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Listen while you read: "Christ For The World We Sing"1 (Lyrics) |
Matthew 25:34-36,40 – Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (NIV)
After devotional time, my mornings usually follow a rather set pattern. Bed gets made and laundry started. Chewy goes outside to sniff the air and ground. Then he and Cat get fed. Water bowls and bird feeders get refilled. Somewhere in the midst of the muddle, my breakfast gets eaten, laundry laundered, and housekeeping done.
Most of the things that I do are routine — nothing earth-shaking — but like St. Francis of Assisi knew, the critters — some of the least of these — appreciate the attention. The birds at the feeder sing, the cat purrs on the porch, the dog's eyes glow, his tongue hangs out, and he pants his pleasure. My weekdays are filled with caring for critters.
However, these days, mission work and full-time ministry are beyond me, so I do what I am able to do at church: greet at the door, help with money, goods, and food, and support various missions.
When Jesus spoke the words in this parable, He was speaking of the end times when He'll be speaking these words to you and me. He'll say:
- "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat" … soup kitchen, food bank
- "I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink" … bottled water, wells
- "I was a stranger and you invited me in" … greeting people at the church door, entertaining at home
- "I needed clothes and you clothed me" … community clothing drives
- "I was sick and you looked after me" … hospital and hospice visits
- "I was in prison and you came to visit me" … prisoner and aftercare ministry
- "for one of the least of these" … orphans, Sunday school, nursery, VBS
The little things that we do for others, we do for Jesus!
Prayer: Lord God, enable us to serve You by helping the least of these, whether they be people or critters, for we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
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Very encouraging. Thanks, Cassandra.
Cass, another great devotional. God Bless you.
Such a good reminder, Cass. Have a great day. There is always something we can do.
Thank you for giving me a different perspective on some of the things that I do. Have a blessed week!
What an inspired devotional, Cassie! Not just the scripture but its practical applications!! Yay for you today.
A good read today. Yes, the Lord didn’t give any of us a retirement date, did He? Just keep serving others through Him.
(Ontario. Canada)
Dear Cassandra:
Thank you for making me better about the things I can do now and the small part I play in God’s plan.
May He, our Lord and Saviour, bless you mightily.
Dear Cass,
What a heart-softener that brings up compassion and acts of obedience. All we need to do is look around us to find a “little one.” Thank you so much for your devotion.
Greetings Cassandra,
A lovely devotional. You point out so clearly how many ways we can serve our Lord and thus be a blessing to others in our midst, who may be in need of help or just a handshake and a smile.
Thank you and blessings for a beautiful day.
(B.C.)
Hello
Thanks for this devotional. I enjoyed it and it spoke to me. this would be good for different ones to read as this is the beginning of a new cycle at churches with youth, grades 6 to 8 and Sunday School and church usually need more help.
Thanks again,
God bless.
Thank you for this ‘list’. Sometimes seeing our routine activities in print feels encouraging – but I never actually take time to do this – and indeed, all those ‘little’ things that I do seem so inconsequential that I find myself asking for forgiveness for not doing more for His people. Perhaps I’m not alone in this – which makes your reflection so wonderfully encouraging, and important. God bless.
Your devotional says it well. Cassandra.
My life contribution has had to be very focused and much more limited to things close to home too.
But simply being able to do something for others is a gift from God. My mother showed me how she did this in long term care as well. But when she tired due to medication and illness and being bed ridden, she rarely complained. This was all she had left to give.
Even her worry about who would “care” for me – I interpreted as she was only family who really cared or loved or worried about my well-being, and she was truly right.
But we know God loves us and cares for us in our darker and lighter times.
Having trusted friends take time to cultivate.
(Ontario, Canada)
A lovely devotional, Cassandra, and an encouraging call to help others!
Blessings.