For Colored Girls, Miley Cyrus, and The Rest Of Us

Your Destiny Will Compensate You For Your Pain. ~ Max Lucado [Tweet This]

Life is a journey, not a destination, so of course we’re all subject to a wrong turn…or two, or at least however many it takes us to get on the right track. “Child star gone wrong” seems to be a new Disney theme song for most of the kids from the Hollywood hood. Some of them cleaned up their act, but stars like Amanda Bynes, Demi Levato, and Lindsey Lohan were all beating down a familiar path of adolescent madness, and making headlines for being a hot mess. Miley Cyrus is taking good care not to be an exception.

She’s the latest trending topic online for being considered a train wreck in action. She’s built a new league of haters and speculators all onboard for the ride, it seems like everybody hates on Miley now. Yes, her two little teddy bear ears at the VMA’s just made her look like the devil, but maybe she’s not. We can only hope it’s just a phase. She is just 20 years old after all…but then again most 20-year-olds don’t carry around teddy bears.

Bear-y, bear-y strange behavior!

Is Miley acting out because of a “lost childhood”? Was the weight of juggling two lives really too much for Hannah Miley? If that’s the case then forget the haters, that balancing act was quite entertaining! She’s put in her work; she knows the struggle is real. Let the girl turn up, be ratchet, and “twerk” out her issues with the homies. Miley knows how to put on a show and all the media is buzzing, but what about the real “hood” girls whose stories go unsung, struggling to make the rent, on food stamps, and just surviving, with no “Mr. Deeds” to help them out and no President Fitz to bail them out.

Yes, she probably has issues, but until Miley gets a “Kink in her hair” the struggle of balancing fame and normality is weak in comparison to the depth of most black girl problems. However, no one can ever really ever know the pain that Miley or anyone else goes through. Tragedy is not limited to colored girls who have considered suicide. Everybody has issues. We all have our own journey and a personal “climb” we must endure. Our journey teaches us the lessons we’re meant to grow from.

Continue Reading on Regal Realness.

Testimony: Sarah D. Jakes

They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. - Revelation 12:11

PHOTO CREDIT: SARAHJAKES.COM

A lot can happen in eight years. You can go from being daddy’s little girl to shattered into a thousand pieces. Not long after I attended the last MegaFest my life changed. Thousands of people gathered to be in the presence of God, yet if I could’ve whispered into my ear then, I would’ve told myself to hold on.

A divorce, beautiful daughter, book deal, broken heart, international speaking calendar, and hundreds of tears later I’m back. There’s this misconception that being born into a ministry family gives you direct access to God. I found myself searching for everyone, but Him. I thought that when I was finished living I could just come back into the fold. It wasn't until I felt the kind of emotional pain that causes physical aching that I realized it may not be as easy to get back as I thought. Like a ton of bricks shame weighed on me pushing me further and further away.

Then I opened my mouth.

I gave the pain that dared to mute my hope a voice. At Woman Thou Art Loosed 2011, I dared to tell a room of people who I knew would judge me that I had my son at fourteen. I did it for myself. I did it because I needed my dad to know his ministry saved me. I didn't know that among those thousands of women there were many secrets.

I didn't mean to expose their wounds because I shared my scars. Somehow, knowing that even Bishop Jakes’ daughter had to struggle to find her way helped them.  They called me transparent, because I was willing to grab a mic and tell what we were once told to whisper. I brought the peace from my pieces and shared it with the world.

For me, MegaFest is an opportunity to take the lessons I’ve learned along the way and remind someone different than me, that we’re all still fighting. We’re all still hoping that the one thing that set us back didn't cancel our destination.

My life is a mess on paper. But I’m willing to bet if we all told the truth, we’re all just trying to make sense of our mess.

This year the focus for MegaFest is about gathering again. Here, in Dallas, under the umbrella of faith, music, empowerment, entertainment, and more we’re going to help families heal and be restored.

