File: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db940422.txt
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         OUR DAILY BREAD                         Friday, April 22, 1994
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          Read:  Luke 10:25-37

                                   A GOOD NEIGHBOR

                     Whoever gives...only a cup of cold water...
                         shall by no means lose his reward.
                                    Matthew 10:42

          After telling the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus said that we
          should  think of all people we meet as neighbors and do  what  we
          can to help them when they are in need.

          I  generally take this responsibility seriously, but sometimes  I
          fail--as  I did recently while vacationing in Arizona.  In  front
          of a fast-food restaurant, a young man asked me to help  him.  He
          and his wife were about 300 miles from home and had used up their
          cash to fix their car radiator.  They had no checkbook or  credit
          card.

          I  politely  said  I had no money to spare. I  was  being  honest
          because 2 days earlier I had spent $200 for a water pump and  was
          running low on funds.  I did have my checkbook and a credit card,
          so  I  could  have given him a little money and  told  him  about
          Christ's love for him--but I didn't.

          I  try  to soothe my conscience by telling myself  I  can't  help
          everybody,  or  that this man shouldn't have left  home  with  so
          little  money,  but  I  know  I  am  rationalizing.  We  must  be
          discerning when giving people money, but in this case I believe I
          missed a chance to help someone.  And this bothers me.

          Lord,  help  us every day to be alert for opportunities to  be  a
          good neighbor.

          Author:  Herber Vander Lugt

                         How many lives shall I touch today?
                        How many neighbors will pass my way?
                        I can bless so many and help so much,
                     If I meet each one with a Christlike touch.
                                        Jones

          THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
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          Acts of kindness are worth more than feelings of love.

          THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:   Psalms 34-36

          Our  Daily  Bread, Copyright 1994, used by  permission  of  Radio
          Bible   Class,  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan  49555,   USA.   Written
          permission  must be obtained from RBC for any further posting  or
          distribution.  RBC  provides a variety of Bible resources,  which
          are  free  of  charge.  RBC  is  not  funded  by  any  group   or
          denomination,  and support come voluntarily from its members  and
          friends. Write for more information, or call 1-800-598-7221.



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Our Daily Bread, Copyright 1994, used by permission of Radio Bible Class,
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49555, USA. Written permission must be obtained 
from RBC for any further posting or distribution. RBC provides a variety
of Bible resources, which are free of charge. RBC is not funded by any
group or denomination, and support comes voluntarily from it