CARING for OTHERS

Isaiah 57:14

King James Version

14 And shall say, 

Cast ye up, cast ye up, 

prepare the way, 

take up the stumblingblock 

out of the way of my people.

"Scripture's very clear.

We are not to hinder our brothers, and sisters.

We are not to cause them to sin, or to stray.

We are not to be the reason they become disappointed, disillusioned, turn bitter, are ruined, are hurt, or perish.

We are not be a stumbling block in their way to knowing more about God.

We are to love them, and lead them back to the LORD, in the manner the LORD wants."

We wrote all that on 4 September 2021.

Today, we have selected a few more verses which can guide us how to better care for others.

As taught by GOD:

Exodus 22:22

King James Version

22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, 

or fatherless child.

Leviticus 19:14

King James Version

14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, 

nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, 

but shalt fear thy God: 

I am the Lord.

Deuteronomy 24:17

King James Version

17 Thou shalt not pervert the judgment 

of the stranger, 

nor of the fatherless; 

nor take a widow's raiment to pledge:

As taught by JESUS:

Matthew 12:10-11

King James Version

10 And, behold, 

there was a man which had his hand withered. 

And they asked him, saying, 

Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? 

that they might accuse him.

11 And he said unto them, 

What man shall there be among you, 

that shall have one sheep, 

and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, 

will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

Mark 16:17-18

King James Version

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; 

In my name shall they cast out devils; 

they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; 

and if they drink any deadly thing, 

it shall not hurt them; 

they shall lay hands on the sick, 

and they shall recover.

Luke 13:14-16

King James Version

14 And the ruler of the synagogue 

answered with indignation, 

because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, 

and said unto the people, 

There are six days in which men ought to work: 

in them therefore come and be healed, 

and not on the sabbath day.

15 The Lord then answered him, and said, 

Thou hypocrite, 

doth not each one of you on the sabbath 

loose his ox or his ass from the stall, 

and lead him away to watering?

16 And ought not this woman, 

being a daughter of Abraham, 

whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, 

be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

John 13:34-35

King James Version

34 A new commandment I give unto you, 

That ye love one another; as I have loved you, 

that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know 

that ye are my disciples, 

if ye have love one to another.

As taught by apostle Paul:

Romans 14:13

King James Version

13 Let us not therefore 

judge one another any more: 

but judge this rather, 

that no man put a stumblingblock 

or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

Romans 14:19

King James Version

19 Let us therefore follow 

after the things which make for peace, 

and things wherewith one may edify another.

1 Corinthians 8:9

King James Version

9 But take heed lest by any means 

this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock 

to them that are weak.

1 Corinthians 8:11-13

King James Version

11 And through thy knowledge 

shall the weak brother perish, 

for whom Christ died?

12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, 

and wound their weak conscience, 

ye sin against Christ.

13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, 

I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, 

lest I make my brother to offend.

1 Corinthians 10:32

King James Version

32 Give none offence, 

neither to the Jews, 

nor to the Gentiles, 

nor to the church of God:

2 Corinthians 6:1-10

King James Version

6 We then, 

as workers together with him, 

beseech you also that ye receive not 

the grace of God in vain.

2 (For he saith, 

I have heard thee in a time accepted, 

and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: 

behold, now is the accepted time; 

behold, now is the day of salvation.)

3 Giving no offence in any thing, 

that the ministry be not blamed:

4 But in all things approving ourselves 

as the ministers of God, 

in much patience, in afflictions, 

in necessities, in distresses,

5 In stripes, in imprisonments, 

in tumults, in labours, 

in watchings, in fastings;

6 By pureness, by knowledge, 

by long suffering, by kindness, 

by the Holy Ghost, 

by love unfeigned,

7 By the word of truth, 

by the power of God, 

by the armour of righteousness 

on the right hand and on the left,

8 By honour and dishonour, 

by evil report and good report: 

as deceivers, and yet true;

9 As unknown, and yet well known; 

as dying, and, behold, we live; 

as chastened, and not killed;

10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; 

as poor, yet making many rich; 

as having nothing, 

and yet possessing all things.

Romans 14:13

King James Version

13 Let us not therefore 

judge one another any more: 

but judge this rather, 

that no man put a stumblingblock 

or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

Romans 14:19

King James Version

19 Let us therefore follow 

after the things which make for peace, 

and things wherewith one may edify another.

Interestingly, this post was prepared on 19 August 2024.

That's EXACTLY a year ago.

