Rebuilding Hope

February 27

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s

people who are in need.

Romans 12:12, 13

As they boarded the plane to return home, there were mixed feelings of fulfill-

ment and abandonment. The destruction seen on TV was incomprehensible

prior to having witnessed it firsthand. Walking among the ruined buildings,

seeing the empty lots where nothing remained and where lives had been lost,

had been sobering. They had come here to give of themselves, to try to help

make a difference in someone else’s life, to share God’s love with those who

weren’t able to pick themselves up on their own.

The number of homes that had been swept away by Katrina was mind-

boggling. They had spent a week working out of a church that had been con-

verted into a workstation/sleeping quarters/diner/clinic, and yes, still a church

on Sunday and Wednesday. They had been the tenth crew to have worked on

this specific house and were privileged to have completed all the necessary

repairs and construction. It was time for the family, who was currently staying

in Ohio, to come home.

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Paul exhorted the Roman church to be encouragers not only in word, but also

in deed. They were to share their resources with those in need. Because there

are still those in need around the world, those same words apply to us.

Jesus said, “You will always have the poor among you.” His hope was that

we wouldn’t leave them in their need. He asks and expects us to take an active

part in rehabilitating those who can’t make it on their own.

Does it matter to you why your children have needs? Or do you help meet

those needs because you love them or because they may not be able make it on

their own?

As children of God, we are to look for, not away from, opportunities to

restore hope and help for those less fortunate around the world and in our own

neighborhood.

Prayer

“I know it’s as important to pray as it is to go, Lord. Help me

know how to share with those in need around the world and

in my backyard. Tell me if I am to go. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Little Buddy

February 26

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always

protects.

1 Corinthians 13:6, 7

He ran onto the field, dragging the portable water fountain behind him. As

each player took his turn drinking, he’d smile at Pete and rub his head.

Pete was team manager and waterboy. Standing four feet tall at age twelve,

he was affectionately known among these athletic young men as their little

buddy. Nobody bullied Pete, whether at a game or in school. If the players got

wind of someone giving him a hard time, they paid him a visit and convinced

him to rethink his actions.

Pete had had growth issues. And despite his short stature, instead of mak-

ing fun of this little sixth-grader, the team adopted him in brotherly love as a

full-fledged member. And, as a member of their team, he was afforded their

protection. And protect Pete they did. As Pete grew older and taller, the bond

remained. These young men would always feel a special connection to Pete, one

born in love. Eventually, out of college and settled in his career, Pete hosted

the football team’s Web site. It was his way of paying forward the bonds built

in those early years.

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There are almost an identical number of references in Scripture admonishing

us to refrain from oppression and harm as there is instructing us to encourage

and protect. We are to not only abstain from ridiculing others but also stand

with them against oppression.

Psalm 83 instructs us to, “Defend the cause of the weak … maintain the

rights of the poor and oppressed.” The members of Pete’s high school football

team chose to support rather than devalue his life.

We are all given opportunities to come alongside others, to become their

encouragers. Many times these opportunities are ripe with confrontation, and

we may feel uncertain and uncomfortable. But wrong actions must not go

uncontested. If left unchecked, they foster growth. We are called to take a

stand against the fear mongers of the world.

Prayer

“I get uncomfortable in the midst of controversy, Lord.

Help me do the right thing, to stand in love against

those who would defile and beat down those who are

weak or those who are tired. I am a soldier of Christ.

Help me act like one. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 The Right Time

February 25

At just the right time, when we were still powerless.

Romans 5:6

“Stop worrying, Loran. He’ll be here like he promised,” Gail said to her son.

“You think so?” asked the apprehensive twelve year-old. “I sure hope he

doesn’t forget. He never called to remind me, you know.”

“Honey, Uncle Bob knows how much this game means to you. He knows

you’ll be ready to go. You’re worrying for no reason. You’ll see. He’ll be here at

6:30 like he said,” she reassured him.

At 6:25, Bob’s truck pulled in the driveway. He jumped out with a smile on

his face and waved at Loran, who had jumped off the porch and was running

to meet him. “You goin’ somewhere, Loran?” he asked teasingly.

“Aw, Uncle Bob. Stop teasin’!” he said as he threw a punch at his uncle’s

stomach. “You know darn well where we’re goin’.”

Bob eluded the punch and rubbed Loran’s head. “We’re gonna have a great

time tonight, buddy! Fifth game, tied at two apiece. Our guys are gonna do it

this year. I can feel it!” Bob’s excitement transferred to Loran.

“If we don’t get goin’, we’re gonna be late!” Loran scolded.

Jumping back in the truck, Bob looked at his sister and winked. “Guess

he’s right. We don’t wanna be late for the game. I’ll have ‘im back kinda late,

sis. Don’t wait up.”

h

Paul spoke to the Romans about God’s timing. How God’s appointed time, or

kairos time, a specific moment when God shows up, is always the right time.

This verse in Scripture tells us that God’s timing is impeccable. He’s never

early, never late. Yet we fret and invite stress into our lives because we doubt

He’s remembered His promises. Like Loran, we think because we haven’t heard

from Him lately that we’ve fallen off His radar.

Waiting stretches and tests our faith. During a time of God’s silence, we

can lose hope and sight of the truth. In the silence is where Satan whispers,

“God doesn’t care.” But that’s a lie. If we immerse ourselves in His word while

we wait, we will find the assurance that He will show up at just the right time!

Prayer

“Sometimes I doubt that You’ll show up when I need

You, Father. Help me wait in faith. Amen.”

 Poor by Choice

February 24

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:3

This soon-to-be mother made up her mind and walked into the hospital. This

is the right choice, she told herself. She’d recently been downsized out of a job

and her medical benefits. Thinking only of the baby, she stepped to the registra-

tion counter and said, “I’m in labor. I’m not due for another two weeks, but my

water broke about an hour ago. I have no insurance and cannot promise you

when, but I will pay for this somehow.”

The receptionist called for the doctor on call and had a nurse assist the

young woman to an exam room. “Have you had any prenatal care, hon?” the

nurse asked. “Oh, yes,” she answered with a shy smile. “You see, I only lost my

job six weeks ago, and the coverage just ran out. I couldn’t afford to pay the

ongoing premiums.” With a smile that said she understood, the receptionist

chuckled and said, “We’ll worry about the bill later, hon. For now, let’s concen-

trate on bringing your child into the world. We have programs that will help,

so don’t you worry about that right now. Have you picked out names for the

little one yet?”

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The self-sacrifice of motherhood wasn’t lost on the receptionist. She’d raised

four of her own. This young girl was putting the needs of her unborn child

ahead of her pride. She instinctively understood that self-sacrifice is the cry of

a mother’s heart, an ingrained willingness to put her children ahead of herself.

Being poor in spirit is not about financial destitution; it’s about making

the choice to go without for the sake of another. We are constantly faced with

this choice during the course of our lives. We can choose to allow pride and

fear to tell us, “Take care of numero uno!” or we can ask for kingdom eyes to

see the true needs around us, to look at others with spiritual discernment and

concern, to be poor in spirit for the sake of another.

Prayer

“Father, help me fight the selfish desire to meet my

needs ahead of those less fortunate. Help me to

see where I might be able to make a difference in

someone else’s life today. In Jesus Name, amen.”

 Timeless Hope

February 23

Plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

“Okay! Okay! I’ve got it!” Leslie said emphatically to her older brother. “Let’s

make Mom a quilt out of all the scrap material from the last ten years, and we’ll

use the rest to make Dad a pair of slippers!” she expressed with excitement.

“Sweeeet!” Kellen answered. “That’s perfect! We’ll use the camo pattern

for Dad’s slippers!”

Leslie said, “This one may take us several nights! We’ll need to get started

early.”

Christmas was two months gone, and they were already planning next

year’s presents. It had become their timeless tradition when they were very

young to lock themselves in their bedroom on Christmas Eve and make this

final Christmas gift out of love for their parents.

Each year their imagination and creativity were put to the test to come up

with the perfect gift. And as each year passed, it became more of a challenge.

Yet each year they elicited huge smiles from Mom and Dad in recognition of

their labor of love.

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Love from the bottom of a heart is priceless. It speaks a timeless language all

its own.

Leslie and Kellen were not making presents for the sake of tradition; they

did it because they were part of a loving family. The love they poured into their

gifts was immeasurable. They were already looking to the future, anticipating

the time they would spend together creating a gift of love for their parents.

Loving God with this depth of devotion requires spending intimate time

with Him.

Because of the loving relationship with their parents, Leslie and Kellen

eagerly anticipated working together to create something of lasting value for

them.

As God’s children, we can do the same; we can build hope for the future!

As co-laborers with Jesus, we can help create timeless relationships

between the lost of this world and our Father. We can help give them timeless

hope and bring them to the Father Who holds their future.

Prayer

“God of hope, we thank you for the hope we find in Jesus.

Help us to excitedly prepare to help create lasting and

timeless relationships for You. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”