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My word teaches you to care for the widows and orphans. How many of these do you know and support? Do you think it is the job of the state welfare agencies to care for them? Do you know more single mothers than you do widows and orphans? You may argue that these and their children do not fit the strict definition of widows and orphans, and even that their situations came about because of the violation of my commandments. Does this make it easy for you to disregard or even judge them? But in some cases the women are blameless and the children did not select the conditions of their birth. Blessed are those who minister to those in need without judging how they came to be in need. 

I would like to introduce you to Mark Holloway, a new friend of mine from New Zealand. He has just published his first book called The Freedom Diaries - God Speaks Back.

In this book Mark describes how he learned to hear God speak, and then offers about 200 pages of his two-way journaling. God taught Mr. Holloway to hear His voice without him receiving training from anyone else, including our book on 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice. 

You know that every financial transaction has two parties, a buyer and a seller. This same principle applies to other transactions. What can you do that doesn’t have some effect on somewhere else? It applies to sin. For every offense there is someone offended. Do you think that sins are only against other people or only against me? Either would be bad enough and all sin is against me, but do not be quick to assume that things you do in secret have no effect on others. Do not be discouraged, for the same principle applies to acts of righteousness. I see the good works you do in secret, rewarding you openly, and you can bless others without them being aware of it. 

What type of gifts do you like, thoughtful or expensive? With a thoughtful gift you are giving of yourself. This carries a value that cannot be expressed in monetary terms. The wealthy have more resources with which to give, but the thoughtfulness factor levels the playing field. You are your own most precious possession. In this manner you can give to someone else that which is of most value to you. The gifts that I give you are both thoughtful and expensive. You are only able to give that which you have received, but it is still the supreme sacrifice to give all you have. I gave you an example to follow. You will not regret giving your all to me. 

I had taken my usual place on the elliptical machine and was about halfway through my workout.  For those of you who don’t know, an elliptical machine is a piece of cardio equipment.  I was getting pretty tired but I was also reflecting on the things of God.  I can’t remember exactly what I was thinking about but often times my mind just wanders to His goodness when I’m exercising. 

I used to scorn liberals (actually I scorned everyone who disagreed with me) because liberals lost their Bible through demythicizing (believing Jesus’ miracles and all supernatural references were myths). I was proud I was an evangelical who believed the whole Bible! Then the Lord spoke to me one day during my two-way journaling time, saying, “Mark, you don’t believe the Bible is for you either.” I objected, and said, "Of course I do!" He said, “No, you believe that the Old Testament is for the Jews, the Gospels are for Jesus, Acts is transitional, and the book of Revelation is for the future. The only part you believe is to be lived is the Epistles.” I said, “Good point!” and repented of my belief in dispensationalism.

Do you speak to me with formalized terms and posture? If by this you intend to display deference, respect and honor that is good, but I spoke to Moses as a man speaks to his friend. I also said that I referred to you as my friends, and this is not how you speak to your friends. You show respect for them in the content of what you say, and your attentiveness to their words, and the deliberate purpose with which you seek their company. You can show respect for me the same way. You would be amazed at the range of manner of address that I am willing to accept, and I am not eager to impose a specific format on you. Use a manner that you find comfortable, just do it often. 

I taught you to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit those in prison, for inasmuch as you did it unto the least of these you did it unto me. Do you think this is an exhaustive list? It was an illustration appropriate to the time it was spoken, but the same principle could be expanded to speak to a modern audience. If I needed a ride or my car had a dead battery or was stuck in ice and snow, would you come to my assistance? The situations mentioned in my word are universal and enduring, and just as appropriate today. Yet if you take this to heart you may find additional opportunities to be of assistance to those in need and I still consider it as ministering unto me. 

I declared plainly that my kingdom was not of this world, so there are two realms, and you belong to both. I taught my disciples to pray thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. This was a prayer to the Father, but it is you who live in these two realms, so you are in a position to merge them. You do this by representing the Kingdom of God on earth. I ascended into heaven so I am not here in the conventional sense, but you are here and I am in you. Don’t hide your light under a bushel but put it on a candlestick that it may give light to all around you. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify me.