Friday, May 28, 2010

What are we doing? Is it all Talk and little action?

I wanted to start out our Saturday with the following:

The problems of today are powerless
to change God's plans and purposes for your life.
It's true no matter what we think or feel.
Even when the whole world is falling apart.
Even when the bottom falls out and the wheels come off.
In the midst of our storm, in the midst of our situation,
God declares, "I know the plans I have for you...plans to give you a hope and a future."

I was reading Cast of Characters tonight by Max Lucado. He has a chapter on the Paralized man. John 5: 1-9.

1Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews.
2Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda[a] and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades.
3Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.[b]
5One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.
6When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?"
7"Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."
8Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk."
9At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
The day on which this took place was a Sabbath,

Do you realize when Jesus did this... ON A SABBATH, and not just that but DURING A PASSOVER FEAST!!!

He was alone, so not trying to teach or train or do anything else... this was to be his 'down' time...

Yet we find him walking around Bethesda...

Max says it like this
"Surely there are more enjoyable activities. After all, this is the Passover feast. It's an exciting time in the holy city. People have come from miles around to meet God in the TEMPLE.
Little do they know that God is with the sick.
Little do they know that GOD is walking slowly, stepping carefully between beggars and the blind.
Little do they know that the strong young carpenter who surveys the ragged landscape of pain is God.
"When they suffered, he suffered also" Isaiah wrote (ISA. 63:9) On this day Jesus must have suffered much.

1) Taking a moment to BREATH and remind ourselves WHO we live for...
2) Take a Moment to make a personal commitment to make a difference in those who are hurting. Suffering.


What could happen if EVERY PERSON decided that they weren't worried about the # of NO's they recieved...
What could happen if EVERY PERSON decided that everything stems around engaging every one they know with the message of Christ. The Cross, and his call to help those who can't help themselves...

What could happen if EVERY PERSON decided that they would not rest until they helped share the message, the truth that could save a life today...
THE TRUTH THAT ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE...

Let me ask you this... If Jesus' ministry was so often characterized by a feeling of sorrow for the suffering.... What should our response be?

What about those children through-out the world who are dying. Alone. Afraid. No family. no friends. Sold into slavery. Given up for dead. Treated like a animal. Longing for relief, even that which is given through death.


MY PRAYER TODAY IS THAT THIS EMAIL WILL SERVE AS A SPARK TO HELP IGNITE THE KINDLING OF YOUR HEART TO STAND UP FOR THESE CHILDREN TODAY! NOT NEXT WEEK. TODAY!!

LET'S ALL PRAY TOGETHER FOR GOD TO CHANGE US, USE US, AND HELP THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING TODAY!!!

AND AS PAUL SAID IN THE END OF HEBREWS:
May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus,
that great Shepherd of the sheep,
equip you with everything good for doing his will,
and may he work in us what is pleasing to him,
through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory for ever and ever.
AMEN

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