Verse of the Day 9/26

Mark 9:41  If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.  New Living Translation (NLT) For today's verse we'll continue in Jesus "truth" statements, this time, going to the book of Mark and chapter 9.  We should know that we cannot earn our salvation or God's favor by doing good works in themselves.  However, we should realize that God's Word, His Truth tells us that He notices and that He does reward even the simplest acts of kindness.

We are in the first weekend of fall, the dog days of August and the summer heat are behind us.  We may not get as thirsty if we are on a hike or working out in the backyard, the cup of cold water may not be as refreshing as in those hot days of summer.  But the attitude here is not limited to a cup of cold water.  It is bringing our attention to any simple act of kindness, perhaps out of appreciation for someone else's kindness, or perhaps just out of compassion or kindness.  No matter what the season, each day there are opportunities to offer a cup of water to someone.  It should be part of our DNA, who we are stemming from whose we are.

John Piper writes, "we are drawn to show mercy to some people because they are Christians. The other is that we are drawn to show mercy to some people because they are not Christians. We are drawn to show mercy to Christians because we see Christ in them, and we are drawn to show mercy to unbelievers because we want to see Christ in them. We help suffering believers because they bear the name of Christ. And we help suffering unbelievers in the hope that they will come to bear the name of Christ."

Galatians 6:10 puts it like this: "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Do an act of kindness for someone today because we see Christ in them or we want to see Christ in them.  "Count on it that God will notice" (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    

Mark 9:38-41The Message (MSG)

³⁸ John spoke up, "Teacher, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn't in our group."

^39-41 Jesus wasn't pleased. "Don't stop him. No one can use my name to do something good and powerful, and in the next breath cut me down. If he's not an enemy, he's an ally. Why, anyone by just giving you a cup of water in my name is on our side. Count on it that God will notice.