But we won’t have so much fun that we forget the pieces; the things that threatened to break us. Instead, we will dare to believe that even shattered we can still be used. It’s not about having this perfect image and painful reality. We are forcing our past to release its hold on our future. We are reminding the world that God can use anything from a movie to a sermon to reach His people.

And for me, this year is about realizing that the last time I took the stage I was a girl smiling for a spotlight. Now I’m a woman, bruised, but not broken daring to gather my ashes and trade them for beauty. 

via Essence.

When GOD Asks A Question

(When God Asks A Question ) by Tyler Perry

I just wrote this to a very dear friend of mine that is going through a tough time. I thought I'd share it with you too.

When I read the bible, I love when God asks a question. He doesn't ask for Himself. He already knows the answer. He asks us because he wants us to understand and get it.

He asked Adam, "Where art thou?" Sometimes we don't realize where we are in life and it takes the voice of God to remind us.

He asked Moses, "What is that that you have in your hand?" Many times the very blessing we need is already in our grasp.

He asked Malachi, "Will a man rob God?" It's so easy to give our time to everything but the work of The Lord.

He asked Ezekiel, "Can these bones live?" Sometimes you may think a situation in your life has died, but God is reminding you that it can live. It's not dead. It's not over.

He asked a lame man, "Wilt thou be made whole?" God already knows He has the power to deliver you but you need to want to be delivered.

He asked Abraham, "Is there anything too hard for God?"

Think about that as you're going through life. I don't care what it looks like. There is nothing too hard for God to do.

Praying for you today. Your friend and brother,
Tyler

-Tyler Perry

Chasing After God

“What you are is God’s gift to you; what you do with yourself is your gift to God.”  -Danish Proverb

At Christmas and Easter time we exchange gifts, as a sign of goodwill. We give and receive gifts on birthdays and anniversaries; and on special occasions. In our families and social circles, gift giving is customary. But with God, how is it? Our hands never weary of receiving gifts from God, but they are seldom proffered with gifts in return. How one-sided can His giving be?

In Luke 17: 11-19 the story of the 10 lepers is told. Of the ten who were healed, only one returned to thank Jesus, the others, rejoicing in their healing, forgot the healer. The same story is told time and again. We ask and receive, yet do not acknowledge and thank God. Perhaps we are yet to learn the lesson that Gotthold Ephraim Lessing has to teach: “A single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer.”

What have we received from God? The list will run into pages. Briefly it will read: life, health and senses, material gifts, family and friends, and the earth with its abundance. Do we really understand our total dependence on God? Do we realize that without Him we are nothing? Do we thank Him enough? Sometimes we try feebly, but fail most of the time. Yet, God does not stop giving. He is lavish in His giving. He does not count the cost of His generosity.

A poor man prayed to God. God surprised him with His presence.

“What do you want, my son?” God asked, with great concern.

“I have nothing. I need money.” The man pleaded.

“How much do you want?” God checked.

Realizing that this was a once-in-a-life-time opportunity, the man pitched: “One million dollars.”

“Isn’t that a lot of money?” God asked.

“I have nothing. Look at John down the street. He has a big house and a big car, although he does not go to Church. I have nothing.”

“Do you really believe you have nothing?” God probed.

“Yes, I am penniless.”

“Well then, if I give you a million dollars, what will you give me?” God negotiated.

“I have nothing to give.” The man protested.

“Suppose I ask for your eyes, would you give them to me?” God tested.

“No. No. I will not be able to see.” The man argued.

“Let us not touch your eyes. If I asked for your hands, would you give them to me?” God continued.

“Not at all. I will not be able to work. I will be helpless.” The man refused.

“My beloved son,” God reasoned, “you refuse me your eyes and your hands because you value them. You value them more than a million dollars. Just think of it; you are already rich with more than two million dollars. With all the other gifts you have you are a multimillionaire. The problem is that you have eyes, but will not see.”

