We Can Do More!PRC 12/29/2017

When asked to describe the primary meaning of the Christian message, Mother Teresa would often hold up a child’s hand and say Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40: “Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” She would then touch the child’s fingers one by one and repeat: “You. Did. It. To. Me.”

The year of 2017 brought a lot of changes and we have much to reflect on. According to the Pew Research Center the vast majority of the world’s population lives on a budget that falls well short of the poverty line in advanced economies. Specifically, 4.4 billion people – 71% of the global population of 6.2 billion – lived on $10 or less per day in 2011. In 2001, 86% of the world’s poor and low-income people lived in Africa and Asia-South Pacific, compared with 7% of the poor and low income in North America and Europe.

At the same time, only 6% of high-income people lived in Africa and Asia-South Pacific, compared with 91% of high income people who live in North America and Europe. So, in a nutshell we are comfortable with 91% of the wealth (materially blessed) in North America and Europe. Many of those referred to in New Testament who are poor, hungry, homeless, and in prison usually refer to followers of Jesus.Today, these are our brothers and sister who are being persecutedin other countries for their faith in the Gospel, and their testimony, for the Lord Jesus Christ. This has not really changed today in the 21st Century from 2,000 years ago. Many of us just don’t get it. We need to do more to help fellow believers who are suffering for Jesus and his Gospel. I pray that each of us will make 2018 a year of recommitment of our faith to follow and DO the Lords commands and not just to listen to the Gospel in the pews.

We Can Do More, especially to help our brothers and sisters in the faith.

“Those who have abundance should share with those who have nothing.” Luke 3:11

“Help widows and orphans in distress. Acts 6:1;” James 1:27

“Do good to all people, especially to believers.” Gal 6:10

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.” Proverbs 31:8

“Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Ps. 82:4

Gifts to help the servants of God are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. Phil 4: 14-19

“Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for the orphans and widows in their troubles.” James 1:27

“Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor.” Jeremiah 22:3

I hope that everyone who has supported Joshuacord’s Mission will continue to help us through prayer and support. We can do more because Jesus has said through the Scriptures “Whatever you did to the least to them you do to me.”