He was early for Bible class that night. It was still several minutes before seven - several minutes before the bell would ring to start class. As his Mom said goodbye and went on to her class, he stood just inside the door watching me. I was busy with pulling all my materials out of my bag and getting everything organized and ready for class. I had spoken to him when he first walked in, but because I wanted to have everything ready before any other students got there, I was busily working and not paying much attention to my precious little Bible student. I say precious for several reasons, the primary one of course being that all children - all souls, actually - are precious in the eyes of God. But I also call this child precious because of what I learned from him that night.
About 5 or 6 weeks prior to this night, he had gotten new shoes. I really don't know why, but new shoes are a big deal to a 2 or 3 year old child. They don't comment that much when they get new clothes, but for some reason new shoes are a source of great pride. So each week for the past several weeks, he had commented on his new shoes as he first came into the classroom. Tonight was the same. He said, "I got new shoes." He was smiling proudly.
I am ashamed to tell you what I said next because looking back on it, it almost seems mean. So often we don't think before we speak and I am as guilty as anyone else in that area. This is where I made my mistake --and where this little guy taught me a lesson I hope I never forget. I was still very busy trying to get everything ready for class and I was running out of time, so naturally I was barely paying attention to him. I looked over nonchalantly to see the same shoes that he had now been wearing for several weeks. "Those are very nice shoes, but they are not new anymore. You have had them for a while now." I was almost ready for the rest of the class.
He continued to stand there watching me. I had not given him a satisfactory answer and was still only paying casual attention to him. Now I can't tell you what all went on in that young boy's mind, but I am pretty sure he wanted my attention in some way. He stood quietly for a few seconds and then he said, "Well, I pick my nose, too!" Now that got my attention! Mission accomplished. When I looked up he was smiling. My little friend did what he had set out to do -- for now I was concentrating only on him.
I learned an important lesson that night. Children need love and attention. Now I knew that. What I mean is that I learned how important it is for a Bible teacher to focus on her students -- not her material. No matter how much of that love is received by parents, siblings and grandparents at home, they still need special care from their Bible class teachers. How else can you get a child interested in coming to learn to study God's word than by letting them know they are safe and loved while they are in the classroom? Bible class teachers play a huge role in how the church as a whole is perceived by these children. It may be that they are too young to remember specifics from their Bible classes when they are only two or three -- but the feeling we teachers give them will go with them for the rest of their lives. What an awesome responsibility this is!
If you are a Bible class teacher, please make sure you give your students the love and attention they deserve. Focus on each child as an individual at least once during class time. Let them share what's going on in their lives and let them comment as you are telling the story. I know you can't let the class get out of control, but there should be times during class that they can interact with you and the other students.
Whether or not we are teachers, there is One who wants our attention. God wants us to "have ears that ear" and "eyes that see." In other words, he wants us to pay attention to Him. He doesn't want us to read through the Bible and say --"Oh yes, Lord - I've heard this before. You said the same thing a few chapters back. This isn't anything new." As we read and study our Bibles we can't allow our attention to wander. As we pray we must focus only on God. He is waiting on us to come to Him. I know He will pay attention to us - personal attention -- as we pray to Him. He knows us intimately and He wants us to know Him in the same way.
Several times as Jesus was teaching, He would say, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." Mark 4:9 and Mark 4:23 are just two examples. Jesus is pleading with His audience, Listen to me. Pay attention. I am teaching you something very important. Please hear it. I am telling you about your Heavenly Father. I want you to be in heaven with me. At the time of the transfiguration, "a voice out of the cloud, which said, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him." (Matthew 17:5) Through the Bible, God's inspired word, Jesus still calls to us today. Are you listening? Does He ever have your full attention? Most importantly, are you following and keeping His words?
Matthew 7:24 - "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock."
Luke 11:28 - "But He said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it."
Think about it. Hear Him --hear His sayings and keep them.
Christ above all things,
Robin
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Cleaning Out Our Temples
This past Sunday night on the way home from church services my son and I were having a conversation about the Bible. Somehow we started talking about when Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple. Aaron said he used a whip. He then told me I could talk about that in my blog -- about when Jesus cracked the whip. I was surprised because for some reason, I had not remembered this little detail.
Needless to say I was still curious about this when I got home. I wanted to know if Christ had really used a whip. Naturally, I got my Bible out and started studying. First I found the record of His cleansing of the temple toward the end of His minstry. This scene is depicted in Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17 and in Luke 19:45-48. None of these accounts mention a whip of any kind. I was beginning to think that Aaron was wrong, but then I found another time when Jesus cleansed the temple at the beginning of His ministry. That is recorded in John 2:13 through17. Ah Ha! There it was, right in the scriptures.
The account recorded by John happened shortly after Christ had performed His first miracle, that of turning water into wine at a wedding feast. Verse 15 of Chapter 2 does say that Jesus "made a scourge of small cords" and "drove them all out of the temple." A scourge is a whip. I looked that up in my Webster's dictionary and in Strong's Concordance. But it seems unlikely to me that our Lord "cracked" a whip. I read a few on line concordances and they were very careful to point out that the scourge was not used on any person, but that it was used to aid in driving out the cattle that were in the temple. Nothing was permanently destroyed. Neither the cattle, nor any of the people were harmed and the money could be picked back up again. Jesus was not destructive when He cleansed the temple; but He certainly got rid of the corruption - at least for a time.
Many thoughts come to mind when reading about Christ throwing out the money changers. John says that the disciples remembered "that it was written, 'The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.' " (John 2:17) This is almost a direct quote from Psalms 69:9. Jesus certainly did have a zeal for His Father's house. The temple was the place where the Jews came to worship God. It is where they had access to the Heavenly Father. It was the holy dwelling place of the great I AM. We cannot even begin to comprehend the great love that exists between God the Father, and God the Son. But because their beings are so intertwined with one another - because of the great love Jesus had for His Father - He merely could not abide the corruption that was going on in the "His Father's house."
It is important to note the steadfast loyalty that Christ had for God. Christ always had it foremost in His mind and heart that He was there to glorify the Father. If we think of our own fathers, we can relate somewhat to Jesus' actions. We love our earthly fathers. We are loyal to them and when we were small we wanted very much to please them. If anyone ever said anything bad our Dad or did something to tarnish his name or reputation we were quick to defend him. So Jesus was with the Heavenly Father. And so should we also be with God. No matter how much we love our earthly family, we are to love God the most. Remember the first commandment is to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, mind, soul and strength.
Now, I know that today God does not reside in any building. Nevertheless, we should treat the place we come to worship and give reverence to our Almighty Father with respect. We should teach our children to help take care of the building. We need to remind them to pick up any candy or gum wrappers left on the seats. We should never write or carve on our pews. We should teach them not to demolish the song books. Like I said, I know the building is not holy. I know that. However, the local meeting place for our home congregations should still be taken care of so that we can continue to enjoy the blessings of meeting together to worship in spirit and truth.
In the New Testament, the church - the individual members are described as the temple or dwelling place of God. Let us consider these scriptures.
I Cor. 3:16-17 --"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." Whew - does that sound a little like Christ did when he threw the buyers and sellers and all their merchandise out of the temple? I don't think God likes it very much when we defile His dwelling place with angry words or inappropriate thoughts or foul language.
Read I Corinthians 6:19-20 --"What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." It seems like Paul was trying to tell the Corinthians to get their act together. Clean out or rid yourself (your temple) of those things that would defile or destroy you. Empty yourself of the bad stuff and then fill yourself up with God's spirit - and glorify God - because you belong to Him!
I want to share two more verses that will give us food for thought. At least these verses made me stop and think about myself. II Corinthians 6:16 -- "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
Eph. 2:21-22 -- "In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."
So think about it (and I am talking to myself as much as anyone else) -- if Christ came to the temple of God that is in you ... would He find anything to throw out?
Christ above all things,
Robin
Needless to say I was still curious about this when I got home. I wanted to know if Christ had really used a whip. Naturally, I got my Bible out and started studying. First I found the record of His cleansing of the temple toward the end of His minstry. This scene is depicted in Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17 and in Luke 19:45-48. None of these accounts mention a whip of any kind. I was beginning to think that Aaron was wrong, but then I found another time when Jesus cleansed the temple at the beginning of His ministry. That is recorded in John 2:13 through17. Ah Ha! There it was, right in the scriptures.
The account recorded by John happened shortly after Christ had performed His first miracle, that of turning water into wine at a wedding feast. Verse 15 of Chapter 2 does say that Jesus "made a scourge of small cords" and "drove them all out of the temple." A scourge is a whip. I looked that up in my Webster's dictionary and in Strong's Concordance. But it seems unlikely to me that our Lord "cracked" a whip. I read a few on line concordances and they were very careful to point out that the scourge was not used on any person, but that it was used to aid in driving out the cattle that were in the temple. Nothing was permanently destroyed. Neither the cattle, nor any of the people were harmed and the money could be picked back up again. Jesus was not destructive when He cleansed the temple; but He certainly got rid of the corruption - at least for a time.
Many thoughts come to mind when reading about Christ throwing out the money changers. John says that the disciples remembered "that it was written, 'The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.' " (John 2:17) This is almost a direct quote from Psalms 69:9. Jesus certainly did have a zeal for His Father's house. The temple was the place where the Jews came to worship God. It is where they had access to the Heavenly Father. It was the holy dwelling place of the great I AM. We cannot even begin to comprehend the great love that exists between God the Father, and God the Son. But because their beings are so intertwined with one another - because of the great love Jesus had for His Father - He merely could not abide the corruption that was going on in the "His Father's house."
It is important to note the steadfast loyalty that Christ had for God. Christ always had it foremost in His mind and heart that He was there to glorify the Father. If we think of our own fathers, we can relate somewhat to Jesus' actions. We love our earthly fathers. We are loyal to them and when we were small we wanted very much to please them. If anyone ever said anything bad our Dad or did something to tarnish his name or reputation we were quick to defend him. So Jesus was with the Heavenly Father. And so should we also be with God. No matter how much we love our earthly family, we are to love God the most. Remember the first commandment is to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, mind, soul and strength.
Now, I know that today God does not reside in any building. Nevertheless, we should treat the place we come to worship and give reverence to our Almighty Father with respect. We should teach our children to help take care of the building. We need to remind them to pick up any candy or gum wrappers left on the seats. We should never write or carve on our pews. We should teach them not to demolish the song books. Like I said, I know the building is not holy. I know that. However, the local meeting place for our home congregations should still be taken care of so that we can continue to enjoy the blessings of meeting together to worship in spirit and truth.
In the New Testament, the church - the individual members are described as the temple or dwelling place of God. Let us consider these scriptures.
I Cor. 3:16-17 --"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." Whew - does that sound a little like Christ did when he threw the buyers and sellers and all their merchandise out of the temple? I don't think God likes it very much when we defile His dwelling place with angry words or inappropriate thoughts or foul language.
Read I Corinthians 6:19-20 --"What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." It seems like Paul was trying to tell the Corinthians to get their act together. Clean out or rid yourself (your temple) of those things that would defile or destroy you. Empty yourself of the bad stuff and then fill yourself up with God's spirit - and glorify God - because you belong to Him!
I want to share two more verses that will give us food for thought. At least these verses made me stop and think about myself. II Corinthians 6:16 -- "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
Eph. 2:21-22 -- "In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."
So think about it (and I am talking to myself as much as anyone else) -- if Christ came to the temple of God that is in you ... would He find anything to throw out?
