A Cup of Cold Water

I was sitting here, at my couch, thinking about the message that John offered this evening, about serving the least and the lost and the forgotten when my e-mail box chimed in "four new messages" (yes, she speaks to me!). Well, pulled from my deep thoughts I went to my mailbox to see what was there. One of the messages was the "Care-mail" that I receive as a Stephen Leader. A devotional message from Stephen Ministry. This is what I received in my mailbox:

In reading the devotional book Seize the Day with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I came across this thought, based on Matthew 10:42. "He who offers a cup of cold water to the weakest and poorest who bears no honourable name has ministered to Christ himself, and Jesus Christ will be his reward."

There was a link to read more of the devotion, which I of course clicked on.

To the Least Psalm 41:1 (you'll have to look that one up yourself)

"He who offers a cup of cold water to the weakest and poorest who bears no honourable name has ministered to Christ himself, and Jesus Christ will be his reward." -- The Cost of Discipleship

Those who minister to others in the name of Christ will be blessed. But that blessing does not necessarily mean anything other than a fuller possession of the life of Christ. We seldom get back in kind, but that should never be a problem for us. It only becomes a problem if we have not given only for the sake of Christ. In ministering to the poor and needy we will be blessed, for they are able to give "riches" unknown to those who have everything.

Meditation

Giving for the sake of Christ means that we expect nothing from those to whom we give, but everything from Him whose grace and blessing we seek.

Charles Ringma, Seize the Day with Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Colorado Springs: Piñon Press, 2000), June 24.

Wow!

By now I hope that all of you know that I do NOT believe in consequences.

Any ways, I was having a difficult time this afternoon and in part with this scripture passage. If you have read two blog posts ago, then you know that I believe myself to be a goat; John and I discussed this with Jack this afternoon - my "goatiness" I mean. Imagine the impact of receiving this e-mail message at this time from Stephen Ministry.

While I don't believe that I ever minister "in the name of Christ", I do believe that I do what I can for whom I can when I can because I think it is pleasing to God for me to do so. I think that, in receiving this e-mail on this day, God is taking his hammer and beating me over the head! Again. What do you think?

So, I offer to you this devotional thought; please take this meditation and dwell upon it and what it may be speaking to your heart.