It was Monday morning. We had a great breakfast and clean up time was over. The girls had done their best to prepare for cabin inspection. Now it was time for one of my favorite parts of the day at Maywood Christian Camp. It was Bible class time.
There were some young ladies in our class whom I'd never met. As we introduced ourselves, I learned that a few of the girls were from a town very close to my own home. In fact, I have several close friends who attend the same congregation these young ladies do.
The class lesson centered on faith. Our camp books are written by one who loves God's Word and who obviously loves young people. The author tries to word the lessons so that young minds can relate to the Truth in a real and practical way.
Naturally I don't remember everything that was said that day. It was at least a couple of years back. But I do remember we discussed Hebrews chapter 11 - verses 1 & 6 in particular. We talked about the definition of faith according to Hebrews 1:1. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." NKJV
We said our hope of heaven is based on -- made up of -- our faith. We mentioned that without faith in Christ and His resurrection we have no hope. The English Standard Version uses the word assurance instead of substance. It is through our faith we have a confident expectation (assurance) we will one day live with Christ eternally.
We also talked about faith being the evidence of things not seen. Instead of evidence, the ESV uses the word conviction. Faith in God constitutes a way of life. Our lives should show we are convinced of things our eyes have yet to see.
A good explanation is found in verse 3 - "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."
Although I can't remember everything we said, I do remember stressing these verses as well as Hebrews 11:6 which is one of my favorites. It was important to my teaching partner and me to do our best with this lesson. We had a great class.
Time was up and the girls prepared to leave. As one of them stood up she said, "That's her favorite word, you know."
"Whose favorite word," I asked.
"Mrs. _______. You said you're friends? She's our Sunday school teacher. Faith is her favorite word."
"Oh that's right it is." One of the other girls chimed in. "She told us that."
"She talks about faith a lot."
I couldn't help but smile. I was so happy the girls had shared this with me and I couldn't wait to find the time to text my friend. I wanted to tell her what her students had said. I had a feeling she would be as excited as I was.
See no matter what age group we teach, we often wonder if anything we say gets through to our students. Bible class teachers teach for one reason. It is because they love Christ and His truth. They want others to know about Him.
So hearing a student is talking about the class - about what they have learned -well, it is a wonderful feeling. I know my friend pretty well. She loves her students and she loves teaching. It seemed like they knew her pretty well too.
She would be happy to know they remembered what she taught them. But not because she was the one who taught them -- the point isn't who the teaches the class. The point is the lesson learned. And that is why my friend would be happy - because her students had learned an important principle of the Truth.
We have to examine ourselves daily. Do people know what our favorite word is? We don't have to teach a Bible class for them to know. But what we do should reflect our faith and love for God. Our family, friends and co-workers should know we are Christians. It should be obvious God comes first in our life.
Are we rising to the challenge of Christianity? We need the kind of faith the Holy Spirit tells us about in Hebrews 11. Our faith should be strong enough to lead us to hope -- to have a confident expectation of a life in heaven.
Our lives-- our daily walk -- in this world should be evidence of a God who is very real but can't be seen. We can know God rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). And we understand our faith leads us to do the seeking. And that seeking Him means obeying His commands?
So what is your favorite word?
Christ above all things,
Robin
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Christianity ...and Worship -- Not a Game to be Played
When she opened the door and saw me sitting behind the table I saw the slightest hint of a smile. And quickly she put her hands over her eyes in peek-a-boo style. I looked up at her grandmother following closely behind and she just smiled with a shrug of her shoulders.
Deciding to play along, I asked "Mom-maw" why she didn't bring her granddaughter to class. My little student continued to walk slowly toward the table with her hands still over her eyes (I'm sure she was peeking a little and watching her own feet as she walked). Underneath those precious hands she was grinning from ear to ear.
The conversation went something like this (paraphrasing because my memory's not that great):
"Where is _____? Didn't you bring her to class?"
"No, she decided not to come."
"Oh no, I'm really going to miss her."
"I know, but she wanted to stay home tonight."
About that time, my little Bible class student lifted her hands from her eyes and revealed herself giggling all the while. "There she is," I said. "I'm so glad you're here tonight." And thus began our Bible class.
I do love teaching the little 2 and 3 year old children in our church family. I've said it often before, but they teach me ever so much more than I could ever teach them. Oh, if adults only had half the enthusiasm of a little child when they attend a Bible class just think how different our church families would be! Just think how different the world would be!!
Yet so often we come to class and listen halfheartedly - through eyes still hazy with sleep and minds wandering past class time - and even speeding forward past the worship hour to what we will be having for lunch. Maybe we think about how crowded the restaurant will be or what we are going to wear to work tomorrow instead of pouring our hearts into God's word.