Funny how SPIRIT led me back to it today, to fine-tune, and add to it.

It may have taken me a year to get back to this post, but now you have it before you.

Today is the day this article is meant to reach you.

Related material:

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Cause NO ONE to FALL

LOVING one ANOTHER

What LOVE truly is

BORN AGAIN articles

CAT receives LOVE

 Proverbs 11:17

King James Version

17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: 

but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

Would you stop for a cat, who's left to die? 

Would you stop for it, knowing it's covered with flies?

Would you bring it to a vet, to have it checked?

Would you nurse it back to health?

Would you tend to its wounds?

Would you adopt it?

All these a young lady did, according to that video.

There are quite a lot of videos showing animals rescued.

From accidents, human cruelty, shelters, and abandonment.

When you see such kindness, you know there's hope for the world.

Whether for humans, or animals, let us all aspire to be kind.

To protect both from harm.

To prevent harm from coming to both.

To care for the hurt, forgotten, and abandoned ones.

While there is life in each one of us, there is life.

While there's light in our eyes, there is life.

While there's breath in our being, there is life.

It's how GOD would want us to care for each other.

That all life matters.

His Son, JESUS, taught us that.

John 13:34

King James Version

34 A new commandment I give unto you, 

That ye love one another; as I have loved you, 

that ye also love one another.

Let us not be the first one to hurt others.

Let us be the first one to protect others.

Let us always keep a watchful eye for each other.

Let us not allow cruelty to prevail.

Let us refuse all that the devil is.

James 4:7

King James Version

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. 

Resist the devil, 

and he will flee from you.

The cat in that video, through the ministrations of the young lady, and her vet, was nursed back to good health.

Considering maggots had infested it, flies were on it, the poor cat had fractures on its leg, and it was left to die.

Surely, the cat got well, because of the love it received.

Every creature, whether man or animal, responds to love, and care.

And the gentleness that go with it.

It tests the quality of a person.

To stop, and help.

Or to walk away, hoping others would care for it instead.

Others walk away, completely ignoring other humans' and animals' plight.

Can you walk away from their cry?

Can you walk away, knowing they need help?

Can you ignore a life, on the line?

There is such a thing as proper pet ownership.

You're responsible for your own pets.

They're not bought, on a whim.

Many parents teach their kids that.

Once a pet is bought, the child must look after it.

But some kids are spoiled, and neglect their pets after a while.

They get bored, and want new things.

Gadgets, for one.

So, the animal is left unattended.

Some pet owners move away.

Some actually leave their pets behind.

Or, if the animal is sick, or wounded, all the more they abandon it.

That's why You Tube is full of videos of kind strangers caring for these poor, hurt, abandoned animals.

I especially love watching transformations.

We are actually all responsible for each other.

Whether for humans, or animals.

Let's cease from being cruel.

It's wonderful being born again.

You learn to love, as JESUS did.

Even if we're imperfect.

We can still follow the examples given by JESUS.

He taught us how to love.

He taught us how to be kind.

He died for us.

No love can be greater.

A sign of great love is not receiving commendation for it.

No publicity, no accolades, no recognition, nothing.

There is no reward, when you love.

You love, because it is what JESUS would want you to do.

You love, because it feels right in your heart.

You love, because it is the right thing to do.

You love, because JESUS taught you to.

It is how He would want you to be.

JESUS has much to teach us.

About love, perfection, and holiness.

Let us all do right by GOD.

The Rapture can happen any moment.

It's time to set our lives right.

In ways that are acceptable to GOD.

Being born again is the path to take.

You will be taught by SPIRIT how to love.

As JESUS did.

P.S. 

Strangely, although by now I'm used to SPIRIT's ways, I realized -- as I was editing this post's "labels" -- that another post talking about the love JESUS taught us, was written on the same date -- 19 June.

EXACTLY four years ago:

"Learning to Love as Jesus Taught Us"

Just shows I'm on the right path, writing all these.

I can only marvel at SPIRIT's precision.

Which I dearly LOVE.

And wait for.

Related material:

BORN AGAIN articles

What is GREAT service?

 

1 Corinthians 13:13

King James Version

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, 

these three; 

but the greatest of these is charity.

I cannot thank GOD enough.

For waking me up.

For saving me.

For teaching me.

Now, I know what to tell you.

Even as I've been a customer service lecturer, and entrepreneur in the past, I didn't know zilch.

Only when GOD made me born again 33 months ago, did my eyes really open to God's TRUTH.

Now, I can tell you what GREAT service means.

