What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?”

3/17/14

Years ago in 1966 there was a song by Jimmy Ruffin called What Becomes of a Broken Hearted?  I don’t know why this song has been in my spirit for the past few days but it has.   As I drive through the city of Los Angeles I see people, children and our youth with expressionless faces.  There is not one ray of hope in their eyes and no sense of joy on their faces.  It’s almost like they are they are the walking dead. 

The question I pose to you is, what becomes of the broken hearted in Los Angeles? In the community?  In your neighborhood?  This city is full of brokenhearted people.  There are people who once had dreams and hope for a future.  There are people who had the love of loved ones but have been separated by circumstance, trial and error.  They are roaming the city as lost souls who can’t find any peace of mind searching for something that will allow them to succeed in this life according to their definition of success.  And maybe their type of success is what’s got them where they are today.  But for whatever reason they are on the streets, those that may know JESUS have lost faith and hope in HIM.

What happens to these people who have been broken is so many pieces that there appears to be no foreseeable way to mend them?  What I see is a society who mocks, oppresses and ignores the poor and the worst part of this picture is believers are woven into the fabric of society and are intertwined just like every other person we know. 

What is our responsibility?  Are we doing enough as believers?  What does GOD expect from us? When I say us, I mean each of us as individuals.  Us doing something outside of giving our tithes and offerings. This isn’t a trick question.  Just what is expected of us? If we read the Bible then we are well aware of what GOD expects of us, it is very clear. But what has our response been as a people?  The Bible says this:

Deuteronomy 15:11 "For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.'
Proverbs 14:21 He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Proverbs 14:31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.
Proverbs 17:5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 19:17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.
Proverbs 21:13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.
Proverbs 22:9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.
Proverbs 28:27 He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.
Proverbs 31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Matt 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Matt 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Matt 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and fed thee or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

In every one of these verses, and others not listed, GOD and JESUS are adamant about our attitude, our response, and the level of compassion that is required of us.  There is much need in our communities and there is time to regroup, be a blessing to others and follow in JESUS footsteps loving the disadvantaged unconditionally.   

How close do we resemble CHRIST in our dealings with the poor and needy?  Do they see us or do they see HIM?  What has our response, your response been when you saw the hungry? the naked? the thirsty? the one in prison? the stranger?  And finally, what would JESUS’ response be to any of us? Depart from me or well done?  It's something to think about.

GOD BLESS

Keep Faith/Hope Alive

3/11/14

This is one of those weeks where I felt a now word in prayer form was due.  And I came across this prayer that I felt the need to share it.  I have been getting         e-mails from as far as the Philippines for prayer from total strangers.   I have been befriended by a man in Malaysia who needs hope to stay and remain alive because he is struggling and hurting.  I am in a place of weariness due to the continued attacks on my body for the 3^rd year in a row that now have taken a toll on my heart and have bruised my Spirit but I still seek GOD for deliverance according to HIS will.  I feel in my heart I could easily give up but in my Spirit I know I must go on.  Life has to be lived on the foundation of Faith and Hope or we drown in our despair and depression.  There are those who are drowning going down for the 3^rd time without a life preserver in sight because they have lost their faith/hope.  Pass this on to someone you know who needs a NOW WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT, GIVE SOMEONE HOPE TODAY! And not just hope in anything, but hope in GOD.  I too am reminded, to keep Faith and Hope alive.

MY PRAYER OF HOPE….By Elena Ramirez, Christian Author

FATHER, almighty GOD, I am not letting go of my Faith.  I am holding on!  Lately, I have heard a lot of negative reports, even from the clergy, where they just are not holding on to their faith; they are letting the enemy lie to them.  LORD how I long to see YOUR power working in my life, and in other lives also.  That we would be inspired, and take responsibility for our own faith.  For our own miracles, because of YOU!  LORD, I believe YOUR word, and I know all things are possible, with YOU, my GOD.  I am not letting go.  I do care if people believe.  I want to give someone Hope, not discourage them.  LORD, many are sick and tired, yes, of being sick and tired, well, I believe, by YOUR stripes, we are healed.  Emotionally, physically, and yes, even financially, YOU say YOU are not a liar, and I submit to you and I am blessed by YOUR word.  I pray this, stir us up to remind us, YOU are GOD, and YOU are able, in all things, after all YOU created the earth, and the fullness thereof and the universe and I believe.  I am no longer claiming I am sick and tired.  But claiming, by YOUR stripes, I am healed and rejuvenated by CHRIST and by YOUR word.  Thank YOU LORD, and all glory, and honor, and praise are YOURS.  In JESUS name.  Amen.

There is nothing more to be said except this: Ask, Believe and Receive.  Faith/Hope in CHRIST is alive and well.  I needed this more than you because when you’re in physical pain on awaking in the morning, throughout the day and as you retire at night in pain and toss and turn all through the night because of pain or discomfort and there appears to be no end in sight it is easy to become weary. I have to believe that my Faith will continue to be renewed even in the midst of my trial, if I Believe. Whatever your prayer needs are today, this prayer covers them all.  GOD IS WILLING AND ABLE.

GOD BLESS