Being Kind to Those in Need

On Saturday, it was a hot and sticky day We had to get out and buy groceries so we went to over to Walmart and stocked up for the next few weeks. As we were loading up the groceries, an elderly woman approached us and asked if she could have a ride to her home. It was at Jeff Davis Apts(which is an apt complex for those who live with medical and mental illnesses-mostly elderly). Quite frankly, at first, I was going to say no....not out of fear or trepidation, but because I had a lot to do at home and felt annoyed someone was interrupting my day. Before the words came out of my mouth(no!)the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said...."take this woman home". I battled for "seconds" over this and then decided to be obedient to that nudge. We loaded her few groceries in the car and she got in. I decided to be happy about this interruption because in the past, God has brought joy and excitement in entertaining "strangers". I changed my attitude and was ready for what HE was bringing to our family.

Ruth(not her real name) was a very pleasant woman and as we all chatted with her, she began to tell us about how one of the local Baptist churches(a small one)had ministered to her over the last few years(she did not know I worked for the Baptists here in Montgomery). She was so grateful to them for bringing her to Jesus and helping her along the way. She told us that she had a hard time getting around Montgomery because she could not drive. She never asked for anything from us except a ride.....we got to encourage her in her journey and love on her for a short time. She was discouraged and hot and tired when she got in. She was laughing and joyful when we dropped her off. It was that simple.

Helping others in need can be....well...annoying at times. We have our plans, we have our agenda and sometimes God interrupts that agenda for the day. He asks us to go beyond our comfort zone, he gives us discernment and He can show us the way. I don't often take people home but that day, that moment, I needed to. Not every moment is going to be taken up with giving rides or helping give services, but sometimes, even if you don't feel you are supposed to help that person in that moment, you can give a kind word or encourage them or pray with them. Simple acts of love can go a long way. Oh, and the family made a new friend and we will be praying for Ruth now as she muddles through this stressful life.

Proverbs 21:13 says this, "If you refuse to listen to the cry of the poor, your own cry for help will not be heard". GNT 

Let's take that seriously today!

Prayer point this week:
What will you do to be kind to the "poor" this week? Are you asking the Holy Spirit today to guide you and direct you to who needs you?

Praying for Montgomery Police Department

This week especially, be praying for our Montgomery Police Department and all leaders involved as they transition to looking for a new police chief and for Chief Kevin Murphy as he looks to his own future. This has been a very controversial and sad time for all involved. Here are a few things to pray for this week.

 1. Pray for Chief Murphy and his family-transition, loss of his brother, protection from bitterness and anger. Pray for the Lord to give him new direction in his life that will honor God and his family.

2. Pray for the police officers under his command. Praying for those who are born again on the force to step up and have the courage to share Christ with their colleagues. Pray for soothing oil to be over the department as this transition happens.
3. Pray for ourselves. That will we will continue to live in the light and not the darkness in our city, our greater Montgomery area. Pray that darkness in our city politics will be exposed.

"I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go, I will counsel you and watch over you". Psalm 32:8

Change My Heart, Oh God, for Montgomery's Sake!

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect". Romans 12:2 New Living Translation

As we live and work in the Greater Montgomery area, we are to be transformed by changing the way we think about............everything! Not an easy task to do for the average human but with God all things are possible, right?

Here are some prayer points this week for us to ponder.
1. Pray that the Lord will change our way of thinking about those we don't like very much.
2. Pray that the Lord will change our way of thinking of the poor and their circumstances.
3. Pray that the Lord will change our thinking about those of other cultures who are our neighbors and colleagues.
4. Pray that the Lord will change the way we see worship...not as a consumer, but as a participant in the Kingdom.
5. Pray that the Lord will change the way we think about our schools, yes, they are a mess but there IS good all around. We just have to look for it.
6. Pray that the Lord will change the way we think about crime......crime is a "symptom" of heart issues. Pray for change in the hearts of those who commit crimes.Is our heart changed? Can we be the testimony that someone might need to "see" for their own hearts to be changed?

What would happen if we all did that this week....."Lord change me...instead of Lord change them". Wonder how the Greater Montgomery area would look if that happen?  Let's try!! Are you on board? I am.

 Change My Heart, Oh God

Lying and Slander in Montgomery Politics

Exodus 23:1 ESV “You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness". 

I saw this verse after listening to a friend tell about a relative who was running for an office and all the horrible ads that he and others have been victims of. It just didn't affect the "vote", it affected his family and friends who knew that he wasn't the way this ad portrayed him.Somehow, in our society, we have come to justify slander and lies as a way to get us to vote for them. The Bible says that slander/lying is WRONG....no matter what your motive.

The primary elections are this week in Montgomery and all over our state. As followers of Christ, there are specific guidelines on the character of person. Be the one to live that instead of what our political candidates are doing to each other. What you see on TV(all the mudslinging, etc)is NOT good character.

As we pray for Montgomery this week, here are a few things we can pray for.
1. Pray for wisdom as you cast your vote. Read the facts, don't listen to the ads. What you hear on TV is not the truth for any candidate. Be wise.
2. Pray for the Lord to bring the RIGHT candidate to each position to be a light and a change in our Greater Montgomery area.
3. Pray for yourself. Are you a mudslinger? It is not just politicians that do this. We all do and it is sin. If each follower of Christ would choose his/her words wisely, we would be a better witness to those who do not believe.

Leaving us all with this verse to ponder this week as we serve others as followers of Christ and as we cast votes for public officials.

Food for thought:
 "Being wise is better than being strong; yes, knowledge is more important than strength. After all, you must make careful plans before you fight a battle, and the more good advice you get, the more likely you are to win". Proverbs 24:5-6