Tag Archives: great compassion

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John MacArthur – Demonstrating Sacrificial Love

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“This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27).

Recently a local newspaper reported the story of a young woman who had been brutally beaten, sexually assaulted, repeatedly stabbed, then dumped down a hillside and left for dead. Miraculously she survived the attack and crawled up the hill to a spot along the road where several people were parked enjoying the panoramic view of the city.

Covered with blood from head to foot, she went from car to car pleading for help, only to have one person after another roll up their windows and drive away. No one wanted to get involved. Finally someone came to her rescue and took her to a hospital where she was treated for her wounds. The article went on to describe the anger of her rescuer toward those who turned their backs on the woman’s cries for help.

That tragic story illustrates the lack of compassion that is so prevalent in our society. Many people won’t become involved–even when the lives of others are at stake. They’re unwilling to risk personal injury or inconvenience, or perhaps they’re just complacent and insensitive.

That should never be true of Christians! Jesus showed great compassion to those with special needs, and He expects us to do the same.

Just as James used the tongue to represent a pure heart (v. 26), so he uses widows and orphans to represent pure love. “To visit” means to bring love, pity, and care to them. Widows and orphans are an especially needy segment within the church. As such, they represent all who are destitute and unable to repay your kindness.

Let your love be sacrificial. Give with no intention of receiving anything in return. Generously invest your time and resources in ministering to those who have no resources of their own. That’s the essence of true religion!

Suggestions for Prayer:

Is there someone in your neighborhood or church whom you can help today? Ask God for wisdom and discernment on how you might best demonstrate His love to that person.

For Further Study:

Read Exodus 22:22-24, Deuteronomy 14:28-29, Psalm 68:5, Acts 6:1-6, and 1 Timothy 5:3-16, noting God’s provisions for widows and orphans.

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Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Ears to Hear

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Many today believe in God and want to go to Heaven, but in their own way. In the previous verses, Paul expressed great compassion for the Jews during his time and prayed they would be saved (Romans 10:1). He said they were zealous but tried to establish their own righteousness (Romans 10:2-4).

Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.  Romans 10:17

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) God the Father Himself spoke concerning His Son, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” (Matthew 17:5)

When Jesus told parables or taught difficult spiritual truths, He said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Luke 8:8) In order to have ears to hear, meditate on scripture. Memorize verses having to do with salvation (Matthew 7:21 and 19:29, Mark 16:16, John 3:16 and 10:9, Acts 4:12, Romans 10:9, Ephesians 2:8-9, I Timothy 2:3-5) so you can be ready with an answer as Peter advises in I Peter 3:15. Pray for the nation and leaders that the Lord will give them ears to hear…that they will receive Christ by faith and be saved.

Recommended Reading: Luke 8:4-15

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Alistair Begg – Claiming God’s Promises

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Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. – Psalm 119:45

Whatever your particular need may be, you will find some promise in the Bible related to it. Are you faint and feeble because your way is rough and you are weary? Here is the promise–“He gives power to the faint.” When you read such a promise, take it back to the great Promiser and ask Him to fulfill His own word. Are you seeking for Christ and thirsting for closer communion with Him? This promise shines like a star upon you–“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Take that promise to the throne continually; do not plead anything else, but go to God over and over again with this–“Lord, You have said it; do as You have said.”

Are you distressed because of sin and burdened with the heavy load of your iniquities? Listen to these words–“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” You have no merit of your own to plead why He should pardon you, but plead His written promises and He will perform them. Are you afraid that you might not be able to hold on to the end and that after having thought yourself a child of God you should prove a castaway? If that is your condition, take this word of grace to the throne and plead it: “The mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you.”

If you have lost the sweet sense of the Savior’s presence and are seeking Him with a sorrowful heart, remember the promises: “Return to me . . . and I will return to you.” “For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you.” Feast your faith upon God’s own Word, and whatever your fears or wants, take them to the Bank of Faith with your Father’s note, which reads, “Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope.”

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John MacArthur – Praying for God’s Glory

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“O Lord, in accordance with all Thy righteous acts, let now Thine anger and Thy wrath turn away from Thy city Jerusalem, Thy holy mountain; for because of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Thy people have become a reproach to all those around us. So now, our God, listen to the prayer of Thy servant and to his supplications, and for Thy sake, O Lord, let Thy face shine on Thy desolate sanctuary.

“O my God, incline Thine ear and hear! Open Thine eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Thy name; for we are not presenting our supplications before Thee on account of any merits of our own but on account of Thy great compassion. O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Thine own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Thy city and Thy people are called by Thy name” (Dan. 9:16-19).

Someone once said, “Show me your redeemed life and I might believe in your Redeemer.” That’s a fair request! As Christians, we are Christ’s ambassadors to a dying world. With His Spirit in our hearts and His Word in our hands, we are to speak His truth in love and live a life that lends credibility to what we say.

When we fail to do that, we dishonor God and provide ammunition for those who seek to discredit His work. That was certainly true of Israel. They were God’s chosen people yet His name was blasphemed among the Gentiles because of their unbelief and disobedience (Rom. 2:24).

Daniel knew Israel didn’t deserve mercy, but he asked God to forgive and restore them to their homeland for His own name’s sake. Therein would He be glorified.

When you pray according to God’s will, fervently confessing your sins and interceding for others, you’re following in the godly tradition of Daniel and every other saint who sought God’s glory above all else. May it be so today!

Suggestions for Prayer: Pray for the nation of Israel, that God might redeem many Jewish people for His name’s sake (cf. Rom. 10:1).

For Further Study: Read Ezekiel 36:16-38.

Why did God scatter Israel? Why will He regather her?

How will the Gentile nations react to her regathering?