Ideas from a Stapler

      Only about 3 more weeks until June 18th.  That is the day the third session of Maywood Christian Camp begins!  It is one of my favorite weeks of the entire year.  I love serving as a counselor there!  It will be here before I know it.
      Today I've been working on night time cabin devotionals.  I like to use object lessons so I can give the girls some little something to help them remember the devotional. The other day, I came across some mini staplers left over from what I gave as extras to some family members at Christmas.
      This afternoon, I remembered I used Bible verses to go with some of my "extra" gifts.  I kept I list of the scriptures and went to find them.  Then I began to think about the lessons in our class book at Maywood for this year.  My mind began to spin as fast as a merry-go-round.  :)
      Now - well, here we go!
      
      A single piece of paper is not hard to tear into two pieces, right?   But the more pieces of paper you put together, the harder it is to tear them.  A stapler holds pieces of paper together.  It keeps them from getting pulled apart.  
     Usually when we use a stapler, we are keeping papers together that have something in common.  Maybe they are the pages of a tax return.  For a school teacher they may be pages of homework assignment from each student in class.  For someone in business, it may be a financial report or parts of a sales pitch to be given.  
      The papers need to be kept together.  If we lose one page of the presentation, it won't be complete.  It would be the same way with the tax return ... and if we lost part of that we might be in trouble if we were audited.  The staple binds the parts together to make it a whole.  The stapler is the tool used to bring the pieces to together.  
       As Christians we need to stick together.  We are stronger when we do.  Just as one piece of paper can easily be torn, we are not as strong alone as we are together.  The more Christians put together working for a common goal, the stronger we are.   In His infinite wisdom, Jesus died for and built the church so we could draw on the strength of one another.  
      The early Christians understood this principle.  The book of Acts speaks often of the close fellowship ... the strong bond the believers had with one another.  Acts 2:46-47 says they were together every day.  In Chapter 4: 23 -31, they prayed together for the boldness of the apostles to preach and teach.  And in Acts 4:32 - 37, the sold their possessions and shared all things with one another as they each had need.   Their bond was very strong.  
      Another thing the early church shared was a strong belief in prayer.  I already mentioned they prayed together in Acts chapter 4.  However, this wasn't the only time the church came together to pray.  Acts 12 records the martyr of James (the brother of John) as well as the imprisonment of Peter by Herod.    
     Consider one short but very profound verse,  Acts 12:12 "When this had dawned on him (Peter), he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying."   So much can be gained from this single passage!!  
     First of all, the closeness of the believers is clearly evident - even in the face of persecution.  They didn't surrender their faith.  They didn't call it quits.  They weren't in their own homes afraid and alone.  Instead they gathered together -- there were "many" of them in one place and they were praying.  
      Secondly, Peter knew where to go.  As soon as he awakened from his trance, he immediately went to the house of Mary.  Why did he go there?  How did he know other believers would be there?  Peter knew they would be together because that is what the early church did.  They simply had the habit of communing with one another.  Have we forgotten the importance of fellowship today? 
     Thirdly, I find it somewhat incredible Peter knew exactly to whose home to go.  Not only did Peter seek out other believers, he knew where to find them.  This speaks volumes about the faith and courage of Mary.  If Peter knew where the church would be, it was highly likely Herod's men would know also.  At least it probably wouldn't take them long to find out.  
     Mary's hospitality played an amazing role in the events of that night.  She no doubt was a strong influence among the disciples of Christ in the first century.  Peter knew the kind of woman Mary was.   Obviously, she had opened her home to the believers on more than one occasion, else how would Peter know to go there?  
      The lessons from our Maywood class book this year are on the power of one.  I personally think the lesson of Mary in Acts 12:12 is a wonderful example of the power of one.  She enabled the church to meet together and remain united in their faith and in prayer.  She helped disciples stick with each other.  She allowed herself to be used as a stapler.        Mary knew the power of prayer and hosted a prayer group in her home.  I am honored to be part of a prayer group too.  We are not "many" as described in Acts 12; but we have come to understand the power of prayer.  
      These individuals are amazing women of God and every day I am thankful to be part of them!  We have been sticking together for about five years now.  We know how much stronger we are when we are together.  
     As part of this group, each of us has gained a certain spiritual maturity.  We are stronger today (together) than we were (apart) five years ago.  Our prayers have helped us hold on to Christ through some pretty tough times and we remember to praise God through our victories.  As one of them posted on face book a few weeks ago, if you aren't part of a group like this -- find one.  
     So earlier I said the stapler was the tool used to bring papers together and the staple was the thing used to hold them together.  Well, it may be kind of a far stretch for some to see .... but Christ is the stapler.  His loving sacrifice is the tool God used to bring us together.  The church is the staple that holds us together.   Our love and fellowship together keep us united in purpose and praying together increases our faith and strength.  Think about it.  :)

