Thursday, December 23, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Giving
In keeping with our 51+1 theme for Honduras 2011 I’d like to remind each of you of the many opportunities for practical missions this Christmas season. I’m sure you each have family traditions which have elements of giving to others. There are many things each of us could do for those in need.
You could team up with others and provide meals for the homeless.
Contribute food to your local food pantry.
Work with your Sunday School class to adopt a family in need.
Go through your closets and find some warm clothes to give to a local mission.
Many of our churches are taking an annual foreign mission offering.
You could send a special donation to the Good Sheppard’s Children Home in the name of someone that “has everything”.
You could take cookies to shut-ins or nursing homes and spend a little time with them to make their lives a little less lonely.
It’s doesn’t take long to send a note of encouragement to a friend or to make a phone call and just say something like “I was thinking of you.”
There are countless things that we could do to share the joy of the season with others. We know doing things for others not only brings joy to them but also to us. But I think it would be great if each of us could find one person to share the story of Christmas with. The story is so etched in our memories and hearts that by just reading it from Luke’s Gospel we can see the angels in chorus singing-welcoming His birth, and the shepherds in the fields, and the babe in the manger. But sadly to some people, even some that you and I know, Christmas doesn’t remind them of these things. But we can share with them this true story of true joy. I pray you will find that opportunity in the next week to share the most precious gift of all, Jesus.
Luke 2
1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
You could team up with others and provide meals for the homeless.
Contribute food to your local food pantry.
Work with your Sunday School class to adopt a family in need.
Go through your closets and find some warm clothes to give to a local mission.
Many of our churches are taking an annual foreign mission offering.
You could send a special donation to the Good Sheppard’s Children Home in the name of someone that “has everything”.
You could take cookies to shut-ins or nursing homes and spend a little time with them to make their lives a little less lonely.
It’s doesn’t take long to send a note of encouragement to a friend or to make a phone call and just say something like “I was thinking of you.”
There are countless things that we could do to share the joy of the season with others. We know doing things for others not only brings joy to them but also to us. But I think it would be great if each of us could find one person to share the story of Christmas with. The story is so etched in our memories and hearts that by just reading it from Luke’s Gospel we can see the angels in chorus singing-welcoming His birth, and the shepherds in the fields, and the babe in the manger. But sadly to some people, even some that you and I know, Christmas doesn’t remind them of these things. But we can share with them this true story of true joy. I pray you will find that opportunity in the next week to share the most precious gift of all, Jesus.
Luke 2
1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Share Jesus
OK team, the Christmas season is in full swing and opportunities abound to express our faith in many ways. As you know the main purpose of our trip to Honduras next summer is evangelism. We go there to share the Gospel with those that are lost. We do this by ministering to the people of Honduras in practical ways thus allowing them opportunities to witness the love of Christ through our actions. We will spend a lot of energy and money the next few months in order to give ourselves the opportunity to carry out this mission for one week. The idea of our 51+1 theme is that we do the same thing here at home the other 51 weeks of the year. This time of the year provides us with many opportunities to share the Christmas story in practical ways right here at home.
Those of you that are members of FBC Olive Branch have a great opportunity to reach out to our community on December 18-19th in what we are calling "First Christmas". There are many different opportunities for serving in this community outreach effort. Please make every effort to participate in this two day event.
We will have a team meeting on January 11, 2011 at 6:30 in the choir room 0f FBCOB. I will be sending an email out in the next couple of days with more details about this meeting. Also be reminded that a $250.00 deposit is due before January 15th.
Those of you that are members of FBC Olive Branch have a great opportunity to reach out to our community on December 18-19th in what we are calling "First Christmas". There are many different opportunities for serving in this community outreach effort. Please make every effort to participate in this two day event.
We will have a team meeting on January 11, 2011 at 6:30 in the choir room 0f FBCOB. I will be sending an email out in the next couple of days with more details about this meeting. Also be reminded that a $250.00 deposit is due before January 15th.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
LIFE BY THE SPIRIT—SELF-CONTROL
Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
You will most likely agree with me that our society is plagued by a lack of self-control. All anyone has to do is tune into the local news to hear about the latest shooting, stabbing, or abuse victim. Often, once the perpetrator has been brought to justice we hear how they somehow had "just lost control". These losses of self-control are often a result of drugs or alcohol which unlocks the chains that are keeping the person's from acting on the situation. These losses of self-control wreak havoc on our neighborhoods and families.
Lack of self-control is as old as sin itself. I believe there is a reason that self-control is the last fruit of the Spirit listed by Paul in the fifth chapter of Galatians. Without self-control the other fruit are constrained, so to speak, especially if the deeds of the flesh are allowed to interrupt the working of the Spirit. We should think of self-control as the "watchman" that ensures the old selfish sin nature stays dead and buried so that the Holy Spirit has free reign in our hearts to cultivate the other eight fruits without being inhibited. Self-control is essential to arbitrate between the life that we once lived as a sinner and the life which the Lord desires we grow in as a believer.
In the book of Acts, Paul spoke to Felix regarding the Roman governor's eternal security. Acts 24:25 states: But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you." Notice how self-control is sandwiched between righteousness and judgment. It is one thing to know the righteousness of God in Christ and it is another to live it out daily through constant acts of self-control. Paul stated in I Corinthians 15:31 ... I die daily. By living a self-controlled life, Paul knew that he was allowing the righteousness of the Lord to reign thus preparing himself for judgment not only in this life but in the one to come. Living a surrendered life requires us to judge ourselves in this lifetime and not waiting for the Lord's judgments on the last day. Allowing the Jesus to take the reins of our hearts, is to allow Him the rightful control and to focus us on finishing our respective races.
Paul must have loved of sports. In several passages he uses sports metaphor to convey a particular message. In I Corinthians 9:25 he states: Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. In the previous verse, Paul uses the example of a runner while making the point as to "run in such a way as to win". It is one thing to say that we desire to live a crucified life to our passions and desires but it's another to live out a disciplined life day after day. Athletes in Paul’s day as well as today's athletes must lay aside their former lives of selfishness and carnal living and beat their bodies with a new set of habits and standards that will allow them to reach their goal. There is no substitution for a daily, rigorous routine that is marked by training meant to establish regular habits in accordance with our goal. In the same way, God requires each of us who call Him Lord to daily turn over our will and life to Him.
There is a joy that we all experience as we develop new habits and we finally reach a point in our lives where these new character traits testify of the fruit of self-control as the Holy Spirit intended. The fact that self-control is the last of the nine fruits does not diminish its importance. Instead, it is the fruit that will ultimately allow righteousness to manifest through the other eight fruits. While our society continues to teeter on the brink of insanity, and as people struggle to keep "under control" in an increasingly uncontrollable world it is comforting to know that our God has given His children the ability to live a life controlled by His Spirit. All we have to do is trust in Jesus and rely on the empowering Spirit of God in order to live as a self-controlled man or woman surrendered completely to God.
For the past 10 weeks we have been looking at the Godly attributes that should control our daily life. These should be a reflected in our daily walk.
Let me end this series with this poem by Emily McAdams
The Fruit of the Spirit
We need to pray to God each day,
For His Spirit to fill our soul.
So we can experience His many fruits,
Just as Paul, His apostle told.
Because Jesus is our Savior,
His Spirit dwells within.
Let’s daily pray for self-control.
He’ll help us turn from sin.
If we love the Lord our Sovereign God
With all our heart, mind and being,
And love our neighbors as ourselves,
What joy and peace we’ll be seeing.
We should treat all others with kindness,
And practice patience in all we face.
Then our faithfulness will be evident,
At all times in every place.
Gentleness is a form of humility,
And a trait we all should show.
Then goodness and mercy will follow,
As His fruits from our heart does flow.
Tommy--one counted among the redeemed
You will most likely agree with me that our society is plagued by a lack of self-control. All anyone has to do is tune into the local news to hear about the latest shooting, stabbing, or abuse victim. Often, once the perpetrator has been brought to justice we hear how they somehow had "just lost control". These losses of self-control are often a result of drugs or alcohol which unlocks the chains that are keeping the person's from acting on the situation. These losses of self-control wreak havoc on our neighborhoods and families.
Lack of self-control is as old as sin itself. I believe there is a reason that self-control is the last fruit of the Spirit listed by Paul in the fifth chapter of Galatians. Without self-control the other fruit are constrained, so to speak, especially if the deeds of the flesh are allowed to interrupt the working of the Spirit. We should think of self-control as the "watchman" that ensures the old selfish sin nature stays dead and buried so that the Holy Spirit has free reign in our hearts to cultivate the other eight fruits without being inhibited. Self-control is essential to arbitrate between the life that we once lived as a sinner and the life which the Lord desires we grow in as a believer.
In the book of Acts, Paul spoke to Felix regarding the Roman governor's eternal security. Acts 24:25 states: But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you." Notice how self-control is sandwiched between righteousness and judgment. It is one thing to know the righteousness of God in Christ and it is another to live it out daily through constant acts of self-control. Paul stated in I Corinthians 15:31 ... I die daily. By living a self-controlled life, Paul knew that he was allowing the righteousness of the Lord to reign thus preparing himself for judgment not only in this life but in the one to come. Living a surrendered life requires us to judge ourselves in this lifetime and not waiting for the Lord's judgments on the last day. Allowing the Jesus to take the reins of our hearts, is to allow Him the rightful control and to focus us on finishing our respective races.
Paul must have loved of sports. In several passages he uses sports metaphor to convey a particular message. In I Corinthians 9:25 he states: Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. In the previous verse, Paul uses the example of a runner while making the point as to "run in such a way as to win". It is one thing to say that we desire to live a crucified life to our passions and desires but it's another to live out a disciplined life day after day. Athletes in Paul’s day as well as today's athletes must lay aside their former lives of selfishness and carnal living and beat their bodies with a new set of habits and standards that will allow them to reach their goal. There is no substitution for a daily, rigorous routine that is marked by training meant to establish regular habits in accordance with our goal. In the same way, God requires each of us who call Him Lord to daily turn over our will and life to Him.
There is a joy that we all experience as we develop new habits and we finally reach a point in our lives where these new character traits testify of the fruit of self-control as the Holy Spirit intended. The fact that self-control is the last of the nine fruits does not diminish its importance. Instead, it is the fruit that will ultimately allow righteousness to manifest through the other eight fruits. While our society continues to teeter on the brink of insanity, and as people struggle to keep "under control" in an increasingly uncontrollable world it is comforting to know that our God has given His children the ability to live a life controlled by His Spirit. All we have to do is trust in Jesus and rely on the empowering Spirit of God in order to live as a self-controlled man or woman surrendered completely to God.
For the past 10 weeks we have been looking at the Godly attributes that should control our daily life. These should be a reflected in our daily walk.
Let me end this series with this poem by Emily McAdams
The Fruit of the Spirit
We need to pray to God each day,
For His Spirit to fill our soul.
So we can experience His many fruits,
Just as Paul, His apostle told.
Because Jesus is our Savior,
His Spirit dwells within.
Let’s daily pray for self-control.
He’ll help us turn from sin.
If we love the Lord our Sovereign God
With all our heart, mind and being,
And love our neighbors as ourselves,
What joy and peace we’ll be seeing.
We should treat all others with kindness,
And practice patience in all we face.
Then our faithfulness will be evident,
At all times in every place.
Gentleness is a form of humility,
And a trait we all should show.
Then goodness and mercy will follow,
As His fruits from our heart does flow.
Tommy--one counted among the redeemed
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
LIFE BY THE SPIRIT--GENTLENESS
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
This week I’d like us to consider the Godly attribute of gentleness.
To me gentleness is something that directly impacts every person in our lives. Gentleness potentially has a huge impact on how we treat other people and perhaps even how those people treat themselves.
One dictionary definition is, "Considerate or kindly in disposition; amiable and tender." Tender, how often do we hear that word? And how often do we treat other people with love and tenderness? Not too often, huh?
Our society seems to value those who speak candidly. Being blunt is considered to be a positive attribute. Whoever speaks the loudest these days is the person to whom we listen. We have radio hosts like Howard Stern. Media favorites like Rosie O'Donnell. And outspoken critics like Bill O'Reilly. On our TVs and on our radios every single day, but few people are talking about tenderness.
And I admit I'm not much better. I've been known for my bluntness. At times it serves me well at work, but not in too many other places. I believe it is okay, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, to tell a person how they can grow in Christ, what steps they need to take to be closer to God or areas in their spiritual lives which need improvement. But it’s not okay to speak harshly, to tell my friends, family and strangers why their lives are a mess, why they need to get themselves together or why they are falling so far short of their individual marks in a way that is judgmental and cruel. But sometimes I fail in this area…but God is growing this attribute in me and over the last couple of months I have learned God values discretion, gentleness, and yes - tenderness - in our dealings with people. It shows so clearly in Proverbs 15:1, where it says: A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.A soft word turns aside bad feelings, strife and discord. But words that are harsh just stir things up. This is a good proverb for all of us to know.
And you know what I’m learning? Being harsh towards someone else never solves a problem. It just engenders bad feelings. You've seen this for yourself - you've been in many situations where something happened where you felt that the proper response included 'breaking someone down' (i.e., cutting another person up emotionally and exposing their faults to the world). Have you ever seen it help? I mean think about it, really? I even go and tell my friends about it and most of the time they cheer me on. But where did I end up? Feeling badly because the Holy Spirit has reminded me that I shouldn't treat people that way, It leaves the other person bitter, angry, embarrassed and hurt. And I have definitely not made that other person see his or her real or imagined faults. People automatically rush to defend themselves, right or wrong, in the face of an onslaught. And that's what I was - an onslaught. Remember - HARSHNESS BEGATS HARSHNESS. I don't believe you or I will ever get anywhere as long as we treat people unkindly. Instead heed the words of 2 Timothy 2:24, And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
But you know what I have seen work? Calmly talking to another person about what's going on. Asking that person how he or she sees things instead of always forcing your point of view on that person. Taking the time to explain how some situation or unkind word affected you - not assuming that person knows and simply doesn't care. In other words, it’s being kind instead of boisterous, self-righteous or hard.
Gentleness is what Jesus showed his disciples as they asked him question after question. He never lost patience. He always spoke gently. And he equipped those disciples to spread the Gospel throughout the world. That shows clearly the power of a kind word.
