What Is Your Level Of Compassion?

Scripture:
Matthew 9:36-38 (NIV)

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Devotional:

How much compassion do you have and share?  When someone is hurt or in need how does it affect you?  What about seeing children who are hurt, lost, or suffering in some way?  Does that pull at your heart?  Jesus had compassion on the people.  So much so that He healed them, He fed them, He cared for them and their needs.

How much compassion and care do you have for those around you?  What about the strangers you see?  Compassion and caring are a part of who Jesus is.  Not everyone has the gift of compassion but we need to have some compassion for those around us.  We need to care for those who are hurting and in need.  We can’t do it alone but with one another and through the Holy Spirit we can care for others the way Jesus did.  Through the Holy Spirit we can have compassion like Jesus.  Open your heart to the Holy Spirit.  Ask for God to give you more compassion for others. 

Love Is A Choice

Scripture:
Romans 12:9-13 (NIV)

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Devotional:

Too often it is easy to combine the sin or sinful lifestyle with the person.  We tend to condemn the person with the sin.  Something that is so awesome and wonderful is that Jesus never does.  He always separated the person from the sin.  He loved the sinners.  Mark 2:17 (NIV), “On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’”  Time after time He shared His peace, love and forgiveness.  One example is the prostitute they brought before Him.  Others were ready to cast stones at her.  Jesus showed compassion.  

How often are we ready to cast those stones?  How many times do we condemn someone because of their sinful life?  We are no better than they are.  Jesus loves them just as they are.  Why can’t we do the same?  We are supposed to love others as we love ourselves.  It isn’t a game of pick and choose.  In loving someone we do not have to accept their sins.  We just need to accept them.

If we truly love others the way Christ loves them, and us, then we will show them mercy, hospitality, compassion.  We will be slow to strike out.  It is not an easy task, but we can manage through the Holy Spirit.  Jesus will equip us with what we need to love others the way He loves.  One thing to remember is that love is not just another feeling.  It is a willful act that we do.  Love is a choice…

Standing In The Gap

Scripture:
1 Timothy 2:1-8 (NIV)

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle I am telling the truth, I am not lying and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.

Devotional:

Is this scripture you?  Could you be the one writing to Timothy?  We are all called, no appointed as heralds, we are disciples we should be telling the truth to all.  For Christ didn’t come for just a few select people.  Well unless that few selected people are all people of all times.  Are you praying and petitioning to God on the behalf of others?  

My current boss continuously comments on standing in the gap for others.  Are you going before God on the behalf of someone else?  If not I encourage you to pick someone to plea on their behalf before God.  Become that person’s champion and pray, petition, and intercede on their behalf.  The best part is that you do not even need to know them or like them to stand in the gap for them.  There is someone in your life who needs you to intercede and pray on their behalf.  Again is 1 Timothy you writing?  It could be and in some small way it should be each of us…