Month: September 2023

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How can I help?

“What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” – Augustine

There are needs all around us. In some cases, it’s clear what we should do to help. At other times, we’re not sure what to do. Paul, in his letter to the church in Thessalonica, gave some specific instructions for coming alongside someone in need. He said, “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Let’s think about that.

  • Admonish the idle. The idle need to be reminded of what they can and should do; our role may be to help them understand that and, if the person is open to it, to assist with a resume, idea, or connection to get started.
  • Encourage the fainthearted. Many are just tired or discouraged. They may need counseling, direction, encouragement, or a boost – helping them get to a point of being able to take care of themselves.
  • Help the weak: We need to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves. Some of you are in this situation with an elderly parent, disabled child, or someone with a chronic illness. It’s not easy, and maybe that’s why Paul concludes with . . .
  • Be patient with them all.

If there is a crisis, we need to act decisively as the Good Samaritan did. If we have more time, Paul advises considering the particular situation we are presented with and then acting with wisdom and compassion. It’s not just about helping, it’s about relationship.

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16

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Light in the Darkness

“How good the Savior is to me! He not only helps carry my burdens, he carries me also.” – Corrie ten Boom

Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch woman who, during World War II, sheltered and hid Jews to keep them from being sent to work camps or to execution. Eventually she and her family were found out, and Corrie, her sister Betsie, and their father were themselves arrested. Corrie and Betsie ended up at Ravensbruck, one of the cruelest and most lethal concentration camps of all.

They suffered as all the others did – hard work, little food, winter cold, filthy and infested living conditions, and impossible demands. They began praying with other women, most of them Jews, and holding quiet Bible studies after the guards had gone at night. In all their suffering, they felt Jesus beside them, comforting, leading.

Betsie and Corrie talked about what they would do if they were ever released. Betsie said this, “We have learned so much here, and now we must go all over the world to tell people what we now know – that Jesus’ light is stronger than the deepest darkness”

Betsie died soon thereafter, and Corrie remained in Ravensbruck until, through a clerical error, she was released. After recovering from her ordeal, she did travel the world telling the story well into her 80’s. And what did she tell? Her hate for her captors? No. She told of the miserable conditions, but always directed her audience to the presence and power of God – to the light she had because he was with her in this dark place.

Are you in a dark place right now? You are not alone. Reach out to Jesus. You will find light in the darkest of nights.

“The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” – Matthew 4:16

Source: The Watchmaker’s Daughter by Larry Loftis, published March 2023

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The Judge

“If you want to see what judgment looks like, go to the cross. If you want to see what love looks like, go to the cross.” – D.A. Carson

I went to court once just as support for a friend who was fighting against a person who reneged on a contract. It seemed obvious to us that the law was on her side. It should be a slam dunk.

But, as we walked into the courtroom, I realized that the matter now was entirely out of her control. The judge’s ruling would be what she would have to live with. Her fate was in his hands.

I have to admit that created some stress in me. Then I thought about the fact that Jesus is returning someday to judge the world. It won’t be enough to have lived a pretty good life. None us can live up to what is required in the heavenly court.

There is a way to avoid that judgment: Settle out of court! Jesus invites us to come to him now so we can know him as Savior and then not have to face him as judge. Our record will be clean because he will have paid our penalty. Those who choose not to accept Jesus’s payment in this life will stand before him as Judge where opinions, excuses, and apologies won’t make a difference.

Take care of the charges against you while you can because once the Judge enters the room, it’s out of your hands. And his decision will be final. No arguing, no appeals. It will just be as it is – forever.

“It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” – Romans 8:33a-34

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Jesus loves me, this I know.

“It’s been a common thought of my life: How excited I will be to see Jesus in heaven some day. An uncommon thought I’ve never considered before this morning: How excited Jesus will be to see me. . .” – Leonard Sweet

My sister-in-law once observed, “There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who enter a room as if they are saying ‘Here I am!’, and those who enter a room and, by their manner, say ‘there you are!'” She was always the second kind of person. She made everyone she talked to feel special and loved.

It’s impossible for us to comprehend how much God loves us, how much he wants us to engage with him. When we start to pray, I think he’s excited to hear from us in the same way we’re excited to hear from someone we love. It’s as if he hears our voice and says, “There you are!” with joy in his words. He’s willing to focus on each of us as if we were the only person in the world. Our prayers get his undivided attention.

The apostle John often referred to himself as the disciple Jesus loved. John knew Jesus loved the whole world (John 3:16), but when they were together, John felt that he and Jesus had a special bond. I’m sure they did. I have a special bond with Jesus, too. And so do you!

By the way, my sister-in-law has been with Jesus in heaven for a few years now. I like to think of the moment she walked into the throne room and made eye contact with him. I can almost hear their simultateous and excited cries: “There you are!”

‘. . . keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” – Jude 21