Who is my neighbor?

All around the world we see people struggling with a variety of trials and struggles.
God is a loving Father who understands our pain and that is why he gave us his
word to help us learn and grow in the valleys of sorrow and darkness.

He comforts us like a mother comforts her children…so we then can extend that
comfort, hope, and peace to others when they are hurting.

Today let’s turn to Luke 10:25-37 and allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten us
with wisdom and knowledge to face this day with a bright new perspective.

One day a lawyer came to Jesus, to tempt him saying,

Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Luke 10:25

Jesus answered, What is written in the law? How do you
interpret it?

The man replied…

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,
and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.
Luke 10:27

Jesus said, you have answered correctly. Do this and you shall live.

The lawyer wanted to justify himself, so he asked…
who is my neighbor?

Jesus took this opportunity to teach a lesson about love with this parable…

A man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. Thieves overtook
him, stealing all his clothing and possessions. They beat the man
and left him, almost dead on the road.

A priest was traveling by, but quickly went to the other side of the road.

A Levite came by, and he too, crossed over to the other
side, avoiding any contact with the man as well.

Later, a Samaritan came by, and had compassion for the man. He cleaned
his wounds by pouring in oil and wine. Afterward, he lifted the man on
his donkey, took him to an inn, and cared for him all night.

In the morning, he went to the inn keeper and paid for the room.
He asked him to take care of the man and paid him generously
for the favor.

He assured the innkeeper, if the cost exceeded the money he’d
left, he would return later and pay him what was owed.

Jesus asked the lawyer, which man he thought behaved as a neighbor
to the injured man. The lawyer answered, the one who showed
mercy. Jesus then said to him…

Go, and do thou likewise. Luke 10:37

Do you love your neighbors?

Jesus taught us to give sacrificially, without expecting anything in return.

He loved us so much, he died on the cross for your sins and mine!

1 John 3:14-17 teaches…

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.
He that loves not his brother abides in death. Whosoever hateth his brother
is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we
ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good,
and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from
him how dwelleth the love of God in him?

My little children, let us not love in word,
neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Many of our brothers and sisters are physically and spiritually starving

and we need your help to reach them before it’s too late.

The Bible says…

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he that loves

not his brother who he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
I John 4: 20-21

The priest and the Levite were too busy with their plans, to realize God
had placed a test of faith in their path.

Many do not share their faith, because they fear being mocked or ridiculed.

Others simply are too blinded by the affairs of this world, to make the
time, to help a neighbor in need.

How can we say we love our neighbor, and not care whether he
is going to hell.

Billions of people all over the world have no Bibles or place to worship.

In Matthew 25:40
Jesus said, Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers

of mine, you did for me.

In the last few months, we’ve witnessed horrible devastation to

our neighbors in many parts of the world, through storms, hurricanes,

mudslides, earthquakes, fire, famine, financial problems and the loss of their homes

and jobs.

How can we eat, drink, and be merry, when the poor are starving,

homeless, and naked?

We cannot serve God and money!

The Bible says…

He that despises his neighbor sins: but he that hath mercy
on the poor, happy is he. Proverbs 14:21

He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread
to the poor. Proverbs 22:9

When we ignore the sick, the homeless, the helpless…
We have ignored Jesus…

Whoso mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. Proverbs 17:5

One of the ways God really challenged me in this area is writing to
men and women in the prisons. I really was afraid at first to obey
God in this area for fear something would happen to me or my
family.

God kept reminding me that if we don’t outreach to those who are
evil and have never been taught right from wrong… how can we
expect a change of heart.

Many of the inmates beg for people to write them from the church,
but very few are willing to pick up a pen and show them the unconditional
love of Jesus.

The men and women in prison often ask…If God can forgive me for what I’ve
done…then why can’t other Christians who I’ve never even met?

It breaks my heart to tell them that fear or indifference is the reason.

Beloved…today you may be waiting for a breakthrough in your prayers,
finances, or healing…

Perhaps, God is waiting for YOU, to love and take care of your neighbor.

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hides his eyes
shall have many a curse. Proverbs 28:27

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself,
but shall not be heard. Proverbs 21:13

Do you love Jesus?

Will you take up our cross daily, deny yourself, and be a good Samaritan?

Will you go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature?

Jesus said, whoever welcomes a child in my name

welcomes me.

Will you feed his sheep?

Will you say… Yes LORD!

Here am I, send me?

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Heavenly Father,
Holy is Your name…

Thank you for the gift of this beautiful new day. Thank you for blessing
us with the words of life in the Bible. Fill us with wisdom and knowledge,
love and compassion. Help us to make a difference in this world, by being
different. Teach us to number our days, and make each day count.

Each day given in service to you and our fellowman is never wasted.

Forgive me for walking on the other side of the road to avoid
helping my neighbors. Often I have closed my eyes to their
needs and been selfish and greedy. Open our eyes to see
our neighbors through the eyes of Jesus.

Transform our thoughts to good and positive ones. Turn our eyes from
worthless things. Make us vessels of light to change evil to good,
by the power of the word and the Holy Spirit. Let Your message
of salvation and love be proclaimed everywhere. Grant us Your peace.

Father, please turn the hearts of all leaders in the world to know
Jesus Christ as their Savior. Reveal to them and us any laws,
ordinances, or behavior that is not pleasing to you. Help us
to quickly turn toward You and Your will for our world.

Open a door of faith to all who are unsaved. Thank You for
defending us and providing all we need for this life.
Help us to remain faithful witnesses until the end,
when we joyfully will return to you in heaven.

We lift up prayers to You for Livia, Bill, Mitsy, Camy, Virginia, Martha,
Kristi, Shirley, Pat, Barb, Roger, Louise, Theresa, Chad, Denise, Diane,
Hannah, Kent, Kesmy and the people of Haiti, and all who are suffering from
poverty, hunger, sickness or adversity.

Father you have said, whatever we ask in faith, believing, we shall receive.

Heal the sick, bind up their wounds. Set the prisoners of sin, addictive spirits,

and Satan free.

Father we ask for men and women to be pen-pals and mentors for those in prison.
Help us overcome our fears, and trust you will protect us and change the hearts of
those who are evil to good.

Mend the broken families and hearts. Cast out the spirit of depression
and disease from our midst. Protect the orphans and the unborn.
Bind the powers of homosexuality, fornication, abortion, war, and violence.

You sent your word to heal us, and deliver us from all our destructions.

Thank you being a God who is loving, and compassionate to us, even
when we fall.

Defend us from evil and temptation. Turn the hearts of our enemies,
and help them to learn about the love of Jesus from someone today.
Unite us as a Family and Army, to preach and publish your word to
all nations, with power and authority, through the Holy Spirit.

May your mercy be upon us, for Your name’s sake.
Our hope is in You, the Creator of Heaven and Earth.

In Jesus’ name we pray…

Amen

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that
which he hath given will he pay him again. Proverbs 19:17

Your sister and servant of the LORD,

Valerie Rousseau