Be moved by the Holy Spirit

Good Morning!

Homelessness has become a heartbreaking epidemic in America. Every one of us has encountered someone asking for money, food, or help that seems unusual or even suspicious. Our natural instinct is to judge based on what we see. We form quick opinions, assume motives, and often walk away untouched. But spiritual maturity calls us to a higher standard—one that listens for the Holy Spirit’s prompting rather than relying on outward appearances.

Solomon understood this deeply. Faced with the weight of leadership, he didn’t ask for wealth or power; he asked for discernment. He knew that human perception alone was not enough. He needed God’s wisdom to see rightly and respond rightly.

Jesus modeled this perfectly. Though He had the power to heal every sickness and feed every hungry crowd, He moved only as the Spirit directed (Isaiah 11:2–3). His compassion was intentional, Spirit-led, and aligned with the Father’s will.

You will continue to encounter people—homeless individuals, coworkers, family members, and friends—who ask for help in various ways. Instead of responding with judgment or assumptions, pause. Quiet your thoughts. Ask, “Holy Spirit, how should I respond?” Sometimes He will lead you to give. Other times He may lead you to pray, offer encouragement, or simply show kindness.

Scripture reminds us: “Let love be without hypocrisy… be devoted to one another in brotherly love” (Romans 12:9–10). And Paul encourages us to “pray without ceasing… give thanks… hold fast to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:12–18).

When your actions are guided by the Holy Spirit, they carry purpose, compassion, and clarity. Today, choose to see beyond the surface. Choose to love without judgment. Choose to move only as the Holy Spirit moves you.

Moved by the Holy Spirit

Homelessness is an epidemic in America. We all have encountered someone asking for money, food, or some far fetched plea. Based on what most people see they condemn and do nothing. I have learned not to be moved by what I see but by how the Holy Spirit moves in me! Jesus could have healed, and fed, far more people but  He only performed miracles as he was moved (Isaiah 11:2–3). You will continue to stumble upon homeless people, family, coworkers, and friends partitioning for help. Remove self judgment. Base your response on how the Holy Spirit leads you to respond to their request. Our love for others should be without hypocrisy, be kind to others with brotherly love and steadfastly pray Thes 5:12-18. 

Be persistent, wait on God

Much can be learned from the homeless. Despite our options of behavior or lifestyle, one cannot dismiss the fact they are persistent. The smoothed chocolate skinned man reeked. As he walked the aisle of the train begging, his smile and gentle voice overshadowed the pungent smell. The homeless man asked every person for a quarter. For every 20 no’s one kind-hearted person spared a dollar. The widow in Luke 18:1-8 was persistent. She pleaded for justice from a king who didn’t fear God or care what the people thought. In this parable, Jesus reminds the disciples to always pray and not give up (v.1). The lesson from both examples, regardless of your situation always pray and never give up. We may ignore the homeless just as the King ignored the widow, but in due season, a caring God will respond to the need of his children. 

Wait on God. 

Mental illness is real

Excuse me sir do you have some change, for to get something to eat?”

The woman with tattered clothes, matted hair and missing one eye,  lumbered through the train asking unconcerned passengers for change.  “Lord have mercy, I’m tired. I need sleep, but I can’t go to sleep I will miss my exit.” Mental illness is real. Spirits of the mind clash with reality causing an altered state of mind. We cast mentality Incapacitated people away never knowing how severe their pain. The man with many legions was also casted away to live among the dead (Luke 8:26-39) only Jesus could heal him. The restless One-eye woman lumbered her way back in my direction, plopping down in the sit in front of me. It was obvious she was mentally ill, The wrist band indicated her recent stay at Atlanta medical.  “Excuse me sir if I fall asleep please wake me up at the last stop.” I acknowledged and said I would. Mental illness does not magically erase morals or show empathy toward others. Despite her Illness she wanted empathy.  Can mental illness be cured? All things are possible through Christ if we asked. The last stop, I spoke to the woman asking her where she was trying to go. “I only want something to eat.” In parting I gave her some money. We prayed asking God to bless and heal her from her pain. 

