Just some thoughts I had this morning while hangin' out with God. I posted this on FB too but thought I'd share it with y'all as well. I may eventually incorporate this into my book, but it will certainly include this subject/idea, even if I don't use these same words ;)
I said to the rich man, “I have a great need.”
His reply came quickly “Trust in the Lord!”
I said to the doctor, “Sir, I am sick.”
His answer was final “I’ll pray the Lord heals you!”
I said to the carpenter, “My house crumbles to dust!”
He patted my arm, “God will provide.”
I said to the baker, “My family perishes for lack of bread.”
He nodded slowly, “And your heavenly Father will provide it.”
I said to the weak man, “My soul faints! Where is the hope of God?”
He poured out his soul and tended my wounds.
The Lamb of God sat on His throne, looking across the sea of faces
To the rich man, the doctor, the carpenter, and baker,
His answer came quickly, finally and sure
“As surely as you did it not for the least of these, you did it not to me.”
To the weak man He looked with compassion and love
“Though you had not strength, finances or means,
Yet you heard my commandment and took it to heart
Blessed are you who practice my words, enter now into my joy.”
All around us are people who have needs. The world is broken and hurting. People need food, houses, water, clothing, even friends. God sent His Son to give eternal life—true relationship with the Holy God of the universe. His Son gave this life to all who would receive, and besides life He gives power to heal the sick and provide for the needy and share the gift of His love and eternal life. Yet when the needy come to us, begging for mercy, we give them a canned answer that sounds to us so wise and compassionate. We tell them that God is putting them through trials to teach them to be strong and that we will pray that God will send them help. Where is the faith? Where is the love? God has given His power, unlimited and fully accessible, to meet the needs of those around us, and we send them away empty and tell them “be blessed and filled in the name of the Lord.” We are God’s hands and feet in the world but we hang lame and limp. We cry out to God to fix all the problems in the world but when he sends us we don’t budge. Why should a hundred people pray for God to send someone a car when that hundred people could buy a new one? Why should a thousand people pray God sends a thousand who dishonor him to build a new house for someone which they could build themselves if they took the time to really care? There is no excuse! Prayer is good, but faith without works is useless. Instead of praying, “God fix this huge problem,” we need to pray, “God show your strength through my weakness,” as we pull the lame up to their feet. Only those who are diligent to do and not only hear are those who will hear—and do—those beautiful words, “Enter into my eternal joy. Inherit the kingdom my Father has prepared for you.”
Mark 16:15-18
Matthew 25:31-46
Acts 8:1
James 2:14-26
I said to the rich man, “I have a great need.”
His reply came quickly “Trust in the Lord!”
I said to the doctor, “Sir, I am sick.”
His answer was final “I’ll pray the Lord heals you!”
I said to the carpenter, “My house crumbles to dust!”
He patted my arm, “God will provide.”
I said to the baker, “My family perishes for lack of bread.”
He nodded slowly, “And your heavenly Father will provide it.”
I said to the weak man, “My soul faints! Where is the hope of God?”
He poured out his soul and tended my wounds.
The Lamb of God sat on His throne, looking across the sea of faces
To the rich man, the doctor, the carpenter, and baker,
His answer came quickly, finally and sure
“As surely as you did it not for the least of these, you did it not to me.”
To the weak man He looked with compassion and love
“Though you had not strength, finances or means,
Yet you heard my commandment and took it to heart
Blessed are you who practice my words, enter now into my joy.”
All around us are people who have needs. The world is broken and hurting. People need food, houses, water, clothing, even friends. God sent His Son to give eternal life—true relationship with the Holy God of the universe. His Son gave this life to all who would receive, and besides life He gives power to heal the sick and provide for the needy and share the gift of His love and eternal life. Yet when the needy come to us, begging for mercy, we give them a canned answer that sounds to us so wise and compassionate. We tell them that God is putting them through trials to teach them to be strong and that we will pray that God will send them help. Where is the faith? Where is the love? God has given His power, unlimited and fully accessible, to meet the needs of those around us, and we send them away empty and tell them “be blessed and filled in the name of the Lord.” We are God’s hands and feet in the world but we hang lame and limp. We cry out to God to fix all the problems in the world but when he sends us we don’t budge. Why should a hundred people pray for God to send someone a car when that hundred people could buy a new one? Why should a thousand people pray God sends a thousand who dishonor him to build a new house for someone which they could build themselves if they took the time to really care? There is no excuse! Prayer is good, but faith without works is useless. Instead of praying, “God fix this huge problem,” we need to pray, “God show your strength through my weakness,” as we pull the lame up to their feet. Only those who are diligent to do and not only hear are those who will hear—and do—those beautiful words, “Enter into my eternal joy. Inherit the kingdom my Father has prepared for you.”
Mark 16:15-18
Matthew 25:31-46
Acts 8:1
James 2:14-26
6 comments:
Good points.
The sign in front of our chruch says, "What are you doing on earth, for Heaven's sake?"
Blessed Thursday,
Jen
Audience of ONE
Yup, it's a good thing to consider!
I like Jeanette's summation: good points. Ortberg suggestions we greet each person with the thought, "God, what do you want to say or do for this person through me?" That could help change some of our prayers into acts of sharing and serving. Pray? Yes. But serve, too. Good post.
That's a good approach, Warren. I think that if we consciously think about serving people rather than just sort of floating through life and "talking the talk" we are much more likely to make the extra effort to act. Sort of like if you are praying and walking in the spirit you are less likely to enter into sin (Matthew 26:41) :)
I have another saying, like Jeanette's. He is too heavenly-minded to be any earthly good. Jesus never stopped ministering, except to refresh and regroup. Good post. Thanks
thanks for these thoughts. when i'm in a workplace surrounded my non-christians, i'll definitely think about ortberg's quote.
jeannie
The Character Therapist
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