đđ«đ€ Christâs peace be with you. One-on-one interactions and relationships are where I thrive. As much as I would like it to be, our world doesnât consist of just one-on-one relationships. Weâre all an integral part of society. When people know that youâre a Christian, they watch you and are taking notice of how you act and react in situations.  I used to volunteer with a high school youth group and we had this one individual that had a pretty foul mouth.  When she would say a cuss word, I started yelling âFoul ball!â. The first time I did that everyone just looked at me strangely. The second time, they started to pick up on why I said it. It took a while, but the foul balls became less and less. One day that individual came up to me and said âMy friends notice that I havenât been cussing as much and wanted to know what was going on.â  So, she explained what had happened in our youth group. She then said that her friends werenât cussing as much either. Isnât it amazing how one small action can create a far reaching ripple effect? Making a difference in our world doesnât have to be some huge monumental situation. Letâs face it, very few of us will have that kind of opportunity. More times than not, our opportunities will show up as small, barely noticeable items. That single drop of water that grows into a ripple.
In Matthew 25: 31-40 Jesus clearly states what mercy looks like. Feed the hungry. Give drink to the thirsty.  Welcome a stranger. Clothe the naked. Care for the sick. Visit those in prison. Letâs take a slightly different look at these merciful acts.  Â
Feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty: Maybe what they hunger and thirst for isnât physical, but hunger for the Word of God and thirst for streams of Living Water.
Welcome a stranger: There are many people in this world that feel invisible and completely alone. I encourage you to make eye contact with someone. Smile and say âHiâ.
Clothe the naked: Think about all the clothes you have packed away in your house that you havenât worn in months or even years. How much of a difference could it make to a single mom if she was able to go to a thrift store and purchase an outfit that she could confidently wear to an interview? It could mean the difference between getting that higher paying job, so that she could better care for her child, or not.
Care for the sick: That includes boo boos, life threatening diseases and those fighting to break the chains of depression, alcohol and drugs.
Visit those in prison: Donât forget the elderly that can no longer drive themselves around town. Their homes can feel like a prison as they wait day after day for a visitor to come.
To make a real change in this world, mercy (meeting a personâs need) and justice (addressing the cause of the need) must go hand in hand. For example, mercy is giving a food basket to a family in need. But justice aims to determine why this family is hungry and addresses the factors causing that need. Be a joyful witness for Christ in all you do. Show others that your source of strength and zeal comes from our Lord. Bless others and be blessed.
#CastingCrowns â Courageous
#Courageous â the movie
Third Day Devotions 