Something good can happen and the result is happiness. It’s rooted in the very word. We can make ourselves happy; we can get happy, we can feel happy. But that is not true of joy.
Joy is a fruit of the spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (Galatians 5:22 KJV)
The seeds of this joy come from God and is rooted in our relationship with Him in salvation:
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. (Psalms 51:10-12 KJV)
I mentioned my need for an attitude adjustment. The process is laid out for me in this verse. God cleanses my heart and renews the right spirit within me. He is the restorer of my joy.
The greatest joy was given to us in Bethlehem:
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (Luke 2:10 KJV)
And it remains with us as the Comforter Christ promised:
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16 KJV)
Even angels express joy, it is not confined to us here on earth:
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:7 KJV) Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:10 KJV)
Jesus also said:
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (John 15:11 KJV)
What He spoke to us is life changing – and provides great joy:
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. (John 15:7-10 KJV)
As John did … these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:4 KJV)
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
A Retread
I'm reposting today. That's unusual, but I need some extra time for an attitude change -- and I do not wish to share my current attitude while I'm in the process of shedding it!
This was originally posted a couple of years ago when I ran across the following quote attributed to John Ruskin:
"What we think or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only thing of consequence is what we do."
I wanted to find out more about him before I posted the above and found that someone wrote "John Ruskin was born in London on 8 February 1819. He was one of the greatest figures of the Victorian age, poet, artist, critic, social revolutionary and conservationist." I also found that, as many do, he wavered within his faith, moving through statements of beliefs. What never left him, it is written, "was belief in divine wisdom and a God of peace."
Based on his expressed belief, I can understand the above quote -- we can believe anything in our hearts and God will know it. But what remains with our fellow man is what we do. Our witness is to those who see the consequences of our actions, so we must let them see what is in our heart -- to let them see how we love our God.
Oh, we can be seen as the pharisees were seen by their people -- but what they showed was outward only, not what was in their heart. What they showed was for people to see, not for people to understand the depth of their love for God. Every day we have opportunities to show our God to people we know, and to people we don't know.
At one stop I left another pamphlet, right next to one I had left months ago. The old one was on the table in plain view, a little dog-eared because it had been read. While we were at this place of business (only fifteen minutes) at least ten people came through. How many read the pamphlet? I'll only know when I get to heaven. But when I do, "then shall I know even as also I am known." I Corinthians 13:12b, so my actions here had better speak louder than my thoughts.
John Ruskin has many quotes on one website. I enjoyed them, and hope I learn from this one, too: "Say all you have to say in the fewest possible words, or your reader will be sure to skip them; and in the plainest possible words or he will certainly misunderstand them."
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Correctness
It is understandable that our Vice President would be concerned about his family’s health. We all are. It is refreshing to have heard his candid remarks as to how he would suggest his family protect themselves from exposure to the new influenza virus.
It is disconcerting to observe how quickly the White House squelched his refreshing candor. It was crushing to watch his forced ride on the train to reinforce the squelch.
It brings “Political Correctness” to an entirely new level.
The disciples faced squelching, too – imprisonment for their ministry:
And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. (Acts 5:18-20 KJV)
And, they did so. Their ‘prison break’ was not the usual run and hide. Instead, they stood outside the temple as instructed. It became more than obvious that the disciples were not concerned about political correctness. It became evident to the court that sentenced them:
Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. (Acts 5:25 KJV)
Easy to find, the disciples were picked up in front of a crowd. Taken into custody calmly, then brought before their judges, who asked:
Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. (Acts 5:28 KJV)
Peter’s answer was so to the point. No condemnation about how Christ’s blood was spilt. No accusations, no defensiveness. Just a simple statement of truth:
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29 KJV)
Peter went on to repeat God’s message. The hearers had but one response:
When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. (Acts 5:33 KJV)
How does mankind respond to God’s biblical truth today? Often, in the same way. Perhaps they could learn from Gamaliel’s counsel:
And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. (Acts 5:38-39 KJV)
It is disconcerting to observe how quickly the White House squelched his refreshing candor. It was crushing to watch his forced ride on the train to reinforce the squelch.
It brings “Political Correctness” to an entirely new level.
