We have seen over the last couple of months the devastation and destruction in many areas of our world. I am sure we can pull together some biblical references for all of this but what I want mostly is to look at our responsibility toward a suffering world. As followers of Christ we cannot eliminate suffering but we can definitely reach out and give a helping hand. We can give a "cup of cold water" in the name of Christ. There are several ways we can help: actually be on the ground and do something; give money or items that are useful and pray and support those who are helping. As a follower of Christ we cannot neglect those around us. And we cannot ignore it. I do not think a true follower will.
"And the King will answer them, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these my brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." ( Matthew 25:40)
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One of the most beautiful things to see is a couple who adopts a child. We have had the wonderful experience of seeing this happen here in Mexico. But sometimes, a child begins to wonder why did my biological parents not want me. And there comes that abandonment feeling within them. What they have forgotten is that they are not unloved or unwanted by their adoptive parents- not at all. That couple had a choice in the matter- and they deliberately chose to bring that child into their family.
When you accepted Christ, you were adopted into His family forever. Ephesians 1:4-5 (CSB) " For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will," A life without God is like a boat without a rudder. But God didn't intend for our lives to be this way. And when we come to know Christ, He brings calms to our chaos and direction to our drifting. It doesn't necessarily happen overnight- but as we learn to live by the principles He has given us in His Word, we leave the past behind and discover the peace He alone can give. Thank God for doing in this in your life- and pray for your friends who do not yet know Christ, that they may find in Him the stability and peace they seek.
" Isaiah 57:20-21 (CSB) " But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waters churn up mire and muck. There is no peace for the wicked,” says my God." In reality...we often don't know why God permits certain things to happen to us. We do not know that evil is real, and we live in a world that is ravaged by sickness and death and sorrow- a world that isn't the way God intended it to be. Some day Christ's victory will be complete and all this will be changed- but not yet. In the meantime, put your faith and hope in Christ Jesus. He knows what it is to suffer; He went to the cross for us. And because He did, we have hope even in the midst of life's darkest hours.
" If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales! It would surely outweigh the sand of the seass." - Job 6:2-3 Love isn’t just a feeling: love must be expressed in action. If it isn’t, we won’t have any reason to believe it exist in someone’s life, no matter how much they claim it does.
Nor is God’s love just a vague feeling or sentimental emotion hidden in His heart. God’s love is real- and we know because He demonstrated it to us. He put His love into action! Do you want to know if God loves you? Here is the proof: Jesus Christ left Heaven’s glory and came down to this sin-infested earth to die for you. “ This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9 |
Daily devotional written by Pastor Lynn Sasser. Archives
May 2020
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