Christ above all things,
Robin
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Strengthening the Tie That Binds
I was blessed this weekend to be able to attend a Christian ladies' retreat in Double Springs, Alabama. There were eight of us from 3 different congregations in Mississippi that all rode together in one church van. I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. Not only did we have some wonderful fellowship together during the drive over and back again; but we participated in some great fun and fellowship at the retreat. We got to catch up with old friends and meet many new ones. We had good food and good silly fun during our activities. We got to pull ourselves out of our ordinary routines and give ourselves a little time just for us; and most importantly we were refreshed and re-filled spiritually by the beautiful singing we participated in and by the two wonderful lessons we heard from God's word.
I love retreats, ladies days, Christian camps, gospel meetings, Bible Bowls, and any other extra acitivities of the church where Christians get to share with one another; to exhort and edify one another. I know that not every event is for everyone. I don't think anyone can participate in all activities of the church. But I do think that everyone should participate in some way. Members of God's church are to work together, to serve one another and to build each other up. We are commanded by Jesus to love one another.
In John 13:35, Christ tells us "A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another." OK - so how can Christians learn to love one another if they don't spend time together? And how can "all men know" that we are Christ's disciples if we don't fellowship with one another so that we can openly demonstrate our love for each other? Closeness between Christians is a commandment. How we develop this closeness is left to us; and the how doesn't matter. But it matters very much that we make sure we obey all God's commndments including this one. There are clear examples of that closeness in the New Tesatament. And there are many opportunities available to us so that we can enjoy that closeness.
In Acts 1, even before the establishment of the church, we see that the apostles were sticking together. After the ascension of Christ, they go back to Jerusalem to an upper room where they were staying with other disciples. Acts 1:25 tells us that there were about 120 people gathered together in that room. These were followers of Christ - people with the same beliefs -- gathered together in one place and "in one accord, in prayer and supplication." (Acts 1:14) Then in Acts 2:1, Luke tells us again that "they were all with one accord in one place" on the day of Pentecost. We all know this story. This is the day that the apostles were filled with the Holy Ghost and the church was established.
On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) Peter preached. "They that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there was added unto them about three thousand souls." (v.41) Luke records this very special event and it is important for us to know that these souls obeyed God's Word, for this was the beginning of the blessing we enjoy today as a church. The church was built by Christ, bought by His blood. We are His body. The tie that binds us all is the blood of Christ. Just as we take care of our own bodies to strengthen it and keep it healthy, we are to care for the body of Christ (which means other members of the body) to strengthen and keep it healthy.
It is also important to understand that these people were not just baptized only to go back to their own homes their old way of life. A family was born that day; the family of God. From the very beginning, the church began to keep Christ's command of letting the world see the love they had for one another. Acts 2:42 -46 shows us the closeness of those early Christians, "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they continuing daily with one accored in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. Praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
It certainly sounds to me like the early church was spending time together, learning and growing in the apostles' teaching AND in their love for one another. By having "all things in common" and sharing with each other as each man had need, they were most certainly showing their love for one another. Other people were seeing this and understood that they were all part of the same group, as the record shows in verse 47 that they had favour with all the people and the Lord's church grew. Wonderful!!!! I think the love is evident in these verses don't you?
The passages in the first two chapters of Acts should be enough to show us this great bond between Christians in the first century. The fact that they had "all things in common" is proof that they were showing this to the world. Yet, this is only the beginning of the examples given to us throughout Acts and the rest of the New Tesatment. In Acts 4, we see again that no one lacked anything; that those who owned land or houses sold them for the good of the church. Barnabas was one of these men. In chapter 9, we see that Tabitha was a woman who was full of goods works. She was so loved by the church, that when she died, they call for Peter to come to her.
As we read in Acts 11 of Barnabas's visit to Antioch (as he was sent by the apostles) - we find that "when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord, For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added to the Lord." (v. 23 & 24). Was this possibly the very first gospel meeting? Isn't that what we do today? Don't we call for a preacher from another area to come exhort us to cleave to the Lord and to perhaps reach out to others in the community when we do so - so that people can be added to the Lord?
Reading on through the book of Acts, we see that Christians were gathered together praying for Peter while he was in prison. Note that as soon as Lydia was converted, she opened her home to Paul and his company. The Phillipian jailor also brought Paul and Silas into his home. I could go on and on, but I feel that I am belaboring the point.
I say all this to say that meeting together, bonding with one another, and learning to love one another strenghtens the church. So the activities that congregations plan to bring the people of God together are all good works. Attending a retreat or a camp or a gospel meeting, blesses you and builds you up. We get to grow in love for another and we are strengthened spiritually. As we are blessed personally by attending these events, we are able to go back and bless our own congregations. We build on the love we received and on the strength and encouragement we gain -- and we come home to build our brothers and sister there. The church grows and is strengthened. The world notices and God is glorified.
Build up and strengthen your ties with other Christians. Spend time in one accord with other members of God's family. Obey the new commandment given to us by Christ - "love one another" as Christ loved you. Show this love to the extent that people understand you are a disciple of the Lord Jesus. You will be blessed. You will bless other Christians. And God will be glorified!!
Christ above all things,
Robin Whitley
I love retreats, ladies days, Christian camps, gospel meetings, Bible Bowls, and any other extra acitivities of the church where Christians get to share with one another; to exhort and edify one another. I know that not every event is for everyone. I don't think anyone can participate in all activities of the church. But I do think that everyone should participate in some way. Members of God's church are to work together, to serve one another and to build each other up. We are commanded by Jesus to love one another.
In John 13:35, Christ tells us "A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another." OK - so how can Christians learn to love one another if they don't spend time together? And how can "all men know" that we are Christ's disciples if we don't fellowship with one another so that we can openly demonstrate our love for each other? Closeness between Christians is a commandment. How we develop this closeness is left to us; and the how doesn't matter. But it matters very much that we make sure we obey all God's commndments including this one. There are clear examples of that closeness in the New Tesatament. And there are many opportunities available to us so that we can enjoy that closeness.
In Acts 1, even before the establishment of the church, we see that the apostles were sticking together. After the ascension of Christ, they go back to Jerusalem to an upper room where they were staying with other disciples. Acts 1:25 tells us that there were about 120 people gathered together in that room. These were followers of Christ - people with the same beliefs -- gathered together in one place and "in one accord, in prayer and supplication." (Acts 1:14) Then in Acts 2:1, Luke tells us again that "they were all with one accord in one place" on the day of Pentecost. We all know this story. This is the day that the apostles were filled with the Holy Ghost and the church was established.
On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) Peter preached. "They that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there was added unto them about three thousand souls." (v.41) Luke records this very special event and it is important for us to know that these souls obeyed God's Word, for this was the beginning of the blessing we enjoy today as a church. The church was built by Christ, bought by His blood. We are His body. The tie that binds us all is the blood of Christ. Just as we take care of our own bodies to strengthen it and keep it healthy, we are to care for the body of Christ (which means other members of the body) to strengthen and keep it healthy.
It is also important to understand that these people were not just baptized only to go back to their own homes their old way of life. A family was born that day; the family of God. From the very beginning, the church began to keep Christ's command of letting the world see the love they had for one another. Acts 2:42 -46 shows us the closeness of those early Christians, "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they continuing daily with one accored in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. Praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
It certainly sounds to me like the early church was spending time together, learning and growing in the apostles' teaching AND in their love for one another. By having "all things in common" and sharing with each other as each man had need, they were most certainly showing their love for one another. Other people were seeing this and understood that they were all part of the same group, as the record shows in verse 47 that they had favour with all the people and the Lord's church grew. Wonderful!!!! I think the love is evident in these verses don't you?
The passages in the first two chapters of Acts should be enough to show us this great bond between Christians in the first century. The fact that they had "all things in common" is proof that they were showing this to the world. Yet, this is only the beginning of the examples given to us throughout Acts and the rest of the New Tesatment. In Acts 4, we see again that no one lacked anything; that those who owned land or houses sold them for the good of the church. Barnabas was one of these men. In chapter 9, we see that Tabitha was a woman who was full of goods works. She was so loved by the church, that when she died, they call for Peter to come to her.
As we read in Acts 11 of Barnabas's visit to Antioch (as he was sent by the apostles) - we find that "when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord, For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added to the Lord." (v. 23 & 24). Was this possibly the very first gospel meeting? Isn't that what we do today? Don't we call for a preacher from another area to come exhort us to cleave to the Lord and to perhaps reach out to others in the community when we do so - so that people can be added to the Lord?
Reading on through the book of Acts, we see that Christians were gathered together praying for Peter while he was in prison. Note that as soon as Lydia was converted, she opened her home to Paul and his company. The Phillipian jailor also brought Paul and Silas into his home. I could go on and on, but I feel that I am belaboring the point.
I say all this to say that meeting together, bonding with one another, and learning to love one another strenghtens the church. So the activities that congregations plan to bring the people of God together are all good works. Attending a retreat or a camp or a gospel meeting, blesses you and builds you up. We get to grow in love for another and we are strengthened spiritually. As we are blessed personally by attending these events, we are able to go back and bless our own congregations. We build on the love we received and on the strength and encouragement we gain -- and we come home to build our brothers and sister there. The church grows and is strengthened. The world notices and God is glorified.
Build up and strengthen your ties with other Christians. Spend time in one accord with other members of God's family. Obey the new commandment given to us by Christ - "love one another" as Christ loved you. Show this love to the extent that people understand you are a disciple of the Lord Jesus. You will be blessed. You will bless other Christians. And God will be glorified!!
Christ above all things,
Robin Whitley
Thursday, February 21, 2013
A Lesson from Pooh Bear
A picture was posted on face book recently that really made me smile. It was a picture of Winnie the Pooh and Piglet walking hand in hand through the Hundred Acre Wood. The quote with the picture is by Pooh himself and says, "If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever." What a wonderful thought! Certainly if you know anything about these characters, you can understand the deep and abiding friendship that exists between them.
I just love Winnie the Pooh and all his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. We can draw so many lessons from the group dynamics of those characters. The personality of each one is distinctly different from any of the others in the group. And as I watch those early Disney cartoons and movies, I can relate some of their personality traits to people I really know. Each character brings something to the group and it seems that if any one were missing then the group would not be complete. None of these friends are perfect. They all have their little quirks. But whenever one of them faces a problem, they do their best to conquer their weaknesses, overcome their fears and pitch in to help the one who is in trouble. It is their love for one another that drives them to do this, especially Pooh himself.
When I think about Pooh, I think about the fact that he always eventually Puts Others Over Himself. He may be distracted by his tummy for a short while and he may consider himself "a bear of very little brain," but he has this huge love in his heart for his neighbors in the Hundred Acre Wood. He works hard to help them solve their problems, whatever those may be and if he needs help from others, then he rallies everyone around.
As I said earlier, SO many lessons can be drawn from all this. Lessons about friendship and love and well -- putting others first. Christ wants us to put others first. We are supposed "bear one another's burdens" and to help those who are weak. Jesus tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is the second greatest commandment. Pooh definitely loves himself. He loves that honey and makes sure that he keeps himself fed; BUT if Piglet or Eeyore need a helping hand, then Pooh puts his desires to the side for the time being and helps take care of his friends.
