What are these people like?

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Long, long ago in a faraway land was a grand city surrounded by a fortified wall. Many mornings found a wise old man sitting outside the city gate under a tree. 

One morning a traveler approached the city and stopped to inquire of the man. “Tell me, sir, what are the people like in this city?” “First tell me what the people were like from whence you have come,” replied the old man. “They were scoundrels to be sure,” replied the traveler. “Untrustworthy, greedy, and downright mean,” he added. “Well, sir, I’m afraid you’ll find these people to be the same.” The traveler thanked the man and entered the city gate anyway. 

The next morning as the sun began to rise, the traveler emerged from the city and found the old man in his place. “You were right, old man. These people are no different than the ones back home. I’ll try my luck someplace else!”

No sooner had he gone when another man approached the gate. “Please tell me, kind sir, what are the people like in this city?” “First tell me what the people were like from whence you have come,” replied the old man. “They were fine, upstanding people,” replied the traveler. “Honest, benevolent, and kind,” he added. “Well, sir, I think you’ll find these people to be the same.” The traveler thanked the man and entered the city gate. 

Many days passed. One morning the second traveler came out of the city with three other men, laughing and walking lightly. He found the old man and greeted him warmly. “Good morning, kind sir. Thank you for your accurate assessment of the people here. They are, indeed, fine people. They have quickly made me feel at home.” The old man smiled and the four friends went on their way. 

~~~~~

What are the people like from whence you come?

Arise, Shine: Fight the Good Fight

Monday, November 6, 2017

Tonight is the Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer Celebration at First Baptist Church, Richmond. The theme this year is: “Arise. Shine. When we rise up, He shines through.”

Over the past few days I’ve looked at various Scriptures about letting Christ shine in our lives. Above all we should strive to be a beacon in the night for those who are struggling to find their way. 

But life isn’t easy, is it? Sometimes we get so bogged down in the muck and mire of life that we fail to let God’s hope shine out through us. It takes some major effort. 

That’s okay. God appreciates our struggles and knows our intentions. 

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We must be diligent in our fighting. We must be focused on the Lord. We must trust Him to deliver the enemy into our hands. And His light will shine into all the world through us. To Him be the glory. 

Lord, thank you for your direction in our lives. Thank you for giving us everything we need to stand firmly and to fight the good fight for you. May your name be glorified through our lives. 

Memory Verse 2017 -- Week 44

Sunday, November 5, 2017

Yet to all who did receive him,

To those who believed in his name, 

he gave the right to become

children of God. 

John 1:12

Spend the week focusing on this scripture: 

• Read the verse in your Bible. 
• Read the passage before and after it. 
• Write it in your journal. 
• Ask the Lord to show you how it applies to your life. 
• Put it on a piece of paper and post it in a prominent place in your home so that you can see it often. 
• Put the words to music. Make up a tune or use one you already know. Singing always helps in the memory process. It's a left brain / right brain thing. 
• Always memorize the scripture reference with the verse so you can remember where to find it in the Bible. 

Arise, Shine: respond to the needs of others with empathy

Saturday, November 4, 2017

One of the ways we can let the light of Jesus shine through us is to show kindness and empathy to others. If we see someone who is hurting, we should reach out to them as if they were the most important person on the planet and do everything in our power to help them. 

Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it! Regard prisoners as if you were in prison with them. Look on victims of abuse as if what happened to them had happened to you. 
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:1-3 ‭MSG‬‬

I think this is what empathy is all about. It reminds me of the phrase, “walk a mile in his moccasins.” Have you ever read the poem where this originated? I like it and I think it’s very appropriate here. 

Judge Softly

by Mary T. Lathrap, 1895

Pray, don’t find fault with the man that limps, 
Or stumbles along the road.
Unless you have worn the moccasins he wears, 
Or stumbled beneath the same load.

There may be tears in his soles that hurt
Though hidden away from view.
The burden he bears placed on your back
May cause you to stumble and fall, too.

Don't sneer at the man who is down today
Unless you have felt the same blow 
That caused his fall or felt the shame
That only the fallen know.

You may be strong, but still the blows
That were his, unknown to you in the same way,
May cause you to stagger and fall, too.

Don't be too harsh with the man that sins.
Or pelt him with words, or stone, or disdain.
Unless you are sure you have no sins of your own, 
And it's only wisdom and love that your heart contains.

