WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL..... 8/3/13

SEEING NEEDS AND SHOWING COMPASSION

TALKING TO GOD

Ask God to help you see others as He sees them and to give you a heart of compassion for those who do not have a relationship with Him.

DIVING IN

Clear a space in your home where you can walk around blindfolded and not hurt yourself. Turn up the volume on a radio so that it drowns out your normal speaking voice. On one side of the family room, blindfold a family member. From across the room, have another family member whisper directions that guide the blindfolded person to him or her. Ask the whisperer to gradually speak up until the blindfolded person can hear the directions and safely make it to the other side of the room.

GOING DEEPER

One of the reasons that Jesus came into the world was to help the blind see. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus says, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." People who do not know God are like people who are blind or blindfolded. They cannot find their way to God and to His forgiveness and love. They are "spiritually blind" and need the guidance of God's truth to lead them in the right direction. To make matters worse, the noises of the world—such as people's differing opinions about God—often drown out the truth that would guide them. They may listen to and agree with many wrong opinions and follow what seems best or easiest to them.

Clear directions helped your blindfolded family member cross the floor amid the blaring sounds of a radio. In much the same way, Jesus wants to help those who do not have a relationship with God find their way to Him. He is the way through the distracting noises of the world, and He has compassion on them because they are blind and confused. As followers of Christ, we should have the same attitude toward those who are spiritually blind.

TALKING TO EACH OTHER

- How did it feel to try and listen for or give the directions with the distracting noise?

- What "noises" might keep nonbelievers from hearing God's love for them?

- How might thinking of nonbelievers as being spiritually blind help you show them compassion?

Luke 4:18-19 NLT

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Matthew 9:36 NLT

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

If you just started reading the Bible and have not yet asked Jesus into your heart to become your Lord and Savior, all you have to do is:

A - ADMIT YOU ARE A SINNER
Roman 3:23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.

Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

B - BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS GOD'S SON AND EXCEPT GOD'S GIFT OF FORGIVENESS FROM SIN

Acts 16:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household"

Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life, No one comes to the Father except through me."

Ephesians 2:8-9 ....8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

C - CONFESS YOUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR AND LORD

Roman 10:9-10, 13 .....9 If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart the God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

If your are ready to ask Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Savior, you can pray a simple prayer like this to God.

Dear God,

I know I have sinned and my sin separates me from You. I am sorry for my sin. I believe Jesus died on the cross for me so my sin can be forgiven. I believe Jesus rose from the dead and is alive. God please forgive me. I ask Jesus to come into my life and be my Savior and Lord. I will obey You and live for You the rest of my life, Thank You in Jesus' name I Pray.

Amen

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