For the Neighbors

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.
Proverbs 3:27 NLT

God blesses us, and in fulfilling His Word that we are to be like Him, we should bless others. This Scripture is the same principle as in the Ten Commandments to love our neighbor. In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus clearly defines who is our neighbor in the parable of the Good Samaritan. 

I don't believe this is limited to our financial resources and blessings. I believe it includes our time, compassion, understanding, love...  If we have it, we should freely and lovingly give it. Just as God has done for us. 

Prayer:

Father,

           Please give us Your eyes to see the needs of others. Please give us Your heart so that we are quick to respond to those needs. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Through the Bible in a Year
Reading for January 18th
Genesis 37:1-38:30
Matthew 12:22-45
Psalm 16:1-11
Proverbs 3:27-32

Friends' Favorites - My Neighbor

He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”
   So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”
   And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
   But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”
   And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Luke 10:26-37 NKJV

We live in a time when knowing your neighbors - the ones on either side of your house - and knowing them well enough to lend or borrow a cup of sugar are seemingly things of the past. So, who IS my neighbor? What does it take to be one?

Mercy. Compassion. Born of God's love alive in us. When we see someone in need, are we moved with compassion to help meet their need? Do we dig down, find a way to contribute money or time? Will we inconvenience ourselves to help another?

By inconvenience, I'm not talking about taking food from our children's mouths. I mean would we forego one trip a month to Starbuck's and donate that $5 to an orphanage? Would we skip an hour or so of our latest streaming binge to visit someone who may need to know someone cares enough to come "out of their way"? Would we actually take the time to pray for the person on Facebook for which we just typed, "Praying"?

Or do we govern our lives by "my four and no more"? I believe Mr. Rogers (who was a minister) knew exactly what he was asking when he sang, "Won't you be my neighbor?"

[Jesus speaking], So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Prayer:

Father,
            Forgive us for all the times we never noticed the opportunity to be a neighbor. Open our eyes and our hearts to see and respond to "go and do likewise." In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Who Is My Neighbor

One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”
The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
"Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”
The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Luke 10:25-29 NLT

Hurricanes and flooding and other so-called natural disasters don't pick and choose which side of town to wipe out. Devastation has no economic or social barriers. It doesn't care who you voted for or what color your skin happens to be. In the moment, it is a great equalizer.

We all know the story of the Good Samaritan. Here in Texas, we're living it. People we don't know pitching in to help gut homes devastated by Harvey and haul trash to the curb.Why? Simply because we need their help. The kindnesses we've experienced personally and witnessed for others are both humbling and overwhelming. People connecting and helping each other, giving to one another, sharing whatever they have to share. People I know who have lost - out helping others who have also lost. Those who have not lost - out helping those who have. It's amazing. It doesn't matter who you are or where you live or whether or not Harvey took anything from you, neighbors are helping neighbors.

Verses 36-37, “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

Prayer:

Father,
Oh, how I pray this love for our neighbors will transcend Harvey, Irma, Jose, and Katia... and earthquakes and tsunamis! Lord, we are witnessing Your love poured out across (and in spite of) socio-economic-politico barriers. Help us to be ever mindful to Now go and do the same. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* My Neighbor

He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”

So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”

And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”

But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Luke 10:26-37 NKJV

We live in a time when knowing your neighbors - the ones on either side of your house - and knowing them well enough to lend or borrow a cup of sugar are seemingly things of the past. So, who IS my neighbor? What does it take to be one?

Mercy. Compassion. Born of God's love alive in us. When we see someone in need, are we moved with compassion to help meet their need? Do we dig down, find a way to contribute money or time? Will we inconvenience ourselves to help another? 

By inconvenience, I'm not talking about taking food from our children's mouths. I mean would we forego one trip a month to Starbuck's and donate that $5 to an orphanage? Would we skip an hour or so of a Netflix binge to visit someone who may need to know someone cares enough to come "out of their way"? Would we actually take the time to pray for the person on Facebook for which we just typed, "Praying"?

Or do we govern our lives by "my four and no more"? I believe Mr. Rogers (who was a minister) knew exactly what he was asking when he sang, "Won't you be my neighbor?"

[Jesus speaking], So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Prayer:

Father,

           Forgive us for all the times we never noticed the opportunity to be a neighbor. Open our eyes and our hearts to see and respond to "go and do likewise." In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen