Subscription Lists
The Focus
by Dennis Wheeler
If we - the church - desire for the world to sit up and take notice...then we must absolutely take the focus off of ourselves and selflessly reach out and meet the needs of those around us. As we tangibly strive to meet the needs of the lost, the hurting, the confused, the abused - - then the world will sit up, and will notice and will see the divine love of Jesus Christ.
I recently heard of a church in Tucson, Arizona where the church family meets at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays, then proceed immediately out into the community to feed the homeless, paint over graffiti, or do other good deeds. Great idea!! They call this experience "workship". In fact, you can visit their website: www.workship.org.
Do you recall the familiar Bible story that you heard many times growing up in Sunday Schoo? Most likely, you even sang a song about the story..."Zaccheus was a wee little man..." Remember? The story is found in Luke 19:1-10.
It's in this short story that Jesus Christ modeled for us some necessary ingredients to truly be a servant to all.
First of all, we need...
[1] AWARENESS
Jesus stopped under the sycamore tree because He was aware that Zaccheus was up there. Just wondering...how many needy people are 'hiding in trees' while we walk by them without ever looking up?
[2] AVAILABILITY
Jesus didn't stop under the sycamore tree and then ask Zaccheus to book an appointment with Him. Jesus was immediately available! He dropped His agenda and went home with Zaccheus.
[3] ACCEPTANCE
This is a biggie ... Jesus didn't wait for Zaccheus to get cleaned up and to get his life straightened out. He accepted him just as he was.
[4] ABIDING
We must never, never forget that He is the vine and that we are the branches. Abiding in Him is the only way to find the resources to serve other people as they need to be served.
[5] ABANDONMENT
I like what Charles Stanley says ..."When God calls us to pour our life into someone else, we have to abandon our own selfish desires. We are free to serve others when we leave our self-seeking ways behind."
Jesus said in Matthew 20:28 ..."For I came here not to be served, but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many."
And He tells us to go and do likewise.
Come on...let's go into our neighborhood, our workplace, our community...there are folks all around us 'hiding in the sycamore tree'...and they desperately need to be served!!
He serves as the Senior Pastor with southwest Virginia church... a loving church family in Abingdon.
He and his wife Sharon have been married for over 27 years and are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, one son-in-law, and two precious grandchildren, the second arrived arrived on the scene in September 2004!!
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "The Focus" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.