There is great reward when we embrace others in need and equip them with skills (not handouts) so that dignity and sustainability can be passed on to others!
Week 6: He was rejected (March 24)
He was rejected for us
Have you ever felt abandoned or rejected by those who at one time showed you love? Jesus knew this reality well. Before his crucifixion, a crowd of people placed clothing and branches on the road as they shouted praises. The following week many of these same people would spit on him as he carried a cross to Golgotha. Then, the pain he endured on the cross was compounded beyond words when all sin fell on him.
Listen with your heart to these words from Mike Chong Perkinson, Lead Pastor of The Lamb's Fellowship in Lake Elsinore, CA:
“Jesus, I just thought you simply commanded evil out. It never occurred to me that you actually touched evil, or worse yet, evil touched you. The outhouse of sin poured over you. Jesus, you were abandoned for me so that I would never be abandoned again, and my heart hears you say,
“‘I took all your questions, and I answered them with my life. Now I give you a place and a purpose. I can order your life in a way that you've been looking for—and give you my presence that will heal every deep canyon of brokenness inside of you.’”
A young man in Kenya named Stanley experienced rejection on many levels. Childhood problems lured him to a life of drowning his emotional pain in alcohol. Once while drunk, he fell asleep next to hot stones used to hold a cooking pot and woke with deep burns on his feet and side. But God’s love moved through ELI staff in acts and words of love, turning Stanley’s life around. At one time rejected by the people in his village, he is now a powerful example of change and has influenced over 40 others to find hope in Christ! This is HOPE for families that is Healing Hearts, Overcoming Poverty, Pursuing Christ, and Empowering Others.
Pastor Mike continues: “The dream that you thought God had for you may die, but God is never done. Because like a PALINDROME the verse starts over and God starts rebuilding. We are reminded that after winter there is still spring. God is going to plant something, and life will begin to happen again.”
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- Have you felt abandoned or rejected? Read the above verse, 2 Corinthians 5:21, slowly. Pause and reflect on the reality that, when you trust Christ for his forgiveness, God pours his very life and goodness into you! How will that impact the way you live today?
- How is our relationship with Christ enhanced through a better understanding of how he was abandoned?
- How did Christ being abandoned shape or inform the implications for following/pursuing Him?
- As you humbly receive what God has for you, are there others in your life that you need to extend grace or acceptance to as well?
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Read Stanley's Full Story Below
Once while drunk, he fell asleep next to hot stones used to hold a cooking pot and woke with deep burns on his feet and side. The wounds became so badly infected that he couldn’t stand or walk without pain. Eventually, the pain became so unbearable he wanted to die. His sister-in-law had heard about ELI and the way they welcomed people with addictions who desired to change. Stanley was so desperate for alcohol that he agreed to go, but only if she gave him a bottle of changaa (literally meaning “kill me quick”) to ease his pain for the journey.
After several weeks Stanley, together with Samuel, Dennis, and several reformed brewers, traveled back to Stanley’s home village and attended church together on a Sunday morning. Stanley gave his testimony of change in church, and everyone was shocked to see his transformation.
Stanley faced several challenges soon after he returned home to his village. When he shared his passion for going to Bible school, his church leaders told him that others were more qualified than him and deserved such a chance. Shortly after that, he found out that some church board elders elected him to be on their church council because they wanted to oust someone else.
This and several other instances began to reveal the remarkable transformation God was bringing about in Stanley’s life.
Stanley’s mother and other recovered alcoholics have been greatly influenced by his life. They are now thrilled to see the incredible transformation! Because God has done such powerful work, great things are happening! Stanley was selected to be an usher at his church and has shared his story with many other alcoholics who are now following in his footsteps. He is being recognized for the dramatic change in his life and is now attending Bible School. Excited about this new chapter in his life, he desires to reach as many people as possible, help them recover, and show them the love of God. Stanley is now igniting World Changers wherever he goes!Explore the other weekly devotions
Week 1: What's under the ashes? (Feb 17)
Week 2: Finding Her True Identity (Feb 24)
Week 3: From Despised to Deeply Loved (March 1)
Week 4: Drawing in a crowd (March 10)
Week 5: Being the bullseye (March 17)
Week 7 Part 1: Inspired by Jesus' Encouragements (March 31)
