Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 26, 2015
When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him. Matthew 2:13
I recently spent time with the slum children of New Delhi, India. We have a long friendship with Ananthi Jebasingh, the founder of the Good Samaritan School. She started with one child in the 1980’s and today has over 2,000 children who learn about Jesus and receive a first class education. The Lord moved my heart to do more for the poor. He called me into a deeper devotion of care for the poorest of the poor. I love what my pastor and friend Andy Stanley says, “Do for one what you wish you could do for many.”
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, one child among many during the reign of the ruthless King Herod. He was so threatened by the potential power of one baby that he had all boys two years and under killed. Fortunately, Jesus was rescued by his father and taken to Egypt for protection from this senseless slaughter of infants and children. Because Joseph was sensitive to God’s heart he took steps to secure his child’s safety. He saved one child, who later saved the world from their sins. By loving one child, we will not know until heaven—how many they may love to the Lord.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:8-9).
How can we be more intentional in caring for one forgotten child? Who in our world could we invest time and money toward their education, physical needs and spiritual welfare, and make a world of difference? We can start with supporting credible ministries who care for the poor children in our community. These quiet and faithful servants of the Lord need volunteers to tutor after school, lead athletic activities and get to know the families of these precious children. It makes a difference to our Maker to invest in an individual created in His image. Love the love starved.
Christmas reminds us of the incredible sacrifice of one family who loved their child well. Years spent in a foreign country was preparation for them to return home and represent God well. Your role may or may not be as radical as international missions, but use whatever means and influence you have for God’s Kingdom. Jesus said children were a representation of His kingdom on earth. One child saved for Jesus is one child who lives for Jesus. Save one who may one day save many!
“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, lead me to one little one who needs Your love and care.
Related Readings: Proverbs 19:17, 29:7; Luke 3:11; James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17
Post/Tweet this today: Do for one what you wish you could do for many (Andy Stanley) #wisdomhunters #doforone #andystanley
Worship Resource: 3 minute video- Gaither’s: Jesus What a Wonderful Child
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When we meditate on our purpose and how the Lord will use us to impact our community, we can sometime dismiss smaller and less visible opportunities to minister. The harvest is so plentiful, the laborers are so few and we are made in the same image and likeness as a Heavenly Father that wishes that no one should perish while separated from Him. Through belief Jesus Christ we became grafted into a New Family and I believe we also inherited our Father’s desire to save those that may perish, but we want to save all of them… at once. What if the Priest and the Levite in the Parable of the Good Samaritan just simply thought they had bigger fish to fry and that stopping for one victim on one road wasn’t the best use of there gifts, talents and time? What if the Samaritan just decided to meet the needs of people as he encountered them? 1000 at a time or 1 at a time. What if I just decided to minister to needs as I encounter them? Quietly, unceremoniously but sincerely and wholeheartedly. Excellent and challenging devotion today!
Dear Chris,
Beautifully said. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts after reading “Save One Child”. You made some powerful and thought-provoking points. I read over your comments a few different times and I was blessed by your words each time. I shared your sincere words with the wisdom Hunter’s staff and know they will be also thankful. What a wise and humble statement when you wrote, “What if I just decided to minister to needs as I encounter them? Quietly, unceremoniously but sincerely and wholeheartedly.”
In “Save One Child”, Boyd reminds us “One child saved for Christ is one child who lives for Jesus. Save one who will one day save many!”. Gracious! A call to action for sure!
Thank you again, Chris, we are grateful for you and look forward to hearing from you again.
Merry Christmas and Blessings in the New Year!
A sister in Christ,
Gwynne
“He tends his flock like a shepherd;
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those who have young.”
Isaiah 40:11
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Matthew 19:14