Do we put others over ourselves? Do we love and take care of our friends and neighbors as Christ would have us do? Do we allow our love for Christ to overcome the weaknesses that might stand in our way of being a good neighbor? Do we put our own desires aside to take care of someone else? There are so many ways we can do this; letting someone go ahead of us in line at the grocery store, offering to sit beside and help a young mother who might be church without her husband- but with two or three children in tow -- calling to check on someone who is lonely and could use cheering up --giving a hug to that widow or widower who continues to be so faithful to the Lord and letting him or her know how much their faithfulness is appreciated. Being Christ like isn't that hard to do when you, (as Pooh says) "have Him (Him, being Christ) in your heart and He stays there forever."
Christ above all things,
Robin
I just love Winnie the Pooh and all his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. We can draw so many lessons from the group dynamics of those characters. The personality of each one is distinctly different from any of the others in the group. And as I watch those early Disney cartoons and movies, I can relate some of their personality traits to people I really know. Each character brings something to the group and it seems that if any one were missing then the group would not be complete. None of these friends are perfect. They all have their little quirks. But whenever one of them faces a problem, they do their best to conquer their weaknesses, overcome their fears and pitch in to help the one who is in trouble. It is their love for one another that drives them to do this, especially Pooh himself.
When I think about Pooh, I think about the fact that he always eventually Puts Others Over Himself. He may be distracted by his tummy for a short while and he may consider himself "a bear of very little brain," but he has this huge love in his heart for his neighbors in the Hundred Acre Wood. He works hard to help them solve their problems, whatever those may be and if he needs help from others, then he rallies everyone around.
As I said earlier, SO many lessons can be drawn from all this. Lessons about friendship and love and well -- putting others first. Christ wants us to put others first. We are supposed "bear one another's burdens" and to help those who are weak. Jesus tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is the second greatest commandment. Pooh definitely loves himself. He loves that honey and makes sure that he keeps himself fed; BUT if Piglet or Eeyore need a helping hand, then Pooh puts his desires to the side for the time being and helps take care of his friends.
Do we put others over ourselves? Do we love and take care of our friends and neighbors as Christ would have us do? Do we allow our love for Christ to overcome the weaknesses that might stand in our way of being a good neighbor? Do we put our own desires aside to take care of someone else? There are so many ways we can do this; letting someone go ahead of us in line at the grocery store, offering to sit beside and help a young mother who might be church without her husband- but with two or three children in tow -- calling to check on someone who is lonely and could use cheering up --giving a hug to that widow or widower who continues to be so faithful to the Lord and letting him or her know how much their faithfulness is appreciated. Being Christ like isn't that hard to do when you, (as Pooh says) "have Him (Him, being Christ) in your heart and He stays there forever."
Christ above all things,
Robin
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Transitions - Changes
I don’t like change, though. Most any kind of change is difficult for me. I don’t adapt well at all. I’m one of those people that believe in the old saying "If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it." The girls I work with have heard me say that many times. Changes just push me way out of my comfort zone. Most people change their furniture around every once in a while – NOT ME – my living room has been arranged the same way for years now. I rarely ever move furniture around.
Yet, change is a part of all our lives – summer’s over and it is time to go back to school– then the school year is out and summer vacation is here again. Kids grow up and move away; people come and go at work; somebody always has a better of way of doing things. Change is just a natural progression of life.
I like the song, "Time is Filled With Swift Transition." It tells us that "naught of earth unmoved can stand" – fancy way of saying that there’s nothing on earth that is not going to change sooner or later. But God is always there for us. He never changes and for those of us who are Christians – our faith in God and Christ is a comfort for us. We can build our hopes on things eternal --- & hold to God’s unchanging hand.
That is what Joshua did. Many Biblical characters went through transitions in thier lives. For some reason, my thoughts keep turning to Joshua. He had just lost his leader (Moses) and probably his good friend. He was called upon to take the leadership of a great number of people. They were preparing to cross over Jordan and conquer the land God had promised to them. That was a lot of changes all at once – but Joshua turned to God & God promised to be with him.
Some of my favorite verses in the Bible are found in Joshua 1:5-9:
"There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
What is God telling Joshua? If you read the verses, it is pretty self explanatory; but basically God is say - "Hold my hand Joshua - I won't let you go. If you hold my hand, I will always be with you." God tells Joshua that he will be with them through these great transitions that he is facing. BUT there was one thing that Joshua had to do -or to put in another way- there was one thing he could NOT do. He could not forget God or His laws.
So you see, God tells us that He will be with us through everything as long as we are following Him.
Joshua learned this well & tried to teach his people – the people of Israel. Before Joshua died he encouraged them to follow God all their lives. He knew he was old and was near death and he really wanted to get this message across. The Israelites had conquered many nations and were getting ready to go through another transition -- another change -with Joshua’s death.
In Joshua chapter 23, we see that at the end of his life, the Israelite ruler tells his people pretty much the same thing that God Himself told Joshua as he took on the challenge of leading God's people. He exhorts them to be strong and courageous in following the law of Moses. Joshua warns the people to remain steadfast & faithful. He tells them not to go out among the other nations – not to take their gods, but to cleave to the LORD GOD.
Throughout the Old Testament as long as the people were faithful to God, He blessed them, but when they fell away, He didn’t. Joshua warns the people about this.
One classic example of falling away is Samson. He let a woman from another nation entice him & she was ultimately the cause of his downfall. Samson made a change in his life by making this poor decision. But later he came back to God and asked God to bless him one more time.
As we study these examples, we realize that God never changes. He will be there for us if we don't change -- if we don’t stray from him. We can’t change God’s laws to suit our purposes. We must be faithful to him. God was very specific when He spoke to Joshua. Follow my law. As long as Joshua following God's law -- God was going to be there for him.
In other words, hold to God's unchanging hand. God never changes. He is always there. We can find Him when we look for Him. He waits for us to come to Him. He is not the one who leaves. We are the ones who drop His hand and go another way. Why would we want to do that?
Be strong. Be courageous. Follow God's laws. Build your hopes on eternal life. And don't let go of His hand.
Christ above all things,
Robin
Monday, February 18, 2013
Mrs. Cassie Did
One Sunday morning after Bible class years ago when my youngest brother was only about five, my Mom asked him what he had learned about in Sunday school. John showed Mom the take home sheet he had with him. The picture was of a baby in a basket in the river. He told her it was baby Moses. Then she asked him who had put Moses in the basket. I am sure she hoped John would tell her it was Moses' big sister who put him there. To my brother, however, his answer was much more practical for he quickly and confidently replied, "Mrs. Cassie did." Naturally, Mrs. Cassie was his Sunday school teacher.
As amusing as this little story is, it makes a great point. We must be very careful about what we teach our little ones. Young children think very practically - very literally. They easily believe whatever they are taught. John was correct when he answered Mom. Mrs. Cassie had put that particular baby Moses in that particular basket. His mind had just not quite grasped the idea that in the real story there was an older sister named Miriam. He remembered what he saw. He saw his Sunday school teacher put the baby in the basket.
One of the reasons I love to teach young children is because their minds are like little sponges. They are eager to learn and they do so quickly. It is important for a teacher to know the students well enough to teach on their level. It is very easy to mislead a child. We must be ever diligent and make sure that we are teaching God's truth. We will be held responsible for what we teach. This is true whether we teach younger children, adolescents or adults. It is a wonderful privilege to teach God's word but it is also a huge responsibility.
Sometimes it seems even more so for those who teach children.
As Bible class teachers to pre-schoolers, we (along with their parents) help to shape a child's whole mind set about the truth of God's word. We have a wonderful opportunity to help them fall in love with the Lord. We can show them what a grand adventure studying the Bible is. By helping to frame the child's attitude about Bible study, we are giving them something they can build on for the rest of their lives. And there are many joys along the way.
I once helped teach in a Vacation Bible school class of 3 and 4 year olds. The lesson was on David and Goliath. The teacher had gotten a big box (a refrigerator box, maybe) and drawn a pretty tall cardboard Goliath. She also brought toy sling shots. Each child got to pretend they were hitting Goliath with a rock. Of course, the children were having great fun with the cardboard Goliath and their sling shots. When they were all back at their seats and doing some handwork, I asked one little boy about who killed Goliath. He could tell me that David did. I asked him where David had hit the giant with a rock. I was trying to get him to remember that the rock had hit the giant's forehead, but instead he pointed to the corner of the room where the cardboard man stood and said, "Over there." So you see, teaching can be fun; but it is still very important to do the very best we can with the handling of God's word.
What about your role as a teacher? Yes, we are all teachers in one way or another, even if we don't conduct a Bible class. We teach by example. As a Christian this too, is a great responsibility. Do we act the same way at home as we do at church services? If not, what are we teaching our children and grandchildren? Do we act the same way in the outside world as we do during those few hours a week we spend at the church building? If we are a teacher on Sunday morning or Wednesday night, what kind of person do our students see if they run into us, say at the grocery store or movie theatre for instance? Our example and influence is a powerful thing. We will be held accountable for all our works. We must be diligent to show others that we put Christ first day in and day out, every single day. Have you ever heard the saying "don't do as I do, do as I say." We should strive to live up to what we are trying to teach. If we don't, that what we try to teach will just fall on deaf ears.
We have the responsibility to teach about Jesus at every opportunity. I must admit, that I don't always do that. I need improvement in this area of my life. However, the more I grow as a Christian, the easier I find it is to talk about God more openly. Peter tells us in I Peter 3:15 - "But sanctify the Lord God in hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."
We are to be ready to teach at any time. And Paul told Timothy, "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (II Tim. 2:2)
We know that we have the responsibility to teach. This is not something new. We all having a teaching role in one way or another. In Titus 2:2-3, the aged women are to be teachers of "good things," and they are also to teach the younger women to love their husbands and children. Paul tells Timothy that a bishop must be "apt to teach." (I Tim. 3:2)
Besides all this, if we are striving to be Christ like, then we should understand that Christ never missed an opportunity to tell the world about His Heavenly Father. Acts 1:1 says that Luke's former treatise was made of "all that Jesus began both to do and teach."
We have a wonderful, merciful God who love us all. He is not willing that any should be lost. Why would we not want to share the wonderful news of the gospel with as many people as we can?
Christ above all things,
Robin
As amusing as this little story is, it makes a great point. We must be very careful about what we teach our little ones. Young children think very practically - very literally. They easily believe whatever they are taught. John was correct when he answered Mom. Mrs. Cassie had put that particular baby Moses in that particular basket. His mind had just not quite grasped the idea that in the real story there was an older sister named Miriam. He remembered what he saw. He saw his Sunday school teacher put the baby in the basket.
One of the reasons I love to teach young children is because their minds are like little sponges. They are eager to learn and they do so quickly. It is important for a teacher to know the students well enough to teach on their level. It is very easy to mislead a child. We must be ever diligent and make sure that we are teaching God's truth. We will be held responsible for what we teach. This is true whether we teach younger children, adolescents or adults. It is a wonderful privilege to teach God's word but it is also a huge responsibility.
Sometimes it seems even more so for those who teach children.
As Bible class teachers to pre-schoolers, we (along with their parents) help to shape a child's whole mind set about the truth of God's word. We have a wonderful opportunity to help them fall in love with the Lord. We can show them what a grand adventure studying the Bible is. By helping to frame the child's attitude about Bible study, we are giving them something they can build on for the rest of their lives. And there are many joys along the way.