That we serve GOD first.

That GOD teaches us how to serve.

That as we serve others, we serve JESUS, too.

Matthew 25:40

King James Version

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, 

Verily I say unto you, 

Inasmuch as ye have done it 

unto one of the least of these my brethren, 

ye have done it unto me.

That we don't only serve those who could pay.

But we also serve those who couldn't.

That we don't create products, and services, that keep people addicted.

Of course, the born again approach is contrary to how the world operates.

Born agains follow prompts from GOD.

Every step of the way.

Consider how the world operates:

Rent goes up every year.

Tuition goes up every year.

Price of gas and commodities fluctuate.

Housing costs have become inflated.

People's taxes go to questionable programs .

Artificial shortages are created.

Businesses, and individuals, hoard.

Many people are kept ignorant of the world's devices.

What if people can't afford it anymore?

What if people fall through hard times?

What if a person has ABSOLUTELY nothing?

What if a person's broke?

Must he be broken more?

How will that person live?

How will that person thrive?

What if it was you?

Have we been in their shoes?

I appeal to you to lighten their load.

I appeal to you to lift the load off your brother.

Better yet, let's not put any load on them.

We're all in this life together.

We may not row the same boat.

We may not even have the same boat.

We may not even have a boat.

But can we be kind to each other?

Pretend you're serving the LORD.

How would you serve JESUS?

How would you serve a man, who had no place to go?

A man who has no place to sleep?

Luke 9:58

King James Version

58 And Jesus said unto him, 

Foxes have holes, 

and birds of the air have nests; 

but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Pretend a young family seeks shelter.

They have a baby, and have no place to go.

Such was the LORD JESUS' plight, the day He was born.

Luke 2:7

King James Version

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, 

and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, 

and laid him in a manger; 

because there was no room for them in the inn.

Would you care about the homeless?

Would you care about the beggars?

Would you waste food on the table?

Would you take things for granted?

Would you feel entitled to your wealth?

Would you care about the forgotten ones?

Would you care that everyone has a warm bed, food on the table, some decent clothes, and a roof over their heads?

Would you care to look into why there is still poverty, when the world is burping with resources?

Would you look into unscrupulous people who feed upon the poverty, or seeming ignorance, of others?

Let us turn to JESUS, that He may teach us how to love.

If we don't know JESUS yet, let's just pray that we come to know Him.

Not everyone knows the LORD.

Not everyone has heard of Him.

If you know the LORD, then set the best example.

Show what it means to love.

Show what good service is.

LOVE, with no thought of return.

Don't think fiscally, as we serve physically.

Be a citizen of heaven.

EVERYTHING belongs to GOD.

We are merely stewards of the GIFTS He gave us.

Our talents, intelligence, capabilities, creativity, imagination.

Without the SPIRIT of GOD in us, our creations can't please GOD.

Do you have right spirit in you?

2 Timothy 1:7

King James Version

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; 

but of power, 

and of love, 

and of a sound mind.

GOD cares for all.

GOD doesn't play favorites.

So, why should we?

Build businesses with heart.

SERVE with love.

SERVE with kindness.

BUILD it with GOD.

And you will know how to serve best.

Related material:

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The WICKED shall PERISH

BORN AGAIN articles

It's ALL preparation NOW

Image: ELEVATE

A LONGING that ALL may BELIEVE in JESUS

 

Matthew 9:36-38

King James Version

36 But when he saw the multitudes, 

he was moved with compassion on them, 

because they fainted, 

and were scattered abroad, 

as sheep having no shepherd.

37 Then saith he unto his disciples, 

The harvest truly is plenteous, 

but the labourers are few;

38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, 

that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

How far along are you, in your walk with the Lord?

Do you know Jesus?

Do you believe in Him?

Would you like to know more about the Lord?

Once you've come to know the teachings of Jesus, through the Holy Spirit of God, you will be changed.

Once you know the ways of God, you will marvel at His might, power, and glory.

Once you know how fallen we all are, you will be humbled.

Once your life doesn't seem to make sense, or the world doesn't make sense, the more Jesus makes sense.

It's only by being born again can the Spirit really teach you.

For, by then, your heart has opened.

Your mind has surrendered.

You're now ready to receive the Spirit of TRUTH -- the Holy Spirit of God.

And He will teach you everything about Jesus.

The Lord promised us:

John 14:26

King James Version

26 But the Comforter, 

which is the Holy Ghost, 

whom the Father will send in my name, 

he shall teach you all things, 

and bring all things to your remembrance, 

whatsoever I have said unto you.