Can you show gentleness to those who are around you? Can you practice tenderness as you help guide your spiritual brothers and sisters on their own spiritual journeys? Colossians 3:12 tells us, Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Gentleness…something the world could use a whole lot more of...
To be continued…
Tommy—one counted among the redeemed.
This week I’d like us to consider the Godly attribute of gentleness.
To me gentleness is something that directly impacts every person in our lives. Gentleness potentially has a huge impact on how we treat other people and perhaps even how those people treat themselves.
One dictionary definition is, "Considerate or kindly in disposition; amiable and tender." Tender, how often do we hear that word? And how often do we treat other people with love and tenderness? Not too often, huh?
Our society seems to value those who speak candidly. Being blunt is considered to be a positive attribute. Whoever speaks the loudest these days is the person to whom we listen. We have radio hosts like Howard Stern. Media favorites like Rosie O'Donnell. And outspoken critics like Bill O'Reilly. On our TVs and on our radios every single day, but few people are talking about tenderness.
And I admit I'm not much better. I've been known for my bluntness. At times it serves me well at work, but not in too many other places. I believe it is okay, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, to tell a person how they can grow in Christ, what steps they need to take to be closer to God or areas in their spiritual lives which need improvement. But it’s not okay to speak harshly, to tell my friends, family and strangers why their lives are a mess, why they need to get themselves together or why they are falling so far short of their individual marks in a way that is judgmental and cruel. But sometimes I fail in this area…but God is growing this attribute in me and over the last couple of months I have learned God values discretion, gentleness, and yes - tenderness - in our dealings with people. It shows so clearly in Proverbs 15:1, where it says: A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.A soft word turns aside bad feelings, strife and discord. But words that are harsh just stir things up. This is a good proverb for all of us to know.
And you know what I’m learning? Being harsh towards someone else never solves a problem. It just engenders bad feelings. You've seen this for yourself - you've been in many situations where something happened where you felt that the proper response included 'breaking someone down' (i.e., cutting another person up emotionally and exposing their faults to the world). Have you ever seen it help? I mean think about it, really? I even go and tell my friends about it and most of the time they cheer me on. But where did I end up? Feeling badly because the Holy Spirit has reminded me that I shouldn't treat people that way, It leaves the other person bitter, angry, embarrassed and hurt. And I have definitely not made that other person see his or her real or imagined faults. People automatically rush to defend themselves, right or wrong, in the face of an onslaught. And that's what I was - an onslaught. Remember - HARSHNESS BEGATS HARSHNESS. I don't believe you or I will ever get anywhere as long as we treat people unkindly. Instead heed the words of 2 Timothy 2:24, And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
But you know what I have seen work? Calmly talking to another person about what's going on. Asking that person how he or she sees things instead of always forcing your point of view on that person. Taking the time to explain how some situation or unkind word affected you - not assuming that person knows and simply doesn't care. In other words, it’s being kind instead of boisterous, self-righteous or hard.
Gentleness is what Jesus showed his disciples as they asked him question after question. He never lost patience. He always spoke gently. And he equipped those disciples to spread the Gospel throughout the world. That shows clearly the power of a kind word.
Can you show gentleness to those who are around you? Can you practice tenderness as you help guide your spiritual brothers and sisters on their own spiritual journeys? Colossians 3:12 tells us, Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Gentleness…something the world could use a whole lot more of...
To be continued…
Tommy—one counted among the redeemed.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
LIFE BY THE SPIRIT—FAITHFULNESS
Faithfulness is the seventh attribute the Holy Spirit desires to implant into our daily walk. In the New Testament the Greek word is pistos and is often used in the context of conviction of belief in respect to God and Christ. But it is also used to describe the quality of faithfulness which as been explained as “the character of one who can be relied on”.
While many claim this attribute the wisdom of Proverbs 20:6 tells us it is a hard virtue to find. Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find? The Psalmist tells us about the lack of faithfulness in his day. Psalm 12:1-2, Help, LORD, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race. 2 Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts. Sounds a lot like the present days we live in but faithfulness is essential for those who would receive the crown of life. Revelation 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
To encourage the development of this attribute in our lives let’s first look at Jesus as our example and then share together a few areas in which we need great faithfulness.
Jesus was faithful in fulfilling His role as the Son of God. He was faithful in carrying out the work given Him. These passages from John’s Gospel back this fact up.
John 4:34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
John 5:30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
John 8:29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.
Jesus is also faithful in the role of being our high priest. Hebrews 2:17-18 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Jesus is faithful because He understands our weakness. Hebrews 4:14-15 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Jesus is faithful because He richly supplies with grace and mercy. Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Isn’t wonderful to have a Savior upon whom we can rely?
Some ways we need to be more faithful to God and Christ:
• We need to be faithful in the way we use our gifts, talents, abilities and opportunities. Too often we are like the man in Jesus’ parable that buried their talent and this displeases the Lord. Like Moses at the burning bush we make excuses, but for every excuse we can come up with, God can provide a way for us to be faithful. We may need to begin to be faithful in small things in order to be faithful when the going gets tough.
• We need to be faithful to our church. The family of God always has a need for people who are truly faithful. Lack of faithfulness to the church can be seen in several ways. By the forsaking the assembly of ourselves; church attendance. We might need to ask ourselves if everybody else were only as faithful as I am what kind of church would we have. Consider this example of "faithfulness" to the church... Grandma Taw Bow, a resident of Thailand, does not impress strangers. She is small of stature, bent with age, her hands and fingers gnarled with arthritis. She often stands quietly to one side. Her name translated into English means "Always." Despite her unimpressive physical appearance, Grandma Always has inspired her missionary friends and Thai Christians by her faithfulness. A widow and over ninety years of age, she lives as a servant in a Thai home. Every Sunday she walks two miles to church. Out of her income of five cents a day, she regularly gives one day's wages to the Lord every week. When her missionary friends drive her home from church services, she gets out, and bows her head in an audible prayer for the missionaries and the work of Christ in Thailand. One missionary says, "The thought of Grandma Always' faithfulness humbles and deepens us." (A Dictionary Of Christian Illustrations, p. 121) What every church needs is more Grandma Always!
• We need to be more faithful to our families. Fathers need to be faithful in fulfilling their spiritual roles. Mothers need to be more faithful in fulfilling their family responsibilities. And of course husband and wives need to be faithful to each other in their respective duties. Children, you also have a need to be faithful to your parents.
In his commentary William Barclay ended his examination of this word in this way: "Pistos is indeed a great word. It describes the man on whose faithful service we may rely, on whose loyalty we may depend, whose word we can unreservedly accept. It describes the man in whom there is the unswerving and inflexible fidelity of Jesus Christ, and the utter dependability of God."
Will you not strive to be faithful, in your service to God, in the use of your gifts, in your church and in your family?
To be continued…
Tommy—one counted among the redeemed
Faithfulness is the seventh attribute the Holy Spirit desires to implant into our daily walk. In the New Testament the Greek word is pistos and is often used in the context of conviction of belief in respect to God and Christ. But it is also used to describe the quality of faithfulness which as been explained as “the character of one who can be relied on”.
While many claim this attribute the wisdom of Proverbs 20:6 tells us it is a hard virtue to find. Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find? The Psalmist tells us about the lack of faithfulness in his day. Psalm 12:1-2, Help, LORD, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race. 2 Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts. Sounds a lot like the present days we live in but faithfulness is essential for those who would receive the crown of life. Revelation 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
To encourage the development of this attribute in our lives let’s first look at Jesus as our example and then share together a few areas in which we need great faithfulness.
Jesus was faithful in fulfilling His role as the Son of God. He was faithful in carrying out the work given Him. These passages from John’s Gospel back this fact up.
John 4:34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
John 5:30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
John 8:29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.
Jesus is also faithful in the role of being our high priest. Hebrews 2:17-18 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Jesus is faithful because He understands our weakness. Hebrews 4:14-15 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Jesus is faithful because He richly supplies with grace and mercy. Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Isn’t wonderful to have a Savior upon whom we can rely?
Some ways we need to be more faithful to God and Christ:
• We need to be faithful in the way we use our gifts, talents, abilities and opportunities. Too often we are like the man in Jesus’ parable that buried their talent and this displeases the Lord. Like Moses at the burning bush we make excuses, but for every excuse we can come up with, God can provide a way for us to be faithful. We may need to begin to be faithful in small things in order to be faithful when the going gets tough.
• We need to be faithful to our church. The family of God always has a need for people who are truly faithful. Lack of faithfulness to the church can be seen in several ways. By the forsaking the assembly of ourselves; church attendance. We might need to ask ourselves if everybody else were only as faithful as I am what kind of church would we have. Consider this example of "faithfulness" to the church... Grandma Taw Bow, a resident of Thailand, does not impress strangers. She is small of stature, bent with age, her hands and fingers gnarled with arthritis. She often stands quietly to one side. Her name translated into English means "Always." Despite her unimpressive physical appearance, Grandma Always has inspired her missionary friends and Thai Christians by her faithfulness. A widow and over ninety years of age, she lives as a servant in a Thai home. Every Sunday she walks two miles to church. Out of her income of five cents a day, she regularly gives one day's wages to the Lord every week. When her missionary friends drive her home from church services, she gets out, and bows her head in an audible prayer for the missionaries and the work of Christ in Thailand. One missionary says, "The thought of Grandma Always' faithfulness humbles and deepens us." (A Dictionary Of Christian Illustrations, p. 121) What every church needs is more Grandma Always!
• We need to be more faithful to our families. Fathers need to be faithful in fulfilling their spiritual roles. Mothers need to be more faithful in fulfilling their family responsibilities. And of course husband and wives need to be faithful to each other in their respective duties. Children, you also have a need to be faithful to your parents.
In his commentary William Barclay ended his examination of this word in this way: "Pistos is indeed a great word. It describes the man on whose faithful service we may rely, on whose loyalty we may depend, whose word we can unreservedly accept. It describes the man in whom there is the unswerving and inflexible fidelity of Jesus Christ, and the utter dependability of God."
Will you not strive to be faithful, in your service to God, in the use of your gifts, in your church and in your family?
To be continued…
Tommy—one counted among the redeemed
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
LIFE BY THE SPIRIT—GOODNESS
Of all the attributes that the Holy Spirits wants to install into our character Goodness is the most difficult for me to grasp. It may be because this single attribute of God’s personality is so complete. God’s goodness is not an occasional manifestation toward us, it is His very nature. He is always working for the good of those that love Him and are called according to his purpose. His motives toward us are always good. His watch-care over us is always good. His provisions for us are always good.
We consider ourselves to be good or bad by the things we do, say or participate in, and by our understanding good is a relative term. If the word gooder was a word it would be the word we use to describe the things we do, say or participate in. For instance we might rebuild a porch on the house of a widow because her old one was rotten and dangerous. When we are finished the porch would be gooder than the old one and we might consider ourselves gooder for having done it. While the act of building the porch was a manifestation of goodness and an indication that we are capable of doing good things it is not proof that we have obtained the fruit of goodness as defined in our focus verse. You and I both know lost people that are generous and continually do good things. I guess what I’m trying to say is that the fruit described as goodness is not a relative thing. We tend to think of goodness in relative terms (good, gooder, goodest) but the attribute of goodness that we strive for through the Holy Spirit is not relative-it is completely good just as God is good.
The word good has so many uses that one dictionary, The Reader's Digest Complete Oxford Word Finder, devotes an entire 6" x 9½" page in very fine type to list them! We use it to indicate competence (good at math); reliability (good brakes); strength (good eyesight); kindness (good of you to come); moral excellence (good deed or good works); behavior (good child); enjoyment (a good party); thoroughness (gave it a good wash); immensity in number (a good many people); beneficence (milk is good for you); soundness (a good reason); expedience (thought it good to have a try); freshness (is the meat still good); worthiness (good old George); attractiveness (has good legs); moral rightness (did it for your own good); promise (good news); a desirable end (sacrificing the present for future good); favor (a good review). There are many more, but this is sufficient to give us an overview of some of this very versatile word's uses in everyday English. It is used as a noun, adjective and adverb and is the root of the word "goodness." The common idea in almost all of its uses is that it suggests a desirable quality, something commendable, reliable, welcome, enjoyable, beneficent, kind, noble, admirable, exemplary and very much welcome. In the word "goodness," the inner qualities of virtue, excellence of character, morality and attitude that we see in a person's behavior come out.
So how does our goodness manifest itself? I think our goodness has to mirror/reflect God’s goodness toward us.
• Psalms 107:1, Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
• Psalms 31:19, How great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast stored up for those who fear Thee, which Thou hast wrought for those who take refuge in Thee, before the sons of men!
The goodness of God is prominent in the opening chapters of the Bible. Repeatedly, God pronounced everything which He created good.
The goodness of God appears to be the sum total of all of God’s attributes. The goodness of God may be viewed as one facet of His glorious nature and character and also the sum total of His nature and character. Exodus 33:19, Then Moses said, “I pray Thee, show me Thy glory!” And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion”
We cannot separate what is good from God. You cannot have goodness without God, just as you cannot have God without goodness. God alone is good. James tells us this in James 1:17, Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow. We simply cannot separate “good” from “God.” Here is where our society, and especially our educational system, had better take note. You cannot teach values, you cannot teach morality, without teaching about God. “Be ye holy,” God said, “for I am holy”
The goodness of God is a life-transforming truth. God’s wrath is good. God’s holiness is good. God’s righteousness is good. There is nothing about God that is not good. There is nothing God purposes for His children that is not good. God gives to His children only that which is good. And He withholds nothing good from us. God is good, and He is at work in our lives for good. Nothing which God creates, nothing which God accomplishes, is not good.
Let me conclude by considering ways the goodness of God should intersect our attitudes and actions.
• We must take this truth of God’s goodness one more step. God allows nothing to happen to the Christian which is not good. We all know this passage well: And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to [His] purpose. Romans 8:28. We may be convinced of God’s goodness and yet doubt that everything which happens to us is good. Whatever comes into the life of the Christian is a part of God’s purpose to bring about our good and His glory.
• We all like to say “God is good; all the time God is good!” But when we are faced with the harsh trails of this life can we still say it, even in the hurt and the loneliness when even our friends desert us? Do we still say, “God is good!”?
• The goodness of God is evident in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is the “good news”. Do we share this good news, which is the extreme way God shows His goodness, with those we know need it?
To be continued…
Tommy—one counted among the redeemed
We consider ourselves to be good or bad by the things we do, say or participate in, and by our understanding good is a relative term. If the word gooder was a word it would be the word we use to describe the things we do, say or participate in. For instance we might rebuild a porch on the house of a widow because her old one was rotten and dangerous. When we are finished the porch would be gooder than the old one and we might consider ourselves gooder for having done it. While the act of building the porch was a manifestation of goodness and an indication that we are capable of doing good things it is not proof that we have obtained the fruit of goodness as defined in our focus verse. You and I both know lost people that are generous and continually do good things. I guess what I’m trying to say is that the fruit described as goodness is not a relative thing. We tend to think of goodness in relative terms (good, gooder, goodest) but the attribute of goodness that we strive for through the Holy Spirit is not relative-it is completely good just as God is good.
The word good has so many uses that one dictionary, The Reader's Digest Complete Oxford Word Finder, devotes an entire 6" x 9½" page in very fine type to list them! We use it to indicate competence (good at math); reliability (good brakes); strength (good eyesight); kindness (good of you to come); moral excellence (good deed or good works); behavior (good child); enjoyment (a good party); thoroughness (gave it a good wash); immensity in number (a good many people); beneficence (milk is good for you); soundness (a good reason); expedience (thought it good to have a try); freshness (is the meat still good); worthiness (good old George); attractiveness (has good legs); moral rightness (did it for your own good); promise (good news); a desirable end (sacrificing the present for future good); favor (a good review). There are many more, but this is sufficient to give us an overview of some of this very versatile word's uses in everyday English. It is used as a noun, adjective and adverb and is the root of the word "goodness." The common idea in almost all of its uses is that it suggests a desirable quality, something commendable, reliable, welcome, enjoyable, beneficent, kind, noble, admirable, exemplary and very much welcome. In the word "goodness," the inner qualities of virtue, excellence of character, morality and attitude that we see in a person's behavior come out.
So how does our goodness manifest itself? I think our goodness has to mirror/reflect God’s goodness toward us.
• Psalms 107:1, Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
• Psalms 31:19, How great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast stored up for those who fear Thee, which Thou hast wrought for those who take refuge in Thee, before the sons of men!
The goodness of God is prominent in the opening chapters of the Bible. Repeatedly, God pronounced everything which He created good.
The goodness of God appears to be the sum total of all of God’s attributes. The goodness of God may be viewed as one facet of His glorious nature and character and also the sum total of His nature and character. Exodus 33:19, Then Moses said, “I pray Thee, show me Thy glory!” And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion”
We cannot separate what is good from God. You cannot have goodness without God, just as you cannot have God without goodness. God alone is good. James tells us this in James 1:17, Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow. We simply cannot separate “good” from “God.” Here is where our society, and especially our educational system, had better take note. You cannot teach values, you cannot teach morality, without teaching about God. “Be ye holy,” God said, “for I am holy”
The goodness of God is a life-transforming truth. God’s wrath is good. God’s holiness is good. God’s righteousness is good. There is nothing about God that is not good. There is nothing God purposes for His children that is not good. God gives to His children only that which is good. And He withholds nothing good from us. God is good, and He is at work in our lives for good. Nothing which God creates, nothing which God accomplishes, is not good.
Let me conclude by considering ways the goodness of God should intersect our attitudes and actions.
• We must take this truth of God’s goodness one more step. God allows nothing to happen to the Christian which is not good. We all know this passage well: And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to [His] purpose. Romans 8:28. We may be convinced of God’s goodness and yet doubt that everything which happens to us is good. Whatever comes into the life of the Christian is a part of God’s purpose to bring about our good and His glory.
• We all like to say “God is good; all the time God is good!” But when we are faced with the harsh trails of this life can we still say it, even in the hurt and the loneliness when even our friends desert us? Do we still say, “God is good!”?
• The goodness of God is evident in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is the “good news”. Do we share this good news, which is the extreme way God shows His goodness, with those we know need it?
To be continued…
Tommy—one counted among the redeemed
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
LIFE BY THE SPIRIT—KINDNESS
As a result of more people being impatient, having short fuses, and with everyone always being in a hurry – many people have lost the ability to treat others with kindness and respect. A kind word, a kind action to another person can really do wonders for them.
When you study the life of Jesus in the New Testament, you can really tell how kind He always was with other people in His dealings with them. The quality of kindness goes hand in hand with the quality of love. Once the Holy Spirit starts to transmit His love up into you, the quality of kindness will follow right along with it. It will then become much easier for you to be able to be kind to others once the love of God starts to flow more into your personality.
You cannot help but be more kind to others if God’s love is flowing through you. This is why the quality of love has to be the main quality that you really concentrate on getting more of from the Holy Spirit. Once the love of God starts to flow and operate through you to touch others, many of the other fruits of the Holy Spirit will then start to follow right after it in domino fashion.
Think about a time when someone did something kind for you. Was it something that you demanded to be done? Did you ask for it? Did you expect it? In most cases the answer is no. Maybe the kindness was when someone held the door for you. Or maybe when the car ahead of you gracious let you make that lane change. Maybe a friend gave you a hug when you needed it most. There are many ways to show kindness.
Kindness Meets Needs: Kindness brings joy. Kindness lets others know someone cares for them. There is no better example of kindness than looking at God’s kindness towards us.
Kindness is Part of Love: First Corinthians 13:4 says “love suffers long and is kind”.
Kindness Caused God to Make Us: God says it was His loving kindness that created us in Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV: “The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.”
Kindness Causes God to Sustain Us: The psalmist knew it was God’s loving kindness that keeps him: “Let Your loving kindness and Your truth continually preserve me” (Psalm 40:11).
Kindness is the Root of God’s Mercy: Even the rebel Jonah knew God’s loving kindness. Jonah 4:2 NKJV says “for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness, One who relents from doing harm.”
We were created in God's image. As a result, we have the same capacity to extend kindness that God has. Are you wondering how to start being kind? Here are a few suggestions:
• Visit someone in the hospital. Your presence could be a gift from God to the person you are visiting.
• Send a birthday card to let someone know you care.
• Bake some cookies for your family, neighbors or coworkers.
• Help an elderly person who has too many packages to carry.
• Call someone like a family member or friend you've lost touch with.
Did you notice how kindness only happens with an action? Visit, send, bake, carry, call…these are all actions. These all require some form of action on our part. Kindness shows up when we act.
James said faith without works is dead (James 2:17). I say the same thing holds true for kindness. You can't be kind if you never offer kindness in some way. Start today. Show some kindness to someone and watch how God is glorified. Don’t just make kindness a random act, make kindness a part of your walk.
To be continued…
Tommy—one counted among the redeemed
When you study the life of Jesus in the New Testament, you can really tell how kind He always was with other people in His dealings with them. The quality of kindness goes hand in hand with the quality of love. Once the Holy Spirit starts to transmit His love up into you, the quality of kindness will follow right along with it. It will then become much easier for you to be able to be kind to others once the love of God starts to flow more into your personality.
You cannot help but be more kind to others if God’s love is flowing through you. This is why the quality of love has to be the main quality that you really concentrate on getting more of from the Holy Spirit. Once the love of God starts to flow and operate through you to touch others, many of the other fruits of the Holy Spirit will then start to follow right after it in domino fashion.
Think about a time when someone did something kind for you. Was it something that you demanded to be done? Did you ask for it? Did you expect it? In most cases the answer is no. Maybe the kindness was when someone held the door for you. Or maybe when the car ahead of you gracious let you make that lane change. Maybe a friend gave you a hug when you needed it most. There are many ways to show kindness.
Kindness Meets Needs: Kindness brings joy. Kindness lets others know someone cares for them. There is no better example of kindness than looking at God’s kindness towards us.
Kindness is Part of Love: First Corinthians 13:4 says “love suffers long and is kind”.
Kindness Caused God to Make Us: God says it was His loving kindness that created us in Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV: “The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.”
Kindness Causes God to Sustain Us: The psalmist knew it was God’s loving kindness that keeps him: “Let Your loving kindness and Your truth continually preserve me” (Psalm 40:11).
Kindness is the Root of God’s Mercy: Even the rebel Jonah knew God’s loving kindness. Jonah 4:2 NKJV says “for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness, One who relents from doing harm.”
We were created in God's image. As a result, we have the same capacity to extend kindness that God has. Are you wondering how to start being kind? Here are a few suggestions:
• Visit someone in the hospital. Your presence could be a gift from God to the person you are visiting.
• Send a birthday card to let someone know you care.
• Bake some cookies for your family, neighbors or coworkers.
• Help an elderly person who has too many packages to carry.
• Call someone like a family member or friend you've lost touch with.
Did you notice how kindness only happens with an action? Visit, send, bake, carry, call…these are all actions. These all require some form of action on our part. Kindness shows up when we act.
James said faith without works is dead (James 2:17). I say the same thing holds true for kindness. You can't be kind if you never offer kindness in some way. Start today. Show some kindness to someone and watch how God is glorified. Don’t just make kindness a random act, make kindness a part of your walk.
To be continued…
Tommy—one counted among the redeemed
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
LIFE BY THE SPIRIT—PATIENCE
When everything is going our way, patience is easy to demonstrate. The true test of patience comes when our rights are violated—when another car cuts us off in traffic; when we are treated unfairly; when our coworker derides our faith, again. Some people think they have a right to get upset in the face of irritations and trials. Impatience seems like a holy anger. But Galatians 5:22, our focal verse, praises patience as a fruit of the Spirit which should be produced for all followers of Christ. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Patience reveals our faith in God’s timing, omnipotence, and love.
Although most people consider patience to be a passive waiting or gentle tolerance, most of the Greek words translated “patience” in the New Testament are active, robust words. Consider, for example, Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us”. Does one run a race by passively waiting for slow-pokes or gently tolerating cheaters? Certainly not! The word translated “patience” in this verse means “endurance.” A Christian runs the race patiently by persevering through difficulties. In the Bible, patience is persevering towards a goal, enduring trials, or expectantly waiting for a promise to be fulfilled.
Patience does not develop overnight. God’s power and goodness are crucial to the development of patience. Colossians 1:11 tells us that we are strengthened by Him to “great endurance and patience,” while James 1:3-4 encourages us to know that trials are His way of perfecting our patience. Our patience is further developed and strengthened by resting in God’s perfect will and timing, even in the face of evil men who “succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes” Psalm 37:7. Our patience is rewarded in the end “because the Lord's coming is near” James 5:7-8. “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him” Lamentations 3:25.
We see in the Bible many examples of those whose patience characterized their walk with God. James points us to the prophets In James 5:7-11, 7Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. 9Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 10Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. Abraham, too, waited patiently and “received what was promised” Hebrews 6:15. Jesus is our model in all things, and He demonstrated patient endurance: “Who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” Hebrews 12:2.
How do we display the patience that is characteristic of Christ? First, we thank God. A person’s first reaction is usually “Why me?”, but the Bible says to rejoice in God’s will Philippians 4:4, and 1Peter 1:6. Second, we seek His purposes. Sometimes God puts us in difficult situations so that we can be a witness. Other times, He might allow a trial for sanctification of character. Remembering that His purpose is for our growth and His glory will help us in the trial. Third, we remember His promises such as in Romans 8:28, which tells us that “all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” The “all things” include the things that try our patience.
The next time you are in a traffic jam, betrayed by a friend, or mocked for your testimony, how will you respond? The natural response is impatience which leads to stress, anger, and frustration. Praise God that, as Christians, we are no longer in bondage to a “natural response” because we are new creations in Christ Himself, 2 Corinthians 5:17. Instead, we have the Lord’s strength to respond with patience and in complete trust in the Father’s power and purpose. “To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life” Romans 2:7
To be continued…
Tommy—one counted among the redeemed
Although most people consider patience to be a passive waiting or gentle tolerance, most of the Greek words translated “patience” in the New Testament are active, robust words. Consider, for example, Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us”. Does one run a race by passively waiting for slow-pokes or gently tolerating cheaters? Certainly not! The word translated “patience” in this verse means “endurance.” A Christian runs the race patiently by persevering through difficulties. In the Bible, patience is persevering towards a goal, enduring trials, or expectantly waiting for a promise to be fulfilled.
Patience does not develop overnight. God’s power and goodness are crucial to the development of patience. Colossians 1:11 tells us that we are strengthened by Him to “great endurance and patience,” while James 1:3-4 encourages us to know that trials are His way of perfecting our patience. Our patience is further developed and strengthened by resting in God’s perfect will and timing, even in the face of evil men who “succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes” Psalm 37:7. Our patience is rewarded in the end “because the Lord's coming is near” James 5:7-8. “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him” Lamentations 3:25.
We see in the Bible many examples of those whose patience characterized their walk with God. James points us to the prophets In James 5:7-11, 7Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. 9Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 10Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. Abraham, too, waited patiently and “received what was promised” Hebrews 6:15. Jesus is our model in all things, and He demonstrated patient endurance: “Who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” Hebrews 12:2.
How do we display the patience that is characteristic of Christ? First, we thank God. A person’s first reaction is usually “Why me?”, but the Bible says to rejoice in God’s will Philippians 4:4, and 1Peter 1:6. Second, we seek His purposes. Sometimes God puts us in difficult situations so that we can be a witness. Other times, He might allow a trial for sanctification of character. Remembering that His purpose is for our growth and His glory will help us in the trial. Third, we remember His promises such as in Romans 8:28, which tells us that “all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” The “all things” include the things that try our patience.
The next time you are in a traffic jam, betrayed by a friend, or mocked for your testimony, how will you respond? The natural response is impatience which leads to stress, anger, and frustration. Praise God that, as Christians, we are no longer in bondage to a “natural response” because we are new creations in Christ Himself, 2 Corinthians 5:17. Instead, we have the Lord’s strength to respond with patience and in complete trust in the Father’s power and purpose. “To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life” Romans 2:7
To be continued…
Tommy—one counted among the redeemed
Monday, October 18, 2010
LIFE BY THE SPIRIT—PEACE
As we continue our study of the attributes of God the Holy Spirit desires to instill into our personality we come to the third listed in our focus verses. Peace is what everybody desires. Very few Christians enjoy disagreements, discord or conflict. We will take any action necessary to avoid placing ourselves in these situations. As Americans we are proud of our members serving our country in the armed forces yet we hate war because of the cost to those we love who are fighting to preserve and protect our freedom. We all want world peace. But in my understanding of our enemy which has great power in this world, world peace is unattainable.
That said peace for the Christian is attainable! It is the promise of Jesus in John 14:26-27, But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
I know that of all the things our enemy wants to steal from us our peace is high on his list. He wants us to fret and worry. He wants us to keep our minds on our troubles. He wants us to forget the protection, provisions and blessings of God and only dwell on our temporal condition. He wants us to forget our Hope and mutter around in our daily strife and struggles. I’d like to share three truths that help me when I find myself overcome with the conflicts of everyday life that Satan uses to rob me of my peace.
First I have to remember to check to see if I’m at peace with God. When I delight in God’s law I’m blessed, but when I sin, I experience misery and unhappiness, conflict and chaos, tragedy and heartache. Sin separates me from God, it destroys my chance for real happiness. My salvation reconciled me to God and He has promised to never leave me nor forsake me, but sin disrupts my ability to experience the peace of a child held and hugged by a loving Father. The truth we have to face is that there is nobody, no principality and no power on this earth that can separate us from the peace we find in the arms of a loving Father other than our own sin. So the first truth is our own sin robs us of our peace.
Second I have to have peace with myself. Christianity affords peace with self, i.e., an inner tranquility, independent of circumstances. Yet, peace of mind is a rare quality in today's world. That evidence is all around us: delinquency, divorce, substance abuse, and suicide. We as Christians are not exempt for the physical signs of stress: hypertension, ulcers, heart attacks, etc. While the Declaration of Independence assures every American the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, it is painfully obvious that few are successful in their quest for serenity and inner calm. Our focal verse teaches us that we achieve peace of mind by applying God's word to our lives Galatians 5:22, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. Contentment is the fruit of a spiritually-minded attitude. Inner tranquility belongs to those who lean upon the Lord. Philippians 4: 6-7, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. We as Christians should be the happiest and most well adjusted people in the world. We may face difficult problems, but the peace of God enables us to maintain a proper balance. The old gospel song, "It Is Well With My Soul," beautifully expresses this sentiment: "When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll, Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.
Third I must be at peace with others. Christianity also produces peace with others. It creates a harmonious relationship among believers, and also yields relative harmony with the non-Christian world around us. Jesus told us that He didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34-36, "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn" 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law 36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household. This describes the struggle between righteousness and evil. It reflects that division that inevitably occurs between those who seek to please God and those who rebel against Him. At times we will experience conflict with the world, yet as a rule, obedience to the Lord will improve all our relationships. We as Christians are admonished to live peaceably with all men. If the gospel of Christ could break down the wall of hatred that existed between Jew and Gentile, it can resolve whatever difficulties exist between brethren. I don’t usually quote Longfellow, but he said, "All your strength is in your union. All your danger is in discord; therefore be at peace henceforward, and as brothers live together.” Unity cannot exist where there is selfishness and pride. If we are to achieve peace with others, we must have the humility of Christ.
to be continued……
Tommy—one counted among the redeemed
That said peace for the Christian is attainable! It is the promise of Jesus in John 14:26-27, But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
I know that of all the things our enemy wants to steal from us our peace is high on his list. He wants us to fret and worry. He wants us to keep our minds on our troubles. He wants us to forget the protection, provisions and blessings of God and only dwell on our temporal condition. He wants us to forget our Hope and mutter around in our daily strife and struggles. I’d like to share three truths that help me when I find myself overcome with the conflicts of everyday life that Satan uses to rob me of my peace.
First I have to remember to check to see if I’m at peace with God. When I delight in God’s law I’m blessed, but when I sin, I experience misery and unhappiness, conflict and chaos, tragedy and heartache. Sin separates me from God, it destroys my chance for real happiness. My salvation reconciled me to God and He has promised to never leave me nor forsake me, but sin disrupts my ability to experience the peace of a child held and hugged by a loving Father. The truth we have to face is that there is nobody, no principality and no power on this earth that can separate us from the peace we find in the arms of a loving Father other than our own sin. So the first truth is our own sin robs us of our peace.
Second I have to have peace with myself. Christianity affords peace with self, i.e., an inner tranquility, independent of circumstances. Yet, peace of mind is a rare quality in today's world. That evidence is all around us: delinquency, divorce, substance abuse, and suicide. We as Christians are not exempt for the physical signs of stress: hypertension, ulcers, heart attacks, etc. While the Declaration of Independence assures every American the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, it is painfully obvious that few are successful in their quest for serenity and inner calm. Our focal verse teaches us that we achieve peace of mind by applying God's word to our lives Galatians 5:22, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. Contentment is the fruit of a spiritually-minded attitude. Inner tranquility belongs to those who lean upon the Lord. Philippians 4: 6-7, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. We as Christians should be the happiest and most well adjusted people in the world. We may face difficult problems, but the peace of God enables us to maintain a proper balance. The old gospel song, "It Is Well With My Soul," beautifully expresses this sentiment: "When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll, Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.
Third I must be at peace with others. Christianity also produces peace with others. It creates a harmonious relationship among believers, and also yields relative harmony with the non-Christian world around us. Jesus told us that He didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34-36, "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn" 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law 36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household. This describes the struggle between righteousness and evil. It reflects that division that inevitably occurs between those who seek to please God and those who rebel against Him. At times we will experience conflict with the world, yet as a rule, obedience to the Lord will improve all our relationships. We as Christians are admonished to live peaceably with all men. If the gospel of Christ could break down the wall of hatred that existed between Jew and Gentile, it can resolve whatever difficulties exist between brethren. I don’t usually quote Longfellow, but he said, "All your strength is in your union. All your danger is in discord; therefore be at peace henceforward, and as brothers live together.” Unity cannot exist where there is selfishness and pride. If we are to achieve peace with others, we must have the humility of Christ.
to be continued……
Tommy—one counted among the redeemed
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
LIFE BY THE SPIRIT—JOY
As we continue our discussion on living LIFE BY THE SPIRIT we now look at the attribute of JOY. Our focus verses are Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
We live in a world that is full of crime, disorder and disappointment. We see daily accounts of horrific crime and for some of us the economy has had a devastating effect on our everyday life and on our plans for the future. Some have lost jobs and remain out of work, others have had their salaries reduced and many within our community of faith face loss of their homes.
Many who do not have a personal relationship with Christ try desperately to convince themselves that they are happy. They fool everyone but themselves. Or they know they are not happy and try to drown their sorrow in drinking, drugs, sports, work or something else to keep their minds off their unhappiness. We believe there is only one kind of true, lasting, joy: Christian Joy.
Others are church members, but find no reason for joy. Because of the weakness of their faith, and the temptations that so easily beset, some have a hard time seeing the joy of salvation.
I’d like to share some of the sources for our Christian joy.
Joy is a consequence of faith.
Joy comes from having a confident trust in God.
Without faith in God and Christ, we cannot experience abiding joy.
Faith is essential to joy because it dispels the attitudes that prevent joy from occurring. Attitudes such as worry, doubt and fear evaporate in the presence of faith.
Joy is also a result of obedience.
Obedience to the Word of God fosters joy in the heart of the obedient.
Conversely, disobedience dispels joy and produces fear. Hebrews 10:26-27, If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
Lack of joy could be an indication of a lack of obedience.
Joy is based on forgiveness.
The guilt of sin is a major reason many people lack joy.
Awareness of such guilt causes stress, unhappiness, and worry.
Even as Paul illustrated in describing his condition as one struggling with the problem of sin. Romans 7:22-24, For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
But where there is forgiveness, there can be joy! When you get a chance read the 32nd Psalm of David.
If you have not yet received the forgiveness found only in Christ, there is no way to experience the abiding joy that comes only in the Lord.
Joy also comes from Christian fellowship.
Paul experienced joy by witnessing love and fellowship in Philemon 1:7 says, Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
Are you developing and nurturing the kind of Christian fellowship that adds to your joy?
Joy comes from Christian service.
There is the joy of spreading the gospel.
Barnabas rejoiced in the conversions at Antioch in Acts 11:20-23.
The Christian Jews delighted to hear of the conversion of the Gentiles in Acts 15:3.
There is great joy in seeing the spiritual progress of others. To watch as others come to know our Lord and grow in the Lord.
Joy comes from giving.
Acts 20:35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
Every believer that is willing to become involved in serving the Lord, whether it be through teaching or the giving of one's time, energy or money, will experience joy from such service!
The theme of the epistle of Galatians is Christian freedom. Regardless of the circumstances of life, believers should be able to rejoice or have joy in the freedom that is in Jesus Christ.
We have joy because of our place in Christ
We have joy because of our purpose in life.
We have joy because of our perspective of eternity.
The Bible says that the joy of the Lord is your strength. This is why it is so important that every Christian have some level of God’s joy operating through them in this life. Without God’s joy operating in your life, things can begin to dry up. Nothing is ever fun anymore. Living life by the Spirit is living a joyful life, a life blessed with the joy of salvation.
To be continued….
Tommy—one counted among the redeemed
We live in a world that is full of crime, disorder and disappointment. We see daily accounts of horrific crime and for some of us the economy has had a devastating effect on our everyday life and on our plans for the future. Some have lost jobs and remain out of work, others have had their salaries reduced and many within our community of faith face loss of their homes.
Many who do not have a personal relationship with Christ try desperately to convince themselves that they are happy. They fool everyone but themselves. Or they know they are not happy and try to drown their sorrow in drinking, drugs, sports, work or something else to keep their minds off their unhappiness. We believe there is only one kind of true, lasting, joy: Christian Joy.
Others are church members, but find no reason for joy. Because of the weakness of their faith, and the temptations that so easily beset, some have a hard time seeing the joy of salvation.
I’d like to share some of the sources for our Christian joy.
Joy is a consequence of faith.
Joy comes from having a confident trust in God.
Without faith in God and Christ, we cannot experience abiding joy.
Faith is essential to joy because it dispels the attitudes that prevent joy from occurring. Attitudes such as worry, doubt and fear evaporate in the presence of faith.
Joy is also a result of obedience.
Obedience to the Word of God fosters joy in the heart of the obedient.
Conversely, disobedience dispels joy and produces fear. Hebrews 10:26-27, If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
Lack of joy could be an indication of a lack of obedience.
Joy is based on forgiveness.
The guilt of sin is a major reason many people lack joy.
Awareness of such guilt causes stress, unhappiness, and worry.
Even as Paul illustrated in describing his condition as one struggling with the problem of sin. Romans 7:22-24, For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
But where there is forgiveness, there can be joy! When you get a chance read the 32nd Psalm of David.
If you have not yet received the forgiveness found only in Christ, there is no way to experience the abiding joy that comes only in the Lord.
Joy also comes from Christian fellowship.
Paul experienced joy by witnessing love and fellowship in Philemon 1:7 says, Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
Are you developing and nurturing the kind of Christian fellowship that adds to your joy?
Joy comes from Christian service.
There is the joy of spreading the gospel.
Barnabas rejoiced in the conversions at Antioch in Acts 11:20-23.
The Christian Jews delighted to hear of the conversion of the Gentiles in Acts 15:3.
There is great joy in seeing the spiritual progress of others. To watch as others come to know our Lord and grow in the Lord.
Joy comes from giving.
Acts 20:35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
Every believer that is willing to become involved in serving the Lord, whether it be through teaching or the giving of one's time, energy or money, will experience joy from such service!
The theme of the epistle of Galatians is Christian freedom. Regardless of the circumstances of life, believers should be able to rejoice or have joy in the freedom that is in Jesus Christ.
We have joy because of our place in Christ
We have joy because of our purpose in life.
We have joy because of our perspective of eternity.
The Bible says that the joy of the Lord is your strength. This is why it is so important that every Christian have some level of God’s joy operating through them in this life. Without God’s joy operating in your life, things can begin to dry up. Nothing is ever fun anymore. Living life by the Spirit is living a joyful life, a life blessed with the joy of salvation.
To be continued….
Tommy—one counted among the redeemed
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
LIFE BY THE SPIRIT—LOVE
In our previous discussions on what it means to live life in the Spirit we discovered that it was necessary to turn away from our old dead life and its personality and embrace a walk toward what God wants us to be. We began to understand that God desires to impart into us the attributes of His personality through the work of the Holy Spirit. These attributes are listed in Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
These attributes should not be an occasional manifestation in our lives rather they should be so evident in our interaction with the world that, because of them, the world will know we are Christians. Let’s take them in the order they are presented to us in these verses. The first is Love.
I guess if we were to rank all of the fruits in these two verses in order of possible importance, the quality of love would have to rank number one. This may be why it is the first listed in verse 22.
Here are some of the different definitions on what love is from the different Bible dictionaries and commentaries:
1. Unselfish, benevolent concern for another; brotherly concern; the object of brotherly concern or affection
2. The self-denying, self-sacrificing, Christ-like love which is the foundation of all other graces
3. Unselfish, loyal and benevolent concern for the well being of another
4. The high esteem which God has for His human children and the high regard which they, in turn, should have for Him and other people
5. To love, to have affection for someone; to like; to be a friend; the love of brothers for each other
One of the main themes that you will find as you study the Bible is the extreme importance that God’s Word places on love. The Bible teaches the importance of every believer learning how to love God, love your brothers and sisters in Christ and even to go as far as being able to love your enemies and those who will try and harm you. You all know God expects this to be a quality of your Christian life but we also understand that our abilities as fallen humans to love one another are very limited. This is why it is so important for each of us to work closely with the Holy Spirit to get this fruit or attribute worked into the very core of our personalities. It is only when the love of the Holy Spirit starts to flow and enter into your personality that you can even begin to love God, love yourself, and love one another to the degree and to the intensity that God would like to see from each one of us. Due to the extreme importance of love becoming a part of your personality you must allow the Holy Spirit to move on you to impart this quality into your mind, soul and emotions. Love is an extremely important part of your walk with Christ.
You can be the greatest person of God and have some of the greatest gifts of God flowing through you – but if you are not walking with all of this in the spirit of love and humility, it will have all been for naught. I guess the most familiar chapter in the Bible about love is 1 Corinthians 13.
