Can You HEAR Me Now!?

For a while a cell phone carrier's slogan "can you hear me now?" was everywhere.  It became a catch phrase not just when our cell service was poor, but when bringing to someone's attention you were trying to make a point.  Or as a joke when a comment wasn't heard.

Then the statement, made by many when comforting someone; "I am here for you." crossed my thoughts.
I have made that statement myself....but the question came to my mind..."If I am HERE for them, do they have to ask..."can you HEAR me now?"
I hope not.
I hope that being "HERE" for someone in their time of need or any time, means that I also HEAR their words and their heart.
If we are ministering to a friend...let's not be distracted or have our minds focused on our own agenda or relevance to the situation.

We need to make sure that we HEAR what they are saying. The only way we can truly love and minister to someone's needs is to listen to their hurt.

📖  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 1 Corinthians 12:26

The same goes with celebrating God's blessings with then...if we are to rejoice with our brothers and sisters,  then we have to HEAR them without jealousy or judgement.

📖 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11

And the only way we can do any of that is to be HERE for them. Be present, engaged and an active participant in the relationship. We have to be present and active with our faith.

📖 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:15-17

If we call ourselves followers of Christ we have to have evidence that our faith is alive and real.
Look around you....
It may be someone we barely know needing an ear or a shoulder.
Or a close, dear friend, or relative...but regardless we can be IN the moment with them.
Sometimes the moment is a long period of time, but remember God has placed you there as a helper for as long as needed.

📖 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:10-16

As followers of Christ we are called to love those around  us.
Jesus explained that what we do for those around us, those in need, we do for HIM.
📖 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 
"The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for.  Matthew 25:34-40

So as we listen and meet those needs we are doing it for Christ.

📖 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. James 2:8
Can we say; 
"Friend I am  HEAR for you!"
"Family I am HEAR for you!"
If so....you are doing what is right!