Your walk will be filled with the light of the Lord.

John 12:46

King James Version

46 I am come a light into the world, 

that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

But how many really labor for God?

How many tell you the good news of salvation?

How many lead you to Jesus?

How many share a verse with you, and let you digest it?

How many care that you come to know the Lord's teachings, and not their own?

How many tell you that at any moment, the Lord can return, and have His faithful meet Him up in the air?

How many pray that the Lord's will be done, in your life, and in theirs?

How many really care to listen to what you're going through?

How many can lead you to the ONLY source of wisdom, and knowledge?

How many don't have a personal agenda when they're with you?

I pray that all of you open your heart to the Lord, and genuinely seek Him, not only when you're having a tough time.

I pray that you seek Him ALL the time.

And when you do, watch what happens.

The Lord will show up.

In fact, He's always had an open invitation for you.

When you accept that invitation, you will marvel at His teachings.

You will be free of fear, or confusion, for the Lord is the GOD of PEACE.

JESUS has the ANSWERS to ALL of your QUESTIONS.

1 Corinthians 14:33

King James Version

33 For God is not the author of confusion, 

but of peace, 

as in all churches of the saints.

It's peace you really want, isn't it?

And the love, like only the Lord can give.

Jeremiah 31:3

King James Version

3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, 

Yea, 

I have loved thee with an everlasting love: 

therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Well, you know where to click.

The Born Again Concept of Freedom

 

2 Corinthians 3:17 

King James Version

17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: 

and where the Spirit of the Lord is, 

there is liberty.

Life is not about slavery, to people, and systems.

Kindness is making sure other people can live freely, work freely, breathe freely, praise God freely, and be left alone to enjoy time by themselves, or with people they care about.

It is not about losing light in your soul, because you are heavily indebted, or burdened from expectations thrust upon you.

Only a born again can understand the concept of freedom from the Spirit of God's heart.

He will do everything in his power, that he abides by the laws of God, and not cause other people undue hardship, nor slavery.

It is so, because the Lord Jesus already freed us from sin, and from death, the day He offered His life on the cross.

He defeated the devil's hold over death, for now, Jesus offered us eternal life with Him.

He took away fear from our hearts.

He took away confusion, for He prayed to the Father to give us His Holy Spirit, to instruct us in the path He had already paved.

When you have the Holy Spirit in your heart, your heart becomes alive for Christ, obedient to His will, listening closely to His instructions, and delighting in such obedience.

To serve the Lord, is the greatest honor for a born again.

You become grateful for the Light of Christ, and your desire, is only to walk in His ways.

Ephesians 5:8 King James Version (KJV)

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, 

but now are ye light in the Lord: 

walk as children of light:

The world has no hold over you anymore, for you have become the Lord's.

The world cannot frighten you, nor coerce you, much less confuse you, for you live under the Light of Christ.

You become sealed by the Holy Spirit's promise:

Ephesians 1:13 

King James Version

13 In whom ye also trusted, 

after that ye heard the word of truth, 

the gospel of your salvation: 

in whom also after that ye believed, 

ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

You love God's truth, His gospel, His Word, and you share it every chance you can get, so others may know about the love of God, too.

If you long for freedom so much, believe that only Jesus can give you that.

Be born of water and of the Spirit, and you will be gifted with God's Comforter -- the Holy Spirit -- who will teach you all things Jesus.

Never again will you be in the dark about anything.

From my own personal experience, having accepted Christ in full, as a born again, my prayers and questions are answered quickly.

And when I pray that I do God's will, the answers come before my prayer's even finished.

Such is the gift of the Spirit of God.

It is clear, immediate, and powerful.

The world loses its hold on you as you serve God alone.

You are free of self, as you gain God.

Updated 24 January 2022

On Being a BLESSING to Others

38 For I came down from heaven, 

not to do mine own will, 

but the will of him that sent me.

John 6:38 

King James Version

Do we have it in our heart to help others?

Would we really know how to help them?

Do we have a front seat in the cinema of life, or perhaps a perfect, multi-dimensional view of another person's life, just as God has?

Would we really know what is good for others?

Perhaps not.

But sincerely wanting to be of help to others, is a wonderful start.

And we will need the help of God, through JESUS, to do that.

Only by the GRACE of God, the HEART of God, and the SPIRIT of God, can we be of true, effective, and precise help for others.

We cannot see with human eyes.

Ah, but with spiritual eyes, under the grace and guidance of the SPIRIT of God, we can!