The vision ended abruptly. The man realized that he was not dreaming. He touched his eyes; they were in place. He felt his hands; he had not lost them. He ran his hands over his body; it was the same he had before God’s visit. He appreciated, rather late, that he had gifts with which he could earn an honest living and stop comparing himself with others.

The story is allegorical, but the lesson is profound. In the words of God: we have eyes, but will not see. We have gifts that we cannot put a value to; we have gifts that we cannot count. Like the one grateful leper who was healed, we need to turn to God and thank Him. Not that we can thank Him enough, because we will always be in His debt. We will always have to play catch-up with Him. 

What can we give Him in return for His numberless gifts? Money? No, because He owns the Universe, although He would like us to give our money to the needy. Time? No, because His time is eternity, although He would like us to spend time to comfort the troubled. Effort? No, because He has billions of angels at His command, to carry out His bidding, although He would like us to reach out to those in distress. Will we be giving Him something when we give others in His name? Jesus left no doubt when He said that doing things for others was doing things for Him.

Besides these what else can we give Him? Ourselves. “Give me your heart” is His plea. When we surrender to His holy will and place ourselves at His command, as the angels do, we are giving Him what He wants of us. Because He is God, He needs nothing. But He asks for our hearts for our sakes. When we give Him our hearts we are choosing the highest good – there is no good higher than God. Would the scales be balanced when we give Him our hearts? No, because He is topping His earlier gifts with more and more – each new day with new opportunities is a package of gifts, if only we use our eyes to see. The process will not end; the catch-up process, I mean. Our helpless state, is best described by the poet:

“When I contrive and plot to prove something,

 that may be conquest on my part,

Thou still, O Lord, outstrippest me.” Anon

-"Playing Catch-up With God" Ignatius Fernandez is the author of the blog: http://thechildisfatheroftheman.blogspot.in/

Gov. Rick Perry Dedicates $130 Million Campus of Texas Church

Texas Gov. Rick Perry dedicated the new $130 million campus of First Baptist Church of Dallas, led by Pastor Robert Jeffress, on Sunday.

"Let me add my profound, 'Wow!'" Perry said. "This is quite a place, and the way we do it in Texas. It is a beacon – a place where our salt and our light can truly be seen."

While the new campus opened last weekend for services, it was officially dedicated Sunday.

 aerial image of the new campus of First Baptist Church of Dallas,

Mark Lovvorn, chair of the new campus Planning and Development Committee, announced that the Committee unanimously voted, unbeknownst to the First Baptist leadership, that the Fountain Plaza, a focal feature in the middle of the campus, will now officially be known as the "Jeffress Fountain Plaza."

Perry told Jeffress that "the fountain that will appropriately have your name on it" in downtown Dallas is "a beautiful place that will draw men and women who need Christ." He added that while people will come for its beauty, they will discover much more. "Thank you for sending a powerful message, not just to this city, state or nation – but to the world. First Baptist Church of Dallas is truly reaching the world with God's love."

In contrast to its splendid new building, First Baptist was once seen as a dying church. But Jeffress is credited for revitalizing the church, which has experienced growth under his leadership. However, some media recently described Jeffress as a "hate-spewing anti-gay, anti-Semitic" preacher. 

Perry spoke about the need to be gracious with "sinners," while not specifically referring to any group.

"I think of the woman [in the Bible] who met Jesus at the well," Perry said. "It is not our job to judge souls, but to point people to the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. We as fellow sinners will never condemn someone to salvation, but God can use us to show them grace and love them to it."

Honoring the church's past heritage and commitment to Dallas, the service began with an archival video of former First Baptist Pastor Dr. W.A. Criswell in 1974 saying, "It is our desire, under God and the presence of the Lord, to build in the heart of Dallas the most beautiful lighthouse for Christ on this earth."

Dr. David Jeremiah, senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church and host of Turning Point radio and television ministries, was also among the guests.

