Saturday, December 16, 2023

Pastor's Ponderings, December 16, 2023

Can God Count On You To Help Others?


Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party. This was a typing drill by a teacher named Charles E. Weller.  We can update this drill to “come to the aid of the world.”  The world is being asked whether they support the Ukrainians or the Russians.  Do they support Israel or Palestine?  The stories of worldwide evil are continual and heartbreaking. However, we cannot just sit on the sidelines, hide our heads in the sand and pretend that all is fine in the world.  Should we turn away from the suffering, or should we turn to God for direction?

 

The Bible asks when we see others in need and show no compassion for them, how can we say we have God’s love? (1 John 3:17-18).  On Judgement Day Jesus will declare that whatever one did for even the least of people, they did it to Him (Matthew 25:37-40).  What can we do when even the most brilliant of our leaders seem to offer no workable solutions?

 

First, we are to always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1).  Second, we are to ask God for wisdom (James 1:5), and third knowing God always hears us, we are to confidently ask God for His intervention (1 John 5:14-15).  God may tell us to sit-in, protest to our leaders, march for peace, or write letters to the decision-makers. If we are willing and obedient, we will get the best of the land (Isaiah 1:19)

 

A Hillel first-century Jewish scholar said, “If not you, then who? If not now, when?” Now is the time for all to come to the aid of the entire world.

 

1 John 3:17-18
New International Version

17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

 

Matthew 25:37-40

New International Version

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 
38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 

39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

 

Luke 18:1

New International Version

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

 

James 1:5

Amplified Bible

5 If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.

 

1 John 5:14-15

New International Version

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 

15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

 

Isaiah 1:19

New Life Version

19 If you are willing and obey, you will eat the best of the land.

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