Devotional
Scripture:
When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you shall receive power and will tell people about me everywhere - in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the end of the earth . (Acts 1:8 NLT)
My church participated recently in an event called Make a difference day. The purpose was to saturate the surrounding community of the church and participate in activities that would make a difference in the lives of others. Members painted houses for the elderly, prepared care packages for military personnel, provided free car washes, delivered expressions of gratitude to public servants and assembled hygienic backpacks for the homeless. Many people in the community expressed gratitude to our church members for the random acts of kindness they received.
Jesus told his disciples they would receive power from the holy spirit to go out and make a difference in the world. But he reminded them the difference needed to begin first in two important places - Jerusalem (their homes) and Judea (their surrounding community).
I enjoyed going to my church this past weekend and saturating its surrounding community with random acts of kindness. But my experience was bittersweet because I knew there were many people in my own community who needed me. There were people who needed to hear about Christ in my community. There was an elderly neighbor who was ill that I needed to visit. And I needed to invite my next door neighbor to church because I knew she was a Christian but did not have a church home. I had made a difference in the lives of my church's community, but had neglected to make that same difference first in my own.
It's great to make an impact on the world, but be sure to impact those first who are right where you are - in your Jerusalem and your Judea!
Sharing the Word,
Jeaninne
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