"If the church is being ignored because we preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified, that's one thing; but if we are deemed irrelevant because we aren't playing the world's game nearly as well as the world does, then that's a tragedy," Jeremiah said. "If we're going to be attacked or ignored by the world, let it be for turning the world upside down like the early apostles did. Not for trying to become so much like the world that you can't tell the difference between the two."

Located in the heart of downtown Dallas since 1868, First Baptist Dallas opened its state-of-the-art campus last weekend, adding three-quarters of an acre of green space to downtown. It includes the latest features and technological advances for any church.

-April D. Byrd

Article/Photo Credit courtesy of Christian Post

New Website Traces Mentions of God on Social Media

Social Media Innovation is now more divine than ever! A new interactive website that tracks mentions of God by social media users also categorizes them in a satirical way.

The tag line for the website, God-Was-Here.com, is "tracking god and all he does in real time." The site not only categorizes mentions of God by state – Texas and Florida were tied for the highest number of mentions on Friday morning – but also by other specifics as well.

For example, it shows how many times "god" and "coffee" are mentioned in the same post as compared to how many times "god" and "beer" are mentioned, and says "god poured more" of whichever beverage has been mentioned more frequently by social media users.

Under the "god achievements" section, the site tracks how many "badges" God has earned for the day. The "mcyummy badge" tracks how many times God is mentioned in a tweet about McDonald's. The "alarm clock badge" measures the number of people "god aroused...from bed today" based on posts about God and waking up.

The site also tracks mentions of iPhones, breathing, relationships and test grades, among other things, that are within posts that also mention God.

Kevin Lynch, a copywriter from Chicago, and his fellow collaborators launched the website on Good Friday, Mashable reports. The site's data comes from messages posted to social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

"The inspiration for the site came from the proliferation of 'thank yous' to God that have invaded all sports postgame interviews, music award shows, and other events where you would assume God didn't have a rooting interest," Lynch told Mashable.

"It got some friends and I thinking, 'Obviously, God is busier than we thought. Someone should be keeping tabs on His daily achievements.'"

According to a study published by the Pew Research Center in 2011, 46 percent of Americans who are active in religious groups use social media sites, compared to 49 percent of people who are not involved in such groups.

"It is how we use it that turns out either for good or for bad. That's true of any communication method. That's true of any entertainment. 

That's true of sports. That's true of any way in which we find fulfillment in entertainment," said Zacharias. "But the capacity that this gives is what we need to be cautious about because I want you to hear me carefully now. Where destruction is the motive, unity is dangerous. For example, if I have evil intent and I galvanize that evil intent with many others, the capacity to destroy is immense. Where goodness is the motive, unity is phenomenal and actually has some good issues to it."

What Are Some Ways That You Glorify God on your Social Media accounts?




photo credit: Christian Post, Mashable

Bishop T.D. Jakes to Host New Talk Show on BET

Bishop T.D. Jakes of The Potter's House in Dallas, Texas, has been tapped to host a new talk show scheduled to debut in the fall on BET as part of the network's move toward more faith-based programming.

Describing "T.D. Jakes Presents: Mind, Body & Soul" as "better talk," BET Networks promises that the show, airing on Sundays, will cover a wide range of issues such as health and wellness, finance and relationships.

The talk show is tied to BET Gospel programming that includes shows like "Celebration of Gospel," "Sunday Best" and "Bobby Jones Gospel." The network already airs Jakes' ministry program, "The Potter's Touch," which reaches 67 million households every month through various outlets.

BET Senior Vice President of original programming Charlie Jordan Brooks said in September 2012 that the network, which caters to African-American viewers, was "trying to bring [spiritual themes] into the fabric of our programming in general."

The Christian Post reported last year that Jakes had shot a pilot for the new talk show, although The Potter's House pastor previously attempted to develop such a program in 2009 for CBS. The network chose to can the program due to the poor economy.

Jakes, who is also a filmmaker and best-selling author, was presented with a BET Honors award earlier this year for the impact he has made in the field of education. He said during his acceptance speech, "I am grateful to God who allowed me to stumble into that thing that I was created to do.

"My destiny is to help other people reach their destiny. You must remember that real life does not begin in the light but what you do in the dark. Helping you has given me purpose, love, and life."

Jakes, whose Dallas mega-church is home to about 30,000 members, celebrated a series of milestones last year, including his 35th year of ministry. He shared with The Christian Post, who attended a major celebration last year marking his achievements, that his passion remains "empowering the next generation."

Photo Credit: Christian Post

Mississippi Put Prayer Back In School

"MISSISSIPPI NOW HAS PRAYER BACK IN IT'S SCHOOLS!!!" the post going viral across Facebook, however, the thing about this news is, IT'S A MAJOR VICTORY!! (smile) America in it's current state of affairs could definitely use a lot more divine guidance. Pledging allegiance to a flag representing states united under God is a definite plus!!

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. Psalm 33:12

Pray without Ceasing.

Mississippi lawmakers have passed legislation that would legalize student-led prayer in the state's public schools. Senate Bill 2633, which went to Gov. Phil Bryant March 6 for his signature, would also allow students to talk about their faith in the classroom and organize school Bible clubs, as well as pray at football games, graduation ceremonies, and during morning announcements.

Sponsors of the bill said that secular groups have intimidated and confused school administrators about the legality of religious expression in schools, and the law is meant to bring clarity. According to those on both sides of the issue, “Organized school prayer remains widespread in Mississippi, despite opponents’ efforts to curtail it,” reported the Associated Press. “In October, for example, the ACLU sent a letter to the Lincoln County school system demanding a halt to routine prayer at West Lincoln High School.”

The bill's proponents insist it will not force students to pray, but will enable them to do so voluntarily. But Bear Atwood, director of Mississippi's ACLU chapter, argued that students who do not wish to pray would still be a captive audience. Christianity Today quoted Atwood as saying that the new law could also lead to procedural issues and unwanted favoritism, such as with “school administrators selecting which students lead prayer in announcements or before a basketball game.”

One of the leaders in the campaign for school prayer over the past several years has been Republican State Rep. Mark Formby, who has introduced a school prayer bill every year since 2009. He said the measure is meant to dispel all confusion about what students can and cannot do in school relative to religious expression, including wearing religious-themed clothing, discussing their faith in the classroom, and voluntarily praying at school-sponsored events. “I'm not so much worried about what's allowed as what's disallowed,” Formby told Fox News. He added that he has had many conversations with parents concerned about the issue, and the bill is meant to clear the air. Formby explained that the measure “doesn't have to restore school prayer,” but it “will allow children, on a voluntary basis, to pray or not to pray.”

read more at: The New American
photo credits: the new american, the word network

40 DAYS OF DELIGHT TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE

“Call unto Me, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33.3

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE LENT TO CLEANSE YOUR LIFE AND RENEW YOURSELF IN GOD. 

40 Days of Delight is a fasting calendar and journal that invites people from all walks of life to go on a journey with God as they are awakened spiritually by limiting food intake and other lifestyle fasts. The 40 day calendar serves as a guide for the fast by changing the length and type of fast to completely renew your spirit and relationship with God.

The 40 Days of Delight fast was created by author, minister, speaker, and teacher Carmen C. Marshall. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Carmen created a new path for people to attain spiritual wholeness by fasting. She has had the opportunity to teach her congregation and other small groups how to use the 40 day fast effectively throughout the year. The results have been phenomenal transformations and redirection of individual spiritual walks.  Carmen has grown her 40 day fast program into a website ,  blog and Facebook page where she willingly shares testimonies and advice on how to use the fast as well as other uplifting tips.

ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE TO ALLOW GOD TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE AROUND? 

 By Carmen Fletcher

Singer Rihanna Donates Millions to Hospital

Robyn Rihanna Fenty is truly "shining like a diamond". Her name is a most precious gem in mass media coverage about so many different aspects of her life. However, her light beamed extremely bright on the residents of  the country of Barbados last December.