I once helped teach in a Vacation Bible school class of 3 and 4 year olds. The lesson was on David and Goliath. The teacher had gotten a big box (a refrigerator box, maybe) and drawn a pretty tall cardboard Goliath. She also brought toy sling shots. Each child got to pretend they were hitting Goliath with a rock. Of course, the children were having great fun with the cardboard Goliath and their sling shots. When they were all back at their seats and doing some handwork, I asked one little boy about who killed Goliath. He could tell me that David did. I asked him where David had hit the giant with a rock. I was trying to get him to remember that the rock had hit the giant's forehead, but instead he pointed to the corner of the room where the cardboard man stood and said, "Over there." So you see, teaching can be fun; but it is still very important to do the very best we can with the handling of God's word.
What about your role as a teacher? Yes, we are all teachers in one way or another, even if we don't conduct a Bible class. We teach by example. As a Christian this too, is a great responsibility. Do we act the same way at home as we do at church services? If not, what are we teaching our children and grandchildren? Do we act the same way in the outside world as we do during those few hours a week we spend at the church building? If we are a teacher on Sunday morning or Wednesday night, what kind of person do our students see if they run into us, say at the grocery store or movie theatre for instance? Our example and influence is a powerful thing. We will be held accountable for all our works. We must be diligent to show others that we put Christ first day in and day out, every single day. Have you ever heard the saying "don't do as I do, do as I say." We should strive to live up to what we are trying to teach. If we don't, that what we try to teach will just fall on deaf ears.
We have the responsibility to teach about Jesus at every opportunity. I must admit, that I don't always do that. I need improvement in this area of my life. However, the more I grow as a Christian, the easier I find it is to talk about God more openly. Peter tells us in I Peter 3:15 - "But sanctify the Lord God in hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."
We are to be ready to teach at any time. And Paul told Timothy, "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (II Tim. 2:2)
We know that we have the responsibility to teach. This is not something new. We all having a teaching role in one way or another. In Titus 2:2-3, the aged women are to be teachers of "good things," and they are also to teach the younger women to love their husbands and children. Paul tells Timothy that a bishop must be "apt to teach." (I Tim. 3:2)
Besides all this, if we are striving to be Christ like, then we should understand that Christ never missed an opportunity to tell the world about His Heavenly Father. Acts 1:1 says that Luke's former treatise was made of "all that Jesus began both to do and teach."
We have a wonderful, merciful God who love us all. He is not willing that any should be lost. Why would we not want to share the wonderful news of the gospel with as many people as we can?
Christ above all things,
Robin
Sunday, February 17, 2013
The God of All Comfort
Our God is a wonderful and merciful God. He is the one, true and living God! The scriptures use many terms to describe Him. The description that keeps coming to my mind lately is from II Corinthians 1:3-4 - "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." Our Heavenly Father is called the "God of all comfort." How wonderful it is know that our God loves us and is there for us in all aspects of our lives to send comfort to us whenever we need it!
How do we gain this Heavenly comfort? We gain comfort through the scriptures. We also gain comfort through obedience to Christ's will (learned from studying the scriptures). We can also obtain God's comfort by communing with Him through prayer. Lastly, we receive comfort from other Christians - others who have experienced the love and comfort of our Lord God.
The scriptures give us comfort and hope for they teach us of God. We learn of His great love and the sacrifice of His Son for the sins of the world. The Old Testament scriptures look toward the coming of Jesus and God's plan to save the world from sin. They speak of the coming of Christ and we are promised even in the book of Genesis that the seed of woman (Christ) would bruise the head of Satan. (Genesis 3:15)
Romans 15:4 - "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." The stories we read throughout the Old Testament show us how longsuffering our God is. Throughout the book of Genesis as God establishes the great nation that He promised Abraham, throughout the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, and all the judges and kings, and every time the Israelites become captives of other countries - we are shown over and over again how God punishes His people when they are disobedient (written for our learning). On the other hand, we are also shown how God reaches out to His children when they call upon him. We read about how He blesses those who choose to follow Him (through patience and comfort of the scriptures we have hope).
The scriptures give us hope in another way. John records that before Christ died, He promised the apostles he would "pray the Father, and He shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you forever." (Jn. 14:16) In verse 17, this other comforter is referred to as "the Spirit of Truth." In Jn 15:26-27, Christ tells the apostles that the Comforter will "proceed from the Father and shall testify of me." Then the apostles would be able also to bear witness of Christ. Finally, in chapter 16:13 Christ promises that the Spirit of truth will guide them into all the truth.
In Acts 2, we see that Christ keeps His promise to the apostles when they become filled with the Holy Spirit and, led by Peter, preach the first gospel sermon on the Day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit did guide the apostles into all truth and did abide with them forever. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and because they had been with Christ - they were able to boldly bear witness of Christ and His death and resurrection.
So the Comforter, sent to the apostles from God -at the request of Christ -- bears witness of Christ throughout the world. The church that Jesus died for is established and the apostles' doctrine (the Spirit of Truth) is taught and recorded in the New Testament so that we may know of the gospel.
The other Comforter continues to comfort us even today because we have the gospel of Christ on record. We know of His commandments and teachings because the Spirit of Truth remained with these men (including Paul and others). Not only do the inspired books of the New Testament give us the history of the church, but we also recieve instructions given on living the Christian life. These scriptures also give us the encouragement and hope we need to fight against our worldy struggles and cling to our faith. I am so thankful God sent the Spirit of Truth to the apostles, aren't you?
As students of God's word who choose to obey the commandments of Jesus, we also have comfort and confidence. As obedient followers of the word, we can be happy knowing that God has a place prepared for us in heaven. Christ makes this promise in John 14:1-3. If we have obeyed the gospel we can rest in the comfort and hope of going to heaven. Consider I Thess. 4:16-18 - "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." What better comfort is there in the whole world than knowing that we have this hope -- this promise of "ever being with the Lord?" Oh, what glorious hope it is -- what marvelous comfort we have knowing the Jesus will come to take us home with Him one day!!!
Comfort is also gained through prayer, for that is when we are in close communion with our God - our Heavenly Father. Through Christ, in His name we can take all our worries and all our cares to our Father and He will hear us. If we are in Christ, He intercedes for us. He is our mediator. He has lived life on this earth as a man. He is particularly qualified to speak to God for us about our feelings, our joys and triumphs and our heartaches and failures.
It is because we have this Advocate with the Father that we can approach His throne with confidence. We know that He loves us and cares for us. Yes, He is a supreme all knowing and all powerful being -- but He wants to hear from us. And because He loves us so much, we can take comfort in knowing that He cares about whatever is going on in our lives - no matter how trivial we might imagine it to be. Why does He care about it? Well, He cares because we care and because He loves His people. Until you learn to pray to the Father on a regular basis there is no way you can begin to understand the great comfort that can be obtained through prayer.
Finally, we can gain comfort through other Christians. I think God expects us to share with others whatever blessing He gives us. In referring back to the passage that we cited at the first of this discourse, Paul tells the Corinthians he is able to comfort them because the "God of all comfort" has comforted him in all his tribulations. (II Cor. 1:3-4) Further, Paul says that one of the reasons God has given this comfort to Paul and his companions is so that they will be able to do the same for any "which are in any trouble."
And we also already discussed the fact that Paul instructed the Thessalonian Christians to comfort one another with the fact that Jesus will come again to take them home with Him. In Romans 12:15 Paul commands us to "Rejoice with them that do rejoice and weep with them that weep." Paul loved his fellow Christians so much that he was able to teach by example regarding this commandment. In II Cor. 7:13 Paul says that "we were comforted in your comfort." He experienced the same emotions they were feeling because he loved his Christian brothers and sisters so much.
As members of the family of God - which is the church, we are supposed to love one another so much that the outside world will see our love, compassion and tenderheatedness toward one another. We should be showing these feelings so strongly and openly that our worldly neighbors will know we are God's people and they will want this same love and support that we have. And as Paul says because we have been comforted, we become uniquely qualified to act on God's behalf and comfort one another.
So to come in contact with the "God of All Comfort." Read and study the Bible with an open heart and mind. As you learn of and then obey God's commands take comfort in the great love of God and the record of the scriptures we have - both the Old and New Testaments. Seek God's comfort through prayer. Lay all your troubles at His feet. Find the time to pray to our God. Take comfort in the fact that He hears your every prayer. And as you are comforted, comfort and build up others in your church. Do all you again for the Lord and be comforted in knowing that if you do, you "will ever be with Him."
Christ above all things,
Robin
How do we gain this Heavenly comfort? We gain comfort through the scriptures. We also gain comfort through obedience to Christ's will (learned from studying the scriptures). We can also obtain God's comfort by communing with Him through prayer. Lastly, we receive comfort from other Christians - others who have experienced the love and comfort of our Lord God.
The scriptures give us comfort and hope for they teach us of God. We learn of His great love and the sacrifice of His Son for the sins of the world. The Old Testament scriptures look toward the coming of Jesus and God's plan to save the world from sin. They speak of the coming of Christ and we are promised even in the book of Genesis that the seed of woman (Christ) would bruise the head of Satan. (Genesis 3:15)
Romans 15:4 - "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." The stories we read throughout the Old Testament show us how longsuffering our God is. Throughout the book of Genesis as God establishes the great nation that He promised Abraham, throughout the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, and all the judges and kings, and every time the Israelites become captives of other countries - we are shown over and over again how God punishes His people when they are disobedient (written for our learning). On the other hand, we are also shown how God reaches out to His children when they call upon him. We read about how He blesses those who choose to follow Him (through patience and comfort of the scriptures we have hope).
The scriptures give us hope in another way. John records that before Christ died, He promised the apostles he would "pray the Father, and He shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you forever." (Jn. 14:16) In verse 17, this other comforter is referred to as "the Spirit of Truth." In Jn 15:26-27, Christ tells the apostles that the Comforter will "proceed from the Father and shall testify of me." Then the apostles would be able also to bear witness of Christ. Finally, in chapter 16:13 Christ promises that the Spirit of truth will guide them into all the truth.
In Acts 2, we see that Christ keeps His promise to the apostles when they become filled with the Holy Spirit and, led by Peter, preach the first gospel sermon on the Day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit did guide the apostles into all truth and did abide with them forever. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and because they had been with Christ - they were able to boldly bear witness of Christ and His death and resurrection.
So the Comforter, sent to the apostles from God -at the request of Christ -- bears witness of Christ throughout the world. The church that Jesus died for is established and the apostles' doctrine (the Spirit of Truth) is taught and recorded in the New Testament so that we may know of the gospel.
The other Comforter continues to comfort us even today because we have the gospel of Christ on record. We know of His commandments and teachings because the Spirit of Truth remained with these men (including Paul and others). Not only do the inspired books of the New Testament give us the history of the church, but we also recieve instructions given on living the Christian life. These scriptures also give us the encouragement and hope we need to fight against our worldy struggles and cling to our faith. I am so thankful God sent the Spirit of Truth to the apostles, aren't you?
As students of God's word who choose to obey the commandments of Jesus, we also have comfort and confidence. As obedient followers of the word, we can be happy knowing that God has a place prepared for us in heaven. Christ makes this promise in John 14:1-3. If we have obeyed the gospel we can rest in the comfort and hope of going to heaven. Consider I Thess. 4:16-18 - "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." What better comfort is there in the whole world than knowing that we have this hope -- this promise of "ever being with the Lord?" Oh, what glorious hope it is -- what marvelous comfort we have knowing the Jesus will come to take us home with Him one day!!!
