Forty Days of Promises - To Help Us
Forty Days of Promises: Week 4
Focus of the week: The gift and the roles of the Holy Spirit
God promises to help us
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
All promises are fulfilled in Christ.
Please read Luke 10:25-37
“Won’t you be my neighbor?” That’s the famous theme song from the television series Mr. Rogers. It’s also a famous message in the story of the Good Samaritan. Jesus gives us an example of what being a true neighbor really means. We are called to help our neighbors, just as Jesus does.
Picture Jesus as the Good Samaritan. He was an outcast who was willing to seek and save people who were suffering. He was (and is) the ultimate neighbor whose compassion contrasted with religious leaders who had no compassion for those who suffered. He taught that a person should be a neighbor to anyone he meets who is in need.
Today, we are called to fulfill the role of the Good Samaritan and help ANYONE who is in need. We should put our fears and excuses of time, money, and inconvenience aside. We are asked to focus on self less and others more. Here are three philosophies to show the way the injured man is treated and how others thought about giving/helping:
1. What’s yours is mine—represented by the robbers.
2. What’s mine is mine—represented by the priest and Levite.
3. What’s mine is yours—represented by the Samaritan.
Jesus gives all that He has to help others (including his life). He says, “What’s mine is yours.” He shows mercy and compassion and tells us to go and do likewise. We are invited to help others through God’s loving spirit that lives inside of us. It is when we love others and show that love through our words and actions that we show God’s love and selflessness.
Won’t you be a GOOD neighbor?
Dear Lord,
Thank you for your promise to help us AND for the example of how we can help others through your loving spirit. Let us see people just as you see them and let our hearts be moved to extend your love. Forgive us for the times we turned our heads and made excuses for not stooping down and lifting our neighbor up. As we go out into the world to love and serve others, may our words and actions be pleasing to you, our True Helper and source of mercy, compassion and strength.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
