Do What You Can Do – Part 4
Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ – Matthew 25:34-40.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. – Galatians 5:22-26.
Near Tecumseh, Oklahoma, Garrison Reneaux has lost all that he had. He lived in a small travel trailer with his dogs. There was no running water or electricity, but there was heat from a butane heater. It is thought the heater was what caused the fire that destroyed Reneaux’ home. Neighbors, and a local church are helping him with temporary shelter, and other aid.
In another story from Oklahoma a family also lost their home in a fire. However, someone has anonymously given the family $1000.00 to help them move forward from the disaster they have experienced.
A few years ago we were caring for a foster child with neuroblastoma. He was only about seven years old, and had been through so much. We live in far western Oklahoma, but had to be at Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City one morning at 8:00 a.m. for a procedure. I was surprised, when I dropped him and Jeanie off, and as I went to park our car to see Oklahoma University head football coach, Bob Stoops, unloading a box from his SUV. While we were there at the hospital the coach visited with the children for several hours giving away hats, footballs, and other OU memorabilia. As the coach left I thanked him, and he simply said, “No problem.” What the coach did that day meant a lot to those kids, and it is appreciated.
The truth is that we can all extend a helping hand to those around us in one way or another. It may be a gift of money to someone in need. It could be a drink of cold water, or a little bit of food to someone who has very little. It could be the giving of some clothes, or visiting someone in a hospital, or nursing home, or in jail, or prison. It may be only a kind word of encouragement, to someone that is hurting.
You can do what you can do this year by exercising the “fruit of the Spirit.” You can, instead of being mean spirited, hard hearted and stingy…you can be loving, kind, gentle, and good toward all that cross your path this year. Surely, that is what your Lord Jesus would have you to do. Do what you can do this year through His power, and for His glory!
(You can do what you can do this year by exercising the “fruit of the Spirit.”)