There is so much trouble, misery, and suffering in this world today! So many are hurting emotionally and physically. Many are sin sick, lost, and in bondage to various addictions and strongholds. Moral degradation, abasement, and depravity abound! Wrong is being called right, and right is being called wrong. The love of many has waxed cold. We don’t love our neighbors as we love ourselves, as it is written in the Scriptures! Homelessness, hunger, and wantonness are prevalent! So many are broken, and in despair! What is the body of Christ doing about all the ills of this world, and the moral decline? The body of Christ, the saints of the Most High God who have been born again of the water and of the spirit, are Christ’s representatives on the earth! We who are being led by the Spirit of the Living God, yes, we are His “ecclesia”, the called out ones, or “those who belong to the Lord”, have been commissioned to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to share the Good News with those who are lost, hurting, and without hope in this world! The body of Christ holds the key to setting the captive souls free. We know the Savior, the Great Physician, Jesus Christ! We know that Jesus is the answer for the world today, and above Him there is no other, because Jesus is the only way!
In some instances, before we are able to minister to the spiritual needs of a man, emotional and physical issues must be addressed. We will encounter individuals who are broken in spirit, hungry, and in need of clothing or shelter, etc. These are opportunities for the world to see our faith in action. We must seize every opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those who are downtrodden and unsaved. It is not the will of God that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Are we going to pick and choose who we will minister to, because of the way an individual looks or doesn’t look? James 2:14-17 says, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (ESV) The parable of the good Samaritan comes to mind here. Jesus spoke of a man on a journey who fell among thieves, was stripped of his raiment, wounded, and was left half dead. He spoke of a priest and a Levite, who upon seeing this man, looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan came where the man was, and had compassion on him. He bound up his wounds, set him up on his own beast, and took him to an inn, where he cared for him. We are to be merciful and show compassion unto those who are in need! Have we seized every opportunity to minister to our neighbors’ needs, which would provide an opportunity to witness to hurting souls? Are we letting our lights so shine, that men might see our good works and glorify the Father which is in heaven? How are you using your gifts, your talents, and your substance to glorify God in the Earth? Matthew 9:37-38 says, “Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth laborers into His harvest. “Seize the moment.” May the Lord bless you abundantly, today and every day!
Paulette's Blog 
Amen,help us Heavenly Father to do those things you have prepared for us so that our works will be effective and give you the glory.I praise God and thank God for all of the people we’re reaching “Hallelujah”!
Love ya and I enjoyed the read 😀 😀
Hi Pat,
Thank you for the prayer! I pray that prayer, as well! It is certainly not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord, that our works and our witness become effective! Thanks so much for the encouraging comment! 🙂
Love you too!
Paulette
Thank you, dear Paulette, for being “church” to me, for praying for me and building my faith and bringing me His word with that worship filled heart for Him you have. God bless you as you love others and seek their good above your own, as even posting these blessings in His name are not times without pain for you. You remind me of Paul when he says to imitate him, as he imitates Christ. 🙂 May I follow Jesus and be His hands and feet out of the same kind of love for Him that you do!
Hi Debbie,
Thank you so much for your kind words, and all the encouragement you send my way! It’s most appreciated! 🙂 Thank you for the blessing you spoke over my life, and I receive it, in the spirit in which it was given. God bless you! You are such a caring person. It is evident in your comments, as well as your poems! May God bless you richly, and continuously keep you in His loving care!
Paulette
Thank you, Minister Paulette
Every time you write like this I want to jump and shout some ‘Amens’ up in here!
“Have we seized every opportunity to minister to our neighbors’ needs, which would provide an opportunity to witness to hurting souls? Are we letting our lights so shine, that men might see our good works and glorify the Father which is in heaven? How are you using your gifts, your talents, and your substance to glorify God in the Earth? ”
These questions are a confirmation. God is good!! I am asking Him to help me be His hands and feet in my community. I posted elsewhere that about 6 houses around me have changed owners in the last year. Opportunities for ministry abound…
Thanks for praying.
Blessed to be a blessing,
ann
You are certainly blessed to be a blessing! All glory and honor to God! It is the anointing that makes the difference in our lives! Bless His holy name! We truly serve an awesome God! “Opportunities for ministry abound…” Amen!
God bless,
Paulette
Thank you for adding this song Ann! I’ve been a fan of Hezekiah Walker and LFCC for some time now! The only way to go forth, is in the name of the Lord!
God bless you!
Paulette
Great reminder, Paulette, that we MUST be doers of the word and not just hearers. If Christ is truly residing in your heart than his love must compel you to do his work and act for him in love to the lost and those in need! We can do no less than his power enables us to.
