Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Friends and Associates”
Our Bible verse for today: “Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1:27 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: We, the people of God, should be characterized by mercy and compassion towards those in need.”
A couple of months ago I had the privilege to lead a short-term mission team to Haiti. Our acts of service were varied and consisted of construction projects, preparing hot meals for hungry school children, conducting Vacation Bible Schools, evangelism activities, and more.
But the ministry activity that impacted the team members most was our work in the orphanages and in the home for the widows. As our team members interacted with those children and with the elderly widows, their hearts melted. I could see it in their faces; it was evident in their mannerisms; you could hear it in their voices; and you could definitely see it in their actions. The love they had for those children and widows, and their eagerness to be a blessing to them, was obvious and touching.
Yesterday I offered a word of caution regarding the fact that we Christians, individually and as a community of believers, must use good judgment regarding our acts of mercy and compassion. We want to be sure that our helping actually helps rather than hurts. We want to lift people up rather than enabling them to continue in destructive behaviors.
But with that said, the characteristics which must dominate our thinking and be most evident in our actions, are mercy, grace, and compassion. If we are going to err, then let’s err on the side of mercy. I would rather we give too much than too little. It’s always better to be too kind, than not kind enough; too compassionate rather than hard and cold; too engaged rather than aloof and detached.
I made reference to those scenes I witnessed in the orphanages and widow’s home in Haiti because I think it’s a perfect picture of the heart attitude our Lord wants to see from us. The sight of pain and suffering should break our hearts; the knowledge that people are struggling and in need should elicit in us a strong desire to find a way to help. The people of God should be the kindest and most merciful people of all.
As mentioned yesterday, we are not to be doormats and we should not allow ourselves to be manipulated and taken advantage of. But with that word of caution said, let’s be sure it is mercy and grace and compassion which are our first and dominate response to those in need.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 