Greetings from Pastor James:

      Someone you don’t even know is broken hearted and wounded over the loss of a loved one. A vulnerable soul oppressed by the world, left from a relationship gone astray. You come by and see them lying in the ditch of despair. They are broken. Life has dealt them a bad hand. Their joy has been robbed by grief. Their love has been kidnapped by anger and confusion. Their spirit is left for dead. Asking why, God why?

     In the developing world there are millions of poor, lost, homeless, or neglected children with no guidance. Their deepest, most heartfelt need is to be loved, welcomed and encouraged to be all that God made them to be. 

     Who is their neighbor?

     Bob Pierce founded and led the ministry of Samaritan's Purse in 1970. His mission for this organization was "to meet emergency needs in crisis areas through existing evangelical mission agencies and national churches." He dedicated himself to finding and supporting other such Christians who were caring for the poor and suffering in the distant corners of the world.

      Bob Pierce died of leukemia in 1978, and a little over a year later, Franklin Graham became the President and Chairman of the Board of Samaritan's Purse. God has blessed the organization under Franklin's leadership, and the ministry has seen explosive growth.

     Read Luke 10: 25-37.

     There is power in God’s love. There is power in showing compassion, grace and mercy. There is healing in the compassionate love of God.   

    The world can be cruel. We often have been wounded by the world. The wounds are not superficial but emotional and spiritual in nature.    

     Someone demonstrated the love of God through kindness and mercy to me. My life was changed for the good forever. God’s love healed my broken spirit. I then demonstrated the love of God through kindness and mercy to someone lost and their life was changed.

      Being a Good Samaritan takes more than a change of mind. It takes a change of heart. I wonder what changes any of us from people like the priests and Levites into Good Samaritans.

      Considering Jesus’ parable, the answer might lie in the victim who is attacked and left for dead. Does he seem familiar to you?  We know that he’s come from a very high place to a very low place.  He’s risking suffering and death to get there, and he’s eventually stripped, beaten, and left dying.  His suffering is even ignored by the religious leaders of the day.  He sounds almost like our Jesus.

     The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” 

     Church, community, everyone: Jesus is saying, “Be a good neighbor as Christ has described and you will inherit eternal life.” Step down from your comfort zone and seek to help those whose lives have been broken and bruised by the world and you just might find Jesus.

     Show them mercy by weeping with them. Bind their wounds with the love of Christ. Pour on them the oil of comfort through kind words and understanding. Tell them about the promises of God. Tell them the Good News of Christ Jesus. Pray for and with them. Offer them to drink of the healing water of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God and prayer, so that they may taste that God is good. Be their neighbor.

     Tell them about the new life in Christ. The innkeeper has already been paid. Jesus has paid the cost. If we fall he will come back and pick us up again.    

     Come worship with us at Living Water Christian Church Sunday.

     Through God’s saving Grace we are changed. Through the love of Christ we are changed.  God reigns. And His love rains on us all, no matter what race, gender or location. No matter what our past or present condition is God loves us. Be as Christ. Be as one that will “Go and do likewise.”

Blessings to all,

Pastor James Boyette

Living Water Christian Church                    lwccsv.org

72 N Lake Ave.

Front Royal VA. 22630