As most of us know, there's rarely a dull moment when young children are around. They can say some of the funniest things! Young children are so honest and innocent.
They perceive the world differently. I suppose that's why some of the things they say seem to be so amusing. But if we keep our hearts open we can usually gain some insight or learn from what our children say.
From time to time I post cute or funny things my 2 and 3 year old Bible class students say. Two of my friends from another congregation also teach a pre-school Bible class. Their students are aged 2 and under. Last week they shared a cute story with me.
Many teachers use visual aids and even hands-on items. Cathy and Kay were teaching a lesson called "God Made Everything." Various animals are used in this lesson to teach the concept that God truly did make everything.
Last Sunday morning they used wind up toy chickens. After winding it and putting it down the children watched with delight as the little chicken hopped around on the table. One little boy was so excited that when it stopped, he said "Crank it again!" He was definitely ready to see the chicken go into action once more.
I love this story! He was so excited about seeing that chicken move around, he wanted to see it again. I wonder if God feels that way about us sometimes? Think about how happy we make Him when we are busy working in His kingdom. And think about how disappointed He is when we suddenly stop.
God loves us so much! Christ gave up heaven for us.
While Jesus was here on earth, He never forgot His mission. He worked and served His Father constantly. Sure, the human side of Him had to rest from time to time; but after resting, He always continued His labor for the Father.
Throughout His short earthly life, Jesus remained focused on teaching us about God .. and then He died on the cross for us. Christ is our example. He gave us a pattern to live by. We should strive to live as He did. We should remain focused on serving the Father.
I believe the Father wants us to stay cranked up for Him. Two passages come almost immediately to my mind. Romans 12:1 - "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." (NKJV) We benefited from the death of Jesus. He is our Savior - our Redeemer. He reconciled us to God. If He died for us, how can we help but live for Him?
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul says our lives should be spent in service to God. He reminds of God's mercy. Because of His sacrifice for us, it is not surprising that God asked the same from us. His sacrifice for us leads us to a loyal and obedient faith. We willingly desire to serve Him because He has taken our sins to the cross with Him.
The second passage I think of is I Corinthians 15:58. In this verse Paul again calls his readers brethren. We know Paul had a great love for his fellow Christians. Getting his message across was very important to him. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
Paul knew how important it was to stay cranked up for the Lord. He also knew that sometimes Christians get discouraged. The fellow brothers he wrote to were under persecution. What did he tell them to do? In essence he said, - "Don't stop - keep going. Don't let your faith waver. And keep working for the Lord!"
Why did Paul want his readers to know this? Because he wanted them to know the other part -- the best part. He wanted his brothers to know that their labor would not be in vain. Our labor for the Lord will not be wasted. We must stay cranked up God. He will reward His faithful.
"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
(Galatians 6:9 NKJV)
Hang in there. If you wind down, get cranked up again. It will surely be worth it.
Christ above all things,
Robin
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
2 - 4 - 6 - 8 - Who Do We Appreciate?
Who remembers that cheer? Being genuinely appreciated is definitely a morale booster. Everyone longs to be appreciated. It is a basic human need. But how often do we remember to do this for others? We all know how it feels to be under appreciated.
Think about it. How many of us have plugged away on a project to meet a deadline, then watch someone else take credit for all our hard work? Maybe some of us shared a new idea with our boss or co-worker only to have them bring it up in a meeting like it was their own? What a downer! It is a lousy feeling to be overlooked and unappreciated.
We all want to be valued for who we are and what we do. When our contributions are not recognized we feel an emotional sting. I believe Jesus felt that sting when only one of ten lepers came back to thank Him for healing them. (Luke 17:12 -20)
I was the back up for one of them while she was on vacation. Sometimes we stay so wrapped up in our own little worlds we fail to notice what others are going through. We don't realize or totally understand exactly what is on their plate.
