Tuesday, October 17, 2017

LHM Daily Devotion - October 18, 2017 "The Meat Is in the Text"

Chef Marco Canora is the head-honcho of the award-winning...
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour



"The Meat Is in the Text"

October 18, 2017

Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
~ John 12:20-22 (ESV)

Chef Marco Canora is the head-honcho of the award-winning Hearth Restaurant in New York City.

Because the Hearth is an upscale place in a highly competitive environment, its staff is always looking for ways to improve and make the eatery stand out above the rest. Recently, Chef Marco has gone on record saying, "We want people to have an experience that is calm."

That's a beautiful idea. When I spoke to some of my friends and asked them, "What would you do to create a restaurant which is gushing over with "calm"?, they said things like "Paint the place in blues, grays, lavenders, because those are the colors which are supposed to be soothing to the nerves." Another suggested that the floors be carpeted and the ceiling be made with a cork-type product to soak up sound. One mother of four was semi-serious when she said, "Ban all children under the age of 21, and make sure you check birth certificates."

Chef Marco has come up with a different way of creating calm.

How?

He and his team have placed small, antique boxes on the tables. When someone opens their particular box, they find a message which invites diners to "unplug" and "connect with your fellow diners." It's a beautiful way of asking people, for an hour or two, to put away their cell phones and offer undivided attention to the person they are with.

Chef Marco reports that 60 percent of his patrons have done as suggested. There were no figures available on how many folks left their phones in the little box at the end of the meal.

I appreciate and applaud the chef for an idea that is simple and can make a great difference.

And I wondered what could a church do to make its worship such that when people left they would feel that they had spent some wonderful time with the Lord?

It wasn't an easy question. There are experts who tell you what to do to make your church inviting (good parking lots and clean women's restrooms are usually on those lists). There are other investigators who can explain how to make the church appear to be more friendly. I have even read an expert whose specialty was "how to shut the doors of a church." I am sure if this was a blog rather than devotion many of you might have an opinion on what it would take to spend great time with God.

Me, after attending a cross-section of churches throughout North America and beyond, I found one thing which stood out over all the rest. That one thing was the sermon showed the people their Savior: Jesus' words, Jesus' actions, Jesus' sacrifice, Jesus' comfort, strength, help, assistance, forgiveness. Those were the things people heard, and those were the things which kept them coming back. They saw the Savior.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may our worship show to all the world our Savior and the wonders of His love and sacrifice. In His Name. Amen.

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).

CPTLN Devocional de 18 de Octubre de 2017


Alimento Diario

En contra del viento

18 de Octubre 2017

Será despreciado y desechado por la humanidad entera. Será el hombre más sufrido, el más experimentado en el sufrimiento. ¡Y nosotros no le daremos la cara! ¡Será menospreciado! ¡No lo apreciaremos!
~ Isaías 53:3 (RVC)

El título del artículo fue lo que atrajo mi atención. El encabezado decía: "Un hombre trata de dar la vuelta al mundo, navegando al revés". ¿Qué quería decir eso de 'navegando al revés'?

El artículo continuaba explicando que Steve White iba a dar la vuelta al mundo navegando de este a oeste. No es que el viaje sea más largo de esa forma... pero sí que Steve tendrá que luchar contra el viento lo que, aparentemente, hace el trabajo mucho más difícil.

"Ir en contra del viento". Esa es una forma de describir la vida del Salvador. Se supone que los reyes nacen en palacios, pero la llegada de Jesús a la tierra fue en un establo. El Hijo de Dios debería haber sido alabado y aplaudido, pero Jesús fue maldecido y odiado. Su vida debió haber sido una llena de bendiciones, pero el Señor de la vida fue despreciado y rechazado por los hombres.

El Cristo fue como Isaías había predicho: "Varón de dolores, hecho para el sufrimiento". Su vida fue marcada por la desaprobación de los fariseos, el rechazo de quienes lo vieron crecer, el abandono de sus amigos más cercanos, y el beso traicionero de uno de sus discípulos. Su último día de vida lo pasó escuchando toda clase de mentiras en su contra, multitudes que pedían su crucifixión y un Pilatos que en público decidió lavarse las manos después de condenarlo a la muerte.

A pesar de todo ello, Jesús continuó navegando contra el viento.

