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| Jesus GAVE His All! |
That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving and tell of all thy wondrous works. Psalms 26:7 KJV
Luke 6:35-36~ 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. KJV
This whole chapter was dedicated on how to give, and in these two verses Jesus focuses on giving not just to those who love us, but also to those who might hate us, curse us, despise us, or persecute us. I didn't say that ~ I just shared what JESUS said. And He must have thought it important enough to have it recorded in His Word. His compassion and love for people is what brought Him to earth, and before He departed to Heaven, and he must have thought it was important enough for Him to teach on giving and prepare us all for how we should live as Christians when He left.
We have made it a practice in our home to help folks that we can help. We believe that every person in our path is a person we can reach with the Gospel, and Jesus confirms that here. Many times, they are a needy people, who just need a bite to eat or a tire on a car. We do not normally give money to anyone except through and by the Church. But we will take them to the store to buy groceries or to the gas pump to fill their car up. We will buy those diapers or pay for a prescription, but the money goes to the Church. We have kept people in hotels, and or given them a bed to sleep in in our own home. I don't say this bragging; this is the Lord guiding us daily to the ones who needs Him the most.
Godly giving is one that separates it from the common sorts of charity or giving. I mentioned in previous posts, that, people who are unsaved, are sometimes good people who give to charities - especially this time of the year. Giving in a good way, but not for long term effects. We are looking for a soul's destination affect. We want people to remember Jesus through our acts for Him. We could not do any of these things without His provision, and His provision many times comes from people like you, who believe in our mission work and give to us in financial, material, and prayer support. We want only to be your emissary, going where you cannot go, but you can send us. When we do anything to help others, you will gain the blessings and rewards as well as us. We should make every effort to reach everyone. Jesus loved us ALL! ". . . for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
My husband has gathered up an old drunk in his arms and led him to Jesus and if you knew his history you would understand why that was a miracle. We have reached that harlot who doesn't know where to turn, the teenager hurting from a bad home life, the drug addicts crying out for help, the sick, elderly, stranger in the grocery store, angry people who don't even know why they are angry. And many are changed after we share the Gospel, and they surrender their souls to God. This is what Jesus is talking about! YES, give of your wealth, but sometimes it is even more. And if you cannot give of yourself personally, help others who can and trust God to do His work through you.
This is Thanksgiving week, but we believe we get to have Thanksgiving week every week of the year. We are truly blessed to be used of God because of YOU and your giving to our ministry! Thank you to all the churches and people who believe in the work God has given us to do. Pray that He will continue to use us. GIVE even when it hurts! That is TRULY, "Grace Giving."
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