Scripture:
Luke 10:25-37
Mon, 21 November 2022

Stop for the Needy

Observation:

In what ways was the Samaritan willing to put his own needs aside to help
the man in need?

Deeper Reflection
THROUGHOUT THIS WEEK LEADING UP TO NEW LIFE SUNDAY with its theme “To Love the Community as Christ Does”, we will be reflecting deeper on the parable of the Good Samaritan.The priest walked by. The Levite walked by. Presumably they had something to get to, perhaps temple duty. If they stopped to help the injured man, they would have risked becoming unclean and thus unfit to perform their duties. Or they might have been afraid. Pausing to help the man may make them vulnerable to attack by robbers.Today, we Christians also appear to have valid reasons for not pausing to help those around us. The report we need to finish. The child we need to pick up. The project we need to run. We have so much to deal with that helping the needy means we must interrupt our own lives. For example, it means waking up early to distribute food to migrant workers on a daily basis.39 It means using our precious Saturdays to clean up the flats of elderly or disabled people. Or making special efforts to help kids with special needs do better in school. Or sometimes going without dinner to make it on time to help Steady Readers kids with their English twice a week. Or giving up weekends to mentor kids and youths who may not be appreciative. Or spending mornings to connect with lonely seniors. All these seem like such huge sacrifices. Until we remember that Christ left heaven for earth to save us from our sins. He laid down His life for us. As Christ’s disciples, shouldn’t we follow His example?
39 Thousands of migrant workers were locked down in factory-converted dormitories in 2020 without adequate basic necessities during the COVID-19 pandemic. A lot of time and energy were joyfully spent by many Christians over several months to contact suppliers of cooked food and logistics, coordinate church volunteers, collect and distribute the daily meals and basic necessities to hundreds of migrant workers.
Application:

Which needy person(s) is the Lord leading me to stop for?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I am so thankful that You stopped for us. Please teach me to stop for those in need around me. Amen.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
John 20:19-21; Luke 4:14-21
Mon, 2 October 2023

Sent by the Lord

Observation:

What is the analogy that Jesus used in sending forth His disciples (v.21)?

Deeper Reflection
As we enter the month of October with our upcoming two Missions Sundays, let us focus our attention and prayers on Covenant EFC’s third Faith Exploit, “Disciple the Nations”. In today’s Scripture, verse 21 is a very significant statement that Jesus said to His disciples after His resurrection. And it applies equally to all those who are Jesus’ disciples today. There are three key observations we can make.First, the analogy that Jesus used – His having been sent by the Father – points us to Jesus’ foundational teachings that He came to accomplish the very will and works of the Father (Jn 4:34; 5:30, 36; cf. Lk 4:14-21). Second, the idea of Jesus’ disciples being “sent” reminds us that world missions is not a result of human initiative, but is God-initiated and God-directed. It is God’s mission in the world. Third, verse 21 reminds us that Jesus is not merely calling us to join God in His mission, but to relate to Him as our heavenly Father – in love, obedience and dependence.1Therefore, the more fundamental question is not “Are we being sent?” or “What must we do?”. Rather, it is “To what extent do we understand and treasure our sonship in relation to God our Father (Jn 20:17)?” So that, as beloved children of God, we will respond rightly to our heavenly Father who created us in His image, redeemed us in Jesus Christ, and called us to join Him in His mission. Out of gratitude and love towards God, we joyfully walk in the Lord’s will for us, and fully rely on His resources as we faithfully serve Him.
1 This is consistent with John’s emphasis in his writings on the Father-Son relationship that anchored and motivated Jesus in all that He did in submission and obedience to the Father’s will.
Application:

How do the purposes for which Jesus sends forth His disciples impact the
way I plan and live out the years of my life?

Prayer:
Dear Father in heaven, what manner of love You have bestowed on me that I should be called Your child! Every opportunity given to me to carry out Your will is a privilege for me to participate in Your glorious purposes. Help me to clearly discern the things that You want me to accomplish and to faithfully work at them with a heart that loves and depends on You and always seeks Your glory. Amen.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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