Service: Getting to Know the Neighbors

Last week, I spent my vacation surrounded by "gated communities." The condo where I stayed literally was tucked away deep inside one of these communities, a forgotten by-product of the original weekenders who built homes on the lake as respite from the drudgery and distastefulness of the big city. There was one way in and two ways out, but you had to be a card-carrying member of the community to exit from the more convenient gate. Mine was a modest "neighborhood" compared to the others that lay farther up the road, and seriously, there really was only one road in and out. The farther a person drove up the road, the smaller and more exclusive the "communities" became. I didn't know my "neighbors," and they didn't know me!

On my return home, I sat down to review what our kids at church are learning this month. I found it not the least bit ironic that we are going to be discovering what it means to serve - lending a hand to help someone else. Just as last month, the questions put to the kids this month are ones most adults are uncomfortable answering. Just for starters, I had to ask myself two toughies - What in the world am I doing that's more than I have to do, and what am I doing to help someone that others won't help. I'm not the least bit surprised that the Lord's been working on me anyway about being a servant, so this study is just reinforcing the fact that he's trying to get my attention and teach me something!

The Bible is unequivocal about what service looks like for a Christian. We don't have to look any farther than Jesus' life. He is the perfect example of a servant, and we have clear instructions to be like Christ. Too often, though, we are much like a young lawyer who challenged Jesus to define "neighbor" because he was looking for a loophole, a good excuse to serve only folks of his choosing (Luke 10:25-29). Rather than take him to task, Jesus told a parable of a good Samaritan (someone not welcomed in the "gated communities" of Jesus day). Two men - both religious leaders - who should have taken the time to stop and care for a man who had been robbed, beaten, and left for dead, literally crossed the road to avoid coming near the injured man. The third man, the Samaritan, came along, saw the man and "...had compassion on him" (Luke 10:33). He dressed his wounds, placed him on his "beast," and took him to an inn where he paid for the man's care. Jesus then posed the question to the young lawyer, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor..." to the injured man (Luke 10:36). In Matthew 25:35-40, we're told that if we are inherit the kingdom prepared for us, we are to minister to the hungry, thirsty, needy, prisoners, and strangers. Not only are they our neighbors, they are called by Jesus, "...the least of my brethren" (Matthew 25:40).

This parable isn't new to me; I've heard it preached and read it more times than I can count. I think I ought to have it figured out by now who my neighbor is - pretty much everyone, even people I don't find attractive, likable, or safe. When I read it this time, I realized that the Samaritan was compassionate because he saw himself in the man left for dead. Both the priest and Levite saw this man, as well as the Samaritan, as undesirable, not fit for their "community" and certainly not worthy of their help. 

I have to remind myself that all of us are alike - we are sinners saved by the same grace that God gives unconditionally (Ephesians 2:8-9). All of us have been "robbed and beaten" by sin that has left us near dead. God's incredible compassion and mercy made sure that we had a means of rescue - salvation as a result of the service Jesus did for us on the cross. He gave his life that we might live. He paid the full price for our restoration. So, when I look at the people around me, I must be moved to compassion as the Samaritan man was because I should see myself in them. They are my neighbors, and I have a directive from my heavenly Father to serve them. 

Initially, we are drawn to Christianity because of Jesus' example - he was a servant. We are slower, though, to grasp that as followers of Christ, we are to become like him (Ephesians 2:10). We always will serve someone or something (Matthew 6:19-21,24). The desire of our hearts should be, then, to serve in such a way that we honor God by helping our neighbors.

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men..." Ephesians 6:7

Lord, you know me! You know that going the extra mile and serving people - even ones I know and love - just doesn't come easy to me. You also know that I want to be like you. Thank you for understanding my weaknesses and for giving me so many opportunities to learn to be a servant. I pray that I will allow your Holy Spirit to lead me, prompt me, teach me, and convict me when I am disobedient. Use me, Lord. I want to be your servant. Amen.

Responsibility: Encouraging Words

My grandmother used to tell a joke: "Why did the buffalo run off the cliff?" Answer: "He heard a discouraging word." For those of you who are still wondering what a buffalo and discouraging words have to do with each other, think lyrics to "Home on the Range." Jay Leno she wasn't, but you get the point. Words have the power to influence people! We can encourage them or we can destroy them with what we say.

