Assumptions From Proverbs 19:7

Read Proverbs 19:7.

You read this verse and two emotions pull at you.  (1) You feel sad/bad for the poor man and (2) you feel angry at those who could have helped him.  Within this verse are several assumptions. I'm sure you've heard them before.

• The poor man is poor because of bad decisions he made.
• The poor man is poor because that is a form of God's judgment on him.
• The poor man says he is poor but really isn't.
• Others shouldn't always have to bail out the poor man.
• If the poor man acted like the others, the poor man wouldn't be poor.
• The poor man is lazy and his brothers or friends worked harder than he.
• The poor man will never be satisfied; he will only keep coming back for more.
• Some will always be rich and will never know financial need.

Each assumption might have an ounce of truth, but also has one or more exceptions; therefore, these assumptions should not be taken as axioms.

Here are some things to beware:

• Presumption - cast guesses on the poor man's motives, skill, work ethic, etc.
• Pride - "This could never happen to me!"
• Compassion Fatigue - overwhelmed by need, shut down, stop caring
• Waste - giving resources that aren't needed
• Delay - Don't promise to help later when you can help right now.

Heart And Hands (Mark 1:41)

Read Mark 1:41.

Jesus didn't just feel on the inside; He touched the man.  When dealing with people, both your heart and your hands need to be engaged.

• It starts with your heart.  Is your heart sensitive to the stirring of the Holy Spirit? 
• Your heart alone isn't enough.  Compassion needs implementation.  Feeling needs follow-through.
• Your hands alone aren't enough.  Implementation without compassion leads to formality, coldness and performance.  People deserve better than that!

My Prayer (11/23/16)

Read Matthew 18:31.

Oh, for a sorrow that moves me to act!  Deliver me, O God, from a sorrow that affects only emotion and not volition!  What good is mere feeling badly?  That changes not the situation, and makes me only more burdened and frustrated.  Once I see it and feel it, may I do something about it.  Guide me, Holy Spirit, not to stop until there is life change.

The Beggar At Your Gate (Lu. 16:19-1)

Read Luke 16:19-31.

Certainly the rich man had sufficient resources to at least make sure that Lazarus had more than occasional crumbs.  Certainly the rich man had abundant resources to guarantee that Lazarus had more than two pennies now and them. No, the rich man couldn't alleviate all the suffering of all the beggars, but he surely could've done more fore this one beggar.

Ignorance was no excuse.  Lazarus was placed at the rich man's gate.  Each time the rich man came in or went out, there was Lazarus.  Were there times the rich man walked across Lazarus in order to get to the market?

What is the situation at your "gate"?  Perhaps it isn't a beggar.  It could be another situation.  What keeps you aloof from it or hesitant about helping?

Here are three action points from today's Bible verses:

1. Let us be cognizant of and grateful for the overall blessed lives we live.  (How fitting, since Thanksgiving Day is only five days away.)
2. Let us be sensitive to the pain, shortage, injustice and humiliation that surrounds us.  I guarantee you that there is no shortage of need.
3. Let us give more than the minimum.  Most of us can do a whole lot more than what we say we're comfortable doing.

How Can We Not Give?

Yes.  I get it.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner.  This might be the most inopportune time to ask for yet another offering.  Then I remember - I will enjoy at least one pizza in the next month.  Whether it's sit-down at Pizza Hut or order-in from Vocelli's, the fact is that I do have some discretionary cash.  I'm guessing you do too.

There is no way I can, in good conscience and as a believer in Jesus, listen to the description of suffering in the Philippines and not respond.  The least I can do is to give up that pizza and donate the money.  I cannot say, "I don't have anything to give."  The same is true for many of my readers.  Won't you join me in giving?

For those who attend Apollo Assembly of God, we will receive an offering November 17, 24 and December 1.  If you prefer to give sooner, you can give here. 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2501471/Philippines-Typhoon-Haiyan-Bodies-piled-streets-makeshift-mortuaries-overrun.html

Such Disaster...How Do We Respond?

Typhoon Haiyan

Here in southwestern Pennsylvania, I'm on the other side of the world from the devastation.  How should I pray?  I know people are hurting.  That's enough right there to get me praying!  Sometimes, having specific requests helps the process.  You can find a list of requests here. 

Another question I have is this:  What will the relief organization do with my contribution?  Apollo Assembly of God and I partner with Convoy of Hope.  You can read about their response to Haiyan here.  To donate, click here.

Apollo Assembly of God will receive a special offering November 17, 24 and December 1.  One hundred percent of that offering goes to Convoy of Hope.  I know the holidays are approaching, but those suffering in the Philippines need our help.  Their necessities matter more than our preferences.

Update on OCC Shoeboxes

Thanks to your generosity, the pile is growing!  Right now we're at 27 shoeboxes.  Only 23 more to go.  We can do this!  Just a reminder...we only have one more Sunday.  Boxes must be at Apollo Assembly of God by Friday, October 19.  The outreach committee will deliver the boxes to the drop off location.  For all the children who will have a smile on their face on Christmas morning, thank you.

Job's Influence (Job 29:21-25)

What influence!  Job spoke, people listened.  They sought him out. 
Who doesn't want to have such an impact?  It's only natural to ask, "How did Job get to that pinnacle of impact?"  He wasn't born wise or influential; rather, he developed such capacity. 

Job earned the right to be heard through simple, helpful acts of caring.  He noticed the obvious in front of him and did something about it (Eccl. 9:10; Job 29:12-17).  Investment (of time, talent, treasure and strength) precedes impact.

In addition to his compassion, Job was also a man of character (Job 1:1, 8).  Character plus compassion -- you can never go wrong.

What's the obvious need that, were you to ignore it, would slap you in the face because of your coldness?  Now, what are you going to do about it?  Of course you can do something about it!  God didn't bring it to your attention so you could say, "Somebody ought to help those people."  I'm the somebody.  You're the somebody.

Offering for Disaster Relief in Japan

In case you were wondering, L.A.G. will be receiving an offering to help with disaster relief in Japan. The offering will be received Easter Sunday, April 24. I chose that date on purpose, knowing we will have guests.

It's my opinion that helping to relieve disaster isn't about being Christian, although the Church should lead the way. Helping to relieve disaster is about being a caring human. Non-churched people do have caring hearts. I want to give them an opportunity to partner with the church.

If you'd prefer to donate prior to Easter, mark your contribution "Japan Disaster Relief" and we'll add it to the Easter offering. Proceeds will be sent to Convoy of Hope, an international relief agency with impeccable credentials.

Offering for Disaster in Haiti

I just read on Yahoo that anywhere from "thousands to half a million" are presumed dead as a result of the earthquake that rocked Haiti.

Needless to say, we are going to help. This Sunday, January 17, we will do two things:

1. We will donate 10% of the general fund offering toward this cause. That will be our base.
2. We will take a special offering and add it to the base.

In times like these, we cannot be callous. We must respond with compassion and generosity. Tonight's scheduled prayer meeting will be devoted to this situation. Thanks in advance for your prayerful and financial participation.