Upholding Others (Psalm 54:4)

Have you ever been so tired that you just couldn’t stand? If there wasn’t a chair available, you did the next best thing: you leaned against something to give you the support you needed. If by some chance you saw somebody in this type of a condition, you probably would have helped them along by holding them up.

Did you ever think of all the people who struggle so much with life that they just can’t stand any longer? All of life‘s hurts, struggles, disappointments—and for some trauma—continue to bear down upon a person‘s heart. Some choose to end their lives as a way of escape. Others successfully find the help and support they need.

Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. (Psalm 54:4)

The support and help these people need are other people. They need the strength that others have to be shared with them and when this happens, their inner being or soul gains strength. Your actions of love—whether they are words spoken or written—bring strength to those who cannot stand alone. Any act of kindness can help those who are crumbling under their life‘s condition. You may not be able to do a thing about their circumstances, but you can be an encourager.

As you go to work, social events and church, look for the people that God brings to you for encouragement and share your strength with them.

Forget Karma: God is Watching (1 Samuel 26:23)

If the Lord gave you what you really deserved, would you be ready for it?  Would you look forward to it with joy or does the thought frighten you?  What we fail to recognize is that it is not just a hypothetical question. 

The Lord render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: (1 Samuel 26:23)

These were words spoken by David when he interacted with King Saul who sought to kill him.  He knew that God was sovereign and would return upon men that which they have rendered to others.  The same still holds true today.  The New Testament describes the principle as sowing and reaping.  What you sow, you will also reap.  It may take some time before it arrives, but it is coming.  Just like it takes all summer for apples to grow and ripen on a tree, it may take most of a person's life before they reap what they sow, but be sure, they will reap.  

Much of this principle concerning sowing and reaping is in relation to how we treat other people.  If we sow righteousness towards others, then we will get righteous treatment back, but if we sow wickedness then wickedness awaits us.

Some may ask, "What guideline could I follow that would aid me in sowing righteousness?"  The answer would be to love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:39). If you allow your actions to be motivated by what is best for another person or make decisions that enable you to meet the needs of someone else instead of focusing on yourself, you will most consistently sow righteousness.  This doesn't require you to give all of your money to the poor or even to live a dejected life.  It only requires you to start focusing on others instead of yourself.  Give somebody recognition.  Show patience and mercy, try looking at situations from the other person's perspective or even take time to listen to people and their problems are opportunities that each of us have to sow righteousness.  It will not cost you one penny, but it will be an investment worth millions of dollars.

For you, the world of people is a field ready for planting.  What kind of seeds will you sow?

Is Depression a Sin?

Hurt and sorrow are not emotions that you can control and store away. When they are present, it is for reason. Some may suggest that you must turn yourself around or rise above the circumstances of your hurt and sorrow. This may seem correct and may be in part, but as a whole this thinking is in error.

God has given us a comforter and he is able to lift us out of hurt and sorrow or at the least give us joy intermingled with our hurt and sorrow. Sometimes our ability to rise out of sorrow or to experience his joy is limited by two conditions or circumstances. These conditions or circumstances are time and the ministering of truth by another person.

I have heard some say that we are to have joy in the midst of our circumstances. To this I somewhat agree, but recognize the joy may not be experienced right away, but only until after hurt and pain has followed its course.

To illustrate, imagine that a person is severely punched in the face leaving the victim wincing in extreme pain. Immediately afterwards, he was approached by a believer who points out the beautiful sunset and tries to get the victim to rejoice in the power and wonder of God. As you can guess, that most likely is not going to happen.

However after the initial pain begins to subside, the victim may be confused as to why he was rejected and wounded in such a manner and then as he looks to the sunset, lifts his heart to God and rejoices in the fact that he who created such beauty loves him and will always be with him. He eventually rejoiced in his hurt and sorrow, but only after hurt or sorrow followed its course. It is not that he would not rejoice in God, but that he could not at that time rejoice in God.

Another reason why some cannot rejoice in the midst of their hurt and sorrow is because the burden is greater than they can bear. The Lord has promised that he will not allow us to be tempted above that we are able to bear because at the same time he will provide a way of escape. For these individuals, the way of escape is truth.

However while being crushed under the heavy load of hurt and sorrow, the believer may not know the necessary truth needed to overcome or they may not recognize it. It is in these circumstances that other believers are instructed to bear the burden of others.  Just as the Holy Spirit (parakletos) comes along side us for comfort, we are to come alongside other believers and help them bear of their burden. We can do this with empathy, love, patience and the sharing of truth that will encourage their heart and point them to the Lord. It is not a truth of telling them what they need to do, but a truth of God upon which their faith can cling. When this occurs, the Holy Spirit can continue to do his work and lift her heart from hurt and sorrow. Rejoicing will follow, but it will only be able to occur as a result of at least one person ministering to another.

