Stretcher Bearers

When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Luke 5:19

 Are you being a stretcher bearer in someone's life? Think about what a stretcher bearer does. EMT workers carry people on a stretcher or gurney into the waiting ER. It is while on there, they are feverishly working on the patient keeping vitals stable and hoping to keep the them alive during transport to the hospital.

 A Christian as a 'stretcher bearer' serves as an extension of Jesus in the body of Christ reaching out to care for those who are hurting emotionally or physically. They heal wounds with kindness, caring, prayer, and meeting needs. Sometimes just being there and listening is all that is required.

 Do you know someone who needs a 'stretcher bearer' in their life?

 PRAYER: Help me be aware of those people in my life who may be in need of someone to lighten their load. Help me think more of others than myself. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Debbie Downer

 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. Proverbs 17:28(NIV)

 Impulsive people have trouble in life. I tend to be impulsive and am working on taming this monster of fast reactions. It is especially helpful to be able to control it when it comes to talking and emailing. If we react to something then do not wait and think and immediately respond then we can cause trouble which was never intended to happen.

My husband always reminds me of this too. "Why pass on bad news to the kids he will say" if I see something about a storm or accident for instance.  We should only want to pass on that which will build up or uplift not possibly drag down. But if you are impulsive and do not think things through first, or wait 24 hours because you just have to act on something, then things could backfire or create turmoil and misunderstanding.

Yes indeed in life it is good to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry as it says in James 1:19.

 PRAYER: Today Lord I need your help to be calm and peaceful and wait. Help me think before I act or react. Forgive me if my impulsiveness has ever hurt anyone. Put a watch over my mouth. In Jesus' name. Amen.

JUST LISTEN, WOULD YOU?

How many of you are perfect listeners? I know there are some people and they truly can tune into you and hear what you are saying. I have to admit, I need to be a better listener and some of my friends and family can attest to that. It is not that I do not want to listen but I get distracted at times, by what, I do not know.  This is frustrating not only to me but to the person who is talking. It comes off like you do not care or you would listen. Sometimes I truly do not hear. This from a lady who studied to be a professional listener as a counselor. 

Guess who is a good listener? Jesus is! He never spaces out, butts in, forgets what you just said or has to ask you to repeat yourself. Nor does He have to apologize to you for seeming uninterested. As a Christian we should be striving to be conformed to Christ's image in all the areas of our life. If you are weak in this area why not humble yourself and ask God to intervene and help you. 

The Lord is good and merciful, full of compassion. He loves you with an everlasting love. He does not like you to be hurt or sad. He wants you to experience the joy only he can give. He wants to "talk" to you daily through His words in the Bible if only you would make time for Him and pick up our Bibles each day. We need to listen to what He is telling us in the word.

Also He is standing by at any time waiting to hear from you in prayer. The Bible says in Jeremiah 33:3(NIV) 'Call unto me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' Psalm 91:15(NIV) says 'He will call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.' Jesus does hear us, truly hear us, when we call out to Him. He listens. He knows your pain. He cares for you. If a friend means well but does not really "hear" what you are saying go to Jesus. He is really ready "at all times" and will take your call.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I love you. I want to try to be more like you and one of the areas I need help in is to be a better listener. Help me Lord when a friend needs help to listen to them and show support. Father I thank you that you are the best example to me for how I should listen. Father God help me not be distracted by things that do not matter but help me as I seek to show your love and mercy to others. In Jesus' name. Amen.