Becoming more familiar with all the tasks my co-worker did helped me gain a new appreciation for her. I made sure I told her when she got back to work. Actually, I ended up telling both of them how much I appreciated what they do.
God wants us to show appreciation for Him. He wants us to value Him as our creator. He is all powerful and merciful and deserves our praise. When we worship our God we are showing appreciation for Him and what He has done for us. How can we not appreciate the One who knows even how many hairs we have on our head?!
We should realize God knows us intimately and loves us ultimately. If we are faithful to Him -- obedient to Him, then we know He is always with us. God is truly good to those who love Him.
The Heavenly Father sacrificed His Only Son for us. Jesus voluntarily left Heaven for us to die for our sins. We can show our appreciation by putting God first in our lives always. “I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.” (Psalms 9:1 NKJV)
The Lord also wants us to show appreciation for others. Paul often commended those who labored in the Lord's kingdom with him. One such example is found in Romans 16:3-4 - "Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well." (ESV)
Expressions of appreciation are a form of encouragement. When we recognize and acknowledge the contributions of others we lift their spirits. Appreciation can empower someone to do more good works. A well-timed word of appreciation can mean the world to someone.
Words are so powerful and we can use our words to do so much good in the world, if we only would. Proverbs 10:11a says "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life." And Proverbs 25:11 tells us "A word fitly spoken are like apples of gold in a setting of sliver." (ESV) How wonderful it would be if would could be known for our words of encouragement and appreciation!
Expressing words of appreciation for one another promotes love and unity within a church family. We are actually commanded to use our words for God to build one another up. Even Christ's words from Matthew 7:12, often called the Golden Rule applies here. "So whatever you wish others would do to you, do also to them." (ESV) We know we enjoy being appreciated. If we understand this about ourselves, wouldn't we do well to remember to show appreciation for others?
Paul told the Thessalonians to "encourage one another and build one another up." (I Thessalonians 5:11a ESV) One of the best ways to build someone up .. to encourage them.. is to tell them you appreciate them for things they already do. People love to be acknowledged and appreciated. Hebrews 10:24 gives instruction to stir up one another to love and good works. I know of no better way to stir someone up to do good than showing them you truly appreciate what they have already done.
When Barnabas and Paul delivered the letter from the apostles in Jerusalem to the Gentile Christians in Antioch, it was one of great encouragement to those believers. The Gentiles understood that the gospel was meant for all. They were welcomed into God's family. Acts 15:32 says, "Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers."
What a wonderful feeling it must have been to have the leaders of the church at Jerusalem accept them.
God wants the church to have strength and unity among its members. "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus." (Romans 15:5 ESV) If we are to be found pleasing to God, we will want to give others the same endurance and encouragement that He gives us through our faith in His Son.
Many, many verses tell us to love one another. When we love as God loves we want the best for them. The church is His family. We should long to glorify His name by building up His family. Appreciating one another is one way to show our love.
Paul warns in Ephesians 4:29: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." What a powerful impact our words can have! We have a marvelous opportunity to serve God by showing our appreciation for others.
Each one of has an effect or influence on those with whom we come in contact on a daily basis. Showing appreciation for someone can be as easy as thanking the cashier at Wal-Mart for taking the time to double bag some of your heavier grocery items. Just a simple acknowledgement that you noticed their extra efforts can go a long way.
It is important to remember another admonition from our Lord and Savior. "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (Matthew 12:36-37 KJV). We must be very careful of our words.
What a difference we can make in someone's life if we show them we care by letting them know we appreciate them. It is one simple way to do good for others. By building one another up, we will all be stronger.
I leave you with one last verse: Proverbs 16:24: "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body."
Christ above all things,
Robin
Think about it. How many of us have plugged away on a project to meet a deadline, then watch someone else take credit for all our hard work? Maybe some of us shared a new idea with our boss or co-worker only to have them bring it up in a meeting like it was their own? What a downer! It is a lousy feeling to be overlooked and unappreciated.
