George and the dragon.

Thought for the day

A poor vagabond, traveling a country road in England, tired and hungry, came to a roadside inn with a sign reading: "George and the Dragon." He knocked. The innkeeper's wife stuck her head out a window.

"Could ye spare some victuals?" he asked. The woman glanced at his shabby clothes and obviously poor condition. "No!" she said rather sternly."Could I have a pint of ale?" "No!" she said again."Could I at least sleep in your stable?" "No!" By this time, she was fairly shouting. The vagabond said, "Might I please...?" "What now?" the woman interrupted impatiently.

"Do you suppose," he asked, "I might have a word with George?"

Is it possible that people around us who are in need view us as a "dragon" because of our callous indifference to their plight? Oh, I know, I know. I'm sure many of you did what I did a few weeks ago at a family gathering. As you sat down to a sumptuous feast, you offered up a prayer to God for those "less fortunate. "But did you actually do anything to help anyone?

We live in a time when it's easy to be suspicious. There are some who refuse to work, preferring to live off the government and charitable organizations. There are some who seem to take joy in seeing how much they can get from naive souls willing to believe their concocted "sob stories." But, there are also many around us in genuine need, and if we're not careful, we can come across to them like the woman above -- indifferent and uncaring.

The scriptures have much to say about our attitude toward those in need. In fact, Jesus said that will be one factor which determines where we will spend eternity (Matthew 25:31-46). May we be known not only as a people who care, but as a people whose concern is shown through our actions."If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,' but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?" (James 2:15-16)

Do people view you as George.......or the dragon?

Verses

Mark 5:34

Jesus said to the woman, "Dear woman, you are made well because you believed. Go in peace. You will have no more suffering."

Mark 6:13

And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

2 Corinthians 1:20

For in him every one of God's promises is a "Yes." For this reason it is through him that we say the "Amen," to the glory of God.

Mark 14:38

"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak."

Proverbs 22:4

The humble and the reverent are rewarded with wealth and honour and long life

Prayer

Father, You have crowned our year with Your goodness that flourishes within our hearts, in our relationships, in our provisions, and it is evident throughout the universe. In a world that is filled with evil intent and short-sided vision we cling to Your goodness and seek the eternal perspective in all that we experience in this year of 2010. Spiritual blessings come from You in the midst of Satan's attacks and because of this essential truth we know that if You are for us, who can be against us! There is no formidable foe that cannot be conquered as the power of Your Holy Spirit enables us to remain faithful and ever growing in our devotion to You.

Remind us that as we share in Your sufferings we also share in Your glory. In all areas of trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, and danger we are more than conquerors through You who loves us abundantly. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, nor anything else in all of Your creation will be able to separate us from Your love that has been revealed to us through Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. We rejoice with our family of believers and with all of Your creation in the paths of abundance You lay out before us and walk hand in hand with us. Amen.