Important

Galatians 6:3
If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. (NLT)

Of course we all remember the story of the good Samaritan who stopped when no one else would and came to the aid of a stranger. And yet how often do we look the other way when someone is in need?

Years ago when we saw an accident, we would stop and see if we could help. Now we grab our cell phone and call 911 as we whiz by. Or we assume they have their own phone and not even be bothered. Maybe we mumble a quick prayer as they get smaller and smaller in our rear view window.

Perhaps we volunteer to feed the needy once a week or month. Sure, we hand out food, but do we take the time to get to know them? Or are we too important for that?

In God's eyes we are all His children. We may have different talents and life experience than someone else, but we are loved just as much. We may make millions and give lots to the poor, but He loves those living under the bridge just as much as He loves us. We are all important to God; even the sinner.

"I give money to help others", you say. Money helps but does not have the same effect as a hands on conversation. People look for a hand out, but really need a hand up. Isn't it time to treat them as the important child of God they are and stop looking the other way?

Practice

Leviticus 20:7
So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I am the LORD your God.Keep all my decrees by putting them into practice, for I am the LORD who makes you holy. (NLT)

Somehow we have gotten the mistaken idea that attending a church on Sunday morning is setting ourselves apart to be holy. Well, I guess it is a step in the right direction.

I have always found it interesting that the professions that seem to bring in the big bucks are the ones that are always practicing. Think about it. Lawyers have a Law Practice. Doctors practice. Down to earth professions like law enforcement, and teaching, truck driving are not practices. Some that perhaps should be called practices are politicians and newscasters. And then there is one that . really does involve lots of practice--acting.

Putting them into practice to me means continuing to do what God has called you to. Doing it over and over and over until it has become second nature.

I remember when I first learned to drive. I was determined and nervous. All my concentration was on keeping the car straight and watching for what the other drivers were doing. I could not have the radio on or pay attention to someone riding with me. After a while all those driving things became second nature. Now I can get where I am going and not remember all the details of how I got there!

So let's listen to God tell us what we are to do and practice doing it--over and over and over.

Just Ask

Luke 11:13 
So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. (NLT) 

When we get to the Fall season, we think about giving out candy at Halloween, gifts at Thanksgiving, and presents at Christmas. And then all the birthdays in between. It is true that we love to shower those we love with gifts. So why wouldn't our Father God want to do the same for us?

But Love comes before gifts. We give because we love. We don't expect others to love us just because we give them things. And yet some have grown up believing gifting is the only way to show one's love toward another. When love is present there is no need for gifting. Gifting becomes a bonus.

God has given each of us the gift of life. Jesus came to us with the gift of salvation and He promised to have the Father send the Holy Spirit to live in us.

I believe Holy Spirit is available to us when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Father God loves us and is thrilled at our decision to follow Jesus. So all we have to do is ask God and He sends Holy Spirit to reside in us. Then accelerated change comes as we listen on a new level and become more and more Christ like as we follow His lead.

Understanding

Proverbs 20:24 
The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? (NLT) 

When a runner is in a race, he knows the starting place, the finish line, and how much time he wants to take to get there. Life is not as cut and dry. We may know what we want to accomplish, but the path to get there can be pretty hazy.

Often we seek the wrong goal, the wrong finish line. Too often we look to others for advice about what our desires should be. Sometimes we are pushed a direction based on our parents desires for us with no consideration for what we want. How many of us went to school seeking a career that would gain us the bigger paycheck and soon found out we did not like the work?

We have God given talents and a destiny determined for us before we were even in our mother's womb. And yet we try many paths sometime never finding the one thing we should be on.

How often do we run ahead to where we want to go and then ask the Lord if we did the right thing? I do not know about you, but I am guilty of wanting His direction when I can't figure it out on my own!

And yet, He tells us that we just have to ask. He will use Holy Spirit to guide us in the direction necessary to fulfill our individual destiny. But it is up to us to ask. Then we must sit back and patiently listen for His answer. And finally, we must move out in faith in the direction given.

It is not a matter of understanding where the finish line is or where all the challenges will be along the way. As we allow Him, Holy Spirit will get us to the end of the race.