DRAWING NEAR
June 15
Demonstrating Sacrificial Love
"This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and
Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress" (James
1:27).
Recently a local newspaper reported the story of a young woman who
had been brutally beaten, sexually assaulted, repeatedly stabbed,
then dumped down a hillside and left for dead. Miraculously she
survived the attack and crawled up the hill to a spot along the road
where several people were parked enjoying the panoramic view of the
city.
Covered with blood from head to foot, she went from car to car
pleading for help, only to have one person after another roll up
their windows and drive away. No one wanted to get involved. Finally
someone came to her rescue and took her to a hospital where she was
treated for her wounds. The article went on to describe the anger of
her rescuer toward those who turned their backs on the woman's cries
for help.
That tragic story illustrates the lack of compassion that is so
prevalent in our society. Many people won't become involved--even
when the lives of others are at stake. They're unwilling to risk
personal injury or inconvenience, or perhaps they're just complacent
and insensitive.
That should never be true of Christians! Jesus showed great
compassion to those with special needs, and He expects us to do the
same.
Just as James used the tongue to represent a pure heart (v. 26), so
he uses widows and orphans to represent pure love. "To visit" means
to bring love, pity, and care to them. Widows and orphans are an
especially needy segment within the church. As such, they represent
all who are destitute and unable to repay your kindness.
Let your love be sacrificial. Give with no intention of receiving
anything in return. Generously invest your time and resources in
ministering to those who have no resources of their own. That's the
essence of true religion!
Suggestions for Prayer:
Is there someone in your neighborhood or church whom you can help
today? Ask God for wisdom and discernment on how you might best
demonstrate His love to that person.
For Further Study:
Read Exodus 22:22-24, Deuteronomy 14:28-29, Psalm 68:5, Acts 6:1-6,
and 1 Timothy 5:3-16, noting God's provisions for widows and orphans.
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
Exodus 22:22-24
22 "You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child.
23 "If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I
will surely hear their cry;
24 "and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the
sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
Deuteronomy 14:28-29
28 "At the end of every third year you shall bring out the tithe of
your produce of that year and store it up within your gates.
29 "And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with
you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within
your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the LORD your God
may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.
Psalm 68:5
5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His
holy habitation.
Acts 6:1-6
6:1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was
multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the
Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily
distribution.
2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said,
"It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve
tables.
3 "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good
reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint
over this business;
4 "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the
ministry of the word."
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose
Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip,
Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from
Antioch,
6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they
laid hands on them.
1 Timothy 5:3-16
3 Honor widows who are really widows.
4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first
learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is
good and acceptable before God.
5 Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and
continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
6 But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.
7 And these things command, that they may be blameless.
8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for
those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an
unbeliever.
9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number,
and not unless she has been the wife of one man,
10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if
she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she
has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good
work.
11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow
wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,
12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith.
13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to
house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying
things which they ought not.
14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children,
manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak
reproachfully.
15 For some have already turned aside after Satan.
16 If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them,
and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who
are really widows.
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
letters@gty.org
NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase@wowway.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
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There is a living God. He has spoken in His word. He means just what he says, and will do all that He has promised. - Hudson Taylor
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