Am I My Brother's Keeper?

In all the days I have been on this earth, from the time I learned my first word, learned to walk, help others, and began growing up getting to know more about being a help to others, I cannot ever remember someone telling me that I lived in this world all on my own, that everything is all about me, and I didn't have a care in the world, nor another's life, cares, or problems to consider when making my choices in life. I don't ever remember my parents telling me, "Yes, we do have seven of us living here, but you take your time in the only bathroom in the house, take your time with dishes and stay up all hours of the night to disturb the ones you share a room with..." I don't ever remember ever thinking, "my life is my own, I can do what ever I want, and forget about everyone else in this world, they don't matter at all, ONLY I MATTER."

Nope, don't remember that at all.

I do remember, however, that my parents taught us to be loving, kind, and compassionate. I remember my family being taught the Bible in our home, at church, and any other time the opportunity came up, my parents would find some kind of lesson to teach us about life in our daily action or routine. I remember my parents talking about consideration for other's space, things, thoughts, trials, and their homes. I remember, they would tells us that the total sum of US was more important than the ONE. I also remember, they showed us that when others are in trouble, you should find some way to help them, whether you could do something yourself to help, give them a name or address of a place that could help, call your pastor to see if your church could help, or just take the time to pray for them, and allow God to work through your prayers and the promises in His Word.

Always Ready to Volunteer where needed!

I remember that my parents taught us about community minded, try as long as you can to keep neighborhoods a neighborhood, talk to people in your community, get involved with your kids at school. When there is an immediate need for someone in your community or in their family, help them, if you can; pray for them if you can't do more than that, it is a good start. They never taught me to turn my back on someone in need, to ignore the "dirty and smelly" person who walks up to you and asks for a dollar, they just said, "help if you can, if not, tell them I'm sorry I can't, but I will pray for you." They don't always like that answer, but when you try your best and do what you can, you can live with yourself at night, that is for sure.

Mark 12:29-31 - "And Jesus answered Him, The first of all commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all they heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." 

Teaching Our Children and Youth to Pray!

God tells us that we are to love everyone we see and/or know. That God is who we are to love with everything that is in us, and that we are to give love, show love and be love to all those we come into contact with... He also says we are to "Ye have heard, that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love our enemy, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." Matt. 5:43-44

God did not want us to single out our friends and families, to choose who we help and who we don't. God wants us to love and do for anyone and everyone. The bible tells us He is not a respecter of persons, which means, He doesn't pick and choose who He likes or chooses to help, His gift and love is for all. Anyone who chooses to call on Him. We are to live our lives the same way, give to all, help anyone who needs help, if you can, and not turn anyone away, for anything, who needs help.

In Luke 6:35 - 38 "But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again" and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged; condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive and ye shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 

 God sees your intentions, He knows your heart. He wants you to reach out to others, be a missionary in your own town, in your own neighborhood. When you see a need, hear of someone that could use a friend, reach out to them, I tell people all the time, "People see a message, MUCH BETTER than they can Hear one." We are God's hands and arms, we are tangible and physical evidence of the Love of the Lord. Love is an ACTION Word, we are to show love by taking action and showing them how God would have us to be. In your home, in your community, church, and in your town. Are you ready to give God yourself, to be that extension of Him for others? I AM!

Whether it is singing for the Lord at a nursing home

Or working with the Youth in a community

Or making Hats and Scarves for those in need... Or Whatever God has for me to do, I AM READY... To Give Him my all and Show others, that there are others that love for no reason, other than because I can.