I’ve just been going over the verses set for reading and meditation for the last few days. Upon reflection, I think it’s important to understand, that to help, to care and to carry our brothers and sisters; we must first ensure that we are continuously striving towards improving our own spiritual health – to be strong, in God’s love, through His grace.
Pause for a moment, and reflect on some of the verses from Hebrews 12:14-29 (NLT): “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Make sure that no one is immoral or godless …
… you have come to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance …
Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.
Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire.”
Sometimes, I feel, that we loose sight of the fantastic awesomeness of God – to think, that a day will come when all of creation will be shaken and removed. A thought, which is hard to comprehend – but that day will come!
The other verses worthy of reflection, come from the next Chapter of Hebrews (13:1-29, NLT): “Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.
Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery. Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them. … Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.
Now may the God of peace – who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood – may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”
Did you see – that the strength required to carry our brothers and sisters comes from God’s grace – not from us?
Consequently, when you meditate on the above verses – we can hear the echo of God’s Word in Selwyn’s conclusion: “Yes, caring is carrying. Look around and you will see that some of your brothers and sisters are hurt and wounded. Remember, they are part of your family – the family of God. Your Father wants you to reach out to them with help. He provides you with special power for the task. … Caring is carrying – the brother or sister you are caring for is a burden God will help you to carry.”
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Happy Birthday for ‘A light inside’ 🙂