The Least of These !

(from the daily devotional of Clear Branch United Methodist)


Least of These
Cam Price

Listen
And the King will say, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” Matthew 25:40

Inquire
As a college and pro football coach, Gene Stallings encountered plenty of tough situations on the field. But in 1962 Stallings was handed one of the greatest challenges of his life: his newborn son, John Mark, was diagnosed with Down syndrome and a serious heart defect. Doctors and friends urged the Stallings to institutionalize Johnny so he would not be a burden. Putting Johnny in an institution was not an option. Johnny not only lived nearly 10 times longer, he did so with a caring flair that captured the hearts and minds of people he met throughout his life. "He just had a genuine impact on people, really because he cared," said his sister, Laurie. "He would focus in on the people for who they were and what they were doing. He didn't care about their success or their status."

Faith
John Mark Stallings could have been considered one of the least of these. Instead, John Mark Stallings spent his 46 years on this earth making a difference in the lives of the people he met. Daily I see people that just need to know somebody cares. Do I care because it’s my job to care? Or do I choose to care because my Lord asked me to have a heart for the least of these?

Experience
Father God,Give me a heart for the least of these. Amen.

A Firm Foundation

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25

Create a foundation at home & in your own lives that will transcend to your children and those over which you have influence. Let them see in you a strong tower, unwavering in your Faith! May they know that even in the tough times you can stand strong, that God's word is true to His promises and that He will NEVER leave nor forsake us!

Remembering in prayer:

• Corner Park Cheerleaders competition this weekend
• High Point Youth Trip preparations
• All traveling for the holidays ahead
  

Why?

While sitting in my church pew I began to think that as a parent to a student who will enter Junior High next year (and two more coming up behind her), it would be great to partner with other parents to share prayers and praise about our students. It is my hope that other parents, students and even faculty might come here to share - their Prayers and Praise!

Please leave your "prayers and praise" in the comments section & then they'll be summarized in the next post. Your prayer requests and praise requests can also be left anonymously!