Remember how those at Thessalonica were sorrowing over loved ones who have passed away? Did not the apostle Paul come alongside the believers and comfort them with the truth that one day they would be reunited and be together with the Lord?  (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18)

 

Also, did not Paul recognize the man who was being swallowed up with excessive sorrow and experienced this because believers did not exercise the truth of forgiveness when he repented? (2 Corinthians 2:7)

 

Some may deem the person struggling in hurt and sorrow as being in sin and that their hurt and sorrow, which today we call depression is in fact sin. To say that the person struggling with deep hurt and sorrow is in sin could be a sin in itself.  Instead of trying to label and identify people, let us first pray to God and ask him to use us to bring truth to those who for the time being are struggling with hurt and sorrow so that their faith may cling to this truth and bring the comfort in the midst of their hurt and sorrow.

Fainted and Scattered (Matthew 9:36)

It is not difficult for anyone to see that the lives of so many people today are just a mess.  How did they get this way?  Why don't they just get it together and do whatever needs to be done?

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.  (Matthew 9:36)

From this passage, it appears that people become weak in life's struggle and instead of continuing to fight on, they relax their resistance and faint.  When this occurs, the person's life then becomes subject to the problems and trials of life.  Their lives get tossed about from side to side being cast about and cast down.  This does not occur as a result of the weakness of the individual, because none of us have the ability to stand against the enemy.   This occurs because of the absence of a shepherd in the person's life.  Sometimes there is not a shepherd because salvation has not yet been experienced, but other times it is because the person becomes estranged from their shepherd savior.  Whether it be by confusion of doctrine, ill treatment from those in the body of Christ, person hurts and losses or sin: the separation occurs.

Today there are countless believers tossed about.  They are away from their shepherd and the way to bring them back into the fold is to love them back.  Bearing their burdens (Galatians 6:2) is the act of you bringing your strength to those who are weak until they can once again gain the strength for living that can only come from their shepherd.

Ministering to Others (Genesis 40:2-3)

You find yourself in the midst of your trial.  You may be at the doctor's office, sitting in the corridors of a court house or holding a notice that knocks the wind out of your sails.  In any event, you are trapped without any perceivable way of escape.

It is important to remember that while you are in the midst of your trial or struggle, God will bring people to you for the purpose of you ministering to them.  

And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers. And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. (Genesis 40:2-3)

It may be a coworker, whose world is falling part, who comes to you and shares his burden.  You may walk into a room and find a friend grieving or the Lord may point out the countenance change in an individual .  But regardless of how the event occurs, God will bring people to you and he wants to use you to make a difference in their lives.

It doesn't take a spiritual giant to be a minister to others.  It only takes a person who has experienced the presence of God and it is those individuals that the Lord will use to point people to him.  So, while you endure with longsuffering, keep your eyes focused on the Lord and be prepared to share what he has done for you.

How Can I Help (Psalm 142:3)

The Psalmist had a distorted view of God.  Even though God was his source of hope and trust, he believed that his way was only revealed to God after he became overwhelmed.

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. (Psalms 142:3)

What his words failed to reveal is the belief that God knows the end from the beginning.  Before God created the heavens and the earth, he knew each step that the psalmist would take in his life and for every situation.  What can we do to help people like him?

The psalmist was overwhelmed because of the circumstance that surrounded him.  From his word, we can learn what a believer experiences and what we can do to help him.

There are six key words or phrases in this passage which are important for understand what he is experiencing and how to provide help.

Know - to scrutinize
Cared - to seek or ask, make inquest
Refuge - way to flee
Portion - inheritance
Brought very low - bring down, pull down push down
Prison - shutting up, fastener

The psalmist was stating that he was overwhelmed because nobody scrutinized the situations in his life.  They did not ask or seek about his condition nor did they provide a way of escape.  He felt alone, pushed down and shut up in that place.

What can we do?  We can observe people and ask the Lord to reveal to us the trials and difficulties that they are facing.  We can overcome our fears and reach out to them by speaking to them and asking questions directed at their needs.  When we understand what they are facing and how they feel, we can point them to God, who is their refuge and strengthen them in the understanding their right to claim God and his provision of refuge as their own.  Pray together with them and then continue on your own in your private prayers.

