Loving the Stranger Among Us

No matter what the issue of the day(in our country or the Greater Montgomery area) if you are follower of Christ, here are some words of wisdom from God's Word.
Those who are "strangers in our land" are loved and valued by God. Therefore, if we are a follower of Christ, we are called, by God, to value them.

It MATTERS to God how we treat people individually and as a nation.

Meditate on these words today and this week.....and see what God says to you as to how you are treat others this week:

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Leviticus 19:33-34 and 24:22 – When the alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”

Deuteronomy 10:18-19 – “For the Lord your God...loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”

Deuteronomy 27:19 – “Cursed be anyone who deprives the alien…of justice.”

Jeremiah 7:5-7 – “If you do not oppress the alien…then I will dwell with you in this place…”

Jeremiah 22:3-5 – Do no wrong or violence to the alien.

Malachi 3:5 – The messenger will bear witness against those who thrust aside the alien.

Matthew 25:31-46 – “…I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

Romans 12:13 – “Mark of the true Christian: “…Extend hospitality to strangers…”

Hebrews 13:2 "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

Ephesians 4:31-32 "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Galatians 3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Praying for the Brokenhearted

Today, let's focus on praying for those in need of comfort. This past month, many deaths have occurred. Some "expected", some surprises. But all of these were no surprise to God! He is the GOD OF ALL COMFORT!!

There are many people, even within the ones I know of, whose life affected so many. Three of the funerals that I know more intimately each had over 300 people attending. These women's lives affected so many in such positive ways!

Let's see death as an opportunity to show God's grace, mercy and love to those who are hurting. You may know someone today who have recently had a loved one die. PRAY for them. There are also many who you don't know who have had a family member or loved one die recently and they don't know God's comfort. PRAY for them. God knows. Petition to God on their behalf to fill them with comfort and peace and wisdom. 

Prayer can have a large impact on our city and the Greater Montgomery area. Pray for all who grieve and are brokenhearted.

Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted  and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Praying Isaiah 58 Today!

On this MLK JR Day, let's take time to reflect on our own bias and judgements, confess them and ask the Lord to replace them with Truth and Love. Jesus always protected the vulnerable and went to them instead of the "righteous".

Dr. King preached that throughout his whole life..through word and deed. As brothers and sisters in Christ in the Greater Montgomery area, we need to be doing the same!!!

Reflection this passage today that Jesus reminded us of in the book of Luke. Isaiah 58:1-12

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness[a] will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

What is Your Jesus New Year Resolution?

New Year's Week............a reflection for us to start the year. What is your "Jesus" New Year Resolution?

Are we willing to make Christ our #1 this year which means getting to know Him better than you ever have and LIVING out what scripture tells us on how to live in the Greater Montgomery area.......


1. Pray that Jesus will fill your heart this year with HIS WORD and HIS HEART.
2. Make a renewed commitment to pray even more for our city, our Greater Montgomery area.
3. Pray intentionally for the things that are listed here each week that reflect what goes on in our area.
4. Watch God work in changing YOU and OUR GREATER MONTGOMERY AREA. 
 

What is Your Jesus New Year Resolution?