While reading the beginning of Acts this morning I was challenged again, as I was in church this week, about our actions with regards to social issues such as homelessness, poverty, immigration etc.
I preached from James 2 this week, looking at how we should give evidence of our beliefs through works of faith.
James asks what good is it speaking to and blessing a brother or sister if we do not fulfil their need for food or clothes (James 2 v 14 to 17).
If we do this James argues that our faith is dead!
A similar challenge came upon me as I read the fist part of verse Acts 1 v 11, where the disciples are gazing up into the sky, looking at where Jesus had gone.
I’ve heard the phrase, “he is so spiritually focussed he is no earthly good”; have you?
Now, I am not against praying for situations, but instead of asking God to deal with something or “sending labourers”, maybe the solution is for us to get off our backsides and do something practical?
People have what is known as a “hierarchy of needs”, where practical issues such as food, clothing and housing need to be dealt with first.
We obviously know that the most important issue for any human being is how they are with the Lord, however if we do not deal with their practical issues first how can we “get in” to deal with their spiritual issues?
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil with regards to illness and poverty; we, as His ambassadors on earth, have a responsibility for this too.
Sometimes we maybe look too much “towards heaven” instead of looking “towards earth” to see the issues that we should be dealing with.
Speak this out today…..”Thank you Lord that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and thank you that I can play my part in this mission”
Acts 1 v 11…..Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven
Heilan Word Ministries 