God loves us so much! He longs to be with us. He wants us to want Him. Christ gave up heaven for us! He came down from heaven to live an earthly life, to suffer earthly pain, to be hungry and thirsty and tired and weak -- all for us. And so often we come to worship Him with only some small part of ourselves.
He gave our all to us. And sometimes it seems we give so very little back to Him. When my sweet young student hid her eyes behind her hands, she was playing a little game. She was totally innocent and joyful. Yet I knew she was happy to be there.
Sometimes we play an entirely different game. We attend worship on Sunday morning and hide behind that somehow. We pretend to ourselves that's enough. Like showing up for a couple of hours on Sunday morning is all Christ expects of us -- all He really wants from us. We use games to hide from God.
Sure, living a life for God involves attending worship. After all He's done for us and after all He IS ... our Creator and our Redeemer .... we should long to worship Him. We should have so much love for Him that the question of attending worship isn't even a question. He deserves our worship ... our devotion ... and our adoration.
Yet, if we are to truly live for Him attending worship in a church building is only the beginning. It is true that going "to church" on Sunday doesn't make anyone a Christian anymore than putting a horse in a garage on Sunday makes it a horse. I know that. It is only a start -- but it is a very important start.
That's not all though is it? No, we are supposed to be different. We are supposed to be holy and set apart. We have to remember we have been justified ... and then live like it. Please consider 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 with me.
"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, not drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (ESV).
Paul didn't write this only to warn about the dangers of sin -- he wasn't only saying "don't do these things." No, he was reminding the Corinthians of who they had been. He wanted them to understand that was all past them. God had forgiven them. The blood of Christ had washed them clean and because they were now justified (made right) with God they were to live a sanctified life.
This goes for us too! See the crucifixion of Christ allowed God to make us new creatures in Christ. When we are baptized and our sins are washed away, we are His masterpieces. Literally, we become His handiwork and we have a purpose. That is "... to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing." (Ephesians 2:10b NCV).
As Christians our soul's desire should be to do the same good works that Jesus did while He was here. We should come to see people in the same way that He did. The world has always been in need of the Savior.
Part of our good works is in showing kindness through good deeds to others. Part of our good works is in setting an example for others by wholly and completely worshiping Him. We should show our friends and neighbors how important this is to us.
Finally, part of our good works is in teaching the gospel to those in need of hearing about our precious Savior Jesus Christ. This is something of which I need to be more mindful. Actually when you think about it - teaching others about Christ is the best good work we could do.
Attending worship or Bible class is not a game to be played.
Neither is living for Him.
For we are no longer what we once were ...
Christ above all things,
Robin
Deciding to play along, I asked "Mom-maw" why she didn't bring her granddaughter to class. My little student continued to walk slowly toward the table with her hands still over her eyes (I'm sure she was peeking a little and watching her own feet as she walked). Underneath those precious hands she was grinning from ear to ear.
The conversation went something like this (paraphrasing because my memory's not that great):
"Where is _____? Didn't you bring her to class?"
"No, she decided not to come."
"Oh no, I'm really going to miss her."
"I know, but she wanted to stay home tonight."
About that time, my little Bible class student lifted her hands from her eyes and revealed herself giggling all the while. "There she is," I said. "I'm so glad you're here tonight." And thus began our Bible class.
I do love teaching the little 2 and 3 year old children in our church family. I've said it often before, but they teach me ever so much more than I could ever teach them. Oh, if adults only had half the enthusiasm of a little child when they attend a Bible class just think how different our church families would be! Just think how different the world would be!!
Yet so often we come to class and listen halfheartedly - through eyes still hazy with sleep and minds wandering past class time - and even speeding forward past the worship hour to what we will be having for lunch. Maybe we think about how crowded the restaurant will be or what we are going to wear to work tomorrow instead of pouring our hearts into God's word.
God loves us so much! He longs to be with us. He wants us to want Him. Christ gave up heaven for us! He came down from heaven to live an earthly life, to suffer earthly pain, to be hungry and thirsty and tired and weak -- all for us. And so often we come to worship Him with only some small part of ourselves.
He gave our all to us. And sometimes it seems we give so very little back to Him. When my sweet young student hid her eyes behind her hands, she was playing a little game. She was totally innocent and joyful. Yet I knew she was happy to be there.
Sometimes we play an entirely different game. We attend worship on Sunday morning and hide behind that somehow. We pretend to ourselves that's enough. Like showing up for a couple of hours on Sunday morning is all Christ expects of us -- all He really wants from us. We use games to hide from God.
