Page 11 - Good News May 2019 paper

ne little light. That's all it took to render our help the great apostle find the
car totally unusable. The little light in the energy to go on.
Orear of our vehicle was left on one night after
we unloaded some things, and it stayed on for Listen to Paul's testimony and
several days while we were gone. think about how you can be such
a "jumper cable" for someone
When we got back, everything in that car said, "I'm you know: "May the Lord grant
not starting," because that one little light totally [His] mercy to the family of
drained the car's battery, of course. But then came Onesiphorus, for he often
the hero - our friend in his pick-up truck with his showed me kindness and minis-
trusty jumper cables. And those cables delivered tered to my needs [comforting
the energy that our flat, old battery needed to run and reviving and bracing me like
again! fresh air]! He was not ashamed of
my chains and imprisonment [for jump-start their faith. Your affirmation of their value
What does it take to get a drained and tired battery Christ's sake]. No, rather when and their significance can jump-start them into
going again? A jolt from jumper cables that infuses he reached Rome, he searched believing in themselves again.
the energy needed to revive it. And what does it diligently and eagerly for me and
take to get a drained and tired person going again? found me." Your reminder of their worth to God may just be the
Human jumper cables that deliver new energy to spiritual jolt they need to get going again. You may
revive them! When you're one of God's "jump- say, "Yes, but I need someone to jump-start me!"
starters", you wake up in the You think about your own burdens, problems, and
I'm guessing that you know someone right now morning and say, "Lord, show feelings. The greatest way to get out of your pit is to
who is pretty depleted - emotionally, mentally, me who needs me today." Then reach out and help someone else get out of theirs:
maybe spiritually, even physically. When they turn you look for, even go out of your "He who refreshes others will himself be
the key, not much is happening because their way if necessary, to call that refreshed" (Proverbs 11:25).
battles, their responsibilities have left them unable person who needs encourage-
to get going again. ment, to write to them, e-mail You have what someone needs today to get started
them, or visit them. It's almost again. Don't just cruise on by, oblivious to the
That's why God has given us each other. To be always a sacrifice to do that needs right in front of you!
jumper cables for each other when we sense that because of all the things you
someone we know is pretty run down. If you keep have to do. But you may have "Lord, show me who needs me today." That's the
your eyes open, you'll see someone in need of an nothing more important to do prayer that will make you the conduit to deliver the
emotional and spiritual "jump start" almost every than this extension of Jesus' resources of God to someone who really can't go
day of your life. love to someone who is really on without them. YOU ARE GOD'S JUMPER
depleted. Your joy can jump-start CABLES!
There's a wonderful example of that in 2 Timothy their joy. Your praying in faith can - Selected
1:16-17. This is the last letter Paul wrote. He was
away from most of his friends, locked up in prison
in Rome, and he knew that he might not leave that
prison alive. Then along comes an unsung hero
named Onesiphorus. He is God's jumper cables to
My way led uphill, and right at the foot of the hill, I saw a boy on a bicycle. He was pedalling
My way led uphill, and right at the foot of the hill, I saw a boy on a bicycle. He was pedalling
uphill against the wind, and evidently found it tremendous hard work. Just as he was
uphill against the wind, and evidently found it tremendous hard work. Just as he was
working most strenuously and doing his best painfully, there came a trolley-car going in the
working most strenuously and doing his best painfully, there came a trolley-car going in the
same direction - up the hill. It was not going too fast for the boy to get behind it, and with one
same direction - up the hill. It was not going too fast for the boy to get behind it, and with one
hand to lay hold of the bar at the back. You know what happened next: He went up that hill
hand to lay hold of the bar at the back. You know what happened next: He went up that hill
like a bird! Then it flashed upon me: “Why, I am like that boy on the bicycle in my
like a bird! Then it flashed upon me: “Why, I am like that boy on the bicycle in my
weariness and weakness. I am pedalling uphill against all kinds of opposition and am
weariness and weakness. I am pedalling uphill against all kinds of opposition and am
almost worn out with the task. But here at hand is a great available Power, the Strength of
almost worn out with the task. But here at hand is a great available Power, the Strength of
the Lord Jesus. I have only to get in touch with Him and to maintain communication with
the Lord Jesus. I have only to get in touch with Him and to maintain communication with
Him, though it may be only one little finger of faith, and that will be enough to make His
Him, though it may be only one little finger of faith, and that will be enough to make His
power mine for the doing of this bit of service that just now seems too much for me. This
power mine for the doing of this bit of service that just now seems too much for me. This
realization instantly helped me to dismiss my weariness! [The Life of Fuller Purpose].
realization instantly helped me to dismiss my weariness! [The Life of Fuller Purpose].