I am praying for President Trump, and do not agree with the jabs taken at him in this article, but it is thought provoking and funny: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/16/opinion/and-jesus-said-unto-paul-of-ryan.html
Tag: #poor
We Worship by Serving the People God loves!
One of the ways we worship is to serve the people God loves!
Over the years, I have attended many worship services, and have been lost in the presence of God as we sang to Him, drunk on His love.
This is part, I’m sure of what Jesus referred to when He said:
John 4:23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Yet, then what?
Does worship end when the music stops?
If it does, how then can we fulfill: “Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind?”
No, worship is much more than the singing of songs, it is our entire life, our study, our prayer, and the things we do in our day to day lives, with Him.
Now I know that it is only faith in Jesus that saves us, but as we walk with Him, He provides wonderful opportunities to exhibit His love in practical ways in helping people.
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
For those of you who know me, you remember how God dealt with me about His love, and that I did not have to work to earn His love: https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/not-by-works-its-all-about-love/
Yet, clearly as we read this passage, Jesus love, shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, will provoke us to love people around us. If we don’t feel a thing, read with me these verses:
Let’s look at this teaching of Jesus together:
Matt 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Don’t let the King Jimmy archaic English fool you, Jesus is very clear here. If we claim to love Him, we need to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick, the prisoner, give water to the thirsty – and how about this verse:
James 1:27
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
We need to care for widows in their distress, fatherless children (and yes, this includes orphans), and though it is not expressly spelled out in these verses, we need to care for the elderly, and those mentally and physically handicapped.
Jesus takes this stuff very personally when He says that when we help those less fortunate in our midst, we do it to Him.
“SERVICE” IN THE HEBREW “abodah” MEANS WORSHIP
If you have not read the famous short story by Tolstoy, ‘Where love is’, please read it here: http://www.online-literature.com/tolstoy/2892/
Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
God is love, and if we claim to know Him, we too must love hurting people.
Let’s pray:
‘Father, forgive me for my hardness of heart. Help me to worship You, in serving the people You love, that You bring before me, each day. Jesus, I worship You in this, Amen’
The Poor are Rich!
I do not usually use anyone else’s material, but these words leaped off that page at me.
A Trustworthy Name
I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. (Zephaniah 3:12)
When true religion is ready to die out among the wealthy it finds a home among the poor of this world, rich in faith.
The Lord has even now His faithful remnant. Am I one of them?
Perhaps it is because men are afflicted and poor that they learn to trust in the name of the Lord.
He that hath no money must try what he can do on trust. He whose own name is good for nothing in his own esteem, acts wisely to rest in another name, even that best of names, the name of Jehovah. God wilt always have a trusting people, and these will be an afflicted and poor people. Little as the world thinks of them, their being left in the midst of a nation is the channel of untold blessings to it. Here we have the conserving salt which keeps in check the corruption which is in the world through lust.
Again the question comes home to each one of us. Am I one of them? Am I afflicted by the sin within me and around me? Am I poor in spirit, poor spiritually in my own judgment? Do I trust in the Lord? This is the main business. Jesus reveals the name, the character, the person of God; am I trusting in Him? If so, I am left in this world for a purpose. Lord, help me to fulfill it. Wood John http://jesusprayergroups.webs.com/
As I read this quote today, it provoked me to thinking…
I thought of people who’s walk with the Lord I admire, and I think of God’s servant Heidi Baker, when she had completed her Phd in systematic theology, and God told her and Rolland, to “Go to Mozambique, and sit with the poor, and learn about my kingdom’.
I think Jesus, the great king, is also the greatest of servants and loves to use, poor, broken people, to teach us about Him. He is love, He is mercy, and He is humble.
In all my study, and depths of prayer and soul searching, I see the needs of this broken world, and am reminded that His love, His power, His grace are sufficient, but if I want to see it.
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Heaven is where the power of the Holy Spirit is authorized from. This is where the Father, receives our prayers through Jesus our high priest and answers in signs, wonders, and miracles…
How I long to see the power of God in the earth, healing the sick, mending shattered lives, hearts, dreams.
