The least of these...? These who?

So...it's been awhile. Sorry ya'll...finals and graduation, life, you know. Stuff comes up.

My heart has been unable to settle. I hate choices. I hate waiting. I haven't the slightest idea what the Lord has planned for me...I am thinking there may be a few detours on the way.

That said..last week at church Pastor Dan spoke on Matthew 25:31-46. I've heard this scripture several times in my years in church. I'm going to type it all now, because I believe it is that important for you to know it, as well.

" But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.
Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to Me. ' Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty and give you something to drink? And When did we see You a stranger, and invite you in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison, and come to You?' The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'
"Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite me in; naked and you did not clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit me.' Then they will also answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of you?' Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of thee, you did not do it to Me.' These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."


These are red words in the bible...as in, they came out of Jesus' mouth.

Now, I've always been a "grace girl". As in, once saved, always saved, even if you totally fall away. This verse gets you. Even our pastor said- sometimes I'm not sure what to make of it, but it's pretty clear. Jesus doesn't throw any punches here.  Does it mean just taking care of the least of these gets you into heaven? No- you have to confess Jesus is Lord, believe He rose from the dead, and repent of your sins. But empty "Christianity", that is, saying you are a Christian while only serving yourself, is a false belief.

We are called to SERVE. It's not a suggestion. It's not a recommendation. Your eternal future depends on it. A few things to think about though:

1) it's easy to get caught up in a cause and forget about whom you are serving- so it is vital to spend time with Christ and draw from Him. He is the one that gives you the heart to serve, and the energy to do so.

2) Not every need is a call from Him. Mother Teresa had an enormous impact where she was at. But she didn't try to expand her ministry, she didn't try to develop a plan, or be in a million places at once. She kept it simple. We can't help everyone. But if we wait upon Him, there will be guidance into where/what He needs you to do.

3) Be aware of the little things. Leave an extra tip for a tired waitress. Spend some time reading books at the boys and girls club, serve meals at the soup kitchen, help a neighbor cut down a tree. Truly, it doesn't have to be a trip to Africa. Raising children well can be a ministry, and can include showing them how to serve others.

This week, after the sermon, my perspective has been different. The message has been percolating in my brain. I watched the American Idol finale and tried to imagine how much money was spent, not only on the show, the sets, the equipment, the staff, but also each guest that attended and their wardrobe, hair, makeup, airfare, etc. I wondered how many of the 1 billion hungry people that money could feed. I drove to vacation and saw huge glamourous houses with shiny Lexus' and yachts. We are such excessive, entitled people. Does Best Buy really need to have a program where you trade the expensive product you JUST BOUGHT in for the NEWEST and BEST product?! Do we really need more clothes? Really? At this point, I have to be cautious because judgmental spirits sneak in quietly!! I myself spend more than I should. But I'm trying to be more aware of His lead. Aware of how I can share the blessings I've been given. Of opportunities to meet needs of the least of these. To be His hands and feet. I'm certain I can't do it on my own. I am also certain that I can't do it all. I need to be in close contact with Him, drawing from the living water to fill me up so I can flow out to others.

Please do not let yourself make excuses. Our time here is but a breath! Don't think that believing in Christ is the only thing required for a ticket to heaven, for even the demons themselves believe He is. That is the first step, but the Holy Spirit doesn't reside in you for your benefit alone. Allow Him to mold you and fill you, so that you can do His will in the very short time we are here. Your discomfort by denying yourself in the short time we are here will not compare to the joy and amazement of heaven for eternity!

I am with you on this journey; we ALL must throw off everything that hinders us (perhaps even the TV!) and the sin that SO EASILY entangles us, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
It takes deliberate thought/motive (THROW off), and grit and determination (perseverance). But when we arrive at our home, how great will it be to hear the Father say to us, come, enter the kingdom that has been prepared for you since the beginning of time!!

And if you need more inspiration, please read my friend Chelsey's blog. She hammers this home.

http://chelsey-temporaryhome.blogspot.com/2011/05/whats-it-like-to-follow.html