My thoughts for July: Concerned about others

John Sloan
My thoughts for the coming month: Concerned about others

How concerned are you about others? Do you think about the needs of strangers, such as the homeless, the poor, the sick, the elderly, the minority groups. Most people don't think about them very much at all, unless they are right in front of them and even then, they are willing to step over a homeless person and "not get involved". We live in a society that thinks a great deal about themselves but spends very little time concerned about others. Even Christian women will say that your priority is in the home so don't overstretch with other activities—but the Lord tells us to take care of the less fortunate in society which means you need to leave your homes and do something. You have a responsibility to help those in need. 

Both the USA and Australia will be voting in a new leader (we voted on Saturday 2nd July)—for those who vote, do you think, when selecting the next party into power, what the policies are for those how are most vulnerable? What does Donald Trump plan to do for those who are homeless, the mentally ill? What are his policies for the very poor, the single mothers? Is he concerned about domestic violence? In Australia, what about the Syrian refugees or the Indigenous communities in remote areas of the country suffering from high suicide rates. 

Are you voting with them in mind, or only yourself and your family and what money you will get or how something will change to make your life better. 


Do you really think Christ would build a wall between the USA and Mexico to exclude — the answer is no. Some women won't vote for Hillary Clinton because of her stand on abortion, but do you have the same concerns about the babies born living in depressing situations, for their mothers struggle to keep their heads above water. Most don't. But we need to be concerned from cradle to grave and not be selective. 

This months bible verse is all about the interests of others and not yourself, lets make this the month to reach out and make a differences. Leave your homes and see what you can do to help, even just one person. 



Here are some links to posts that I wrote in the last month — do check them out if you missed any. 
(Click to visit post)

Bible verses for the coming month

Let each of you look not only to his own interests,
 but also to the interests of others. 
(Philippians 2:4)




Quote of month

The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?” But the good Samaritan reversed the question: “If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?

Martin Luther King Jr. (3 April 1968) 



Hymn for the coming month

Concerned about others So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. (John 13:12-14)

Here at Your feet, Lord

Here at Your feet, Lord,
Bowing to thank You,
Eager to serve You,
Glad to obey.
See all Your children!
O how You love them! 
Make us Your hands, Lord.
Use us today.

Turning from greatness,
Humbly we serve You,
One with the weary,
Washing their feet.
Sharing their weakness,
Sharing Your goodness,
Sharing in You, Lord,
Love is complete.

Lord of compassion, 
Tender in mercy,
Helper and Healer,
Teach us Your ways.
We are Your people,
Bowing to follow.
Shepherd and Servant,

Lead us, we pray!



Comments

  1. Our lives get so busy, we can barely keep up with our own activities, let lone take on other's problems. Or so it seems.... Having concern for others can be as simple as taking clothes one doesn't need to an op-shop, where they sell them and use the money to help the homeless and disadvantaged!

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    1. I think everyone has the capacity to do more but we don't sadly.

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  2. I love your quote from Martin Luther King Jr. A great reminder to keep our focus off of ourselves. I am not familiar with the hymn Here at Your Feet Lord. Who is the author, do you know?

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    1. Sorry not sure about the hymn regardless it is lovely . I can't even remember where I found it! If we are all too busy with our own lives, who cares for those who need help?

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  3. Wow! This has got to be the first time I've heard someone say Hillary Clinton is the better Christian choice. I respect your opinion but I must say I strongly disagree. I strongly believe America won't make it through her presidency if she gets elected.
    -AB

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    1. I didn't say I support Clinton, I said do people think beyond anti abortion and show concern for single mothers in poverty, children in domestic violence homes etc. many people are angry about abortion but forget to fight for children in horrible home environments.

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    2. Ps I doubt the USA would survive Trump either and nor will the rest of the world . Both are questionable in running a nation and care for the most vulnerable.

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  4. I strongly agree with the anonymous comment above. As I consider who I will vote for in November I will seek a candidate who supports the issues close to my heart; the protection of unborn babies, traditional family and Israel!

    -Sarah
    www.lilacsandspringtime.blogspot.com

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    1. As I mentioned above, I wasn't supporting Clinton but I don't support Trump either. I'm not sure who will make the most mess to the economy and society generally.

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  5. I don't think it's necessary to worry about who is president of the USA or leader of any other country. Worry is a sin and waste of time... God will place in leadership whoever will suit His purposes and plans and each country will follow the path God allows. All we have to do as believers is to pray for those in leadership, and lead quiet and peaceable lives, serving Him by taking care of the poor and needy and being a light shining in the darkness of the world. Sometimes it can be difficult to help the needy - especially in a society where the needy are hidden away or "taken care of" by the government (whether that care is appropriate or not). The other thing that makes helping the needy difficult is the knowledge that many charities put very little of what is donated to them to proper use without filling the purses of those who are already doing well. :(

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    Replies
    1. We can help the less-fortunate in small ways, perhaps just one person. we can help every one, but if we all do just a little, it does make a big differences.

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