The Unglamorous Work of God 5/30/2013

"Then his servants came near and spoke to him and said, 'My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?'  So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child and he was clean."  2 Kings 5:13-14

There was once a man named Naaman who was a great soldier that had distinguished himself in battle.  Unfortunately, he had leprosy.  Through the course of time and events he found himself being instructed by the prophet Elisha through a messenger to wash in the Jordan river 7 times in order that he might be cured of his condition.  Naaman was initially very angry.  He expected that Elisha would come out to him and do something miraculous.  Further, he thought there were much better and cleaner rivers than the Jordan in which to be cleansed.  The bible tells us he left Elisha's door in a rage.

This passage came to mind at last evening's bible study while talking to one of our faithful and hard working members.  He and his wife had just returned from leading a small group to tornado ravaged Oklahoma in order to lend a helping hand to those in need.  He related that a lot of the work they did involved clearing brush, picking up trash, dismantling and stacking wood from blown down fences and various other "unglamorous" (my word, not his) activities.  This brother has many talents and thought he might be doing more things like fixing roofs, installing windows or perhaps even doing some electrical work.

Through the course of our conversation, he came to realize that his and the other's willingness to pack up, drive hundreds of miles without so much as a plan for a place to lay their heads just to help perfect strangers in a time of need was the very definition of loving God with our whole selves and loving others as we love ourselves (Matt 22:37-39).  Further, the help that was rendered was critically needed by those who received it.  They helped older people who could not have done what they did by themselves.  They even did work on a home for a person who was not there.  He was not there because he was in another state receiving a bone marrow transplant due to his cancerous condition.  Their time, effort, energy and sacrifice was appreciated by all they assisted and, I believe, God is pleased.

Beloved, let us not diminish in our own minds the value of service and obedience to God.  Not everyone is going to be in a position to pull someone out of a burning building, lift a heavy object from off of a trapped individual, administer CPR to someone whose life is endangered or come to the aid of a car accident victim.  Doing good is not about the "wow factor."  It is about love and the vast majority of good done for others is quiet, small and ordinary.  God works this way so much in our lives, we not only take it for granted but we fail to see His actions for the everyday miracles they are.  Ask a severe asthmatic about the value of simply being able to breathe.

Naaman expected something big and flashy from God, but He delivered in the smallest, most quiet way.  Having him wash in the dirty Jordan, rather than the famous clear, cold and pure rivers of Damascus, Naaman was made whole, just as the people of Oklahoma will be, one small act of love and kindness at a time.

Blessings to all who do the work of God.

Committed,

Lee

No Christian Left Behind 3/12/13

"Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.  Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.  For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, 'The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.'"  Rom 15:1-3

One of the things for which the Bush Administration was famous was the concept of "No Child Left Behind."  Though the execution and results were questionable, the doctrine was sound.  The idea is not unlike the teaching of Paul from which it must have been inspired.  We have been taught that no Christian is to be left behind.

Paul was addressing a church that consisted of both Jews and Gentiles who were trying to come together.  His admonition to all was that we are brothers and sisters with a common Father and that we are to take care of one another.  Though there are differences between us in heritage and habit (evidently considered weakness by some), it is critical that we band together to build one another up so that no one is left behind.

Beloved, the need for this teaching and its associated action is more relevant today than ever.  There are so many that are falling away from the Lord.  Distractions and deviations seem to multiply daily and once faithful believers are being recaptured by the enemy.  This ought not be so.  As any of us would protect and nurture the young ones in our blood families, we should all the more hold on tightly to those who are weaker in the faith.  Imagine what it would be like to be at the judgment as depicted in Matthew 25 and look over and see someone who used to sit next to you in worship in line with those who did not visit, feed, clothe, etc. and are headed for everlasting destruction.  We have a responsibility to one another.  This is modeled by Christ who stands between us and Satan's accusations.

Let us do all we can to ensure that not only no Christian, but no individual is left behind.

Committed,

Lee

What About Me?-1/13/2012

"In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Matt 7:12

When most people think about the "Golden Rule," they think more about how they want to be treated than how they treat others. In fact, treating others well can be a means to an end rather than a pursuit of virtue. The reason for pursuing this thought is that there are those who become disenfranchised with their local congregations, particularly around the time that they stop attending for one reason or the other. Members get upset if no one comes to check on them and see how they are doing.

Let it first be said that they have a point. Who among us does not want to feel cared for by our brothers and sisters in Christ? It is a fact that the congregation has a responsibility to its members. If we do not care for one another who will? We must love others as we love ourselves and as Christ loves us.

That said, it must also be considered why members forsake the fellowship. To be sure there are a variety of reasons and it exceeds the purpose of this writing to consider them per se. Instead, the question must be asked to some of those who feel wronged, "Do you visit the absent?"

Beloved it is easy to ask oneself, "What about me?" but not as easy to make the sacrifice and show the love for others by visiting them in their need, particularly when they may have, for one reason or the other, lost their way. Much is said about cliques in the church and how only certain people get the attention of the masses. While this can be seen in any organization (let us not forget that we are still humans and still short of perfection despite our calling) this can be defeated by being the friend we wish to have. If everyone focused on building relationships and reaching out to the person normally on the nearby pew that you have not seen in a while, the problem could be virtually eliminated. In so doing, we will likely find ourselves being treated the way we have treated others. Let us think on these things.

Rejoicing in the Lord,

Lee

The Golden Life 10/28/2011 (rp)

"Treat others the same way you want them to treat you." Luke 6:31

Whether you ever knew that the "Golden Rule" came from scripture or not, you will recognize this most basic tenant of both Christianity and humanity. It makes so much sense that it is difficult to fathom why we do not all ascribe to it.

We spend so much time being unhappy in our relationships. Usually this is because someone has done something to us or failed to do something for us. We start out being displeased, then upset, then disagreeable and then hostile. We begin to display un-Christ-like behavior and could potentially lose our faith altogether, not because of what Christ has or has not done, but because of man. Is our faith so weak? Are we so short sighted?

The real tragedy is that we often view ourselves as passive in these situations. We take the stance that these things just happen to us through no fault of our own. What we fail to do is to examine our role in relationships that are less than optimal and less than loving. We rarely ask ourselves the tough questions, "What could I have done to prevent this?" or "What can I do to fix it?"

Beloved if we spent more time being the friend that we desire, we might find that we would have the friends we desire.

• Do you want someone to celebrate your accomplishments with you? Celebrate with others.
• Do you want your birthday remembered? Acknowledge others'.
• Do you want to be forgiven when you offend? Be forgiving.
• Do you want help when it is needed? Lend a hand to someone else.
• Do you want visits or phone calls when you are down? Be there for your brothers and sisters.
• Do you want understanding? Provide it.
• Do you want to see God? Be His representative to those in your world.

It takes more effort to maintain grudges, to remember to be hard hearted and to remain angry than it does to cast those things off and decide to be happy. This is the way of God.

Loving Like Jesus,

Lee