Expectant Prayers ®

Today when I woke up, I was thinking about the opportunities I've had over the past several weeks to "do good".  Although these situations come up all the time, I seem to be aware of them more for some reason, as if God is testing me.  I can recall over the past week 2 such incidents... one of which I felt like I did as the Lord wanted, the other I am not sure that I responded correctly or not! 

Not every opportunity to do good is matched with enthusiasm or excitement.  What about people you don't particularly like, or the person you can't stand talking on the phone to... but nonetheless, God has directed them to your path to meet a need???   Now, I'm not talking about being a doormat or just letting everyone around you take advantage of you because you are wearing your "I'm a Christian" pin and feel like you have to act a certain way.  Not at all.   Frankly, I think a lot of us need to get over our insecurities and walk in confidence; knowing that God will help us discern those who we are to invest our time in and others who are simply leaches who would suck the life blood out of us if they could.  There are times as Christians when we must learn to say, "NO!"  We also can't be people pleasers!  God expects us to be  good stewards of our time and our relationships... but back to the topic at hand... doing good.

You know that James 4:17 tells us "Anyone then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it sins."  My son, Titus, reminded me where I could find that verse today because it's a JBQ answer.  I'm great at knowing scripture, but it's the references that elude me!  Anyway, that's the verse that has been floating around in my spirit all day.  Knowing to do good and not doing it is sin.  That tells us that there is an awareness when we are to help others (in whatever capacity that may mean- listening, giving a word of encouragement, food, clothes, other material needs, etc).  We feel the nudging of the Spirit and a prick of sensitivity... and suddenly are faced with a choice.   Will we act or simply ignore the situation?

As I get older, I find myself tending to justify at times why not to do certain things.  Some people you help seem to have strings attached, hidden agendas, or end up taking more time than we thought they would. I ask myself if the "doing good" is worth all of the rest.  That's when I'm reminded again that if we KNOW we are to do good and do not do it... it is SIN.   It's the KNOWING that is the key.

When I find myself passing up an opportunity that I feel later in my spirit that I should have done, more times than not God will pose another similar situation where I can act.   We can't beat ourselves up for things we should have done, but we should strive to be obedient to the Lord each and every day.  What is going on today where God might work through us to touch someone else or bring life into a situation that the devil meant for harm?   

May God bless you today with ample opportunities to do good and the discernment to KNOW the difference!