We are responsible for how we use our words. As our children at church wind up this segment of the study of responsibility, they are being asked, "What in the world are you doing to encourage others with your words." The Bible is pretty clear in any number of places about what we are and are not to do with our ability to string sounds together to make words that communicate ideas. Ephesians 4:29 says this: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

I am particularly concerned with what we say to and about children and young people. Whether we care to believe it or not, a word that we say in carelessness, anger, frustration, impatience, or thoughtlessness can and does leave a deep imprint on a child. As parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, and Christians, we have a spiritual imperative to encourage them (Matthew 18:6). My prayer is that we seek the direction of the Holy Spirit to determine the right words to say that will influence the children and young people in our care to become who God has created each of them to be. We have the responsibility to speak hope and truth into their lives. It is from us that they learn who God is. 

How we speak to each other is critical to our Christian example. It isn't a matter of how we are feeling at the moment. We are explicitly reminded throughout the New Testament to encourage and comfort one another. Hebrews 3:13 says we are to "...exhort (encourage) one another..." daily so we aren't hardened by sin's deceit. Later in Hebrews 10:24-25, we are instructed, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

I don't always feel like being nice to people. My human nature isn't always tuned into using the power of my words to help others. Far too often, I'm focused on me, myself, and I; encouraging others is the last thing on my mind. Yet, I do not want to be the one who utters the discouraging word that may contribute more to someone's burden or lifetime of "mistaken identity." I don't want to just be too lazy and self-absorbed to miss an opportunity to lift someone up. My prayer is that I will daily realize that the Holy Spirit is living in me, and if he is in me, then I should be showing the fruit of his presence (Galatians 5:22-23). That fruit should then be in use, edifying and lifting up those around me.

The verses that follow Ephesians 4:29 admonish us to not grieve the Holy Spirit (v. 30) but to "...be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (v. 32). We can use our words responsibly to encourage if we seek to be filled with the Spirit- "...be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:18-19). Jesus said, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34, 35). 

Let's fill our hearts to "abundance" with God's word, for our responsibility to others is clear - we are to use our words to encourage others.

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much...." Luke 16:10a

Heavenly Father, I pray that "the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart" will be acceptable to you, and that I will use those words to encourage others and point them to you. In your name, amen.

 

Parenting - Being a Friend Like Jesus Takes TIME!

"I don't have time" seems to be the refrain sung by so many of us today. I hear it from myself, among my colleagues, from the kids at school, at home - everywhere! We have gotten ourselves so busy doing stuff that we have reached a state of such fatigue that we really don't have time for what matters. Even when we do try to find the time for what's important, we give those things - and people - only a fraction of our attention because we're so frazzled and have our mind on everything we aren't doing that needs to be done! 

If anyone had a legitimate right to say, "I don't have time," it was Jesus. He was busy! He was sent to save the world and disciple a group of men and women to lead the Church once he left for Heaven, yet he still took time for his friends. 

I think we can safely argue that Jesus's friends were not limited to that small band of men he traveled around with. In other words, if Jesus had Facebook or Twitter, his friend list would have been astronomical! Therefore, when Jesus set the example for friendship by taking time to invest deeply in his friends, he was expecting that we do the same. In fact, Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) to point out that everyone is our "neighbor," not just those people who fit into our social set.

In John 21, Jesus meets with his disciples one last time before ascending to Heaven. After a night of fishing but not catching anything, the disciples were headed into shore. Jesus, whom they didn't recognize, was standing on the beach and told them to cast their nets again. They did and brought up a net-load of fish. Then the disciples recognized him (he'd done this for them once before). Peter jumped into the water and headed straight for Jesus. When the others joined them, Jesus prepared breakfast. Jesus took care of their physical hunger and then attended to matters of the heart. 

Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him. Each time, Peter professed his love, and each time Jesus commanded Peter to feed or shepherd his sheep. The interesting thing about this exchange is that the first two times Jesus questioned Peter regarding his love, Jesus used the form of the word love that implies deep spiritual love, obedience to God's commandments because of that love. Peter affirmed each time his affection, using the lesser meaning of the word, fondness. The last time Jesus asked, he too used the weaker of the two definitions, but I don't think it's because he doubted that Peter loved him at the much deeper, spiritual level. Peter's self-confidence was deeply shaken; he'd betrayed Jesus. The incredible thing about Jesus, though, is that he knew Peter, beyond appearances, and called him to shepherd his sheep, to lead the Church. Jesus knew that Peter would have that deep abiding love for his Savior that would cause him to be obedient and devote his life to serving God and others.

