What Is Wrong?

Wednesday's Devotion (3-30-05)

"And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness." Colossians 3:14 (KJV)

Here are four definitions of the word, "Charity" all from www.webster.com:

1 : benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity
2 a : generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering; also : aid given to those in need b : an institution engaged in relief of the poor c : public provision for the relief of the needy
3 a : a gift for public benevolent purposes b : an institution (as a hospital) founded by such a gift
4 : lenient judgment of others

The question is: Which definition is the scripture using for the word? The answer is: All of the above! We need to love everyone, and loving everyone means sacrificing for all. It means running the extra mile, it means giving all that you have to those who need it, it means sacrificing yourself as Christ did for us. These are all very beautiful things. They're not just beautiful, but these days... they're rare and precious. This world is so very difficult to live in. It's difficult, because everyone is out for themselves! There's always a hidden agenda, hardly anyone does anything just for the good of it. It drives people like you and I to depression, it drives us to insanity. It's the biggest imperfection of the world. If we all had charity, I would gladly say, "We live in a perfect world." But we lack charity, and we lack perfection. Whatever happened to going to the grocery store and seeing someone putting stuff back at the counter, because they can't afford it all and offering to pay for their items? What happened to being the salt and light of the world? If there's nothing in it for you in the here and now, then what's the point. Right? It's sickening.

There's a woman in Florida right now, starving to death by court order. The winning lawyer has been a faithful donator to the judge who ruled death. Call me harsh for saying it, but I guess there was something more in it for the judge to rule against life! I'm down-right sickened. I can't help, but to speak my mind on this. Does anyone even understand how sickening this is? Does anyone even know what is at jeopardy with this whole thing? Does anyone care right now? I don't think so, but everyone will care in the future. Just right now there isn't anything in it for anyone. There's nothing to gain for them. I guess people these days aren't satisfied with just knowing that they've done good. Judge me harshly for my words today, but you know what I say is true. What I say today is from a sickened American. I just want people to care, people to do good. I'm tired of seeing all the evil and the promotion of evil. People think evil is good and good is evil. What's wrong?

I want to do more. I want to offer more. I want to do good. I'm getting tired of not being heard, I'm getting tired of being helpless. What can I do? I'm tired of joining these little groups that make you feel like you're "Changing the world." I want to really change things, I want to make a difference. Does anyone else want this? All I see around me is selfishness, pride, hate, etc. What do people these days have to be proud about? So, you can hate like everyone else... Anyone can hate! It takes a special person to love.

I'm also very discouraged. I can't even get people to respond on this site. When I go to another site these days that is really doing something good, then I try to go out of my way to say something nice. I try to encourage people. Charity and love is also encouragement! Most of you can't even give that. What is wrong? If most people can't even go out of their way to encourage someone who is doing a good work, then I'm afraid to see how little of this generation will make it to the Kingdom of God. Something's wrong and there needs to be a change. I don't claim to be better than anyone, but I definitely try to do right. I asked for prayer the other night for a starving woman, and I asked for people to tell us they're praying... I got no response. That's shameful. I got absolutely no response. I have written before about encouraging people and other things. You know what I feel like? I feel like my devotions are worthless, I feel like they've made no positive change for anyone. Or if they have then those people no longer visit this site. I'm sorry, I'm sorry that I expected more.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this message and for all things. Please forgive us of all our sins and we forgive all those who've wronged us. Please help us to do right and especially to want to do right. Bring us closer to you and make us a light for all the world to see. Lord please help us. Also, we continue to pray for the healing of Terri Schavio. In Jesus name. A-men!

God bless!

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