ODJ: cause celebs
If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and He will repay you! (Proverbs 19:17).
READ: Romans 12:9-18
A majority of today’s celebrities have a cause. Whether it’s cancer research, animal rights, human rights, global warming, or a myriad of other charitable undertakings, countless high-profile actors and professional athletes have sought to use their platform of popularity to evoke change.
Instead of considering the impetus behind these stars’ good deeds, however, let’s look at our motivation and the reasons we may not be personally involved in serving others. With that in mind, how much are you like Job (chapter 29:11-17) who:
•
Assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who
required help?
• Caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy?
• Wept for those in trouble, and grieved for the needy?
• Served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame?
• Was a father to the poor and assisted strangers?
In contrast, how much do you epitomize Jerusalem’s “younger sister” Sodom (Ezekiel 16:49-50) who:
•
Was arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned?
• Did not help the poor and needy who suffered right
outside her door?
•
Was haughty and did detestable things before God?
Now consider these ways to love others as Jesus loves:
• Be genuine in loving and honoring other people
(Romans 12:9-10).
• Be hospitable and humbly enjoy ordinary people (vv.13,16).
• Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn (v.15).
Our motivation to do good works should flow from our love for God. Today, ask Him to align your heart with empathy and compassion and to propel you into a life of sacrificial and deeply fulfilling devotion to Him and to others.
—Roxanne Robbins
Ask God to align your heart with empathy and compassion. What prevents you from reaching out to others with God’s love?
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Loading ...ODB: pure milk
March 21, 2010
READ: Acts 15:1-11,19-21
As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby. —1 Peter 2:2
Recently it was discovered that some milk producers in China had been diluting cow’s milk and adding the industrial chemical Melamine. This chemical was added because it artificially enhanced protein readings. Several infants died and others became seriously ill. Such adulteration is not new. Other countries have been adding Melamine to animal feed for at least 40 years for the same purpose, resulting in the death of animals.
Another kind of adulteration is when people add to God’s Word, “the pure milk of the Word” as Peter described it (1 Peter 2:2). The word pure means “unadulterated” or “uncontaminated.” The early church had to deal with those who considered circumcision necessary for salvation (Acts 15:1). That idea was rejected because it was not in accordance with the Word of God, which says that salvation is by grace alone. Peter encouraged his brethren in the Lord: “Why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples? . . . We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved” (Acts 15:10-11).
Examine carefully any teaching that asks you to do anything more than what is in God’s Word. Otherwise it can be deadly to your spiritual well-being. — C. P. Hia
God’s Word needs no additions or subtractions.
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