Have Mercy (Psa 94:18)

When people interact together, it is only a matter of time before some type of conflict will wise.  When the interaction involves one person trying to instruct or mentor another, the chances of it occurring increase.

There is nothing more frustrating than trying to lead someone who continually struggles to either keep up or perform as expected.  So, what should our response be?

When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up. (Psalms 94:18)

As we strive to trust God and walk in his ways, how does he respond when we falter?  He doesn't attack or pound us down, but instead holds us up by his mercy.

When people are struggling, our response toward them should be the same.  We should respond with mercy.  There is a difference between struggling and refusing.  When people struggle, they are striving to accomplish or perform as expected, but yet still need support.  We love it when people show mercy towards us and especially when we receive it from God.  His dealings with us are a pattern or model for us to follow.

Patience is still a virtue.  So at work, be patient and show mercy.  As you raise your children, remember mercy.  Mercy is like a fertilizer.  When it is used correctly, it will enhance the growth of your relationships.  Without mercy, relationships can die.  If you want to make a great difference by helping people, you need to exercise mercy.

What Is There to Declare? (1 John 1:1-3)

From the beginning of our salvation until now, we have heard the Lord and even seen him evident in our lives.  What is it that you have seen?  How many answered prayers have there been?  How many times has the Lord spoken to you through the scriptures.  On how many occasions has he guided you in your decisions?  Honestly speaking, we probably cannot number these occasions.  What I believe to be the best interactions with the Lord are when he encourages us.  He picks us up when we fall.  He mends our hearts when they become broken and encourages us as we live in this fallen world.  All of these instances are part of our fellowship with him and the fellowship continues as we lift our hearts to him and offer praise, thanksgiving and adoration.

As the apostles, we have a responsibility with this fellowship and that is to share it with others so that they too may fellowship with God.  We owe this responsibility to our brothers and sisters in Christ.  By doing so, we lead them from where they are in their fellowship and relationship with God to where we are.  It is the mature believer teaching the younger.

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3)

With these thoughts, we must ask ourselves a few questions.  Have I been having fellowship with the Lord?  We know that we have in the past, but in recent days has there been fellowship?  If you were to share a fellowship experience with someone, how far back would you need to reach?

Another question would be: have I shared my fellowship experiences with others?  Our lives are like plants bearing fruit and seed.  The fruit of the Spirit is what our lives should produce because of fellowship and the seed within the fruit comes from us sharing our fellowship experiences with others.

So, what should we do with this fellowship?  Share it at work.  Share it at home: even blog it on the media, but whatever you do, share it.  By doing so, others may begin to experience the wonderful relationship with God that he so longs to have with them.

An Ornament for God (Psalm 78:61)

At Christmas time, many people look forward to decorating their tree.  For some , it is a family gathering where decorative ornaments are placed by the hands of young and old.  Some families have retained ornaments that have been passed down from generation to generation.  Not only are they beautiful, but the memories that they carry are much more ornate than the item itself.

And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand.  (Psalms 78:61)

God has declared that we are his glory or as this word many times refers, his ornament.  He places you and me in the midst of a troubled world.  Our lives are intended to shimmer and shine of the love and reality of God, just as a ornament shimmers and shines on a tree.

Make it a point to understand your purpose in life and then shimmer and shine as a testimony for God.  You can only accomplish this by getting close to God.  As you walk closely to him, you will reflect him to all those around you.

Brighten the Corner (Psalm 34:2)

Did you ever want to do something great with your life?  Have you ever desired to make such an influence upon people that the effect would be estounding?  Did you know that each of us can?  In fact, it is part of God's design and plan for your life.

God has equipped you in at least two areas of your life for this purpose.  One enabling comes from the Holy Spirit giving you at least one gift for purpose of minister to others.  Another equipping are the words that you choose to speak.  Death and life are in the power of your tongue. (Prov. 18:21). It is important to understand that the words that you say can either make or break someone.  Consider the following passage.

My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. (Psalms 34:2)

There are key words in this passage that are important to identify and understand in order for the principle to be understood.  The word humble carries with it the idea of being depressed and glad is another term for meaning to brighten up.  In this passage, we can see that when I praise the Lord, those in depression will hear and brighten up or become glad.

As you live your life, The Lord wants you outwardly to praise him and as You do, he will use your words to encourage those who are struggling in their lives.  You may never know who these people are and may also never see the outcome of your words, but he has assured you that he will use them.

Instead of complaining about circumstances in life, why not look to the Lord for your help and then praise him for his wonderful works.  By doing that, his work continues through you to reach others.

Trauma (Psalm 27:1b)

Trauma is a terrible thing.  It reaches deep into the resources of the soul and damages everything that it touches.  Only now are we beginning to understand the effects of trauma as we help soldiers returning from war, but trauma isn't something new.  We have been battling trauma on the domestic front for years.  Even though many lives have been destroyed by it, there is hope.

Hope for those traumatized can be provided by those whom they can trust.  Please let me illustrate.  This morning I woke up to the sound of rain.  I looked next to the bed and sure enough, the Shepherd was under the chair.  Our rescue had been traumatized by gun shots, being hit by a car and taunted by passers by as he remained tied to a fence with a broken hip.  It doesn't take much to trigger fears and even reenactments.  So while he was terrified to go outside and do his morning business because of rain and the potential for thunder, I went out into the yard and called him to me.  As he approached, I gave him the repeated rhythmic shsh, shsh, shsh, shsh, shshshshshshsh that I give to soothe him when he is overcome with anxiety.  He recognized my call of caring and came next to me.  He practically knocked me over to get close enough to feel safe.

Jesus provides the same type of care.  He recognizes our fears and calls us to him.  As we hear his voice and get close to him, he provides comfort and security.  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1b). In this verse, the Psalmist declares that the Lord is his defense or fortified place.  He was that for him and he wants to be the same for you.  Will you hear his call?  Will you run to him for comfort and security?  He is waiting and ready to aid you in your trauma.

What is being spiritual?

What is being spiritual?

Is it knowing the bible very well to where you can quote large amounts of scripture or at the least scripture to pertains to life's problems?

Is it demonstrating a faith attitude while in the midst of life's dark circumstances?

Is it being separated from the world so that you don't look, act, or speak like them?

Are you spiritual when you overcome the hurts, fears and abuses of life?

I am glad to say that the answer to all of these questions is, "No!"  Satan memorized scripture and then quoted it to Jesus, so that knocks out the first.  The outward appearances of man are not nearly as significant as the inward.  Just because a facade of faith is demonstrated on the outside does not mean that it is possessed on the inside.  Being separated is not an indication of spirituality because countless cults around the world, who deny Jesus Christ, have stringent guidelines for conduct and appearance, yet these people are not spiritual.  In fact, they are still lost in their sin.

Finally, we will look at the overcoming of hurts, fears and abuse.  I know many spiritual people who have not overcome.  This may surprise you, but it is true.  Many may state, "What about greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world?"  I John 4:4 is a good verse.  My reply to that is a question.  How can it be expected for people to overcome in Christ if they have not been given instruction in truth or have been given an incorrect manner of going to God for deliverance.  It is just like countless millions who have been told that they must serve Jesus with works in order for him to save them. These individuals may work tirelessly for years and never obtain salvation.

In like manner, what victory would be obtained for those who have been hurt and abused if they were given the following advice.

If you want to get victory, sell out for Jesus, live holy, give, separate from the world and pray.

What a legalistic approach.  How much selling out will be enough?  How can I know when I am holy enough?  Is tithing enough or should I give more? If so, how much?  Hair, clothes, words, actions, entertainment: I am separated...should I turn off my electric too?  After all this, there is no victory.  And then we wonder why people only stay in churches for five years.  These hurting people have done everything they were told to do and came up empty.  No wonder they leave...no wonder they give up.

It is time for us to be spiritual and make a difference.  Let us start with Galatians 6:2: Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Moved to Compassion (Luke 7:13)

One of the attributes of God is that he is omniscient, which means that he is all knowing.  He knows all that has occurred in the past, he knows what is in the heart of man and what is taking place currently, and he knows what will happen in the future.

When God became man, he cloaked his diety: that is to say that as God, Jesus functioned as a man and only accessed his divine powers and abilities as directed by the father.

In this passage when Jesus came face to face with the widow, he, as God, saw her and her condition for the first time.  What occurred revealed the nature of God towards man.  The scriptures state that when he saw her, he had compassion on her.  From this, we can know that as God looks upon us, he will be moved with compassion towards us.  Although his plan may require that we endure particular hardships in life, but nonetheless his heart is moved with compassion.

We too should have compassion on others.  What is needed for this to occur is to see individuals in their state.  This may come from visual sight or Holy Spirit illumination.  It is difficult to have compassion on someone if you cannot see them.  So in order for us to have compassion, we must see them.

