God cares about you, and He cares about how you care for others.
Now, caring for others is not always easy. Jesus taught us to love our neighbour as ourselves, and that is where difficulties can arise.
This is being written at a time when national and international scenarios appear to be serious and causing various people to become alarmed and perhaps even afraid.
Why do I say this? Well, this week we have heard of leaders in the United Kingdom expressing very differing views over the issue of Brexit and a Scottish Referendum mark two. Circumstances have heated up quite a bit over the past few days.
In Washington, D.C. the output from The White House upsets and angers many. There are those of use who do not really know the real truth even although we watch the news and listen to the commentators with attentiveness.
Then, some twenty two million people are estimated to be hungry or starving in Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia, and in the north of Nigeria. My wife has been to Yemen and she knows what that land once was like.
Over these past few years I have been to Kenya on five occasions teaching and speaking and assessing the environmental conditions. Shops have been overflowing with food, so it is hard to understand why people are going hungry in Kenya.
Surely the Kenyan government could do something about that within a few days.
All this is bewildering and that is why many are anxious and apprehensive, or worse.
I have walked with Almighty God for over sixty years and I know - I know - that He cares and is concerned about suffering.
That is one reason as to why he sent Jesus Christ into our world to deal with sin and sins but man has resisted and rejected the love and mercy and grace and compassion which flow from the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ.
Is not the greatest need in our world today forgiveness? Herein lies the answer and the only real solution.
And there is ample food in the world for everyone. The problem is distribution and man's refusal and greed to distribute.
We hear people speak about equality but it usually stops at the speaking and goes no further.
God cares for people we may not like, and God cares for people who may not like us.
How can we move closer to God, and closer to others?
Last year we witnessed such brokenness in the area of relationships, when it came to the referendum, and the election in America. These deep divisions need healing. It will not be easy.
Squabbling and scoring points can lead to painful, hurtful bitterness.
But, the disciples of Jesus were squabbling, and Jesus was merciful, gracious, and patient, dealing with personality issues and resolving them.
There are times when it is good to remember how patient God is with us.
Our God is patient. He does not try to be patient. He is patient.
Patience is at the heart and character of our Creator God. We read that God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness.
Our patient God also gives man time to believe. You may not have come to that point yet where you fully believe in Jesus Christ, and where you are known for believing in Jesus Christ, openly and publicly. That is where some experience the patience of God, especially when they look back.
He gives us another opportunity, but we never know when it will be the final opportunity.
God's patience also gives disciples time and space to grow. We need time to develop and mature, like a plant growing away in May and June, and then it flowers and fruits.
Our patient God is always looking for fruit.
How can you be fruitful?
How can you become part of the answer and not part of the problem?
Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.
His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.
By Sandy Shaw
Article Source: Why Are 22 Million People Presently Hungry or Starving When There Is Ample Food in the World?
Now, caring for others is not always easy. Jesus taught us to love our neighbour as ourselves, and that is where difficulties can arise.
This is being written at a time when national and international scenarios appear to be serious and causing various people to become alarmed and perhaps even afraid.
Why do I say this? Well, this week we have heard of leaders in the United Kingdom expressing very differing views over the issue of Brexit and a Scottish Referendum mark two. Circumstances have heated up quite a bit over the past few days.
In Washington, D.C. the output from The White House upsets and angers many. There are those of use who do not really know the real truth even although we watch the news and listen to the commentators with attentiveness.
Then, some twenty two million people are estimated to be hungry or starving in Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia, and in the north of Nigeria. My wife has been to Yemen and she knows what that land once was like.
Over these past few years I have been to Kenya on five occasions teaching and speaking and assessing the environmental conditions. Shops have been overflowing with food, so it is hard to understand why people are going hungry in Kenya.
Surely the Kenyan government could do something about that within a few days.
All this is bewildering and that is why many are anxious and apprehensive, or worse.
I have walked with Almighty God for over sixty years and I know - I know - that He cares and is concerned about suffering.
That is one reason as to why he sent Jesus Christ into our world to deal with sin and sins but man has resisted and rejected the love and mercy and grace and compassion which flow from the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ.
Is not the greatest need in our world today forgiveness? Herein lies the answer and the only real solution.
And there is ample food in the world for everyone. The problem is distribution and man's refusal and greed to distribute.
We hear people speak about equality but it usually stops at the speaking and goes no further.
God cares for people we may not like, and God cares for people who may not like us.
How can we move closer to God, and closer to others?
Last year we witnessed such brokenness in the area of relationships, when it came to the referendum, and the election in America. These deep divisions need healing. It will not be easy.
Squabbling and scoring points can lead to painful, hurtful bitterness.
But, the disciples of Jesus were squabbling, and Jesus was merciful, gracious, and patient, dealing with personality issues and resolving them.
There are times when it is good to remember how patient God is with us.
Our God is patient. He does not try to be patient. He is patient.
Patience is at the heart and character of our Creator God. We read that God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness.
Our patient God also gives man time to believe. You may not have come to that point yet where you fully believe in Jesus Christ, and where you are known for believing in Jesus Christ, openly and publicly. That is where some experience the patience of God, especially when they look back.
He gives us another opportunity, but we never know when it will be the final opportunity.
God's patience also gives disciples time and space to grow. We need time to develop and mature, like a plant growing away in May and June, and then it flowers and fruits.
Our patient God is always looking for fruit.
How can you be fruitful?
How can you become part of the answer and not part of the problem?
Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.
His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.
By Sandy Shaw
Article Source: Why Are 22 Million People Presently Hungry or Starving When There Is Ample Food in the World?