Sure, living a life for God involves attending worship. After all He's done for us and after all He IS ... our Creator and our Redeemer .... we should long to worship Him. We should have so much love for Him that the question of attending worship isn't even a question. He deserves our worship ... our devotion ... and our adoration.
Yet, if we are to truly live for Him attending worship in a church building is only the beginning. It is true that going "to church" on Sunday doesn't make anyone a Christian anymore than putting a horse in a garage on Sunday makes it a horse. I know that. It is only a start -- but it is a very important start.
That's not all though is it? No, we are supposed to be different. We are supposed to be holy and set apart. We have to remember we have been justified ... and then live like it. Please consider 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 with me.
"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, not drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (ESV).
Paul didn't write this only to warn about the dangers of sin -- he wasn't only saying "don't do these things." No, he was reminding the Corinthians of who they had been. He wanted them to understand that was all past them. God had forgiven them. The blood of Christ had washed them clean and because they were now justified (made right) with God they were to live a sanctified life.
This goes for us too! See the crucifixion of Christ allowed God to make us new creatures in Christ. When we are baptized and our sins are washed away, we are His masterpieces. Literally, we become His handiwork and we have a purpose. That is "... to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing." (Ephesians 2:10b NCV).
As Christians our soul's desire should be to do the same good works that Jesus did while He was here. We should come to see people in the same way that He did. The world has always been in need of the Savior.
Part of our good works is in showing kindness through good deeds to others. Part of our good works is in setting an example for others by wholly and completely worshiping Him. We should show our friends and neighbors how important this is to us.
Finally, part of our good works is in teaching the gospel to those in need of hearing about our precious Savior Jesus Christ. This is something of which I need to be more mindful. Actually when you think about it - teaching others about Christ is the best good work we could do.
Attending worship or Bible class is not a game to be played.
Neither is living for Him.
For we are no longer what we once were ...
Christ above all things,
Robin
Saturday, August 6, 2016
For His Sake
Recently, I was reading through Ephesians Chapter 4 when a certain phrase in verse 32 caught my attention. Here's the verse from the King James Version: "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Several other versions are probably more on target in translating this phrase to be "as God in Christ forgave you." But the words "for Christ's sake" are the ones that gave me pause for thought -- even if it is translated "in Christ" in most other versions. Immediately my thoughts turned to what I do (and don't do) for the sake of Christ. If our God forgives us for Christ's sake. Shouldn't Christians be living their lives for Christ's sake?
In Matthew chapter 10, Christ tells His disciples that they will suffer for His sake (verse 18; verse 22). Finally in verse 39, He promises that "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Jesus made similar statement several times throughout His ministry. He truly wanted the disciples to understand they would pay a great price for their loyalty; but He also wanted to assure them it would be worth it.
What does that phrase mean anyway -- "for Christ's sake?" It is certainly not one to be taken lightly ... nor is it to be used in exasperation as a form of swearing the way some folks may do. It means for the cause of Christ ... because of Him ... for His name .... because He died for us.
It is a simple concept - it's not at all difficult to figure out. As followers of Him, we bear His name. We should long to honor that name. Christians desire to stand up for the righteousness found in Christ. We strive to treat others with love and kindness. We seek to teach His gospel to those lost in sin and darkness.
The Holy Spirit (through Paul) says it much better than I could ever begin to. Consider 2 Corinthians 5:15 -(ESV)
"and He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised." Christ died for us ... for our sake -- for the sake of our salvation. So that we will live for Him -- for His sake. We live for Him because He gave His life for us. Verse 21 of 2 Corinthians 5 says:
"For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." (ESV)
Those of us who seek to do the will of Christ realize it is our duty to represent Him by living righteous lives every day. Will we be perfect? Oh no -- we are still human. Only One was perfect; but we must cling to His word and follow His actions as closely as we possibly can. We cannot claim to be His and then go on our about business doing whatever we want to do.
If we are going to live for God, we will learn to love as Christ loved and to act as Christ would have us to act. We are to praise Him both in our victories and our defeats. Thank Him ever so much for all the good things that happen in our lives. Give Him the credit for our talents and our blessings.
What about those defeats? Well that is when we thank Him again. We thank Him for giving us the wisdom to seek His will and the strength He gives us to weather the storm. When things get tough, then every morning we praise Him for giving us the strength to face another day.
In so doing, we set a wonderful example to all those around us. And when someone asks us why we are always thanking and praising Him - then we get the opportunity to teach about God's grace and glory. We can tell others why we have the hope of eternal life -- for Christ's sake -- in His name -- because of His sacrifice.
