Always be a good neighbor!

10:37 Luke “The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."” (NIV)

Jesus gave the story of the Good Samaritan to describe what actions would be a good definition of a ‘neighbor’. It is likely not our definition. We think of people we know… next door or across the hall or down the street. Jesus described a man that stopped to help out a complete stranger… a man who was beaten and robbed. He cared for the man. He paid the price for his care. He was committed to seeing this man to restored to health. He made a commitment. He showed great compassion. Does that describe you? It should describe all of us, if we follow what Jesus taught. Now, “go and do likewise.”

Please route this verse to family, friends, and your ‘neighbors’. Ask if they have ever had someone stop to help them when they needed it. Ask how that made them feel. Hear what they have to say. Jesus wanted the expert in the law to decide ‘who is my neighbor’ for himself. The story of compassion and care for the man who was beaten and left for dead on the road to Jericho made it obvious about who was the ‘neighbor’, BUT Jesus made it more memorable by stating that the man was a Samaritan. They were hated by the Jews and now Jesus made one a hero in the story. God can use any of us for His purposes. Continue to Take Time For God’s Word© throughout each day or as you hear of any accident today or at 10:37 am or pm. As soon as you heard that this was from the story of the Good Samaritan, most everyone immediately recalled the story… it is hard to forget. The interesting thing was that the story was really part of the explanation on what it takes to reach heaven. It was within the ‘love your neighbor as yourself’ statement and the lawyer was asking Jesus who is my ‘neighbor’. While we are not saved because of our good works, it again shows that any good thing that we do is because of what great things He has done for us on the cross. Just recall ‘go and do likewise’… four words.. and you will know the story and this verse. Then put it into action every day in word and in deed. What a great blessing you will be!!

Let us focus our prayers on our family and friends. Sometimes we focus prayers on one topic or one issue which can be good and effective… yet, we also need to lift up the needs of our family and friends before God to seek His protection and safekeeping to those people. Be a blessing to them. Tell them that you are praying for them. Ask them to keep you in their prayers. Pass it on to those around you by showing them what it means to be a ‘neighbor’ and how to be part of the family of God!



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