“Love your neighbor as yourself”  Matthew 22:39

There is a beautiful young singer/songwriter, Georgia Germein, who lives in my home state of South Australia and she has helped with development projects in Ethiopia and the Kalahari and one of the songs that she wrote when she returned from one of her journeys was “They Matter”:

They Matter

…No matter who, they matter
No matter when, they matter
No matter where, they matter
They matter, they do

No matter how, they matter
No matter why, they matter
No matter what, they matter
They matter, they do.

When I first hear these words they had a profound effect on me.   I have always tried to be compassionate, loving and giving just as Christ has taught us, but when I see images on television of starving children in other parts of the world and read newspapers which detail civilians caught in the crossfire of war etc., I sometimes feel detached from the horror and block out these images.

Two simple words “they matter” and how much difference these words would make to so many people in a world where often there is little hope?  How much more did we matter to God that He gave his only beloved son to die on the cross just for us?  Our lives are forever changed because of this incredible act of His.  It is up to us to show everyone that they matter and in doing so we change people’s lives by showing them God’s love and making sure that they know how much more they matter to the One who loves, gives us strength and sustains us through all our trials and persecution.

When you next see an image or read a newspaper report on the plight of people around you and in other parts of the world remember “They Matter”.

By Terry Stead
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  They Say I’m Nothing, but I’m Something by Londeka Zondi

•  There is Nothing Beyond Your Reach – by Mark Doyle

•   When I say… “I am a Christian” – by Carol Wimmer

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The post They Matter can be found at Thoughts about God.

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

Be intentional today to stand as one loved by God, with purpose and dignity. Reach out in kindness to someone today and feel His love flow to you … and through you.

God’s love, given generously through you, has a way of coming full circle back to you.

You have much to give! Stand tall! His grace will shelter you and protect you. His grace will fulfill you. His grace will enable you to step forward and not shrink back. His grace will enable you to give CARE even when you desperately want to receive care yourself. His grace is given to you in order to be given away. Let His grace flow to you … and through you as you care in the ways He has made you to uniquely show His love. It will fill you up in an unexpected way.

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

Four ways to show C A R E today …

C – Compassion = concern, kindness, consideration.
As you go through your day today ask God to show you where and how you can show kindness, consideration and concern in a meaningful and simple way to someone on your pathway. When you feel the nudge take the time to respond. Show consideration.

A – Appreciate
Show appreciation in an intentional and specific way to someone whom the Lord highlights on your radar screen today. Be genuinely appreciative. Say “thanks”.

R – Reach Out
Don’t wait for others to take the first step to greet, speak, say or do something. Be ready to reach out in the moment you become aware of the choice. Go first.

E – Encourage
It costs nothing to say a sincere and encouraging word. Be aware today that you have the power of life and death in your tongue. Bite your tongue when careless words want to spill out. Ask God to fill your mind and heart with His goodness toward others. Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Use your words to build.

Prayer to help action CARE in your life: Father God, Today my heart yearns for love. To answer that yearning, please help me to extend CARE to those in my circle. Let me feel Your lavish love toward me today and help me to pass it out. May consideration, appreciation and encouragement mark my attitudes, words and actions today as I reach out with Your love. In Jesus’ name I pray.

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  Love your Neighbor
•  Extending Grace to Others
•  Salvation Explained

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The post Taking Time to Care can be found at Thoughts about God.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

When a family member faced an uncertain prognosis ? a possible diagnosis of cancer — I was anxious about their future and my future. I didn’t want to think about the possible unpleasant events to come. Because of this, I was very desirous to share my burden with others, in the belief that the prayers of others would help spare my family member from her health issues. But what I found was that nobody to whom I thought I was close really cared.

Nobody said they’d pray.

Angry, I sought the counsel of a friend, confiding in them my feelings towards my supposed Christian “friends” and their actions against me. Graciously, this friend pointed out that yes, it is a sad situation when believers cannot be relied upon for help, but she gently asked if I had ever done the exact same thing without realizing it. I thought about it and had to admit that as a believer, I had failed others many times too. I had merely said a tiny prayer once for someone with health issues or completely ignored their burden because I couldn’t understand the magnitude of their situation; well, that is, until I was in their shoes.

That’s exactly what Christ calls us to do — to bear each other’s burdens. It doesn’t matter if your best friend or your pastor doesn’t do that for you, you are required to, no matter what others around you are doing. You might just be that only person’s advocate. Take some time today to think about how you can bear someone else’s burden.

Father in Heaven, spur in our hearts the desire to pray for others and remind us throughout the day to do so. Let us always be ready to pray for others and ask for prayers for ourselves and those we love. Amen.

By Ashlea Massey
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  Prayer – Asking Specifically
•  Intercessory Prayer Story
•  Salvation Explained

The post Caring For Others can be found at Thoughts about God.