Isaiah 58:1

During one particular Christmas season, I learned of a church member who had considerable financial/material need. When I inquired as to if even Sunday School class might do anything to help, response was that it was too late ~ that her name should have been submitted sooner. Only, remainder of year, none of church helps anyone in material need. Each month, they give a few dollars to a local missions project, say they already gave, and send needy on their way.

So, in this case, I began to look after and minister to this family on my own. Even so, neither did their heart change toward her, as she had lived in sin sometime in her past. (Never mind that she wasn't very bright and had fallen prey to one who promised to help.) She wasn't allowed to serve, even as a helper, with little ones; where she was capable.

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On another occasion, while visiting with a church member that was in process of recovering from a knee surgery, I inquired as to how we, as a church, might be able to better love her in her time of need.

Being that this was her 16th knee surgery, she had endured several previous painful mishaps as a result. In her sharing, our spirits connected, having experienced similar things; of even same people. We were in agreement that we sometimes have to pray, "Father, forgive them," even when they don't care what they do and also to look over those more ignorant of their offences.

Though now, in humble spirit, her only request was to be able to return to church; without risking further injury while her knee was healing.

As it was, there was only one end pew where she could sit with her leg elevated, that would also be out of harm's way for when membership exchanged handshakes within service. But, that seat belonged to someone else.

And, as it was, in this church, no one was allowed to take anything upon themselves without having received permission from specified "authority". Only, I thought God was The Authority. But, since it wasn't viewed that way, request would need be made to ask other person to give up their seat ~ only until her knee had recovered.

Leadership said, "No." They were concerned about offending other party, were not aware of details of unkindness that had taken place when they had tried to reserve a seat for her in past, and didn't seem to believe that anyone else could possibly hear from God.

But, what was even more odd was this. Ladies brought her three meals a day, every day, for first time ever. Only her mother had come to visit, especially for that purpose. Church members were scurrying all over place to finally show they cared. Yet, no one had inquired as to her true need.

With a few more closed doors, I lost heart for going out on church visitation as, to tell people we loved them, only to find out we didn't, well ... that caused more harm than good.

Though, if you are a church that intends to follow through, just try it. Tell your members that you have come to visit them to know what it is they truly need (whether that need be prayer, to assist in some spiritual understanding, or even to correct problems within nursery), that you want to know how to love them. People are so stunned that everything but their true heart vanishes and you will begin to discover what it is like when God looks upon heart.

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On yet another occasion, a poverty stricken young gentleman had had all his teeth pulled out, at once; to save additional financial expense. Without insurance or finances for further medical help (the bleeding having already lasted a few days) and, being to such an extent that he was very weak and literally afraid he was going to die, he requested I phone a specific preacher (that he respected for such a time as this) to come out to his home and pray over him. That preacher refused.

Sometime later, same preacher responded that he never goes on a call like that unless individual, themselves, request he come as, otherwise, his time is wasted ~ when it had only been a family member that had hoped such a situation would bring them to Lord.

I said that he asked. But, I guess no one was listening. And, that young man has not been inside a church since, with exception of maybe a wedding.

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On still another occasion, a different gentleman, from a nearby community, asked me to ask a preacher to visit him at work; being that it was long distance for him to make call. His place of employment was open to public and his hours were not as such to visit in preacher's office. Neither did he have transportation to make trip. He was very much under Satanic attack and felt desperate for someone to help.

Love means you love enough to do whatever is in other's best interest, meeting needs of their heart. Sometimes, that is easy and wonderful. Other times, it is very hard and painful. But, love never fails. It will always accomplish purpose in which God gave it.