TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
Read: Ephesians 2:10
Listen: Ephesians 2
TODAY’S MESSAGE
One goal of our HELPING WITHOUT HURTING series is that God moves the people of Ada Bible toward a desire to help those in whatever life or work community. Ephesians 2:10 says that one of the reasons God calls people to him is for good works. Those who follow Jesus are called to help those around them who are in need. The early Christians did this by helping those they lived close to and walked with daily. They met the needs of people they knew and saw every day.
Because of geography and mobility, it can be more challenging to know how to help those we see today. It can be the man at the intersection with the cardboard sign, the family coming to a food pantry for their next meal, or the guy approaching you on the street saying he just ran out of gas. Many of us are conflicted in these moments—we know we need to help, but we’re not sure if what we do in this moment really helps. At best, we know only part of the story and maybe none. Our heart breaks at the situations we see while our spirit is conflicted about what we should do. But in this tension, we can remember we still have access to the God of the universe who can help us see those with needs. We can ask God for wisdom on how to help best meet these needs.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Commit to pray for 30 days that God would give you both the desire to meet the needs around you and the wisdom to know what to do. Pray a prayer like this: “Father, please move my heart closer to yours as you show me those around me who need help. Then give me the wisdom to know best how to help.”
2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.
August is PRAYER. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
