Action Needed, Not Words

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Galatians 6:2 NIV

I'm back for now. I don't know for how long though since I try to share when God gives me something to share. I don't want to write just for the sake of writing. Today's verse the Lord brought to mind and it speaks to what has been going on for Judy and I the past three weeks.

The Lord has asked us to get in the trenches with people going through struggles and so it was time to walk the walk as they say. No more writing about Godly behavior, but instead getting in and helping friends when they need it most. It's easy to tell people that you love them and that you'll pray for them, but it's another thing to carve out time from your schedule to talk, listen and pray over someone that is hurting.

Later in Galatians 6 in verse 10 Paul tells us we are to especially love our fellow believers. "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." I believe the Lord wants us to help each other out so we can be better equipped to go out into the world and be a witness for Him. If we are so bogged down in our struggles we won't be of much use for the Kingdom.

The Lord has really worked me over recently about agape love. This is that unconditional I'll love you at any cost no matter what you're going through kind of love. He helped bring me to that point by working me through the judgmental side that I displayed a few years ago. I had a real struggle being compassionate for someone going through something that wasn't an issue for me.

God and His marvelous Word helped get me aligned and He used some prior ministry experiences to mold and equip me. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35. When Jesus talks, I listen.

I am a strong believer in Christian fellowship and having mentors that can help you individually or as a couple. God has blessed Judy and I with people that we can call upon in a moment's notice for help or prayer or just to listen. We in turn endeavor to pay it forward using the skills the Lord has equipped us with.

What has the Lord equipped you with that might be of use to fellow believers? Maybe it's a circumstance that you have gone through that you might now be able to help someone else with. Are you actively looking to build relationships with other Christians that will sharpen you? Are your eyes open to the people around you to notice if they maybe going through tough times and you might have something to offer?

I can tell you firsthand the feeling you get from helping others in a time of need is oh so gratifying and you never know when you might need the help of others. That doesn't mean we keep score when we help others, but instead we let God do that and He will bring the help we need when we need it.

Who Said Becoming Like Jesus Is Easy?

"But go and learn what this means: 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Matthew 9:13 NASB

I finally made it. My one year Bible reading plan has brought me to the New Testament and I get to hear from the words of Jesus. Now, I'm the first one to admit that I have a hard time understanding the words of Jesus. I know, he spoke in parables to make so the people could grab onto his messages easier, but the more I read the words of Jesus the more I discover that people don't talk like Jesus. Not then and not today.

Now I've read through the Bible several times in different translations, but I probably have an easier time in the Old Testament than I do understanding what Jesus means when He says the things He does. Jesus says things that seem so upside down to our thinking. "Those who are last wil be first." Huh? "Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead." That doesn't sound too caring.

And then there is all the Kingdom of God is like .................. It can be anything from a mustard seed to leaven to a dragnet. I don't even know what mustard seed, leaven and a dragnet (a TV show right?) are. All this being said, I am studying Jesus' words very closely and I read through the Gospels this fall. The verse above is an example of something I have noticed this time around.

In a space of six chapters, Jesus mentions the word compassion. He not only talks about compassion, He felt it and lived it. His examples included having compassion for the sinners, the hungry and the lost. I don't know why God wanted me to catch this in Matthew this time around.

I do know there was a period in my life that I was lacking compassion for people. If I wasn't experiencing a certain problem or issue in my life, then I didn't feel too badly for those that did. If I was going to walk like Christ and become like Him, God did some quick work with me on that one. For one, God has allowed some trial in my life that have opened my eyes to those hurting.

He has taught me what it means to empathize with someone and not just feel sorry for them. Jesus felt compassion for those that were hurting, but He didn't just leave it with His feelings. He did things. Like not send the 5000 away hungry after hearing His message. He fed them. With just two fish and five loaves of bread.

Notice in the verse above Jesus says to go and learn compassion. It isn't something that comes naturally to us in our flesh. We need to experience people and be in relation with them. I have also found that we won't personally experience everything or every situation just so we can have compassion for people. I have never gone hungry or been homeless or had cancer, but I know people who have and it's my place to see where I can meet a need when God puts someone in my path that is experiencing life struggles.

Jesus never "turned the other cheek" when it came to helping people. He had compassion and mercy and He didn't just offer prayer when they could use a meal instead.

How's your compassion meter running? Do you live in such a bubble that you have a hard time reaching out to others or even thinking about others? Are you afraid of the commitment of reaching out to someone that is hurting and it might take a lot of your time? I challenge you to look for ways to be compassionate. Sometimes it may as easy a hug for someone or to stop and pray.

God will be glad you did and so will you.