El Salvador no vivió así para recibir fama, riqueza y que su Nombre pasara a los anales de la historia. Jesús fue "contra el viento", para que nosotros pudiéramos ser perdonados de nuestras malas acciones. Él lo hizo para que nuestras almas puedan ser redimidas y podamos llegar sin peligro al puerto seguro en el cielo.

ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, te doy gracias por ir en contra de las tentaciones de Satanás y las opiniones de las multitudes, y por permanecer comprometido en tu sacrificio en la cruz. Ayúdame a estar siempre agradecido por tu sacrificio. En tu nombre. Amén.

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. ¡Utilice estas devociones en sus boletines! Usado con permiso. Todos los derechos reservados por la Int'l LLL.

The Daily Readings for TUESDAY, October 17, 2017

The Coming Persecution - Matthew 10:16-23
Daily Readings for
TUESDAY, October 17, 2017

Jeremiah 36:27-37:2
Now, after the king had burned the scroll with the words that Baruch wrote at Jeremiah's dictation, the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: Take another scroll and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll, which King Jehoiakim of Judah has burned. And concerning King Jehoiakim of Judah you shall say: Thus says the LORD, You have dared to burn this scroll, saying, Why have you written in it that the king of Babylon will certainly come and destroy this land, and will cut off from it human beings and animals? Therefore thus says the LORD concerning King Jehoiakim of Judah: He shall have no one to sit upon the throne of David, and his dead body shall be cast out to the heat by day and the frost by night. And I will punish him and his offspring and his servants for their iniquity; I will bring on them, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and on the people of Judah, all the disasters with which I have threatened them-- but they would not listen. Then Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to the secretary Baruch son of Neriah, who wrote on it at Jeremiah's dictation all the words of the scroll that King Jehoiakim of Judah had burned in the fire; and many similar words were added to them. Zedekiah son of Josiah, whom King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon made king in the land of Judah, succeeded Coniah son of Jehoiakim. But neither he nor his servants nor the people of the land listened to the words of the LORD that he spoke through the prophet Jeremiah.

1 Corinthians 14:1-12
Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy. For those who speak in a tongue do not speak to other people but to God; for nobody understands them, since they are speaking mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, those who prophesy speak to other people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. Those who speak in a tongue build up themselves, but those who prophesy build up the church. Now I would like all of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you in some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? It is the same way with lifeless instruments that produce sound, such as the flute or the harp. If they do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is being played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? So with yourselves; if in a tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air. There are doubtless many different kinds of sounds in the world, and nothing is without sound. If then I do not know the meaning of a sound, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. So with yourselves; since you are eager for spiritual gifts, strive to excel in them for building up the church.

Matthew 10:16-23
"See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Morning Psalms
Psalm 5 Verba mea auribus
1   Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my meditation.
2   Hearken to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I make my prayer to you.
3   In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; early in the morning I make my appeal and watch for you.
4   For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, and evil cannot dwell with you.
5   Braggarts cannot stand in your sight; you hate all those who work wickedness.
6   You destroy those who speak lies; the bloodthirsty and deceitful, O LORD, you abhor.
7   But as for me, through the greatness of your mercy I will go into your house; I will bow down toward your holy temple in awe of you.
8   Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness, because of those who lie in wait for me; make your way straight before me.
9   For there is no truth in their mouth; there is destruction in their heart;
10   Their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.
11   Declare them guilty, O God; let them fall, because of their schemes.
12   Because of their many transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.
13   But all who take refuge in you will be glad; they will sing out their joy for ever.
14   You will shelter them, so that those who love your Name may exult in you.
15   For you, O LORD, will bless the righteous; you will defend them with your favor as with a shield.


Psalm 6 Domine, ne in furore
1   LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger; do not punish me in your wrath.
2   Have pity on me, LORD, for I am weak; heal me, LORD, for my bones are racked.
3   My spirit shakes with terror; how long, O LORD, how long?
4   Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me for your mercy's sake.
5   For in death no one remembers you; and who will give you thanks in the grave?
6   I grow weary because of my groaning; every night I drench my bed and flood my couch with tears.
7   My eyes are wasted with grief and worn away because of all my enemies.
8   Depart from me, all evildoers, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
9   The LORD has heard my supplication; the LORD accepts my prayer.
10   All my enemies shall be confounded and quake with fear; they shall turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

