BEAR A BURDEN

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Galatians 6:9-10

And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up. That’s why whenever we can we should always be kind to everyone

Writing from Lima Ohio this morning and feeling a little “weary”, I thought I would lean on one of Beth’s “faves” today, Charles Stanley, to provide our encouragement; letting him “bear a little burden” for me as I prepare to share with the folks in Allen County in a couple of hours.  

Thanks Charles…

The Bible instructs Christians to bear one another's burdens. Doing this effectively requires awareness, acceptance, and availability.

Awareness. If you're not sensitive to the struggles of those around you, how can you help them? Every Sunday you sit in church surrounded by people who hurt intensely. The Lord knows the depth of their suffering and is there to release them from bondage, but He often works through His children. Thankfully, we have His Spirit to sensitize us to needs in our midst.

Acceptance. We are not to bear burdens on the basis of how we feel about the other person. Jesus doesn't discriminate about whom to love or help. If we want to be like Christ, we must be willing to share in the pain of others, no matter who they are. Does this describe you? Or do you limit your support to family and friends?

Availability. Christians sometimes relegate the work of caring for others to their pastor, figuring, That's his job, after all. Yet he, too, has burdens. Your pastor wants to help everybody in every way possible, but if he's the only one available to offer support for the church, both will crumble. A faith community thrives when people bear each other's budens. Ask yourself if there's a way you can help carry the load in your church.

Scripture tells us the whole law is fulfilled in one commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Gal. 5:14). Next to loving the Lord with all your heart, this is the second greatest command (Matt. 22:39). Therefore, when we share another person's heartache and burdens, we fulfill a great law of God.”

Whose burden could you bear today? 

Who needs a little kindness in your sphere?

Remember we fulfill GOD's law and…

...will reap a harvest of blessing …

I already have been!

I love you all!

HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND!

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE