Better Words, Better Actions: PraiseLive's 30 Day DevotionalSample

In 1545, painter William Turner said: “birds of a feather flock together”.  It's become a phrase that has stuck with us for many hundreds of years.  And it's not just a catchy saying, it's true. Pigeons fly with pigeons and ravens fly with ravens and it's true about people as well. We naturally tend to group with those who look like us and think like us.

For many reasons homelessness really bothers me. I have a lot of questions when I see panhandlers asking for money at the top of a freeway on-ramp. It's not that I'm uncomfortable, I'm judgmental. When I go into a fast-food restaurant and the person in line in front of me opens up their wallet to find they are a little short on cash, almost without hesitation I give them the change needed. This is a small grace for the regular middle-class customer like me but it's one that I rarely extend to someone with their hand out on the street corner.  I'm not advocating that we give money to every panhandler we see. Homelessness is a complex problem. There are many ways to help those in need and many loving organizations you can support that thoughtfully minister to thousands providing meals and shelter. The point I'm trying to make is I would gladly support the stranger who seems more like me than the disheveled person outside the restaurant and this isn’t biblical.

According to Worldmeters.info, the current world population is 7,806,241,693. Despite their diverse backgrounds, social or economic position, gender and race each of these people have something in common. Each is somebody that God loves and Jesus died for and came to save. 

Reflection:

As we reflect on God’s incredible love for the outcast, poor, the widow, the orphan, the marginalized, and for us, may we see as God sees. May we love with his love.

Prayer:

Christian recording artist Brandon Heath chorus for the song, Give Me Your Eyes serves as a beautiful prayer for us.

Give me Your eyes for just one second, Give me Your eyes so I can see

Everything that I keep missing, Give me Your love for humanity

Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted, The ones that are far beyond my reach

Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten, Give me Your eyes so I can see

Action:

Look for ways to love and serve those you regularly see but maybe have overlooked. These might be family members that need a call or it might be someone on a street corner you pass by every day.