As a Christ-follower, we are commanded to be a friend like Jesus. That means we are to love God and love others (Matthew 22:37-39). That takes time! It's messy! It's sacrificial! It's risky! It's nothing short of what Jesus does for us! As we move through our day-to-day lives, we need to evaluate what is taking our time. If those things are keeping us from spending time with the Lord, then we need to re-think their importance. If we are so busy that we can't see the needs of the people around us - our family members, our friends, our colleagues, our fellow Christians, strangers - then we aren't fulfilling what we're expected to do as Christians. 

Just as the disciples and early Christians weren't left unequipped to be friends like Jesus, neither are we. In John 14:12-27, Jesus told his disciples that he would send a Comforter, and Helper, for us. He knows our lives, he knows what we have to accomplish each day, and he also knows what he's called us to be in this life - Jesus with skin on. He knows, and he equips. We have to determine to love (agape) him. Then, trust God for the rest - and the rest (Matthew 11:28).

Lord, we are so thankful that when we have lost confidence in ourselves, you haven't. You look past our flaws and see the beauty of your creation and what we can be in you. Thank you for taking the time to lead each of us to a deeper understanding of who you are and who you want us to be. Thank you for your gracious friendship.

Please help us to slow down and be a friend to those around us. Let us see with your eyes and share your love with others. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who equips us to serve you and others. Amen. 

Parenting - "Up a Tree" Looking for Answers!

One of my favorite Bible stories is that of Zacchaeus, the "wee little man" (Luke 19:1-10). He was both literally and figuratively "up a tree" when he met Jesus. At some point in our lives, we all find ourselves "up a tree" like Zacchaeus, looking for a way out of our desperate situation. 

Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. Maybe he had heard that Jesus wasn't like other religious leaders, or perhaps he was just curious. Quite probably he longed for redemption and restoration into God's family. Nevertheless, Zacchaeus knew he would have to be proactive if he was to see who Jesus was (Luke 19:3-4). Like Zacchaeus, when the Holy Spirit begins to work in our hearts, we will have a strong desire for God. We may not know exactly what we're looking for, but we're driven to seek for "it." We will do anything and look everywhere to find the piece and the peace that's missing. 

Because Zacchaeus was small in stature, he climbed "up a tree" rather than stay "down on the street," among the crowd, hoping to see Jesus. When we seek what's missing in our lives, our ability to see is obstructed by the crowd of distractions of this life. We try things and come up empty. We have to look "up" and shift our vision from what's around us to what's above (Colossians 3:2).

Jesus knew Zacchaeus was waiting, looking, and longing to know him. When he passed by the sycamore tree, Jesus looked up and told Zacchaeus to hurry down because he must abide in his house today. One definition of the verb must is to be compelled. Zacchaeus' desire to know Jesus compelled Jesus to move into his heart and life. When we seek Christ, we find him (Luke 11:9-10). He dwells within us, and we are never the same.

Zacchaeus received Jesus joyfully.  He found whom he was seeking, and his life was changed. He repented and made restoration (Luke 19:8). When we receive Christ, we are forgiven, and he comes to abide in and with us. We become new (II Corinthians 5:17) and know joy (Romans 14:17; 15:13). We change what we've been doing and want to live a life that honors God.

The religious leaders of the day rejected Jesus because he associated with sinners like Zacchaeus, but Jesus came for the lost. About Zacchaeus' conversion, Jesus proclaimed, "This day is salvation come to this house.... For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:9-10). Heaven celebrated (Luke 15:10)!

Eventually, we all find ourselves "up a tree" (Romans 3:23), but when we acknowledge we're lost, we will find Jesus waiting to abide with us (John 14:23). We will know we have found Whom we were seeking. 

Lord, you promise that when we seek you we will find you and that when we call for you, you will answer. Help us to look up to you. Thank you for being our Redeemer and for restoring us to your family. Amen.

Parenting - All I Want for Christmas Is ....

Christmas has been on my mind a lot recently! I know that isn't exactly a profound revelation given that we are in the thick of the holiday season, but I've been seriously preoccupied this year with the whole notion of how we do Christmas.

