(Chapter 15) God and Me in Twenty-Three (2023)

God and Me in Twenty-Three (2023): How can we help each other in 2023?

Here we are about three weeks into the year 2023. I’m asking myself what will make this year different, in a positive way, than the previous year?

At this point you’re probably thinking, “I just read those first two sentences last week.” Yes you did, you’re very observant. I started this week’s blog post with the same two sentences on purpose. After last week’s post, I was asking the Lord what else would make a difference in 2023, that we didn’t talk about in the last post. The Lord reminded me that I have family members who are, right now, fighting serious illness and our extended family and friends are supporting them as best we can. He also reminded me that I have close friends who are dealing with terrible tragedy and many of us are supporting them as best we can.

A friend shared with me this morning that everyone is dealing with issues in their life and often times it’s not obvious by just looking at them. It’s a fact that we are all dealing with something! The Bible puts it this way:

John 16:33 (NLT2)
^{33 “}I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Jesus didn’t say that you might have trials and sorrows; He said “you will have trials and sorrows!” I asked myself what we could be doing in 2023 that will make a lasting difference with those around us who are hurting. I realized that alone I have my ways of coping and helping, but together we may have ways that others haven’t even thought about.

Galatians 6:2 (NLT2)
² Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Philippians 2:3-5 (NLT2)
³ Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. ⁴ Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. ⁵ You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Okay, here is my challenge for this week: I would love it if as many of you who will, let me know how you help, pray for, intercede, love on, and be of assistance to those in need. I will compile your responses and share as many as possible in next week’s blog post. Just let me know if you want it to be anonymous.

You can send your input to me in any of the following ways:

• Leave a comment on the blog post itself. You’re already there, might as well leave a comment.
• Send me an email: jmikehart@mchsi.com
• Text me at (319) 360-0742

The more I think about this idea, the better I like it. We can encourage each other and collectively celebrate the many ways we reach out and help those in need! I’m hoping and praying that I’ll receive so many replies, that it will require more than one post to fit them all in. Thank You in advance for your response!

Matthew 25:35-40 (NLT2)
^{35 “}For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. ³⁶ I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.”  ³⁷ Then these righteous ones will reply, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? ³⁹ When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?” ⁴⁰ And the King will say, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!”