For you know if the tempter's voice
Should whisper as soft to you,
As it did to him when he went astray,
It might cause you to falter, too.

Just walk a mile in his moccasins
Before you abuse, criticize and accuse.
If just for one hour, you could find a way
To see through his eyes, instead of your own muse.

I believe  you'd be surprised to see
That you've been blind and narrow minded, even unkind.
There are people on reservations and in the ghettos
Who have so little hope, and too much worry on their minds.

Brother, there but for the grace of God go you and I.
Just for a moment, slip into his mind and traditions
And see the world through his spirit and eyes
Before you cast a stone or falsely judge his conditions.

Remember to walk a mile in his moccasins
And remember the lessons of humanity taught to you by your elders.
We will be known forever by the tracks we leave
In other people's lives, our kindnesses and generosity.

Take the time to walk a mile in his moccasins

How often are we quick to size up a situation and rush to judgement? Sometimes things just aren’t what they seem. I think it’s important that we remember the Lord’s direction regarding how we treat those who are struggling in life

Then the King will say, “I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:40‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Lord, help us to develop a generous heart toward those who need assistance. Help us to treat them like you would. Teach us how to show empathy so that the world might see your light shining through us. 

Arise, Shine: Forgive Those Who Offend or Hurt You

Friday, November 3, 2017

Too many times I’ve seen families ripped apart because of some petty argument. One person gets all up in a tizzy and the next thing you know various people aren’t talking to each other. When we suggest that they reconcile and forgive each other, they each expect the other to do it first. 

It’s exhausting. 

According to Colossians we are supposed to cut each other some slack. And forgiveness should come pretty freely because Jesus forgave us first. 

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As we seek to let our light shine before men, having a good attitude and working well with each other might make some people stand up and take notice. 

Lord, before we could come to you to ask for forgiveness, you extended it to us. May we be quick to do the same to those who have wronged us. May we glorify you in our approach toward one another. Amen. 

Arise, Shine: Abide in the Lord Through Prayer

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Here’s an example of how to let your light shine in our world: stay in conversation with the Lord. Do you remember what happened to Moses after being in the presence of God and speaking with Him?

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭34:29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I wonder if our faces reveal the fact that we spend time praying and listening to the Lord. How should we pray and for what? See Matthew 6:9-13 for the model prayer our Lord gave us. 

Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Don’t forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I’m locked up in this jail. Pray that every time I open my mouth I’ll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.

‭‭Colossian 4:2-4

(1) Pray diligently — not just occasionally but continuously. 

(2) Stay alert. Pay attention to the things that you need to talk to God about. 

(3) Pray for church leaders: ministerial staff and volunteers who work with children and seniors and everybody in between. 

(4) Pray for those who are incarcerated for whatever reason. 

(5) Pray for every believer to be emboldened to declare the magnificence of the Lord wherever the are so that others may come to know Him. 

I’m pretty sure God loves it when we talk to Him. And by spending time alone with Him in prayer (even when we’re in a room full of people), we get that much closer to Him and our light shines that much more. 

Lord, guide us as we seek to be more diligent in our conversations with you. Hear our hearts. Speak to us. Let Your light shine brightly through us. 

Arise, Shine: Testify About the Goodness of the Lord

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

How can we shine for the Lord in our community? Tell others about God’s goodness. Many people see God as vindictive or impatient or otherwise hard-to-live-with. If we don’t tell them through our lives and through Scripture that He is actually very loving, gracious, patient, and understanding, how will they know? 

But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That’s why Scripture exclaims, A sight to take your breath away! Grand processions of people telling all the good things of God! But not everybody is ready for this, ready to see and hear and act. Isaiah asked what we all ask at one time or another: “Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?” The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:14-17‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Father, your goodness passes all understanding. You alone are the one true God and only you are worthy of our praise. Lead us to the people today who need to be reminded of your goodness and trustworthiness. May we testify boldly on your account.