Today, I've invited Eddie Morales, who recently got back from a mission trip to Queretaro, MX, to share with us his thoughts from our passage in Proverbs 24:1-14. It's good and challenging stuff.
"Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?" Prov.24:11-12
There is not a lack of people in need of rescue. Today there are so many people on the road to death whom we can aid in a variety of ways; by educating them, taking a stand on their behalf, sharing our resources, opening up our house and so on. I think about the story of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). The men who were supposed to represent righteousness and holiness, passed by.
Yet, the despised Samaritan, who was expected to walk on by the man in need, was the very one who came to his aid. I think as men of God, we should not be quick to pass to the other side when someone is in need. I do understand that this comes with caution, good judgment, and balance. But what is stopping us from really loving and having mercy on our neighbor, especially when we have the capacity to help?
God put it on the heart of a couple to do exactly this- to reach the lost, have mercy, seek justice, and show compassion. My friends, Jose and Joann Carrillo, recently moved to Queretaro, MX with their two children, to show Christ’s love to some of the neediest people in the world…orphans. They said good-by to their friends and relatives, left their jobs, sacrificed, and fund-raised to help aid the needy and broken.
Although the physical needs can be more noticeable, we must not limit ourselves to those people just headed for physical death through drugs, alcohol, disease, abortion, hunger or violence. I think most men, while they look healthy on the outside, are facing the danger of spiritual death. People need to hear the life-changing message of the gospel. This is something that has been given to us freely, but as you know, it cost more than we could ever afford. Freely we have received, now freely we are to give. May we be on the lookout to give out this message of life whenever possible. Timely. Appropriately. Salted with grace and love. It could just be our persuasions and examples of the gospel that may be the means of rescuing someone from eternal death.
I understand it's easy to make excuses. “I don’t have the time to stop and help.” “That guy looks scary to approach.” “I don’t know enough to lead someone to Christ.” The second part of the proverb reminds us that even though we can make excuses, nothing can be hidden from God. He searches and weighs of our hearts, and one day we will give an account to him for all of our actions, good and bad.
Again, we need to exercise good judgment when helping others, but I think helping someone in need demonstrates character. And helping someone doesn’t have to be radical, but then again it could be. There are no limits to love at the end of the day. I love Peter and John’s response to a beggar in need in Acts 3. “Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give to you.’” They offered the man the greatest gift of love, Jesus.
Here are a few brewing opportunities to think about where you could help. The Convey of Hope is looking for volunteers to assist in their connections tent, praying for people and then following up with them as potential mentors. The Convey of Hope is a faith-based organization that brings groceries and many other resources to communities in need. This year they will be in Chicago on August 22, 2015 and looking to serve over 10,000 people in the Marquette Park area. I will have more information coming soon.
Also, Midway is going to be starting Urban Life Skills- a youth mentoring program for at-risk youth to serve as a way to prevent them from getting involved in gangs and to foster character and leadership development. Imagine leading people in prayer and potentially leading several people to Christ or reconnecting them with the Lord. Imagine mentoring young men in the ways of the Lord!
I know we have responsibilities, families to lead, jobs to work at, and ministries to pour into. These are not excuses per say, they are commitments and responsibilities to tend to. But if at all possible, "do to one what you wish you could to for many." Tell people what Jesus has done for you. Show them a real, authentic gospel. At the end of the day, people are looking for hope. Why not offer them the hope of the world?!
1.- Thanks Eddie! Now let's read our passage today, Prov.24:1-14. Pick out a verse, write it out, and share some of your thoughts regarding it. As always put it also on your MP3 card or phone and then look for opportunities to share it with others. Way to enrich others!
Announcements
Congratulations Mark Estrada on winning yesterday's MMA competition! I wouldn't want to go in the ring against you. I would need the good Samaritan to come along afterward.
Congratulations Fire Teams! All teams scored over 25 points average for last week. And that's not including your fire team captains who were knocking it out of the park. Again, you will note the U column represents in this case the men who were Unstoppable each day last week. Way to go! Louie Ojeda just started with us last week Monday and was not only Unstoppable, but also put up 30 points on the board. Excellent Louie!
Hey, here's a challenge. If for one week, each of you will score 25 points or more and be Unstoppable, I will go in the MMA ring against Mark Estrada. That was a typographical error. I will take on your greatest warrior in an underwater breath holding contest. If I lose, I'm buying free soft drinks for all present. Offer ends the end of this summer. Let the game begin.
| Fire Team 1 | 28.57 | Fire Team 4 | 31 | |||||||
| Eddie Morales | U | R5 | 43 | George Rabiela | U | R1 | 117 | |||
| Phil Raymond | U | 30 | Rich Guardiola | U | 46 | |||||
| Alex Dyckman | U | 25 | Chuy Cervantes | 16 | ||||||
| Ismael Andrade | U | R2 | 28 | Fire Team 5 | 0 | 33.4 | ||||
| Luis Ortiz | U | 37 | Jack Rogers | U | R4 | 97 | ||||
| Gary Remson | R1 | 17 | Andre Vargas | U | 26 | |||||
| James Schmidt | U | 34 | Armando Hernandez | U | 46 | |||||
| William Dyckman | U | 29 | George Doherty | U | R1 | 26 | ||||
| Fire Team 2 | 0 | 31.75 | Jose Billegas | U | 18 | |||||
| Sam Vargas | U | R3 | 68 | Roger Vinlasaca | U | R1 | 61 | |||
| Oscar Nunez | 32 | Fire Team 6 | 0 | 27.75 | ||||||
| Israel Fuentes | R1 | 31 | Dave Garratt | U | R? | 73 | ||||
| Flo Juarez | U | 34 | Horacio De La Torre | 35 | ||||||
| Lou Ojeda | U | 30 | Ed Lake | 16 | ||||||
| Fire Team 3 | 0 | 35.2 | Dave DeBoer | U | 29 | |||||
| Robert Roman | U | R1 | 123 | Mark Estrada | 31 | |||||
| Guillermo Baez | 34 | |||||||||
| Vince Diaz | U | R1 | 40 | |||||||
| Antonio Palomar | U | R1 | 27 | |||||||
| Nic Palhegyi | 27 | |||||||||
| Osiris Alday | U | 48 |
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