by Robert Fudge
(I am on vacation in Branson, MO as I write this. I am thankful that God gave us a safe trip.)

Psalms 41:1-3
How blessed is he who considers the helpless; The LORD will deliver him in a day of trouble. 2 The LORD will protect him, and keep him alive, and he shall be called blessed upon the earth; and do not give him over to the desire of his enemies. 3 The LORD will sustain him upon his sickbed; in his illness, Thou dost restore him to health.

In Matthew 25 Jesus says that one of the measures of faithfulness to God is how we treat our fellow man. When we minister to others and especially those in distress we are doing this for our LORD. God has always been concerned about those who are down and out, those who are less fortunate than others, those who are faced with special troubles. This is because God is love. He is merciful and caring.

Two short lessons today. The first is that we are to be concerned about others. John says that if we see our brother in need and fail to provide for him we do not have love. If we do not have love we do not have God living in us. It is the epitome of hypocrisy to claim that we love God but then not show love to our fellow man. Rather than look down on others or laugh at them, we are to show them love by helping them.

Secondly, we need to know that if we give one cup of cold water in the name of Jesus it will not go unnoticed. God is aware when we do good to others because we love him and love those around us.

Dear God, please help us to be more mindful of showing love to others. Fill us with your Spirit so that we are filled with your love. Thank you for providing us with more than we need and help us to share with others. We pray your blessing this day on those who are in need, for those who are hurting and for those who are in unfortunate circumstances. We pray in the name of Jesus.

May God bless each of us as we live for him.