And that can only occur, if we have become born again in Christ.

Before we can really help others as God would want us to, we have to tend to self first, so we must be JESUS' own first.

Only then can we truly see what others need.

Only then can we truly know how to help.

Only then can we see the bigger picture, as God wants us to see.

Only through the power of the Holy SPIRIT of God, can we see what is needed, and do what is needed to be done for others.

By ourselves, we won't be able to see the true picture of things.

Only God knows what lies in the heart of a person.

Only He sees the dreams, aspirations, desires, and intentions every person has.

The only fool-proof way to help -- for surely, we all have the urge in our hearts -- is to be God's Own, through JESUS.

View the verse I shared with you above.

That means, the SON of God, came down to earth to help, but only THROUGH the Father's Will.

He waited upon God, He prayed to God, before He acted.

That's the only way we can be of true help to others.

By our own, limited thinking, we may not be of perfect use, for we do not see what God sees.

We do not have the heart that God has.

But if we align ourselves with God, become born again in CHRIST, we stand a great chance of being a TRUE blessing to others.

We will be instruments of God, to help others.

A true born-again Christian doesn't think for his own anymore.

He waits upon the SPIRIT of the LORD to guide him, to inform him, to teach him, to activate him.

Gone is the self, and the ego.

Most people in the world help, for reasons of their own.

They act upon their own thoughts, and devices.

They have not given their hearts to the LORD, and wait upon Him, seeking only His DIVINE Guidance and Activation.

If we act upon our own thinking, we may be more of a danger to others.

Only by the SPIRIT of God can we see clearly.

You must really give GOD a chance to work in you.

For over 11 months now, I have surrendered my little will, to the INFALLIBLE Will of the LORD.

The Holy SPIRIT of God guides me each time I write, or do most anything.

He has humbled me in many ways.

My old ways haven't worked, but He waited for my surrender.

And now that I have, the work I do glorifies GOD alone.

Gone is the tiny self, the huge ego, the erring ways -- even as I have a long way to go.

Such is the foundation we need, if we are to SERVE the Lord.

When self is gone, and only GOD remains, we can be of true service to others.

Who better to teach us, than the LORD Jesus, who was obedient to the end?

There can be no greater example to OBEDIENCE.

We must submit our tiny selves to the LORD, and follow JESUS alone.

As a result, all we do for others, glorify God alone.

There is no desire for personal wealth or recognition.

All glory is offered to God.

As God so rightfully deserves.

We cannot do enough for the CREATOR.

It's also beautiful to listen to what Jesus says here:

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, 

Verily I say unto you, 

Inasmuch as ye have done it 

unto one of the least of these my brethren, 

ye have done it unto me.

Matthew 25:40 

King James Version

We do things for others, because we love them -- stranger, or not.

We do things for others, because we love God.

We do things for others, because we want to be of real help.

We do things for others, because the SPIRIT of God teaches us what to do, how to think, what to be, guiding us, every step of the way.

Jesus, in His short ministry, gave us so many beautiful TRUTHS from heaven, another of which:

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, 

that will I do, 

that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

John 14:13 

King James Version

That's how we become a blessing to others.

That all we do, like all Jesus did, was to GLORIFY the Father -- our CREATOR.

The world has become the way it is now, because people forgot to look back to God.

There is no more love, and gratitude.

It's time to bring JESUS back into our hearts, and the SPIRIT of God, will teach us what to do each moment.

Have faith in that fact.

Only through JESUS, would we know what to do.

Only through JESUS, can the world became a God-filled world again, as it was before Adam and Eve disobeyed the instructions of God.

Surely, we all long for that world.

If we don't have it now, while we're all still alive, we can still have ETERNAL life with JESUS, but only if we are His TRUE followers.

It is never too late to become God's OWN.

But there is no time to waste.

Call upon JESUS now.


More articles to read here:
"It is Time to Live Right By the LORD"
JESUS son of GOD
The HOLY SPIRIT

Bible passages from biblegateway.com

P.S. Soon as I gave credit to Bible Gateway for the verses, God gifts me with the site's "Verse of the Day":

For we are his workmanship, 

created in Christ Jesus unto good works, 

which God hath before ordained 

that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 

King James Version

It's as if God's supporting the article I just wrote.

My life has been this way since I first asked to be CHRIST's own.

And yet, I continue to be in AWE each time.

As such, I await God's NEXT surprise!

It is wonderful to live as an obedient child of GOD!

Updated 24 January 2022