We all want to be valued for who we are and what we do. When our contributions are not recognized we feel an emotional sting. I believe Jesus felt that sting when only one of ten lepers came back to thank Him for healing them. (Luke 17:12 -20)
Appreciation is more than just showing gratitude for someone. It is tied to thankfulness, yes - but it also means understanding what they have done. We realize the thought and energy put into what they do. Appreciating someone means we value their work. We have respect for them because of their actions.
Over the past couple of weeks I've had the opportunity to appreciate some of my co-workers in a way I never have before. I was the back up for one of them while she was on vacation. Sometimes we stay so wrapped up in our own little worlds we fail to notice what others are going through. We don't realize or totally understand exactly what is on their plate.
Becoming more familiar with all the tasks my co-worker did helped me gain a new appreciation for her. I made sure I told her when she got back to work. Actually, I ended up telling both of them how much I appreciated what they do.
God wants us to show appreciation for Him. He wants us to value Him as our creator. He is all powerful and merciful and deserves our praise. When we worship our God we are showing appreciation for Him and what He has done for us. How can we not appreciate the One who knows even how many hairs we have on our head?!
We should realize God knows us intimately and loves us ultimately. If we are faithful to Him -- obedient to Him, then we know He is always with us. God is truly good to those who love Him.
The Heavenly Father sacrificed His Only Son for us. Jesus voluntarily left Heaven for us to die for our sins. We can show our appreciation by putting God first in our lives always. “I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.” (Psalms 9:1 NKJV)
The Lord also wants us to show appreciation for others. Paul often commended those who labored in the Lord's kingdom with him. One such example is found in Romans 16:3-4 - "Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well." (ESV)
Expressions of appreciation are a form of encouragement. When we recognize and acknowledge the contributions of others we lift their spirits. Appreciation can empower someone to do more good works. A well-timed word of appreciation can mean the world to someone.
Words are so powerful and we can use our words to do so much good in the world, if we only would. Proverbs 10:11a says "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life." And Proverbs 25:11 tells us "A word fitly spoken are like apples of gold in a setting of sliver." (ESV) How wonderful it would be if would could be known for our words of encouragement and appreciation!
Expressing words of appreciation for one another promotes love and unity within a church family. We are actually commanded to use our words for God to build one another up. Even Christ's words from Matthew 7:12, often called the Golden Rule applies here. "So whatever you wish others would do to you, do also to them." (ESV) We know we enjoy being appreciated. If we understand this about ourselves, wouldn't we do well to remember to show appreciation for others?
Paul told the Thessalonians to "encourage one another and build one another up." (I Thessalonians 5:11a ESV) One of the best ways to build someone up .. to encourage them.. is to tell them you appreciate them for things they already do. People love to be acknowledged and appreciated. Hebrews 10:24 gives instruction to stir up one another to love and good works. I know of no better way to stir someone up to do good than showing them you truly appreciate what they have already done.
When Barnabas and Paul delivered the letter from the apostles in Jerusalem to the Gentile Christians in Antioch, it was one of great encouragement to those believers. The Gentiles understood that the gospel was meant for all. They were welcomed into God's family. Acts 15:32 says, "Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers."
What a wonderful feeling it must have been to have the leaders of the church at Jerusalem accept them.
God wants the church to have strength and unity among its members. "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus." (Romans 15:5 ESV) If we are to be found pleasing to God, we will want to give others the same endurance and encouragement that He gives us through our faith in His Son.
Many, many verses tell us to love one another. When we love as God loves we want the best for them. The church is His family. We should long to glorify His name by building up His family. Appreciating one another is one way to show our love.
Paul warns in Ephesians 4:29: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." What a powerful impact our words can have! We have a marvelous opportunity to serve God by showing our appreciation for others.
Each one of has an effect or influence on those with whom we come in contact on a daily basis. Showing appreciation for someone can be as easy as thanking the cashier at Wal-Mart for taking the time to double bag some of your heavier grocery items. Just a simple acknowledgement that you noticed their extra efforts can go a long way.
