February 9th, 2023 - Caring for the Vulnerable
Caring for the Vulnerable
PAUSE
As we begin another day. Let us slow down.
Take a few deep breaths. In and Out.
Get into a posture of receiving, but opening your hands and placing your palms facing upward as a symbolic way of telling the Lord that you are open and ready to receive a word from Him today.
As we sit in this moment let us meditate on Psalm 89:14, which gives us a great picture of the character and nature of the Lord.
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.”
Meditate today that the Lord is righteous - holy, set apart, no one compares to him.
And at the same time he is a God of justice, caring about the vulnerable and seeking to make wrong things right.
Sit in that truth this morning.
REFLECT
All throughout scripture, both the Old and New Testaments we are told and shown the heart of the Lord in caring for those that are less fortunate. But it is in James 1:27 that we get one of the clearest commands of what it looks like to follow the Lord.
James 1:27
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."
The writer of this short letter, James, was the half-brother of Jesus. James makes it very clear over the course of his letter that intellectual belief is not sufficient in following Jesus. True belief is not determined by what we say, but rather what we do. “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless” (James 2:19-20)
James wants to make it very clear, if you follow Jesus your works and deeds will demonstrate your beliefs. So when James gives us the definition of what “true religion” looks like he is not giving just some good information but rather a practical challenge that should be at the heart of all followers of Jesus. According to James, true religion is caring for the least among us, the most vulnerable.
In our world today, there are many people who are vulnerable, including the elderly, children, those living in poverty, and the homeless. As we partner with our local schools systems and other local community organizations we hear of homeless families right here in Walton County. Children in our community struggle with poor role models as they live in abusive homes. The elderly among us struggle with deep loneliness and depression. It is our responsibility as followers of Jesus to care for these individuals, just as we would want others to care for us if we were in need.
Pope Francis said, “The measure of a society is found in how they treat their weakest members.” If this statement is true than the heartbreaking reality of our society is that these “weakest members” are more of inconvenience than an opportunity to live out of faith and show the world the heart of God. Sadly, many followers of Jesus have transferred their responsibility to help those in need to the government or other secular institutions. While many of these programs and organizations should be celebrated, they should never be seen as a replacement for God’s Church.
If we are going to be the men and woman that build God’s Church and Kingdom we must start by caring for the most vulnerable in our society. When the children of God prioritize caring for the weak they are living examples of their Heavenly Father, showing his heart to the world, a heart of righteousness and justice.
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.” -John Wesley
ASK
As our devotion comes to a close today, ask the the Lord the following questions:
YIELD
Lord, we admit that far too often we get wrapped up in our own worlds and neglect those in need around us. Lord, I yield my time and money to you and ask you to use it to help those around me in need. Lord I give you my eyes and ask you to help me to see those around me in need and then give me the boldness to serve them as you see fit. AMEN
As we close out the devotion this morning, don’t rush pass this truth. In light of our time together today, what is the Lord calling you into?
As we begin another day. Let us slow down.
Take a few deep breaths. In and Out.
Get into a posture of receiving, but opening your hands and placing your palms facing upward as a symbolic way of telling the Lord that you are open and ready to receive a word from Him today.
As we sit in this moment let us meditate on Psalm 89:14, which gives us a great picture of the character and nature of the Lord.
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.”
Meditate today that the Lord is righteous - holy, set apart, no one compares to him.
And at the same time he is a God of justice, caring about the vulnerable and seeking to make wrong things right.
Sit in that truth this morning.
REFLECT
All throughout scripture, both the Old and New Testaments we are told and shown the heart of the Lord in caring for those that are less fortunate. But it is in James 1:27 that we get one of the clearest commands of what it looks like to follow the Lord.
James 1:27
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."
The writer of this short letter, James, was the half-brother of Jesus. James makes it very clear over the course of his letter that intellectual belief is not sufficient in following Jesus. True belief is not determined by what we say, but rather what we do. “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless” (James 2:19-20)
James wants to make it very clear, if you follow Jesus your works and deeds will demonstrate your beliefs. So when James gives us the definition of what “true religion” looks like he is not giving just some good information but rather a practical challenge that should be at the heart of all followers of Jesus. According to James, true religion is caring for the least among us, the most vulnerable.
In our world today, there are many people who are vulnerable, including the elderly, children, those living in poverty, and the homeless. As we partner with our local schools systems and other local community organizations we hear of homeless families right here in Walton County. Children in our community struggle with poor role models as they live in abusive homes. The elderly among us struggle with deep loneliness and depression. It is our responsibility as followers of Jesus to care for these individuals, just as we would want others to care for us if we were in need.
Pope Francis said, “The measure of a society is found in how they treat their weakest members.” If this statement is true than the heartbreaking reality of our society is that these “weakest members” are more of inconvenience than an opportunity to live out of faith and show the world the heart of God. Sadly, many followers of Jesus have transferred their responsibility to help those in need to the government or other secular institutions. While many of these programs and organizations should be celebrated, they should never be seen as a replacement for God’s Church.
