Author's Note: This article is part of a 21-day Series called, "YWAP Fast 2019." Each year, the YWAP Directors and countless other folks begin the New Year on a 21 Day Fast. We set aside extra time to honor God and seek His will for the New Year. This series will eventually be written in book form as a model to teach future YWAP generations. We welcome your comments or questions. Jesus loves you and so do we.
Strangers come in many shapes and sizes. Truth be told, we've all been strangers in strange situations and new beginnings. In the picture above, a man showed kindness to a group of inner-city young people, most of whom had been affected by gangs and violence. They showed kindness to him in return by respecting him.
Sammy V. speaks to thousands of young people every year - out of kindness and generosity. He doesn't charge any fees as a professional speaker with many years of experience. He's a great speaker with a life changing message. He speaks out of kindness to strangers because he knows what it's like to be a stranger.
Mental illness creates strangers and makes people feel out of place. Sammy has been one of those strangers with a mental illness. Diagnosed with OCD - Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder, Sammy had to learn how to cope as a stranger. He now seeks out audiences of people who don't know him. It doesn't take long for Sammy V to become a friend. His kindness is a stimulator of friendship. He helps people understand and cope with mental illness, but equally important, he inspires all people to be the best that God has created them to be.
Sammy V. speaks to thousands of young people every year - out of kindness and generosity. He doesn't charge any fees as a professional speaker with many years of experience. He's a great speaker with a life changing message. He speaks out of kindness to strangers because he knows what it's like to be a stranger.
Mental illness creates strangers and makes people feel out of place. Sammy has been one of those strangers with a mental illness. Diagnosed with OCD - Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder, Sammy had to learn how to cope as a stranger. He now seeks out audiences of people who don't know him. It doesn't take long for Sammy V to become a friend. His kindness is a stimulator of friendship. He helps people understand and cope with mental illness, but equally important, he inspires all people to be the best that God has created them to be.
DAY 15 WORD
“Love ye
therefore the stranger:
for ye
were strangers
in the land of Egypt.”
Deuteronomy 10:19
therefore the stranger:
for ye
were strangers
in the land of Egypt.”
Deuteronomy 10:19
DEEP THOUGHTS
God has a great way of repeating His commands to Love people the way He does. The Bible tells us to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. As children we're told to be kind to others, but don't talk to strangers. That's good advice for a child, but most adults are free to converse with whomever they choose. Who are these strangers whom God wants us to love?
A wild animal who's been injured and placed in a rehab facility, will be a stranger when it's reintroduced into the wild. A child attending a new school after a family move or breakup is a stranger. A husband whose wife has Alzheimer's can be a stranger to his own spouse. Friends separated by years are strangers to each other through life changes. A Pastor may appear as a stranger to a gang member. Police are strangers to criminals. An inmate released back into society is a stranger. A baby, unwanted in a mother's womb, may be a stranger.
A stranger defined may simply be someone who is an outsider or a person who doesn't initially belong where they are. The word stranger in the Bible was used in this manner: "a sojourner, a temporary inhabitant, a newcomer lacking inherited rights." If you are a tourist, local business owners may see you as an opportunity to raise the cost of your products. A Substitute teacher in a classroom may be subject to pranks by students who will see what they can get away with. All of us have felt out of place when we experience new beginnings
My Mom always used to say; "The first time here, you're a guest. The next time you come, you're one of the family!" Mom was living out Deuteronomy 10:19. To paraphrase Mom's words as they're filtered through my brain; "You come here the first time as a visitor and a stranger, and we welcome you. You are now one of the family with inherited rights - as if you've been here as long as the rest of us. The next time you come here, help yourself to whatever you need." A shorter version of Mom's words would be; "The first time you're here we serve you, second time - serve yourself!"
Jesus casts a bright light on who strangers are in Matthew 25:43-46 in The Good News Translation; "I was a stranger but you would not welcome me in your homes,
naked but you would not clothe me;
I was sick and in prison but you would not take care of me.’ T
hen they will answer him,
‘When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or
a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and we would not help you?’
