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ZMI Daily Dose

Our Neighbor

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“Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here .'”
Luke 10:34-35 (NLT)

Who is our neighbor? The answer is anyone in need that we are called to serve. Every day we have the privilege and responsibility to serve those God places along our path. These may include family members, coworkers, friends, and even strangers on the street. God has blessed us beyond measure. He has given us grace, mercy, forgiveness, hope, peace, joy, love, and life. God has eternally impacted our lives! After receiving so much, how could we not share these gifts with others? Today let’s pray that we will be more eternally minding and more on fire for the kingdom of God.

Prayerfully,

Madison

photo credit: http://www.freeimages.com/photographer/Capgros-58778

Going the Extra Mile

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“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him .”
Luke 10:33-34 (NLT)

In these verses, we see the Good Samaritan not only checking on the man, but soothing his wounds, bandaging him, allowing him to ride his donkey (while he probably walked), and making sure he was well taken care of as he healed. Serving and having true compassion for others isn’t always easy and can get messy at times. We have been called to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth, and most of the time this requires us to get our hands dirty and go the extra mile even at the expense of our own safety and comfort. Today, let’s pray that God will helps us to serve others with a humble and willing attitude no matter how far out of our comfort-zone God may lead us.

Prayerfully,

Madison

photo credit: http://www.freeimages.com/photographer/Rotorhead-35574

Eighth Day of the Week

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“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”
John 9:4, KJV

When my husband and I pulled into the driveway after our workout at the gym, I noticed the ivy around the garage window needed to be cut back. Since I’d mentioned it to him several times before I said, “Maybe it’s time for us to move to a smaller place.”

His quick response was, “I think it would be easier to cut the ivy.”

Thomas Jefferson said, “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.”  That’s wise advice, but I must confess I’ve put off following it. The stark reality of my philosophy resembles that of Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind: “I can’t think about that right now. I’ll think about that tomorrow.”

God gave the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the twelve tribes of Israel. Over a year later, seven tribes had not entered the land to receive their inheritance. In their eyes, the enemy was too great. It was easier for them to remain in their comfort zone on the opposite side of the Jordan River. In exasperation Joshua asked, “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?” (Joshua 18:3).

Before we judge the Israelites too harshly, perhaps we should take inventory of our own lives. What has God asked you to do? What has he asked of me?

Procrastination is a thief. It not only robs us of time—a precious commodity we can’t retrieve—it robs us of the blessings of obedience. God gives us seven days a week to get things done, but for many of us the eighth day―Someday―is our most heavily scheduled day.

Scripture tells us, “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap” (Ecclesiastes 11:4). If we wait for perfect conditions to begin our tasks, we’ll never get anything done. We’ll simply put things off time and again.

Is there something you’ve been putting off?  If you want to make an easy job seem hard, keep putting it off. Today is the day to make that phone call. Start your diet. Find a church. Write a letter. Say I’m sorry. Join the gym. Clean your fridge. Lunch with a friend. Write your book, or simply say, “I love you.”

Don’t press God to say, “How long will you wait?”  Make today your Someday.

-Starr Ayers