If we are going to be the men and woman that build God’s Church and Kingdom we must start by caring for the most vulnerable in our society. When the children of God prioritize caring for the weak they are living examples of their Heavenly Father, showing his heart to the world, a heart of righteousness and justice.
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.” -John Wesley
ASK
As our devotion comes to a close today, ask the the Lord the following questions:
- How am I doing at caring for the weakest members of our society?
- Do I pray for, give to, and serve those that are struggling?
- Who is it that the Lord might be calling you to practically serve today or in the near future?
YIELD
Lord, we admit that far too often we get wrapped up in our own worlds and neglect those in need around us. Lord, I yield my time and money to you and ask you to use it to help those around me in need. Lord I give you my eyes and ask you to help me to see those around me in need and then give me the boldness to serve them as you see fit. AMEN
As we close out the devotion this morning, don’t rush pass this truth. In light of our time together today, what is the Lord calling you into?
Posted in 2023 Prayer and Fasting
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January 9th, 2023 - Adventure AwaitsJanuary 10th, 2023 - The Burning BushJanuary 11th, 2023 - Strong and Courageous January 12th, 2023 - Obediently Set ApartJanuary 13th, 2023 - Faithful Among Enemy NationsJanuary 14th, 2023 - Adventure AwaitsJanuary 16th, 2023 - Be StillJanuary 17th, 2023 - God Inhabits His PraisesJanuary 18th, 2023 - Enjoying God's PresenceJanuary 19th, 2023 - Broken & Contrite HeartJanuary 20th, 2023 - Asking for OthersJanuary 21st, 2023 - Petition and ProvisionJanuary 23rd, 2023 - One Body, Many PartsJanuary 24th, 2023 - Love One AnotherJanuary 25th, 2023 - Unity in the BodyJanuary 26th, 2023 - Consider Others BetterJanuary 27th, 2023 - Living in the LightJanuary 28th, 2023 - Don't Let Anger Control YouJanuary 30, 2023 - The Power of FastingJanuary 31st, 2023 - Pray as You Can
February
February 1st, 2023 - ScriptureFebruary 2nd, 2023 - Sabbath Day, Best DayFebruary 3rd, 2023 - SimplicityFebruary 4th, 2023 - WorshipFebruary 6th, 2023 - Love Your NeighborFebruary 7th, 2023 - Come and See, Go and TellFebruary 8th, 2023 - GenerosityFebruary 9th, 2023 - Caring for the VulnerableFebruary 10, 2023 - HospitalityFebruary 11th, 2023 - Build
2022
January
Covid UpdateDay 1 - Is It Worth It?Day 2 - God Promises His PresenceDay 3 - Aligning Ourselves With GodDay 4 - The Voice of the ShepherdVision 2022 - Begins this Sunday!Day 5 - Rushing or Resting?Day 6 - "By the Grace of God"Day 7 - A Day for Rest and WorshipDay 8 - Ask Boldly and Surrender CompletelyDay 9 - Our Deliverance for His GloryDay 10 - Ask for the ImpossibleDay 11 - Adversity Meets Unwavering FaithWhat an incredible start to 2022!!Day 12 - Focus Reveals FaithDay 13 - Impossible Mission!Day 15 - Followers of JesusDay 16 - The Good News of God’s LoveDay 17 - Radical Love Leads People to JesusLet's Try this Again...Day 18 - Relentless CommitmentDay 19 - Unending Power SourceDay 20 - Come and See, Go and TellDay 22 - Many Parts, One BodyDay 23 - A New Command - Love One AnotherDay 24 - One Body and One LordDay 25 - Be Angry, But Do Not SinDo you Belong?Day 26 - The Commandment of LoveDay 27 - The Attitude and Obedience of Christ
March
Day 1 - Seeking the Lord TogetherDay 2 - Ash WednesdayDay 3 - The Baptism of JesusDay 4 - The Word as a WeaponDay 5 - Freedom in ConfessionDay 6 - Love Your EnemiesDay 7 - Anxious for NothingDay 8 - Effective PrayerDay 9 - Amazing FaithDay 10 - The Bleeding WomanDay 11 - Confidence in GodDay 12 - Fear Not!Day 13 - Come and RestDay 14 - Kingdom Minded CommunityDay 15 - The TreasureDay 16 - Peace in His PresenceDay 17 - Raise the RoofDay 18 - A Parent's CommitmentDay 19 - Too Good to be TrueDay 20 - Only JesusDay 21 - The Ninety-Nine and the OneDay 22 - Salvation Through SurrenderDay 23 - Good Rest from a Good ShepherdDay 24 - Read the RoomDay 25 - A Fruitful FaithDay 26 - The Wedding FeastDay 27 - Serve Like Jesus