The Daily Blueprint /Thursday/ 8-28-08

The Word:

The Poor: Their needs, Our Response
Day 18

1st John 3:17-18
If anyone has material possessions and he sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear Children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth!

If you have clothes on your back and change some place at home - you are richer then most people of this world - go a little further and if you own a house -rent an apartment and drive a car - you are among the top 10% of the world's riches - the fact is here in America must of us don't know what it is really like to go hungry - I had a time in my life though brief where I didn't know where my next meal would come from -this taught me to never take for granted eating again - with this came my need to eat quickly -I am still a very fast eater - just a habit now - but I am well feed -well clothed and though my truck is 10 years old - it still runs good with a little TLC-
We in American have it good - most of us sadly don't realize how good we have it - I know once a day I see someone on the street in need of money - some of these people really need the money for food - but others use it for bad things - but when we give - we have to give as Jesus would give -today's verse says that if we ignore the needs of the poor - how can the love of God be in us - as Ive been saying faith is an action word -its James that says faith without works is dead - its not that these works we have been called to do bring us glory or open heaven to us - but we do it out of a pure heart that wants to worship and obey the call of God - the truth is its not just about money -there are those around us who are poor in other ways - maybe they don't have a father who shows them any affection - you can be a part time dad for whatever time God allows - maybe someone is hurting deeply but you don't know what to do - just trust God and love them the best way you can-
believe me the rewards far exceed the sacrifice! We cannot ignore the poor and expect the need to be met - we have been given so much -
lets use it all for God's glory - lets help the poor among us - lets not turn away from the needs around us - as Phil Collins sang in the late 1980's - its just another day in paradise for us - but the world around us has needs we are called to help meet!

The Final Word:
The poor need you and me - God is calling us to help - lend a hand where you can - it only takes a willing heart - and an open hand!
CHRIST loves us all - no matter what!
- LIVIN IN THE WORD - 8/28/08-
Serve Jesus by serving the poor!