Help!

A teacher was encouraging his class to be kind and think of the needs of the people around them. “Remember, kids, you were put here to help others.”

“But,” protested one of the students, “what were the others put here for?”

Where would we be if no one helped us? What if no one taught us to read or write or do arithmetic? Sometimes we forget to think about all of the help that others have given us and focus only on ourselves. It is hard to imagine where we would be if no one ever took an interest in us.

So, if we have been helped, should we not also do the same for others? Indeed, we need to focus on the needs of others as much – or more – than we focus on our need. It’s important for us to be mindful of the many times God has helped us when we least expected it.

And here is something to remember: May we never forget the fact that every time we help pull someone uphill, we will find ourselves getting closer to the top.

Just for today, rather than pointing a finger at someone, hold out a helping hand.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be alert to the needs of others all of the time. May my eyes always be open to see their needs, my ears open to hear their cries and my heart open to feel their pain. Let me always help others: in Your Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: 1 John 3:16-24 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Handicaps

One of the world’s greatest speakers from ancient Greece was Demosthenes even though he was born with a severe speech defect. To overcome his problem he would practice speaking with small pebbles in his mouth. After years of practice he overcame his difficulty.

The Apostle Paul said of himself: “I did not come with eloquence…” my “bodily presence is weak and (my) speech contemptible…” and “though my condition put you to the test you did not scorn or despise me.” Yet he was and is recognized as one of the greatest missionaries, theologians and teachers who ever lived.

Handicapped? Have problems? Lacking in skills and talents? Need to improve on the gifts God has given you? Listen to Jesus: “My grace is all you need, for my power is strongest when you are weak.”

When we look at ourselves and feel inadequate, we need to turn our thoughts to God and realize that we are His handiwork. He has important work for each of us to do. But we must be willing to give our all to Him and let Him work His miracles through us.

Prayer: Help me, Father, to take what You have given me, work with it, and use it to honor You in all that I do. You have been gracious in what You have given me, and I give it back to You for Your glory. Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Help In Time Of Trouble

Two men were hunting in Africa. As they were walking across a shaky bridge, two lions started to chase them.

Realizing they may not make it, James said, “Pray, John!”

John, frightened, said, “All I can remember is: ‘Lord, make us truly grateful for what we’re about to receive.’”

“Not for the lions, John, for us!”

Sadly, it seems that most of the time when we call upon the Lord for His help, guidance, peace or comfort, it is when we are facing life’s biggest threats or problems. When life is pleasant and pleasurable we rarely pause to think about Him or thank Him for the good times. But when problems erupt and times are difficult we may not know how to begin or what to say. Perhaps it’s because we rarely pray when the sun is shining and good things are happening.

So what do we do? Develop the habit of praying at all times, and soon we will discover that “God is a very present help in times of trouble.”

Prayer: Lord, it seems that when I pray, I realize how much I truly need You and how little I can do for myself. I do know that there is never a time when I can get by without Your help: in Your Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Consultant On Call

They called him the miracle worker. It was a miracle if he ever worked at all.

But he went to church and was so moved by the message that he went forward during the invitation and professed to be converted. His family and friends were delighted when he prayed: “Dear Lord, save me and use me to Your glory.” Unfortunately, he added: “By the way, Lord, I’ll be available whenever You need me to give you or others need guidance or directions.”

God does not need our advice, He needs our attention. He does not need our suggestions, He needs our service. He does not need our words, He needs our wills. He does not need our heads, He needs our hearts.

More than anything, He wants our love–for if we truly love Him, we will labor for Him and live for Him. He also wants us to worship Him, and if we do, we will gladly and willingly work for Him. It is only when we make a definite decision to follow Him that we will make a daily difference in His world.

Jesus said, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

Prayer: Help me, Father, to know Your will by studying Your Word that I may do Your work. Help me to live for Thee: through Christ. Amen.

Scripture for Today: John 13:17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Delightfully Different

The other day I was visiting with an old friend. During the conversation I asked, “I understand that you married Jane. Why?”

“Because she’s different,” he replied.

“How different?” I asked.

“She’s the only one who would have me,” he explained.

But there’s One Who will accept everyone – unconditionally. Young or old, rich or poor – our condition does not matter. Jesus said, “Come to me,” and then He added, “if you do come, I will not cast you out.”

In all my years of serving God, I have never heard anyone say, “I came to Jesus, but He would not accept me.” It has been just the opposite. Many have told me that Jesus was the only One Who would have them. They knew that when they came to Him, they finally discovered the only One Who accepted them in spite of all that they had done.

To become a Christian, all you have to do is to come to Christ. Take Him at His Word.

Prayer: Father, I come to You right now with all of my faults and failures, all of my sins and shortcomings and exchange my guilt for Your grace and mercy. Help me to take You at Your Word: in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”