Never forget, helping others

Helping others is not an option. One of the most compelling things
about
the accounts of Jesus' life in the Gospels is His compassion for those
who
were hurting. Jesus loved people. Jesus had a heart for those who
were
looking for hope. It does not take a Biblical scholar to understand
that as
a child of God, helping others is the main job God has given us to do.
The
scriptures are full of exhortations to help those in need, the poor,
the
widows. While the needs of some people are obvious, we are also to be
there
for those whose needs may not be as obvious, the spiritually poor.

You see, the spiritually poor are looking for answers to the questions
of
life. When the challenges of this life become overwhelming, they are
looking for answers, looking for hope. A person in this state of mind,
at
this place in their life is in desperate need of a word from God.
Where
does that word come from? From the people God sends into their life,
YOU
AND ME!

I realize many of you today are facing great battles in your life.
Struggles with sin. Struggles on your job or at school. Struggles in
your
family relationships. Struggles with your finances. Struggles with
your
health. Let me share something with you that I learned years ago. It
was
at the height of my personal struggles, when my natural tendency was to
focus solely on the battles I was facing, that I would seek out ways to
serve God by helping someone else.

Even though my battles didn't go away, they became more manageable.
The
struggles weren't as difficult and answers to my problems came a little
easier. Why? I am convinced the Bible teaches us that if we will be
about
our Father's business, He will be about our business. It is a
spiritual
principle that works!!!

I want to challenge you today. Pray about who it is God has put in
your
life who is hurting and needing hope in the midst of a difficult
situation.
It may be someone in your family. Possibly a friend. Maybe someone at
church. It could be a person at your work or in your school. God has
strategically placed you in the life of someone today who is hurting
and in
need of a word from God.

Once you have prayed and God shows you who it is, reach out to that
person.
Have a cup of coffee or a bite to eat with them. Go do something
together.
Get that person in a one-on-one situation and let them know they are
not
alone in their battle, that they are not alone in whatever they are
going
through. You are there to stand with them, to pray with them, and to
help
them see victory. Often, it is not necessary to do more than just
reach out
in love to that person who is hurting, for them to see and feel the
love of
Christ coming from you. I have always said it is usually not what we
say,
but what we do that shows the Christ in us to others.

I love you, and care about you so much. I will be praying for you
today
because I know you are going through problems in your life. I am
reaching
out to you to let you know I will pray for you, I will stand with you,
and I
will be here to help you overcome whatever the battles are in your
life.
God has given us each other because He never expected us to go through
this
journey alone. We are to bear one another's burdens.

Today, reach out to that person God has placed on your heart. Show
them the
love of Christ through your actions. Let them know they are not alone,
that
someone cares for them. That can be the difference between victory and
defeat in their life, between them living without hope, and moving
forward
victoriously over the problems in their life. Never forget, helping
others
is not an option, it is what God has called His children to do.


In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller