Standing up for the have nots

When we serve them, we serve Him. How do we begin to feed the billions who are hungry around the world. Mother Theresa said it best, “One at a time.” Although helping the poor can get very complicated, personal responsibility can be that simple. We need followers of Christ who are standing for social justice and feeding hungry children to be raised to prominent leadership in companies and government where macro-economic changes can occur, but it starts with the personal responsibility of being a help to those we see around us. Those who are faithful with little will be put in charge of much. Where can you start? When will you start?

Fasting

A great question was asked Wednesday night in our prayer service: why have Baptist not talked much about fasting? The spiritual disciplines have been much more emphasised in other denominations. But why have Baptist not talked much about some of the inward disciplines such as: solitude, simplicity, fasting, contemplative prayer, and meditation? Why do you think? Discussion welcome.

Get in the Middle of Something and Pray

What is the unique language (group of people you relate well with)? What has God burdened your heart about getting involved with? Get in the middle of it and pray. Ask God to give you an opportunity to share the good news and offer hope to the hungry, hurting, and disillusioned. What is your language? What are you getting in the middle of and praying? Share in the comments below so we can pray for each other.

Now that you're out of the box...

Part of breaking out of your box and seeing a bigger picture of the world (and God’s activity in the world) is leaving behind some small/limited ways of seeing.

Living in a box/a shell/a bubble creates “a tunnel” way of seeing. Typically this vision is about selfish needs, ambitions, goals, and plans. We just cannot see a bigger picture inside the box. When your eyes are opened to the great needs of others across the street and around the world, you are confronted with a choice: go back in the box or venture away from the box to leave behind selfish needs, ambitions, goals, and plans.

Caroline, Tyler, and Karmen sang the words Sunday: what if there’s a bigger picture…what if there is greater purpose. What “things” and “ways of seeing” are you challenged to leaved behind in the box.

The 120 in the book of acts would be challenged to leave ethnic elitism, prejudice, job goals, financial security, inheritances, and the familiar surroundings of culture and language. The biggest idea to leave in the box would be the reliance on their own strengths and ideas. The Spirit of God was coming in power. Reliance/trust in Him would be the new way of living outside the box.