I started months ago begging my adult children for their "Christmas lists" so that I would know how to purchase for them. They had trouble getting those lists to me; the response to the question, "What do you want for Christmas?" was generally, "I don't know."

As the actual shopping for just the right gifts commenced, I just got irritated. I love my family, I want to give them "good gifts," but the feeling I had was that these kids have everything they need and a whole lot of what they want. They are blessed to be well-educated and well-employed; those material blessings extend to my grandchild. She really doesn't need yet another toy. This "shopping binge" resembled the feeling I have when I over-indulge in some decadent dessert - it was great while I was doing it, but when it was over, not so much! Too much of a good thing is too much of a good thing.

I examined why I was feeling so Scrooge-like about Christmas and decided it had something to do with what's going on in the world around us - growing numbers of people we know without jobs, people losing their homes, folks without health insurance. You get the idea. I am blessed to be able to actually have the "worry" of what to buy family and friends because I have the means to do so. In light of the real problems others are facing, my angst over gift-giving seems rather trivial.

I know I sound like a real Grinch; I'm not. Once I got into the swing of things, I bought gifts that I do hope my family and friends will enjoy. I look forward to giving those gifts and seeing them opened on Christmas morning, but the best part of the day will be the time we spend together and the memories we create.

But even though I will give and receive gifts and will cherish the time with family and friends, here's what I really want for Christmas. I want to know - deeply understand - what it meant for Jesus to leave Heaven to take the most hazardous journey human beings can take - natural birth - to experience life both as God and man.

I want to understand that Mary and Joseph didn't commit to the romanticized version of the Christmas story we've grown up with, but rather to a life they knew would lead to ridicule from their society and most likely a "you're on your own" birth of their first child in conditions far less than ideal. They may have been visited by adoring shepherds and wise men and angels, but they also had to run from their homeland to live as refugees to protect that child. Mary and Joseph knew that being chosen by God for this most sacred appointment did not mean living the life of privilege; they learned what it means to live by faith, to listen to messengers sent from God, to parent not only as earthly parents but also as parents submitted to God's direction and plan for their very "unique" son Jesus.

I want to be so altered in my thinking about Christmas that I grasp more completely that Jesus came for all mankind, not just those who look like me, behave as I do, have what I have (or more), or are otherwise pleasing to my way of thinking. I want to understand to the point of putting into action that Jesus came to "...save that which was lost" (Matthew 18:11). When Jesus returns, I want to have been found faithful, I want him to be able to put me in with the "sheep" who fed the hungry and gave the thirsty something to drink; who clothed those needing clothing and visited the sick and imprisoned (Matthew 25:31-46).

I am thankful for all my material blessings, but I want to possess a heart full of thanksgiving for the gift of a Savior, for the promise of eternal life. I want to be so transformed in my thinking that every day I will be submitted to serve the One who came to serve. For me, if I can become that person, I will have come to understand Christmas and will celebrate it each day. I will have received the greatest gift ever!

Mary Did You Know - Mark Lowry

Heavenly Father, thank you for unconditional love and your desire to so want us to be restored to your family that you made the ultimate sacrifice - the gift of your son Jesus, his life, that we might be saved and spend all eternity with you. I pray that each day I will celebrate by seeking to serve you and others, to give back for all you have given me.

Parenting - There's a Hole in the Bucket!

I am re-reading Richard Stearns' The Hole in Our Gospel and somehow made one of those strange brain connections to an old children's song "There's a Hole in the Bucket." Now the song is stuck in my head, and I don't think it will stop playing until I do something with those lyrics!

The gist of the song, for those of you far too young to remember it, is a conversation between Henry and Liza regarding a hole in Henry's bucket. Liza suggests that Henry repair the hole by using straw, but Henry says the straw is too long. Liza suggests cutting the straw, but Henry isn't sure what to use to make the cut. Liza recommends he use his ax, but Henry says it's not sharp enough; Liza tells him to sharpen it, he doesn't know what to use. She tells him to use a stone; he counters with the fact that the stone is too dry, so Liza tells him to wet the stone. Well, you can imagine the outcome. Henry can't wet the stone because there's a hole in the bucket; thus, he can't draw water into the bucket and on and on and on.