Evening Psalms
Psalm 10 Ut quid, Domine?
1   Why do you stand so far off, O LORD, and hide yourself in time of trouble?
2   The wicked arrogantly persecute the poor, but they are trapped in the schemes they have devised.
3   The wicked boast of their heart's desire; the covetous curse and revile the LORD.
4   The wicked are so proud that they care not for God; their only thought is, "God does not matter."
5   Their ways are devious at all times; your judgments are far above out of their sight; they defy all their enemies.
6   They say in their heart, "I shall not be shaken; no harm shall happen to me ever."
7   Their mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression; under their tongue are mischief and wrong.
8   They lurk in ambush in public squares and in secret places they murder the innocent; they spy out the helpless.
9   They lie in wait, like a lion in a covert; they lie in wait to seize upon the lowly; they seize the lowly and drag them away in their net.
10   The innocent are broken and humbled before them; the helpless fall before their power.
11   They say in their heart, "God has forgotten; he hides his face; he will never notice."
12   Rise up, O LORD; lift up your hand, O God; do not forget the afflicted.
13   Why should the wicked revile God? why should they say in their heart, "You do not care"?
14   Surely, you behold trouble and misery; you see it and take it into your own hand.
15   The helpless commit themselves to you, for you are the helper of orphans.
16   Break the power of the wicked and evil; search out their wickedness until you find none.
17   The LORD is King for ever and ever; the ungodly shall perish from his land.
18   The LORD will hear the desire of the humble; you will strengthen their heart and your ears shall hear;
19   To give justice to the orphan and oppressed, so that mere mortals may strike terror no more.


Psalm 11 In Domino confido
1   In the LORD have I taken refuge; how then can you say to me, "Fly away like a bird to the hilltop;
2   For see how the wicked bend the bow and fit their arrows to the string, to shoot from ambush at the true of heart.
3   When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?"
4   The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD'S throne is in heaven.
5   His eyes behold the inhabited world; his piercing eye weighs our worth.
6   The LORD weighs the righteous as well as the wicked, but those who delight in violence he abhors.
7   Upon the wicked he shall rain coals of fire and burning sulphur; a scorching wind shall be their lot.
8   For the LORD is righteous; he delights in righteous deeds; and the just shall see his face.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The New Revised Standard Version Bible may be quoted and/or reprinted up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of the publisher, provided the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible or account for fifty percent (50%) of the total work in which they are quoted.

Prayer of the Day for TUESDAY, October 17, 2017


Heavenly Father, let me do my work this day; and if the darkened hours of despair overcome me, may I not forget the strength that comforted me in the desolation of other times. May I still remember the bright hours that found me walking over the silent hills of my childhood, or dreaming on the margin of a quiet river, when a light glowed within me, and I promised my early God to have courage amid the tempests of the changing years.

Spare me from bitterness and from the sharp passions of unguarded moments. May I not forget that poverty and riches are of the spirit. Though the world knows me not, may my thoughts and actions be such as shall keep me friendly with myself.

Lift up my eyes from the earth, and let me not forget the uses of the stars. Forbid that I should judge others lest I condemn myself. Let me not follow the clamor of the world, but walk calmly in my path.

Give me a few friends who will love me for what I am; and keep ever burning before my vagrant steps the kindly light of hope.

And though age and infirmity overtake me, and I come not within sight of the castle of my dreams, teach me still to be thankful for life, and for time's olden memories that are good and sweet; and may the evening's twilight find me gentle still.

Amen

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, October 17, 2017


Psalm 25:14-15 (NIV) The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.

Read all of Psalm 25

Listen to Psalm 25

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Morning Devotions with Cap'n Kenny - Divine Providence


Divine Providence

"I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course."
~ Jeremiah 10:23 (NLT)

Sometimes we understand the circumstances of our lives, and at other times they mystify us. We make our plans, but God always will have His way.

There is nothing wrong with making plans for tomorrow, next month, or next year. But just remember, the Lord may change your plans. He, not you, is in control of your life. The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course” (Jeremiah 10:23). We are told in Proverbs 16:9, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” And Proverbs 20:24 says, “The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” We call this divine providence.

Having said that, this doesn’t mean that bad things won’t happen to good, and even godly, people. But it does mean that even when bad things happen, God can bring good out of bad. Romans 8:28 reminds us that “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” However, the good that God promises will not be fully realized until we get to Heaven.

There are some things we can look at in life and say, “That was bad, but in retrospect, I can see the good that has come from it.” But then there are other things we experience in life, and we’ll never see good come out of them, at least outwardly. And it is not until we get to the other side and see the Lord face-to-face that we will understand these things.