The Power of Prayer

Today's affirmation: #prayer #speaklife

Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 3:1-10)

True brotherly love

Today's affirmation: #truelove #brotherlylove

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. (1John 4:20)

Good Morning! ~ Reflections of Failure

Good Morning ~ Praying for the Homeless

Good morning! - God's Army

Reflections of Gratitude in 2012

Happy New Year

As an adult I often reflected on childhood accomplishments some were exciting while others I wish could be erased from memory.  Today, I ponder 2012, how grateful I am of God’s blessings:

- A home to rest my head

- A job

- Good health

Many families faced evictions and no place to live.  No matter how mundane the job I am blessed because unemployment and his first cousin – poverty and homeless – have visited someone’s door today.  Decent health has covered me while others less fortunate are forfeited an opportunity to basic medical care.

As we live from day to day, it would be great to say there are no traumatic times – no sorrow or sadness – but that would be a lie.  Our mind’s mirrors projects an image of everything good and bad. But what should resonate into memory are God’s blessings.

Reflections of 2012

Looking back over the past 362 days our nation experienced calamities, the loss of celebrities, friends, family, and the unknown. There were occurrences that did not turn out as anticipated – jobs, family matters, or life.  As sorrow filled hearts and despite the outcome God still found favor by providing us with one more day of life! The key to a joyful life is to be thankful and praise God during the good or bad times. What reflections of gratitude do you have?

• Name 365 blessings - one for each day of the year
• 12 - one for each month of the year
• Learn to count your blessings one by one and praise God for them all

 Shining bright in 2013

The dawning of 2013 will rise up soon. How are you preparing for a phenomenal year? 

•  Write down goals
•  How do you plan to get there
• Who can you help reach their goals

                Regardless how much rain has fallen remember it did not last always.  Recant the sunny days in 2012 and may they shine bright like a diamond in 2013.

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The homeless can Give the Power of Prayer

Homeless

Then peter said silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you in the name of Jesus Christ.  Acts 3:6

How to deal with Homeless people 

Raise your hand if you have come upon a homeless person asking for money, food, or some far fetched plea.  According to National Alliance to end Homelessness[i], on any given night, in America more than 750,000 people are homeless. Over the course of a year, an additional 2.5 million will temporarily live either on the streets or in emergency shelters. Though many panhandlers could be swindlers attempting to con another victim, I have learned to remove self judgment and base my response on how the Holy Spirit leads me regarding their request. 

A Lesson from a homeless person

Recently, at a stop light, I witnessed a woman who appeared to be homeless based on tattered clothes, unclean appearance, and sores covering her face and hands.  Making her way to each vehicle, it appeared no one supplied any donations. Me being the next car in the long procession, I lowered my window and before she could utter a word, “I don’t have anything” blurted from my mouth.  Realizing in hindsight, unlike previous encounters I responded before being asked.  To my dismay this woman had a prophetic comeback to my quick witted answer; “yes, you do have something to give the power of prayer!” 

Driving off dumbfound, the story of a lame man at the beautiful came to mind, Acts 3:1-9 where Peter told the man money he had not but he did have Jesus.  I also recalled Paul’s charge to the Romans to behave like Christians by letting love be without hypocrisy, be kind to others with brotherly love and steadfastly pray Thes 5:12-18.  I’ve heard sermons and read these aforementioned stories on many occasions with intent to implement in a way to bless someone along my journey.  My brief visit was a prime opportunity to put words into action, yet I missed my cue to empower or pray for this lady. I allowed my carnal mind to lead me astray.

The Power of prayer

For days, “you have the power of prayer” lingered in my mind and raised questions. Are my prayers self-centered? Do I pray enough for the indigent as well as others? Is praying effective?  Just as too many ask is their praying in vain? No of course not! Prayer does change things. Prayer is powerful; it can alter situations affecting an individual to world changing issues.  Prayer, no matter how small once it reaches God it does not fall on death ear it will manifest, especially when people learn to touch and agree together through prayer, when two or three come together in His name he is among them Matt. 18:20.  

 I charge you to try God [again] through prayer not asking for things that can rust or corrupt but be like Solomon ask for wisdom to discern between good and evil, I Kings 3:9 pray for others well being, ask for a forgiving spirit,  filled with joy, peace, and love.  For many claim to be Christ like yet when given opportunities such as mine they also fail.  During our life journey we all will stumble upon more situations of: homeless people, co-workers, strangers, or family members partitioning for help in spite the fact money you have not. Remember to give them what you do have in the name of Jesus.   As for the unfortunate lady, I watched through my rear view mirror as she made her way along the road seeking other benevolent givers. As space separated us, I could hear her last directive:  “pray for me and others too because we all need prayer.”

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[i] Facts based on 2008-2009 statistics http://thechicagoalliance.org

Tigner J. 

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