Helping Out In Japan's Time of Need

        As we all know, a massive earthquake and tsunami struck Japan late last night and continues to have devastating results. Many people are now wondering what we should do now. The first thing to do is not be fearful. Remember that God is still in control and although this may have come as a shock to us, He had complete knowledge that it would happen. Are earthquakes mentioned in the bible? You bet they are- “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famine and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginnings of birth pains.” -Mathew 24:6-8. So do not fear or worry about what is happening in the world. Know that all these things are signs that the return of our Savior is close at hand and praise Him! Still, there are things we can do to help the downcast in Japan.

        The number one most important thing we can do is pray. These people are hurting and scared. They are naked and hungry and homeless. They need the comforter now more than ever. Pray that charity will arise to the needs of the people. Pray that they will be safe. Pray that God’s workers there will be safe. Pray that the orphaned will find a parent and the grieving families will find peace. Pray that they see the love of Christ in their time of need. Most of all pray for their salvation. At no time like during a time of crisis do people look around them and search for meaning in this dark and lonely world. Pray that they find it in Jesus and that the deceiver would be unable to wreak havoc and will be cast out from wherever he attempts to make his dwelling.

        There are some more tangible ways to show the love of Christ as well. Donate to reputable, established charities such as the Red Cross and Save the Children. Beware of scams that inevitably pop up after any disaster occurs. If you cannot afford to give maybe you can organize a fundraiser. Donate money rather than food or clothing as it is easier to use and will fill any need that may arise rather than specific needs that may be over-met. Better yet, donate blood. The supply is always short during disasters. Lastly, if you are able and feel God’s calling in the area, find a group headed that way and go lend a hand. Nothing demonstrates the love of Christ like a pair of arms to lift up the fallen.

        “Thank You, Lord, for the opportunity to be your hands and feet in the world. We ask you to move in power in these areas of great need right now. We ask for your protection over your children who are in these areas trying to help and especially the ones who have now lost their homes and possibly friends and family members. We ask for comfort and peace in this time where it is hard to find any and that the lost people of this nation would reach out to your capable hands to save them in their time of need. Thank you, Lord, for your love and kindness to your unworthy creation. We pray in Jesus’ holy name. Amen.“

I will leave you with this good old song...

Giving it to God: Giving up Sugar for Lent

        I am completely addicted to sugar. A couple weeks ago I ate half a box of thin mints one day and the next ate three ice cream bars. Things were getting out of hand. So I decided to go on a “natural food” diet. I would eat only whole grains, fruits, veggies, low-fat dairy and quality oils. No refined sugar or flour. I have been doing… not that great. Most of my day I do just fine but then I get a bad craving and twice it has ended in a very big splurge. I just don’t have the willpower. So I have decided that I will give up sugar as an offering to God for lent. He will be my accountability partner. You see, I don’t have a problem breaking promises I make to myself, but I don’t dare break a promise to God.

         

         For those of you who don’t know what Lent is, it is a time during which some denominations of Christianity will “give up” a certain food or behavior in self-denial in order to prepare their hearts for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (March 8^th this year) and lasts forty days through Easter Sunday. The Bible tells us that Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness fasting and praying before he began his ministry. We emulate this during lent as a memorial of what Christ has done for us. Giving up sugar for Lent will remind me every time that I crave it (so about every hour or so for me) that Jesus died for my sins and I will practice dying to myself, my human desires, at least in this one area. Every time I want sugar I will thank God for the free gift of eternal life through belief in Christ Jesus and deny myself. Who’s with me? What will you be giving up? We might even lose a few pounds in the process, especially if we dance before the Lord in worship.

          Some might say that this is more about diet than worship, but it is all about your mindset. If you renew your mind with every temptation to remember the true purpose of your self-denial it can be an incredible time of closeness with God. Plus, there are biblical reasons to take good care of your body. Our bodies are the present day tabernacle, dwelling place of the Most High God. 1 Corinthians 6:19 (New King James Version) says “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” So when we take care of our bodies by giving them nourishing food and exercise, we can choose to be obsessed with our appearances and what other people think of us. We can constantly think about what we should and shouldn’t eat and whether we are thin enough or pretty enough. Or we can let care of our bodies be an act of worship, our duty as priests in the Lord’s temple. Romans 12:1 ^"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." 

          Who will join me in this act of worship, our reasonable service to our creator, sustainer, and savior?

p.s. Sorry about the different font types. I can't figure out how to fix it! I am so technologically challenged!