Yes, Christ warned His followers they would suffer for Him. During one such discussion Peter reminds Jesus that the apostles had left everything to follow Him. Jesus responded in Luke 18:29-30: "...Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life."
What a wonderful promise this is!! The apostles believed this promise. They followed Christ to the end. They loved Him and lived for Him and ultimately they died for Him.
But they knew Christ would keep His promise. They wanted everyone to share in this great promise and that is why they taught about Him everywhere they went. They wanted others to experience the incredible joy of forgiveness .. for Christ sake.
Paul felt the same way the other apostles did, for he said in I Corinthians 9:22-24: "To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel." (in other words -Christ).
Why, Paul? "I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it." Paul knew the prize was worth running for -- that for the sake of the gospel he would share in its blessings with others who had obeyed that very gospel.
Live for Christ - love Him --honestly love Him by seeking His will and following His commandments. Stand up for His righteousness.
" Because your sins are forgiven
for His name's sake."
(1 John 2:12)
Christ above all things,
Robin
Several other versions are probably more on target in translating this phrase to be "as God in Christ forgave you." But the words "for Christ's sake" are the ones that gave me pause for thought -- even if it is translated "in Christ" in most other versions. Immediately my thoughts turned to what I do (and don't do) for the sake of Christ. If our God forgives us for Christ's sake. Shouldn't Christians be living their lives for Christ's sake?
In Matthew chapter 10, Christ tells His disciples that they will suffer for His sake (verse 18; verse 22). Finally in verse 39, He promises that "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Jesus made similar statement several times throughout His ministry. He truly wanted the disciples to understand they would pay a great price for their loyalty; but He also wanted to assure them it would be worth it.
What does that phrase mean anyway -- "for Christ's sake?" It is certainly not one to be taken lightly ... nor is it to be used in exasperation as a form of swearing the way some folks may do. It means for the cause of Christ ... because of Him ... for His name .... because He died for us.
It is a simple concept - it's not at all difficult to figure out. As followers of Him, we bear His name. We should long to honor that name. Christians desire to stand up for the righteousness found in Christ. We strive to treat others with love and kindness. We seek to teach His gospel to those lost in sin and darkness.
The Holy Spirit (through Paul) says it much better than I could ever begin to. Consider 2 Corinthians 5:15 -(ESV)
"and He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised." Christ died for us ... for our sake -- for the sake of our salvation. So that we will live for Him -- for His sake. We live for Him because He gave His life for us. Verse 21 of 2 Corinthians 5 says:
"For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." (ESV)
Those of us who seek to do the will of Christ realize it is our duty to represent Him by living righteous lives every day. Will we be perfect? Oh no -- we are still human. Only One was perfect; but we must cling to His word and follow His actions as closely as we possibly can. We cannot claim to be His and then go on our about business doing whatever we want to do.
If we are going to live for God, we will learn to love as Christ loved and to act as Christ would have us to act. We are to praise Him both in our victories and our defeats. Thank Him ever so much for all the good things that happen in our lives. Give Him the credit for our talents and our blessings.
What about those defeats? Well that is when we thank Him again. We thank Him for giving us the wisdom to seek His will and the strength He gives us to weather the storm. When things get tough, then every morning we praise Him for giving us the strength to face another day.
In so doing, we set a wonderful example to all those around us. And when someone asks us why we are always thanking and praising Him - then we get the opportunity to teach about God's grace and glory. We can tell others why we have the hope of eternal life -- for Christ's sake -- in His name -- because of His sacrifice.
Yes, Christ warned His followers they would suffer for Him. During one such discussion Peter reminds Jesus that the apostles had left everything to follow Him. Jesus responded in Luke 18:29-30: "...Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life."
What a wonderful promise this is!! The apostles believed this promise. They followed Christ to the end. They loved Him and lived for Him and ultimately they died for Him.
But they knew Christ would keep His promise. They wanted everyone to share in this great promise and that is why they taught about Him everywhere they went. They wanted others to experience the incredible joy of forgiveness .. for Christ sake.
Paul felt the same way the other apostles did, for he said in I Corinthians 9:22-24: "To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel." (in other words -Christ).
Why, Paul? "I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it." Paul knew the prize was worth running for -- that for the sake of the gospel he would share in its blessings with others who had obeyed that very gospel.
Live for Christ - love Him --honestly love Him by seeking His will and following His commandments. Stand up for His righteousness.
" Because your sins are forgiven
for His name's sake."
(1 John 2:12)
Christ above all things,
Robin
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