Welcome to Day 10 of the 40 day countdown to Easter 2019! You Can Do More Than You Think. Several years ago, a young business executive purchased a brand new Jaguar. While driving through a suburban neighborhood, a brick suddenly flew across the street slamming into his car.

It’s back wheels immediately started spending in reverse casting white smoke as the car rolled back to the place where the brick was thrown from. The car door swung open immediately and out came the young executive. He rushed over to a young boy who threw the brick, pushed him back against a parked car and began to shout at him. He said, what was that all about? You just damaged a very expensive car and it's going to cost a lot of money to repair.

The boy said, please sir, I'm sorry, but I didn't know what to do. He pointed around the parked car and said, my brother rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair into the street. After no one would stop to help, all I could think of was to throw the brick. He's hurt and is too heavy for me to lift.

In that moment, the man realized what was going on. He helped the young man back into his wheelchair and used his handkerchief to wipe his cuts and bruises. Then he stood there and watched the young boy push his brother along the sidewalk toward home. The executive never fixed the dent in the side of his car because he wanted it to remind him to never again drive so fast through life that someone in need of help has to throw a brick to get him to stop.

You don't have to be an executive, own a luxury car, drive-through or live in a suburban neighborhood or have a brick thrown at you to help somebody out. What you can do is simpler than you may think. Help people by contributing to their basic needs. Everyone has basic needs and most of the time, they are not complicated.

In Luke 23, Jesus had just been crucified. He didn't look like there was much he could do because he was stuck to the cross, bleeding and impaired. But he did respond by making a promise to the thief who had just showed him kindness. In verse 43, He said, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” The short message is, you can do more than you think.

~inspiring hope & seasoning faith, Pastor Sean A. Daigre, Sr.

PERSONAL DEVOTION

You may be thinking, "Sure you say that, but what could I do to be of any real assistance to someone else?" Well, I'm glad you asked.

First, make note of Proverbs 3:27-28, which says, "Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now." (GNB)

Here are four simple things you can do to help others:

1. Everyone, at some point in their lives, needs support. Being supportive does not mean you have to give money or be brilliant. Sometimes support is as simple as reinforcing the relationship by being there. Show up, just be there and be supportive.

2. Many of us need stability. We live in a world of uncertainty and the insecure, not-knowing part of life, will send some people into a dangerous spiral, falling out of control and in desperate need of help. Similar to being supportive, helping someone with stability means being consistent. The best ability is dependability. Be dependable and you will provide more help than you know.

3. People need significance. That aching feeling deep down inside that makes a person feel like they no longer matter is a dangerous place to be. Feeling hopeless, guilty or worthless can take a person. Tell them that life matters. Make sure they understand that they matter. No matter how helpless a person may feel, no matter how bad they may have messed up, they have value. Help them to see that. Encouraging others will go a long way.

4. Everyone needs salvation. Studies have shown that people who have faith tend to handle the challenges of life better than someone who does not have faith. Pointing someone to a sincere encounter with Jesus Christ, will give them access to the overcoming power that only our Savior can give. It gives the joy of having eternal salvation in Heaven and the peace of victory here on earth. And when you are saved, will have the resources to do the first three things that we've spoken of because you are filled with the wisdom and ability of the Lord.

PRAYER DIRECTIVE

Galatians 6:2 says we are to "Bear us one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Don't over-think it. Pray with them, give them a Bible verse and some encouragement. Remember, you can do more than what you think!