Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "For Jesus" for Friday, 4 July 2014 - Read Matthew 25: 31-40

Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "For Jesus" for Friday, 4 July 2014 - Read Matthew 25: 31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. 36 I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink? 38 When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?’
40 “The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers[Matthew 25:40 The word for “brothers” here may be also correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”] , you did it to me.’
The King will reply, “. . . whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”(Matthew 25:40 (NIV))
My 21-year-old grandson was leaving a store with a bag of apples when a woman and her two young children caught his eye. Warren walked up to them and handed each of the children an apple, which they quickly devoured. He learned that one of the children was sick, and that even though the woman had a prescription for medicine, she did not know how to fill it. Nor did she have the money she needed. Moved with compassion, Warren led the woman and children back into the store. After purchasing the needed medicine and a few groceries, he drove them to their home. The woman was overjoyed at this act of kindness from a stranger. In Jesus’ story, the king said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:40). Each of us has countless opportunities to say a kind word, give a smile, or do a thoughtful deed. When we take advantage of these opportunities as Warren did that morning, we encourage and spread God’s love to others.
The Author: Sandra Hastings (Ohio, USA)
Thought for the Day: Where will I meet Jesus today?
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to be alert for opportunities to show you that we love you by caring for others. Amen.

Prayer focus: Those who don’t get enough to eat
-------