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Listen to our devotional: https://bit.ly/3v2DZU1
16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. (1 John 3:16-24 NIV)
Happy Tuesday, dear, strong ConCafe Family! May this day be the day in which you, Friend do what God has asked of you, and you receive from God what you have asked of Him!
Mister Tim Bird probably does not consider himself a hero, but if you read what he does most nights in San Antonio, you will disagree with his own assessment. Mr. Bird, of Seguin, began by volunteering at the Freeman Coliseum with the over 2,000 immigrant children who are being housed there until their future can be determined. You can read the story by clicking on the link below. I share this because in a time where the people who are reacting in anger to real needs by threats or claims, "If anyone tries to come and take my stuff, I will kill them!" it is refreshing to see those who see the Christ-like need we have in our midst today. Please re-read verse 17 again: "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?" John asks a timeless and very good question. When a real need, and usually of the life or death situations, how can we do anything other than the caring Christ-like response to our brothers and sisters? If more people would come to Christ, and more importatnly, come to having the mind of Christ, we would see the best response in most situations is "How can I help?, or What more can I do?" I've been very proud of young people during this pandemic who post social media spots where they have raised money to help those who might otherwise not have any help. Some will go and buy out street vendors entire merchandise for the day and let them keep it wile giving them large sums of money that followers and supporters of that particular blogger have shared with him or her to do just that. On FaceBook I addressed the kind of things prophets have to say even when the majority voices might say otherwise; there are real needs in our country even today; hunger, thirst, need for clothing, care, compassion, hospitality - the very things that Jesus said we would be judged on when He comes back on that day when all will stand before Him and God. The example and role model for us is Christ Jesus, Who loved all people, and showed them care and compassion. One example was the woman caught in the act of adultery. Sentenced to die by stoning, Jesus said whoever was without sin could throw the first stone. Jesus also wrote on the ground something we will know when we get to heaven that made all the accusers thrown down the stones and walking away. Jesus then asked the woman where her accusers were; and for her to go and sin no more.
The example set by Christ was not for political purposes or even to showcase Himself as a good person; Jesus lived how He lived so that we too, could live like Him. Re-read the passage for today; "Believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us." Nowhere do we read, "Well, that woman deserved to die! She was in clear violation of the law!" Yes, she was. But Jesus showed compassion and forgiveness, and He also reminded those present on that day that no one there was innocent of all sins. Jesus knew they would get more out of life by loving more than they would if they were angry and condemning of others. "The one who keeps God's commands lives in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us."
Dear one, this is not a political message; this is a prophetic message. If the Holy Spirit truly lives in us, we are called to be, and truly should be, different from the way we used to be. The corners of our hearts that once burned with anger and resentment should be gone. The thoughts that ruled our minds of condemnation and hatred, should be transformed into thoughts of love and charity. The questions we once asked of trying to get answers for justifying what we once considered justice, should now be those questions posed in our title for today; How can I help? What more can I do?
PRAYER: Lord God, Compassionate Father of all people, transform us into those whose lives have tired of the negative and want to be solidly for life and compassion. Remove from us the negative and fill us with Thy Spirit so that we can do more and be more. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Show love and compassion today in all ways.
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
Click here to read more about Mr. Tim Bird: https://seguintoday.com/2021/04/14/seguin-man-steps-in-to-help-migrant-children-currently-sheltered-at-sas-freeman-coliseum/
