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. 

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.

Parenting - The Care and Feeding of Sheep

In John 21, Jesus appears to his disciples while they are out fishing. They haven't caught anything, although they'd been at it all night. From the shore, Jesus suggests they cast their nets on the other side of the boat, which they do, and they catch so many fish they had to drag the net behind them to shore. When they arrive on the shore, Jesus has breakfast ready for them and invites them to, "Come and dine. (v. 12)"

While they are eating, Jesus asks Peter, "...do you truly love me more than these," to which Peter responded, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus then said to Peter, "Feed my lambs." This exchange between Jesus and Peter is repeated three times, with Peter becoming a bit more uncomfortable with each repetition.

The formerly brash, self-assured Peter is much more reserved in his proclamation of his love and seems a bit unsure of his abilities to fulfill successfully the charge that Jesus is giving. He’s still grieving his betrayal of Christ; yet, even though Peter was unsure of his ability to be faithful, Jesus knew otherwise. He called this fisherman to become a shepherd and feed sheep.

Throughout the Bible, we are compared to sheep and Jesus to our Shepherd. When Jesus asked Peter to feed His sheep, he was placing in Peter's care His children. This was no small calling; Peter, as well as any of us who have responsibility over others, was being commissioned to serve and to care for Jesus' flock. As parents, we are shepherds to our children.

A shepherd takes the care and keeping of his flock quite seriously. Psalm 23 talks of the Lord being our shepherd and how he cares for us, His sheep. In verse 4, David proclaims, "...your rod and your staff, they comfort me." This is a powerful image because the comfort from the rod and staff comes after much personal investment on the part of the shepherd.

A young shepherd carefully chooses and crafts his rod and staff; they are the essential tools of his trade and are designed to fit him. He then practices, learning to use his rod with great precision until it becomes like his "right arm." It is the symbol of strength, power, and authority in all serious situations. It's a tool used as a weapon against predators, for discipline, and for the sheep's welfare. When a wayward sheep wanders too close to danger, the shepherd throws the rod within range near enough to frighten the sheep back to the safety of the flock. He uses it to count the sheep and to examine them for any signs of injury or disease.

The staff is most often used to comfort the sheep by drawing them together. A shepherd will skillfully use the crook of the staff to lift a newborn lamb that's been separated from its mother and reunite them or use gentle pressure from the staff to guide the wandering sheep back onto a path of safety. And, when the sheep really get into messes, the staff is used to untangle them from thorns and brambles from which they can't free themselves or lift them back onto solid ground after falling off a cliff while chasing yet one more mouthful of grass.

Is it any wonder that David wrote that we are "...the sheep of his pasture"? How often do we wander off the beaten path chasing something that captures our attention and need God's rescue? How often do we unknowingly (or knowingly) encounter danger only to be protected by our Shepherd?

As parents, we are commissioned by God to shepherd our children. He's called us to "feed sheep." This is no small responsibility. We know it, just as Peter did, so we must rely on God's guidance to help us. He will teach us to use our "rod and staff" - His Word - with precision to lead our children along the safe path, to protect them, to discipline them, to comfort them, and to help them when they get entangled in dangerous situations. He will be our Shepherd and lead us in the way in which we should go.

Gentle Shepherd, thank you for guiding us, for leading us back onto the path of safety when we stray, for keeping us safe and for comforting us.

Lord, You’ve called us to be a shepherd to our children and to “feed” them. Please help us to follow your example and give us the wisdom to guide them in “paths of righteousness” and to protect them from all harm.

Thank you, Heavenly Father.

“A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by Phillip Keller

How to Love a "Prodigal"

Perhaps the most powerful of the 3 stories Jesus shares in Luke 15 is the story of the "Prodigal Son." The story applies to all of us at some point in our lives. We may be the son who "knew it all" and headed out to prove to the world that he didn't need to follow all those old fashioned rules, we may be the son who always played by the rules and tried to be the "perfect child," or we may be the father whose heart broke to see his son head down a road to certain destruction.

As parents, we certainly don't want to be in the position this father finds himself in. He knows with all certainty that his son will end up broken, but he also knows that this young man has to learn some lessons on his own. Sure enough, the son so positive that the good times are going to roll on forever finds himself in worse shape than his dad's hired hands. The son finds himself in the pig pen, literally, and there he faces the truth - Dad was right, he wasn't.

Thankfully, the story doesn't end with the son wasting away among the pigs. He makes a plan - return home, admit and own his wrong-doing, and seek restitution by working as his dad's servant. But upon his return, his dad, who had been faithfully watching and waiting for his son to return home, refuses to hear the careful plan for restitution. Instead, he embraces his son, calls for a celebration, and restores his son to his position in the family. Nowhere in the story do we see where the father recounts the stupid mistakes the son has made, the way the son has shamed the family, and the pain and anguish he's caused.

