“‘But

(Nehemiah 9:17)

Introduction:

you are

• A FORGIVING GOD,
• GRACIOUS AND
• COMPASSIONATE,
• SLOW TO ANGER AND
• ABOUNDING IN LOVE.

End:

Therefore you did not desert them, …'”

Ezra

(Ezra 10:1)

Introduction:

“While Ezra was

• PRAYING AND
• CONFESSING,
• WEEPING AND
• THROWING HIMSELF DOWN BEFORE THE HOUSE OF GOD,

End:

a large crowd of Israelites – men, women and children – gathered around him.”

“Call me simplistic, but through all the good and bad, it is people that make life worth living,” says Rebekka Howan in her article “Beauty of Community.”

At the end of the article are four ways listed how I can connect with my community.

• KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS
• GET INVOLVED
• VOLUNTEER
• SHARE YOUR TALENTS

I like way number four best of all, which says “share your talents.” It is a really good idea to share you talents, but I like to share the Gospel with people.

Why?

Because I think it is the most important thing anyone can do, and there are so many people who are as yet not connected to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Of course, “It is people that make life worth living,” but especially those people that are connected to the Living God.

Are you connected?

“The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.” – S. Kierkegaard

“Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of this unfaithfulness of the exiles.” – Ezra 9:4

“LOVE IS PATIENT, LOVE IS KIND.” – 1 Corinthians13:4

Notes taken from the Life Application Study Bible.

Not long ago I discovered John 15:3 written on a plaque at the new bridge in Taipa. There it says, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

What does it actually mean to love each other, as the Lord Jesus Christ loved us? The Lord Jesus Christ gave his life for us.

Are we willing to practice sacrificial love?

Here are four ways to practice sacrificial love:

• LISTENING

When people are talking, are we paying attention? James 1:19 says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, …”

• HELPING

Helping means to assist someone to do something. In 2 Corinthians 9:2 we read, “For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, …”

• ENCOURAGING

When we encouraging someone we are stimulating him by approval. In Acts 13:15 the Bible says, “‘Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.'”

• GIVING

Giving means to present or hand something to someone. Acts 20:35 says, “‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”

We probably meet someone today, who needs that kind of love. Are we willing to give it in abundance? What a challenge.

Are we willing to give our life for others?