But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)

Who is my neighbor? How should I respond?

Yesterday I attended all three morning worship services at the Culpeper United Methodist Church. Pastor Randy Orndorff allowed David Bean and me to support Sam Reeves and Operation Rescue Liberia during each service by sharing short testimonies of how God moved in our lives to get us involved. The Holy Spirit moved in power to inspire other people to get involved.

Around 7 AM yesterday while preparing my three minute testimony, I remembered it was my 7th spiritual birthday. Seven is my favorite number. Exactly seven years ago, on January 6, 2001, I stepped over line for Jesus. By quietly saying something as simple as “Jesus, I commit my life to you” and meaning it, the Holy Spirit took up permanent residence in me. That was the most important day of my life.

Appropriately, the scripture reading yesterday was Luke 10:25-37 which tells the story of the Good Samaritan, one of the best known and well-loved stories of the Bible. That story took place on the road leading from Jerusalem to Jericho.

While Pastor Randy was preaching his message during the first worship service, the Holy Spirit told me, “Sam is your neighbor.” When I first heard Sam’s story on December 18, I felt compelled to stop and help him. Now God is inviting others into what He is doing in Liberia. I envision God using Rim of Grace Ministries to bless thousands and tens of thousands of people in Liberia, who in turn will bless hundreds of thousands and even millions in Africa.

On my way home yesterday afternoon, I stopped at Food Lion to buy groceries. There God crossed my path with Jeanne Nixon. We had a long spiritually-centered conversation which Jeanne said greatly encouraged her. For the first time, I saw Jeanne as “my neighbor.”

When Jeanne learned it was my 7th spiritual birthday, she recommended I buy a birthday cake along with the number 7 and 7 candles to celebrate at home. So I did that. That opened the door to celebrate this momentous occasion with my wife, son, and one of his friends in the evening.

In retrospect, God blessed me with an amazing 7th spiritual birthday. One key milestone was listening to Pastor Randy’s message about the Good Samaritan three times in a single day and videotaping that. Another was the opportunity to sow sees to bless Sam and Liberia. Therefore, this week’s series of messages will focus on stories of the Good Samaritan.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for the wonderful ways You blessed me on my 7th spiritual birthday. Help me to understand the significance of each milestone. Thank You for Pastor Randy and his timely message about the Good Samaritan. Guide me to apply that message each day of my life as I meet and learn about people in need. Bless me with a healthy balance of mercy and truth. Thank You Jesus. Amen and hallelujah!

Link of the Day
Photos from my 7th spiritual birthday – you now can rate each photo and post comments

Blessings to recognize your neighbors in need and respond in Jesus fashion!

But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)

Why don’t people obey God?

For several years, I used to listen to American Family Radio (AFR) several hours each day when I was home. One of my favorite preachers on AFR was Adrian Rogers. AFR frequently aired this brief but powerful message by Adrian Rogers – “Why don’t people obey God? Because they don’t know Him. Knowledge of God leads to trust in God. Trust in God leads obedience to God. Obedience to God leads to blessings by God.”

The Bible teaches that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God (1 Cor 3:19). Many of the things that God asks us to do don’t make sense. And it often takes a while to see the fruit of our obedience. That’s because we reap later than we sow. However, God often opens a series of progressive doors when we obey Him. Life in an adventure for those who chose to walk closely with God. Here’s an example:

On December 18, the Holy Spirit prompted me to go to the monthly Culpeper Ministerial Association (CMA) meeting. Even though I had just gotten back from a week long anesthesia conference in New York City and needed to mail out 700 Christmas cards, I chose to go to show my appreciation to Pastor Randy Orndorff for his two years of service as President of the CMA. Little did I know that I would meet Pastor Sam Reeves and David Bean and that they would capture my heart with Operation Rescue Liberia.

Coming to the realization that the country of Liberia was birthed out of Virginia, I felt strongly led to offer to make a free website for Rim of Grace Ministries. As a result, Sam and David asked to receive my daily devotional. Making the new website and doing my first few devotionals of this year led to this reply from David at 9:19 AM on Jan 2:

“Randy thank you so much for doing this. I know you are doing this first for the Lord, but you are also helping Sam and I and lifting our spirits as well. Again a great big thank you.

I do believe we need to talk about the future and what God is doing in this time in History. I just read your daily devotional and what Virginia said as well. I know now that the Lord wants to do mighty works in Liberia. Using the two words you and Virginia received from the Lord, Convergence and Restoration, I know the Lord wants to use this ministry to converge both the United States and Liberia in order to restore both societies unto himself. However, I believe with all my heart that God wants to move in a mighty way in Liberia in 2008 so a Holy Spirit Revival will occur in 2009.”

But the blessing didn’t stop there. At 3:30 PM on January 2, Sam sent me an email titled “New Shoe Proposal.” I learned that Gleaning for the World has 20 crates of brand new shoes worth an estimated $157,495 available for just a $5,000 service fee. Sam wants to acquire those for the poor people of Liberia who have no shoes, but he is completely dependent on the generosity of others to seize that opportunity before it disappears within a few days.

Sam’s email went on to ask me to call Brucie Quick for details. Even though I had lots of other things to do, I called Brucie within an hour of receiving Sam’s email. Because she was in a meeting, the secretary scheduled a phone appointment with her the next morning. Wow! What a blessing. I learned so much about Gleaning for the World, an amazing ministry. Brucie invited Sam, David, and me to come to Concord within the next month to see their facility and to meet with the founder and president of that organization. Another door of opportunity has opened because of obedience.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for the thrill of serving and following You each day. Thank You for Your many unexpected surprises and blessings. Thank You for the joy in my heart. Thank You for the opportunities and resources to bless many other people. Bless Rim of Grace Ministries to converge both the United States and Liberia in order to restore both societies unto Yourself. Bless Gleaning for the World with their best year ever. Thank You Jesus. We love You and praise Your holy name. Amen and hallelujah!

Links of the Day
Gleaning For The Word
Rim of Grace Ministries

Blessings to know God, trust Him, and obey Him to live a life of adventure!