1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
This type of love was one of the motivating reasons behind our confession and repentance that has led us to the 51+1 theme. As we found ourselves surrounded by such a people as the people of La Mora, a people of great need, it was easy to love them. They were so grateful and appreciative of our generosity, they were so welcoming of our visitation in their village and they were willing to listen to us as we shared the Good News with them. It was easy to demonstrate to them the quality of love listed in this passage.
But what about here at home?
• How patient has your love for others been the last few week?
• How kind have you been in trying situations?
• Have you found that you have been self-seeking, seeking what you want rather than what love demands?
• Has it been easy for you to become angry with those that don’t act like you think they should?
• Have you said in your heart, I’ll remember what you said and what you did, keeping a record of wrongs?
• Have you failed in loving others?
I challenge you this week to seek ways to live out this passage. Allow the Holy Spirit to make love a part of your personality.
To be continued…
Tommy—one counted among the redeemed.
These attributes should not be an occasional manifestation in our lives rather they should be so evident in our interaction with the world that, because of them, the world will know we are Christians. Let’s take them in the order they are presented to us in these verses. The first is Love.
I guess if we were to rank all of the fruits in these two verses in order of possible importance, the quality of love would have to rank number one. This may be why it is the first listed in verse 22.
Here are some of the different definitions on what love is from the different Bible dictionaries and commentaries:
1. Unselfish, benevolent concern for another; brotherly concern; the object of brotherly concern or affection
2. The self-denying, self-sacrificing, Christ-like love which is the foundation of all other graces
3. Unselfish, loyal and benevolent concern for the well being of another
4. The high esteem which God has for His human children and the high regard which they, in turn, should have for Him and other people
5. To love, to have affection for someone; to like; to be a friend; the love of brothers for each other
One of the main themes that you will find as you study the Bible is the extreme importance that God’s Word places on love. The Bible teaches the importance of every believer learning how to love God, love your brothers and sisters in Christ and even to go as far as being able to love your enemies and those who will try and harm you. You all know God expects this to be a quality of your Christian life but we also understand that our abilities as fallen humans to love one another are very limited. This is why it is so important for each of us to work closely with the Holy Spirit to get this fruit or attribute worked into the very core of our personalities. It is only when the love of the Holy Spirit starts to flow and enter into your personality that you can even begin to love God, love yourself, and love one another to the degree and to the intensity that God would like to see from each one of us. Due to the extreme importance of love becoming a part of your personality you must allow the Holy Spirit to move on you to impart this quality into your mind, soul and emotions. Love is an extremely important part of your walk with Christ.
You can be the greatest person of God and have some of the greatest gifts of God flowing through you – but if you are not walking with all of this in the spirit of love and humility, it will have all been for naught. I guess the most familiar chapter in the Bible about love is 1 Corinthians 13.
1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
This type of love was one of the motivating reasons behind our confession and repentance that has led us to the 51+1 theme. As we found ourselves surrounded by such a people as the people of La Mora, a people of great need, it was easy to love them. They were so grateful and appreciative of our generosity, they were so welcoming of our visitation in their village and they were willing to listen to us as we shared the Good News with them. It was easy to demonstrate to them the quality of love listed in this passage.
But what about here at home?
• How patient has your love for others been the last few week?
• How kind have you been in trying situations?
• Have you found that you have been self-seeking, seeking what you want rather than what love demands?
• Has it been easy for you to become angry with those that don’t act like you think they should?
• Have you said in your heart, I’ll remember what you said and what you did, keeping a record of wrongs?
• Have you failed in loving others?
I challenge you this week to seek ways to live out this passage. Allow the Holy Spirit to make love a part of your personality.
To be continued…
Tommy—one counted among the redeemed.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
LIFE BYTHE SPIRIT—CHAPTER 2--GOD’S PERSONALITY
Last week I introduced a series of post I titled LIFE BY THE SPIRIT. I trust you have had the opportunity this past week to examine Galatians 5:16-21 and have received confirmation that you have indeed walked away from those things listed there. This week I’d like to draw your attention to Galatians 5:22-23. This is a very familiar verse to a lot of us. There are nine elements listed here which are as a group called the fruit of the Spirit.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
These are two very special incredible verses that tell us that God the Father wants to transmit and impart nine specific fruits of the Holy Spirit into our personalities. We as Christians often try and measure our spiritual condition by the manifestation of these nine elements in our daily lives. We often are pleased when we find evidence that any one of these elements has altered the way we respond in certain trying situations. That is not a bad thing but I’m afraid many of us miss the real implications of what these fruits represent.
Before we can examine these nine fruits in detail I’d like for us to consider what these fruits represent. Geneses 1:26 tells us that we are created in the image of God. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness and verse 27 says So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. We were indeed created in God’s image. We also know from scripture and from our own personal experience that our salvation was also a creative act of God. When we placed our faith in Jesus as our Savior we became a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
So you ask, “What has being created in the image of God got to do with the fruit of the Spirit?” It has everything to do with it because the nine elements listed in our focus verses are each an attribute of God. They are descriptive of God’s personality. When we placed our faith in Jesus we were once again created in the image of God. Our focus in this series is to understand what God wants us to “put on” and what God wants us to try to “put away”.
In our focus verses God has purposely isolated and spelled out nine qualities that come directly from the Holy Spirit. While there are similarities between these attributes they are different from the Gifts of the Spirit; the Gifts of the Spirit equip us with supernatural abilities for the purpose of building up the church. I believe since God has purposely isolated and spelled out these nine attributes of His image He is letting us know the extreme importance of these fruits.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Before we get into a discussion on each individual fruit lets notice a couple of things about verse 22.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
These are two very special incredible verses that tell us that God the Father wants to transmit and impart nine specific fruits of the Holy Spirit into our personalities. We as Christians often try and measure our spiritual condition by the manifestation of these nine elements in our daily lives. We often are pleased when we find evidence that any one of these elements has altered the way we respond in certain trying situations. That is not a bad thing but I’m afraid many of us miss the real implications of what these fruits represent.
Before we can examine these nine fruits in detail I’d like for us to consider what these fruits represent. Geneses 1:26 tells us that we are created in the image of God. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness and verse 27 says So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. We were indeed created in God’s image. We also know from scripture and from our own personal experience that our salvation was also a creative act of God. When we placed our faith in Jesus as our Savior we became a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
So you ask, “What has being created in the image of God got to do with the fruit of the Spirit?” It has everything to do with it because the nine elements listed in our focus verses are each an attribute of God. They are descriptive of God’s personality. When we placed our faith in Jesus we were once again created in the image of God. Our focus in this series is to understand what God wants us to “put on” and what God wants us to try to “put away”.
In our focus verses God has purposely isolated and spelled out nine qualities that come directly from the Holy Spirit. While there are similarities between these attributes they are different from the Gifts of the Spirit; the Gifts of the Spirit equip us with supernatural abilities for the purpose of building up the church. I believe since God has purposely isolated and spelled out these nine attributes of His image He is letting us know the extreme importance of these fruits.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Before we get into a discussion on each individual fruit lets notice a couple of things about verse 22.
- The word “Spirit” is with a capital “S” – which means these 9 fruits are coming directly from the Holy Spirit, not from us. While we were certainly able to exhibit these personality traits before we were saved they were void of the power of the Spirit.
- What this means is that God’s love, God’s peace, God’s joy and God’s goodness can be transmitted into our personality. These are His attributes and personality qualities that move into the core of our personality.
- Think about the ramifications of this – that God the Father Himself is allowing us to share in a part of His divine nature by allowing His Holy Spirit to transmit and impart these nine divine qualities into our soul and personality!
This is why God the Father is specifically telling us in this verse that these nine fruits are coming directly from His Holy Spirit – so that we can all fully appreciate the magnitude of such an experience.
Jesus has already told us that He is the vine and we are the branches. The branches draw their life from the vine, not vice versa. Just as the branch draws its life from the vine, so too must we draw our life directly from Jesus. Jesus will release His life directly into us through the Holy Spirit in the exact same way that the vine will release the life of the tree into the branches.
In one short, but incredibly powerful Scripture, God the Father is giving all of us an incredible revelation on what can go on behind the scenes in the spiritual realm for those who are willing to walk away from the things listed in verses 16-21 and allow Him, through the work and power of the Holy Spirit, to change our personalities by living LIFE BY THE SPIRIT.
To be continued….
Tommy—one counted among the redeemed
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
LIFE BY THE SPIRIT
When Daniel Clark and I met in early July of this year to discuss a theme for our Honduras 2011 mission team, the testimonies of our share night in the dining hall of the mission home in Nicaragua were still very fresh on our mind. While we call these testimonies, they might better be described as confessions. Confession is the correct and only response to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. And the common confession from our NIC2010 team was that we serve our Lord differently on a mission trip than we serve Him the rest of the year.
I’m sure you will agree with Daniel and I that the proper response to conviction is confession, but it can’t stop there. Confession must lead to repentance. Repentance is best defined as a change of direction. Our confession was that we do not serve our Lord at home, in our churches, on our jobs, in our schools or even in our families with the same fervor as we serve Him the week of a foreign mission trip. So repentance should cause each of us to serve our Lord with more fervor the other 51 weeks of the year.
The purpose of our 51+1 theme is to remind us of the fact that we have confessed and repented. So what should our repentance look like? Or maybe a better question might be; how is your repentance being demonstrated?
I’m going to start a series of post that digs into Galatians chapter five. I’m going to title this series of post LIFE BY THE SPIRIT. These series will not be posted on consecutive weeks; we will continue to post testimonies and articles from those of you that want to share.
In Galatians 5:16-25 Paul tells us what life in the Spirit should look like. Please note as you read these verses below that Paul, in verses 16-21 first presents life in the Spirit in the negative and then in the positive in verses 22-26.
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Since I was one of those that became convicted on the 51+1 necessity, my repentance has led me away from those things in verses 16-21. Now that’s not to say I don’t still have a problem with some of them, just that my repentance forces me to walk away from those things and toward the positive things in verses 22-26. Before us as a group and in particular, you as an individual can walk away from the negative (sin) and toward the positive (fruit of the Spirit) there has to have been a time of confession and repentance.
I’m asking that during this next week you find time to get alone with God and use verses 16-21 to examine your direction. I’d suggest that you do this in an audible voice by speaking aloud questions to God. For instance as you look at verse 17 you might ask God this question; “Father do I desire what is contrary to the Spirit or what is contrary to sin?” You get the idea, go through each of these verses and ask as many questions as needed till God convinces you that you have walked away from each thing listed in verses 16-21.
I also encourage you to share comments and give encouragements by using the comments tab on this blog. It would be nice for all of us to hear what God is speaking to you as we experience LIFE IN THE SPIRIT.
Tommy--one counted among the redeemed
I’m sure you will agree with Daniel and I that the proper response to conviction is confession, but it can’t stop there. Confession must lead to repentance. Repentance is best defined as a change of direction. Our confession was that we do not serve our Lord at home, in our churches, on our jobs, in our schools or even in our families with the same fervor as we serve Him the week of a foreign mission trip. So repentance should cause each of us to serve our Lord with more fervor the other 51 weeks of the year.
The purpose of our 51+1 theme is to remind us of the fact that we have confessed and repented. So what should our repentance look like? Or maybe a better question might be; how is your repentance being demonstrated?
I’m going to start a series of post that digs into Galatians chapter five. I’m going to title this series of post LIFE BY THE SPIRIT. These series will not be posted on consecutive weeks; we will continue to post testimonies and articles from those of you that want to share.
In Galatians 5:16-25 Paul tells us what life in the Spirit should look like. Please note as you read these verses below that Paul, in verses 16-21 first presents life in the Spirit in the negative and then in the positive in verses 22-26.
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Since I was one of those that became convicted on the 51+1 necessity, my repentance has led me away from those things in verses 16-21. Now that’s not to say I don’t still have a problem with some of them, just that my repentance forces me to walk away from those things and toward the positive things in verses 22-26. Before us as a group and in particular, you as an individual can walk away from the negative (sin) and toward the positive (fruit of the Spirit) there has to have been a time of confession and repentance.
I’m asking that during this next week you find time to get alone with God and use verses 16-21 to examine your direction. I’d suggest that you do this in an audible voice by speaking aloud questions to God. For instance as you look at verse 17 you might ask God this question; “Father do I desire what is contrary to the Spirit or what is contrary to sin?” You get the idea, go through each of these verses and ask as many questions as needed till God convinces you that you have walked away from each thing listed in verses 16-21.
I also encourage you to share comments and give encouragements by using the comments tab on this blog. It would be nice for all of us to hear what God is speaking to you as we experience LIFE IN THE SPIRIT.
Tommy--one counted among the redeemed
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
NOT A CAMPER, BUT A HAPPY CAMPER
No, I don’t like camping or “roughing it….yes, I grew up in the country and am used to gravel roads and without some of the city conveniences, but me…on a mission trip in a foreign country---sign me up!
When Tommy asked me about 7 years ago to go on an international mission trip, I thought, “why not!” The first trip was a real eye-opener…bathrooms not quite like home, shower bags to take a shower and sleeping under a mosquito net on a 4 inch mattress on a concrete floor. Sounds like fun, huh?
Well, I will admit mission trips are not for everybody. You have to be in good health and be willing to make a few “adjustments”. No air conditioning, no running water, no electricity (except via generators) on occasions. No biscuits or baked goods, either!
But when I think of how our Lord and Savior suffered, bled, and was crucified for me… one week is nothing compared to what He endured…for me.
Once I started going on these Medical/Dental Mission trips with BMDMI, I have to admit I was “hooked”. I received the greatest blessing ever---a smile, a hug, and people coming to know Jesus. I may not speak their language, but smiles and hugs are universal. Your life is never the same!
We are blessed beyond measure here in the USA. We have access to medical and dental clinics, pharmacies, clothing/shoe stores, transportation, electricity, water plumbing facilities. In Central America, most families live in houses smaller than a garage with only dirt floors, rough, dirt roads, a river to wash clothes and bathe in. However, they are some of the happiest people you will ever meet and they need to know Jesus lived and died for them too. They often walk 4-8 hours in the sun or rain just to receive medical or dental help or receive medicines or clothing. We often complain if we have to wait an hour at the doctor’s office, park far away at the shopping mall or wait 15 minutes in line at Wal-Mart. Moms will walk for hours with small children in tow just to receive help. Aren’t we spoiled here?
Won’t you consider giving one week to share the Gospel with someone who needs Jesus? Won’t you give up a week without the modern conveniences, to see the beauty of the countryside and the peace and quiet (no cell phones, computer, schedules/deadlines to meet)? Get alone with God and see what he created and how blessed you are. Thank Him for saving you and providing for you…you will never be the same.
Now if you cannot travel to Central America, you can still be an important “non-traveling” team member. Volunteers are needed to assist with donations (clothing, shoes, toys for children, money to purchase supplies), assist with pill packing (packing meds for dispensing in mission pharmacy), packing supplies for shipping. Most of all, we need your prayer support as without God’s protection, guidance, wisdom this is not a mission trip. Pray for the people of El Maguelar, Honduras.
Won’t you be a part of 51+1? Ask God what He would have you do. “I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I send Me” (Isaiah 6:8).
LaDonna Harris
When Tommy asked me about 7 years ago to go on an international mission trip, I thought, “why not!” The first trip was a real eye-opener…bathrooms not quite like home, shower bags to take a shower and sleeping under a mosquito net on a 4 inch mattress on a concrete floor. Sounds like fun, huh?
Well, I will admit mission trips are not for everybody. You have to be in good health and be willing to make a few “adjustments”. No air conditioning, no running water, no electricity (except via generators) on occasions. No biscuits or baked goods, either!
But when I think of how our Lord and Savior suffered, bled, and was crucified for me… one week is nothing compared to what He endured…for me.
Once I started going on these Medical/Dental Mission trips with BMDMI, I have to admit I was “hooked”. I received the greatest blessing ever---a smile, a hug, and people coming to know Jesus. I may not speak their language, but smiles and hugs are universal. Your life is never the same!
We are blessed beyond measure here in the USA. We have access to medical and dental clinics, pharmacies, clothing/shoe stores, transportation, electricity, water plumbing facilities. In Central America, most families live in houses smaller than a garage with only dirt floors, rough, dirt roads, a river to wash clothes and bathe in. However, they are some of the happiest people you will ever meet and they need to know Jesus lived and died for them too. They often walk 4-8 hours in the sun or rain just to receive medical or dental help or receive medicines or clothing. We often complain if we have to wait an hour at the doctor’s office, park far away at the shopping mall or wait 15 minutes in line at Wal-Mart. Moms will walk for hours with small children in tow just to receive help. Aren’t we spoiled here?
Won’t you consider giving one week to share the Gospel with someone who needs Jesus? Won’t you give up a week without the modern conveniences, to see the beauty of the countryside and the peace and quiet (no cell phones, computer, schedules/deadlines to meet)? Get alone with God and see what he created and how blessed you are. Thank Him for saving you and providing for you…you will never be the same.
Now if you cannot travel to Central America, you can still be an important “non-traveling” team member. Volunteers are needed to assist with donations (clothing, shoes, toys for children, money to purchase supplies), assist with pill packing (packing meds for dispensing in mission pharmacy), packing supplies for shipping. Most of all, we need your prayer support as without God’s protection, guidance, wisdom this is not a mission trip. Pray for the people of El Maguelar, Honduras.
Won’t you be a part of 51+1? Ask God what He would have you do. “I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I send Me” (Isaiah 6:8).
LaDonna Harris
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Thank You "Lil Blessings"
In last week’s posting Daniel Clark encouraged us to read the book RADICAL by David Platt. I have completed that assignment and can tell you it was well worth the few hours I spent reading it. I too encourage you to get a copy and read it within the next couple of weeks. It will radically change the way you view our Lord’s command to make disciples.
As many of you know the “Lil Blessings” fall consignment sell was once again a great success. This twice a year event has been and continues to be a great ministry to many people in our community. The men and women that have organized and conducted this ministry spend countless hours working to provide this ministry. “Lil Blessings” donated 2800 items of clothes and shoes to be distributed to the people of Honduras during our 2011 mission trip. In addition to that clothes were donated to the thrift store in Olive Branch and to a crisis pregnancy center. Also “Lil Blessings” will contribute thousands of dollars from this event to the mission budget of FBCOB. But the benefits of this event cannot be measured only in what is given at the conclusion of the sale, the real benefit is in the ministry to the families and children that need a place to purchase quality clothes a remarkably low cost. As I worked one of the check-out stations I saw countless families that were able to buy multiple articles of clothing for their children and grandchildren for the price of one piece in a retail store. Many times during the half price sale I saw apparently needy people purchase 20, 30, and even 50 items for about $1 each. There were a couple of ladies that were shopping together that were completely giddy about the bargains they had gotten. One of them said something like, “I just bought all the clothes my child will need for school for less than $30.” Please join me in thanking all those involved in this ministry.
Tommy--one counted among the redeemed.
As many of you know the “Lil Blessings” fall consignment sell was once again a great success. This twice a year event has been and continues to be a great ministry to many people in our community. The men and women that have organized and conducted this ministry spend countless hours working to provide this ministry. “Lil Blessings” donated 2800 items of clothes and shoes to be distributed to the people of Honduras during our 2011 mission trip. In addition to that clothes were donated to the thrift store in Olive Branch and to a crisis pregnancy center. Also “Lil Blessings” will contribute thousands of dollars from this event to the mission budget of FBCOB. But the benefits of this event cannot be measured only in what is given at the conclusion of the sale, the real benefit is in the ministry to the families and children that need a place to purchase quality clothes a remarkably low cost. As I worked one of the check-out stations I saw countless families that were able to buy multiple articles of clothing for their children and grandchildren for the price of one piece in a retail store. Many times during the half price sale I saw apparently needy people purchase 20, 30, and even 50 items for about $1 each. There were a couple of ladies that were shopping together that were completely giddy about the bargains they had gotten. One of them said something like, “I just bought all the clothes my child will need for school for less than $30.” Please join me in thanking all those involved in this ministry.
Tommy--one counted among the redeemed.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED?
This past June's trip to Nicaragua was a huge success. One by one, God overcame every obstacle and set back, even our imperfections to accomplish His purpose. Thousands of men, women and children were touched through the various ministries, and dozens of these precious souls were added to the numbers of His eternal Kingdom. We will never know this side of heaven the true impact of this trip.
So.... Mission Accomplished? ...Not hardly.
I cannot speak for you, but as far as I am concerned, this blessed week of service was probably the easiest week of this year when it came to being obedient to the great commission and to many of the teachings of our Lord Jesus.
Problem is, Jesus didn't “call” me to be on mission for Him one week per year only. Problem is, He didn't even suggest that I would just share my story and His story once in a while then walk away...
Moments before joining His father in heaven, Jesus gave us very specific instructions: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe every thing I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt.28:19-20)
Jesus didn't call me for a week of mission per year; He gave me a command of an on-going nature to make disciples of all nations, to have folks publicly testify of their salvation and to teach them to obey everything that He has taught us.
51+1 is a huge personal challenge because simply said, I slide very comfortably in my work-home-church routine and the various “Christian” activities I'm involved with are just enough to hold me over until my next mission trip. Jesus Himself reminds me in John 14 “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching” and the Holy Spirit took a hold of me in Nicaragua and since our return that God expect me to engage in making disciples all year around.
In the next few months, we will review together the tools that God has provided to be effective “disciple makers” and I look forward for all the stories of lives changed and how God is working through us to further His Kingdom every week of the months preceding our trip to El Maguelar, Honduras. My vision is for our Team to be able to really say: 51 weeks of glorious mission work... and oh, also one week of disciple-making in Honduras.
Until my next blog, you have a reading assignment: “Radical” by David Platt. Enjoy, and God Bless you in this journey!
Daniel Clark
So.... Mission Accomplished? ...Not hardly.
I cannot speak for you, but as far as I am concerned, this blessed week of service was probably the easiest week of this year when it came to being obedient to the great commission and to many of the teachings of our Lord Jesus.
Problem is, Jesus didn't “call” me to be on mission for Him one week per year only. Problem is, He didn't even suggest that I would just share my story and His story once in a while then walk away...
Moments before joining His father in heaven, Jesus gave us very specific instructions: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe every thing I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt.28:19-20)
Jesus didn't call me for a week of mission per year; He gave me a command of an on-going nature to make disciples of all nations, to have folks publicly testify of their salvation and to teach them to obey everything that He has taught us.
51+1 is a huge personal challenge because simply said, I slide very comfortably in my work-home-church routine and the various “Christian” activities I'm involved with are just enough to hold me over until my next mission trip. Jesus Himself reminds me in John 14 “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching” and the Holy Spirit took a hold of me in Nicaragua and since our return that God expect me to engage in making disciples all year around.
In the next few months, we will review together the tools that God has provided to be effective “disciple makers” and I look forward for all the stories of lives changed and how God is working through us to further His Kingdom every week of the months preceding our trip to El Maguelar, Honduras. My vision is for our Team to be able to really say: 51 weeks of glorious mission work... and oh, also one week of disciple-making in Honduras.
Until my next blog, you have a reading assignment: “Radical” by David Platt. Enjoy, and God Bless you in this journey!
Daniel Clark
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
DO YOU THINK IT MAKES ANY DIFFERENCE?
This was a question posed to me, by a fellow tenor, at choir rehearsal about three weeks prior to our trip to La Mora, Nicaragua this past June. At first, I was not sure what he was talking about so I asked “What do you mean?” He said “down there, wherever you are going does it do any good?” I told him from my perspective it was like the parable in Mark 4 verses 3-9 where Jesus spoke about the sower and the four soils. We get to see the results of some seeds that had been sown prior to our visit to the village just as others will see the results of the seeds we planted during our few short days in the village. Some of the seeds will not receive the watering, nurturing and weed pulling they need and will soon wither and die but some will flourish.
We do not always know or anticipate the effects our small actions have on another but God knows everything and its all part of His plan. My small mind could never understand or comprehend all the ways that God uses me but only when I have time to sit and think on it is it revealed to me. In my office at work, I have the BMDMI yearly calendar on the wall as well as some photos from past trips, nametags from different teams, missionary postcards and a photo of some of the children from Good Shepherd Children’s Home. They create questions that I did not foresee when I placed them there but God knew what the result would be. I put them there as a reminder for myself but many times they generate conversation about the good works of BMDMI and the many opportunities. I regularly forward the monthly newsletter that comes from Bruce Johnson, to those that I think might be willing to read it as does my wife. Two different individuals that my wife works with have provided donations to GSCH as a result of this sharing. My small brain would have never seen the end result of simply forwarding an email newsletter but God knew it all along. My sister-in-law and her husband recently authored and had published a book titled “Right to God” and because she saw photos and links on my Facebook page to BMDMI, she wanted to know how they could donate some of the proceeds. So do I think all of the “small” things make a difference, in one word YES! more than we could ever hope for or imagine. What is even more amazing is that all of this happened after we moved to Washington, DC. I know it may be hard to believe with all you see and hear coming from the nation’s capitol but there are godly people here too. I have been joining the FBCOB mission teams for the past four years and have had the honor and privilege to work in the kitchen where I get to see the impact on all the North Americans as well as the locals. Working in the kitchen also provides the opportunity to see all the other mission areas is action. I am excited about Honduras 2011.
Marlin Ruhl
We do not always know or anticipate the effects our small actions have on another but God knows everything and its all part of His plan. My small mind could never understand or comprehend all the ways that God uses me but only when I have time to sit and think on it is it revealed to me. In my office at work, I have the BMDMI yearly calendar on the wall as well as some photos from past trips, nametags from different teams, missionary postcards and a photo of some of the children from Good Shepherd Children’s Home. They create questions that I did not foresee when I placed them there but God knew what the result would be. I put them there as a reminder for myself but many times they generate conversation about the good works of BMDMI and the many opportunities. I regularly forward the monthly newsletter that comes from Bruce Johnson, to those that I think might be willing to read it as does my wife. Two different individuals that my wife works with have provided donations to GSCH as a result of this sharing. My small brain would have never seen the end result of simply forwarding an email newsletter but God knew it all along. My sister-in-law and her husband recently authored and had published a book titled “Right to God” and because she saw photos and links on my Facebook page to BMDMI, she wanted to know how they could donate some of the proceeds. So do I think all of the “small” things make a difference, in one word YES! more than we could ever hope for or imagine. What is even more amazing is that all of this happened after we moved to Washington, DC. I know it may be hard to believe with all you see and hear coming from the nation’s capitol but there are godly people here too. I have been joining the FBCOB mission teams for the past four years and have had the honor and privilege to work in the kitchen where I get to see the impact on all the North Americans as well as the locals. Working in the kitchen also provides the opportunity to see all the other mission areas is action. I am excited about Honduras 2011.
Marlin Ruhl
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
"GOD'S TRUTH DOES NOT DEPEND ON MY FEELINGS"
When our daughter Melissa was 12, she came to us and told us that she was going to Honduras on a mission trip that summer. She said that God had told her to go whether we did or not, and that Ms Janet would take care of her! Well…God led the rest of us to go too, and started our adventures in foreign missions…most definitely out of my comfort zone. This summer was our 4th trip to Central America, our first to Nicaragua.
In my quiet time the day we left, God led me to Ezekiel 37:3. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “O sovereign Lord, You alone know.”
Had I been Ezekiel, I’m sure I would have said, “No.” Not because I didn’t believe God could make bones live, but because I didn’t expect Him to or understand why He would. So many times I assume I know things about situations around me. I answer so many questions with definitive answers- but so many times my answer should be, “only God knows”. God is sovereign..all powerful..able to do much more than anything we can ask or imagine. God is teaching me that my feelings and expectations have little to do with how He handles things. I am so grateful that God’s truth does not depend on my feelings. I’m learning to just obey and watch God work out the details…so today at WalMart I bought 2 bag chairs to take on the next trip!
Our Little Blessings sale is coming up at FBC on August 27 and 28. We will be in charge of the concession stand where we will sell Nelms BBQ sandwiches, chips, popcorn and drinks. We need help during both days of the sale from about 10am to the close of the sale each day. We will be working in shifts of 2 or 3 hours. We also need donations of things to sell…if our buns, chips, and drinks are donated, that much more money can go to missions. Please email me to let me know when you’d like to help and I will put you on the schedule.
Vicki Britton
bbritton4@comcast.net
In my quiet time the day we left, God led me to Ezekiel 37:3. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “O sovereign Lord, You alone know.”
