Who Needs Who?

Once again just about the time I am ready to just throw in the towel and give up, God comes along and shows me someone else who has things so much worse than I. He then reminds me that these are exactly the ones that we are to be helping in life.

You see I find myself reading even things that I have written in the past and then asking "How can I be so selfish and call myself a christian?" I find myself getting so tied up in my own problems and situations that I can't see the people all around me. We get ourselves so bound by our own self pity that we can never even begin to minister to those in need around us.

I have been set in a rather unique situation, I am trying to minister to others while others are ministering to me. I say that is unique but if we look at it closely that is exactly where each and every one of us are. We all have needs that God uses someone else to help fill while we in turn are being used to meet someone elses' need. This is how Jesus taught us to minister. We give of ourselves as Christ gives to us. I may have a particular need but I can minister to your spiritual need while God uses someone or something else to minister to mine. We all have an effect on one another.

The statement that " No man is an island." is so true especially in the church. we can't be the one who says I don't have anything to give. Everyone has something. It might not all be the same but we all have something to contribute. We also can't be the one that in spite of their need refuses help. We can no longer hide in the closet with our troubles and say no one cares. Many people care but they have to know the need before they can respond.

So here is what I would ask of each of you. First of all if you have a need don't hesitate to let us know so that we can find ways to assist you. Secondly when you are approached with a need remember that God is meeting your needs and will continue to do so. Therefore we should assist our brothers and sisters as we go through this journey of life in any way that we can.

Isaiah 1 16-20
"Wash yourselves and make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come let us reason together." says the Lord, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword." for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Be blessed
Paul