As for Me and My House – Day 19
Romans 12:15-16
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Let’s face it—we all struggle with…
DAY 19: BEARING ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS
Romans 12:15-16
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Let’s face it—we all struggle with life’s various difficulties at times. God wants us to empathize with one another through those low points. When someone is feeling down, we who are stronger ought to be there for them.
We should also share in the happiness of those who are doing well and not let ourselves be jealous of their blessings. Jesus was a friend to tax gatherers and sinners. He drank wine at weddings and wept at funerals.
We can’t all be Mother Teresa, ministering in leper colonies, orphanages, and homes for the dying destitute. But each of is called and equipped to do something. Ask the Lord, what?
QUESTIONS Who are the “people of low position” around you? The unemployed? The homeless? Foster kids? Teen moms? The mentally ill? Recent arrivals in America? What is your attitude toward them? How can you “associate” with them?
PRAYER Your Word is clear, Lord—I am to help prisoners, orphans, widows, those less fortunate than I am. Show me how to demonstrate Your unconditional love to those who are so different from me. Let me humble myself now and go and do what You would do.
ACTION Go and do it. Serve the marginalized through a church ministry, a faith-based or secular community-service organization, or even as an individual. But do something. Don’t just read this and miss the opportunity to help bear someone else’s burden. Here are just a few ministries that serve marginalized people in the Phoenix area:
As for Me and My House – Day 18
Proverbs 22:9
The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
Steve, a 62-year-old homeless military veteran, attempted to earn money by displaying his hand-drawn art…
DAY 18: BLESSED TO BLESS OTHERS
Proverbs 22:9
The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.Proverbs 11:25
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Steve, a 62-year-old homeless military veteran, attempted to earn money by displaying his hand-drawn art. One evening, a young woman approached and offered him several slices of pizza. Steve gratefully accepted. Moments later, Steve shared his bounty with another hungry, homeless person. Touched by Steve’s generosity, the same young woman soon returned with another plate of food.
Steve’s story illustrates the principle that blessing others often results in being blessed by others. But we shouldn’t give in order to get something in return. God’s economy doesn’t work that way. He sees our hearts as well as our actions, and tells us if we will refresh others we will be refreshed.
QUESTIONS Do you share with the poor? Have you given to Living Streams’ Food Pantry recently? Do you support local downtown missions? Even if you can’t give financially, can you volunteer some of your time?
PRAYER Lord, You said there will always be poor people in society. Help me to not be cynical, but to give out of my heart to those in need. Open my heart to share out of the wealth of Your abundance to me.
ACTION Share some food with the poor today, no matter how you do it. Donate to Feed My Starving Children — fmsc.org, to the Living Streams Food Pantry, etc., or give a sandwich to a homeless person on the street as the Lord leads you.
As for Me and My House – Day 17
Isaiah 58:6-7
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the …
DAY 17: SOCIAL JUSTICE STARTS IN THE CHURCH
Isaiah 58:6-7
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
How do we please the Lord with our fasting? He says here in Isaiah that He wants us to break the chains of injustice, to set captives free, to share our food with the hungry, and to provide shelter for people who don’t have it. Jesus said simply, we should clothe the naked, feed the poor, and help prisoners, widows, and orphans.
Maybe we can’t solve every social injustice, but certainly, we can find someone beyond ourselves who’s hungry or poorly clothed or homeless. During this time of fasting let’s listen to the Lord and then participate in acts that demonstrate our commitment to what He cares about.
QUESTIONS Do you fast on a regular basis for the things Isaiah mentions? In what ways can you care for those who have such needs?
PRAYER I repent, Lord, of not thinking more about those You care for so much. Help me to hear what You are saying to me right now. Help me to follow through and do what You ask me to do—to help the hungry and the homeless and to clothe those who need it.
ACTION Decide to make an effort to be aware of people around you with basic needs, then give or share with them as God guides you.