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1st March 2024
FridayReflection
'Compassion International'
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Act Justly, Love Mercy and Walk Humbly With Your God
Micah was a prophet of God around 700 B.C.
He prophesied God's judgement and God's justice on Judah and Israel because of their sin.
He spoke to the leaders of Jacob and rulers of Israel - the haters of good and lovers of evil (Micah 3:2) - of God's desire to redeem his people.
Through Micah, God promised to send a new ruler for his people - one to stand and shepherd his flock so they may live securely and with peace - and he spoke of what repentance should look like.
Act justly.
Love mercy.
Walk humbly with God.
Micah 6:8, NKJV
Each phrase tells us about a posture of living that is pleasing to God, and they echo the commandments Jesus speaks in Matthew 22, when he establishes precisely what God requires of us.
With Micah 6:8, the Lord tells us how he wants us to love him and love our neighbour.
Acting justly involves being just and doing justice.
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
Proverbs 31:8, NIV
At 'Compassion', we choose to live out this command and act justly by releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name.
We work to help children become who God intends them to be by helping them develop holistically - physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually - so they can experience the opposite of what poverty says they deserve.
Mercy is the compassionate treatment of those in need, especially when it is within one's power to punish or harm them.
Mercy appears in God's word in relation to forgiveness or withholding punishment.
For example, God the Father showed us mercy when he sacrificed his son, Christ Jesus, on the cross to pay the price for our sins, even when he could have chosen to punish us.
Mercy is the fruit of compassion, and at 'Compassion', when we act to alleviate the suffering of children living in poverty, we are actively "loving mercy."
Humility is essential to recognizing and accepting our total dependence on God.
God has given us everything, even the gift of life.
And without God's grace and Christ's sacrifice on the cross, we would be separated from God and under judgement for the weight of our sin.
At 'Compassion', Jesus is the core of our ministry.
His life, teachings and character shape our programs and guide how we love people, respect communities and cooperate with nations.
We strive to walk humbly with our God as we minister in his name.
Think about your relationship with God as taking a walk with a wise teacher.
That's what it was like for Jesus' disciples.
They walked with their rabbi - around Israel as he spoke of the Kingdom of God and proclaimed good news to the poor, liberty to the captives and the year of the Lord's favour.
As they walked with and followed Jesus, they also listened and asked him questions.
They were welcomed, invited to engage and learn - as we still are today.
Walking humbly with God means letting Him teach us what is good.
Jesus brought together loving God and loving neighbours.
He communicated his expectation and desire for us, his deeply loved children, to treat each other fairly and with kindness - with justice and mercy.
When we are not walking with God and are immersed in our sins, it's hard to reflect God's mercy and tenderness to others.
But when we walk with God, we learn to love our neighbours and fellow human beings in concrete ways because we have been shown what is good.
We do not have to guess or figure it out for ourselves.
A child living in poverty often experiences the world as unkind and uncaring.
When you sponsor a child, you directly apply Micah 6:8 to the brokenness of this world.
Sponsoring a child allows you to act justly and love mercy as you care for a child through prayers, encouraging letters and financial support.
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This is an edited version.
The full article and Bible references are avaiable on request
Compassion International
Through our holistic child development model, we blend physical, social, economic and spiritual care together to help children in poverty fully mature in every facet of life and transcend what is often a generational legacy of poverty.
We deliver whole-life care, by way of our frontline church partners, that is personal, individualized, relational, and tailored to the child's age, gender, health, culture and family situation.
Contact the Rector
The Revd.Nic.Edwards
The Rectory,
Church Lane,
BUGBROOKE,
Northampton,
NN7 3PB
Land Line: 01604 - 815496
(Can be accessed from the mobile device)
Mobile: .....
E-mail:
thebeneficeofbhkandr at gmail dot com
Contact the Benefice Office
Sunday School Rooms, Church Lane,
BUGBROOKE, Northampton, NN7 3PB
Land Line: 01604 830373
E-mail:
thebeneficeofbhkandr at gmail dot com
Mon., Tues., Wed,, Thur., Fri.
9:00am to 11:30am
For Baptism bookings (Christenings)
to arrange an appointment please contact
the Benefice Office.
For Wedding bookings:
please contact the Benefice Office to arrange
an appointment.
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