Help Needed. Apply Within.

 Scripture:

1 Kings 17:10-15 (KJV)

So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.  17:11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.  17:12 And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.  17:13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. 17:14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.  17:15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.

 

Inspiration:

When someone is in need of help, how often is that help needed at a time that is convenient for you? Hardly ever. The nature of "help" is that you are making some kind of sacrifice, most often time but it could be money, space, energy or any other resource. According to the etymology, "to help" is to serve someone food. In the biblical sense, food, or bread, has spiritual implications. To be fed or to receive one's portion is to be naturally/ spiritually enriched. 

 

Let's examine ourselves:

• How do you respond when someone is in need of help?
• Do you offer assistance or does the needy person have to approach you?
• Are you willing to give more than you can spare?
• Does your help have conditions? 
• If someone needed help, would they be able to approach you confidently?
• In times when you've needed help, how did you prefer the helper treat you and respond to your need?

 

TASK OF THE DAY 5:

 

The focus for the next 24 hours (and beyond) is simultaneously simple and complex. Today's task is to be a help. Be inconvenienced today, put someone else's needs ahead of your own and be blessed.

#T.O.D. for God