Message from John

Kevin spoke yesterday at a little church where he fills the pulpit from time to time.  He shared from the passage in Scripture, I John 3:17, 18~

But whosoever hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his compassions from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

I listened with ears that heard this message in a whole new light. The Lord tells each of us how to help people who are in need. Simply, if you have something, which someone needs, share it.  This "something" could be provisions, money, your time, your care in the form of a listening ear, or your love in a hug with the question what can I do to help you? or I am here standing beside you through this ache.   God says that if we don't share this, then how does His love dwell inside of us? 

I think v. 18 stuck even more.  Let us not just love in word or in tongue-  maybe this means doing a little more than giving out the standard, I will pray for you.  Maybe it means to sit down beside the person, take their hand in ours, ask them how we can pray for them and then praying at that very moment.  Then within a day or two, we pick up the phone to call and see if we can come and visit and continue to love them in deed and action.

We each have gifts that were given to us by the Lord. He wants us to use them, and I believe that He gives many opportunities, if only we look around and see those that have need.  How can we "hold back" something that might mean everything to the person  with whom it is shared.  Let us, let God, use us to bless the hurting around us.