I was thinking about our volunteering and about full time volunteering, the phrase “The least of these . . . ” came to mind.
This is what it to us, ThePsalmist and Mrs Psalmist.
As I read this diamond of truth, "The least of these" I lifted it then from Matthew’s treasury of the Gospel so as to give a closer inspection about -
The least of these . . . “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: . . . for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; . . . I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' . . . Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? . . . When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? . . . Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' . . . And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Matthew 25:34-40
It reminds me of the servitude of Jesus and foot washing - Jesus . . .
For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you . . . Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. John 13:15-16
AND
Jesus’ parable of the “Good Samaritan” - Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead . . . But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion . . . So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him . . . On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.' . . . So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?". . . And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:30, 33-37
“He who showed mercy on him,” here
“Grace” and
“Mercy” are met together with Jesus, making Jesus our great sympathizer. To be like Jesus bringing
“Grace” and
“Mercy” together for
“The least of these . . .” that is our calling.
Like on Mount Transfiguration when Jesus met with Moses and Elijah, the
“Law” and the
“Prophets” met
“Grace” - And He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
Matthew 17:2-3
So Jesus brings
"Grace" and
"Mercy" together with Him to
"The Least of These."
I gain insight into a person's character as to how that person treats those who are not in a position to defend or care themselves.
Some people can be like the statement in Job,
“My soul refuses to touch them; they are as loathsome . . . to me.” Job 6:7, or like those from the parable of the “Good Samaritan,”
“Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side . . . Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. Luke 10:31-32
Nursing Home Ministry -
"To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend.” Job 6:14a
The service of nursing home ministry is to reach out to those in the nursing home/healthcare facilities with the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. We take the words of
Matthew 25:40 as guiding words from our Lord.
“Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”
ThePsalmist and Mrs Psalmist -
It is our goal to share the Gospel with those needing salvation, and to uplift and encourage those who have a relationship with the Lord. Residents in nursing home/healthcare facilities face new challenges which can be difficult for many of them. Our desire is to be there with God's love. One in five adults over the age of 65 will spend some part of their remaining years in a senior care facility. We must not forgotten them.
Nursing home ministry for us is more than the “Come sing and preach and leave.” It is the people that we serve, that we see as being far more precious than gold or silver, it is caring for those who that have not much more than the bed they sleep in and few clothes in their meager closet; it is who we are drawn to, who we company with, or as I say, “Being with like kind,” they are more than “The Warehoused,” they are the Lord‘s “Golden Army,” wheelchairs and all. It is holding a hand; bushing some ones hair; having a conversation with an Alzheimer’s patient that makes no sense, and paying attention and listening, making visitation time very meaningful and precious. It is visiting them in the hospital, another place that can lonely for them. At our Sunday service or weekday sing-a-long, hands are sometimes raised and as tear will fall as they sing unto the Lord . . . We have had as many as thirty or as few as one, and that is okay, because that is what you do . . . For the least of these.
The reward? I believe it comes in the hereafter, especially when we hear that, “Well done!”
His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful . . .
Enter into the joy of your lord.” Matthew 25:23
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven . . . Luke 6:23
It is truly marvelous to do what Jesus would do, and in like manner asking, “What do want me to do for you?”
Matthew 20:32-34
So Jesus stood still and called them, and said,
"What do you want Me to do for you?" They said to Him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened." So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.
Doing what can be done and seeing that sparkle in their eye that says, “You really do care, don’t you.”
With our being disabled we have known the unkindness that others can put forth, but also the mercy of the Lord -
Which makes, Psalm 119:71, It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes; better understood, and Psalm 140:12, I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the poor; and know that the Lord is faithful.
I believe that being a servant of Jesus is first and always. I also believe Christian service requires -
LOVE, lots of love, and more love.
TRUTHFULNESS, let your yes be yes, and your no be no.
FAITHFULNESS, because “Faithful is He who called you.”
SINCEREITY, be yourself, be real, be honest, be kind, be cheerful.
TRUST, fragile lives and emotions are involved.
KEEP YOUR WORD, your name is attached to it, so is your integrity.
UNDERSTANDING, try to see it from the other side.
GOOD LISTENING, if you are not, they will know it. Remember, SINCERETY.
PROMPTNESS, always be on time, if you cannot, CALL!
KNOW YOUR LIMIT-ation(s) promise nothing you cannot do or take care of. If you cannot say so.
So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you."
John 20:21
The Lord bless all of you who serve others in your way to help . . ."The Least of These"
ThePsalmist and Mrs Psalmist
However, I consider volunteering to be my own personal ministry for the glory of God. I normally volunteer for my church, but it seems like they don't have enough to keep me busy! 