The King will reply, ‘
I tell you, whenever you refused
to help one of these least important ones,
you refused to help me.’
These, then, will be sent off to eternal punishment,
but the righteous will go to eternal life.”
Showing kindness to strangers is revealing your friendship with God. Kindness to strangers can stimulate generosity. Welcoming strangers into your life can forge life long friendships. Visiting strangers in nursing homes can grow compassion in your heart. Children have to be wary of strangers because they are among the most vulnerable. As we become adults who follow the discernment of the Holy Spirit, we understand kindness to strangers in a more mature way. Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
A wild animal who's been injured and placed in a rehab facility, will be a stranger when it's reintroduced into the wild. A child attending a new school after a family move or breakup is a stranger. A husband whose wife has Alzheimer's can be a stranger to his own spouse. Friends separated by years are strangers to each other through life changes. A Pastor may appear as a stranger to a gang member. Police are strangers to criminals. An inmate released back into society is a stranger. A baby, unwanted in a mother's womb, may be a stranger.
A stranger defined may simply be someone who is an outsider or a person who doesn't initially belong where they are. The word stranger in the Bible was used in this manner: "a sojourner, a temporary inhabitant, a newcomer lacking inherited rights." If you are a tourist, local business owners may see you as an opportunity to raise the cost of your products. A Substitute teacher in a classroom may be subject to pranks by students who will see what they can get away with. All of us have felt out of place when we experience new beginnings
My Mom always used to say; "The first time here, you're a guest. The next time you come, you're one of the family!" Mom was living out Deuteronomy 10:19. To paraphrase Mom's words as they're filtered through my brain; "You come here the first time as a visitor and a stranger, and we welcome you. You are now one of the family with inherited rights - as if you've been here as long as the rest of us. The next time you come here, help yourself to whatever you need." A shorter version of Mom's words would be; "The first time you're here we serve you, second time - serve yourself!"
Jesus casts a bright light on who strangers are in Matthew 25:43-46 in The Good News Translation; "I was a stranger but you would not welcome me in your homes,
naked but you would not clothe me;
I was sick and in prison but you would not take care of me.’ T
hen they will answer him,
‘When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or
a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and we would not help you?’
The King will reply, ‘
I tell you, whenever you refused
to help one of these least important ones,
you refused to help me.’
These, then, will be sent off to eternal punishment,
but the righteous will go to eternal life.”
Showing kindness to strangers is revealing your friendship with God. Kindness to strangers can stimulate generosity. Welcoming strangers into your life can forge life long friendships. Visiting strangers in nursing homes can grow compassion in your heart. Children have to be wary of strangers because they are among the most vulnerable. As we become adults who follow the discernment of the Holy Spirit, we understand kindness to strangers in a more mature way. Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
DAY 15 PRAYER
Thank You God for showing us kindness when we were yet still strangers to You.
You loved us first, help us now to show Your Love to others who don't know kindness.
You've placed us in this world as temporary strangers,
Sojourners in a land that is not our own.
May every act of kindness lead a stranger to You.
You are our comfort in times when we feel out of place.
Give us discernment in going the extra mile to serve folks in need.
Thank You God for the hope of heaven,
Our final destination where there are no strangers.
Help us to be as kind on earth as we will be in heaven.
In Jesus Name.
Amen
You loved us first, help us now to show Your Love to others who don't know kindness.
You've placed us in this world as temporary strangers,
Sojourners in a land that is not our own.
May every act of kindness lead a stranger to You.
You are our comfort in times when we feel out of place.
Give us discernment in going the extra mile to serve folks in need.
Thank You God for the hope of heaven,
Our final destination where there are no strangers.
Help us to be as kind on earth as we will be in heaven.
In Jesus Name.
Amen
For more information about how you can become a YWAP supporter and volunteer, please leave a message or call us at 716-830-8240. Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we. #ywapbuffalo #ywap4God #ywap716 #JLYASDW
RSS Feed
