Thoughts for Life: A Truck Diver's Hand

Sheridan Voysey- The news came as a shock. Having already survived prostate cancer, my father had now been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. To complicate matters my father is my mother's full-time caregiver, attending to her own chronic illnesses. With both parents needing care, there would be some difficult days ahead.

After flying home to be with them, I visited my parents' church one Sunday. There, a man name Helmut approached me, saying he'd like to help. Two days later, Helmut visited our home with a checklist. "You'll need some meals when the chemotherapy starts," he said. "I'll arrange a cooking roster. What about the mowing? I can do that. And what day is your rubbish collected?" Helmut was a retired truck driver, but to us he became an angel. We discovered he often helped others—single mothers, the homeless, the elderly. (Google image, Day in the life of a truck driver) Great articles on truck driving!

While believers in Jesus are called to help others (Luke 10:25-37), some have a special capacity to do so. The Apostle Paul calls it the gift of mercy (Romans 12:8). People with this gift spot needs, rally practical assistance, and can serve over time without getting overwhelmed. Moved by the Holy Spirit, they're the hands of the body of Christ, reaching out to touch our wounds (vv. 4-5.)

Dad recently had his first day of hemotherapy. Helmut drove him to the hospital. That night my parents' fridge was full of meals. God's mercy through a truck driver's hands.

Let's pray-

"Heavenly Father, help me to be filled with Your mercy, so that I might serve those in need powerfully and cheerfully, revealing who You are."

401-405 one-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

401- Is. 3:13 "The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people."

402- John 17:4 "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do."

403- Luke 24:26 "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?"

404- Ez. 7:17 "All hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall be weak as water."

405- Ps. 106:8 "Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known."

Quotes for today-

~ John Newton- "You who have access to the throne of grace, whose hearts are concerned for the glory of God - you, I trust, will show yourselves true friends to your country, by bearing your testimony and exerting your influence against sin (the procuring cause of all our sorrows), and by standing in the breach and pleading with God for mercy, in behalf of yourselves, and of the nation. If ten people, thus disposed, had been found even in Sodom, it would have escaped destruction! (Gen. 18:32).

Herald of His Coming

(Vol. 79 No. 9/10 (945-946)) Sept/Oct 2020)

~ Sheridan Voysey- "As people made in God's image and called to follow His example (Gen. 1:27; Eph. 5:1-2), this is profound. Achievement is good, titles have their place, but what really matters is how compassionate, gracious, and loving we're becoming."

(ODB 12/30/2020)

Words of wisdom-

~ Our investments in our future can reveal what it is we’re intentional about. Long obedience to Christ’s directions will show our being ready for His return. Our financial planning will show our determination to intentionally prepare the best we can for our future. Are you making deposits in both?

Words from God the Father

By Dave Roberson Ministries

You Are the One I Am Waiting For

"Be mindful of this one thing: You are the one I am waiting for. I am Your Father, and I am the One who has the help and strength you need for every step of your life in Me."

1 John 3:1 "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him."