Cindy at http://ioweitalltohim.blogspot.com/ is doing a linky with our favorite verse this Friday.(I am also participating in WOW-see sidebar) I think I will change this up a bit and share the verses which God is using this week in my life. It actually is 2 verses:
Is 58:10-11
10. if you pour yourself out for the
hungry
and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the
darkness
and your gloom be as the noonday.
11 And the Lord will guide you
continually
and satisfy your desire in scorched
places
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail
I just finished reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I want to search my life. I want to think about what it means to do what this verse 10 says--pouring yourself out for the hungry....the afflicted. It is a challenge. As I think about how most people in the world live (in much poverty) and as I think about how we are to love others the way Christ loves us, I am challenged to apply this verse 10. Already He has been providing extra money to give. But this verse goes way beyond this. I need to pray, seek, and do.
MY PRAYER for MYSELF: "O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
21 comments:
Oh, this is so moving. And I love how you said that you will search your life to see what you can do. It is amazing that when we put our questions forth, often the answers come from where we least expect them.
In addition to reading the verse, I REALLY love how you applied it to your own life and shared that with us.
Oh, I wanted to tell you that the link thing doesn't work until midnight tonight....I had gone to a meeting tonight, so that's why I put it on early...it just hasn't taken effect yet.
Blessings and hugs,
Cindy
On more thing, Kim,
I think it is really interesting that the Bible really does instruct us to feed the hungry and help others. It isn't really a choice, but a command...to me, that means that we all need to do our part to make a difference.
Hugs,
Cindy
Thank you SO much for sharing this.
Cindy, I agree it is a command--I think the thing that needs thinking on is how much and how far do we do this.
Stopping by from I Owe It All To Him. Very nice scriptures. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in my day to day activities that I forget there are people in need, hungry and suffering. Thanks for sharing.
This is great dear Kim. What a perfect addition to WOW. This is worship indeed as I've shared before. I love this Scripture. Isaiah is my favorite book in the Bible. This is the kind of fasting the Lord wants and is pleased with. As far as how much and how far we do this, well, it begins in the most difficult of all mission fields--our homes--then it flows out as His Spirit leads. I repeat, as His Spirit leads. With the desire in our heart (which HE puts there), He sees the willingness and He arranges what I call Divine encounters. During times like that, where I have been stirred up with His passion to reach out to the hungry and the hurting, I go out with purpose and intent looking for opportunities even in the grocery store. Sometimes we complicate things and God often simplifies. Sometimes even a smile has the power to lighten a heavy heart. I have been a witness to this watching a downcast face light up before my eyes in appreciation to my smile or simple thank-you. In a dark world where these things are now becoming rare, this is light and a fresh drink to someone who is thirsty. The opportunities are all around us.
I read the entire chapter which I have done many times but was led to today and remember, it does not mean we do it all at the same time and in the same ways (sharing our food with the hungry, giving shelter to the homeless, freeing the wrongly imprisoned, etc. What God is always looking for is the attitude of the heart. If this passion is in our hearts, then He leads with the specifics and the individual opportunitites to minister in so many different levels. The one that always convicts me here is "...and do not hide from relatives who need your help." Sigh...I rather feed a small country...see, that's the area God is perfecting in me and with a willing heart He can do wonders.
Hope this makes sense. My love and blessings and I've enjoyed worshipping with you today. =D
By the way, as if my last comment wasn't long enough...you are the second person to mention Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I think I'll go read it.
Stopping by from Cindy's link-up! I love this post! If we wrapped our lives up in the giving we would know what real blessings are! Reading this was a blessing to me today!
Such a meaningful post, Kim, and one we should all take to heart. I have a friend who shares his garden every summer. There are only two people who live there, but he creates a veggie garden large enough to feed several families. Then he shares his bounty. God continues to give him great harvests to share. We can't all do the veggie garden, but I believe the Lord will show us how we can make a difference in someone else's life.
"O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
amen amen amen..what a joy it was to see you had linked up with Cindy..I thought,,'hey I know that girl'..lol. ((hugs))
Kim, I replied over at my place for others to be blessed too but I'm definitely off to get Crazy Love this weekend and boy do I feel a challenge coming on. Thanks!! =D
Right, James says true religion is to feed orphans and widows...put the feet to the words. Thanks for these verses they add to James which we have been studying this month. olive♥
Enjoyed visiting with you today! As I work my way thru these posts I can't help feeling this is just one more example of the true meaning of "church" Where two or more are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them!
Be blessed today!
Margaret
You said it all in this one simple sentence...
"I need to pray, seek, and do."...amen...we all need to do this...I need to do this...
Thank you for this inspiring post....
Hi Kim,
Thank you for your neat sharing!
I've heard it said there's no one who needs a smile more than the person who doesn't have one to give. A smile can make ALL the difference in the world because it's say's w/o words, I accept you.
Making my morning walk, down a fairly busy sidewalk, I always say "Good morning" to the strangers I pass. A few days ago, a woman grumbled back to me in a somewhat unhappy little voice "good morning." I think it's so important that we take the time in this busy world to acknowlege one another & share food, conversation...whatever is needed.
Be blessed my friend!
deep 1. I think I've clung to that whole chapter of Isaiah in times of need.
Like a watered garden, in this hot weather, that image means so much. Lifeless without Him.
I echo your prayer...
Kim:
It is so easy for me to become caught up in my own day to day life, that I forget there are many people in the world who are suffering and hungry.
Thank you for this very thought provoking post.
Blessings,
Joan
This is so great.
I love the end of that verse
"you shall be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose water never runs dry".
I have had that in my heart for awhile. It is a refreshing verse.
blessings
barbara jean
thank you for sharing this verse and your reflection and prayer. it has blessed me.
May we all love others with the love of Christ and give cheerfully to the needy! It's not our money anyway; It's His! May the Lord guide us to be a wise steward of what He has given us (time, talents, and treasures) and to use them for His glory.
Thanks for visiting my photo blog. Have a blessed week in the Lord!
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