The Ministry of the Cup

“He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”  Matt. 10:40-42

 

The reward of a prophet, of even a righteous one is as simple as welcoming one in.  It is as easy as offering a cool drink of water.  Sometimes we get so worried about doing the big thing.  We think to please God it has to be pretty spectacular.  We sometimes focus so much on finding this big service that we don’t even notice that there are opportunities to offer the simple cup of cold water. 

 

And sometimes we don’t even notice when we have offered the cup to someone because we are not thinking that it has much value.  We condemn ourselves for not doing enough when we should be rejoicing in the opportunity and the reward that comes from that cold cup of water we offer.

 

Take the opportunity in the coming days to offer refreshment to your brother or sister.  Don’t worry about the big things you could do.  Concern yourself with the ministry of the cup…a kind word, a listening ear, a hug, a smile, giving of encouragement, a prayer.

 

Enjoy this ministry and bask in its reward.  These are the kinds of things we can really do.  If we wait to do that really ”big thing” for God, we may find ourselves never really doing anything.

 

Blessings in offering the ministry of the cup.

Scott for Wellspring,

© Copyright 2009

 

In the Morning

“In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”  Psalm 5:3

 

A few nights ago I was reading from a David Benner book (Sacred Companions) and found him focusing on this passage.  He shared a translation of this passage from the Jerusalem Bible that was intriguing…”I say this prayer to you, Yahweh, for at day break you listen for my voice;  and at dawn I hold my self in readiness for you, I watch for you.”

 

I was surprised by this picture painted through these words.  Maybe I thought I had to work to get His attention, but here it is, He is waiting to hear my voice call out to Him.  I began to think of the ramifications – a God who watches over me at night while I sleep, a God who is eager to be with me and hear my voice as soon as I wake, a God who has not abandoned me to the mess of each day but is eager to walk with me, a God I can hope in.

 

The next morning after feeling a few aches and pains from fighting off a bug, I slogged around the house trying to get ready for work.  I was already running behind schedule so my morning devotion was simply a few moments of quiet in a chair.  I had forgotten the passage I had just read.  But then God in His grace reminded me as I drove out of the driveway and down the street to work…”I am longing to hear your voice this morning…I want to be with you as you walk today.”  The verse came back and with it an abandonment to God’s care…”Help me today Lord, help me walk with you”.

 

Who is this God who cares for us so deeply?  I want to know more of Him.

 

Blessings as you rise in the morning,

Scott for Wellspring Copyright 2009