I've been thinking a lot these days about all the people who just need a little help. Isn't it eye opening to notice that almost everyone around us have some type of problem? No, I'm not talking about just a little problem, although those are important too....but people have HUGE problems. It seems like the more people I come across, whether family, church family, friends or just acquaintances -- I'm talking about the people IN my life -- the more God shows me that sometimes people just need a little help -- including me at times!
I've been thinking a lot these days about all the people who just need a little help. Isn't it eye opening to notice that almost everyone around us have some type of problem? No, I'm not talking about just a little problem, although those are important too....but people have HUGE problems. It seems like the more people I come across, whether family, church family, friends or just acquaintances -- I'm talking about the people IN my life -- the more God shows me that sometimes people just need a little help -- including me at times!
Personally, helping others is the road for me to overcome whatever situation is in my own life and it encourages me. I've formed a habit when I'm down in the dumps for whatever reason, I just pray "God, send me someone to help and love for You today."
I wish I had the means to help everyone, but I am thankful that the Lord gives me the means to help a few. That doesn't always mean help others with money, although sometimes it does. The Bible says in Mark 7:11 "But you say it is alright for people to say to their parents (or family), "Sorry, I can't help you. For I have vowed to give God what I could have given you.'" To me this is saying that although it's vitally important and absolutely God's will for us to give tithes, offerings and money into the Kingdom to make an impact, it would be wrong for me to have the ability, money and means to help someone in need and refuse. It's like all that giving is a waste if we are not willing to use resources God's given us to help others.
The Bible also says that if we see one of our brothers and sisters in "the fire" we are to snatch them out. Sometimes this is just loving and speaking the Word and truth to them in love, but sometimes it's giving them something we have, whether it's money, time or something else.
You may say, "Well....look at what they've done and how they've lived their life....they don't deserve it because they got themselves into this mess." That's where it doesn't make sense to the "worldly" people, and sometimes to even ourselves, but if we go ahead and do it, it will make perfect sense if we truly believe in Christ and try our best to walk in the Spirit. That's where we must realize that God's given US the opportunity, ability and knowledge to "snatch them from the fire". But also, that's where it doesn't make sense to others. It doesn't have to. Do it anyway.
You may say, "OK but what if I help them and they use it wrong?" It doesn't matter. As soon as it leaves your hand, it's in God's hands. Leave it to him to send someone else to water and harvest. Our Christian duty is to plant when we can. Someone else will come along for you to be able to water and harvest into their lives.
Or, and this is probably the most common one............"I don't have anything myself how can I be expected to help someone else?" That's not true. Everyone...and I do mean everyone....has something to give. Peter said to the beggar(and this is my own paraphrasing), "I don't have any money, but I do have something just as good or better. I have the power of Christ in me. I have unshakable faith. I can encourage you -- so get up and walk."
Today, look for opportunities to help someone and don't worry about what others say about it. Ask Jesus to lead you to one of His children who just need a little help and help them! If you look for that opportunity and WHEN you find it this very day, remember....your helping them is like helping Jesus Christ himself. And He is the one we will answer to......not those naysayers and trash talkers. For one day, they may be (and more than likely will be) the ones who need help too....so just smile.
In Matthew 25:34 this was Jesus himself talking about the the story of a man going on a trip. He called together his servants and gave them money to invest for him while he was gone. Some did well investing, but one didn't:
34 Then the King will say to those on the right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' 37 "Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?'40 And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' 41 "Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, 'Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his demons!42 For I was hungry, and you didn't feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn't give me anything to drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn't invite me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me no clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn't visit me.' 44 "Then they will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?' 45 And he will answer, 'I assure you, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.' 46 And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life."
See, sometimes it's just the simplest acts of kindness or the smallest gifts that we can use to help people that make the biggest difference in their lives....and sometimes we have done it without even knowing we were doing it. Many times I've asked God to give me someone to help or witness to and I didn't even realize that I did it until after it was done and then said to myself, "Wow, God....that was it wasn't it? That was your answer to my prayer! Thank you!"
