Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Life is sacred . . . no matter what its condition might be.

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7

Life is a challenge in a sin-tainted world. It would be wonderful if God's original plan had materialized, but unfortunately sin came into our world and with it came pain, imperfection, injustice, etc. God warned us of these challenges and enables those who trust in Him to be victorious through Him.
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. — I Peter 5:7
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials. — James 1:2
In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world. — John 16:33
We must not overlook those who have challenges in this life. Jesus showed special concern for the lame, the blind, the woman with the issue of blood, the lepers.
In our day we mustn't forget:
·             The woman in crisis confronted with an unplanned pregnancy or abnormal embryo development such as Down Syndrome. Some studies report that as many as 90% of couples faced with an amniocentesis report of probable Down Syndrome will choose to abort. Yet, do you know anyone with a Down's child that doesn't tell you that child is the light of their life, an absolute joy, the most loving person they've ever known?
·             The post-abortive woman who struggles with the reality that she consented to her baby's death.
·             The post-abortive father who walked away from the reality of his sin.
·             The terminally ill or aged who have been forgotten or who have outlived many of their family and friends.
The Disabled and the Disadvantaged
Pastor and author Max Lucado tells in his book, The Applause of Heaven, about a sweater that hangs in his closet. He says he seldom wears it — it's too small, the sleeves are too short, the shoulders too tight, some of the buttons are missing, the thread is frazzled. Logically, he says, he should throw out that sweater since he has no use for it and will never wear it again. It simply takes up space in his closet. That's what logic says.
But love, he reports, won't let him. Why not? What's unusual about that sweater? To start with, it has no label, no tag telling you "Wash in cold water." That's because it wasn't made in a factory, produced on an assembly line as the product of a nameless employee earning a living. Rather, it was the creation of a devoted mother expressing her love — his mother. That sweater is unique, one of a kind, irreplaceable. Each strand was chosen with care, each thread selected with affection.
And so, even though that sweater has lost all of its use, it has lost none of its value. It is valuable not because of its function, but because of its MAKER. So is each life.
The lonely and emotionally distraught
Jesus said, "…to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me." Matthew 25:40  Our Lord placed great value on those whom society has shuffled aside. While on his knees, the leper begged Jesus to make him clean. The Bible says, "Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man." Mark 1:41 We are His hands and His heart to a desperate, searching humanity.  Reach out to those around you that you may feel the Holy Spirit leading you to minister to.

Scripture to Claim:
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Galatians 3:28  

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