I have always hated that song! Henry isn't exactly a problem-solver or a creative thinker and really doesn't appear to be too motivated to remedy what, back in the day, was a real problem - he had a hole in his bucket!

Other than the similarities in title, the connection between "There's a Hole in the Bucket" and The Hole in Our Gospel may not be particularly obvious. Stearns believes that as Christians we have a gaping hole that prevents us from fulfilling the purpose for which we are called. In effect, we have the "bucket," our salvation, but it isn't functioning as intended because we fail to make our faith public; too many of us aren't committed to being "Jesus with skin on" so that those who don't know Christ can learn who He is through what we say and do. That's the hole that is making the bucket far from useful.

When Jesus ascended into Heaven, he issued this commission to his disciples: "And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race]" (Mark 16:15). If this command had been to His apostles only, you and I may never have heard of the Good News; therefore, we must assume that God intends for all of us who are His disciples to "preach and publish openly" to others just as someone did for us.

As parents, the most important people with whom we want to share the Gospel is with our children. Our children learn most powerfully from us. Actively living our faith before them is critical if they are to embrace Christianity for themselves. Children are like Henry's bucket; we can fill them to the brim with the knowledge and understanding of who God is so that they are fulfilling their purpose and are useful, or we can stand around, wring our hands, come up with excuses for why we can't.

Each of us has a place that only God can fill. If we don't fill it with Him, we will fill it with other things. We will never be satisfied; our "bucket" won't hold water. Our children are just like us. If we don't teach them what should go into their bucket, they will attempt to fill it. Their world (and ours) offers them plenty of substitutes, but there is nothing that replaces the love of God in their lives.

Instead of hoping that our children will come to salvation "by osmosis," let's seal the hole in our Gospel by actively leading them to Christ so that one day we aren't like Henry wondering what to do about the holes in their buckets.

Lord, light a fire under us! Help us to get active in our faith, taking up the cross, following You, and telling our children and others about You. It's not enough to just hope that our children will one day live for You; we must disciple them so they will choose to live for You and in turn disciple others.

Thank You for the opportunity to lead our children to a relationship with You. Amen.

Love - No Greater Gift

When I learned I was to be a grandmother for the first time, I could hardly wait for the moment when Hadley Grace would make her debut. Even before she was born, my heart began to make a very special place for her. I loved her before I knew her, and from the moment she was born, I fell head over heals in love. I am shamelessly a smitten grandma! Hadley "owns" me!

Hadley's going to be a big sister soon. When I first heard the news, I wondered how I could ever love another grandchild as much as I love Hadley, but then I realized, he already has a place in my heart. He's already loved, and the love I have for him isn't taking away from the love I have for his big sister. My "love capacity" is simply increasing; I have room and space for more! These grandchildren - however many I am blessed to have - will all be my favorites and will have all my love.

I think our capacity to love is a gift from God. I can only imagine how much God loves each of us. He doesn't panic every time another one of us is born, wondering if He has enough love to go around; He doesn't wonder if He can love me as much as He loves someone else. The love God has for each of us is unlimited, it is unconditional, and it's never-failing. He knows us from our very beginning, He's wildly in love with us, and He wants only His best for us.

A familiar verse in the Bible says it like this, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16; I John 3:16). This gift is for each of us; no one is left out. His gift of love doesn't run dry; He has an unlimited supply. Because He loves us, we are his children (I John 3:1), and we have life through Him (I John 4:9). God loves us so much that He gave his son as a sacrifice for us that we might be restored into relationship with Him (I John 4:10). He made His love for us "real" in the gift He gave: "But God demonstrates his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). We don't have to worry about whether or not God will stop loving us. Nothing can separate us from his love (Romans 8:38-39).

As we enter the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons, we will have gift giving on our minds. The greatest gift that we can extend to another person is the gift of love. That may mean we learn to love ourselves and accept God's love for us. It may mean showing love to someone difficult to love or someone we don't even know. The bottom line is this - God gave us the capacity to love others so we can show (and know) unlimited love for Him, for others, and even for ourselves.

"Greater love has no one than this,
than to lay down one's life for his friends"
(John 15:13).

No Greater Love by Rachel Lampa

Thank you, Lord, for loving us unconditionally and without reservation. Please help us to learn to love as You love and to share the love You have given us with others. Help us to be generous in demonstrating your love.