The disciples faced squelching, too – imprisonment for their ministry:
And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. (Acts 5:18-20 KJV)
And, they did so. Their ‘prison break’ was not the usual run and hide. Instead, they stood outside the temple as instructed. It became more than obvious that the disciples were not concerned about political correctness. It became evident to the court that sentenced them:
Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. (Acts 5:25 KJV)
Easy to find, the disciples were picked up in front of a crowd. Taken into custody calmly, then brought before their judges, who asked:
Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. (Acts 5:28 KJV)
Peter’s answer was so to the point. No condemnation about how Christ’s blood was spilt. No accusations, no defensiveness. Just a simple statement of truth:
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29 KJV)
Peter went on to repeat God’s message. The hearers had but one response:
When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. (Acts 5:33 KJV)
How does mankind respond to God’s biblical truth today? Often, in the same way. Perhaps they could learn from Gamaliel’s counsel:
And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. (Acts 5:38-39 KJV)
Monday, May 4, 2009
If - Then
If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; (2 Chronicles 7:13 KJV)
He can, you know, and has done so. Examples abound where God says “If” and explains the “Then”. The next verse in Chronicles, is my favorite and comes with a tremendous promise:
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV)
Such is the gospel message:
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; (Ephesians 1:7-8 KJV)
This is what Christ sent His followers to do:
And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where. (Luke 9:2, 6 KJV)
If the message is received, then …? If it is not?
And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. (Luke 9:4-5 KJV)
Again, when He sent the seventy, the instructions were similar:
And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. (Luke 10:6, 10-11 KJV)
If, however, His message is rejected, then shall come a terrible result:
But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. (Luke 10:12 KJV)
He can, you know, and has done so. Examples abound where God says “If” and explains the “Then”. The next verse in Chronicles, is my favorite and comes with a tremendous promise:
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV)
Such is the gospel message:
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; (Ephesians 1:7-8 KJV)
This is what Christ sent His followers to do:
And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where. (Luke 9:2, 6 KJV)
If the message is received, then …? If it is not?
And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. (Luke 9:4-5 KJV)
Again, when He sent the seventy, the instructions were similar:
And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. (Luke 10:6, 10-11 KJV)
If, however, His message is rejected, then shall come a terrible result:
But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. (Luke 10:12 KJV)
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Water
And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD. And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men. (2 Samuel 23:15-17 KJV)
Their king longed for something not within his grasp – a king under siege. He longed for drink of water from the city of his birth. These mighty men – the valiant warriors – loved their king above their own lives and brought him water from the well.
He could not drink it. The cost was too high. So, he poured it out – as an offering to the Lord. The gift of the mighty men was fit for an offering, not for a mere man to drink.
Our Lord’s disciples were not mighty men. Nor would they be considered warriors. When He was a captive they not only did not bring Him water, they abandoned him, denied him and hid. When He cried “I thirst”, none but a Roman soldier offered, and that a bitter drink, not the cool soothing waters from the city of his birth.
Yet, which group of men turned the world upside down? The warrior names we know from short stores in the history books of the Bible. The names of the disciples are not only in the New Testament, but in secular histories, religious histories, theological studies and many others. They are quoted, discussed, argued and studied for centuries.
These men followed Christ, and repeated over and over again the word about water:
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? (John 4:10-11 KJV)
He gave her the answer as freely as that living water is given:
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14 KJV)
Then, that wonderful pronouncement, the outspoken truth of who He is:
The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. (John 4:25-26 KJV)
Thirsty?
Their king longed for something not within his grasp – a king under siege. He longed for drink of water from the city of his birth. These mighty men – the valiant warriors – loved their king above their own lives and brought him water from the well.
He could not drink it. The cost was too high. So, he poured it out – as an offering to the Lord. The gift of the mighty men was fit for an offering, not for a mere man to drink.
Our Lord’s disciples were not mighty men. Nor would they be considered warriors. When He was a captive they not only did not bring Him water, they abandoned him, denied him and hid. When He cried “I thirst”, none but a Roman soldier offered, and that a bitter drink, not the cool soothing waters from the city of his birth.
Yet, which group of men turned the world upside down? The warrior names we know from short stores in the history books of the Bible. The names of the disciples are not only in the New Testament, but in secular histories, religious histories, theological studies and many others. They are quoted, discussed, argued and studied for centuries.
These men followed Christ, and repeated over and over again the word about water:
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? (John 4:10-11 KJV)
He gave her the answer as freely as that living water is given:
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14 KJV)
Then, that wonderful pronouncement, the outspoken truth of who He is:
The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. (John 4:25-26 KJV)
Thirsty?
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Gardening
In the spring, as we’re planting vegetable gardens, I always think about Christ’s parable of the sower:
Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Mark 4:3-9 KJV)
To those who study the Bible, this is one of the better examples of why some reject it. Of course, our understanding is made easier because He gave a full explanation:
The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. (Mark 4:14-20 KJV)
How is your reception of His word? The first on the list is Satan taking away His words. That’s probably the easiest accomplished. He easily changed Eve’s mind with the simple lie that God is jealous of mankind. Afraid that mankind will learn too much. Tells mankind lies: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (Genesis 3:5 KJV) His biggest lie is that God does not exist.
How about the stony ground? Those seeds that quickly sprouted, began to grow well, but when their roots hit rocks decided to give up instead of seeking deeper soul. Then were offended by His word because they could not retain the faith.
Did they, as well as those among thorns, have the same opportunity as the seed in the good ground? Certainly they couldn’t pick up their roots and move, could they?
Yet – they do. We see plants growing in the most inopportune places, how could they? A tree growing out of what appears to be solid rock. A flower in the most arid dessert. Even salt marshes bring forth fruit.
The roots seek out nourishment, and the plant grows. The same with the word of God as it is sown. Want to grow? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 KJV)
Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Mark 4:3-9 KJV)
To those who study the Bible, this is one of the better examples of why some reject it. Of course, our understanding is made easier because He gave a full explanation:
The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. (Mark 4:14-20 KJV)
How is your reception of His word? The first on the list is Satan taking away His words. That’s probably the easiest accomplished. He easily changed Eve’s mind with the simple lie that God is jealous of mankind. Afraid that mankind will learn too much. Tells mankind lies: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (Genesis 3:5 KJV) His biggest lie is that God does not exist.
How about the stony ground? Those seeds that quickly sprouted, began to grow well, but when their roots hit rocks decided to give up instead of seeking deeper soul. Then were offended by His word because they could not retain the faith.
Did they, as well as those among thorns, have the same opportunity as the seed in the good ground? Certainly they couldn’t pick up their roots and move, could they?
Yet – they do. We see plants growing in the most inopportune places, how could they? A tree growing out of what appears to be solid rock. A flower in the most arid dessert. Even salt marshes bring forth fruit.
The roots seek out nourishment, and the plant grows. The same with the word of God as it is sown. Want to grow? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 KJV)
Friday, May 1, 2009
My Things About Me
“My things about me.” Just a snippet from my all-time-favorite-move “The Quiet Man,” where Maureen O’Hara said it to John Wayne. I thought about that line as I went through the last couple of weeks trying to have my things within reach so I could make attempts at not being bored.
All of those meaningful things about us – the ones we’ve moved from room to room or house to house – aren’t really ours. They, along with everything else in the world, belong to God. Doesn’t matter whether or not we acknowledge it, All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3 KJV)
The psalmist said it a bit better: The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. (Psalms 24:1 KJV)
The best of life here comes, however, when we do acknowledge God’s sovereignty in our own lives. We become both stewards (As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (1 Peter 4:10 KJV)) of His creation and joint heirs with Christ (And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17 KJV))
Talk about the best of both worlds, as children of God, that is what we’ve chosen. And, as shown above in I Peter 4:10, we are called to minister to each other. No matter what God has in mind for the whole of your life, there is always room to minister to each other.
Check out teaching in Sunday School. Move from singing in the shower to singing in the choir. Lead an AWANA class on Wednesday nights. Drive one of the vans that bring the little children to Jesus’ house. Visit shut-ins, or witness to the unsaved. Accompany a youth group to camp. Join the children at Vacation Bible School. And that’s just the top of the list – there are many more opportunities such as participating in a prayer team, assisting the church library, spending time in the nursery. Yep, the rest of this page could be filled with opportunities within His church.
Here’s your promise of reward:
He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. (Matthew 10:40-42 KJV)
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:34-40 KJV)
All of those meaningful things about us – the ones we’ve moved from room to room or house to house – aren’t really ours. They, along with everything else in the world, belong to God. Doesn’t matter whether or not we acknowledge it, All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3 KJV)
The psalmist said it a bit better: The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. (Psalms 24:1 KJV)
The best of life here comes, however, when we do acknowledge God’s sovereignty in our own lives. We become both stewards (As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (1 Peter 4:10 KJV)) of His creation and joint heirs with Christ (And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17 KJV))
Talk about the best of both worlds, as children of God, that is what we’ve chosen. And, as shown above in I Peter 4:10, we are called to minister to each other. No matter what God has in mind for the whole of your life, there is always room to minister to each other.
Check out teaching in Sunday School. Move from singing in the shower to singing in the choir. Lead an AWANA class on Wednesday nights. Drive one of the vans that bring the little children to Jesus’ house. Visit shut-ins, or witness to the unsaved. Accompany a youth group to camp. Join the children at Vacation Bible School. And that’s just the top of the list – there are many more opportunities such as participating in a prayer team, assisting the church library, spending time in the nursery. Yep, the rest of this page could be filled with opportunities within His church.
Here’s your promise of reward:
He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. (Matthew 10:40-42 KJV)
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:34-40 KJV)
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