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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion March 9, 2005 CARE |
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Frontline Devotion for Wednesday, March 9, 2005 By Penny
Risen
Matthew 25: 31-46
“You can be sure that I will never forget the friends that I met here, all
that they have done to help me over these five months, their children, and the
stories they have told me.”
--- Martha Stewart, 64, on her release from prison last week
Whether you’re a fan or not, it’s tough to ignore the media coverage of the
domestic millionaire’s saga: Accused; tried; convicted; sent to West Virginia;
ordered to scrub toilets, clean dorms and prison buildings; and her debt paid.
Martha says that serving her sentence for lying to federal investigators about a stock sale was a “life altering and life affirming” experience. Her newfound compassion for prisoners, their comforts and rights may be a focus of her activities now that she’s a free woman – although she’s under house arrest for a few more months at her New York estate. Cynics are doubtful, since becoming a champion for the underdog might interfere with running an empire. Others say that her influence and wealth could be tapped to call attention to injustices Martha says she now aware of.
If she is a selfish “goat” or a righteous “sheep” remains to be seen, to fit Jesus’ analogy in Matthew.
“Then the King will say to those (sheep) 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 … I tell you the truth, whatever you did
for one
of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.’
Matthew 25: 34-40
Compassion and care for others is a key to the Kingdom, Jesus says. Practice mercy and love, and mercy and love will be shown to us by Our Father. This daily duty to help others and to be sensitive to their needs should be second nature to us as believers, He says, so look for opportunities to serve. Some of us are so wrapped up in ourselves that we might need reminding; and if this is the case, a life altering experience may be what it takes to get your attention.
Has God ever delivered just such a wake-up call to you, or to your selfish nature?
Your chance to step up and be compassionate might take the form of an ill or troubled friend; an encounter with a homeless person; or simply an invitation to serve the needy in a church, school or community project. It would be so easy to go along in each day only concerned for yourself. Living the carefree life of a goat, you’d get to ignore the needs of the forgotten and those left out of the good things in life. But God can and does change hearts – one sheep at a time.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, help me to remember to answer as You call out for mercy, and that You are there too in each needy hand and hurting heart. Use me and Your Will be done. Amen.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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