The Neighbors – Luke 10:27, Col 3:23

Blessings of service with the right attitude! Prayer requests?

Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men” 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

What are you supposed to do this year? What is your 2014 ministry?

The New Year is still young enough to consider big change or at least tweaking some 2013 attitudes and actions. So, what about your life perspective? Are you in ‘it’ (life) for God, for others, for self?

If you’re thinking, “self,” then might as well stop reading. If you’re still with me, you probably answered, “God. I’m in this thing called life for You … and I guess for others, too. Aren’t we Christians supposed to give to others because of God’s grace and Great Gift of Jesus (John 3:16) to us? Aren’t we supposed to “pay it forward” and help?”

You may say, “Okay, sounds good so far, but just who are those ‘others’ and how can I help?”

What if you considered all of your connections? Think about those with strong connections like family, friends and those seen every day at work or school? What about those with whom you hold looser connections like a doctor or those encountered because the kids attend the same school or play on the same sports team or those with which you volunteer, play bridge, exercise, and attend church, book club, service organization or class? What about those you see fairly often but have no emotional ties like the clerk at the dry cleaners, the market, restaurants, or the bus driver? Or see even less often like the plumber or ticket agent? And what about those rare encounters in an elevator or waiting in line? So, who do you select? Consider this verse.

Luke 10:27, “And he (Jesus) answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”

I think that says it all for 2014! Whoever you encounter you can speak and show God’s love, say a kind word, do a good deed, offer to pray, ask God to bless or whatever and however God leads. That’s your ministry! Come to think of it our ‘neighbors’ are everywhere! That’s where and with whom I’ll help this year. What about you? It’s still okay to do ‘official’ ministry through your church, mission organization or community group!And, remember 2 Thessalonians 3:13, “… do not grow weary of doing good,” because sometimes we just feel too worn out to help out.

Loving All Those Neighbors God’s Way, PJ   COPYRIGHT ©2014 PJ Gover

www.citygirlgoincountry.wordpress.com

http://4homestore.com/devotionalbook.html (PJ’s devotional book)