TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY MAY 20, 2016.
RELATIONSHIPS:
OUR NEIGHBOR
OUR NEIGHBOR
A connection between friends and neighbors; a significant association.
Jesus said: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. Matthew 22:37-39.
Which of these three do you think proved to be a good neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? And He said The one who showed mercy toward him. Then Jesus said to him, Go and do the same. Luke 10:36-37.
God's Word strongly emphasizes that we are to love our neighbor and help them in their time of need. The verses we have written above are some of the many in the Bible that remind us that we MUST love our neighbor. For example in the Old Testament it reads: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" Leviticus 19:18. In the New Testament these same words are found in Matthew 5:43 and Romans 13:9.
Many people today commit to helping their neighbor but are often motivated by how they will benefit personally. In the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) it is important for us to understand that the "Good Samaritan" helped the man at the scene of his need out of his compassion. He not only bandaged up his wounds but he went out of his way to move him to a place of healing and also paid the money needed for the stay. But it did not end there --- he would come back and help further if needed. ALL WITH NO THOUGHT OF REPAYMENT OR PERSONAL REWARD.
John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach said: "You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."
We are living in a "ME" generation. Most people are concerned today about self rather than others and their needs. It is always "ME FIRST". And then usually we respond to a hurting person just like the priest and the Levite did --- passing him by! The scriptures do not give us an option as to IF we should help our neighbor. Jesus said that the FIRST and GREATEST commandment was for us to "Love God." He then said that the second GREAT commandment was to "Love our neighbor as ourself."
When we help someone up a mountain that they may be facing, you will find yourself close to the summit as well. God always blesses those that help those in need.
All six of our children were urged to get involved with programs where they could help others. They spent time during their Junior and Senior High school days working with inner city children in a summer camp. They also worked in a food bank situation providing food to needy inner-city families. This involvement allowed them to put into practice what they had learned from the scriptures --- TO LOVE THEIR NEIGHBOR.
As far back as we can remember we have been involved one way or the other helping needy, hurting or hungry children, youth and adults. Over these years, God has allowed us to see many needs first hand and then blessed us with the opportunities to work with ministries to help meet these needs.
These experiences changed our perspective on life and continually reminded us to LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR AS OURSELVES. You may not be able to see the needs of our world like we have been privileged to see, but all you have to do is to look around you every day and you will see someone in need. How will you respond to them?
Many unbelievers today will tell you that one of their many purposes in life is to love people, make a difference in the world and to be a good person. It may give self-satisfaction but unfortunately when you talk to them you find they have no hope and live in an empty vacuum because they do not have a relationship with Jesus. Does that sound like you or someone you know?
Those who love the Lord have the greater responsibility to show love to their neighbors because it reflects on the validity of their testimony. Are you concerned about others and their needs and look for ways to help them?
Do you use people or do you love people by helping them in their time of need?
Are your good friends like stars -- you do not always see them but you know they are always there -- to help you?
One final thought: Someone once said -- THE BEST HELPING HAND YOU WILL EVER FIND IS AT THE END OF YOUR OWN ARM!
Our memory verse for this week is found in Isaiah 43:1b.
Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.
Give me a new burden for my neighbors and friends. May my family learn how to build relationships with others so that we will be available to be a source of encouragement in good times and in bad times.
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