Growing Together

I was reading some quotes online recently and there was a man named Lewis Timberlake who probably found most of his fame from the following quote: "I'd give $1,000 to be a millionaire."  With tongue in cheek we would reply in unison, "Wouldn't we all!" 

Lewis Timberlake also had some other things to tell. One of them involved his trip to California where he was touring a huge sequoia forest.  The guide was telling them all about the sequoia trees, their enormous height, and especially about how straight they grow.

He also pointed out that the root system of the sequoia is barely under ground.  Some in the crowd challenged the guide's description of the roots, saying that a shallow root system for such a tall tree would never work.  Strong winds would have all those trees laying on the ground if they have shallow roots. 

The guide continued to explain, the sequoia grows only in groves, and their shallow roots intertwine from tree to tree and that's where they get the strength to stand. When the wind blows strong, these trees hold each other up.  (Story taken from Reader's Digest, May 1989)

I don't know much about Lewis Timberlake, other than a couple of his quotes. I do know the description of those sequoia trees is a perfect description of the way God intends for his people to function in the church.  I am saying our success or failure to accomplish God's work in this world is not intended to be a solo achievement. We need each other!

We have talked about spiritual gifts recently and the above story is an example of the way they work in the Lord's Body, the church.  Those who have been involved in church are experienced in knowing  when the really good things are happening, we are susceptible to the strong winds of Satan's attack. That is why Paul in Ephesians tells us in God's church, there are those who are gifted as "apostles, some as  prophets, some evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers." Ephesians 4:11-12

Then Paul gives the reason for these diverse gifts. He says they equip the saints for the work of service and that builds up the body of Christ.  No, Paul didn't mention the sequoias, but the principle is there.  Going alone in Christian service might accomplish a little, but building up the body of Christ by equipping individuals to function in unity accomplishes much more.  That comes from working together, intertwined in spirit just like those roots on a sequoia. 

Make no mistake about it, the winds of diversity and discord will blow. Satan will attack and attempt to destroy every good work.  I am suggesting if we do things God's way, being equipped for God's work , and working together in unity, Satan doesn't stand a chance!

May God bless you as you grow stronger, and grow together with others in the body of Christ, to bring glory, honor and praise to our God. 

<ronbwriting@yahoo.com>

The Embarrassed NBC Peacock

When I was a kid, happiness spread throughout our town when we got our first TV station. It was on the air for a few hours during the day and in the evenings. Sometimes you could turn on the TV during the off hours and still get to see what was known as a test pattern. 

Our local station became an affiliate with NBC and as broadcast hours increased we were blessed with a greater variety of programs. It wasn't long before other stations came to the area, and our variety of programs continued to grow. Still, NBC was carrying the best shows, so that's what we watched most of the time. 

TV programming has changed over the years, and I have found NBC to be a disappointment on numerous occasions. I stopped watching Saturday Night Live a long time ago, mainly because of  diminishing moral values and the advancement of vulgarity and profanity. 

I did not see last week's episode, however from the reviews I have read, NBC has given itself another black eye. Their parody was on the return of Jesus, and he was coming fully armed and loaded to "get even" with those who had sent him to the cross. He was using assault weapons to take revenge on all the sinners. That's the kind of program I can criticize without even seeing it.  Shame on NBC!

In other news, I was happy to hear of the safe return of the stranded cruise ship. The luxury cruise had turned into a nightmare for all those people and news coverage kept us informed of their discomforts and calamities on their slow tow back to American soil. 

One newsman was interviewing the passengers as they came off the ship, asking how they managed and if they would ever go on another cruise. The newsman was Mark Potter of NBC.  The passenger being interviewed was a young lady with the last name of Jenkins.  Potter asked her how she coped with all the discomfort, but was not expecting her reply. 

"One thing I do want to say that really made a huge difference in my time versus some other people’s time is we knew where hope was. We knew the Lord was in complete control of the situation. Our verse for the trip was Joshua 1:9 which is....."(at that very moment Potter pulled the microphone away from the young lady.)  Again, SHAME ON NBC!

We  are subjected to a network which will make fun of the Son of God and summarize his return to gather the redeemed by turning it into a comedy-hate routine.  Follow that with the cruise ship incident where the very mention of scripture is deemed inappropriate.  One commentator has come up with the line, "We are in America where speech is free, unless it is censored by NBC!" 

 

Incidentally, Joshua 1:9 says, " Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  It's time we were all that strong and courageous, sharing God's love and grace to everyone around us.  It starts with you and me. Hopefully we can glorify God while bringing back some dignity to the NBC peacock. 

<ronbwriting@yahoo.com>

He made himself nothing

Philippians 2:5-11

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
⁷ but made himself nothing,
    taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    and became obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!
⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

I read that passage often because it contains the one thing I need to remember, more than anything else. I can easily grasp the idea Paul begins with and I know I should always strive to have a Christ-like attitude.  It's the next part I wrestle with.

Paul tells us Jesus is God but he didn't grab onto equality with God as something to flaunt.  Instead, he made himself nothing.  That's the heart of the matter I struggle with all the time. Jesus made himself nothing. 

Think with me about all the important things Jesus taught, like the Sermon on the Mount, the parables, the individual instructions to those he met, and even his discourses with the Pharisees. Then I think of his suffering and ultimately his death on the cross. I want him to be my everything yet Paul reminds me  that he made himself nothing. 