      Let's stick together.  We need each other.       
      "And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.  And He is the head of the body, the church."
                                                                             Colossians 1:17-18
      
     "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."      Colossians 3:14
  
Christ above all things, 
Robin 

Food for Thought -- Truth for Food

      It was lunch time and I was hungry.  I decided to go to the local Japanese restaurant.  Now, I don't like all Japanese cuisine - but I do enjoy the hibachi chicken.  The restaurant had some customers; but it wasn't too crowded that day.  I was looking forward to enjoying my meal.
     I ordered and was waiting for my food when I noticed a group of four sitting two or three tables further up the row from me.  The group consisted of a man and woman with a teen aged girl and boy.  The only one I had a clear view of was the young man.  
      The waitress brought them a plate of appetizers.  The young man looked at it rather dubiously.  The others began to dig in to whatever the dish was.  I don't think he planned on trying the appetizer.  Not wanting to stare, I distracted myself with other things as I waited for my order.  
      A few minutes later I looked back over to the young man.  I watched as he took a bite of something.  He had the strangest look on his face as he held in his mouth what was apparently new and strange to him.  It was definitely a look of uncertainty.  
     He was aware his companions were watching him, so he tried to control his reaction.   At least he didn't immediately spit it out in disgust.  There was no gag reaction; but by the look on his face all kinds of thoughts raced through his mind.  He chewed slowly.  It seemed as if he was trying to decide if he liked the taste.  
      My order arrived and I concentrated on my own dish.  But as I was eating I couldn't help but think about what I just witnessed.  Suddenly a thought occurred to me.  
    The young man had approached his food hesitantly.  Maybe sometimes we do the same thing with God's word.  Maybe we think we have this faith thing down pat.  We love God and we pray and we study.  
    Yet, some instructions in the Bible are totally foreign to our human nature.  Maybe our obedience only goes so far.  Are there certain commands that don't "taste" quite as good as others?  It's easy to say we aren't going steal by robbing a bank, but how often do we rob God by failing to worship Him as we should.  Sleeping in or going to the lake is easy, but getting up early on Sunday morning might not be as appealing to us.  
      We may do good things for others, but we may want to pick and choose who those "others" are.  God says we are to do good everyone.  (Galatians 6:10)  What about gossip?  We must be very careful with this one.  Curiosity about something or someone can lead us into gossip before we even realize it.  Yet, a rumor can be very destructive.  
      What about bitterness over the promotion we wanted but someone else got?  Perhaps we are holding to a grudge because someone said something to us years ago.  Maybe we think we've laid those old hard feelings aside and suddenly something comes up that makes us angry all over again?  Yes, that's a struggle for me, too.  
      These are real life issues we face every day.  Finding God's word more or less palatable on particular days could often be a reflection of the temptations we face.  It's like a friend of mine said that her preschool son told -- "sometimes it's just easier to be bad."   Yet, we cannot give up the good fight of faith!!  
    If we keep feeding on the word of God, these instructions in righteousness will become easier to digest.  The more we learn of Christ the more we will want to be like Him.  The truth will taste better and better to us.  
     Yet, many folks don't want to recognize the authority of Christ in any way, shape or fashion.  Unlike the young boy who was so uncertain about the new food he was tasting -- they have an instant gag reflex.  They completely reject the love of Christ.  
      It is the same now as it was during Christ's ministry.  Remember the events recorded in John 6?  In this chapter that Christ declared “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in shall never thirst.” Thus began a conversation many could not understand. 

     The Jews grumbled.  They doubted Him because they knew Him.  They knew His earthly family, so it was very difficult for them to think He was "the bread that came down from heaven" (v. 41).   They simply could not see Him as one sent from God, let alone His only Son.  

      Even some of His disciples said it "was a hard saying."  Christ continued, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all.  The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life" (v. 63).  After this conversation many of His disciples "no longer walked with Him" (v 66). Figuratively (and spiritually) speaking, they had a gag reflex.  

     How sad that must have been for our Savior!!  It is sadder still for those who turned away.  Can you imagine the despondence in His voice as Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?"  