Comfort is also gained through prayer, for that is when we are in close communion with our God - our Heavenly Father. Through Christ, in His name we can take all our worries and all our cares to our Father and He will hear us. If we are in Christ, He intercedes for us. He is our mediator. He has lived life on this earth as a man. He is particularly qualified to speak to God for us about our feelings, our joys and triumphs and our heartaches and failures.
It is because we have this Advocate with the Father that we can approach His throne with confidence. We know that He loves us and cares for us. Yes, He is a supreme all knowing and all powerful being -- but He wants to hear from us. And because He loves us so much, we can take comfort in knowing that He cares about whatever is going on in our lives - no matter how trivial we might imagine it to be. Why does He care about it? Well, He cares because we care and because He loves His people. Until you learn to pray to the Father on a regular basis there is no way you can begin to understand the great comfort that can be obtained through prayer.
Finally, we can gain comfort through other Christians. I think God expects us to share with others whatever blessing He gives us. In referring back to the passage that we cited at the first of this discourse, Paul tells the Corinthians he is able to comfort them because the "God of all comfort" has comforted him in all his tribulations. (II Cor. 1:3-4) Further, Paul says that one of the reasons God has given this comfort to Paul and his companions is so that they will be able to do the same for any "which are in any trouble."
And we also already discussed the fact that Paul instructed the Thessalonian Christians to comfort one another with the fact that Jesus will come again to take them home with Him. In Romans 12:15 Paul commands us to "Rejoice with them that do rejoice and weep with them that weep." Paul loved his fellow Christians so much that he was able to teach by example regarding this commandment. In II Cor. 7:13 Paul says that "we were comforted in your comfort." He experienced the same emotions they were feeling because he loved his Christian brothers and sisters so much.
As members of the family of God - which is the church, we are supposed to love one another so much that the outside world will see our love, compassion and tenderheatedness toward one another. We should be showing these feelings so strongly and openly that our worldly neighbors will know we are God's people and they will want this same love and support that we have. And as Paul says because we have been comforted, we become uniquely qualified to act on God's behalf and comfort one another.
So to come in contact with the "God of All Comfort." Read and study the Bible with an open heart and mind. As you learn of and then obey God's commands take comfort in the great love of God and the record of the scriptures we have - both the Old and New Testaments. Seek God's comfort through prayer. Lay all your troubles at His feet. Find the time to pray to our God. Take comfort in the fact that He hears your every prayer. And as you are comforted, comfort and build up others in your church. Do all you again for the Lord and be comforted in knowing that if you do, you "will ever be with Him."
Christ above all things,
Robin
Saturday, February 16, 2013
"My Daddy is Proud of Me"
It was the last four or five minutes of Bible class time. We had already sung our songs, had our lesson, and recited the twelve apostles. Because I knew it would soon be time to go, I let the children get out of their chairs to play with a few toys we had in the room. One of the students went straight for the duplo blocks.
As he began to stack them one on top of the other he said, "Look, I am building a tower."
"Yes you are," was my reply. "And you are doing a great job. I am so proud of you!"
He looked at me and said with calm assurance, "My daddy is proud of me." And then he went right back to playing. He had no doubt in his mind that his father loved him and was proud of him. He had faith in his dad's love. He also had the confidence in himself to know that what he had done would make his father happy and proud. He was full of assurance. I am so thankful for good Godly mommies and daddies who love their children and give them that kind of assurance - both in themselves and in their parents!
Well, you can probably guess where I am going with this. My thoughts have come back to this incident over and over again since it happened a few weeks ago. I thought about how much better we would all feel if we could say that our Heavenly Father was proud of us. Think about it. Have you lived your life in such a way that you can say "My Father is proud of me?" It is our choice what kind of life we live. It always has been. The Bible gives us the way to follow. We can know if we are making our Heavenly Father proud of us. God did not leave us in the dark here. He left us His Holy Word to guide our way. Each person decides for themselves whether or not to follow the guide we have been given.
In the parable of the talents the lord of these three men tells the two good servants, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." I think you could say that the Master was proud of his servants for their work on his behalf, don't you? These servants had obeyed their master and had been fruitful with what their lord had given them. You will notice that as they came to him, they were confident in themselves. Much like my little friend, these two servants had that calm assurance in the work they had done.
I know that it is God's grace and mercy that saves us; but doesn't this parable, taught by God's own Son, teach us that God has something for all of us to do? God gives us all a purpose. We are to use what He has given us and be fruitful with it. Now, in this parable talents are money. It is very important not to forget this. We are definitely supposed to be good stewards of our funds so that we can help the church grow. My stewardship - my money management is something that I am working on this year.
However, all of us also know that God gives us more than money. He gives us a mind and body should be used to work for Him. We are supposed to use whatever he gives for His gain and for His glory. It doesn't matter what the talent or skill is - every single one of us can do something. We will not want to be found lacking when the Savior comes back. Take what you have and thank God for it. Then go out and find a way to use it to strengthen His kingdom. Having done this you can have this same calm assurance that my little Bible student friend had. He had faith in his skills with those building blocks - he had faith in his dad -- he knew that his dad was proud of him. If we are seeking God's will, if we are doing whatever we can to be fruitful we can know that our Heavenly Father is proud of us too. We can have that same calm.
I am reminded of the song, "Blessed Assurance."
Listen to the beautiful words written by Fanny J. Crosby:
"Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!"
With this assurance we know that divine glory awaits us.
"Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood."
It is His cleansing blood that gives us the assurance of being God's heir.
"Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; angels descending bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of love."
"Perfect submission, all is at rest: I in my Savior am happy and blest; watching and waiting, looking above, filled with His goodness, lost in His love."
Through our submission to His will, we can delight in His mercy and love. If we are
in Christ and living our lives in submission to HIm. We can rest and be happy in
fact that He will reward us - we will live with Him! If we are filled with His goodness
can look above, we can watch and wait with blessed assurance. How wonderful is
that?
Do you have that assurance in your Heavenly Father and His Son? Do you know that they are proud of the work you have done in the church - the kingdom of God? Well, that assurance can be yours - if you only read the Bible and learn of God's will for your life. Your Father will be proud of you. Then you can know He will say to you one day, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Christ above all things,
Robin
As he began to stack them one on top of the other he said, "Look, I am building a tower."
"Yes you are," was my reply. "And you are doing a great job. I am so proud of you!"
He looked at me and said with calm assurance, "My daddy is proud of me." And then he went right back to playing. He had no doubt in his mind that his father loved him and was proud of him. He had faith in his dad's love. He also had the confidence in himself to know that what he had done would make his father happy and proud. He was full of assurance. I am so thankful for good Godly mommies and daddies who love their children and give them that kind of assurance - both in themselves and in their parents!
Well, you can probably guess where I am going with this. My thoughts have come back to this incident over and over again since it happened a few weeks ago. I thought about how much better we would all feel if we could say that our Heavenly Father was proud of us. Think about it. Have you lived your life in such a way that you can say "My Father is proud of me?" It is our choice what kind of life we live. It always has been. The Bible gives us the way to follow. We can know if we are making our Heavenly Father proud of us. God did not leave us in the dark here. He left us His Holy Word to guide our way. Each person decides for themselves whether or not to follow the guide we have been given.
In the parable of the talents the lord of these three men tells the two good servants, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." I think you could say that the Master was proud of his servants for their work on his behalf, don't you? These servants had obeyed their master and had been fruitful with what their lord had given them. You will notice that as they came to him, they were confident in themselves. Much like my little friend, these two servants had that calm assurance in the work they had done.
I know that it is God's grace and mercy that saves us; but doesn't this parable, taught by God's own Son, teach us that God has something for all of us to do? God gives us all a purpose. We are to use what He has given us and be fruitful with it. Now, in this parable talents are money. It is very important not to forget this. We are definitely supposed to be good stewards of our funds so that we can help the church grow. My stewardship - my money management is something that I am working on this year.
However, all of us also know that God gives us more than money. He gives us a mind and body should be used to work for Him. We are supposed to use whatever he gives for His gain and for His glory. It doesn't matter what the talent or skill is - every single one of us can do something. We will not want to be found lacking when the Savior comes back. Take what you have and thank God for it. Then go out and find a way to use it to strengthen His kingdom. Having done this you can have this same calm assurance that my little Bible student friend had. He had faith in his skills with those building blocks - he had faith in his dad -- he knew that his dad was proud of him. If we are seeking God's will, if we are doing whatever we can to be fruitful we can know that our Heavenly Father is proud of us too. We can have that same calm.
I am reminded of the song, "Blessed Assurance."
Listen to the beautiful words written by Fanny J. Crosby:
"Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!"
With this assurance we know that divine glory awaits us.
"Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood."
It is His cleansing blood that gives us the assurance of being God's heir.
"Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; angels descending bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of love."
"Perfect submission, all is at rest: I in my Savior am happy and blest; watching and waiting, looking above, filled with His goodness, lost in His love."
Through our submission to His will, we can delight in His mercy and love. If we are
in Christ and living our lives in submission to HIm. We can rest and be happy in
fact that He will reward us - we will live with Him! If we are filled with His goodness
can look above, we can watch and wait with blessed assurance. How wonderful is
that?
Do you have that assurance in your Heavenly Father and His Son? Do you know that they are proud of the work you have done in the church - the kingdom of God? Well, that assurance can be yours - if you only read the Bible and learn of God's will for your life. Your Father will be proud of you. Then you can know He will say to you one day, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Christ above all things,
Robin
Friday, February 15, 2013
Jesus Wept
"Jesus wept." John 11:35. This has come to mean more to me over the past few days than it ever has before. I have begun to realize its deep meaning and the great comfort that it provides. As the shortest verse in the Bible, it is quoted often at Maywood Christian Camp. Children use it when saying their memory verses because it is so short and easy to remember. In the past, I have used it as an opportunity to teach. So many times, the kids can't even tell me the story behind Jesus weeping. I will be teaching this with even more emphasis from now on. I have always loved this story, but I feel I understand on a different level now.
Through the Holy Spirit, John tells a beautiful story in this chapter of his gospel account. Many lessons can be drawn from it. I have just read those scriptures again with fresh eyes. John 11:5 says, "Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, Mary and Lazarus." He had a very special relationship with this family. They loved and respected him as their Lord. It is so important for us to understand that Jesus had relationships - friendships - while He was here on this earth. Yes, He was God in man; but he was man. He was flesh and blood and had feelings just like the rest of us who have ever lived on this earth. That was part of God's plan.
Think about the relationships that Jesus had as the "Son of Man." He had parents. He had brothers and sisters. He had cousins, as Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, is mentioned as a cousin of His mother Mary. He had friends; friends that He knew He could depend on to be there for Him; friends in whose home He could visit and relax away from the crowds that thronged Him and from those who taunted Him.
Jesus really did love this family. Yet, He did not come to see them when he was first summoned. Jesus had a reason for this. He knew that He was going to bring Lazarus back from the dead. Read verse 3-4 "Therefore his sisters sent unto saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, He said, 'This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." We all know the story. Lazarus did die, but Jesus resurrected Him and God was truly glorified!!! What a wonderful triumph for Jesus!
Yet, before Jesus performed this triumphant and glorious miracle that caused many to believe on Him (v. 44) there was sorrow and mourning. There were tears. I have a wonderful sister friend who says that John 11:35 is her favorite verse in the entire Bible because it shows us Jesus not only had true emotions; but that He has a deep compassion for those who are suffering. As I read this chapter, I understand what she means. Jesus definitely allowed His emotions show at this time.
