Gina - Isaiah 58:6-8 Matthew 25

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:6-8 NIV)

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' (Matthew 25:37-40 NIV)

I love the feeling I get when I hear Isaiah 58. I sense the Lord saying " take care of the needy, poor and afflicted and I've got your back". God - you light my path today , where you go I'll go, where you stay I'll stay, when you move I'll move - I will follow!!! I tremble reading Matthew 25 to think I could pass by my Lord , while too busy in my own little world. The conviction is so heavy and strong coming home from a big city like Chicago where there are affluent people everywhere with lots and lots of everything and then you turn a corner and a woman and her child lean against the wall in the cold wind with a little cup held out asking for change. Ugggh. I'm wrestling this morning. Jesus be Jesus in me.

Devin - Proverbs 5:22-23

When you walk, they will guide you;
when you sleep, they will watch over you;
when you awake, they will speak to you. For this command is a lamp,
this teaching is a light,
and correction and instruction
are the way to life, (Proverbs 6:22, 23 NIV)

The way to "life" is by correction, instruction and light from the Word of God. We can welcome discipline in our lives from leaders , parents and teachers because God uses them to shed light into our lives.

We need to look at everyday as an opportunity to learn as grow.

Kadin - Isaiah 1:16-17

Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow. (Isaiah 1:16, 17 NIV)

Kadin took the time to write this out word for word In his journal.

Kadin said "this is a call to be nice to the less fortunate and to love and let God rule our lives. "

Good word Diddy!!

Gina - Luke 6:27

"But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, (Luke 6:27 NIV)

"Why?" was Livia's response with a bit of a smirk on her face. But it's a good question right?

So what do we do? Devin says "forgiveness!". Don't hold any grudges or bitterness. Don't be judgmental and act like you are better than them because they hate you. Instead give them the benefit of the doubt. Pray for them and forgive quickly.

Devin - Galatians 5:24,25

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:24, 25 NIV)

Like Christ we should live and walk in passion and godly desires. Focus on keeping each step close to Jesus. Living by the Spirit gives us such purpose.

Tim - Exodus 3:4

When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!"
And Moses said, "Here I am." (Exodus 3:4 NIV)

Readiness for God is that we are ready for any duty - big or small. He can put us where he likes , he is our God. A ready person never needs to "get ready" they are always ready for God to move. Let's keep our lives open to the Holy Spirit leading - it's so exciting to be ready to do anything with God!!!

Let's go!!?

Here I am!

Livia - 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. (1 Corinthians 4:1-5 NIV)

What does regard me? To consider or think of someone in a specific way. What does entrusted mean? Someone people trust. What does conscience mean? Inside (my gut) . We have the Holy Spirit to speak to us inside.

Judge nothing (anyone or anything) of yourself. Don't waste your time criticizing others instead wait on the Lord and let him be their judge. Live your life as a servant entrusted with the truth , with a clear conscience - like Paul.

Nice Livi-g. Wow.