Pray this with me right now! "Lord God, lead me to someone today who needs help. Maybe they need money to pay a bill, a car, a job, a home.....maybe they need clothes or food or to know You and be told that they can make it if they follow You and put You first. And Lord, if I do not have the means to help them myself, then help me to find someone who does and be bold enough to ask someone else to help them if I can't. Maybe they need a word of encouragement. A scripture. A prayer. Help me do that! I want to be like You Jesus and love others like You do. In Jesus Name...AMEN"
Linda King Wilson
9/20/13
Personally, helping others is the road for me to overcome whatever situation is in my own life and it encourages me. I've formed a habit when I'm down in the dumps for whatever reason, I just pray "God, send me someone to help and love for You today."
I wish I had the means to help everyone, but I am thankful that the Lord gives me the means to help a few. That doesn't always mean help others with money, although sometimes it does. The Bible says in Mark 7:11 "But you say it is alright for people to say to their parents (or family), "Sorry, I can't help you. For I have vowed to give God what I could have given you.'" To me this is saying that although it's vitally important and absolutely God's will for us to give tithes, offerings and money into the Kingdom to make an impact, it would be wrong for me to have the ability, money and means to help someone in need and refuse. It's like all that giving is a waste if we are not willing to use resources God's given us to help others.
The Bible also says that if we see one of our brothers and sisters in "the fire" we are to snatch them out. Sometimes this is just loving and speaking the Word and truth to them in love, but sometimes it's giving them something we have, whether it's money, time or something else.
You may say, "Well....look at what they've done and how they've lived their life....they don't deserve it because they got themselves into this mess." That's where it doesn't make sense to the "worldly" people, and sometimes to even ourselves, but if we go ahead and do it, it will make perfect sense if we truly believe in Christ and try our best to walk in the Spirit. That's where we must realize that God's given US the opportunity, ability and knowledge to "snatch them from the fire". But also, that's where it doesn't make sense to others. It doesn't have to. Do it anyway.
You may say, "OK but what if I help them and they use it wrong?" It doesn't matter. As soon as it leaves your hand, it's in God's hands. Leave it to him to send someone else to water and harvest. Our Christian duty is to plant when we can. Someone else will come along for you to be able to water and harvest into their lives.
Or, and this is probably the most common one............"I don't have anything myself how can I be expected to help someone else?" That's not true. Everyone...and I do mean everyone....has something to give. Peter said to the beggar(and this is my own paraphrasing), "I don't have any money, but I do have something just as good or better. I have the power of Christ in me. I have unshakable faith. I can encourage you -- so get up and walk."
Today, look for opportunities to help someone and don't worry about what others say about it. Ask Jesus to lead you to one of His children who just need a little help and help them! If you look for that opportunity and WHEN you find it this very day, remember....your helping them is like helping Jesus Christ himself. And He is the one we will answer to......not those naysayers and trash talkers. For one day, they may be (and more than likely will be) the ones who need help too....so just smile.
In Matthew 25:34 this was Jesus himself talking about the the story of a man going on a trip. He called together his servants and gave them money to invest for him while he was gone. Some did well investing, but one didn't:
34 Then the King will say to those on the right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' 37 "Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?'40 And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' 41 "Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, 'Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his demons!42 For I was hungry, and you didn't feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn't give me anything to drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn't invite me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me no clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn't visit me.' 44 "Then they will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?' 45 And he will answer, 'I assure you, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.' 46 And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life."
See, sometimes it's just the simplest acts of kindness or the smallest gifts that we can use to help people that make the biggest difference in their lives....and sometimes we have done it without even knowing we were doing it. Many times I've asked God to give me someone to help or witness to and I didn't even realize that I did it until after it was done and then said to myself, "Wow, God....that was it wasn't it? That was your answer to my prayer! Thank you!"
Pray this with me right now! "Lord God, lead me to someone today who needs help. Maybe they need money to pay a bill, a car, a job, a home.....maybe they need clothes or food or to know You and be told that they can make it if they follow You and put You first. And Lord, if I do not have the means to help them myself, then help me to find someone who does and be bold enough to ask someone else to help them if I can't. Maybe they need a word of encouragement. A scripture. A prayer. Help me do that! I want to be like You Jesus and love others like You do. In Jesus Name...AMEN"
Linda King Wilson
9/20/13
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