" Am I my Brother's Keeper " ?

"A Caretaker's Heart"

"AM I MY BROTHER'S KEEPER?" Genesis 4:9 1. Perhaps one of the more thought-provoking questions in the Bible is that one asked by Cain: a. Cain had killed his brother because God had accepted Abel's offering, but not his own - Gen 4:3-8 b. When the Lord inquired concerning Abel, Cain's response was: "Am I my brother's keeper?" ( Gen 4:9 ) 2. This is a question we would do well to ask ourselves today... a. Are we our brother's keeper? b. Do we have a responsibility to watch out for and care for one another?

This devotional is about taking responsibility and care for one another. Recently I rented a movie entitled, “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”. The movie takes place during World War II, the story is seen through the innocent eyes of Bruno, an eight-year-old son of the commandant at a German concentration camp. Bruno discovers a Jewish boy on the inside of a camp surrounded by an electrified fence. Unexpectedly, they become friends. In an effort to find the father of the Jewish boy in the concentration camp, Bruno exchanges his clothes for a pair of prison striped pajamas. After crawling underneath the fence they both find themselves being rushed through the courtyard like cattle. The unexpected consequences find the two children in a life threatening situation. In a cold and dark room, thousands of Jewish souls were being exterminated. In an effort to help his new found friend, Bruno's was accidental pushed into the crowd and was killed by massive release of toxic gas. The commandant and his wife upon discovering that their son Bruno was missing, tried to reach the camp, but it was too late.

Have you ever taken a risk to help a friend in trouble? When I think of one of my brothers or sisters being at risk or in trouble, my heart grows heavy. Image Christ on the cross and the weight of a life line of souls. The hurt he must have felt was indescribable. Let consider the burden of soldier that render his life to save another. I think of Christ when I see the suffering of the poor and children that end up in our criminal system. Many times I feel so helpless. I pray as I watch the stories unfolding in the struggling cities like Pomona. I am troubled by the hunger for love and approval that I see in streets as well as broken homes. The question I ask today is who will go me into the neighborhoods that have become prisons and a grave for the poor. We need men and women to help remove the “AT RISK” out of the COMMUNITY. I know I am asking a lot of each of you. We need help to the reach the souls on the opposite sides of the fence.

1 Peter 4:8–10 (NKJV)

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Prayer:

Dear Churches of God, hear my cry into the alley of the streets and the broken home of the poor. Help us save just one more soul. If we can reach one child that needs hope, Just one more child that is being pulled away, God will get the glory, God will get the glory, Come with me my friend; Let us fish for souls in the deep. Give God the glory, Give God His glory, It is not that far away my friend, It is just on the other side of the fence. Give God these souls that need saving

In Jesus name Amen.

Email Comments to:

Someone today is empty with sorrow, lost, forgotton and broken in spiritual poverty. Each one of us can be used to pour out the gospel, the love of God, the compassion of Christ or a prayer for deliverance. Go with the Spirit of God and spill the water of life to save souls.

click here: dan@purpleark.org

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