Addressing Health

Addressing Health

Exodus 23: ²⁵ “So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. ²⁶ No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.

 

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GOD continues to remind Moses about HIS conversation concerning health.

 

My Observations:

• GOD told humans to be fruitful and multiply, so HE promised that HE would take away sickness.
• GOD knew HE would provide a Savior that would be born of a human, so HE would take away miscarriages to fulfill HIS prophecy.
• GOD promised to give an abundant life to those who served the LORD.

 

Serving GOD comes with benefits. HE will bless the food we eat, take away sickness and make us able to be fruitful and multiply. Unfortunately, the children of Israel quickly turned from GOD and we have done the same.

 

Sickness happens and so does miscarriages. People die without having an abundant life. GOD knows what it takes to gain health and HIS protection from ourselves. Satan’s attempt to become GOD by making humans fall into sin would fail if we would just keep GOD’s commands. But it’s hard to do so with a natural desire to go against HIS will.

 

GOD provided comforting words that enable us to get back into alignment with HIM. HE wants us to have food, health, things that flourish and abundant life. Serving GOD means surrendering our thoughts of success and following what HE says would make us successful. HE wants you and me to succeed.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS promises of health?
• Are you serving the LORD to get something from HIM or because you love HIM and HE loves you?
• Have you tried serving GOD with all your heart and not wanting anything in return?

Hold That Thought

Hold That Thought

James 1: ²⁶ Do any of you think you are religious? If you do not control your tongue, your religion is worthless and you deceive yourself. ²⁷ What God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world.

 

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Staying awake one night, I thought of ways to argue over scripture. I had taken classes at a locally famous bible institute and wanted to show what “I” knew. We went back and forth over who was “right.” Looking back on the argument, I cannot even remember the conclusion.

 

• Our argument had no “winner.”
• No one was helped, yet I spent a lot of time getting my argument ready.
• Being legally right was my goal.

 

James attempted to address a huge issue, namely religious arrogance. Religious arguments were probably the cause of people trying to out-say one another or to look good in front of each other. He then gives alternatives that were hard to address, but much needed.

 

My Observations:

• Looking good in front of people can lead to my downfall with GOD.
• Spending time sounding religious without actions is worthless to GOD.
• Taking care of orphans and widows in their suffering is pleasing to GOD.

 

Thinking of ways to look good by spouting out scripture or quoting some famous person can sometimes show my insecurity. I mean, I am basically saying, “Don’t look at me, but listen to me as I say someone else’s words.” This habit can eventually become worthless. BUT GOD has another way.

 

Serve suffering people. James gives some examples, but they are not the only list. Serving family, friends and neighbors who are suffering would also please GOD. But it does not mean I should not seek orphans and widows who need help. GOD sees the heart and looking good in front of HIM is what is important. I am glad HE gives me plenty to “do.”

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer use the question “Do any of you think you are religious?”
• Be honest, have you ever felt you were superior to someone by what you say?
• Will you seek looking good in front of GOD, even when humans may not give you credit, by doing what HE wants you to do and serve who HE wants you to serve today?

Help Where Possible

Help Where Possible

1 Timothy 5: ³ Show respect for widows who really are all alone. ⁴ But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should learn first to carry out their religious duties toward their own family and in this way repay their parents and grandparents, because that is what pleases God. ⁵ A widow who is all alone, with no one to take care of her, has placed her hope in God and continues to pray and ask him for his help night and day. ⁶ But a widow who gives herself to pleasure has already died, even though she lives. ⁷ Give them these instructions, so that no one will find fault with them. ⁸ But if any do not take care of their relatives, especially the members of their own family, they have denied the faith and are worse than an unbeliever.

 

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My phone call list had grown longer and longer. Uncles and adopted fathers had passed away and all I could do was say hello every now and then. It felt overwhelming at times because life kept happening to me as well. But when I did call, it was a welcome conversation.

 

• I could not do more than reach out.
• When I finished the conversation, it did not seem like that much time had passed.
• This passage is a reminder to reach out to some people.

 

Paul speaks about taking care of widows. He tells Timothy that the primary responsibility is for the children and grandchildren to take care of widows. But those who are alone, help where possible. Paul gives a sharp rebuke to those who are not actively praying for or encouraging their family.

 

My Observations

• When GOD said “The harvest is plenty, but the laborers are few” I believe HE also includes service to widows.
• Widows have a special place in GOD’s heart.
• Reaching out to a widow may be all I can handle when life is happening to me.

 

It really does take a village. I mean, I can try to solve and resolve all of life’s issues faced by those who are alone, grieving and bereaved. But when I look at the ocean of need, I get overwhelmed. BUT GOD has a remedy. Take it in small steps.

 

GOD wants me to reach out to at least one person who is a widow to bring a smile to that person’s face. HE wants me to make room in my schedule to at least say “Hello.” If I can do more, then great, if not, then GOD understands. I am glad prayer, encouragement and honor can be given to those in need.

 

Challenge

• Who has what responsibilities according to the writer?
• Do you know a widow who could use a phone call from you today?
• Will you reach out to a widow to check in and see how she is doing and pray for those who you cannot reach out to today?

Pseudo Parent

Pseudo Parent

2 Corinthians 12: ¹⁴ This is now the third time that I am ready to come to visit you—and I will not make any demands on you. It is you I want, not your money. After all, children should not have to provide for their parents, but parents should provide for their children. ¹⁵ I will be glad to spend all I have, and myself as well, in order to help you. Will you love me less because I love you so much?

 

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“Come in and have some dinner” were the words I delighted ti hear. Many households invited me in to eat with them in the community I grew up. What was it about these people who took time out of their busy lives to help us kids? They did it from their heart.