It is important to remember another admonition from our Lord and Savior. "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (Matthew 12:36-37 KJV). We must be very careful of our words.
What a difference we can make in someone's life if we show them we care by letting them know we appreciate them. It is one simple way to do good for others. By building one another up, we will all be stronger.
I leave you with one last verse: Proverbs 16:24: "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body."
Christ above all things,
Robin
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Flip-Flop, Flip-Flop - Don't Be a Flip Flop
Well, it's been about a month since my last post and what a month it's been! Thankfully we've gone from the icy cold to milder spring weather. I think most folks were quite happy to see warmer temperatures. I know I certainly was. It is now flip-flop weather! Oh, how I rejoiced a couple of weeks ago when I donned my flip-flops for the first time this season.
As I listened to the flip-flop of my steps walking about to prepare for work I reveled in the joy of the nicer weather and the resulting freedom for my feet. Flip flopping through the house, I suddenly thought that God doesn't like flip-flops. Now I'm not talking about what I had on my feet. Instead I was thinking about the double-minded man mentioned in James.
The book of James is full of practical advice about how to live as a Christian. He writes to encourage us. But in James 1:8 he says "a double minded-man is unstable in all his ways." God wants us to be fully committed to Him. We cannot allow ourselves to be double-minded. Do you want a stable life supported with wisdom and strength from the Almighty God? Commit yourself to Him. We can't be wishy-washy about this.
Although this verse does seem to speak for itself, studying it in context will help us more clearly understand the importance of avoiding the instability of a double mind. After his introductory greeting, James gives strong words of encouragement to the Christian facing various trials. We are to count it all joy to meet these trials, knowing our steadfast perseverance will make us "perfect and complete." (James 1:2-4 ESV)
In verse 5, our brother James tells us if we lack wisdom, we are to ask God and wisdom will be given to us, for God "gives generously to all without reproach." (ESV) Then we get to the heart of the matter. We should ask in complete faith. We cannot doubt God. If we waver in our faith - if we doubt the power of our God -- then we are like a wave of the sea that is tossed by the wind.
In other words, we cannot be flip flops. We must hold fast to our commitment to the Father. James' illustration of the wave being tossed about to and fro is easy to picture in our mind. We can't let ourselves be led away from God by first one thing and then another. We can't believe He will give us the wisdom we seek to get through our trials one minute and then decide He isn't there to help us.
Verse 7 says the person who asks and doubts can't think they will receive anything from God. That wave is restless. I can imagine that there is no peace for a double minded man who is always doubting, never fully confident -- never having the peace God offers. Being double minded means being unstable. A fully committed faith in God lends itself to a stable life knowing we can always depend on He who loves us.
This passage brings to mind the warning of Christ in Matthew 6:24 --"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." (ESV) We can't be flip-flops folks. It just won't work.
We cannot let our faith waver. We must hold fast to our faith in God's care and His promises. Paul mentions the unwavering faith Abraham had in God's promise that he would be the father of many nations. Romans 4:20 is a beautiful passage: "No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew storing in his faith as he gave glory to God." Abraham was certainly not a double minded man. He remained focused on serving God and giving glory to Him.
We must be single minded in our vision -in our faith. Peter doubted when he tried to walk toward Jesus on the water. He took his eyes off the Savior, but turned back to Him just in time. Jesus loved Peter and saved him. He loves us too -- just as much as He loved Peter.
Later, we see the apostle became faithful to Christ. He lived and died for his Master. In I Peter 1:9 he says the outcome of our faith will be the salvation of our souls. What a wonderful promise!
Peter goes on to tell us in verse 13, "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (ESV) Peter had gained the peace, strength and comfort of an unwavering faith in the Savior. He was not tossed about by the wind.
Paul said: "But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13b - 14) Paul was focused on the goal of the prize for serving Christ. We should be too. Abraham, Peter and Paul all had complete faith in God. They served Him and brought glory to Him. And the Father kept His promises to them. We need to know He will also keep His promises to us.
Enjoy your spring and summer. Let your feet be free. Wear your flip-flops as often as you like. But keep them on your feet. Don't BE a flip-flop yourself. Stay single minded. Enjoy the stability and peace of your unwavering faith.
Christ above all things,
Robin
As I listened to the flip-flop of my steps walking about to prepare for work I reveled in the joy of the nicer weather and the resulting freedom for my feet. Flip flopping through the house, I suddenly thought that God doesn't like flip-flops. Now I'm not talking about what I had on my feet. Instead I was thinking about the double-minded man mentioned in James.
The book of James is full of practical advice about how to live as a Christian. He writes to encourage us. But in James 1:8 he says "a double minded-man is unstable in all his ways." God wants us to be fully committed to Him. We cannot allow ourselves to be double-minded. Do you want a stable life supported with wisdom and strength from the Almighty God? Commit yourself to Him. We can't be wishy-washy about this.
Although this verse does seem to speak for itself, studying it in context will help us more clearly understand the importance of avoiding the instability of a double mind. After his introductory greeting, James gives strong words of encouragement to the Christian facing various trials. We are to count it all joy to meet these trials, knowing our steadfast perseverance will make us "perfect and complete." (James 1:2-4 ESV)
In verse 5, our brother James tells us if we lack wisdom, we are to ask God and wisdom will be given to us, for God "gives generously to all without reproach." (ESV) Then we get to the heart of the matter. We should ask in complete faith. We cannot doubt God. If we waver in our faith - if we doubt the power of our God -- then we are like a wave of the sea that is tossed by the wind.
In other words, we cannot be flip flops. We must hold fast to our commitment to the Father. James' illustration of the wave being tossed about to and fro is easy to picture in our mind. We can't let ourselves be led away from God by first one thing and then another. We can't believe He will give us the wisdom we seek to get through our trials one minute and then decide He isn't there to help us.
Verse 7 says the person who asks and doubts can't think they will receive anything from God. That wave is restless. I can imagine that there is no peace for a double minded man who is always doubting, never fully confident -- never having the peace God offers. Being double minded means being unstable. A fully committed faith in God lends itself to a stable life knowing we can always depend on He who loves us.
This passage brings to mind the warning of Christ in Matthew 6:24 --"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." (ESV) We can't be flip-flops folks. It just won't work.
We cannot let our faith waver. We must hold fast to our faith in God's care and His promises. Paul mentions the unwavering faith Abraham had in God's promise that he would be the father of many nations. Romans 4:20 is a beautiful passage: "No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew storing in his faith as he gave glory to God." Abraham was certainly not a double minded man. He remained focused on serving God and giving glory to Him.
We must be single minded in our vision -in our faith. Peter doubted when he tried to walk toward Jesus on the water. He took his eyes off the Savior, but turned back to Him just in time. Jesus loved Peter and saved him. He loves us too -- just as much as He loved Peter.
Later, we see the apostle became faithful to Christ. He lived and died for his Master. In I Peter 1:9 he says the outcome of our faith will be the salvation of our souls. What a wonderful promise!
Peter goes on to tell us in verse 13, "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (ESV) Peter had gained the peace, strength and comfort of an unwavering faith in the Savior. He was not tossed about by the wind.
Paul said: "But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13b - 14) Paul was focused on the goal of the prize for serving Christ. We should be too. Abraham, Peter and Paul all had complete faith in God. They served Him and brought glory to Him. And the Father kept His promises to them. We need to know He will also keep His promises to us.
Enjoy your spring and summer. Let your feet be free. Wear your flip-flops as often as you like. But keep them on your feet. Don't BE a flip-flop yourself. Stay single minded. Enjoy the stability and peace of your unwavering faith.
Christ above all things,
Robin
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