“’And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple,
assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.’”
We want to be that person who helps other people. This follows the previous lesson on serving others. We are on the path of life, and every so often we need a “booster shot”.
How do we get this?
1) Coming to church with people of FAITH.
2) The Word is our “daily Faith” booster.
We need to be the “Faith booster” to those around us: family, friends, etc. When you say you’re praying for someone, then you NEED to do it! The more we help people in word and faith and deed, the more it helps you.
James 1:22
“But be DOERS of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
We want to be doers of the Word; not just hearers.
Romans 10:17
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Once your internal voice says, “I’m not sure”, then you’ll start speaking that and then start doing that. But rather, you should say, “What does the WORD say.” The devil knows the Word, and he will try and twist it.
WE need to KNOW the WORD! Most of the time, the devil attacks your mind.
James 1:26
“If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue
but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is USELESS.”
If we don’t control our mouth, we’re not following the Word of God.
James 1:27
“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this:
to visit orphans and widows in their trouble,
and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”
There is also ACTION involved, in taking care of others. Being a servant. Be an encouragement. When people are going through the “desert”, you can be an oasis.
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Whatever we do, we need to do in Jesus’ name.
Matthew 7:12
“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you,
do ALSO to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
And we also need to love our enemies. If we will just love the Lord and our neighbor, then we will fulfill all the commandments, because we won’t be stealing, killing, lying, etc. We need to be givers in our time of need. We need to lift them up, and this will spread. It is so much better to build up, than to tear down.
We don’t need to be looking at others and wishing, “Why is my life not like that?” We need to be encouraging to others and pray for others. We need to ask others, “Is there anything I can pray for you about?” That can turn a relationship around, and/or help them in their need.
“If God is God, then He hears our prayer whether we pray or not.” (Randall Wallace)
So why do we need to pray? Because we need to HEAR our own prayer to God. We need to know where we are NOW, so we can know WHERE we are going. We need to be real to God when we pray. He has something wonderful for us, but we have to pray, be real and ask for HIS help. Once we do this, we can pray for others and help them.
Philippians 2:5-7
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant,
and coming in the likeness of men.”
Even Jesus Himself took the form of a servant. We need to be the same.
We want to be a people of no reputation, and God will lift you up.
Joshua Boyd (Young Adult Fellowship Teacher, Tremont Church)