Amen, Marianne. As you said, when Christ truly indwells us, it is “His love which compels us to work and act for Him”, to be His hands and His feet in the earth! The Holy Ghost within us, causes us to get off the seat of do-nothing, and to be about our Father’s business! ” We can do no less than his power enables us to.” Amen! Amen!
Thank you so much for sharing with us today! May the blessings of the Lord, continue to rest upon your life!
I have the most amazing testimonial concerning a gift of the spirit I received from the most unlikely place. The other day driving to work, I came across a rough looking gentleman who was hitching a ride on the side of the road. It was the last exit before a two mile bridge (no pedestrians allowed) so I knew there was no way he was getting across unless someone picks him up. So I pulled over to let him in. I almost instantly regretted it, because he brought with him the most awful body odor that your eyes would water. I reasoned that this was clearly among the downtrodden and that I would just adjust to the smell, which I did. A thought came to my mind that what we do for the least among us, we also do for Jesus.
And then he proceeded to tell me his story. He said his name was Jerry and that he was homeless. He used to stay in Ocean City which was 100 miles east of where we were. He decided he wanted a change of scenery so he hitched a ride thus far and this was as far as he got. He has been trying for days to get across the bridge, but no one would pick him up. He told me, now get this, that he prayed to God that morning that someone would help him get across or he would give up and then I stopped to help. This was his third day trying. He was headed to South Carolina, but first he was headed to Washington DC (50 miles west from the bridge) to spend some time with his father.
Did you get that? Jerry has been traveling to go to his father and after three days he crossed over the bridge separating him from his father. He told me he went by Tue name Jerry, but his Christian name was Joseph. I was astounded. He confided in me that he was an alcoholic, which didn’t surprise me, and I shared that I wrestled with the same thing from time to time and had some health concerns that were on my mind. He told me at the homeless shelter someone talked to him about God and he asked me if I ever considered God in my life. We spent the rest of the trip talking about God and how Jesus blessed the meek and those who were going through tribulations. He quoted me Romans five and that through our tribulations we maintain hope.
I am unsure if I helped him or he helped me.
Hello Hopeful watcher,
Thank you so much for stopping by, and commenting. Wow! What an experience. I appreciate you sharing this testimonial with us! It is a wonderful addition to the post. “I am unsure if I helped him or he helped me.” Absolutely beautiful!
“A thought came to my mind that what we do for the least among us, we also do for Jesus.” Our God does work in mysterious ways! His wonders to perform!
May the Lord bless you, and may His face shine upon you. Thanks again.
Paulette
A Classic. “Lord I’m Available.” This version was performed by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, but the song was originally performed by Milton Brunson, and the Thompson Community Singers.
Your first para is a true description and should cause a sense of shame to all believers who read it. Things that were once black and white are now shades of grey – or worse still, painted in bright attractive colours!
“The time is come that judgement must begin at the house of God” 1 Peter 4:17
It is our responsibility to reach those who do not know the Lord. It is our responsibility to show them the light and the love of Christ by our lives, our attitudes, our words and our actions . . . . . not simply because we have to, but because “The love of Christ constrains us” 2 Cor 5:14
Hi Angela,
As always, beautifully stated! “The time is come that judgement must begin at the house of God.” This Scripture summarizes the essence of the post.
Why do we do what we do, and why should we do what we do, “not simply because we have to, but because “The love of Christ constrains us” 2 Cor 5:14” Amen, Angela.
Wow! You truly are gifted in your words, reminding me of Jeremiah when God told him go where I say tell the people what I tell you to and do not fear. You have so much wisdom that you just put out there for others and I feel well fed when I visit you here. May God keep blessing you with insight and understanding and may He continue to put His words in your mouth! Thank you that you bless me so richly.-watw
Hi, WATW,
Thank you so much for your words of kindness! They are truly appreciated! Of late, my prayer has been that God would endow me with wisdom. Not the wisdom of the world, but I desire to be filled with His wisdom. I want to be fed and filled with His Words. After all, it is not about me, but it is ALL about Him!
Thank you for stopping by and commenting, WATW! May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you, and may He give you His peace, which passeth all understanding.
Paulette
Amen!! I can only thank the Lord for this. Great message sent out. I pray we the children of the Most High ,will incline our ears to listen, our hands and feet to move swiftly and courageously to minister to the multitude. Thank you for sharing this on my page Paulette. God is calling……
Praise Him all ye that have breath! Praise Him.
Hi Terra,
The message you posted on your blog resonated with me. The messages were from the same vein. How many times do we “walk by on the other side”, when we are able to give someone a hand up, not a handout? It is high time that we be about our Father’s business. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this topic today.
God bless you. Thanks for stopping by.
Paulette