John 11: 33-38 - "When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And said, 'Where have they laid him?' They said unto Him, 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, 'Behold how he loved him!' And some of them said, 'Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?' Jesus therefore again groaning in Himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it."
Jesus wept, not only because He loved Lazarus; but because He loved Mary and Martha. Jesus had compassion for their sorrow. He was truly sad for them and what they were going through. He groaned in the spirit. He delayed coming because He knew that He would be raising Lazarus; but He felt the same great sorrow that Mary and Martha felt. He also had compassion and consideration for what Lazarus went through in his illness. Jesus is our supreme example. He was truly "weeping with those who weep." His great love for these three people and the deep sadness they were struggling with caused His heart pain. Perhaps the simple faith they had in Him to have protected Lazarus from dying was going through His mind. I know that I cannot begin to imagine what Jesus was feeling at the point - except profound sorrow.
My uncle's funeral was today. It was really tough. We all loved him so much. David was a great friend to everyone he met. He was a key member of our family; just like Lazarus was beloved to his family. Jesus wept. How wonderful it is to know that Jesus weeps for us all. He takes our great sadness and lays it at our Father's feet. I know that Jesus knows just how I feel because He felt the same way about Lazarus.
Jesus wept because Lazarus was dead. He wept because His compassionate heart was broken for those two sisters who had lost their brother. Last night and today, many people came to pay tribute to my Uncle David and what he meant to them. Some of those present wept. I cried too. But I took great pride in understanding that Jesus knew my pain and He was weeping for me too.
Heavenly Father - I thank you so much for giving me a Redeemer who knows just how I feel. Thank you for the comfort you send us. Thank you for loving me and giving me this avenue of prayer. I lay my troubles and sorrows at your feet. I know that your Son, Jesus will plead for comfort on my behalf. As You are compassionate with me; please help me to learn to be more compassionate in dealing with others. For we all know that loss is part of life. Help me understand that I can depend on You for everything. I understand now the deep sadness Jesus had for Mary and Martha. I also understand God, that it was all done so that you would ultimately be glorified. Please be with me Lord and help me to stive to glorify you by my life . Please be with me and the rest of our family as we continue to deal with this loss. You are an Almighty God . Give me the strength, dear God to get through each day. In Jesus name, Amen.
If there are typos please forgive me. I have tried to proof read, but I am falling asleep sitting here.
Christ above all things,
Robin
Through the Holy Spirit, John tells a beautiful story in this chapter of his gospel account. Many lessons can be drawn from it. I have just read those scriptures again with fresh eyes. John 11:5 says, "Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, Mary and Lazarus." He had a very special relationship with this family. They loved and respected him as their Lord. It is so important for us to understand that Jesus had relationships - friendships - while He was here on this earth. Yes, He was God in man; but he was man. He was flesh and blood and had feelings just like the rest of us who have ever lived on this earth. That was part of God's plan.
Think about the relationships that Jesus had as the "Son of Man." He had parents. He had brothers and sisters. He had cousins, as Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, is mentioned as a cousin of His mother Mary. He had friends; friends that He knew He could depend on to be there for Him; friends in whose home He could visit and relax away from the crowds that thronged Him and from those who taunted Him.
Jesus really did love this family. Yet, He did not come to see them when he was first summoned. Jesus had a reason for this. He knew that He was going to bring Lazarus back from the dead. Read verse 3-4 "Therefore his sisters sent unto saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, He said, 'This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." We all know the story. Lazarus did die, but Jesus resurrected Him and God was truly glorified!!! What a wonderful triumph for Jesus!
Yet, before Jesus performed this triumphant and glorious miracle that caused many to believe on Him (v. 44) there was sorrow and mourning. There were tears. I have a wonderful sister friend who says that John 11:35 is her favorite verse in the entire Bible because it shows us Jesus not only had true emotions; but that He has a deep compassion for those who are suffering. As I read this chapter, I understand what she means. Jesus definitely allowed His emotions show at this time.
John 11: 33-38 - "When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And said, 'Where have they laid him?' They said unto Him, 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, 'Behold how he loved him!' And some of them said, 'Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?' Jesus therefore again groaning in Himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it."
Jesus wept, not only because He loved Lazarus; but because He loved Mary and Martha. Jesus had compassion for their sorrow. He was truly sad for them and what they were going through. He groaned in the spirit. He delayed coming because He knew that He would be raising Lazarus; but He felt the same great sorrow that Mary and Martha felt. He also had compassion and consideration for what Lazarus went through in his illness. Jesus is our supreme example. He was truly "weeping with those who weep." His great love for these three people and the deep sadness they were struggling with caused His heart pain. Perhaps the simple faith they had in Him to have protected Lazarus from dying was going through His mind. I know that I cannot begin to imagine what Jesus was feeling at the point - except profound sorrow.
My uncle's funeral was today. It was really tough. We all loved him so much. David was a great friend to everyone he met. He was a key member of our family; just like Lazarus was beloved to his family. Jesus wept. How wonderful it is to know that Jesus weeps for us all. He takes our great sadness and lays it at our Father's feet. I know that Jesus knows just how I feel because He felt the same way about Lazarus.
Jesus wept because Lazarus was dead. He wept because His compassionate heart was broken for those two sisters who had lost their brother. Last night and today, many people came to pay tribute to my Uncle David and what he meant to them. Some of those present wept. I cried too. But I took great pride in understanding that Jesus knew my pain and He was weeping for me too.
Heavenly Father - I thank you so much for giving me a Redeemer who knows just how I feel. Thank you for the comfort you send us. Thank you for loving me and giving me this avenue of prayer. I lay my troubles and sorrows at your feet. I know that your Son, Jesus will plead for comfort on my behalf. As You are compassionate with me; please help me to learn to be more compassionate in dealing with others. For we all know that loss is part of life. Help me understand that I can depend on You for everything. I understand now the deep sadness Jesus had for Mary and Martha. I also understand God, that it was all done so that you would ultimately be glorified. Please be with me Lord and help me to stive to glorify you by my life . Please be with me and the rest of our family as we continue to deal with this loss. You are an Almighty God . Give me the strength, dear God to get through each day. In Jesus name, Amen.
If there are typos please forgive me. I have tried to proof read, but I am falling asleep sitting here.
Christ above all things,
Robin
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Leaving a Legacy
I must apologize for not having posted on a more regular basis lately. I lost my uncle early Tuesday morning. He was my dad's only brother and a devoted husband for over 40 years. He loved his wife and family, especially his children and grandchildren. I had the privilege of being a next door neighbor for about 20 years. And like his daughter Jennifer said the morning he passed away, "The world is different now." It truly is. We will all miss him so very much.
Losing a loved one is a time for great sadness. We all lose those close to us at some time or another. It is the circle of life. It is the way God set it up. If you stop and think about it though, good people never really die. I am not talking about our souls here. I am talking about what our loved ones leave behind for us. When we lose someone - their memory lives on in our hearts. The impact and influence they had on our lives effects the person we are because they are part of us. Our life experiences - all the people who are so close to our hearts , really everyone we have ever known, contributes to our personalities in one way or another.
Uncle David shaped my life in a very positive way. He taught me the importance of making people feel loved -- feel special. He showed me how good it felt to know someone who was always glad to see me - no matter what. Those impressions go with me. That joy stays in my heart and helps me remember to be kind to those around me. It helps me remember to make my own neices and nephews feel special. If I pass that on to someone else in my family -- then i am passing on a little piece of my Uncle David.
Well, you can see how this will go. In just a couple of generations, people may not remember David's name or mine. But if I succeed in influencing someone else the way he did me; then he keeps on living through generation after generation.
Life is short. Uncle David was only 64. I will never ever forget him. He will be remembered by all those who loved him. And as long as the earth stands someone down the line in our family will still be passing on the gentle and loving spirit of my uncle. In that way - that most profound and precious way, he will live on. David loved to hunt. His son does too. And I am sure that his son, Nate - will teach his nephews (David's grandkids) how to love hunting like Poppa did. David liked to fish, so did his dad - my Grandpa. My husband likes to fish too. So when my son Alex fishes -- or teaches his future children to fish - he will be sharing both his dad and his uncle with them. When my brother shares his love of fishing with his son, Will -- then my Grandpa and my Uncle David will both live on. When his daughter Jennifer shares her beautiful smile with the world and gives one of those loving hugs that were so much like her Dad's -- then Uncle David lives on. When his wife (my aunt) tells one of her favorite stories about her favorite guy - we will all know how much they meant to each other. And he will live on.
God is a loving God. We learn about love from him. We learn to love because of Him. God created us in His image. God instituted the family unit. Because God loves, He gave us the ability to love also. He blessed me with this wonderful guy I was able to call my Uncle David. And I am so very thankful!!! I pray that those wonderful parts of David's goodness will keep living on in descendant after descendant until the earth no longer stands.
Thank you, God for giving us families to love and call our own. Let us remember how blessed we are if we come from a good and loving family. Help me to thankful for those I love. Help me to be more considerate of my family and all their needs. Thank you for your precious Son, whose ultimate love and sacrifice truly lives on in the lives of those who proclaim Christ as their Master, Lord and Saviour. In His precious name, Amen
Christ above all things,
Robin
Losing a loved one is a time for great sadness. We all lose those close to us at some time or another. It is the circle of life. It is the way God set it up. If you stop and think about it though, good people never really die. I am not talking about our souls here. I am talking about what our loved ones leave behind for us. When we lose someone - their memory lives on in our hearts. The impact and influence they had on our lives effects the person we are because they are part of us. Our life experiences - all the people who are so close to our hearts , really everyone we have ever known, contributes to our personalities in one way or another.
Uncle David shaped my life in a very positive way. He taught me the importance of making people feel loved -- feel special. He showed me how good it felt to know someone who was always glad to see me - no matter what. Those impressions go with me. That joy stays in my heart and helps me remember to be kind to those around me. It helps me remember to make my own neices and nephews feel special. If I pass that on to someone else in my family -- then i am passing on a little piece of my Uncle David.
Well, you can see how this will go. In just a couple of generations, people may not remember David's name or mine. But if I succeed in influencing someone else the way he did me; then he keeps on living through generation after generation.
Life is short. Uncle David was only 64. I will never ever forget him. He will be remembered by all those who loved him. And as long as the earth stands someone down the line in our family will still be passing on the gentle and loving spirit of my uncle. In that way - that most profound and precious way, he will live on. David loved to hunt. His son does too. And I am sure that his son, Nate - will teach his nephews (David's grandkids) how to love hunting like Poppa did. David liked to fish, so did his dad - my Grandpa. My husband likes to fish too. So when my son Alex fishes -- or teaches his future children to fish - he will be sharing both his dad and his uncle with them. When my brother shares his love of fishing with his son, Will -- then my Grandpa and my Uncle David will both live on. When his daughter Jennifer shares her beautiful smile with the world and gives one of those loving hugs that were so much like her Dad's -- then Uncle David lives on. When his wife (my aunt) tells one of her favorite stories about her favorite guy - we will all know how much they meant to each other. And he will live on.
God is a loving God. We learn about love from him. We learn to love because of Him. God created us in His image. God instituted the family unit. Because God loves, He gave us the ability to love also. He blessed me with this wonderful guy I was able to call my Uncle David. And I am so very thankful!!! I pray that those wonderful parts of David's goodness will keep living on in descendant after descendant until the earth no longer stands.
