You Have Not Because? 10/21/2024

 Good Morning,

My desk is a quiet place to be this morning. I appreciate the quiet and the hot cup of Door County Hazelnut Crème Coffee I have with me.

James 4:2-3 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and can not obtain. You  fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3.You ask a do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you  may spend it on your own pleasures. 

My wife Rene and I live next to a residence for assisted living. The home has eight residents. The women outnumber the men. We have a good friend ( Mike) who lives there. We met Mike at our church a few years ago, One other church member brings Mike to church on Sundays. Mike's former residence suffered a fire and Mike was relocated to the home next to us. We were made aware of Mike's move. It was just obvious to us that we should reach out to Mike and welcome him to the neighborhood. Mike now attends church on Saturdays with us as well as Sundays. He asked if he could attend the Men's Bible Study as well. So I pick him up on Tuesdays and he has been a great addition to the group. Mike suffered a stroke many years ago and cannot live on his own. He is now like family to us and when Rene and I go and vote tomorrow, Mike is going with us. 

Mike is very observant and although his speech is impaired, he says what is on his mind. He told me one night while we were traveling that his home does not see any churches come to visit the shut ins. I quote " We need a Bible study in our home." I guess that I did not take that as a hint or an ask. What Mike was intending was for me to give a Bible study in the home next door. A week later his question was "When can you do a Bible Study at our home? My friends cannot all get out and a Bible study needs to come to us." 

So tonight is our first Bible study and I don't have to travel too far. In a small way, Mike saw a need and started to pray about it. It will only take an hour of my time. Mike asked and God leaned on this old guy to go on a mission trip a whole forty yards from home. Mike wasn't asking for himself, he gets plenty of attention from our church family. He petitioned God for others and God answered his request. 

Friends, don't be afraid to pray and ask for others to be blessed. God is in the business of loving people. Reach out to those who cannot travel and are stranded due to their circumstances. Mike taught me a lesson. 

Have a great day and take a walk next door and be a blessing. 

Marty