Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

November 20
Friday


HELP WITH A
HOME RUN

READ:
1 Peter 4:7-11
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As each one has
received a gift, minister
it to one another, as
good stewards of the
manifold grace of God.
__1 Peter 4:10
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Sara Tucholsky, a softball player for western Oregon University, hit the first home run of her life in a game against Central Washington. But she nearly didn't get credit for it. As she rounded first base in excitement, she missed it! When she wheeled back to correct her mistake, she in injured her knee. Crying, she crawled back to the base. by rule, she had to touch all four bases on her own for the home run to count. Her teammates could not assist her in any way.

Then Mallory Holtman, the first baseman for the opposing team, spoke up. "Would it be okay if we carried her around?" After conferring, the umpires agreed. So Mallory and another teammate made a chair of their hands and carted Sara around the bases. By the time they were through carrying her, many were crying at this selfless act of compassion, and Sara was awarded her home run.

The lesson for followers of Christ is clear. When fellow Christians stumble and fall, we need to follow the example of these ballplayers. Reach out. Lift them up and carry them along. It's a wonderful opportunity to "minister...to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God"
)1 Peter 4:10). __Dave Egner
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``````````````````````When a fellow Christian stumbles````````````
`````````````````````And he needs some help to stand;````````````
``````````````````````Don't ignore his circumstances--````````````
`````````````````Offer him your outstretched hand. __Sper`````````
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No one is useless in this world who lightens
the burdens of another. __Charles Dickens

************Today's Bible Reading __ 1 Peter 4:7-11**************

7 But the end of all things
is at hand; therefore be
serious and watchful in
your prayers. 8 And above
all things have fervent love
for one another, for "love
will cover a multitude of
sins." 9 Be hospitable to one
another without grumbling.

10 As each one has received
a gift, minister it to one
another, as good stewards
of the manifold grace of
God. 11 If anyone speaks, let
him speak as the oracles of
God. If anyone ministers,
let him do it as with the
ability which God supplies,
that in all things God may
be glorified through Jesus
Christ, to whom belong the
glory and the dominion
forever and ever. Amen.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Hospitality, which is mentioned in verse 9, should extend to every
member of the body of Christ. However, in the first century the
need for hospitality was vital, especially to the needy. The ancient
world did not have the motels we find so convenient today. Instead,
when missionaries traveled from place to place, they depended on
the gracious offering of lodging and meals with a Christian family.
Also, those who were less fortunate would sometimes be given
shelter by a family of believers who had greater resources. This is
why Peter exhorts those providing hospitality to do so "without
grumbling" (v.9). __DENNIS FISHER