Needs, Name, Neighbor

Day 1

Our church is in the middle of a series called "live like you are dying". For a Christian, this may be comforting to think of each day as a gift from God, where we must share him with everyone. For "others", the thought of dying is scary. No hope, no faith, nothing to look forward to. In this series, we have been challenged to share God with EVERYONE, run the race hard, sacrifice some of our comforts for "others", and slow down to focus on our relationships. We have been asked to meet the needs of "others".

I started praying last week for what word to share with you. I was given 3 words: Need, Neighbor and Name. I studied many verses related to each word, and struggled with what I was supposed to share with you. I asked a few people what they thought when they heard the three words. Most came up with the same answer, which was different then what I was seeing through scripture. Then I wondered if I should just be topical, share a few things with you and if you already knew it, then this week would just be review. But there was no peace with that thought.

So here is the point where I struggle with doing something quick that I already know, or take the challenge to dig deeper. I figure that I am not the only one who lives an eventful and sometimes overwhelming life. I am sure that you all have your moments where life is just going too fast. When it comes to the weeks I write, I wonder how many have time to read my long stories and scripture. So in the midst of my overcrowded life, the need to please others and the commitment to you to provide you with something, I must wrestle through this and pray that God will speak through me and not only use me to teach you, but provide me with the wisdom I will need. I pray you will be changed and encouraged this week.

Need- A necessity, a spiritual condition before God. Something that is necessary, something that can be supplied.

Neighbor- close friend, member of the community, close associate, someone who lives nearby.
Name- a label or designation that sets one person apart from another. More than an identifier. Usually formed from words with their own meaning. In the Bible, a persons name would describe their character. Sometimes it would change depending on what that person becomes later in life.

Dear Lord, it's all you. I will be here, so lead my fingers to type your word. Please help me to keep this short and simple and yet challenging and new.

Day 2

Name, Neighbor, Need it's a full circle thing.

So here is the moment where I will capture your mind or loose you completely. Let's start with Name. Each name has a meaning. My name, Heather, means a purple flower. There are some people we call by their last name, each starting with Mr., Mrs., or Miss.. There are the family and friend names some of us would like to forget, like Nader's, spatula, chunky, and ones we get used to, like sweetie, honey, Bo Bo, Sissy, Mommy, and Grammy. We nickname our buddies, calling them shorter versions of their own name like Jenn for Jennifer or attaching a quality like Dash for speed. There are names we earn through our education or calling on our lives, like Dr, Professor, Pastor, etc... Next, the people we associate with may prefer to be called by their last name and some by their first name. There are people I live next to, at first knowing them by their last name and eventually learning their first. Often times continuing to refer to them as the "Gardner's" or the "Flinker's". Then there are the famous ones, whom we know their name, but do not have a personal relationship with. Mostly, there are people we don't even know at all. They are our neighbors, they go to school with our children, they stand on corners and hold cardboard signs proclaiming their "need" for something. When I first started my relationship with God, I called him God. Now, he is oftentimes referred to as my Father, brother, friend, provider, comforter, etc... There are a lot of ways to define the word Name.
God asks us to "love our neighbors as ourselves." (Leviticus 19:18). Scripture does not say a specific name. It simply calls us to meet the "needs" of others. Some of our associates or neighbors or "other's" may be hard to get along with. We may have grudges or dislikes about them, but that is not what God intended for "others". Proverbs 14:21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy. Turn on the TV and you will find someone in need. Organizations all over the world are meeting the needs of others. Some do this to glorify God and some do not. In fact, this summer, I watched a video about a man who is not sure about God, but has organized an event that raises over 1 billion dollars in one day to help those in need. He does this annually. We are all called to meet others needs, so we should not be surprised when non believers are compelled to do it. It is weaved into our being. Unfortunately the motive may not be right. Matthew 6:1 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Does anyone remember the Proverbs 31 Woman that we discussed last year? (you can look it up on the blog site). It is my desire to be like her, although I may never fully match all the wonderful qualities she has, one thing stands out about her. Proverbs 31:20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. Here we find another layer we must explore. The name of the Lord: who supplies our needs so that we may take care of ourselves and our neighbors. So that we may be spiritually fit and ready to share light in the darkness. So that the name above all names is glorified. 2 Corinthians 9:12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.
So I have a thought, provoked by scripture. God does not need anything, he supplies all our needs. It is through us that others needs will be met. 2 Corinthians 8:14-15 Right now you have plenty and can help them. Than at some other time they can share with you when you need it. In this way, every one's needs will be met. ...."those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough." While we can meet the needs of others without knowing God, there is something that happens which is far greater when we who love and know God extend his hand, we offer them a window into the world, the relationship we have with God. We have something that they "need" and it is far greater than food, clothing, or shelter. It is only by our actions in supplying basic needs, that we are able to express Gods love to our neighbors, in this, we are able to glorify the name of our Lord. Psalm 138:2 I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.

