Living for a Cause Greater Than Yourself by Os Hillman
http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?blogid=2093&view=post&articleid=83227&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=Os%20Hillman&fldTopic=0
By Os Hillman
"He
who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he
has done." - Proverbs 19:17
If you were God and you wanted to
send one of your servants to help the less fortunate in the world, how would
you train your servant for this task? Our ways are not God's ways. We find an
interesting story in the case of Brigid, a woman born in the early 400's in
Ireland.
Brigid was born from a sexual
encounter between an Irish king and one of his slaves. She was raised as a
slave girl within the king's household and was required to perform hard work on
the king's farm. From the beginning, Brigid took notice of the plight of the
less fortunate. She would give the butter from the king's kitchen to working
boys. She once gave the king's sword to a passing leper-an act about which the
king was enraged. The king tried to marry her off, but to no avail. One day,
Brigid fled the king's house and committed herself to belonging only to Christ.
Brigid sought other women who
also wanted to belong only to Christ. Seven of them organized a community of
nuns that became known as the settlement of Kildare, a place where many
thatch-roofed dwellings were built, and where artist studios, workshops, guest
chambers, a library, and a church evolved. These and other settlements became
little industries all to themselves, producing some of the greatest
craftsmanship in all of Europe. Many of the poor had their lives bettered
because of Brigid's ministry to them.
Brigid became a traveling evangelist,
helping the poor and preaching the gospel. When she died in 453, it is
estimated 13,000 people had escaped from slavery and poverty to Christian
service and industry. Her name became synonymous with the plight of the poor.
She was a woman who turned a life of slavery and defeat into a life lived for a
cause greater than herself. She became a nationally known figure among her
people, and the Irish people still recognize her each February 1.
God has called each of us to live
for a cause greater than ourselves. If God asked you what you had done for the
poor, what would you say? Jesus had a special place in His heart for the poor.
Ask God how you might use your gifts and talents to improve the plight of the
poor in your community.
Os Hillman
By permission only. To learn more about Os Hillman, go to: www.marketplaceleaders.org.
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"And the Lord said to Joshua, 'This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.'"(Josh 3:7-8). Joshua had been a faithful number two man under Moses for 40 years. Can you imagine serving one man for 40 years? Now that is faithfulness! Even so, when the time came to pass the mantel to Joshua, God knew he needed to be elevated in the eyes of the people in order for Joshua to accomplish his purpose. That is the purpose for elevation - so that you and I can fulfill our purpose and our mission.
http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?blogid=2093&url=10&view=post&articleid=206343&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=Os%20Hillman&fldTopic=0
"Then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years. Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband." Ruth 1:3-5 Naomi's life was going well. A great husband. Two fine sons who had two wonderful wives. Then the unthinkable happened. Her husband died. A little time later both her sons die. Her and her daughter-in-laws find themselves in the midst of shattered dreams. This isn't how life was supposed to be.
http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?blogid=2093&url=10&view=post&articleid=202592&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=Os%20Hillman&fldTopic=0
"While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, 'Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.'" Acts 10:19-20 Peter had never preached to the Gentiles. In fact, he believed it was against Jewish law to associate with the Gentiles. God needed to change Peter's attitude about this, so God gave Peter a vision that showed him it was permissible to preach to the Gentiles. The Spirit came to Peter and informed him that some men were about to come visit him, and he was to go with them. He went with them, and the Lord did great miracles in the lives of Gentiles through Peter.