Verse of the Day 12/7

Verse of the Day 12/7   

Matthew 25:44-45  "Then they too will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or without clothes, or sick, or in prison, and not help You?'

⁴⁵ "Then He will answer them, 'I assure you: Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me either.'   Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Today's verse are probably not often associated with the Christmas season but perhaps they should be.  All through history societies have always had people in need.  Jesus gives us a brief outline of just who they might be - the hungry, thirsty, those without clothes, strangers, sick and in prison.  The Message (below) describes them as the "overlooked or  ignored".  You might also include the shut-ins and disabled.

I am sure that we come across people that would fit into one of those descriptions every day.  How do we react, do we walk on by, ignore or just overlook them?

You've probably heard arguments like "I can't help everybody", or "they'll just spend it on booze", or any other number of reasons, excuses not to give not to extend a hand, not to give. Truly humbling thoughts.  Maybe you can't help everybody, but when was the last time you helped one.  You may fear giving money to someone who would just spend it on booze, but how about a McDonald's gift card.   The challenge is to find ways to give, to find ways to love.  It may take some planning, being prepared to give a gift card, it may be spontaneous, but it is something that Jesus has called us to do.

Tony Dungy, in "Uncommon Life" writes for today "When you stand before God face to face, He will ask you helped the least of these among us.  Make sure you answer --- always!".

May we look for an opportunity to help the overlooked and ignored today as if Jesus were speaking to us "that was me - you failed  to do it to me".  (The Message).

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Matthew 25:44-45The Message (MSG)

⁴⁴ "Then those 'goats' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help?'

⁴⁵ "He will answer them, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.'