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marbella3 70F
2480 posts
5/3/2019 6:06 am

Last Read:
5/4/2019 6:51 am

Beyond the Neighborhood

Bible in a Year:

1 Kings –; Luke 22:21–46
Love your neighbor as yourself.

Mark :31

Luke :25-37
In the summer of 20, Hurricane Harvey brought devastating losses of life and property to the Gulf Coast of the US. Many people provided food, water, clothing, and shelter for those in immediate need.

The owner of a piano store in Maryland felt prompted to do something more. He considered how music could bring a special kind of healing and sense of normalcy to people who had lost everything. So he and his staff began to refurbish pre-owned pianos and to make inquiries to see where the need was the greatest. That spring, Dean Kramer and his wife, Lois, began the long trek to Houston, Texas, driving a truck filled with free pianos to give to grateful families, churches, and schools in the ravaged area.

We sometimes assume the word neighbor means someone who lives nearby or at least is someone we know. But in Luke , Jesus told the parable of the good Samaritan to teach that our love for our neighbors shouldn’t have barriers. The man from Samaria freely gave to a wounded stranger, even though the man was a Jew, part of a people odds with the Samaritans (vv. 25–37).

When Dean Kramer was asked why he gave away all those pianos, he explained simply: “We’re told to love our neighbors.” And it was Jesus who said, “There is no commandment greater” (Mark :31) than to love God and our neighbor.

Reflect & Pray
In what way are you limiting your understanding of the word neighbor? How might God be urging you to expand the borders of your “neighborhood”?

Father, help me to look beyond borders and barriers, to see everyone as my neighbor, and to love in generous ways as You have taught me.


MrsJoe 76F
17308 posts
5/3/2019 8:52 am

This is a lovely story, but I think some people neglect their own area's needs to try help others far away.

Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.