Thank you, God for giving us families to love and call our own. Let us remember how blessed we are if we come from a good and loving family. Help me to thankful for those I love. Help me to be more considerate of my family and all their needs. Thank you for your precious Son, whose ultimate love and sacrifice truly lives on in the lives of those who proclaim Christ as their Master, Lord and Saviour. In His precious name, Amen
Christ above all things,
Robin
Monday, February 11, 2013
Ruth's Gift of Submission
I recently heard a minister speak on the home and family. I enjoyed the lesson very much. As he discussed the roles of the husband and wife, naturally one of the passages of scripture to which he referred was Ephesians 5:22- 25. The minister discussed very specifically the husband's role and spoke of the great love a husband should have for his wife. The husband should love his wife "as Christ loved the church."
A discussion of the wife's role came next. As he started talking about submission, he said something I have never really thought about before. I am thankful that I was able to hear this lesson. I appreciate what the minister had to say. I have never thought about submission the way he presented it. He said that submission was not a sign of weakness at all; but rather a wife's submission is a gift she gives to her husband upon marrying him. He told the husbands that submission should never be forced. In a Christian marriage submission is voluntary.
Those comments made me think of Ruth for some reason. Maybe it was because her intreaty to Naomi is often used in weddings. Read Ruth 1:16-17
"And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me and more also, if ought but death part thee and me." What beautiful words! And I agree, they are appropriate words for a wedding ceremony even though it was not at a marriage that these words were first spoken.
Ruth's words to Naomi were indeed a beautiful declaration of love and loyalty. Until I heard the lesson mentioned earlier, I never really thought about this; but it was also Ruth's gft of submission to Naomi and to God. It was given willingly and enthusiastically. Think about it. Ruth was from Moab. She was raised in an idolatrous nation. The "god' worshipped by the Moabites was called Chemosh. As part of the worship to Chemosh - human sacrifices were offered. However, Ruth had been married to Naomi's son for 10 years. She had learned about God - the one true and living God. She made the decision to submit herself to God.
Both Ruth and Orpah were planning to return with Naomi to Bethlehem-Judah. Naomi tried to convince them to turn back to their own families - to their own countries. Orpah eventually did. Ruth, however, was a totally different story. In that famous moment, she declared her love and loyalty to Naomi and to God. She also declared her submission. She wanted to be a follower of the God of Israel. Naomi was also given the gift of Ruth's submission. Naomi was to take the lead - Ruth would follow. "I'll go where you go. I'll live where you live. You are in charge Naomi and your God shall be my God."
I would love to go on through the book of Ruth and offer up examples of Ruth's submission; but there's not time to do that tonight. If you read through the book though, you will notice Ruth's gentle spirit and her willingness to do just what Naomi instructed her to do. Naomi did not abuse this submission. She wanted to take care of her daughter in law. She wanted to find a husband for her. We know that she deeply desired a grandchild to carry on her son's name; but I believe there is way more to this story than that. These women had been through a lot together. They were each looking out for the other.
What about you? Have you given up your life to Christ? Have you become a Christian and offered your gift of submission? Do you take up your cross every day to follow Jesus? Romans 12:1 - "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Paul is telling us to offer our submission as a gift to God. What is a sacrifice if it isn't a gift? We know that our gift to HIm - our lives lived in submission to His will, no matter how difficult that may be at times, will be richly rewarded!
Christ above all things,
Robin
A discussion of the wife's role came next. As he started talking about submission, he said something I have never really thought about before. I am thankful that I was able to hear this lesson. I appreciate what the minister had to say. I have never thought about submission the way he presented it. He said that submission was not a sign of weakness at all; but rather a wife's submission is a gift she gives to her husband upon marrying him. He told the husbands that submission should never be forced. In a Christian marriage submission is voluntary.
Those comments made me think of Ruth for some reason. Maybe it was because her intreaty to Naomi is often used in weddings. Read Ruth 1:16-17
"And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me and more also, if ought but death part thee and me." What beautiful words! And I agree, they are appropriate words for a wedding ceremony even though it was not at a marriage that these words were first spoken.
Ruth's words to Naomi were indeed a beautiful declaration of love and loyalty. Until I heard the lesson mentioned earlier, I never really thought about this; but it was also Ruth's gft of submission to Naomi and to God. It was given willingly and enthusiastically. Think about it. Ruth was from Moab. She was raised in an idolatrous nation. The "god' worshipped by the Moabites was called Chemosh. As part of the worship to Chemosh - human sacrifices were offered. However, Ruth had been married to Naomi's son for 10 years. She had learned about God - the one true and living God. She made the decision to submit herself to God.
Both Ruth and Orpah were planning to return with Naomi to Bethlehem-Judah. Naomi tried to convince them to turn back to their own families - to their own countries. Orpah eventually did. Ruth, however, was a totally different story. In that famous moment, she declared her love and loyalty to Naomi and to God. She also declared her submission. She wanted to be a follower of the God of Israel. Naomi was also given the gift of Ruth's submission. Naomi was to take the lead - Ruth would follow. "I'll go where you go. I'll live where you live. You are in charge Naomi and your God shall be my God."
I would love to go on through the book of Ruth and offer up examples of Ruth's submission; but there's not time to do that tonight. If you read through the book though, you will notice Ruth's gentle spirit and her willingness to do just what Naomi instructed her to do. Naomi did not abuse this submission. She wanted to take care of her daughter in law. She wanted to find a husband for her. We know that she deeply desired a grandchild to carry on her son's name; but I believe there is way more to this story than that. These women had been through a lot together. They were each looking out for the other.
What about you? Have you given up your life to Christ? Have you become a Christian and offered your gift of submission? Do you take up your cross every day to follow Jesus? Romans 12:1 - "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Paul is telling us to offer our submission as a gift to God. What is a sacrifice if it isn't a gift? We know that our gift to HIm - our lives lived in submission to His will, no matter how difficult that may be at times, will be richly rewarded!
Christ above all things,
Robin
Sunday, February 10, 2013
What is Your Name?
Rich rewards await those who are willing to teach preschool children in Bible class (or any age children for that matter). Younger children though, are so honest and open. They have such a fresh perspective. I have said it before, but it is because I truly believe it; those young children can actually teach you something too if you keep your heart and mind open to what they have to say.
Once in Bible Class the children began to ask each other what their names were. I found it very interesting that each one of them answered with both their first and last names. After each child told their name, they looked at me and said "What’s your name, Mrs. Robin?" When I told them "Robin Whitley" all three of them laughed. "Whitley," they repeated and continued to giggle. For some reason that was very funny to them. One of them even told me it was a silly name.
At that age, names are very important to children. They are just beginning to think of themselves as individuals rather than an extension of their parents. So they begin to seek their own identity. Names are vital to this process – their name becomes a part of who they are. These children said their names very proudly. They seemed to be very happy to know who they were – their names gave them a sense of pride.
That got me to thinking about our names. What is the most important name we wear? Christian! Do we proudly wear that name? Is it part of who we are? Does it give us a sense of pride? Are we happy to know that we are Christians? Do we understand – or remember that being a Christian means remembering who we are, who we belong to, and who we represent.
Our Christian name should effect how we live our lives on a daily basis. People are known for certain characteristics or traits and when someone hears that person’s name, they immediately think of the traits associated with that person. That can be for good or bad. An individual's traits, characteristics -his personality - are what defines who that person is.
What are you known for? I just heard today about a woman who rented a house to three young people they didn’t know – not because of those young people, but because a member of the Church vouched for them. The lady who was renting the house said, "I don't him, (the person who vouched for them), but I know of his reputation. If he says they are OK to rent to, then i will rent the house to them."
How wonderful it is to know how much weight and power our good reputation and influence can carry?
On the other hand, what about the weight of a bad reputation?
We are are supposed to known for our good works. We are Christians – our behavior should reflect the light of Christ. Do we act as Christ did? Are we filled with the fruits of the Spirit? Are we known as whiners and complainers – or do we allow ourselves to be filled with the joy that comes from serving our Lord and Savior? Do we lose our temper quickly or are we known for our patience? Do we talk about others behind their backs or are we known by the fruit of peace? Do we speak loudly and brashly or are we known by the spirit of kindness? What about haughtiness or being prideful…. Are we known as arrogant or are we known to have the spirit of gentleness or meekness? Are we known as the church member who is "hit and miss" when it comes to the services – or are we known for our faithfulness? I could go on and on, but you get the idea. There are areas in my life that I know I need to work on. As Christians we should always be striving to grow. If a change should change needs to be made in our lives we should love God enough to be willing to make that change. And we all know that sometimes we can do better than we do.
Jesus tells the disciples (the 70 that he sent out to teach and preach) - "rejoice because your names are written in heaven." If we are followers of Him, then we can be assured that He knows who we are. Psalms 147:4 says "He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names." Don't you think if he knows the names of all the stars He created that He knows who you are? In Philippians 4:3 Paul mentions several other fellow laborers in Christ's kingdom "whose names are written in the book of life."
God knows our names – to me that is very, very personal – even more so than the fact that HE knows the number of hairs on our head. He knows my name. We know He knows us all – He knows what’s in our hearts. So we must remember to love as Christ did – to live as Christ did.
Have you ever stopped to think about the fact that for some people in this world, the closest they have ever gotten to knowing God is knowing you? That’s why names are so important. That is why what we are known for - how people remember us - the traits associated with us --is important. NOT because of us or for any glory of our own. We wear the name Christian proudly, honestly with honor – for God’s glory. We live a Christian life so that people can look at us and say, "I know that woman … she is a Christian."
Christ above all things,
Robin
Once in Bible Class the children began to ask each other what their names were. I found it very interesting that each one of them answered with both their first and last names. After each child told their name, they looked at me and said "What’s your name, Mrs. Robin?" When I told them "Robin Whitley" all three of them laughed. "Whitley," they repeated and continued to giggle. For some reason that was very funny to them. One of them even told me it was a silly name.
At that age, names are very important to children. They are just beginning to think of themselves as individuals rather than an extension of their parents. So they begin to seek their own identity. Names are vital to this process – their name becomes a part of who they are. These children said their names very proudly. They seemed to be very happy to know who they were – their names gave them a sense of pride.
That got me to thinking about our names. What is the most important name we wear? Christian! Do we proudly wear that name? Is it part of who we are? Does it give us a sense of pride? Are we happy to know that we are Christians? Do we understand – or remember that being a Christian means remembering who we are, who we belong to, and who we represent.
Our Christian name should effect how we live our lives on a daily basis. People are known for certain characteristics or traits and when someone hears that person’s name, they immediately think of the traits associated with that person. That can be for good or bad. An individual's traits, characteristics -his personality - are what defines who that person is.
What are you known for? I just heard today about a woman who rented a house to three young people they didn’t know – not because of those young people, but because a member of the Church vouched for them. The lady who was renting the house said, "I don't him, (the person who vouched for them), but I know of his reputation. If he says they are OK to rent to, then i will rent the house to them."
How wonderful it is to know how much weight and power our good reputation and influence can carry?
On the other hand, what about the weight of a bad reputation?