      It was Peter who answered, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and come to know, that you are the Holy One of God" (vs. 66-69).   Peter and the others didn't find the words of Christ repulsive.  They may not have fully understood the meaning of Christ's words; but knew He came from God and they wanted to continue to feed on His word.  

      The question for us today is whether or not we will choose to feed our souls on the Bread of Life?  Will we take in spiritual nourishment for eternal life as quickly and easily as we do for our physical bodies?  OR will we reject what is offered to us.  

      In John 6:51 Jesus said,  "I am the living bread that came down from heaven.  If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever.  And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."   He died that we might live with Him forever.   That is pretty appetizing to me!

     

      "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

        Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him." 

                                                                                    (Psalm 34:8)

        

Christ above all things,

Robin Whitley

    

      

A Hard Fightin' Soldier

      Two nights ago I was having a wonderful night.  We just finished the monthly ladies' devotional at our congregation.  My mom and I lingered for a while talking with the hostess and enjoying a little extra fellowship.  As we said our final good byes, I looked at my phone and suddenly the night began to change.  
      I often mention my prayer group.  I am honored to be part of that group of very faithful and wonderful Christian women.  We have a group text set up.  Through this we stay in close communication with one another.  
     Tuesday night when I looked at my phone, it was sad news.  News that required immediate prayer.  One of our sister friends had collapsed and was unresponsive.  An ambulance was on the way to her home.  I was so thankful Mom drove us home so I could read the texts that were coming fast and furiously.  
      Only a short time later we learned our sweet Angie was gone.  I knew I would miss her.  She had a tremendous impact on my life.  Yet, I could not be sad.   She won her battle with the world.  God called my sister friend home.  Victory was hers.  We praised God!  
     See Angie would be the first to tell anyone she spent part of her adult life in the church and part of it participating in worldly things.  I can relate to that.  I did not always walk with God either.  
      But a few short months ago, Angie took up her Christian armor once again and became a brave soldier for Jesus.  She fought the good fight of faith valiantly.  She faced a lot of hardships ... a lot of temptations, but she thanked God for her troubles.  I heard her pray that.  Can you imagine?  James tells us to do it; but I don't think I ever actually heard anyone say those words in a prayer.  Angie did. 
     She also thanked Him for keeping her alive long enough for her to come to her senses and quit "being so hard-headed" (her words).  She was thankful for another chance to live and serve her Savior.   
      And she REJOICED!  Through all of her troubles and all of her heartaches ... she rejoiced.   She praised God in her trials and she rejoiced in His mercy and grace.  She was always so joyful to be with her church family!  She rejoiced as she pleaded with God to give her strength and help her conquer her demons.  
      Angie prayed for and encouraged others.  She often told us how much she loved and needed us.   She told us how thankful she was for us.  She had a tender and loving heart.         She urged us to stay strong - reminding us that we were all in this together and she pleaded with the Heavenly Father to give strength, comfort and peace to others she knew were hurting.   She asked God to "put a hedge row of protection"  around her sisters.  
     My friend took up God's armor and boldly marched into battle every day.  She was "strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might."  She stood against the devil's schemes.  She knew, probably better than most, who she fought against ... who the enemy was.   And she stood firm.  
     She wore the breastplate of righteousness and did her best to do right by every one.  She wore the belt of truth and was honest about her past ... and tried to get others to change as she had.  She stood ready with the gospel of peace .. longing for peace in her life and wishing the same for those she loved.  
      Angie had taken up the shield of faith and it covered her life.  She was so thankful for God's forgiveness as she wore the helmet of salvation,  knowing Christ had died for her and was standing with her helping her fight every battle.  She was armed with the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, as she turned to the scriptures time and time again.  She studied her Bible and encouraged others to seek the truth.  
      Lastly, but certainly not least, she prayed and she prayed.  She praised God.  She thanked God.  And she pleaded with Him for love and peace.  Tuesday night my sister... my friend ...  a very hard fighting soldier ... won her war.  She fought her good fight of faith .... and finally had her peace.  
      The next morning when I thought of Angie and the reality of her death began to take hold, these are the two passages that kept coming to my mind.  
      "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."  (Ephesians 6:13) 
      
      "When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:  
        'Death is swallowed up in victory. 
        O death, where is your victory? 
        O death, where is your sting?'  (1 Corinthians 15:54-56)

     I thank God for my friend ... my hard fighting soldier. 

Christ above all things,
Robin Whitley