What do you think is the greatest stumbling block to an American believer living hard for Christ? I would say materialism and all of the categories it includes. This is our Goliath - complacency, and every day we choose to draw stones from the stream of worldly pacifiers or from the stream that holds all of the promises of God. We know which stones will knock out our giants but the key is to choose the right ones day by day.
Escaping the power of materialism can be done by the discipline and grace of giving. A lot of times we need to ask God to give us a spirit of giving because it doesn't exactly come naturally to all of us. Giving in a way that costs us something is a must whether it's time, energy, or money. I keep coming up against my failure to follow through on the inner voice calling me to give in a situation. I'll have every intention of doing it but it slips away quietly and the problem is, I don't give it another thought. It makes it easier for the next "giving moment" to slip away. We all know the popular quote" the road to Hell is paved with good intentions" and although not complete in its theological accuracy, it does have some resounding truth.
For Christian women, doing good to others (or "good deeds") is an important way to give. We do this because we love God and want to please Him. Giving attention to your family is of utmost importance, but don't neglect good deeds to others outside your comfort zone! In Galatians 6:9,10 we are called to "not grow weary of doing good... let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." This means to our brothers and sisters in Christ and to those who are lost.
So how do we put this into practice? First, let's stop letting "giving moments" go by and keep our eyes open for ways to serve others. If you find yourself in a situation where you don't spend a lot of time outside the home (mothers with young children!), ask the Lord to give you opportunities. There is a reason the Bible speaks unrelentingly about widows and orphans - they are some of the most lonely persons in need of care and friendship. Don't just think of orphans as children in orphanages. There are so many children whose parents aren't home very much, who are in foster care, or who don't know the Lord that we can minister to and love. There are also older men and women whose spouses are in a nursing home or have Alzheimer's. You can also take the role of "need filler" at your church by letting the leadership know that you're available when there's a need. For instance, if the person in charge of planning meals for the sick doesn't get enough volunteers, you've let them know they can call you.
Although "we are not saved by works, we were created for good works" (Barbara Hughes)... Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Here are some other verses to contemplate on the subject:
1 Pet. 2:20; 3:13-14; John 9:4; Eph. 4:11-12;
2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 15:58; Acts 9:36; Heb 10:24-25
Col. 3:12-14; Matt. 25:34-36; James 1:27; 2:1-7
The House by the Side of the Road
There are hermit souls that live withdrawn
In the peace of their self-content;
There are souls, like stars, that swell apart,
In a fellowless firmament;
There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths
Where highways never ran;
But let me live by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.
Let me live in a house by the side of the road,
Where the race of men go by --
The men who are good and the men who are bad,
As good and as bad as I.
I would not sit in the scorner's seat,
Or hurl the cynic's ban;
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.
I see from my house by the side of the road,
By the side of the highway of life,
The men who press with the ardor of hope
The men who are faint with strife.
But I turn not away from their smiles nor their tears --
Both parts of an infinite plan;
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
Where the race of men go by --
They are good, they are bad, they are weak.
they are strong.
Wise, foolish -- so am I.
Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat
Or hurl the cynic's ban?--
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.
--Sam Walter Foss (1858-1911)
The House by the Side of the Road
There are hermit souls that live withdrawn
In the peace of their self-content;
There are souls, like stars, that swell apart,
In a fellowless firmament;
There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths
Where highways never ran;
But let me live by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.
Let me live in a house by the side of the road,
Where the race of men go by --
The men who are good and the men who are bad,
As good and as bad as I.
I would not sit in the scorner's seat,
Or hurl the cynic's ban;
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.
I see from my house by the side of the road,
By the side of the highway of life,
The men who press with the ardor of hope
The men who are faint with strife.
But I turn not away from their smiles nor their tears --
Both parts of an infinite plan;
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
Where the race of men go by --
They are good, they are bad, they are weak.
they are strong.
Wise, foolish -- so am I.
Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat
Or hurl the cynic's ban?--
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.
--Sam Walter Foss (1858-1911)
