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We are to have love and compassion upon those around us and treat them just
as we would like to be treated. We should never play favorites and treat
people differently according to how we perceive them, but rather we are to
treat all people with respect, love and dignity and show through our
actions Whom we belong to. Just as the Lord is no respecter of persons
and treats His creation equally, so should we who are His disciples and
followers. The Bible declares in Philippians 2:3-4 “Let nothing be done
through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for
his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Luke 6:30-32)
I hope today's message ministers to your heart to love and care for your
fellow man just as you would yourself and know that God will be well
pleased with how you interacted with others whom He has created.
ENTERTAINING THE STRANGER
It happened in a southern state. Eugene and Judy had eight kids ranging in
age from 5 to 15. They were a church going, loving family. Gene had worked
at a local lumber mill for years and when it folded he was left with doing
odd jobs for a living. One day he had a small job in town working on a car.
Judy on this day was doing the laundry when some church ladies dropped over
for a visit.
Their conversation was broken when Judy's oldest came into the house, “Mom,
there's a black man coming around to the back door. Says he's got to talk
to you.”
Immediately these church ladies warned, “Be careful. Don't have anything to
do with a man who's comin' begging! Now hear!”
At the back door stood the elderly black man with graying hair and soft,
warm eyes. “Ma'am, sorry to bother you, but my truck broke down and I'm
walking to town. I would appreciate it if you could give me some water and
just a bit of food if you could spare it.”
Judy was stunned...she found herself hesitant to do the right thing. She
had been influenced by the ladies. Instead of getting the water and food
she stood there. Eyes met and the old man waited a few seconds and then
silently he turned away. Judy felt ashamed as she went back to the table,
but worse was the condemning look from her oldest son.
Quickly she grabbed a pitcher of lemonade, some cookies, and ran out the
front door to find the old man on his knees with the children around him
listening as he was telling them a Bible story. She offered the cookies and
lemonade and told him to wait as she went back to prepare a sack lunch.
She returned, “I'm sorry about the way I acted.”
“That's all right...too many people are influenced by others. But unlike
some, you have overcome it and this speaks well for you.”
That night Gene had wonderful news! The car he had repaired belonged to a
man whose brother ran a repair garage and was looking for a mechanic. He
hired Gene on the spot!
Later, Judy told Gene about the events of the afternoon. When finished, he
asked, “Did you say this was an elderly black man? Kind looking eyes and
gray hair?” He jumped out of bed and went through his pockets until he
found a piece of folded paper which he handed to Judy and said, “I met
that man walking down the road when I came from town. He waved me over and
gave this to me. When I finished reading it, I looked up and he was gone,
just disappeared!”
Judy began to cry as she read the note: Do not forget to entertain
strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without
knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)
By R. Strand
Be encouraged to lead your life by example and treat all people equally
just as you would like for others to treat you.
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Matthew 5:7-9 Jesus declares “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall
obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
Luke 6:30-32 Jesus declares “Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of
him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that
men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them
which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.”
Psalm 86:15-17 “But Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and
gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. O turn unto me,
and have mercy upon me; give Thy strength unto thy servant, and save the
son of Thine handmaid. Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me
may see it, and be ashamed: because Thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and
comforted me.”
John 13:34-35 Jesus declares “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye
love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By
this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to
another.”
Today’s Selected Poem: JESUS AT THE DOOR
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem135.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: A REASON TO LIVE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony196.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