Yet, the kingdom of heaven is for those who are poor in spirit, yet rich in faith.
Today, I see tremendous things occurring in his kingdom and I have the privilege to be part of some of them. Yet, in my own life and family, I need some miracles….
If you are truthful with Him, so do you…
For these, let us come together before Him, and humbly ask:
“Father, I need you. Your power, Your provision, Your grace, Your wisdom, Your understanding, Your insight into my life, that I might walk before You, pure, and able to be some sort of solution to this broken hurting world. Jesus, though You have gifted me greatly, I, just like the poorest of the poor, see my great need of You. Meet with me today, and do what only You can do.’
Corners…
Corners…
Lev 19:9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.
10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God.
Truth is, we need to care for the poor, and not be so tight with our stuff that the homeless, the orphan, the broken cannot survive. We are supposed to love like Jesus…
Seems to work in ministry too. As God raises us up into mighty harvesting works in the earth, let us not forget the suffering sacrificial shepherds who minister to the one or two or few, that we honestly do not have time for. I think of the lonely servants of the Lord who work in elderly care facilities, mentally and physically handicapped facility with special needs folks, who gently love deeply God’s children, unnoticed, and unrecognized in the eyes of many people. Yet, never out of the intense gaze and love of Jesus…those of whom the world is not worthy.
I heard a wise minister once say: If you want to increase the size of your fields, if you want to prosper God’s way, first increase the size of your corners….
Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.
Have you ever considered this thought: ‘Eternity is real. In light of eternity, have you considered that sacrificially loving people that society deems useless, makes headlines in heaven, and brings much glory to Jesus – for God is love!”
Lets lift up a cry for the corners:
“Father, in all the sowing, reaping, work, harvesting, in life, ministry, business, and family, I determine to be generous with those less fortunate than me. May I make my corners large, that I might be like Job 29:12 Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. Pappa God, I lift up my voice for your sacrificial servants today, those caregivers who faithfully love and tend to your broken, battered and bruised today, often far from the public eye, yet making headlines in heaven. Meet with them today. Encourage, supply, support, bless, and radically love on them today, for your name and the sake of your glory, Amen”
The Sin of Sodom
The Sin of Sodom
Ezekial 16:49 “‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.
I’m sure I could create a long devotion, on the sin of Sodom, their wickedness, and many have used the destruction of Sodom, as a text for preaching against homosexuality. I understand how the gay predators tried to rape the angelic strangers that visited Lot’s house, as the traditional interpretation of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Homosexuality is wrong, as is any sex outside of a marriage covenant in the eyes of God, but look at this verse, tucked away in the book of Ezekiel.
The real sins of Sodom mentioned here are:
1. Pride and arrogance.
2. Gluttony, and being overfed.
3. Unconcern for the help of the poor and the needy.
Let’s Look at these some:
Pride: Holman’s Bible dictionary has a long definition: http://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/hbd/view.cgi?number=T5098
Yet, I have a very simply one: Pride is simply having a better idea than God, in any area of life.
casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Any time, any where, any person has thoughts opposed to the word of God, they are in pride. They may be sincere, yet in God’s eyes, they are sincerely wrong. Someone might not have their chest puffed up, or be walking in arrogance of way, yet be proud nonetheless, in that they are doing their own thing, not God’s.
This past couple of years has been interesting for me and my family, as we went from a comfortable income, able to go and eat whatever we wanted, to no income, having to eat at food banks, to finally turning my truck back into the bank, and then our house as we went through foreclosure.There has been a wonderful walk of discovery from what is truly a need or merely a want. Things that I had taken for granted, when removed, become prayer points, where I discover where my heart has really been at.
Learning to survive for weeks, without a dime in our pocket, no vehicle, eating at food banks, has quite honestly changed me, and made me a far better human being, far more accepting, willing to help, non-judgemental, and grateful for the little things in life. Now, I am able to simple see and listen to the poor of this nation, and learn many things, that I could never have heard before.
