Helping Others Help Themselves

When you help the poor you are lending to the Lord, and he pays wonderful interest on your loan. Proverbs 19:17 The Living Bible

Good Morning Girlfriends:

Reflecting back on the many people that has been put in my path over the last thirty years, I can say that my hand has been extended in many different ways. Helping friends of mine move into different apartments, helping young moms getting set up on their own for the very first time, driving people to appointments, back and forth to work, lending an ear to the lonely, frustrated and the broken, has always been a desire in my heart.

Sometimes we can stick our neck out just a little too much when it comes to helping, because there are some people out there that wouldn't think twice of taking advantage of a person. Knowing our boundaries, and having discernment are two very important gifts to have when extending help to others. Looking back at some situations that I have been in, I now can see the difference when someone is receiving help and the ones who are not receiving help, all by whether they decide to make strides to help themselves change from one way to another. When we help others, we should never judge, just be there to help them, just simply by helping to point them in the right direction in order to help them to get moving in the way they should go.

Hebrews 13:16 reminds us not to forget to do good and to share what you have because God is pleased with these kinds of sacrifices. We can share good Godly advice, we can share our own life's experiences, we can share the good news of Jesus, we can share a helping hand. The strongest people make time to help others, even if they are struggling with their own person problems. Romans 12:13 tells us to contribute to the needs of God's people, and welcome strangers into your home. I remember this one time when a knock came to my door and there standing at my door was a lady with a duffle bag in her hand, looking for directions and information. Finding out that she had no where to stay for the night until she was able to get to her appointment in the morning, I had offered her to stay the night and I offered to drive her to her job appointment the next day. I knew that God was protecting me and my family, and she was so grateful as I had dropped her off the next morning to her appointment and I had never laid eyes on her again.

This story of this woman who had came to my door reminds me of what God had said in Matthew 25:44-45, "Then they will reply, 'Lord when did we see you, hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn't do anything to help you?' Then he will answer, 'I assure you that when you haven't done it for one of the least of these, you haven't done it for me." I had always wondered if that woman could have been an angel, because she was not seen again in town, but at least I can say I helped give her shelter for a night.

Proverbs 3:27 tells us not to withhold good from someone who deserves it, when it is in our power to do so. When we have the ability to help someone in need, whatever it may be, it is important that we do so. We can't solve all of their problems but we can surely direct them to the one who can and that is Jesus. It is a wonderful thing to want to help other people, but we do have to make sure that they are a willing participant and that they want the help. If they are not because you are not seeing any progress, then we are not helping them up, but if we are not careful, they can pull us down. We can help others by sharing our testimony of what God has brought us through, and we can also help that person by helping them discover who they are and what they have within themselves to help them to know that they are strong.

The good news in many ways, the act of being helpful, charitable is its own reward, but as our key verse says, being compassionate to people who are less fortunate, is also something that God will reward. So if you know someone girlfriends, that is in need of a ride to get somewhere and you can help, be that person. If you know of someone who could use some groceries, fill a bag for them. If you know someone who doesn't have many clothes because of a situation they just went through, maybe you can fit that need for them by purging your closet. There could be that mom who just needs a place to stay for a few days til she gets back on her feet, if you have a spare room and can give her a place to lay her head, be that helping hand, you just never what you could be doing to for that dear soul that is in need.

These are some ways to be showing them Jesus, being His hands and feet extended to help in whatever way we can can. It can mean that someday that person that we help, comes to know Jesus one day and how exciting and rewarding would that be for the kingdom. If you are able to do something that can make a difference in someone's life, be that difference, Amen?

Let's Pray,

Father God, I praise You for giving us another day to breathe and live to share You and Your love by lending a helping hand. Lord, continue to use each of us to be Your hands extended in this dark and dreary world. Let the love of Jesus continually shine through us to others who are in a dark time in their life. Lord, be our words to speak to that soul that comes in our path, let Your words be on our lips that will speak right to the heart of that person. Lord, I thank You for showing us Your love and compassion, so that we can pass it on to others in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Be blessed dear ones and continue to pass on the blessings. Thank you in advance for passing this message on.