Good Morning Ladies!
I have volunteered to post topics on Mondays. I'm actually not sure if Gina wanted me to start this Monday but I haven't heard confirmation yet. And since I might not have time to post it later on this morning I figured I'd do it now while I can.
Monday's Topic: January 29th
Love Your Neighbor
Matthew 22:36-40> "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
In a world filled with selfishness Jesus calls us to step out of our comfort zone. He calls us to walk in love and shine His light into the darkest of places. When He walked the earth where did He spend His time? Amongst the tax collectors, liars and prostitues....didn't He? He went to those who needed. Needed - love, forgiveness, direction and guidance. As I reflect on the 2nd greatest commandment I can't help but feel sad when I look at how we function. Do we function as a community? Do our actions reveal love for one another? In today's society community has been replaced with networking. We are too busy doing for ourselves that we neglect others. We ignore the homeless man on the street corner (think of the Good Samaritan story), we look down at the prostitue searching for her next customer, we wag our finger at the teenage boy who overdosed on heroin. But who are these people? What do they represent?
Read this passage of scripture. Jesus is speaking....
Matthew 25: 34-40> "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
They represent our King who gave His life for you, me and them. We, as believers, are the church of God. We are to spread His word, His saving grace and love to the world. The world full of lowly, desperate people who cling to a life on the streets, drugs, prostitution and everything else because they have no hope. Do you know that money usually has nothing to do with homelessness? Most of those people have been abused, neglected or rejected from their families and they didn't have any where else to turn. I ask myself - what if the 12 year old girl down the street was being abused by her father or uncle would she know she could come to my church or my home for help? Or would she hop on a bus and head to the city's core; most likely to be picked up by a man who says he will take care of her only to shoot up with drugs and start selling her body. Would she know? Am I being so self-centered that I'm not reaching out?
I wonder what would happen to this dark world if we as Christians stood united on the word of God. If we stood up for the message Jesus died for - that He is the ONE way to heaven, that He will love you and forgive you if you would just turn to Him with a repentant heart. Would the street corners be empty and our pews full? Who knows....unless we try. Who knows....unless we start loving our neighbor. Not just love but to love him/her as yourself.
Now, that my friends is a world I want to live in.
Discussion: How are you doing in the loving your neighbor department?
If anyone else is interested please PM me.
... I'd like to encourage everyone to invite friends to The Deep End... the more the merrier 
and 
So I have not been into any serious threads like this one. I am feeling pretty good now and am ready to jump right in. I would love to give my testimony when appropriate.
