Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Obeying God when obeying isn’t easy”
Our Bible verse for today: “He comforts us in all our afflictions, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 1 Corinthians 1:4 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “We are to obey God by caring for others just as He has cared for us.”
In his book “Keeping Ex-Offenders Free” Donald Smarto writes of how important it is to quickly help ex-prisoners to get involved in activities focused on helping others. The reason is that ex-prisoners, especially those recently released, tend to focus almost exclusively on themselves and on their own problems. They get completely wrapped-up in their own situation, to the point of becoming self-absorbed. Smarto’s advice to Christians who are attempting to help those ex-prisoners with their transition into a productive and law-abiding life, is to help them get involved in doing things for others. When we take our eyes off of ourselves and put them on other people, it helps to put our own problems in a better perspective.
This is an important lesson for all of us. If you have been a Christian for very long, then God has already used other Christians to be a blessing to you. Now you are to turn it around and be a blessing to others. This is especially true for those who may be dealing with the same kind of issue that you dealt with. Since you have that similar life experience, you are strategically prepared to be used by God to help others in a similar situation. That’s exactly what Paul was getting at in 1 Corinthians 1:4.
When we’re going through tough times it’s easy to turn our thoughts fully upon ourselves. But that is usually the worst thing to do. Although it can be difficult to do, going out of our way to help others while we ourselves might be struggling, can actually be very therapeutic. God will bless and minister to you as you are blessing and ministering to others.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 