For I was Naked and You Clothed Me...

I have always been some one to watch the world around me. See what people are doing. I read a lot of news, news that is published in a newspaper, on news websites etc.

I shared this message previously but it stands true today.

I see a lot of news that talks about the way the world around us is carrying on. There are groups who speak out against this group or that group, and others that speak out against the groups that speak out about others.

I see them all calling for action. Yet I see them not doing what they are calling for others to do.

It comes down to that old saying. “Talk is cheap”

It is the quiet ones that I see taking action and doing things for others.

I read of a priest in the province of Quebec who along with others helping him repair shoes so they can be given to the homeless. I have read in the past of an organization that is going to build a large number of homes in the states for the homeless.

There is a mission house in Toronto that open their doors to feed, house and clothe the homeless. There is an organization on PEI that collects food and clothing to help the less fortunate live with food and clothing.

These are just a few of the examples I can mention. I see people helping those in need. I see secular and faith based groups reaching out to help those who are in need.

What are you doing?

Matthew 25:34-46

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.   For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;   naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’   Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?   And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?   When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’   The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

   “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;   for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink;   I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’   Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’   Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’   These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Who are the naked, who are the lonely, who are the hungry, who are the prisoners?

You see this is what I want us all to think about. Look around your immediate world, your town, neighbourhood, where you live and work. Are there any who could possibly fit into one of those discriptions.

That man in the coffee shop all by himself. The widow across the road. That family that has fallen on hard times because of job loss. That man or lady that you see on the street everyday pushing a grocery buggy with their belongings in it. That man on the park bench by the bus station who doesn't have a coat on in the middle of January.

Havae you seen any of these kind of people, all of them could be classed as naked, hungry, lonely, imprisoned.

How about the shut in down the street, who can't drive anymore. The person who lives in that old apartment building all by themselves. That man you saw dumpster diving for food.

We live in a world that needs people who can see what is going on around them.

Luke 14:22

And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled.

This verse I have on my blog, why because it speaks to me. It is the thrust behind this ministry, to challenge people, not only to develop a relationship with Christ, Get to know Jesus. But also to do something with Jesus.

My last message was entitled “ Then What Shall I Do With Jesus”

What do any of us do once we profess Christ as our Lord and Saviour. “I just keep living my old life, nothing has changed!” “I go to church on Sundays, what more do you expect?” “I go to church and help out on Sundays or with any special events at the church, is there anything else to do?”

Jesus in His own words laid out what we are to do!

We are to go into the highways and biways and invite people in. We are to look for people who need help. Help people who need food. Reach out to those who are imprisoned, not just in prison, but those who are imprisoned in their life because they have no one. Reach out and give a coat to that person on the street.

What are you doing? Have you tried to help and quit?

Don't be discouraged some people are to proud to seek help, but it is great when we befriend folks and stay in touch. Then they will be more open to others and you helping them. Some times we can be so blatantly obvious about it either.

Don't do it for the glory of what ever praise may come from it. Some seek the glory and they have their reward, some lay the glory at the rightful place, Jesus feet.

He has called everyone of us to “GO”, will you respond?

You might be thinking that I am nothing more than some one who is speaking out and I don't do anything.

Remember that saying I said I was reminded of “Talk is cheap.” Well there is another one that I have heard that follows that one up, “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.”

I am not going to give specifics, but food, clothing, visiting are all things that I have done. They are things that we have done. Even suggesting starting and helping with a group that reaches out to the community. I don't say that to get any recognition.

I am saying it because I “Practice What I Preach.”

So again I ask How will you respond to the task set before us? Will you leave them; naked, hungry and alone? Will you reach out and help?

For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;   naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’   Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?   And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?   When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’   The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

What will you do with and for Jesus?