Love for our brothers and sisters

There are several passages in the bible that talk about the many parts of the one body of Christ. Romans 12:4-8 is one example and 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 is another. These verses have 3 obvious levels of application to the Christian life:

1. It stresses the importance of being well-rounded as a Christian. Christ wants us to enjoy all the fruits of the spirit - not just the couple we think we're good at.
2. It stresses the importance of all servants in a church - no matter how it is that they are serving. It takes a variety to make a living church. "If they were all one part, where would the body be?" 1 Corinthians 12:19.
3. It stresses the importance of all the different Christian churches.

Several months ago, I was listening to Chuck Swindoll talk about unity within the church. One thing that stood out was the discussion about an early secular spy who was sent by the Roman government to spy on the early church. This spy's observation was - "Behold, how they love one another." The question was, how would a spy view your church? How would a spy view Christianity as a whole? Would "love" be the word used or would it be something like one of the following:

- behold, how they judge one another.
- behold, how they hurt one another.
- behold, how they criticize one another.
- behold, how they deceive one another.

This week let's pray for unity. Let's pray that "love" becomes the all pervasive trait that outsiders see within His church. Ultimately, let's pray that we, as members of His body, mirror Him (not ourselves).

Have a great week and a great fast.
Your brother,
Bob

Opportunities

Think about all the conversations you have in a week's time. Are there frequent opportunities to talk about faith? Do you act on all the opportunities? Occasionally I'm talking to a person… the conversation leads down a path where faith would be an appropriate discussion… and yet I let it pass by… and usually kick myself later. One example happened when I was traveling to Florida a few weeks back. On my way to the airport, I was listening to a discussion on how to witness to Jehovah's Witnesses. I got to the airport in plenty of time and got through the ticket counter very quickly. Then, as I was walking to security, you guessed it, there were 2 women handing out "Watchtower" pamphlets (that's the periodic circular for the Jehovah's Witnesses). Instead of stopping, I walked on by under the rationalization that I didn't know how long security would take. While I waited for the plane (for about an hour), I kept thinking about the opportunity that I let slip by.

This Wednesday we are praying about the opportunities that God puts in front of us. We are praying that we don't pass up these opportunities to love others the way God loves us. And we are praying that when we do miss opportunities, that we would learn from it and be more inclined to recognize the next opportunity. I want to be quick to respond when I hear that small voice saying "say something".

Have a great week and a great fast.
Your brother,
Bob

Why

When adversity comes your way, do you ever find yourself struggling with the "why" questions. I've asked the "why" questions many times. My own personal "why" questions seem to fall into 2 different categories. The first is the "why" that is implying unfairness. It's more of a protest than a real question. It's the "why me" directed at God. Perhaps a better question I should ask myself is "why not me". The second is the "why" that is trying to figure it all out. The "what is God trying to teach me through all this" questions. I presume that if I know what he's trying to teach me, I'll just go ahead and concentrate on learning it quick. I'll just speed up God's plan and unlike all my past lessons, I'll learn this lesson on the first try and I won't forget it so fast...

But ultimately, the real question is the why behind the "why". Said another way, Why do we ask "why"? Trust is the answer. We all believe in God. But do we all trust God? And do we trust Him completely? The "why" questions betray a lack of trust. "Just tell me where we're trying to get to God and perhaps I'll come up with a plan that's better than your plan for getting there."

This Wednesday, as we fast, let's pray about the "why". Let's ask ourselves if we are fully trusting God. Take some time to read from the book of Job this week.

You've probably all heard a pastor say "I don't need to know… I just need to know the one who knows.

Have a great week and a great fast.
Your brother,
Bob

Missionaries

This Wednesday, as we fast, let's pray for the missionaries that are out serving in other countries. Personally, I've always really admired the missionary calling. Probably partly because it seems nearly impossible to me to just pick up the whole family, move to a strange place, rely on others for living expenses, and jump in whole heartedly to witnessing to others. A few months back, while visiting a VA for work purposes, I met a doctor who works as a missionary in Central America. He comes back to the states to work for a few weeks every 6 months to both help fund his mission work and to make sure he keeps his ability to practice medicine. The rest of the time he spends in Central America planting churches with his family. Another mission couple was in to visit our church a couple weeks back. They work in Katmandu. They had very interesting stories to tell about their 10+ years in that area.

Just pray for all missionaries this Wednesday. And pray for their children as well. May God do a work in them as well as those they are trying to reach.

Have a great week and a great fast.
Your brother,
Bob