Most of us don’t have to go far from our home to see the poor. We’re confronted with poverty at freeway offramps, street corners and sidewalks. Something inside says we should care. At the same time, we’re uncomfortable, so we don’t do anything. Day after day, we face this tension.

The poor are more than those we see locally on the street corners. Sections of entire cities are home to the impoverished.

If we think globally, then our minds picture dirt roads, makeshift homes, undernourished children and villages that have so little.

The Bible commands us to help the poor and needy. Especially the orphans and widows. Today, we'll see how we can be prayer warriors these people, and how it will change our lives.

KEY PASSAGE:

I John 3:16-18 (NIV)

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

RESOURCES:

--> Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

God tells us to “be holy, because I am holy” (I Peter 1:16 NIV). What a tall order. Sure, we want to be holy, but it seems totally out of reach.

The Bible promises this: “For those he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29 ESV). Do you realize the significance of this promise? You know Jesus as your Savior, right? You will be like Jesus, who was 100% holy. It’s your destiny.

But getting from here to there is the issue. Today, in our audi9o devotional, we will see how prayer plays a key role.

KEY PASSAGE:

Romans 8:28-32 (NIV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who i have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

RESOURCES:

--> Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

If we know it’s futile, why do we keep worrying? I have a hunch, but I’ll get to that in a minute.

It’s been a problem since the fall of man. It was important enough for Jesus to address it in his day:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes” (Luke 12:22-23 NIV).

I’d say that’s straightforward. Jesus addresses our short sightedness. He sees the big picture, beyond our daily needs. That’s a hint for how to deal with worry.

We'll dig into it more today.

KEY PASSAGE:

Luke 12:22-26, 29-31 (NIV)

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

RESOURCES:

--> Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com