The Good Samaritan

When Sympathy Isn't Enough
Sometimes, prayer and kind words alone don't cut it. We need to get our hands dirty to help others.
By Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson

After completing my morning devotionals, I hopped on the computer this morning to find this quote with a short story attached to it, delivered to my inbox yesterday, but never opened. Reading the quote and story made me think about what we'd spoken about just the other day - good works getting us into heaven.
This reiterated the need for action on behalf of others by Christians. The beliefnet.com passage was quoted out of Romans, I believe, but I think maybe this brings us back to our early Sunday School teachings: The parable of the Good Samaritan.
If we, as professed Christians,see someone in need and quote Bibical platitudes, but travel on, our faith means nothing... it is empty.
Works and faith are so intrically intertwined that seeing someone in need, demands action.
Our faith calls us to action on behalf of others. Little things like stooping to pick something up for an elderly person, or visiting someone in mourning can mean the world to them.
Many clinics, food kitchens, shelters, etc. need volunteers to cut grass, man phones, check in patients, feed the hungry in YOUR area. Will you respond today? Make it a family affair. Let your children develop the sense of giving early and role model for them. We've volunteered many places as a family.The gift you give will be received with such joyous graciousness, it will make your soul sing!

Our Cross To Bear

Our Cross-To Bear

Remember, you are only an instrument.Not yours to decide how or when or where you act.I plan all that. Make yourself very fit to do my work.All that hinders you must be cured.
~A.J. Russell in GOD CALLING

I was reminded this morning while reading my devotionals that each one of us was commanded to pick up the cross and follow Christ.
Each one of us, in our own way, has our own cross to bear in life. It may be many things – but one thing is clear: The burdens we endure are all for naught.
Perhaps our biggest burden is one of conscience – we are unable to do as instructed – to leave all of our burdens at the foot of his cross.
What does it take to be able to follow – wholly – his commandments to let his love and wisdom shine through and guide each moment of our lives? Submission; the realization that we cannot bear our burdens alone; a complete loss of self in decision making.
Every day we make decisions based upon what we think is right – without taking it to Christ. Oddly enough, we then expect God’s approval on our decisions.
This Easter season, my challenge is clear: to honor Christ’s sacrifice by trusting in him fully and leaving all of my burdens at the foot of his cross once and for all.

Hands in Praise

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through
faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by
works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created
in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us
to do.”
Ephesians 2:8-10

A controversy still brews over Christians and good works. Will good works get you into
heaven? NO. style="font-weight:bold;">
Ephesians 2:1-10 states outright that doing good deeds will not give you redemption for your transgressions. Only God’s grace is capable of giving you pardon and once that pardon is received, no amount of good deeds can keep you in God’s favor.
Why then do so many Christians do good deeds? Why the mission trips, the teaching in local Sunday School classes, small deeds such as taking an elderly neighbor her paper in the morning or stopping to help a stranded traveler?
If done as an out growth of our faith, these deeds come easily and naturally each day
of our lives; without fanfare, without reward, these are the tasks which bring joy. To the outside world in today’s society, many think it pointless to go out of their way for a stranger – sometimes even for family members, but this is a direct accusation of their character.
Good deeds preformed by our hands are our
daily praise to Our Father. With our hands, we worship him through our
deeds.