| Good Morning Everyone, Our theme for this month: “Fresh wind, fresh fire” Our Bible verse for today: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interest, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 (CSB) Our thought for today: “Let’s be willing to sacrifice in order to help others.” The other night I spoke with a relative in another state whom I hadn’t spoken with in a little while. He and his wife are in their senior years, they both have health problems, and they live on a small fixed income. The wife has only recently been released from the hospital and is recovering at home. The husband is her primary caregiver. As we spoke, I was surprised to learn how desperate their situation had become financially. They were just barely getting by in terms of food and supplies. Also, their one vehicle had broken down and they couldn’t afford to get it fixed. But there’s a neighborhood group in that section of their community which was formed during the pandemic, with the goal of watching out for each other, pooling resources, and providing assistance to those in need. This group heard about my relative’s situation and responded. Someone arranged for a mobile auto mechanic to repair their car right there in the parking lot. Others began showing up at their door with food and supplies and offers of assistance. My relatives were overwhelmed with the care and compassion shown to them in their time of need. What a great example of people taking care of people! And what a great example of something good (care and compassion) coming out of something bad (the pandemic). I love the unselfish attitude displayed by the neighbors, and their willingness to sacrifice a little for the sake of the needy and vulnerable. In a similar vein, the other day I had lunch with a friend. We were talking about some actions we have had to take recently at church in an effort to make the environment as safe as it can be, especially for the most vulnerable among us. With respect to one of those actions he said, “I don’t particularly like doing this thing, and I’m not sure how helpful it actually is, but that doesn’t matter. If there’s even a slight chance that just one member of my church family might benefit even a little from me doing this simple thing, then that’s all the reason I need to do it.” In Philippians 2:3-4 the Apostle Paul urged us to look out for others and to be willing to put the needs of others above our own needs or desires. Doing so is a blessing to them, and it benefits us as well. Sacrificing for the sake of others, putting their interests above our own, puts us in a servant frame of mind and it makes us more like Jesus. Would you like some fresh wind in your sails and some fresh fire in your soul? I encourage you go above and beyond and to do something special and sacrificial for someone in need. God Bless, Pastor Jim |
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