Good morning,
Again, this morning I was reminded how fortunate I am. God has given me blessings upon blessings. He has done the same for you. Each of us has a roof over our heads, food to eat, and clothing to wear.
Others in our community are not so fortunate. They struggle each day for a warm meal, warm place to sit for a few hours, and are in need of warm clothing.
We sometimes try to avoid this segment of our population because they are not like us. They are different. Maybe they are homeless, not working, are mentally challenged.
THEY ARE A SOUL FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED!
That statement changes everything. If we believe that, it changes the way we see other people who are not like us. We should have compassion as opposed to disgust, mercy instead of ridicule, grace instead of condemnation.
As I was leaving Starbucks this morning, a gentleman asked if I could spare a dollar for a meal. I took him back into Starbucks and bought him breakfast.
“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9)
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:16-18)
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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