Please forgive the interruption in our #youandGod study. My son-in-law lost his younger brother last week, and nothing was more important than to surround him with family, prayer, and hands-on love. Thank you for offering grace as our family pulled around each other in this hard time.
Yesterday an image stopped my world.
It was of two little boys, maybe 8 or 9. Terrorists had hung them by their shirts from a fence in an effort to use them as a shield.
My heart dropped.
Sank.
How is our world so evil that babies are terrorized?
And what in the world can we do about it?
I think this is the most exciting part of #youandGod.
The closer we walk with Him, our hearts begin to beat with God’s.
And His heart beats for the oppressed.
Psalms 106:3 – How blessed are those who keep justice, Who practice righteousness at all times!
Isaiah 1:17 – Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.
Psalms 33:5 – He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth
Proverbs 28:5 – Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the Lord understand completely.
I live halfway across the world.
I do not have access to those two beautiful little boys and even if I could board a plane right now those airways are shut down due to escalating violence.
But I can pray. Not just for those boys, but that the eyes of these men would be opened.
As you walk with God, He promises to lead you.
Not every assignment is going to be your assignment for you aren’t big enough in your own power to thwart every evil or to fix every wrong.
But what is God showing you right where you are?
Perhaps there’s a single mom in your neighborhood who needs a break.
Is there a child who needs a kind word?
Is God asking that your monetary blessings be spent on the eternal than on another material item?
I don’t know what your part is.
You see, that’s between you and God.
When you respond to your assignment, you aren’t just touching the lives of those involved.
You’re ministering to Jesus Himself.
“Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’
Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:37-40 (The MSG)
Suzie
Just you and God
Q: We often fear that if we will get burned out if we help others. Is that your fear? Why or why not?
Q: Describe a time that someone else ministered to you in a small way, but it had a big impact.
Q: Read Matthew 25:34-36. Jesus is describing the end times. What really matters to Jesus when it’s all said and done? Write down those things.
Q: How often do we focus on what we do wrong, or the rules we don’t keep, instead of loving and helping others? How would changing your focus affect your faith?
Q: Ask God to begin to show you your part. Write down one small baby step you can take today.
Suzie, I understand some of what you’re son-in-law is going through as I lost my younger brother 5 years ago after a 4 year battle with cancer. I went to GriefShare at our church and then lead it the last 4 years but I have had to step back from leading that as my own husbands has a cancer that is “smoldering” for the last 12 years. Soon it could turn to active and treatment to remission may work but only then. My own health has many chronic health issuses and the stress of lifting others up has put me down.
So I am learning how to rest in Him. I am learning to tell my small group I can’t lead any more I am too wore out. As they prayed for me God spoke through my co-leader to remind me, “I’m in a battle against Satan for my husbands sole!” So the 4 of them are walking along side of me and lifting my arms up so I can fight the fight through both the war on our bodies and the war in the here and now that we can’t see but God can.
Thank you Suzie and ladies for this study and blog has strengthen, encouraged me from my home as I can’t get out much these days. Keep up the good fight and I look forward to seeing where God is leading me in this “new season” of my life.
To think I almost let the enemy take away my internet. My step “keeping the internet on and connected to all”.
Beautiful Suzie ~ You never fail to inspire me. The encouragement that you give means so much to so many…..a wonderful reminder to follow His light and respond to the stars that he places on those He loves!
I’m sorry about your family’s loss. Glad you can come around each other. And I’m blessed by your message of changing the world. One life at a time.
Suzie, I just wanted to say I’m so sorry for your family’s loss and praying for you and your family! Love, Kim