Day 3

Questions

There are a lot of good people meeting NEEDS and loving their neighbors. Can you think of some? Are you one of them?

Our actions are motivated to glorify a NAME. What NAME should we glorify by our actions?
As a christian, do you meet the NEEDS of NEIGHBORS by calling upon the NAME of Jesus?

When we call upon the NAME of Jesus, it means by the authority of Jesus Christ. This allows for God to receive all the Glory. Are there times where you have allowed your NAME to take the place of God's? Have there been times when God should have received the glory for a need that was met? Do you believe God uses us to meet the needs of others?

We all know great people who meet the NEEDS of others. Who gets the glory in their works? Do they do it in their NAME or in the NAME of the Lord? Can you think of a NEIGHBOR or someone in NEED in your community? How can you open your arms to the poor and extend your hands to the needy (proverbs 31)?

Day 4

Focus

Let's focus on Needs, Names and Neighbors.

What are your needs? Are they being met? Will you be willing to share them so that others may be used to meet those needs? Please let our group know your needs.

What are your neighbors needs? Do you pass by someone who could use a new coat, a word of encouragement, a warm meal? Does your child have a friend that needs a safe place to be? Does your neighbor need you to extend a helping hand? Does your church have the opportunity to reach out the the needy, what can you and or your family do to help those efforts?

Depending on what your relationship is like with God right now, can you list all the names you call him? What names do you hear others calling him, but have not yet experienced? o you know someone else who needs a Father, friend, brother, husband, comforter? What is their name? Can you get to know them better?

Neighbors are not just those that live next to us. Think about these "others". How do they meet your needs? How have they extended their hands to you? Have you offered your thanks to God for these people?

Now, don't forget to send me an email with whatever comments you have about this week and your praises for tomorrow. I am sure there is at least one praise you can send.

Day 5

Praise Fridays

Hopefully you have been challenged to do something to meet the needs of others. Maybe you have begun a new relationship with God, getting to know him more. Perhaps you introduced yourself to a neighbor. Maybe you decided to let others know what your needs are. Whatever this devotional has caused, I hope you remember that it is God who deserves all the Glory, that when we strive to meet the needs of others, our needs are met as well.

I have one last thing in honor of Grandma Ada who's memorial was last Saturday. When others ask how you are doing or how your day is, would you respond with "blessed" and truly believe that you are blessed that they even asked. God may have put that person in your path to be blessed as well.

Ask God to continue to challenge you in meeting others needs. To reveal needs that you can meet and to give you the courage to ask when you have needs.

Praise God for those who have met your needs, for the ability to love your neighbor as you love yourself.

Confess moments where you wanted the glory, or where you did not meet someones needs or ask for help when you needed it.

Lord, I thank you for this devotional, even if it means that I learn along the way. I thank you for those who read it and are willing to offer feedback and who truly act on what they learn. Lord, I know it is hard to ask others for help, but we are stealing others blessings if we are trusting in you to provide our needs, but not receiving them. Help us to call on the name of Jesus to heal, supply and comfort those in need. Give us the courage to go outside our comfy neighborhood, church, workplace and meet those needs that are far greater than ours. Praise you for the women in our group who have already responded to your calling. May they be blessed according to your will, abundantly, if I have anything to say about it. As far as I am concerned, Lord, I ask that you use me and all my things that I do not need so that I can meet the needs of others.

Mary Magdalene

Day 1

Mary: "bitterness"

Though mistakenly characterized as a prostitute in many popular writings, the Bible says only that Mary was possessed by seven demons. She probably suffered a serious mental or physical illness from which Jesus delivered her. She is a beautiful example of a woman whose life was poured out in response to God's extravagant grace.