 

• I was blessed to have many pseudo parents who cared for me.
• I was blessed to be watched over by those who had hearts large enough to care for others.
• I was blessed to have so many people who would take me places, feed me, and mostly teach me how to grow up.

 

Pau was about to visit. He explained that he was not coming there for their money. This may have been a selfish concern on their part that he wanted to ease. Instead, he was being a pseudo parent and wanted to show his love.

 

My Observations

• GOD doesn’t mind if I remain a child.
• GOD wants me to grow up to love others the way I can.
• GOD wants me to understand the purpose of having the HOLY SPIRIT live inside me is to stretch my heart to fit others.

 

When life is all about me, my words sound different. I mean, I have more complaints than solutions when I am a child. BUT GOD wants me to grow up and point others to HIM as the only solution to life’s problems.

 

HE allows fiery trials in my life to burn away the things that do not belong. HE then opens my eyes to other people HE wants me to reach. HE provides enough for me and her or him as I encounter each person. I am glad I have had great parents and pseudo parents to grow me in many ways.

 

Challenge

• Do you feel the care of the writer?
• Have you ever been tempted to speak about GOD only for money?
• Will you allow the HOLY SPIRIT to stretch your heart to fit other people and serve them so they can believe in JESUS in a saving way today?

Hard Work

Hard Work

Acts 20: ³² “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. ³³ I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. ³⁴ You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. ³⁵ In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

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After staying up all night many nights, I finally finished parts of the project that were difficult to complete. The hard work was done. When the project debuted, it was a huge success. Everyone at the convention came to see the shiny new thing. But when approached to feed the homeless I said, “I’m too busy.”

• There were many times when I was willing to work hard for money.
• There were many times when I was willing to receive accolades for projects to make others rich.
• There were many times when I was willing to exhaust myself over pleasing the very wealthy.

Paul was about to reach the conclusion of his plea to the leaders who came to visit him. He committed them to GOD and then told them about his views on serving and money. He let them know he did not desire their money or clothes rather he wanted to serve the weak by hard work.

• GOD wants me to remember the poor and those who are weak.
• GOD wants me to seek those who have fallen on hard times.
• GOD wants me to work hard so I can give to those who are in need.

Remembering those who are in need takes work. I mean, it is easy to work hard for the rich to become rich. BUT GOD wants me to remember why I work hard. HE wants me to remember those who are in need and will remain in need. HE wants me to see people with compassion versus being a problem. I am grateful GOD chose me to be a laborer for HIM.

• Are you working hard?
• Do you come home exhausted, never once thinking of someone in need?
• Will you reserve a small amount of time to think of at least one person who needs something from you today so GOD can be shown through your actions?

Hesitance

Hesitance

Acts 9: ¹³ Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children^[c] of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

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“Come serve with me in a country in Africa” was the challenge posed to me. The image that popped in my mind was a starving baby with flies circling, for that was the primary image chosen from the country I lived in.

I hesitated in my response. “Get up and go” was the overwhelming feeling inside me. Family added to the fear with questions about the unknown. When I arrived in the country for the missions trip, it was a booming metropolis with skyscrapers and fast food joints. What was I worried about?

• There were times when the situation made me hesitate on my decision.
• There were times when the unknown made me think twice about doing what I was called to do.
• There were times when the circumstance seemed dismal and made me stop and think “should I do this?”

Ananias seemed hesitant in going to Saul. Whether it was his own safety or the fact that he was serving a known killer, he questioned the calling. BUT GOD confirmed the mission.

• GOD wants me to trust in HIS plan regardless of the circumstance.
• GOD wants me to believe HE has a larger picture than the one I can see.
• GOD wants me to obey HIS calling even though I may have questions.

“Are YOU sure?” is a question that pops in my head sometimes when I hear from GOD. I mean, usually the question comes because I am asked to do something beyond what I thought I should be doing.

GOD’s power is endless and mine is nothing. GOD wants me to believe in HIS power, protection and provision whenever HE calls me to serve HIM. I am grateful HE calls me.

• Are you being called and are hesitant?
• Does the circumstance seem dismal, yet GOD wants you to serve HIM anyway?
• Will you accept HIS calling and obey the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT today?

Simple Example

Simple Example

John 13: ¹² So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? ¹³ You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. ¹⁶ Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. ¹⁷ If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

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There was something different about this particular leader that I liked. I could not pick out one thing that set this person apart. When I arrived to work, there the person was, greeting me. When I had an issue with something, there the person was to listen. I saw the person making coffee for everyone. The list went on. I wanted to be like that person.

• Some people have impressed me with the way they acted.
• Some people have shown me what true leadership looked like.
• Some people have served me even though I was supposed to be the servant.

JESUS makes HIS actions clear by explaining the foot washing. HE wanted the disciples to understand that it does not take elaborate measures to serve GOD. HE gave them a simple example of serving one another so they would go out and do the same.

• GOD wants me to serve people.
• GOD wants me to reduce how I think about myself and increase servanthood to others.
• GOD wants me to see people as opportunities, not projects or problems.

GOD, with HIS infinite power and wisdom, decided to step off the high throne to wash HIS creation’s feet. HE did not find this as humiliating, rather a prize to be had. HE gets excited about serving me and doe so every day. HE gets more excited when I follow HIS example. I am glad to follow HIS teaching.

• Do you get angry at others quickly?
• Do you feel certain people do not deserve to be served?
• Do you think in order to serve GOD, it has to be something hard or exhausting to do?
• Will you look at JESUS’s example and be simple about serving others today?