We must realize that God is in control of all circumstances that surround our lives. God loves us, and He is always looking out for our eternal benefit.

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny


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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation®, NLT® copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Devotion by Greg Laurie © 2017 Harvest Christian Fellowship; all rights reserved.
We make our plans, but God always will have His way.

Un Dia a la Vez - Influye con amor


Influye con amor

Alégrense y llénense de júbilo, porque les espera una gran recompensa en el cielo.
~ Mateo 5:12 (NVI)

Nosotros no estamos en este mundo para impresionar a nadie, mucho menos para impresionar a Dios. Estamos en este mundo con un propósito específico. ¡Qué bueno sería que cada uno lo pueda encontrar como es debido!

Durante varios años, sobre todo en la adolescencia, es común preguntarse: «¿Qué hago en este mundo? ¿Por qué estoy aquí?». Yo también me hice esas preguntas y nunca hubo respuestas, al menos una que me convenciera. No fue hasta que conocí de Jesús que pude entender mi propósito y trato de cumplirlo al pie de la letra.

Hace unos cuatro años surgió un deseo en un sinnúmero de personas por conocer el propósito de Dios para sus vidas. Entonces, cuando apareció el libro Una vida con propósito, de Rick Warren, muchos lo entendieron. Este libro enseguida rompió los récords de venta y, aún hoy, sigue siendo uno de los más vendidos. ¡Qué cantidad de testimonios llegó a mis oídos! La gente me decía, y me sigue diciendo, que ese libro transformó su vida.

Gracias le doy a Dios por libros como ese que llevan la verdad clara y directa que transforman vidas. Quizá tú aún no lo has leído y estás en esa búsqueda, pues te lo recomiendo.

Tú y yo también debemos llevarle la Palabra a toda criatura de modo que encuentre el verdadero propósito para su vida. Por lo tanto, proclamemos su mensaje con el amor y la misericordia que solo encontramos en Dios.

¿Qué estás haciendo para influir en otros? Recuerda que tu premio no está en la tierra, sino en el cielo.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR


LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

The scriptures teach that God is committed to one major objective in the lives of all His people; conforming us to the image of His Son. What is the “image of His Son?” It is found in the words of Jesus, Himself, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

It makes sense then to say that God desires the same for us. After bringing us into His family through faith in His Son, the Lord sets His sights on building into us the same qualities that made Jesus distinct—a servant’s heart and a giving spirit. It’s so easy to lose sight of our primary calling as Christians. Even those who lead must do so with an attitude of genuine humility and an authentic desire to help others.

The best-known symbols of Christianity are the cross, the ichthus (fish symbol), and the dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit. Probably the least known—yet most appropriate for the Christian—is the symbol of the towel and basin. The towel Jesus used when in humility and service, he washed and wiped his disciples dirty feet. Jesus instructed his disciples after washing their feet that they were to wash one another’s feet.

J. Dudley Woodbury tells a poignant true story that occurred in the dismal refugee camps of Peshawar, Pakistan. The fighting between the Majahideen in post-Soviet Afghanistan and the rise of the Taliban resulted in thousands of refugees flooding into the camps near the border. Most of the children in the camps ran around barefoot in both the intense heat and intense cold.

A Christian organization brought in hundreds of sandals for the children but decided not to just distribute them but care for the children’s feet as well. So they utilized as many Christian volunteers as possible who washed the children’s filthy feet, put medication on their sores and prayed for them silently as they gave out the sandals.

As he tells the story, some months later a Muslim primary school teacher in the camp asked her students who the best Muslims were. One little girl raised her hand and responded, “The kafirs.” (unbelievers).

After the teacher recovered from cardiac arrest, she asked, “Why?” The little girl said, “The Mujahedeen killed my father, but the kafirs washed my feet!”

Missions to the Muslims, he concludes, will be affected less by the flames of 9/11, or even the flames that started the Arab Spring, than by the inner flames that are ignited if we so follow our Lord.[1]

RESPONSE: Today I will look for ways to serve others in genuine humility as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER: Lord, help me love as You did, serve others as You did and give of myself as You did!

1. J. Dudley Woodberry, “Muslim Missions: Then & Now,” Christianity Today (September 2011), p. 36.

Girlfriends in God - Do You Really Care?


Do You Really Care?

Today’s Truth

Go to the lost, confused people … touch the untouchables. You have been treated generously, so live generously.
~ Matthew 10:5 (The Message)

Friend to Friend

The heat was brutal. My back was killing me. I was exhausted from a nearly sleepless night, and I had a pounding headache. Every muscle rebelled against the long flights and relentless van rides it had taken to arrive at this rural village in India. I longed for a relaxing, hot bath, but what I had was a bucket of cold water and a plastic cup with which to bathe.

My outer appearance certainly denied my inner attitude. I plastered what I thought must surely be a spiritual kind of smile on my face in an effort to portray the mercy and love I wanted to share. My husband and I were on a 19-day whirlwind trip to South Africa, India and Thailand to see the work our church is doing in those areas. I really wanted to think and feel the right things, but I could not seem to get past myself – a familiar struggle. All I really wanted to do was head back inside and take a nap. Instead, I was sitting before a crowd of over 200 people who had come to hear a message of hope.

Lepers came. Men, women and children of all ages with AIDS came, staring up at me from haunting eyes that mirrored more pain and heartache than I will ever know. A young mother who had just buried her baby wept quietly, comforted by another woman with no fingers and toes, a victim of leprosy. An older man with no feet made his way through the crowd in a crudely built cart pulled by another leper and friend.

Oh, I have been on many mission trips over the years and seen a great deal of poverty, but I had never seen more destitute and broken people or worse living conditions. I cried out to the Father, “What in the world am I doing here, Lord? How can I possibly help these people?” Then I saw him.

Slowly he made his way through the crowd. The man could not walk because he had no legs. Only stubs remained where his hands had once been, but still he came, swinging his mangled body forward on arms and elbows scarred by what must have been a long battle with leprosy.

I thought surely he would stop at the edge of the crowd and rest, satisfied to have simply made it in time for the meeting, but still he came. I could not take my eyes off him as he inched his way toward me as if I had called his name. Brilliant blue eyes met mine and seemed to ask, “Will you touch me? Will you love me?” In that moment, my heart shattered, and I promptly fell in love. I saw him as he really was - one of God’s precious broken lambs - loved, cherished, planned and wanted; created by God for God - just like me.

I suddenly reached out and enveloped his mangled body in a fierce hug.

I just had to.

I loved him and I had to do something about it.

As his blue eyes flashed in surprise, a childlike smile captured his face, and he hugged me right back. In that moment, my life changed.

I have been in ministry forever. I have traveled across the United States and the world, speaking for various conferences, retreats, women’s events – you name it. I have been part of many mission trips to dangerous countries. I have written books, articles and devotions about loving the unlovable and touching the untouchable, but in a moment, in the course of one hug, God dissected and scrutinized my spiritual authenticity and integrity – and found it lacking. It was not only lacking in India, but in my every day life and the ministry God has given me in the place I call home.

I had come to give hope and joy. I had come to love. I had come to love the unlovable and touch the untouchables. Instead, I had come face-to-face with my own desperate need of God’s love, mercy and forgiveness in my own life. And I am not alone.

Untouchables are everywhere – crippled by sin, broken and lonely, spiritually destitute and emotionally desperate, facing a death sentence of eternal separation from God. Friends and family members stumble along in crudely made carts of greed and discontent. Instead of reaching out to those who so desperately need to be reminded of and to experience God’s grace and mercy, we have relegated them to a place of judgment with no hope of restoration. I can assure you that no such place exists in the Kingdom or God. God is all about restoration and healing.

If we are brutally honest, there are times when we do not want to see the untouchables.  We do not want to touch them or get involved in their nasty lives. We are weary and exhausted. After all, it takes a lot of energy to wear the right mask for the right audience in the right place and at the right time. Our hearts are scarred and callused from fighting the wrong enemy. All we really want to do is slip into a numbing but deadly sleep, hoping that when we wake, someone will have cleaned up the mess so we won’t have to.

I pray God uses us all to look for and reach out to those who seem to be unlovable, and then ask God to use us to touch those broken people who wait, longing for hope and healing.

Let’s Pray

Father, I am so guilty of looking away when I see someone in need. Please forgive me when I am too busy or just don’t care enough to reach out and care. Give me Your heart of mercy and compassion. Use me to love others in Your name.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:31-37. What two truths did God give you about touching the untouchables in your life? What one step can you take today to respond to those truths?

More from the Girlfriends

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