The "Diamonds" singer, 24, donated $1.75 million to a Barbados hospital in memory of her late grandmother, Clara "Dolly" Braithwaite, who died in June. She visited the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown along with her mother Monica Fenty and Dolly's husband Lionel during the Christmas season.

In a statement to E! News, Rihanna said, "This was my way of giving back to Barbados, in a form of philanthropy, by assisting the QEH in its continued modernization program ... I believe that this will have a huge impact on the people of Barbados. This was all done to save lives or at least extend them."

Her generous donation, which led to the radiotherapy department at the hospital to be renamed the Clara Braithwaite Centre for Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, has paid for vital pieces of medical equipment.

Rihanna broke the news of Gran Gran Dolly's death on Twitter in July,writing, "Goodbye #grangranDOLLY get your beauty rest until I see you."

Giving back is always the best way to truly shine!!!

Article Credit: Huffington Post

Photo Credit: Getty Images

4 Success Tips For Young Professionals

Ever get that feeling that older people won't take you seriously or disregard your knowledge because of your age? We are called to be people of strength and Influence, blessing people with the empowerment and skill as soon as we comprehend, no matter what age.

 Many People in history were called young like: David and Daniel. So how do we establish ourselves, and at the same time not seem arrogant, cocky, or disrespectful as well?

The Bible reads: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." -1 Timothy 4:12

To start:  simply let the light of God shine in you! God's love can't be limited by any thought or law. Let that be your good "first impression".

In Networking, First impressions are key to building a lasting relationship and opening up opportunities for yourself, business, cause, or organization. However, young innovators face a key hurdle in their quest for a great first impression: their age. Not everyone will judge you based on your date of birth, but there will be times when you will have to deal with negative preconceptions pertaining to your youthfulness.

It is paramount to your success as a young professional to get past this bias and really showcase who you are as a person and a professional. These guidelines will help you immediately establish credibility and offer you a better chance to be seen as a smart person rather than a young person.

Here are a few tips for all the young and not-so-young professionals in the world, because career always lines up with our calling!

Be Professional

Like beauty," unprofessionalism" is in the eye of the beholder. So it is always best to be on the safe side. Some important focus points:

Be early

• Nobody likes to wait. Showing up late implies that you do not feel the meeting is important enough to be on time.

Dress for success

• Pick out an acceptable outfit for a meeting. Then go dressier. Minimize the noise. You want your company to be the focus, not your outfit.

Be prepared

• Have an agenda for the meeting. You want to show that this meeting is important enough for you to have planned for it.
• Have copies of the agenda and necessary visual aids/documents.

Show Confidence

A confident attitude puts people at ease. It shows that you are able and willing to take on challenges.

Establish eye contact

• Nonverbal communication can be more important than verbal cues. The eyes unconsciously provide important social and emotional information to both parties.

Use a firm handshake

• Most people’s first impression of you is tied directly to this greeting ritual. A firm grip shows strength and vigor.

Speak in positive terms

• Self-deprecation is a great way to get people to like you and will serve you well as your relationship progresses. However, it can be interpreted as lack of confidence in yourself. The initial meeting needs to showcase your self-assurance.

Take Charge

Going back to your preparation, you should already have an agenda. What do you want out of this meeting?

Quick overview

• Use the agenda to briefly summarize what you want to discuss and what you hope to accomplish. Now both parties know where they stand.

Guide the conversation

• You set the direction of the meeting. Follow the talking points of the agenda. Have a set of important questions ready.

Take Yourself Seriously

Know that you are just as worthy of this client/capital/media coverage as anyone. Ask yourself this, ‘If I don’t take myself seriously, who else will?’

Experience

• You may be light on traditional experience, but you most likely have some life experience that has prepared you for this endeavor.
• If you are new to the industry, remember that you are an expert in your company/idea. The hard work you put in has given you valuable knowledge in that area.

Passion

• Not only is experience is a valuable asset, but also passion is key to entrepreneurial success. Highlight your passion. It will benefit you.

