Christian Reflection and Prayer

Verse

But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when
he saw him, he was moved with pity.
Luke 10:33

Voice

Patience is not waiting passively until someone else does
something. Patience asks us to live the moment to the
fullest, to be completely present to the moment, to taste
the here and now, to be where we are. When we are
impatient, we try to get away from where we are. We
behave as if the real thing will happen tomorrow, later,
and somewhere else. Let’s be patient and trust that the
treasure we look for is hidden in the ground on which we
stand.
Henri J.M. Nouwen


Prayer

God, thank you for your presence. Give us this day our
daily bread. Amen.

IT'S ALL IN HOW YOU SEE IT

See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse.
Deuteronomy 11:26

I am reminded of a story about a pair of twins with opposite
dispositions. One twin was an incurable optimist; the other,
a perpetual pessimist. The parents, concerned about the
extremes, consulted a psychologist. The psychologist
recommended that for their next birthday, each twin should
receive a different present. For the pessimist, a shiny new
bicycle. For the optimist, a box full of manure. When the
birthday arrived, the pessimist opened his box and said:
“A brand new bike! I’ll probably fall off of it and hurt my foot.
” The optimist opened his box and ran outside with excitement
saying “If there’s this much manure, there must be a pony
somewhere!”

Similarly, we all have the choice to determine what we see in
life. We can see a blessing or a curse, depending on our
perspective. Let’s make the choice to see things from a godly
perspective. Everything is a blessings – it’s all in how you see it.

With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

Now by chance a priest was going down the road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. Luke 10:31-33
Some people enjoy Jesus' parable about the Good Samaritan. There are others who might find the Lord's story is a bit too close for comfort.
You see, we are incredibly blessed people. We are blessed because we have a Savior who taught us how to love. Even though the world didn't want Him and didn't accept Him, Jesus came into this world to rescue us. Here He gave His life so that all who are brought to Holy Spirit-given faith are cleansed of their sins and granted a place in the Father's family of life.
In response to the Savior's loving sacrifice, believers are given the opportunity to love their neighbors, which includes the folks who live next door and little old ladies in burning cars and teenagers who had an accident.
As the Bible says, "We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, help me honor You by being a Good Samaritan rather than a bad spectator. This I ask in the Savior's Name. Amen.