Today's Reading:
Luke, 14, 15
One of my favorite quotes is by Jim Cymbala, pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle. Pastor Cymbala sees the church not as "a nice place to raise the family, but rather a Holy Ghost hospital." For over 30 years now the Brooklyn Tabernacle has been providing a place of ministry and healing to, "the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind." The ministry of the Brooklyn Tabernacle abounds in reaching out to the poor, addicts, prostitutes, orphans, widows, etc.
In today's reading we see Jesus making the same statement twice, "Invite the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame" (14:13,21). One thing I've learned about Christ's teaching is that when he wants to emphasize something, he often repeats it. The Lord also warns us that this type of ministry involves a cost on our part (14:25-34), it's not easy! To re-emphasize his point, the Lord teaches on three parables of things that were lost, reminding us of the importance God places on those who are outside of the four walls of the church building.
Now let me propose a question: what is the emphasis of your ministry and how often do you consider or factor in the poor, crippled, lame, blind and lost? There's alot to consider in today's reading. May we have ears to hear what the Lord might have for us and our ministries at New Life.
PrayerPoint:
Pray for our local government to know and experience God.
ActionPoint:
Take a good look at the kinds of people you are ministering to. How many of those individuals fit into the categories that are mentioned in today's reading? What types of adjustments could you make to your ministry that would include them?
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2 comments:
George,
I'm just checking out the blog today per EJ's request. Thanks so much for doing this. I'm looking forward to reading the Bible as a community.
I'm really loving that quote "Holy Ghost hospital". Very early this morning I had to page my mother's doctor (she wasn't feeling well). I was surprised that he called me within a few minutes. I was impressed with his dedication to his patients. He doesn't love her or hardly know her. But as the physician he has a sense of obligation. And then I contrasted that to our responsibility to the Lord and the people He has given us to care for. And how much more responsive and loving we should be to those He's entrusted to us. It's big. It's an honor.
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