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Author Topic: Jesus Stopped- Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional  (Read 7751 times)
artsymominnc
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« on: January 28, 2008, 04:38:45 AM »

Jesus Stopped
by Jon Walker


“Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions.” (1 John 3:18 NLT)




Jesus stopped. He stopped when people needed his help, when they needed his comfort, when they needed his protection, when they needed an answer to a perplexing problem.


Jesus saw the interruptions in his life as divine opportunities to show God’s love to people in desperate need.


Jesus approached love from a show first, then tell perspective.


He defined love as meeting needs, and when he touched people they realized “… they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them. They were quietly worshipful – and then noisily grateful, calling out among themselves, ‘God is back, looking to the needs of his people!’” (Luke 7:16 MSG)


Jesus expressed his love through action. He calls us to be action figures, but he never wants us so busy saving the world that we ignore the interruptions of those in need.


Like the Good Samaritan, Jesus wants us ever ready to help someone in need. (Luke 10) The Bible says, “If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear.” (1 John 3:17 MSG, italics added)


Jesus showed that faith and service go hand-in-hand. When the woman of poor reputation anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive oil and tearfully washed them with her hair, Jesus said to her, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” Her act of service was a reflection of her faith in God.


When the disciples of John the Baptist asked Jesus to verify he was the Christ, his response was to point to his service. He said, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.” (Luke 7:22 NIV)


And the Jesus-follower James stressed that we are to be doers of the word, not just hearers: “Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, "Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup – where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?” (James 2:14a-17 MSG)


Francis of Assisi once wrote, “Preach the gospel; if necessary, use words.” In showing our love, no task should be too menial. Jesus specialized in acts of service most people usually try to avoid: washing feet, helping children, fixing breakfast, and serving lepers. Nothing was beneath him, because his service flowed from his love.


What does this mean?


· Practical love – Jesus indicated our acts of love should be very practical; even giving a cup of cold water in his name is an act of love. (Matthew 10:42)


· Serve today – Ask, “How can I serve others today?” Look around and address what you see: Help mow the lawn, watch a neighbor’s child, bring food to a shut-in, visit a sick friend.


We serve God by serving others, and we can serve even better when we serve with other believers. (Ecclesiastes 4:9) Think about a ministry you can share with a small group of friends.

© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved.
Pastor Jon Walker is a writer for www.GraceCreates.com
 
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justine
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The voice of reason....gone amok


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« Reply #1 on: January 31, 2008, 04:09:03 PM »

Thanks Liz....and God is so kind.  He knows it is easier for us to DO acts of love than to always have those FEELINGS of love.   He understands us so well.
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bio dd35  freakishly sweet 
bio ds32  recklessly loving
bio ds27  frightfully kind
adopted sibling group at ages 10, 6 and 4
worstrad30  adopted at age 10, left family at age 18
ads27  FAE/rad, we're still looking for a conscience, estranged
add24 P/A Rad.  Unattached, wants the family bene
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