First impressions are made using a multitude of factors. As an entrepreneur you must be aware of these factors and take precautions to assure that your best self is apparent. Then you can take all distractions out of the equation and focus on the business at hand. Follow these guidelines and your true talent will shine through, your age will be an after thought.

Mash-up:
Article Credit: Nick Arata
Under30CEO

photo credit: blueboat

4 Ways To Help The Poor

Some people have been blessed with better opportunities and circumstances than others. It's right to give to those that are less fortunate some of what we have been given. Whether it be material wealth or the fullness and love that we find in the life and word of God. When you have it to share, it's best to give and when we do give, we increase in that which we give. All of us no matter how much we have are still poor in some way. It's important to realize that "giving back"  helps more than just one person, it helps all of us universally as a culture. Applying the "Each one, Teach One" method to the gospel of Jesus Christ will uplift the spirit of God and create a positive impact in the world, and in the mindsets of God's children.

How do you feel about helping the poor? What did Jesus say about helping the poor?

Check it out Here:

One of many verses that Jesus spoke about the poor says: “And Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell john what you hear and see…the poor have good news preached to them.” (Matthew 11:4-5). How are we to live our lives and love the poor?  Let us look into Scripture and see what Jesus said.

...A good conversation starter!

Feed Them The Word:

The Poor Have the Good News Preached to Them

Why did Jesus speak the verse from Matthew 11 above?  Have you ever fasted for a long period of time, say 24 hours?  If you have, then you know how desperately hungry you felt.  In that moment you would eat anything to satisfy your hunger.  That is how the poor receive the good news.  If you go to a soup kitchen or homeless shelter, you will see joy on the homeless’s faces when they receive their food.  That is why the gospel is received so well.  When a poor person sees your love and your attitude of service in his/her time of need, he/she will be much more apt to listen to you tell them the Gospel of Jesus.  When you live out love you can plant seeds that God can grow.

A Poor Man Who is Content Will Live Eternally in Heaven

“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.  And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table.  Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.  The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side.” 

(Luke 16:19-22a)

The poor man was content to eat the scraps off of the rich man’s table.  He would have been satisfied with the scraps only.  This is exactly what Jesus was trying to iterate on the Sermon on the Mount. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)  Being poor in spirit means to be content in every circumstance that you face in life.  When you are content, you are able to be thankful and even help others.  When you look at someone who is genuinely content, you will see joy radiate out of them.  That is because they are trusting God completely to provide for their needs.  The Bible is issuing a call for us all to be poor in spirit.  This creates dependence on God that allows Him to be the Father and for us to be his children.  It creates a bond of love that keeps growing stronger as you trust in Him more and more by being content with what you have.

We are Called to Take Care of the Poor

… we can certainly show as much love as possible to the poor people that need help, whether it is financially, physically or emotionally

“But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed because they cannot repay you.  For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:13-14)  Think about it.  If God is willing to take care of His children every day, we should be willing to also take care of those who need provisions.  Before Jesus paid for our sins on the cross, we were all in dire need of help.  We were poor because we all stood in judgment of God’s wrath.  Jesus’ death for us completely covered every single sin and took us out of God’s wrath.  If Jesus can show that much love to a poor humanity, we can certainly show as much love as possible to the poor people that need help, whether it is financially, physically or emotionally.

A Poor Person can Have Great Faith

“Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.  And He said, ‘Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them.  For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”  (Luke 21:1-4)  This woman showed amazing faith that God would provide for her when she gave all of her money.  She did not rely on herself at all.  She put complete trust in God.  She is an amazing role model for all of us to follow.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many teachings from Jesus on the poor.  We are called to help the poor.  We are called to be poor in spirit.  We also can see how great a person’s faith is when they are financially poor and still depend on God for sustenance.  Search for ways you can help someone who is poor and see what blessings God pours out.  God bless you as you live a life worthy of the calling.

Source: What Christians Want To Know