August 5, 2013 - Stop And Help

Good morning and salutations, Starting this week a little tired as we had a busy day at church yesterday, but it was glorious. I LOVE being with God's people and in His presence. Pastor Mike said yesterday, "we cry out to be in God's presence - LONG for His presence." He responds, "look around - my presence abides in those around you. You're in my presence." His point was that we do the religious thing by commenting that we want to be with him, and won't stop and really be generous with our time, talent, touch and treasure when people like the man in the Good Samaritan story have needs. I was reminded of another parable in Matthew 25 - the sheep and the goats. When we have attended to the cares and needs of others, we have recognized God's presence in their brokenness and have given sacrificially as unto the Lord himself. Very impacting message. For those not attending New City Church, you can hear it on our website by tomorrow. Mike Servello. Powerful and challenging! Let's tag off that today. I absolutely know that when you are fighting for your own survival and health, grabbing others or pausing to help someone "along the side of the road" seems impossible. But I really think when we help others gain their health through our modeling appropriate food choices at functions and lunches we have "paused to help another." When we bring a word of encouragement and a bag of apples, "we have paused to help others." Sometimes obesity is JUST LIKE being beaten and left to die on the side of the road. People pass by daily and never stop to show they care. Comments like, "if YOU COULD STOP eating, you could be healthy." "You really eat too much and that's why you're fat." "Those people - no one opens their mouth for them." If real people weren't saying these things to me - I was REALLY saying them to myself. People passing by, handing me doughnuts and cheeseburgers and never offering a real, long-term answer. Then one day, my doctor talked to me about HCG and planted a seed. My brother called and in a state of desperation suggested a possible solution that we could do TOGETHER. In other words, "let me help you out of the ditch." And the rest is history or "HIS STORY." So the moral today is - we don't live our healthy lives simply for us but for everyone who needs encouragement. Look around today - who's in the ditch? Don't simply pass by them, don't condemn them, help them up, take them to the inn keeper and pay their bill. (go back and re-read the parrable....fabulous) Then you've given someone, including yourself, HOPE and LIFE. Praying for you this day fam, PK