"Helping With Hand or Heart"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

"Helping With Hand or Heart"

   

     In practical terms, there are normally two ways we can help someone.  We either possess the means to do so ourselves, or if not, we can ask someone else who can and will act on the behalf of the person to whom we desire to provide assistance.  

    This is especially the case in prayerful terms. 

    "For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established" (Romans 1:9-11).

   At the time the Apostle Paul wrote the epistle to the Romans, he had not been able to visit his fellow believers in Rome because of ministry obligations elsewhere (Romans 15:20-23).  Thus, he prayed for them, and wrote the epistle that serves as the doctrinal foundation of the New Testament.  Doubtless the prayers led to the letter as Paul sought the help of Another for his Roman brethren.  God responded by His Spirit's inspiration of the Apostle's words, said by the poet Samuel Coleridge to be "the profoundest writing in existence."  Paul could not go to directly help the Romans, as he desired.  He thus sought God's help, which resulted in the light of the Roman epistle illuminating not only the church in Rome, but the church in history.

   When we desire to help others, we do so, if possible.  "As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10).  When such opportunity does not present itself to our hands, we nevertheless help with our hearts by seeking the aid of Another.  As with Paul and his letter to the Romans, the Lord may lead and enable us to do something we had not considered.  Or He may work in ways and means beyond our opportunity and ability.  How God helps is up to Him.  Our privileged responsibility involves seeking His working and provision for others through prayerful intercession.  In that sense, we can always help, whether by our willing hands, or by the prayers of our hearts that seek the aid of God's willing hands.

"God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you."

(I Samuel 12:23)

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men."

(I Timothy 2:1)

Weekly Memory Verse

    So He fed them according to the integrity of His heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of His hands."

 (Psalm 78:72).

  

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