Compare this parable to the story of David, a man after God's heart. David sins big - he commits adultery with Bathsheba, has the woman's husband killed, and tries to cover up his crimes. The child of his relationship with Bathsheba dies. David tried, like the Prodigal Son, to go his own way and manipulate situations to his benefit, but eventually he had to admit he sinned against his Father. He then came before God with a broken and contrite heart, much like the Prodigal Son upon his return home.

David spoke so eloquently of repentance in Psalm 51. He pleads for mercy and forgiveness and uses much the same words as the Prodigal Son, "Against you, you only, have I sinned ...(v. 4)." But it's what David requests from the Lord that is so powerful:

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

First, David asks to be created new, restored to a place of right-standing with God. Only God can take our mistakes and make something beautiful and useful from them. David is asking for God's help in leaving the past behind and becoming a "new creation." Only God can create like that!

Next, he asks that God renew a determination in him that couldn't be shaken, a steadfastness that would protect him from temptation and from the ups and downs in his faith and commitment to God.

Finally, David asks for a "willing spirit" to be obedient to whatever God asks of him. He was seeking the power that only God can give that would allow him to stay the course and not be moved by the temptations and adversities of life.

David had learned from his mistakes, he came before the Lord with a "broken and contrite heart," just as the Prodigal Son presented himself to his father. In fact, David says in Psalm 51:17, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

For someone who has taken the path of the Prodigal Son more than once (I'm a slow learner), Luke 15 and Psalm 51 speak to me of the incredible unconditional love and forgiveness of my Heavenly Father. Because of His quickness to forgive and to rejoice over my repentant heart, I want to love Him and serve Him, I want to be steadfast in my commitment to Him.

As parents, I believe that when our children come to us truly sorry for their mistakes or rebellion, we must respond as our Heavenly Father does, and we must lead our children to take the steps that David and the Prodigal Son took to seek forgiveness and restoration.We must teach them about contrition and about seeking from God strength to do what is right and a willing spirit of obedience.

How we respond when our children do wrong sets the foundation for their understanding of love and forgiveness that they extend to themselves and to others and how able they are to accept the love and forgiveness of their Heavenly Father.

We can use these times (and unless your children are different than mine were, there will be plenty of opportunities) to teach our children the way in which to say, "I'm sorry," with meaning, and then we can lead them in the next steps to learn from their mistakes, take actions to not repeat them, and to learn obedience.

Lord, thank you for forgiving me and for restoring me into your family. Thank you for not recounting my failures, for forgetting them and loving me.

Please help us as we teach our children about You and Your love and forgiveness. Help us to provide them with wise guidance and counsel when we must discipline them. Let us always be an example of You so that they will grow to become who You have designed them to be and that they will serve You all the days of their lives.

Thank you, Lord, for Your unconditional love and forgiveness.

John 3:16-17

What to Teach a Child: Love for God and Others

As parents we have the most important responsibility of teaching our children how to be, how to live life according to God's principles. That may seem daunting, and some days it is, but fortunately we don't have to navigate the course of parenthood alone. The Bible provides direction and examples for us to follow. So, where do we begin? What's the most important principle to teach a child?

In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus is questioned by a lawyer of the Pharisees regarding the greatest commandments. Jesus' response was one that would have (and still does) made me squirm - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus didn't tell the folks listening anything they hadn't heard their entire lives; he just "simplified" things for them. He directed them back to their own religious training and upbringing and told them that all other laws "...hang on these two commandments (Matt. 22:40)."

God gave parents direction on these two commandments in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. His admonition is one for all of us as parents and fully devoted followers of Christ to take to heart and put into practice. To break it down into steps, here's what as parents we must do to ensure that our children have in their hearts God's principles:

• We are to have these two commandments in our hearts (Deut. 6:6).
• We are to teach them diligently (with constant effort, attention, persistence) to our children (Deut. 6:7).
• We are to talk with our children about them at home, when we're out and about, playing, running errands, the first thing in the morning and before going to bed at night (Deut. 6:7).
• We are to surround ourselves and our children with "reminders" of the greatest commandments (Deut. 6:8-9).

God's intention is for us to live before our children absolute, total love for Him and love for others. Just as our children learn to be like us by watching us, they also learn to be like their Heavenly Father in the same way.

Our children are learning in Adventure Kidz that love is choosing to give someone your time and friendship no matter what and that when you love God you'll love others.

As we learn to love the Lord with all our being, we will find ourselves loving others. We will teach our children by telling them stories of how God has shown His love to us and how He has helped us love others. He will give us wisdom to direct our children in learning to love Him completely and loving others.

Lord, your Word promises that if we keep your commandments, if we plant them deep in our hearts and live them because we love You with our entire being, that You will bless our lives and provide for all our needs.

You also know that loving You so completely and loving others isn't always easy for us. Just as we are patient with our own children as they learn and grow, You are patient with us. You provide us with what we need to keep your commandments, though, and I am so thankful that You are our strength and that your Holy Spirit is ever present to guide us.

Please give us wisdom to teach our children to love You and to love others. Thank you, Father.

Links to Resources for Parents: