“How can I change my life?  I want to help others.  I don’t like to see others suffering or in pain and I just want everyone to be happy.  When I hear your words these feelings get stronger but I fear when You go, I will carry on as before,” he said, quietly, with a worried look on his face.
“Read Scripture daily, pray often, and ask God for the strength to live as He asks you to, and you will find My words will be with you always,” I explained.
“How can I help others without offending my father?  I know I want to use the money I have for the poor from now on.  I know I cannot use it for pleasure or for comfort.  How can I, when others suffer?  But if I do this, my father will disown me and think of me as a fool,” he said again, with concern showing on his face.
“But if you do not help the poor, you will begin to suffer yourself,” I said.  “The confusion, the pain, and the torment within will grow and eventually destroy you, for you would know you are denying what God asks of you.  In your life God must come first, otherwise you are not living as you should.  It may be that your family and friends think of you as a fool, but I assure you God will smile upon you and be happy to call you His friend. 
“If living a good life means a little suffering then you should know that this suffering will be rewarded when you come to heaven, but if you live a life of self with little suffering on this earth, you will find a different reward awaiting you in eternity.  Make God the center of your life and do what would please God, not what pleases man, and then you will be rewarded with eternal joy in heaven.”

Extract from "Through the Eyes of Jesus" by Carver Alan Ames,
Published by 101 Foundation Inc.
PO Box 151
Asbury, New Jersey 08802-0151
Copyright Carver Alan Ames, 1996.
 

I am continually struck by how much God Blesses us when we Seek Him First.  The Four Men prayer group is a perfect example of this.  It is all about souls but God will give you through this group so much more.  Does it take time to see the fruits?  Of course.  That being said the ride is great as well as you feel united in a brotherhood that transcends this world.  You are saving souls and there is no work greater than that.  God will Bless you abundantly when you seek his lost sheep.  Our paralytics will become Saints through our prayers like St. Augustine and Saint Paul.  Continue to pray and sacrifice and the Joys of heaven and earth will be yours.

In Christ,
Big Brother #2