Don't Forget About the Poor

A couple years ago when I was in New York City shopping with my sister, a young man in his 20s stopped me on the sidewalk and asked me for a handout. He was wearing a new pair of designer sneakers, new-looking baggy jeans, a nicely pressed white T-shirt and a broad but suspicious smile.

He moved closer to me and asked: "Miss, can I have a few dollars? I'm hungry and homeless, and I need some money." After checking out his precision haircut and all the gear he was wearing, it was easy for me to politely tell him no.

In this case, it was easy for me to ignore a person in need. After all, this young man wasn't poor—he was a con artist.

In fact, people who try to take advantage of our generosity have approached many of us. Street peddlers or crack addicts who trick people out of money so they can buy drugs or liquor make it difficult for those people who are truly destitute.

Because we don't want to decide who's really poor and who isn't, we tend to look the other way. It's easier to just ignore them.

But God doesn't ignore the poor. He's watching the church during this election season to see if we will speak for those who are too ashamed and cannot speak for themselves.

Proverbs 19:17 says: "He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given" (NKJV).

Let's not get caught up in all the hype of a divisive presidential campaign. Instead, let's hold the Republicans and Democrats, John McCain and Barack Obama accountable to the issues that matter to God. Remember, He will repay us.

The Gracious Hand of the Lord

Like many of you, I use a devotional Bible to help me stay on track when reading through the Word. It helps tremendously, especially during those times when you are so desperate for a word from God that you don't know where to go first. I want to recommend that you just start reading. Where you begin is not really as important as you may think. Just being there is what matters most of all.

Settling down to read the Scriptures will put you in the right frame of mind to hear God's voice, no matter what passage you're reading. It's much easier to sense His leading to particular chapters or verses when you've established an environment that is conducive to a spiritual encounter, and reading the Bible definitely changes the atmosphere.

I love the historical books, and recently, I had a great experience when I opened the book of Ezra. Honestly, it took me completely by surprise. I approached my daily readings with no idea of what God was preparing for me. I longed for a word from Him, but He already knew that, so it was easy for Him to arrest me after I quieted down and opened the Word.

Ezra, you'll recall, comes on the scene in biblical history after God's people had begun returning to Jerusalem, following their Babylonian captivity. In fact, in my version, the book of Ezra is given the theme: "Return of the Remnant." Zerubbabel would precede Ezra in overseeing the rebuilding of the physical temple. Ezra would be tasked with the assignment of calling the people back to the reality of their covenant relationship with their God, and he would enjoy the full cooperation and support of Artaxerxes, the king of Persia.

The Scriptures tell us that Ezra, a descendent of Aaron, was a priest, scribe and a teacher, "well versed in the Law of Moses" (Ezra 7:6, NIV). This helps us to understand what Ezra did and the various functions he served, but along with these descriptors, the Bible gives us some insight into why God chose him and why his efforts succeeded.

The reason for Ezra's accomplishments is alluded to several times in chapters seven and eight. It is first stated in the second half of Ezra 7:6: "The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him." This phrase awakened me. When I saw a variation on it later in this chapter, once more I remembered to "pay attention."

Ezra 7:9-10 says: "The gracious hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel" (emphasis added). The foundation for Ezra's life, his success and the favor he enjoyed was his devotion to God and to studying, obeying and teaching others God's Word.

According to Ezra 7, God's hand on him—
· Turned the heart of an unrighteous king to see God's people honor Him and return to their land
· Gave Ezra favor and funding for the tasks involved in restoring the temple in Jerusalem and re-establishing temple worship
· Gave Ezra the authority with the king and his officials
· Gave Ezra the courage and ability to lead and inspire the people of God.

After I read about all these things, I wondered if I could ever aspire to this level of favor and spiritual devotion. I didn't think so. Then God reminded me that even the desire for greater devotion begins with God Himself.

First Ezra studied the Word of the Lord and was given the ability to trust what he knew to be the truth about God, according to His Word. Ezra depended on God and received into his heart the will of God through studying and observing His Word. Then God entrusted him with all things necessary to the execution of His will concerning the Jews--courage, authority and the favor of God and man.

Ezra's name translates, "God is my help." I believe any one of us can aspire to higher levels of favor and authority. If we asked Him to, God will increase our hunger for His Word and make us more diligent to walk in the truth we know, so He could entrust us with even more responsibility.

Is the gracious hand of God on your life? If so, how do you know? If not, why not, and what will you do about it?

Brenda J. Davis is an acquisitions editor for Strang Book Group and the former editor of SpiritLed Woman.

PAY ATTENTION!

"Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you" (Neh. 9:5-6, NIV).

Several years ago, when I was a graduate student, I lived with a terrific family in a Chesapeake, Virginia, neighborhood that sported some of the most gorgeous magnolia trees I’d ever seen. I simply loved these stately specimens, and the beautiful, fragrant blossoms are still my favorites. One of the family’s trees was particularly mature, and because it produced hundreds of flowers every year, no one cared if I picked a few to take to work with me.

Each spring, I got a huge kick out of what became a pleasant little experiment. I would place a fully opened magnolia blossom in a bowl of water, set it on my office desk and wait for people to notice it. Before long, everyone was overtaken by the extraordinary beauty and aroma of the beautiful white blossom in the bowl. That flower literally changed the atmosphere of the whole room, and most people had no idea what it was.