Had I been Ezekiel, I’m sure I would have said, “No.” Not because I didn’t believe God could make bones live, but because I didn’t expect Him to or understand why He would. So many times I assume I know things about situations around me. I answer so many questions with definitive answers- but so many times my answer should be, “only God knows”. God is sovereign..all powerful..able to do much more than anything we can ask or imagine. God is teaching me that my feelings and expectations have little to do with how He handles things. I am so grateful that God’s truth does not depend on my feelings. I’m learning to just obey and watch God work out the details…so today at WalMart I bought 2 bag chairs to take on the next trip!
Our Little Blessings sale is coming up at FBC on August 27 and 28. We will be in charge of the concession stand where we will sell Nelms BBQ sandwiches, chips, popcorn and drinks. We need help during both days of the sale from about 10am to the close of the sale each day. We will be working in shifts of 2 or 3 hours. We also need donations of things to sell…if our buns, chips, and drinks are donated, that much more money can go to missions. Please email me to let me know when you’d like to help and I will put you on the schedule.
Vicki Britton
bbritton4@comcast.net
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
EACH ENCOUNTER IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE JOY
Two of our team members have found a unique way to spend Saturday’s together. Rene’ and Judy Jordan have been going to garage sales and asking for the clothing that does not sell to be donated to our mission team for distribution in Honduras. They have discovered that a garage sale is an open invitation to share our joy by allowing people in our community the opportunity to be involved in helping the people of Honduras. Below is what Rene has related to me about their adventures on July 31st.
Tommy,
Judy told me you wanted more information about yesterdays clothing gathering for HON2011.
Everything that happened yesterday was awesome. Normally when we go to garage sales, we use wife's IPhone with the Garage Sale App. to locate the garage sales that may be close by. Then we take the address from the IPhone app. and add it into the GPS so we can drive straight to the garage sale. Yesterday morning, when we were about to get in the car to go, Judy asked if we should get the GPS. We decided not to use the GPS and just drive around looking for Garage Sale signs. We drove to a nearby neighborhood and saw a sign indicating a garage sale down the road so we turned in. We stopped at the house and looked around. The residents had an assortment of items for sale but the clothing items outnumbered the other items and seemed unlikely that all the clothes would sell. I approached the owners and explained that I represented a mission team member at FBCOB, our needs for the mission trip and the need of the people in Honduras. I then asked if they would be willing to donate their remaining clothing items to our mission for HON2011 and they readily agreed to donate them and for me to return at 2pm to collect the clothes.
A while later, we were looking at items in another sale and decided to asked the owners to donate their clothing items that do not sell. I spoke to a gentleman there and he told me I could return to collect them at noon. Judy and I returned at noon to find their sale had wrapped up and everything had been moved back into their garage. I rang the doorbell and a lady came to the door and greeted me. I told her I came to collect the clothing items and she walked me to the garage. The lady made the statement that she could not understand why churches send their people out of the country on missions when there was so much need here in our own community. God was working and I knew this because I did not hesitate to respond to her statement. I told her that we should be, or are on mission for 52 weeks out of the year, but in our case, we are on mission in our community for 51 weeks doing things like the ICU ministry, the Lil Blessings ministry and the Homeless ministry and then we go out of the country for 1 week out of the year. She accepted my explanation and said it made sense. At that point she told me she was looking for a church home. She said she had not been in town for long but most of her friends go the Bellevue. She asked me for the name of my church and where it was in OB. I gave her that information, told her we have 2 services and she could find one she would be comfortable with. I invited her to join us and emphasized how welcome she would be.
After Judy and I had returned home with the clothing items, I realized the magnitude of our encounter. Here we were, sharing our joy, preparing for our mission in 2011 when it turns out that we were on a mission at the same time. How awesome is that?
And by the way, if we had used the GPS that morning, we would have never gone in the direction of that neighborhood and not have spoken to this lady.
God is amazing at how he works.
Tommy,
Judy told me you wanted more information about yesterdays clothing gathering for HON2011.
Everything that happened yesterday was awesome. Normally when we go to garage sales, we use wife's IPhone with the Garage Sale App. to locate the garage sales that may be close by. Then we take the address from the IPhone app. and add it into the GPS so we can drive straight to the garage sale. Yesterday morning, when we were about to get in the car to go, Judy asked if we should get the GPS. We decided not to use the GPS and just drive around looking for Garage Sale signs. We drove to a nearby neighborhood and saw a sign indicating a garage sale down the road so we turned in. We stopped at the house and looked around. The residents had an assortment of items for sale but the clothing items outnumbered the other items and seemed unlikely that all the clothes would sell. I approached the owners and explained that I represented a mission team member at FBCOB, our needs for the mission trip and the need of the people in Honduras. I then asked if they would be willing to donate their remaining clothing items to our mission for HON2011 and they readily agreed to donate them and for me to return at 2pm to collect the clothes.
A while later, we were looking at items in another sale and decided to asked the owners to donate their clothing items that do not sell. I spoke to a gentleman there and he told me I could return to collect them at noon. Judy and I returned at noon to find their sale had wrapped up and everything had been moved back into their garage. I rang the doorbell and a lady came to the door and greeted me. I told her I came to collect the clothing items and she walked me to the garage. The lady made the statement that she could not understand why churches send their people out of the country on missions when there was so much need here in our own community. God was working and I knew this because I did not hesitate to respond to her statement. I told her that we should be, or are on mission for 52 weeks out of the year, but in our case, we are on mission in our community for 51 weeks doing things like the ICU ministry, the Lil Blessings ministry and the Homeless ministry and then we go out of the country for 1 week out of the year. She accepted my explanation and said it made sense. At that point she told me she was looking for a church home. She said she had not been in town for long but most of her friends go the Bellevue. She asked me for the name of my church and where it was in OB. I gave her that information, told her we have 2 services and she could find one she would be comfortable with. I invited her to join us and emphasized how welcome she would be.
After Judy and I had returned home with the clothing items, I realized the magnitude of our encounter. Here we were, sharing our joy, preparing for our mission in 2011 when it turns out that we were on a mission at the same time. How awesome is that?
And by the way, if we had used the GPS that morning, we would have never gone in the direction of that neighborhood and not have spoken to this lady.
God is amazing at how he works.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
A STEP OF FAITH
BUT GOD….
Really, Lord? You want me to do what? Be a part of the Evangelism Team?? But Lord, I am afraid I won’t be able to physically do it…walk up and down the rough dirt roads in the heat. Surely there is somewhere else, somewhere within my comfort zone I can work. Isn’t there? But God persisted in His plan to use me and stretch and grow my faith. He kept speaking to my heart.
At this point last fall, I reminded myself of Moses when the Lord called him to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt! I came up with every excuse in the book…no, not excuses…reasons. They were and still are legitimate reasons, if my perception is based on human reasoning. But God, the Still Small Voice, persisted. I knew what the Lord was asking. So now it becomes an obedience issue. Play it “safe” and disobey or step out in faith and obey. No middle ground here.
My perception began to shift as I allowed myself to look beyond my doubts and dare to dream of the adventure of obedience. This is the point where mental ascent to the truth and reliability of God’s character and plan had to express itself in faith and obedience. Scriptures that I had known for years and believed came to mind to encourage me of God’s faithfulness.
God has been so faithful in the past and His promises are there in His Word to be claimed and relied on. Yes, Lord. Yes, yes, yes! I will be obedient. I will trust You. You are worthy and faithful. So, now what?
Preparation
I have always thought it hypocritical to “go on a mission trip” and not share my faith here at home. (I am including myself in this assessment because there are many times I am distracted by my to do list and not focused on the Lord) The mission trip is like a retreat or week at youth camp. You are away from your daily routine and totally focused on spiritual things. You don’t worry about your job, the bills, family relationships, or responsibilities back home. In this time period you are focused on serving the Lord without all the distractions back home. Key word here is focus. My focus can be, should be, on the Lord and eternity at all times, but it is harder back home in the “real world” of day to day struggles.
In preparing to “go on a mission trip”, God continued to enlarge my thinking. If the person in the remote village in Nicaragua needs Jesus, then doesn’t the person across the street need Jesus? Doesn’t my coworker need Him also? People are the same in their need for a Savior no matter where they live on the planet. The same God who loves the people of Nicaragua, loves the people of Olive Branch.
It is God who gives us of His love for people. He loves through us. He touches people’s hearts and draws them to Himself. It is our privilege to be a conduit of His love, no matter where in the world we are.
Am I truly ever fully prepared? Only to the degree I have surrendered my life to the Lord. John 15:5
God’s Faithfulness
When we got to the village of La Mora, it was indeed very hilly and spread out. But God had prepared the way before we arrived. If you are around me much when we are studying the Scriptures, you will know that one of my favorite things to search out in the Bible is all the seemingly impossible situations where everything was changed by two simple words, “But God…”. Look and see for yourself and rejoice in God! There are many “But God” times in my life as well, because He is the same God in my heart as I find on the pages of Scripture. How about you? Isn’t our God amazing?
The first way God was faithful to me was through the prayers of our evangelism team leader. Daniel was very supportive and excited to accept that God was calling me to be a part of the team. He prayed for me from the start and all through the time we were in the village. He was an excellent EV team leader because God called him to this and empowered him just as he does with each of His children who listen and obey.
We who actually traveled to La Mora were only a small part of the team. There were many, many folks who gave time, money, and supplies to make this trip possible before we even got on the plane. Also, there were many who prayed faithfully for us while we were there. God’s grace was evident all throughout the trip because of the prayer support we were receiving. If you were one of those, only in eternity will we fully know what a difference your prayers made. Thank you and praise God!
God was also faithful in providing a wonderful translator by the name of Rigoberto. This amazing young man has a passion for the lost in his country and has a wonderful gentle spirit. He has a wife and small baby daughter, and told me when we entered one of the poorest homes in the village that he had grown up in a poor home just like this one. He understands the earthly struggles of the people, while desiring to share the spiritual peace and joy Jesus brings in this life and for eternity. He carried Bibles, held my hand to help me over ditches and up hills, and was literally a “God-send”.
This was an unusual trip in many ways, because we were one team merged from two. But God provided unity by His grace. There were many people on the team we did not know in the beginning, but that became our friends during the week. It was a marvelous thing to behold! We were 74 strong with as many personalities and different ways of doing things. But God brought us together for His glory and used us in a mighty way that week in La Mora, Nicaragua. Praise His mighty name!
One of my new friends was Ann. She was working in the eye clinic where I usually worked. On the first afternoon in the village, I learned she had a desire to do door-to door evangelism, but because she had been willing to work wherever she was placed, she was in the eye clinic. She did not know me or that I knew how to do the job she was doing in the eye clinic. But God knew and He brought us together that afternoon. Long story short, we alternated jobs. I went out door-to-door in the mornings while she worked in the eye clinic and then in the afternoons we swapped places. I don’t know why I am amazed at the way God provides, but I am. He cared for me and blessed me in ways I would have never imagined.
I did not start out to write a book here, but God did so many amazing things in leading me to step out in faith and then after I took that step, I had to share. Let me tell you, playing it safe is grossly overrated!
I know you have a similar story. Give God the glory and SHARE IT!
Emmie
Really, Lord? You want me to do what? Be a part of the Evangelism Team?? But Lord, I am afraid I won’t be able to physically do it…walk up and down the rough dirt roads in the heat. Surely there is somewhere else, somewhere within my comfort zone I can work. Isn’t there? But God persisted in His plan to use me and stretch and grow my faith. He kept speaking to my heart.
At this point last fall, I reminded myself of Moses when the Lord called him to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt! I came up with every excuse in the book…no, not excuses…reasons. They were and still are legitimate reasons, if my perception is based on human reasoning. But God, the Still Small Voice, persisted. I knew what the Lord was asking. So now it becomes an obedience issue. Play it “safe” and disobey or step out in faith and obey. No middle ground here.
My perception began to shift as I allowed myself to look beyond my doubts and dare to dream of the adventure of obedience. This is the point where mental ascent to the truth and reliability of God’s character and plan had to express itself in faith and obedience. Scriptures that I had known for years and believed came to mind to encourage me of God’s faithfulness.
God has been so faithful in the past and His promises are there in His Word to be claimed and relied on. Yes, Lord. Yes, yes, yes! I will be obedient. I will trust You. You are worthy and faithful. So, now what?
Preparation
I have always thought it hypocritical to “go on a mission trip” and not share my faith here at home. (I am including myself in this assessment because there are many times I am distracted by my to do list and not focused on the Lord) The mission trip is like a retreat or week at youth camp. You are away from your daily routine and totally focused on spiritual things. You don’t worry about your job, the bills, family relationships, or responsibilities back home. In this time period you are focused on serving the Lord without all the distractions back home. Key word here is focus. My focus can be, should be, on the Lord and eternity at all times, but it is harder back home in the “real world” of day to day struggles.
In preparing to “go on a mission trip”, God continued to enlarge my thinking. If the person in the remote village in Nicaragua needs Jesus, then doesn’t the person across the street need Jesus? Doesn’t my coworker need Him also? People are the same in their need for a Savior no matter where they live on the planet. The same God who loves the people of Nicaragua, loves the people of Olive Branch.
It is God who gives us of His love for people. He loves through us. He touches people’s hearts and draws them to Himself. It is our privilege to be a conduit of His love, no matter where in the world we are.
Am I truly ever fully prepared? Only to the degree I have surrendered my life to the Lord. John 15:5
God’s Faithfulness
When we got to the village of La Mora, it was indeed very hilly and spread out. But God had prepared the way before we arrived. If you are around me much when we are studying the Scriptures, you will know that one of my favorite things to search out in the Bible is all the seemingly impossible situations where everything was changed by two simple words, “But God…”. Look and see for yourself and rejoice in God! There are many “But God” times in my life as well, because He is the same God in my heart as I find on the pages of Scripture. How about you? Isn’t our God amazing?
The first way God was faithful to me was through the prayers of our evangelism team leader. Daniel was very supportive and excited to accept that God was calling me to be a part of the team. He prayed for me from the start and all through the time we were in the village. He was an excellent EV team leader because God called him to this and empowered him just as he does with each of His children who listen and obey.
We who actually traveled to La Mora were only a small part of the team. There were many, many folks who gave time, money, and supplies to make this trip possible before we even got on the plane. Also, there were many who prayed faithfully for us while we were there. God’s grace was evident all throughout the trip because of the prayer support we were receiving. If you were one of those, only in eternity will we fully know what a difference your prayers made. Thank you and praise God!
God was also faithful in providing a wonderful translator by the name of Rigoberto. This amazing young man has a passion for the lost in his country and has a wonderful gentle spirit. He has a wife and small baby daughter, and told me when we entered one of the poorest homes in the village that he had grown up in a poor home just like this one. He understands the earthly struggles of the people, while desiring to share the spiritual peace and joy Jesus brings in this life and for eternity. He carried Bibles, held my hand to help me over ditches and up hills, and was literally a “God-send”.
This was an unusual trip in many ways, because we were one team merged from two. But God provided unity by His grace. There were many people on the team we did not know in the beginning, but that became our friends during the week. It was a marvelous thing to behold! We were 74 strong with as many personalities and different ways of doing things. But God brought us together for His glory and used us in a mighty way that week in La Mora, Nicaragua. Praise His mighty name!
One of my new friends was Ann. She was working in the eye clinic where I usually worked. On the first afternoon in the village, I learned she had a desire to do door-to door evangelism, but because she had been willing to work wherever she was placed, she was in the eye clinic. She did not know me or that I knew how to do the job she was doing in the eye clinic. But God knew and He brought us together that afternoon. Long story short, we alternated jobs. I went out door-to-door in the mornings while she worked in the eye clinic and then in the afternoons we swapped places. I don’t know why I am amazed at the way God provides, but I am. He cared for me and blessed me in ways I would have never imagined.
I did not start out to write a book here, but God did so many amazing things in leading me to step out in faith and then after I took that step, I had to share. Let me tell you, playing it safe is grossly overrated!
I know you have a similar story. Give God the glory and SHARE IT!
Emmie
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Drinking Water
As many of you know for the past seven years Emmie and I have participated in mission trips to Central America with Baptist Medical Dental Mission International (BMDMI). God is accomplishing some wonderful things through BMDMI. Meeting of the physical needs is a key focus of the work God has commissioned and commanded each of us to do, and BMDMI has positioned itself in Central America to provide much needed aid to thousands of people each year in Honduras and Nicaragua. BMDMI understands that reaching people with the Gospel must be accomplished through practical missions. But the benefit derived from the work of BMDMI is not just limited to the people of Central America. Those that have participated in short term mission trips understand that God provides many blessings to us as well.
One of these blessings starts the moment someone says yes to going. At first the apprehension and fear might be overwhelming for a first time volunteer, but as God meets needs and proves Himself faithful, that apprehension and fear is quickly replaced with excitement and confidence that God will provide. I guess what I’m trying to say is that surrendering provides the opportunity for God to build faith in the hearts of those that answer His call. That indeed is a blessing.
Another blessing is achieved by what I’ll call the “ripple effect”. The surrender of each volunteers ripples through the friends, family and church families of those that surrender to God’s call. Others begin to get involved in the excitement of providing for the needy and reaching them with the Good News of Christ. From the little kids that give their pennies to the senior adults that give from a lifetime of God’s blessings, from the RA’s and GA’s that make the witnessing bracelets to the ladies’ groups that gather and sort clothes, from the men’s group who cook barbeque to the Sunday School class that gathers to pack pills, all become involved in the sending of those that go. Because of this involvement they too are missionaries of the Gospel.
Yet another blessing is those personal blessings one receives while on the mission field. Allow me to share one with you. In late July of 2007 our team went to Reitoca, Honduras. While many times our team travels to the mountains where the climate is surprisingly mild for Central America in the summer time, this was an extremely hot trip. I have worked in a metal fabrication plant in Memphis all my life and am somewhat accustomed to the heat, yet I don’t think I have ever spent a hotter day than our last full day in Reitoca. The reality of what God taught me that day did not fully set in until a week or so after I returned home. It was about 2 in the afternoon and I had been working in the kitchen since 4:30 that morning. We had just finished cleaning-up from the lunch meal and had about an hour to rest before we started preparing the evening meal. I was hot, tired and soaked in sweat, wanting nothing more than find a shady place to sit and drink the bottle of cold water I had just gotten from the cooler. Just as I sat down Dwight Carr our BMDMI missionary for the week, came up to me and asked if I would help him take some water to the people waiting in line outside the gate of the school where our clinics were set up. The truth is that my first thoughts were not about how thirsty they must be after waiting in the hot sun all day just to get to that place in line. My first thought was to tell him that I needed the water more than they did. But after seeing he was serious, I got up and went with him.
We had discovered the day we arrived in the village that the community water system was not functioning and that the entire village depended on water they carried from the small river at the edge of town. As always our team had packed in enough bottled water to meet our own need for safe drinking and cooking water, but we still needed water for our showers and to flush the toilets. We discovered that the school had a concrete water tower that had not been used for what must have been years. It had about a foot of rotten leaves and trash in it and all the plumbing fittings were broken off the bottom. Dwight got some of the boys from the village to climb up into the open top tank to start cleaning it out. He then sent one of the interpreters to find PVC plumbing fittings and we were able to fix the drain to where we could attach a garden hose. Dwight then was able to find a farmer that had a gasoline powered water pump and enough pipe to reach the river which was about 150 yards down the hill. We were able to fill the tank with enough river water to last us all week.
So here we were on the last day in the village, our bottled water was almost gone and the people were thirsty. Dwight and I went into the kitchen and got a couple of Styrofoam cups and a large stewing pot and filled it with river water from that water tower. As I drained the water from the hose into that stewing pot I commented to Dwight that we couldn’t give them this hot dirty water to drink. He answered in a matter-of-fact way, “this is all they ever have to drink.” We carried the pot of water to the gate and dipped a cup at a time. Without exception, the parents first gave the water to their children before they drank any themselves. They all drank from the same two cups until the pot was empty. I remember when the water was gone a couple of local women that had just finished their drink took the pot from us and ran to the water tank to refill it. These were ladies that had been waiting just like the rest of the people in the line, yet they were willing to replenish what they had been given so that others could receive what they had received. I didn’t think too much of this at the time but after being home a few days I began to think just how selfless they had acted. Then I was reminded of the words that Jesus spoke to His disciples on the Mount of Olives. He said 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Oh what a blessing that was for me! I’m sure that this is just one example of blessings that are received by those that go about sharing their joy both at home and in Central America.
Tommy--one counted among the redeemed.
One of these blessings starts the moment someone says yes to going. At first the apprehension and fear might be overwhelming for a first time volunteer, but as God meets needs and proves Himself faithful, that apprehension and fear is quickly replaced with excitement and confidence that God will provide. I guess what I’m trying to say is that surrendering provides the opportunity for God to build faith in the hearts of those that answer His call. That indeed is a blessing.
Another blessing is achieved by what I’ll call the “ripple effect”. The surrender of each volunteers ripples through the friends, family and church families of those that surrender to God’s call. Others begin to get involved in the excitement of providing for the needy and reaching them with the Good News of Christ. From the little kids that give their pennies to the senior adults that give from a lifetime of God’s blessings, from the RA’s and GA’s that make the witnessing bracelets to the ladies’ groups that gather and sort clothes, from the men’s group who cook barbeque to the Sunday School class that gathers to pack pills, all become involved in the sending of those that go. Because of this involvement they too are missionaries of the Gospel.
Yet another blessing is those personal blessings one receives while on the mission field. Allow me to share one with you. In late July of 2007 our team went to Reitoca, Honduras. While many times our team travels to the mountains where the climate is surprisingly mild for Central America in the summer time, this was an extremely hot trip. I have worked in a metal fabrication plant in Memphis all my life and am somewhat accustomed to the heat, yet I don’t think I have ever spent a hotter day than our last full day in Reitoca. The reality of what God taught me that day did not fully set in until a week or so after I returned home. It was about 2 in the afternoon and I had been working in the kitchen since 4:30 that morning. We had just finished cleaning-up from the lunch meal and had about an hour to rest before we started preparing the evening meal. I was hot, tired and soaked in sweat, wanting nothing more than find a shady place to sit and drink the bottle of cold water I had just gotten from the cooler. Just as I sat down Dwight Carr our BMDMI missionary for the week, came up to me and asked if I would help him take some water to the people waiting in line outside the gate of the school where our clinics were set up. The truth is that my first thoughts were not about how thirsty they must be after waiting in the hot sun all day just to get to that place in line. My first thought was to tell him that I needed the water more than they did. But after seeing he was serious, I got up and went with him.
We had discovered the day we arrived in the village that the community water system was not functioning and that the entire village depended on water they carried from the small river at the edge of town. As always our team had packed in enough bottled water to meet our own need for safe drinking and cooking water, but we still needed water for our showers and to flush the toilets. We discovered that the school had a concrete water tower that had not been used for what must have been years. It had about a foot of rotten leaves and trash in it and all the plumbing fittings were broken off the bottom. Dwight got some of the boys from the village to climb up into the open top tank to start cleaning it out. He then sent one of the interpreters to find PVC plumbing fittings and we were able to fix the drain to where we could attach a garden hose. Dwight then was able to find a farmer that had a gasoline powered water pump and enough pipe to reach the river which was about 150 yards down the hill. We were able to fill the tank with enough river water to last us all week.
So here we were on the last day in the village, our bottled water was almost gone and the people were thirsty. Dwight and I went into the kitchen and got a couple of Styrofoam cups and a large stewing pot and filled it with river water from that water tower. As I drained the water from the hose into that stewing pot I commented to Dwight that we couldn’t give them this hot dirty water to drink. He answered in a matter-of-fact way, “this is all they ever have to drink.” We carried the pot of water to the gate and dipped a cup at a time. Without exception, the parents first gave the water to their children before they drank any themselves. They all drank from the same two cups until the pot was empty. I remember when the water was gone a couple of local women that had just finished their drink took the pot from us and ran to the water tank to refill it. These were ladies that had been waiting just like the rest of the people in the line, yet they were willing to replenish what they had been given so that others could receive what they had received. I didn’t think too much of this at the time but after being home a few days I began to think just how selfless they had acted. Then I was reminded of the words that Jesus spoke to His disciples on the Mount of Olives. He said 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Oh what a blessing that was for me! I’m sure that this is just one example of blessings that are received by those that go about sharing their joy both at home and in Central America.
Tommy--one counted among the redeemed.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Welcome to 51+1
Welcome to 51+1 a blog for communicating how we can share God's joy here at home for the next 51 weeks and then, during week 52, on mission in Honduras.
Our theme for HON2011 came from testimonies given at the end of our trip to La Mora, Nicaragua last month. God spoke to us through the testimonies of team members and convicted our hearts that we are to always be on mission, not just the one week we are traveling to a foreign country but the other fifty-one as well.
The purpose statement, Reaching Out-Sharing Your Joy, also comes from our experience in La Mora. Throughout the week we met people that testified to being Christians, yet very few of them expressed the joy Christ brings. We are called to proclaim with the angels "JOY TO THE WORLD"! We do that by intentionally reaching out in practical ways (the things we do for others), with our testimonies (the things we say) and with our daily walk (the things other people see).
During the next 51 weeks we will be sharing information and details about how you can share the joy of your salvation. You will be able to read testimonies of how God has used team members in the past and how they continue to share joy as preparations are made for our trip to Honduras July 12-19, 2011.
We will also use this blog to list prayer needs and ministry needs. You will notice some items on both sides of this page. One is the called "Sharing Your Joy" and will provide a suggested action idea for sharing the joy of your salvation each week. On the right side you will notice a list of the Ministry Team Leaders that will be leading in the planning and implementation of the various ministries we will be providing for the people of Honduras. From time to time there will be lists from different ministry teams of needs they have.
As mentioned earlier we will be taking a team to Honduras next July, 51 weeks from today. Our desire is to take a group of 45 to 50 team members to share the joy of salvation to a village in Honduras. We will share this joy in practical ways by providing a medical clinic, dental clinic, optical clinic, veterinary corral, a pharmacy, children's activities, family portrait service, clothing and shoe distribution and evangelistic related ministries. Meeting real physical needs are important in themselves, but more importantly, meeting physical needs allows us the opportunity to share the Gospel and the joy of God's salvation.
The background picture at the top is the Village of La Mora, Nicaragua. It was taken from the top of a mountain above the village.
Be sure to share this blog with your friends and continue to pray as God continues to build our team and prepare our hearts.
Our theme for HON2011 came from testimonies given at the end of our trip to La Mora, Nicaragua last month. God spoke to us through the testimonies of team members and convicted our hearts that we are to always be on mission, not just the one week we are traveling to a foreign country but the other fifty-one as well.
The purpose statement, Reaching Out-Sharing Your Joy, also comes from our experience in La Mora. Throughout the week we met people that testified to being Christians, yet very few of them expressed the joy Christ brings. We are called to proclaim with the angels "JOY TO THE WORLD"! We do that by intentionally reaching out in practical ways (the things we do for others), with our testimonies (the things we say) and with our daily walk (the things other people see).
During the next 51 weeks we will be sharing information and details about how you can share the joy of your salvation. You will be able to read testimonies of how God has used team members in the past and how they continue to share joy as preparations are made for our trip to Honduras July 12-19, 2011.
We will also use this blog to list prayer needs and ministry needs. You will notice some items on both sides of this page. One is the called "Sharing Your Joy" and will provide a suggested action idea for sharing the joy of your salvation each week. On the right side you will notice a list of the Ministry Team Leaders that will be leading in the planning and implementation of the various ministries we will be providing for the people of Honduras. From time to time there will be lists from different ministry teams of needs they have.
As mentioned earlier we will be taking a team to Honduras next July, 51 weeks from today. Our desire is to take a group of 45 to 50 team members to share the joy of salvation to a village in Honduras. We will share this joy in practical ways by providing a medical clinic, dental clinic, optical clinic, veterinary corral, a pharmacy, children's activities, family portrait service, clothing and shoe distribution and evangelistic related ministries. Meeting real physical needs are important in themselves, but more importantly, meeting physical needs allows us the opportunity to share the Gospel and the joy of God's salvation.
The background picture at the top is the Village of La Mora, Nicaragua. It was taken from the top of a mountain above the village.
Be sure to share this blog with your friends and continue to pray as God continues to build our team and prepare our hearts.
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