Category Archives: poor

Saturday, August 21, 2021

 

Pray this Lazaroo with an open, generous heart!

“‘I will tear down the winter house along with the summer house; the houses adorned with ivory will be destroyed and the mansions will be demolished, declares the Lord. Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy and say to your husbands, ‘Bring us some drinks!’”
(Amos 3:15-4:1)

You’re hardest on those to whom You’ve given much, Jesus

when they repay You with oh, so little!

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Psalms 112:5; Proverbs 11:25; Proverbs 22:9; Matthew 6:12-15; Matthew 18:32-34; Luke 11:41; Luke 12:48

Sunday, May 31, 2020

 

Pray this Lazaroo filled with gratitude:

“He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.”
(Luke 1:53)

When we think we’ve got life figured out, Jesus

You flip the script!

There’s something about You that loves doing that, isn’t there?

I love that about You, too.

You have such a heart for those who struggle and are hurting.

You also have a heart for those You’ve richly blessed
who love to share.

But for the stingy?
Not so much.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Leviticus 19:10; 1 Samuel 2:8; Psalms 12:5; Mark 10:21; Galatians 2:10; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; James 5:1-6

Friday, August 9, 2019

 

Pray this Lazaroo with no excuses obedience:

“But you have insulted the poor.”
(James 2:6)

Not a good idea, is it, Jesus?

If I insult the poor
I’ve insulted You, their Maker.

It’s easy for me to judge – without truly knowing – how a person became poor

then conclude they’re unworthy of my help.

But You didn’t command me to be kind

only to those who don’t deserve their poverty.

I’m to recognize that if You’ve put something in my hand

I’d better be willing to share it.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Exodus 23:11; Psalms 12:5; Psalms 35:10; Psalms 140:12; Proverbs 14:31; Proverbs 19:17; Galatians 2:10

Saturday, March 30, 2019

 

Pray this Lazaroo in sobered assessment:

“Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world…to inherit the kingdom…?”
(James 2:5)

Poor here, Jesus…

rich there.

I’ll take that!

It’s not that the rich can’t go to heaven, is it?

It’s that riches can blind me to how desperately I need You.

So maybe that’s why You haven’t answered some of my prayers.

Perhaps You’re providing me with the necessary incentive
to keep talking to You.

That’s pretty sad, isn’t it?

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Job 8:13; Psalms 9:17; Psalms 14:6; Psalms 50:22; Proverbs 30:8-9; Isaiah 41:17; 1 Timothy 6:17

Saturday, March 30, 2019

 

Pray this Lazaroo in sobered assessment:

“Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world…to inherit the kingdom…?”
(James 2:5)

Poor here, Jesus…

rich there.

I’ll take that!

It’s not that the rich can’t go to heaven, is it?

It’s that riches can blind me to how desperately I need You.

So maybe that’s why You haven’t answered some of my prayers.

Perhaps You’re providing me with the necessary incentive
to keep talking to You.

That’s pretty sad, isn’t it?

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Job 8:13; Psalms 9:17; Psalms 14:6; Psalms 50:22; Proverbs 30:8-9; Isaiah 41:17; 1 Timothy 6:17

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

 

Pray this Lazaroo in humbled awareness:

“Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith…?”
(James 2:5)

Wow. Why would that be, Jesus?

Atheists might suggest that the poor are undereducated.

But any education that points away from You

originates in the fiery pits of hell.

Perhaps their lack of money is a clue, however.

Those not blinded by the false hope of riches
are among the first to recognize:

You are our only Hope.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 19:10; 1 Samuel 2:8; Job 29:12; Psalms 12:5; Proverbs 14:31; Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 11:5

Friday, June 29, 2018

 

Pray this Lazaroo with outrageous adoration:

“Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. “
(1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Those last two words, Jesus:

all people.”

Not merely the rich, famous or powerful.

all people.”

Not just deacons, elders and pastors.

all people.”

Not only the beautiful, talented and likable.

all people.”

You gave Yourself as a ransom

for poor people, nobodies and powerless
waiters, stockbrokers and nurses
ugly people, clumsy and obnoxious

and for me! – the least deserving of

all people.”

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Leviticus 26:21; Ezra 9:13; Psalms 103:10; Matthew 8:8; Romans 5:18; 1 Corinthians 1:20-30; Ephesians 2:3-5; 1 Timothy 1:15

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

 

Pray this Lazaroo with bottomless trust:

“Here’s a good seat for you…”
(James 2:3)

There’s nothing wrong with offering somebody a good seat, Jesus

unless I’m doing so to favor the rich over the poor.

What is there in my makeup that causes me to automatically respect someone wearing fine clothes

and look down on someone dressed shabbily?

If I knew them as only You do

it’s possible that the poor person is the one who deserves my respect
and the rich one my contempt.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Exodus 23:3; Leviticus 19:15; Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Galatians 2:6; Ephesians 6:9; 1 Timothy 5:21

Thursday, July 14, 2016

 

Pray this Lazaroo with over-the-top trust:

“…you will do well to pay attention to it…”
(2 Peter 2:19)

The old joke isn’t true, Jesus:

“I’m too poor to pay attention.”

The poorer I am, the more attention I need to pay to Your Word.

You…are my only hope out of the ghetto of my poverty.

But that’s not all.

The richer I am, the more attention I need to pay to Your Word.

You…are my only hope out of the ghetto of my self-sufficient pride.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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1 Samuel 2:7; 2 Samuel 12:1-7; Proverbs 14:23; Proverbs 21:5; Proverbs 30:7-9; Matthew 27:57-60; Luke 12:16-21