Do I Really Care? (2 Timothy 1:4)

If we knew how others viewed us, how many would say that we are self centered or all we think about is ourselves?  The number may surprise us.  In defense, we may point out the many times that we have reached out with aid to others.  We may speak of how we support others in need or simply how we act kindly towards others.  The question is, "Is that enough?"  

Is it enough to perform actions of kindness and charity?  I think not.  Actions can be just that: simply actions.  We can perform acts of kindness without the true motive for our actions being known.  Guilt, fear of rejection and pride can each be a motivation for kind acts and if they are, the works performed will not be acts of kindness.

In his letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul best describes this virtue.  Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; (2 Timothy 1:4). True kindness occurs as a result of empathy.  Paul describes this emotion as "being mindful of thy tears".  The word mindful comes from two words meaning "to stay" and "to chew".  We are mindful about something when we continue to roll the idea over in our minds.  For those being kind, they are rolling over in their minds the hurts and pains of others which causes them tears.

They may continually think of their friend's hurt from losing a loved one.  They focus on the pain and sickness of others and carry those burdens with them.  When friends are absent from church or just out of touch, they wonder how they are doing and if they are abounding through their circumstances.  These are the thoughts of a person who cares.

So let me ask you, do you really care about others?  To find out, let your thoughts be your judge.

Upholding Others (Psalm 54:4)

God has promised that he will provide to us the help that we need to endure life in this fallen world and face all its perils.  How he accomplishes this is different than what we expect.  Our mind visions God reaching out from Heaven and miraculous zapping us with his divine strength.  However, the Psalmist clearly reveals how his help comes.  Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. (Psalms 54:4)

God's help comes from other people.  He moves upon the hearts of other believers to minister to us and uphold or prop up our soul.  It is their words, actions and prayers that are the helping work that he provides.

As we journey through life, we must recognize that we are both receivers and providers of God's help.  He will be there for us when we need him and we should be there for him when he needs to use us.  There are so many people struggling in life who just need somebody to uphold them.  Will you be the person that God uses to provide the strength that they need?

A similar passage to consider is found in the New Testament and reveals that this type of living is an essential part of Christian living.  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)

Being a Helper (Psalm 31:11-12)

Everybody is in the midst of dealing with trials.  We know that The Lord is the solution to their trial and God wants to bring them to the point of trusting him.  But what can we do for others as they face trials?  The Psalmist provides some insight.

I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me. I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel. (Psalms 31:11-12)

David shares that as he faced trials, his neighbors saw him as a reproach and fled from him.  We do the same.  It seems that as soon as a person faces a trial, we wonder what the person did to allow such circumstances to occur.  Our first thoughts are that they must be under chastisement and this leads us to flee from them.  We hide behind words such as, "I'm praying for you" or "Just trust The Lord and he will lead you through".  All the while we believe what they really need is to get right with God.

If we as believers can get past this, we may be able to support such individuals and put ourselves into a position to make a difference in their lives.  We must determine that we will not view them as a reproach and flee from them.  We must decide to stand by them and provide the encouragement and support that they need.

In verse 12, the Psalmist indicates that these people are then forgotten.  Ask yourself, "Whom do I know that has experienced trouble, fallen away and been forgotten?"  Oh, you may remember who they are, but are they in your thoughts, minds, and prayers?  Decide today to be one of the rare few that will stand with those in trials and even the fallen.  By doing this, you will have the potential to make a great difference in people's live.

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Stir The Flames (2 Peter 3:1)

One thing I enjoy about camping is building a fire.  I have enjoyed it ever since being a Boy Scout and learning how to build one.  As you probably know when a fire starts to die, it only needs to be stirred a bit, just to get the flames going again.  Believers need stirred just like a fire does.

This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: (2 Peter 3:1)

If you want to help believers, stir up their minds to remember God's word and how the Lord has worked in their lives.  Some may need rebuked and others may required a reproof, but by far, the majority need only to be stirred.  A loving Christian has no problem with stirring up people.  Don't be quick to think that struggling people need to be rebuked.  Their fire of faith may be dwindling low, but a simple stirring of their remembrance about God and what he has done for them will stoke their flames of faith.  Be an encourager.  The Lord knows, we have enough rebukers in the world. 

Giving Support (Philippians 2:1)

Remember a great event in your life?  Did you keep it a secret or did you run out and share it with somebody?  Everything from trips to funny events move us to share them with friends, colleagues and family.  Why do we do this?  As personal beings, we attach ourselves to others and gain enjoyment, strength, compassion and understanding from those individuals.  This is part of God's design for man.  God intends for people in relationships to provide strength and support for others in that relationship.  The scriptures share abilities that friends can have towards others.

