Openhanded

Deuteronomy 5:1-11

Verse 7-8

If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs.

Reading my devotion this morning told by Mother Teresa she talked about how suffering could be several different things, not just what you think suffering entails. It could be material suffering, hunger suffering, being homeless, having disease but one of the greatest sufferings of this world is being lonely, feeling unloved and the feeling of not having anyone in our life. In these sufferings we tend to turn our heads, rush on by, worried about our own lives that we never stop to notice those that have fallen and don't have the strength to stand anymore, or to go on. As christians these are the ones we need to care about, to lift up!

Do we take the time to care for the downtrodden? Do we seek to find their suffering and help them? I know we can get caught up in our own daily lives, our own problems...for me it's being a single parent full time, working and struggling daily with my own problems that I tend not to see the needs of others, whatever they may need.

Do we give to those in need? or do we get caught up in our own lives, instead of trusting God to supply all of our needs when we obey His word? "Be faithful in small things, because it is in them that your strength lies"

"Be the living expression of God's kindness:

kindness in your face

kindness in your eyes

kindness in your smile

kindess in your warm greeting"~ Mother Teresa

Think about some ways we can follow the example of loving others by being openhanded to those less fortunate than you. That doesn't always necessarily mean giving money, but what about lending an ear to hear, a shoulder to cry on? God has called us to be like Him, and never once have I seen him turn away from anyone in need, in suffering.

Father God, I come to you seeking your will in my life, to fully seek what it is that you want for my life. In doing so, I know you want me to help others in need and not solely focus on my own needs. I pray you will help me see the need and help me meet the need where you have placed me at. It's in your sons precious name I pray, Amen.

Woman at the Well

The woman at the well story in the Bible is so close to my heart. I could see myself as the woman in many aspects of life, I have heard the story many times growing up and only until a few months ago, did I allow myself to be healed from my past. I don't need that life anymore, I have met my love, my Father God who loves me unconditionally, who found me destitute, destrought, broken. He healed me. I know He is still working on this woman, making me, molding me. I know this life isn't without its hurts, its sadness, but I know the God that met me at my darkest time, the one who changed my life will never leave me!!

Heartache

Father God, I come with a heavy heavy heart. I want to curl up in your lap or lay at your feet I need to feel your comforting arms. I need to hear you say that everything is going to be okay, I need to hear you say that every heartache, every tear is worth it. This life is so difficult and hard, I don't know what you are trying to teach me Father, so in this teaching moment, I pray you will give me your strength and I pray you will protect my heart. I know you have a plan and it's far more than what I see right in this moment, I just need to feel your comfort and peace today Father God.


The dictionary defines heartbreak as ‘crushing grief, anguish, or distress.’ But a broken heart may be brought on by a myriad of causes such as disappointment in a child's lifestyle, loss of possession, loss of job, etc. Whatever the cause, the pain of a broken heart can be enormous.
I find rest in knowing only a child of God can experience complete recovery because only we have access to the power of the Spirit of God who alone “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3).
I think about Job and the heartache he endured . In one day he lost his children, almost all worldly possessions, his health, and his means of livelihood. He responded "Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD'" (Job 1:20-21). He was heartbroken yet, he worshipped God and remained faithful. Although he had doubts as to God’s goodness in these terrible events, through them he grew closer to God through God’s revelation of Himself (Job 42:1-5). Job learned what all believers can learn through heartbreak—God is faithful and good and trustworthy.
God never failed one of His children when they cried out to Him, and He will not fail the heartbroken Christian who cries out to Him today, He will NOT fail me. He may not answer me in the time I want, but I know he  answers according to His perfect will and timing and, while I wait for the answer, His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).