Good will toward men...

You know, in the ministry, many times there are decisions to be made. Not always the easy ones, either. It seems as if the church is one of the places where people "take the gloves off" and forget sometimes to be Christ-like. Sometimes, things get said "off the cuff" or without being thought through. It's at these times that others feelings are sacrificed. Why is it? Why do we feel like we have the right to tear each other down? My favorite is when somebody tears another down and then says, "I only said that out of love". It doesn't feel like love does it?

This time of year can be such a fragile time for many. I know of many who have difficulty during this season because of the recent loss of loved ones and some who are estranged from family and friends, either because of jobs or duty or whatever it may be. Shouldn't this time of year be the time when we make a concentrated effort to show the love of Christ? I am going to do my best to show love and not judgement, will you?

Let's look at this weeks verse again from Psalm 84:10..."For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness."

What does this verse say to you? What meaning does it hold? It reminds me that the luxuries that are offered here are only to fulfill the selfish desires of the flesh, and to find true meaning, I need look no farther than the will of my heavenly Father. As we talked about yesterday, the affairs of this world are only for temporary satisfaction...not really satisfaction, but almost like a sedation or numbing of our desires temporarily.

Keep going over the verse and pray that it will speak to and through you...pray for an opportunity to share it with someone who needs to hear it...God will provide the opportunity, if we are diligent to take full advantage of the calling He gives us!!!

Please let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Blog Action Day...Poverty

I received notice that today is "Blog Action Day 2008" and thought I would look for scripture that deals with poverty and the poor. While our family were missionaries to the Sioux Indians in South Dakota, I saw poverty first-hand. It is an ugly thing that is not always caused by laziness. Sometimes, it is caused by any number of things from location, life decisions, etc. We as Christians are called to reach out and help the poor and oppressed. I would like to hear from you today as your feelings about what poverty means to you, what can be done, or a situation of someone you know who lives in poverty.

"He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor." - Proverbs 14:31...This is very simply put...we are not to oppress the poor...we gain nothing from bringing others down...from holding them back...if we are to honor our Lord, we will have mercy on the poor. That doesn't mean saying "I'll pray for you" and going our way, but to reach out and help them where they are.

"If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:" - Deuteronomy 15:7...Once again, we are instructed to help out those in need...don't harden your heart...don't shut your hand from them either...reach out with love one to another...like it states don't withhold from thy poor brother.

"If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury." - Exodus 22:25...Don't give out of what you will get in return. Give of the kindness of your heart. Usury in Webster's dictionary is defined as "interest". Don't expect payment with interest...if you know they are unable to re-pay, why would you also expect payment with interest? Why do we only give when we think the opportunity for re-payment exists? That's not showing true love, is it? Realize when I point a finger, I have more pointing back at me...

And, for my final verse, I came across..."Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich." - Proverbs 28:6...Would you rather be poor and have a close relationship with the Lord? Or would you rather have riches below, that will wither and waste away?

Be mindful of your charity and outreach today...not only to those who can do something for you financially...give and it shall be given unto you...don't give expecting in return, there is no glory in that...

May we reach the lost, hungry, and impoverished every day...Please let me know if there is a special prayer I can word on your behalf today...