Her Sorrow: To watch Jesus' agony at Calvary.

Her Joy: To have been the first witness to the Resurrection.

Key Scriptures: (I will post a few today and a few on Wed) Matthew 27:56, 61; 28:1; Mark 15: 40, 47; 16:1-19; Luke 8:2; 24:10; John 19:25; 20:1-18

Matthew 27:55-61
55Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
The Burial of Jesus 57As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.

Luke 8:1-3
1After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

Luke 24:9-12
9When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

Day 2
Women in Jesus' Life and Ministry

Cooking, caring for family members, spinning, weaving, sewing, baking bread, cleaning--all of these were common tasks for women in New Testament times. Most women spent the majority of their time and energy within their homes, caring for their families. But several women stepped outside the cultural expectations of their time to play a significant role in the ministry of Jesus.

Mark tells us that a number of women "followed him [Jesus] and cared for his needs" (Mark 15:41). During the years of Jesus' ministry, when he and his disciples weren't earning an income, several women stepped in to care for them. They used their own financial resources to support Jesus and the disciples (Luke 8:3). While Jesus was teaching and healing, these women probably spent their time purchasing food, preparing it, and serving it. Perhaps they also found homes for Jesus and his disciples to stay in while on their travels. These particular women probably either didn't have children or had children that were grown, so their responsibilities at home were decreased, and they could instead provide for the needs of Jesus and his disciples.

Women watched Jesus suffer of the cross, remaining there until he had breathed his last and was buried. Women were the first to go to the tomb on Sunday morning and the first to witness the Resurrection.

Luke's gospel in particular portrays Jesus as someone who both understood and respected women, conferring on them a stature that most of them had not previously enjoyed. Jesus' dealings with women throughout the Gospels gives all of us, men and women, a model to follow as we consider the status and treatment of the women with whom we come into contact every day.

Day 3

Mark 15:33-47
The Death of Jesus
33At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
35When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he's calling Elijah."
36One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down," he said.
37With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
38The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"
40Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.

The Burial of Jesus
42It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. 44Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

Why do you think these women went and watched Jesus die on the cross? What drew them?

Would you have gone to the cross? Would you have watched from a distance or stayed at home?

It is very likely that these women knew following Jesus to Jerusalem could be dangerous, but they went anyway. Would you still follow Jesus anywhere if it meant danger to you or to your family?

John 20:1-18
The Empty Tomb
1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"
3So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. 8Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
10Then the disciples went back to their homes, 11but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"
"They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." 14At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."
16Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).
17Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' "
18Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her.

What did Mary think had happened to Jesus? Why was Jesus' resurrection so hard for them to believe?

Would Jesus' resurrection from the dead have been hard for you to believe? Why or why not?

Why do you think Mary didn't recognize Jesus? Why would Jesus' speaking her name make her know it was really him?

Do you think God knows you by name? If your not sure read Isaiah 43:1

Day 4

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

Jesus not only knew Mary's name, he knew everything about her. He remembered the day he had cast the demons out of her. He remembered her many practical kindnesses. He saw how she suffered with him die on the cross.

Just as Jesus knew the intimate details of Mary's life, he knows the same about each of us. When you are tempted to lose hope, when life seems too empty to go on, when grief overwhelms you--Jesus cares. When those you love have let you down, when you think you can't go on for another minute, when your problems crush you--Jesus cares. He calls your name, just as he called Mary's. And you, too, can go on like the women who went from the tomb, perhaps still a bit afraid yet "filled with joy" (Matthew 28:8)

Day 5

Lift your Heart. One day this week set your alarm clock so that you wake up a half-hour before dawn. Find a spot where you can watch the sunrise. In the early morning shadows, tell God about some area of darkness in your own life or in the life of someone you love. Perhaps it's an illness, a persistent sin, loneliness, a troubled marriage, an addictions, or a wayward child. Whatever it is, surrender it by imagining yourself placing it in the garden tomb next to the body of Jesus. As the sun rises, meditate on that Sunday morning and remember that when Jesus walked out of the tomb you walked out with him. Ask God for the faith to wait and watch for his delivering power.

Lord, create in me a faith like Mary Magdalene, not a legalistic understanding but a desire to follow because of an overwhelming sense of gratitude and love for your extravagant grace. Help me surrender my darkness to you and flood me with the light of your presence.