I remember hearing the story of Heidi Baker, after receiving her PHD from seminary, asking Jesus what He would have her do, and receiving the instruction to go to Mozambique with her husband, with nothing but faith in God, and to ‘sit with the poor and learn of my kingdom’
As I reach out internationally, to Christian brothers and sisters serving the Lord who honestly have to trust the Lord not only for their next meal, but in many cases, the meals of those orphans that have come to them for their daily sustenance, sacrificial living at a level that we here in America cannot comprehend, and as I cry out to God for our daily needs, I am acutely aware that the God I am praying to loves them, exactly as much as He loves me and my children. The nature of my prayers has radically changed. The old cliché’ is true: ‘You never truly discover that Jesus is all you need, until He is all that you have!’.
He can create a humble pathway of provision, that requires a radical, strict obedience, and I am convinced that He is doing exactly that in my life. I am a prosperity preacher! I honestly believe that one of the benefits of serving Jesus is financial prosperity:
3 John 1:2
King James Version (KJV)
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Yet, as I have walked this pathway of radical obedience, I have discovered that many, many things in my life were simply wants, soulical desires, that were often born in the world and this culture, not birthed in the fire of the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God.
Let’s talk about a couple of these:
Fitness: I love to stay in shape. My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and I like to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. To do this, used to live P90X, for those of you who know what that is. This involved 6-10 work-outs/week, a structured diet, many protein and body-building supplements, and of course high dollar multivitamins. These all cost money, usually around an extra $200-300/month, plus a gym membership fee. Money has been non-existant, and in many cases, so has food, any food, so work-outs have been in my make-shift gym in my back yard, 3-4 times/week, and then, and only then, when we actually have enough food in the house to justify it, because I have children to feed.
Coffee: I love me some good coffee. Yet, the days of exotic coffee’s have long gone, and I drink regular Folgers when we have been able. I can live with it, or without it.
Desserts: When we have ice-cream or some sweet for dessert or at a church function, I am simply grateful. I’m fighting for healthy meals for the family, simply putting decent calories on the table, with nutrition in them, sweets are low on the priority.
Pets: We have two dogs, a cat, a rabbit, and an aquarium. They eat well, but as I see orphans around the world starving, can I justify the expense of feeding pets, when I should be feeding people, starving children that honestly need food?
Entertainment: Used to hit the movies, and watch the latest and greatest flicks at the theater. Netflix, internet access, and movie nights have not been possible, which has led to family time together where we actually talk to each other, read the Bible, have tickle fights, and love on one another. A walk by the river, and building sandcastles is free, yet builds memories for a lifetime. We still hit movies at the dollar theater as we are able, but my appetites have changed. We enjoy the things of God far more now, because Jesus draws close to us there, as we have drawn close to Him.
Vehicle: For many years, we have had two vehicles. For over a year, we had none. We walked each day to the library for internet and home school, and viola, accomplish a fitness activity, and often skip and sing our way here, laughing as we go. I have believed God for another reliable vehicle, and He has surely heard and answered that prayer, but know this: I will be far more grateful to Him, and far more sensitive to driving others around, for I know intimately what it is like to walk by faith. (He has answered, providing for us a 1998 jeep Cherokee, for which I am very grateful)
Utilities: Never been without them before. Over the past year and a half, we have been without water, gas, and electric for several extended periods of time. Nothing like dark nights, cold showers, or hauling water to simple flush the toilet to make you appreciate services that up until now, I have simply taken for granted. After we moved from our home in November, we have lived with friends, learning that there are radically different ways to do family life than we knew, and we have learned much from each family home we have stayed in. As we travelled to Indian reservations, and spent time with natives, we discovered many have no heat, nor running water, in often extreme climates, yet they are a resilient people, with a deep joy and peace, that has been a great example to us.
The sin of Sodom was in my face, for I now see how I have not only committed all of these three sins, but have lived in them for many years.
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
We cry out for revival, that we are willing to pay any price, yet the price God requires, is heart change.
There is financial prosperity in the kingdom of God,
2 Corinthians 8:9
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Jesus died upon the cross for our poverty, our sin, and our sickness.
