One night, Morgan shared in a meeting with Mrs. Booth; and a great crowd of "publicans and sinners" was there. Her message brought many to Christ. After the meeting, Morgan and Mrs. Booth went to be entertained at a fine home; and the lady of the manor said, "My dear Mrs. Booth, that meeting was dreadful"

"What do you mean, dearie?" asked Mrs. Booth.

"Oh, when you were speaking, I was looking at those people opposite to me. Their faces were so terrible, many of them. I don't think I shall sleep tonight!"

"Why, dearie, don't you know them?" Mrs. Booth asked; and the hostess replied, "Certainly not!"

"Well, that is interesting," Mrs. Booth said. "I did not bring them with me from London; they are your neighbors!"

In order for us to "love our neighbors as ourselves," wouldn't a prerequisite be, that we actually know them? Certainly we can not know all of our neighbors, but if they were asked, would any of your neighbors know that you were the Christian that you claimed to be?  It's a solemn question, and when I recently asked it of myself, I didn't like the answer that I got.  God still has work to do in my life.

Knowing our neighbors, and being good neighbors, is every bit as important as many works that have been done in the fields of missionary service around the world.  Our neighborhoods are our mission fields, and they should be positively impacted by the fact that we live there!

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word