Most heavenly and gracious Father, we come before your power and glory, ever in submission before the Holy Spirit, expressing our gratitude to you Lord by saying thank you. We thank you for being the God that you are, allowing us to come to you not as we pretend to be, but as who we are. We thank you for showing mercy to a people who are undeserving. We thank you for being a light, in a mist of darkness, and we thank you for your Son Jesus, who in Him we are saved. Now Father we pray a blessing on all of who read your lessons. We pray that they are moved by your words, and desire to become a better person each day. There are people out there Father who are in need, and we pray that you give us the wisdom and courage to be that help Father. We pray that you stir up the love so that we can make a corporal declaration to reach those who are in need and lost. We pray for your guidance and blessings upon this endeavor, and we pray them in the precious name of your son Jesus. Amen!
People Need Help
Yesterday my pastor did the most amazing thing. He dressed up as a homeless man and was sitting on the corner, right at the entrance of the driveway that leads up to the sanctuary. He was holding up a sign that stated that he was homeless and jobless. He shared how people were driving pass not paying any attention. Some people did stop and gave him something, but based on his message, it appears that majority of the parishioners just ignored him and kept on driving. Can you imagine the heart of these people? I am not passing judgment, but seeing a homeless man so near the church’s property, an automatic conviction should set in. There was a man who was evidently in need and he was ignored. He was ignored by a group of people who he should not have been ignored by. Christians.
I heard a message a while back and the speaker stated that there are Christians whose feelings are like the affects of anesthesia. Numb! This is not to be so. Christ taught us that we are not to be indifferent to others. He taught that we should consider the weak. He was an advocate of the poor. As followers of Christ, we are to follow His example. There are people out there who are in need, and they are not getting help. If they are looking for relief, they are looking for it in the wrong places. The bible states “But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 Jn 3:17) This is a hard verse to swallow. Many of us have ignored the homeless. Many of us lie when a homeless person ask us for change. Many of us are appalled when they even come within arm’s length of us. Many of us have been blessed by God, but are slow in blessing someone who is in need. Yet many of us claim to be Christians. How could we be this way?
I wondered how pastor felt to see people who he has preached to, fellowship with, taught the gospel to, turn such a blind eye to him. He must have felt hurt. As he was preaching I can look around the church and see the conviction. There were so many tears. They should be convicted. Their pastor was on the street for 3 hours posing as a homeless man and very few people offered assistance. It is not only homelessness. What about those who has lost hope? What about those who live as though there is no God? What about our classmates or co-workers? When was the last time any of us inquired about any of them? The bible states “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. "Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (Matt 9:35-38) Jesus had compassion for the people who he saw and who were in need. Jesus is our teacher. He had compassion, so we should have compassion. Jesus said that they are plenty of souls who are in need, but not enough people to provide for those needs. We are His disciples which make us the laborers.
When I drove up to the church and seen the man, I knew I had no money. Because of personal reasons I do not much money, or carry any at all. However, my wife was able to find some singles. After I dropped my family off at the sanctuary, I drove back to give him the little that I had. When I stopped to give him the singles, he spoke, and it was when he spoke, I looked at him sternly and realized it was my pastor. Even with my little help, what would have that done for him, but possibly get him a little to eat. He would still be hungry in a few more hours. He would still be homeless. He would still be in a need of a bath. I could have done more, but settled only in giving him singles. I should have been willing to offer encouraging words. I should have been willing to sit with him and fellowship. I should have been willing to let him know I understand. I should have shared Jesus with him.
We have the world’s goods. We have food on our table, clothes on our backs, a roof over head, cars to take us to and fro, and jobs to keep the cycle going. Yet when we ignore those who are less fortunate, we are ignoring Christ. They are people in need of help. Some are homeless. Some are hopeless. Some are without peace. We need to be able to identify and help. We are Christians and it is our duty. Amen
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