SPRINGS IN THE DESERT

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"Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life." ...Revelation 22:17b (NIV)

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." ...Jesus, in Matt. 11:28-30 (NIV)

The promises above are for you and every person on earth, but many still need to know about them.

How to find forgiveness and new life in Christ: The Four Spiritual Laws

Without meaning to be, we can get so caught up in our own lives and problems that we are like ostriches with our heads in the sand. To broaden your horizons, see today's prayer request from Christian Aid USA---look for "Prayerline Today" at CHRISTIAN AID

The two-thirds world looks at those of us in the fortunate one-third as being millionaires by comparison. Those in the famine-stricken area of southern Africa are also facing the loss of family members due to the AIDS epidemic. In Haiti as well, the extreme poverty is worsened by AIDS. How desperately both the life-changing message of the gospel AND compassionate help from followers of Christ is needed!

Concerning some ancient people, God had this to say: "Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy." (Ezekiel 16:49 ESV) How would God evaluate our nation?

Organizations like World Relief and World Vision are on the front lines, making a difference in many parts of the world. Their web pages have current information on areas of need.

Compassion - Sponsor a child online through Compassion's Christian child development ministry. Child sponsorship gives you the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a boy or girl who lives in poverty.

In the face of such staggering needs, I might easily ask, "What difference could I possibly make?" Well, there are 3 basic areas where a single individual can make a difference, and I personally believe that not one of them is less important: going (actually being on the front lines of service), praying, and supporting those who go. "And he [Jesus] said to them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'" (Luke 10:2 ESV)

In a popular story, an unknown author makes the point:

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a figure in the distance. As he got closer, he realized the figure was that of a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are your doing?"

The boy replied, "Throwing starfish into the ocean. The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them back, they will die."

"Son," the man said, "don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't possibly make a difference."

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the surf, then smiling at the man, he said, "I made a difference for that one."

Author unknown.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (R). Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. The "NIV" and "New International Version" trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires permission of International Bible Society. Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright (c) 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.