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, (Philippians 2:1)

Consolation is much needed today.  A great way to receive it is from another person.  The word for compassion comes from two root words meaning "near" and "to call".  The action of calling a person near to you is so that they can gain needed strength from the support you offer.

Imagine a child falling down and scraping his knee.  His mother calls him to herself and then embraces him in her arms.  The pain sensors in his leg continue to work just as before, but the drawing near to his mother helps alleviate the pain.  This type of aid is also true for emotional pain as well.  I remember when my wife lost her father.  She maintained her composure quite well until the graveside.  After the trumpet played taps and a flag was presented to the family, she broke down.  When she was unable to stand and emotionally distraught, I reached out to her and held her closely.  The drawing near and providing support brought the strength that she needed.

This is what is needed in the church today.  There are many people who are hurting and falling.  Instead of reaching out to these individuals and attempting to draw near to them, the church watches them falter.  It seems that the only people getting support are those who are the active members of the church.  What is sad is that those who do not have a fellowship bond with others in the church are left to stand on their own.  It is no wonder that people fall away from God.  Their falling may be due in part to them not having the intended support from others that God had planned.

Supporting people who struggle is not a glorious event.  It can be very discouraging because those you care to help may still resist the help that God brings.  But it is not about you and me or making us feel good.  It is about helping the fallen.  Look around in your life.  Think of the people that you can draw near to and provide comfort.  The next time you see them reach out and make a difference in their lives.  

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Becoming Great (Mark 9:35)

The disciples of Jesus, who one day soon would be turning the world up side down with the gospel, struggled in their growth with Christ.  At one point, Jesus confronted them about their conversation about which of them would be the greatest.  Their debating didn't seem too promising for the hope of the world.  In response, Jesus said, "Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me." (Mark 9:37). Many are unsure as to what Jesus meant when he said these words.  Was he stating that those who reach children will be the greatest or is there a better explanation for his response?

It appears that the greatest people will be those who humble themselves to reach even the lowest of people.  Children did not have much to offer and those seeking to reach them would do so for the children's gain and not for themselves.  This action would take humility as explained by The Lord.  And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. (Mark 9:35)

This humility and being the servant of all is not strictly limited to reaching children.  Children were the example that he used to illustrate the principle of greatness.  I do not believe that Jesus was teaching a cast system or different classes of society, but that those reaching out to others for the purpose of their betterment and not for personal gain or recognition would be those who are great.  Society is filled with such opportunities.  Many will seek to help those who can offer something in return while passing by countless hurting people.  How many seek to reach the addicted, abused, fatherless, social outcasts, terminally ill, inprisoned, and those bound in sexual sin?  They may not look good in the church or their presence may cause problems with the more "elite" members, but they still need to be reached.  If we are really honest with ourselves, we will recognized that under all of our sparkle and glitter, we were nothing better and just as needy when we came to Christ.

If you want to do something great, humble yourself and reach those who have nothing to give in return.  You will not only do something great, you will be someone great.

If you would like to read more of these thoughts in a hard copy format, my new book is now available at the link below.

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Living To Meet The Needs Of Others (1 Kings 17:7)

Elijah had just given the mandate that it would not rain endless he spoke that it would.  Needless to say as the rains abated and agricultural conditions worsened, he became very unpopular.  For reasons unexplained, God directed Elijah to the brook Cherith.  While there, The Lord provided water, bread and meat for the sustaining of Elijah.  God could have kept Elijah there and continued to meet his needs for the duration of his judgment upon Israel, but he choose not to.  When the brook dried up, Elijah's life conditions became poor.  When these occured, God directed him to go to Zarephath.  His trial came because of needs in the widow at Zarephath's life.

And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. (1 Kings 17:7)

The widow had two great needs: food and the ability to trust the man of God and that his word would be truth.  Elijah's trial put him into the place where he could be used by God to meet the widow's food need.  As time transpired, her son became ill unto death and once again, Elijah was in the right place to be used by God to resurrect him.  Both of these opportunities were the direct result of the brook Cherith drying up and a trial beginning for him.

Our lives are the same.  God prepares us to be used by him and and moves us into the exact location for his purpose.  As your brook dries up and your trial begins, submit yourself to his will and recognize that he is moving your life into a position where you will help others by providing what they greatly need.  You may not be able to perform miracles as Elijah did, but your faith will perform a miraculous effect on their lives.