Serving the Needy and Yourself – God’s Way

“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: orphans and widows in their trouble…” (James 1:27, NKJV). “Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless in their Plight…” (James 1:27. MSG). I have a Passion for God. I have a Passion with Christ. And, I have a passion to help others. Yet, like many Christians and Churches, we often have a difficult time Applying what the Apostle James (The half-Brother of Jesus) wrote in the above Bible verse. There is one particular great need) and responsibility given also by Jesus Christ) to all Christians that is not being well done today enough. Namely, to “Go out” (John 14:31). And, what does this mean in regard to what James is teaching? We believe it is vital to the survival of the Christian Church! In our belief, it means also, that there is for those of us who are not physically ill or disabled much that it is up to us who are physically healthy (And Spiritually) to go out and take the Gospel with BOTH Word and deed. There are so many really sick, elderly and homeless within our local communities who want and need Christian workers to come to them and hear about Christ. And, for them to hear, they must be physically approached and shown physical love for their needs as well as to tell them the Good News. We Christians (And I include myself) MUST not only go to a Church meeting, Bible study, etc. just for our own help. We MUST also” Go Out and try to reach everyone within our local (And Worldwide) community. We must begin to Knock on doors and ask the people IF they want or need help of ANY kind and not just begin to talk religion. Then, no matter if they accept or decline our helps, we have done what our Lord Jesus wants (Read Romans 5:6-8 on Salvation). Some Christians do this, but fail to give that Physical offering of help. Some go and preach or talk, but fail to Give any real Physical help. Possibly, because of some fear of sacrificing their time or money or self or maybe just being fearful of rejection or legal problems or persecution or other like fears. But, remember God says, “Do Not Fear” because He is with you! These fears we have are not good excuses. They are, in fact, contrary to the Will of God and do not please Him. For example, one of the experiences I remember vividly is when once our Church members went out and rang door bells and knocked on doors of people near our city Church area. I remember one man we met who answered the door and we began introducing ourselves as Christians. He began to cry! He explained that his Wife of many years had recently died and he was a Widower and disabled, unable to do the bills or get other things done. So we got him in touch with Christian people in our Church and they came over and began to help him. And, my question is, how would God have ever been able to help the man and be Glorified had we never gone out? The Church of Christ is His body and we are its members (Hands and feet, etc.). We did not only preach with words, but we took ACTION. And, this is what James was also trying to teach about our Lord’s command to us. So, GO out and try to help our sick and those in their “Plight”. Many suffering people are right next door as your neighbors or homeless on the streets. Keep expanding out from your own Family to the people near you. Give some time and Physical Help to the people next door, on the next street, on the next block. And then, just keep on Going outward in circles of Love in doing good for God. Then, you will receive blessings from God and probably more than the people you help. God will be very pleased and Glorified even more. Join with some other Christians, co-operate and work together with them (Young and Old and Ill) and YOU will be surprised, despite the difficulties or rejections, that YOU will be happier even if the people you try to help do not respond to Christ yet (Remember, they will later!)

“You also be ready…” (Luke 12:40).

“A Christian worker’s greatest need is a readiness to face Jesus Christ at any and every turn. This is not easy, no matter what our experience has been. The battle is not against sin, difficulties or circumstances, but against being so absorbed in our service to Jesus Christ that we are not ready to face Jesus Himself at every turn. The greatest need is not facing our beliefs or doctrines, or even facing the question of whether or not we are of any use to Him, but the need is to face Him. Jesus rarely comes where we expect Him, He appears where we least expect Him, and always in the most illogical situations. The only way a servant can remain true to God is to be ready for the Lord’s surprise visits. This readiness will not be brought about by service, but through intense spiritual reality, expecting Jesus Christ at every turn. This sense of expectation will give our life the attitude of childlike wonder He wants it to have. If we are going to be ready for Jesus Christ, we have to stop being religious. In other words, we must stop using religion as if it were some kind of lofty lifestyle-we must be spiritually real. If you are avoiding the call of the religious thinking of today’s world, and instead are “looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2), setting your heart on what He wants, and thinking His thoughts, you will be considered impractical and a daydreamer. But when He suddenly appears in the work of the heat of the day, you will be the only one who is ready. You should trust no one, and even ignore the finest saint on earth if he blocks your sight of Jesus Christ.” (Oswald Chambers).