the poor; do not plot evil against one another in your hearts. God saves the poor from the edge of the sword and from the hand of the mighty. Thus the unfortunate have hope and iniquity closes its mouth. For the poor shall not always be forgotten, nor shall the hope of the afflicted forever perish. Did not God choose those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom God promised to those who love him? Yet you have treated the poor shamefully. Are not the rich exploiting you?

Blessed are you poor, the reign of God is yours.

Blessed are you who hunger, you shall be filled.
Blessed are you who are weeping, you shall laugh.
But woe to you rich, for your consolation is now. Woe to you who are full, you shall go hungry.

God has deposed the mighty from their thrones, and raised the lowly to high places. God has given the hungry every good thing, and has sent the rich away empty. The spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because God has anointed Me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and release to prisoners.

When you reap the harvest, you shall not be so thorough that you reap the field to its very edge, nor shall you glean the stray ears of grain. Likewise, you shall not pick your vineyard bare, nor gather up the grapes that have fallen. These things you shall leave for the poor and the alien.

You shall not harden your heart nor close your hand to the poor in their need. When you give to the poor, give freely and not with ill will; for the Lord, your God, will bless you for this in all your works and undertakings. The poor will never be lacking in the land; that is why I command you to open your hand to your poor.

Defend the lowly and the fatherless; render justice to the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the lowly and the poor, from the hand of the wicked deliver them. Those who are just have a care for the rights of the poor; those who are wicked have no such concern.

This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke, setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless, clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. Give to the one who begs of you. Jesus said, Let the one who has two coats give to the one who has none. The one who has food should do the same. I ask you, how can God's love survive in those who have enough of this world's goods and yet they close their hearts to their brothers and when they see them in need? Children, let us love in deed and in truth and not merely talk about it.

Jesus said, I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed Me, I was ill and you comforted Me, in prison and you came to visit Me. I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my least brothers and sisters, you did it for Me.

I say to you, what you have done to one of these least ones, you have done to Me.

 

Scripture references: Isaiah 3:5; Proverbs 14:31; 28:3, 6; 21:21; Zechariah 8:10; Job 5:15-16; Psalm 9:19; James 2:5-6; Luke 6:20-21, 24-25; Luke 1:53; Luke 4:18; Leviticus 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 15:7, 10-1; Psalm 82:3-4; Proverbs 29:7; Isaiah 58:6-7; Matthew 5:42; Luke 3:11; 1 John 3:17-18; Matthew 25:35, 40.