Yet, during this season of my financial poverty, I am changing, where human eyes cannot see. Deep in my soul, I am prospering, and in my due season, wealth and riches shall again be my portion in life. Gratefully, humbly, in wisdom, will I again walk in the wealth of this world.
Why? Because I believe, no longer blindly, but because Jesus has spoken to me personally about my finances. One morning, in fervent prayer, He reminded me of who He is, King of the Universe, and He said: ‘Son, you cannot seek me the way you have these past years, and come away diminished!’
True faith always has a good report!
James 2:5
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
This season too, shall pass, and Jesus, my faithful Lord, shall again honor His Word in my life, and cause me to prosper, increase, and walk in wealth, for I have believed.
Ecclesiastes 3
3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
How about you?
I think in my testimonies I have discussed how gluttony has died its horrible death in my life, but let me talk about concern for the poor.
I have honestly not been able to give anything to the poor, despite the thousands of requests we receive for financial aid from those who read this blog. Not one goes by, unnoticed any more. I honestly fervently pray with compassion for every need, trusting Jesus to do what I personally cannot.
I have faced many days of trouble, and I need the Lord to deliver me as the days have come. Jesus said the poor you will always have with you. Consider them, love them, do not oppress them, and help wherever you can to alleviate human suffering.
Let’s pray:
‘Father, in every season of life, there are lessons to be learned. Help us to recognize the season You have us in, and to be content and faithful in it. May we be quick to learn the lessons we must learn, now, deep within our soul, that in the season of our promotion and favor, we remain humble, grateful, and fully dependent upon You Lord Jesus, Amen’
Rich in Faith
I am reposting this from a friend on my list, John Wood.
A Trustworthy Name
I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. (Zephaniah 3:12)
When true religion is ready to die out among the wealthy it finds a home among the poor of this world, rich in faith. The Lord has even now His faithful remnant. Am I one of them?
Perhaps it is because men are afflicted and poor that they learn to trust in the name of the Lord. He that hath no money must try what he can do on trust. He whose own name is good for nothing in his own esteem, acts wisely to rest in another name, even that best of names, the name of Jehovah. God wilt always have a trusting people, and these will be an afflicted and poor people. Little as the world thinks of them, their being left in the midst of a nation is the channel of untold blessings to it. Here we have the conserving salt which keeps in check the corruption which is in the world through lust.
Again the question comes home to each one of us. Am I one of them? Am I afflicted by the sin within me and around me? Am I poor in spirit, poor spiritually in my own judgment? Do I trust in the Lord? This is the main business. Jesus reveals the name, the character, the person of God; am I trusting in Him? If so, I am left in this world for a purpose. Lord, help me to fulfill it.
I do not usually use anyone elses material, but these words leaped off that page at me.
I thought of people who’s walk with the Lord, I admire and I think of God’s servant Heidi Baker, when she had completed her Phd in systematic theology, and God told her and Rolland, to “Go to Mozambique, and sit with the poor, and learn about my kingdom’.
I think Jesus, the great king, is also the greatest of servants, and loves to use, poor, broken people, to teach us about Him. He is love, He is mercy, and He is humble.
In all my study, and depths of prayer and soul searching, I see the needs of this broken world, and am reminded that His love, His power, His grace are sufficient, but if I want to see it.
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Heaven, is where the power of the Holy Spirit is authorized from. This is where the Father, receives our prayers through Jesus our high priest, and answers in signs, wonders, and miracles…
How I long to see the power of God in the earth, healing the sick, mending shattered lives, hearts, dreams.
Yet, the kingdom of heaven is for those who are poor in spirit, yet rich in faith.
Today, I see tremendous things occurring in his kingdom and I have a privilege to be part of some of them. Yet, in my own life and family, I need some miracles….
If you are truthful before Him, so do you…
For these, let us come together before Him, and humbly ask:
“Father, I need you. Your power, Your provision, Your grace, Your wisdom, Your understanding, Your insight into my life, that I might walk before You, pure, and able to be some sort of solution to this broken hurting world. Jesus, though You have gifted me greatly, I, just like the poorest of the poor, see my great need of You. Meet with me today, and do what only You can do.’
chrisaomministries 