We are are supposed to known for our good works. We are Christians – our behavior should reflect the light of Christ. Do we act as Christ did? Are we filled with the fruits of the Spirit? Are we known as whiners and complainers – or do we allow ourselves to be filled with the joy that comes from serving our Lord and Savior? Do we lose our temper quickly or are we known for our patience? Do we talk about others behind their backs or are we known by the fruit of peace? Do we speak loudly and brashly or are we known by the spirit of kindness? What about haughtiness or being prideful…. Are we known as arrogant or are we known to have the spirit of gentleness or meekness? Are we known as the church member who is "hit and miss" when it comes to the services – or are we known for our faithfulness? I could go on and on, but you get the idea. There are areas in my life that I know I need to work on. As Christians we should always be striving to grow. If a change should change needs to be made in our lives we should love God enough to be willing to make that change. And we all know that sometimes we can do better than we do.
Jesus tells the disciples (the 70 that he sent out to teach and preach) - "rejoice because your names are written in heaven." If we are followers of Him, then we can be assured that He knows who we are. Psalms 147:4 says "He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names." Don't you think if he knows the names of all the stars He created that He knows who you are? In Philippians 4:3 Paul mentions several other fellow laborers in Christ's kingdom "whose names are written in the book of life."
God knows our names – to me that is very, very personal – even more so than the fact that HE knows the number of hairs on our head. He knows my name. We know He knows us all – He knows what’s in our hearts. So we must remember to love as Christ did – to live as Christ did.
Have you ever stopped to think about the fact that for some people in this world, the closest they have ever gotten to knowing God is knowing you? That’s why names are so important. That is why what we are known for - how people remember us - the traits associated with us --is important. NOT because of us or for any glory of our own. We wear the name Christian proudly, honestly with honor – for God’s glory. We live a Christian life so that people can look at us and say, "I know that woman … she is a Christian."
Christ above all things,
Robin
A Miss Is As Good As a Mrs.
A couple of years ago a school teacher gave her young students (maybe third graders) an assignment that was "just for fun." My niece, Mary Dixon, was in that class. The teacher gave each student a list of the first few words of a well known phrase (idiom) and the students were to fill in the blanks with the rest of the phrase. An example (and one that was on the list) is "you can lead a horse to water, but ______ ______"
This assignment actually turned out to be a source of amusement for our family.
Actually, Mary Dixon did pretty well on this little project. She knew quite a few of the phrases. On those she didn't know, the answers she supplied were pretty creative. The phrase and answer from her that I liked the most was "A miss is as good as __ ______." Mary Dixon's answer was "A miss is as good as a Mrs." Now I think my niece's answer was better than the real phrase -"A miss is as good as a mile." And I hope she always has this attitude --that a Miss is as good as a Mrs.
You see, Mary Dixon has the right idea. Every one is the same in God's eyes. God loves us all and our value is not based on whether we are single or married. Remember John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world." But God's love is for each individual person. Jesus said, Matthew 22:30 "For in the resurrection, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." In Acts 10:34 in the home of Cornelius, Peter said "Of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons." Each person will be held responsible for their own actions. Just as we will all be judged individually, so Christ's blood was shed for each one of us individually.
Galatians 3:28 tells us "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." And Colossians 3:11 says "Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free; but Christ is all and in all."
So you see - your race, your culture, your social status, your gender or even whether or not you are married - none of that matters to God. He made you --YOU as an individual. What matters is your heart, your love for God and your willingness to follow Him.
God loves you as a person -He knows how many hairs are on your head. He knows your name. Jesus died for you and me -- so He will also judge us as individual persons. My point is, that to Him we are worth something. We are worth His very life. Those other things that people judge others by - looks, money, ethnic origin - that is not what He will judge us by. He will judge us by how much we believe Him, love Him and follow Him. He will judge us by our works. He won't judge you for my works, nor will He judge me for what someone else did. We are all on our own; but the wonderful thing is that we aren't either -- because if we are walking in the Light, we are not on our own. He will be with us.
So you see, Mary Dixon was exactly right - "A Miss- or a Mr.even - is every bit as good as a Mrs."
Christ above all things,
Robin
This assignment actually turned out to be a source of amusement for our family.
Actually, Mary Dixon did pretty well on this little project. She knew quite a few of the phrases. On those she didn't know, the answers she supplied were pretty creative. The phrase and answer from her that I liked the most was "A miss is as good as __ ______." Mary Dixon's answer was "A miss is as good as a Mrs." Now I think my niece's answer was better than the real phrase -"A miss is as good as a mile." And I hope she always has this attitude --that a Miss is as good as a Mrs.
You see, Mary Dixon has the right idea. Every one is the same in God's eyes. God loves us all and our value is not based on whether we are single or married. Remember John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world." But God's love is for each individual person. Jesus said, Matthew 22:30 "For in the resurrection, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." In Acts 10:34 in the home of Cornelius, Peter said "Of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons." Each person will be held responsible for their own actions. Just as we will all be judged individually, so Christ's blood was shed for each one of us individually.
Galatians 3:28 tells us "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." And Colossians 3:11 says "Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free; but Christ is all and in all."
So you see - your race, your culture, your social status, your gender or even whether or not you are married - none of that matters to God. He made you --YOU as an individual. What matters is your heart, your love for God and your willingness to follow Him.
God loves you as a person -He knows how many hairs are on your head. He knows your name. Jesus died for you and me -- so He will also judge us as individual persons. My point is, that to Him we are worth something. We are worth His very life. Those other things that people judge others by - looks, money, ethnic origin - that is not what He will judge us by. He will judge us by how much we believe Him, love Him and follow Him. He will judge us by our works. He won't judge you for my works, nor will He judge me for what someone else did. We are all on our own; but the wonderful thing is that we aren't either -- because if we are walking in the Light, we are not on our own. He will be with us.
So you see, Mary Dixon was exactly right - "A Miss- or a Mr.even - is every bit as good as a Mrs."
Christ above all things,
Robin
Friday, February 8, 2013
Important Things
For those of you who might read my blog on a regular basis, I apologize for not having posted anything in a couple of days. A lot has been going on at work lately and it has been pretty stressful. Also, my uncle is in ICU at the hospital, so I was there last night for a couple of hours. I got to see him for a few minutes. Please pray for him and his family.
Now here I am back tonight and it feels so good to be writing again. I had a really strange dream last night. I was searching for a particular shirt to wear for a particular event. I looked through my dresser, my closet and even through the laundry hamper. I never found the shirt. That’s really about all I remember – just searching and searching. Now this could have been my brain’s way of telling me that I need to clean out my closet because I definitely do! J The dream could have also been related to my work somehow since it seems everything there is pure chaos at the moment. I’m not sure exactly what it meant. Maybe my mind was sending me a message about seeking the right things in life –in the right places. I am by no means a psychologist, but I do try to learn from my dreams when I can.
The dream does remind me a littlle bit of the parable of the lost coin. Remember? The woman has 10 coins and loses one. She goes about her entire house searching everywhere just for that one coin and then she finds it and there is much rejoicing. When teaching that parable Jesus said, "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." (Luke 15: 10b). I think this parable reminds us of what is important:
The church – "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18
Kindness –"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32
Love – "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matthew 22:37-40
Keeping His commandments –"Ye are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you." John 15:14
Have you ever been so caught up in something or so stressed out over something that it almost devoured you? You got tunnel vision and that one worry, problem- or maybe it was a good thing – but good or bad or neither, it was all-consuming and you forgot what was important. Then something happens to jerk you back into reality and it dawns on you that this "thing" had taken control of you. Finally you realize that it is in no way worth investing so much energy into one thing. That is what I almost did this week. I almost let myself get lost in stressing with work. I almost forgot there was life outside of the office.
Then my uncle got sick and I started remembering what was important. And I realized it wasn’t my job! Don’t get me wrong, I know we are supposed to "do all in the name of the Lord" (Col. 3:17); and that includes our work. Believe me, I really do know this. I have always been taught to do my very best. At the same time however, I shouldn’t stress over it to the point that I lose myself. I need to remember what is inportant and stay focused on my God and living my life for Him.
We must put God first in our lives so that we can be a blessing and example to others. We must love Him first and foremost and then love our neighbor as ourselves. Cherish your family, love them, hug them and teach them God's will. Keep the commandments of Christ. Take opportunities to teach the Bible when you can. Be a loyal friend -- the kind of friend that can be counted on no matter what. Love the church as it is the body of Christ. Help your local congregation in any way that you can. And always and everywhere be kind to everyone.
If someone you love is in the hospital – go be with them.
If your small children need some extra attention – give it to them.
If a sister in Christ just lost a family member – cry with her.
If a friend is excited about her upcoming wedding – rejoice with her.
If someone needs to confide in you – listen to him and honor that confidence.
If someone is down and out –comfort them.
If someone repents and comes back to the church – welcome them "home."
If a person asks you about the God you believe in – share the gospel with her.
If a church member is struggling with a weakness – pray with him.
I am being repetitive I know, but it is so important to remember that God, church, country, family and friends – these are important. These are the things that really matter. Don’t lose yourself like I almost did over my work. It’s not worth it. Doing a good job is important, but stressing out over something you can’t change isn’t.
Robin
Now here I am back tonight and it feels so good to be writing again. I had a really strange dream last night. I was searching for a particular shirt to wear for a particular event. I looked through my dresser, my closet and even through the laundry hamper. I never found the shirt. That’s really about all I remember – just searching and searching. Now this could have been my brain’s way of telling me that I need to clean out my closet because I definitely do! J The dream could have also been related to my work somehow since it seems everything there is pure chaos at the moment. I’m not sure exactly what it meant. Maybe my mind was sending me a message about seeking the right things in life –in the right places. I am by no means a psychologist, but I do try to learn from my dreams when I can.
The dream does remind me a littlle bit of the parable of the lost coin. Remember? The woman has 10 coins and loses one. She goes about her entire house searching everywhere just for that one coin and then she finds it and there is much rejoicing. When teaching that parable Jesus said, "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." (Luke 15: 10b). I think this parable reminds us of what is important:
- Souls -- people – "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:17. That’s the primary lesson from this parable – gaining the lost for Christ.
Then my uncle got sick and I started remembering what was important. And I realized it wasn’t my job! Don’t get me wrong, I know we are supposed to "do all in the name of the Lord" (Col. 3:17); and that includes our work. Believe me, I really do know this. I have always been taught to do my very best. At the same time however, I shouldn’t stress over it to the point that I lose myself. I need to remember what is inportant and stay focused on my God and living my life for Him.
We must put God first in our lives so that we can be a blessing and example to others. We must love Him first and foremost and then love our neighbor as ourselves. Cherish your family, love them, hug them and teach them God's will. Keep the commandments of Christ. Take opportunities to teach the Bible when you can. Be a loyal friend -- the kind of friend that can be counted on no matter what. Love the church as it is the body of Christ. Help your local congregation in any way that you can. And always and everywhere be kind to everyone.
If someone you love is in the hospital – go be with them.
If your small children need some extra attention – give it to them.
If a sister in Christ just lost a family member – cry with her.
If a friend is excited about her upcoming wedding – rejoice with her.
If someone needs to confide in you – listen to him and honor that confidence.
If someone is down and out –comfort them.
If someone repents and comes back to the church – welcome them "home."
If a person asks you about the God you believe in – share the gospel with her.
If a church member is struggling with a weakness – pray with him.
I am being repetitive I know, but it is so important to remember that God, church, country, family and friends – these are important. These are the things that really matter. Don’t lose yourself like I almost did over my work. It’s not worth it. Doing a good job is important, but stressing out over something you can’t change isn’t.
Robin
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