Paul continues to tell us that he took the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  While on the earth in human form, Jesus demonstrated for us the concept of emptying ourselves of self, and becoming nothing so we can adequately take on the nature of a servant.  Remember what he said in Mark 10:43, "Whoever wants to be great must become a servant." (from The Message.)

So here is the part I need to remember. As a Christian servant of God, I am to strive to be like Jesus in every way, even to the point of taking on the nature of a servant for all mankind. It is only because Jesus became nothing that he can be our everything.  May "every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

<ronbwriting@yahoo.com>

Reading Guidepost

One of my favorite things to read is Guidepost. There are always excellent articles concerning faith, devotion, salvation, courage, hope, and as you guessed, it's an endless list.  I was recently reading some of the devotional messages that are available from Guidepost and came across some of the most inspiring things I had read in ages.  Today's blog is going to be several excerpts from Guidepost articles, as we attempt to get you to thinking more and more about spiritual things and especially how they find application to your life. 

Sharon H. of Minnesota says she had decided to do some act of kindness for someone every day, starting with her family, and doing a chore which was assigned to another family member.  This even spread to those outside her family, and her acts of kindness were often unnoticed. Sharon confesses she is the one that learned the greatest lesson. She was reminded of the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” Matthew 6:2–3 (NIV)  Sharon says she knows exactly why Jesus gave that warning. So often, our acts of kindness are done so we can receive the approval of others, when in fact, it's God who should be receiving the glory. 

Erin K. of Arkansas writes about the spiritual gifts God has given us. "Sometimes I look at the gifts God has given someone else and covet their path. But focusing on others can tempt me to bury my own gift instead of investing it in God’s kingdom."  We must remember God gives us gifts for the specific purpose of accomplishing his will,  so the entire body of Christ can reap the benefits.

Camy T. of California reminds us to be faithful stewards of the gifts we receive from God and shows us a life lesson we all need to learn. "The more responsible I am with the blessings in my life, the more I am blessed.”

Jon S. of Georgia looks forward to the upcoming Easter season and tells how important Good Friday is to him. On a day we recognize as "good," it was anything but good for Jesus. He was on his way to die for his friends, most of which stood were standing in the background and remaining silent.  Jon says, "The love that Jesus showed inspires me and spurs me to focus on the parts of my life where I live unaffected by God’s love.” That steers us to examine our lives to find areas that are perhaps being unaffected by God's love. 

Thanks to Guidepost and their contributing writers who have given us these brief glimpses into life itself, and especially have opened our eyes to see areas where we need to grow or improve. I know each of these authors would encourage you to be mindful of biblical passages on each of these subjects as you live your life to the glory of God. 

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Developing Our Faith

The gospel according to John ends with these words, "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” John 21:25

The four gospel narrators in the New Testament each give their own perspectives of the life of Christ, from his birth through his resurrection. Some might consider their words contradictory, however more than one person telling the same story will bring about different viewpoints of witnessing the same events. The above verse leaves me intrigued. If Jesus did many other things, I want to know about all of them.  I want to know every word he spoke, each miracle he performed, and every life he touched.  I especially want to know about what he had to say following his resurrection. Were there any last minute instructions he gave as he ascended into the clouds?  Did he give any indication of specific areas of work or service where we need to busy ourselves? You, too, could probably come up with a long list of questions. 

John wrote a similar statement, somewhat like the one above, but a little more inclusive. " Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."  John 20:30-31

Jesus spoke those words right after his conversation with Thomas, the apostle which had doubted until he actually touched the wounds in Jesus' hands and side.  Thomas knew beyond a doubt this was Jesus, the Christ. Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

 

I may want to know more about what Jesus said and did, but John is assuring me the record of the gospels is adequate in bringing me to believe. He further assures me that my belief will lead me to life in Jesus' name. 

I could tell you the story of the virgin birth of Jesus, and perhaps you would believe. I could tell you the story of Jesus restoring the sight of a blind man, and you could believe that. I could give you examples of Jesus showing us love is the better way in dealings with our neighbor, and that is something else you can believe. John says all these things are written that you may believe. 

However my quest for those final words; his admonitions and instructions for us who live during the time before he returns.....all of that remains a mystery.  Or does it?

Jesus did have something more he wanted us to keep in our hearts and on our minds. It's in a statement he makes three times in the closing chapter of Revelation. Read it, study it, and live like you believe it. Jesus said, "I am coming soon."  Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

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The Gospel

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. ² By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

³ For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance:  that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

Today I wish to join with Paul, in reminding you who you are in Christ Jesus, all because of the good news he brings.  Paul gives four progressive points as the basis for reminding us of the gospel. He says:

1. "I preached the gospel to you."

2. "You received it."

3. "You have taken your stand on it."

4. "By it you are saved."

The preaching of the gospel was, in Paul's words, of "first importance."  Throughout his writings it becomes more and more apparent the gospel was Paul's number one priority. The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ has died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

Far too often we become absorbed in various programs of church work, budget meetings, workshops, Bible class schedules, etc. that we lose sight of our primary purpose of taking the gospel to others.  We may accomplish great things for the church, raising funds, building  buildings, increasing the number of names on the roll, and even more. But unless our priorities are centered around the gospel message of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, we are missing divine priorities. 

The problem we deal with is sin. The solution to erasing the misery, guilt, and penalty of sin, is the blood of Jesus who died on the cross, paying our sin-debt. The success of prioritizing the gospel can come only when we each realize that Jesus has paid our debt for us.  The song writers put it in this way:

I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small;

Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.”

Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

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