Keep in mind, we were in the South. Although the magnolia is not the official state tree of Virginia, it’s probably a very close second. They are everywhere. Just look out of any window, of any building in the city, including the place where I worked, and you’d probably see hundreds of flowers just like the one on my desk. They sprang up next to the walls and lined every sidewalk on the campus. Apparently, most people just ignored them because they told me they had never seen anything like it before.

Something so perfectly mesmerizing (and quite common, actually) went almost completely unnoticed by scores of people everyday. But when I put a single blossom on display, it demanded everyone’s attention and examination. They were inspired by it; it’s beauty stopped busy students, faculty and staff in their tracks.

At the time, I was a struggling graduate student, in my early 40s. No one was more shocked than I when I found myself back in school at that age. The years had brought a number of jolting transitions, and I sensed that the Lord was directing my steps. Nevertheless, I still wondered during those years, what happened to the life I thought I’d be living.

It was in this season that quite often the Lord urged me to reflect on and find joy in the awesome beauty of His creation. I was renting a small studio apartment in a home that was surrounded with beautiful trees, shrubs and plants. A creek ran next to the property, and ducks, geese and all manner of waterfowl monitored my comings and goings every day. I took it all in. Considering even a small aspect of the beauty of God’s creation provided for me an immediate connection with Him.

I think that’s why people reacted to the flower in the bowl the way they did. It wasn’t an elaborate arrangement, but in its simplicity, it connected them to their Creator in a profound way—a way they’d no doubt never given a thought to before.

As I’ve sought the Lord lately, He’s reminded me of this experience from years ago, and He seems to be saying to me again, “Pay attention.” As I have intentionally experienced His presence through His Word and in His creation, I have discovered that sometimes, just being aware of Him reveals the answers to my questions. Most of the time, what I really need is for God to open my eyes to see Him everywhere.

Brenda J. Davis is an acquisitions editor for the Strang Book Group and the former editor of SpiritLed Woman.

A Portrait of Prayer

My mom turned 70 years old the other day. I don't know what images come to your mind when you think of a person in her 70s, but if you think of someone who is frail, slow moving and wrinkled as a Chinese shar-pei puppy, think again.

My mom works out at the local YMCA and scurries after her great-grandson, Wesley Adam, when she baby-sits him. Her skin is as smooth as a porcelain doll. Sure, she has one or two age lines, but she's been married to the same man for 50 years and has raised her eight children to love God.

But if my mother were writing this blog, she would tell you that the secret to looking and feeling great can't be found in some age-defying beauty cream. She would tell you to pray—all day!

My mother constantly prays. It doesn't matter if she's at the mall or at a cheerleading competition with her granddaughter, she prays. No, she doesn't make a spectacle of herself; she describes her prayer life as an internal, ongoing conversation with God.

When I was a young child, I would poke my head up during family prayer wondering when it would end because I wanted to go play. But as a Christian, I now understand my mother's motivation to pray. She's developed the discipline, commitment and devotion to God to do it.

As believers we have a spiritual mandate to pray and not let up. The Bible tells us in 1 Thess. 5:17 to "pray without ceasing" (NKJV), but we hesitate to follow this mandate because we want to see immediate results. When I hear people talk about how difficult it is for them to pray, it makes me think they would rather endure the pain of a root canal than slip to their knees. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Just start talking to God wherever you are. Ask Him to speak to you. Tell Him to use you for His glory. Find out what He wants you to pray about. Tell Him how much you love Him, and then worship Him. Before you know it, you'll look forward to your conversations with the Father.

But don't put Him off any longer. Start praying right away.

Valerie G. Lowe is the editor of spiritledwoman.com and associate editor of Charisma magazine. She is the founder of Keep the Faith Single Moms Ministry.

A Word of Encouragement for Single Moms

The other day I was watching a television report about single mothers in the U.S. As I listened to those women share their stories of financial struggle, loneliness, worry, and the challenges their children face, I was tempted to think things would probably never turn around for them.

But that's not true.

I know we're living in tough times, but God is a never-ending means of support for you, much as He was to Hagar, the first single mom mentioned in Scripture.

Genesis 21: 9-14 tells the story of a tumultuous family problem involving Isaac, the son God promised to Abraham in his old age, and Ishmael, his son born to Hagar. Though Abraham's wife, Sarah, was the one who originally suggested that her husband sleep with her maid, she later insisted that the son produced by that union and his mother be "cast out" of their home.

The Bible says Abraham placed the strap of the water bottle on Hagar's shoulders. The Greek translation of the word shoulder is shek-em', which means "place of burden." Like many of you, Hagar was left with the overwhelming responsibility of raising a child alone without the provision and protection of a father.

With no more water to drink, death seemed imminent for the boy and his mother--until God intervened.

"Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation," God said through the angel (Gen. 21:18).

Today the Father continues to reach out and help single mothers. He is not only a never-ending source of love, protection and provision; but His Son, Jesus, is living water for single moms who thirst for Him. Just when Hagar thought she and her son would die, God showed her a well of water located in the middle of the desert!

So don't feel defeated in your attempt to be a good mother to your children. Seek out other single moms in your church, neighborhood, apartment complex, work and other places and encourage one another.

I know from personal experience that if you have God, you have hope.

Valerie G. Lowe is the editor of spiritledwoman.com and associate editor of Charisma magazine. She is the founder of Keep the Faith Single Moms Ministry.