“Each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers and sisters who lived in Judea.” (Acts 11:29)
 
This weekend an organization is hosting a workout competition to raise money to support those in recovery. The executive director has put a sign up within the gym that for every dollar donated he will do a burpee. He might end up doing a lot of burpees depending on how much people decide to donate. There is no requirement to donate or how much each person should give it is up to everyone to determine how much they would want to give.

Some people view giving as a waste of money since it is money they could have used for something else either saving, bills, or on fun times. No matter who we are rich or poor, boss or employee everyone can donate something but, it must come willingly and not out of place of “I have to”. When we give generously, and willingly it changes us from the inside out. Our hearts are filled with gratitude and love for others when we give generously. Our generosity is used within the community in all types of ways providing clothing, shelter, food, and even relief in foreign countries.
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We should respond when others are in need, we might not be able to go directly to them and give assistance, but we can donate to trusted organizations to help provide relief. Our expressions of love should be generous and practical within our abilities. Everything that we own is a gift from God it is through God’s grace. When we see others, they are our brothers and sisters in Christ it changes our perspective that those that need relief are not strangers but someone who we should take care of.
 
Heavenly Father, thank you for the possessions that you have given us may you help us to be generous with what we have.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” (Matthew 5:3)
 
There is a verse in the song We Believe in God by Amy Grant that recognizes we all need someone else’s help because life is hard “We believe in God, and we all need Jesus cause life is hard.” When my cousin was around three, she would go around singing this song but instead say “we all need Mommy cause life is hard.”  Life for three-year-olds can be difficult with people making them take a nap and playing with stuffed animals all the time. However, she recognized that there were things that she could not do for herself, and she needed help. She needed someone she could depend on to help her in her time of need.

Generally, when we think of people who are blessed in their lives our minds think of the wealthy, those with good careers, and close family relationships. However, Jesus does not say these people are blessed, but those who are poor in spirit. Jesus states, that the poor in spirit inherit the kingdom of heaven. Here he is not looking at the person’s financial status but, the depth of their spirituality is broken, bankrupt, and apart from Christ. The poor in spirit recognize that they are incapable of providing by their own strength, goodness, or even righteousness they need someone else to help them along. We must realize our own spiritual emptiness and humbly approach God about our wrong doings in life and where we need help whether it is with addiction, loneliness, or even controlling our temper.

​The Message Bible translates the verse as “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more God and his rule.” When we exhaust all our resources and see no possible solution, we become blessed since we lean onto the one who made everything. When we get out of our own way from being prideful and recognize that we need help we allow for God to work within us.
 
Heavenly Father, Lord, give us a heart that is humble in spirit and not dependent on my own merit.
 
Walking with you
Stacy Watkins