Reflections in The WORD

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G.R.O.W.: Gain Righteousness by Obeying The WORD

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” ~ Colossians 3:16

This verse eloquently describes the main purpose of the Church, which is to foster Spiritual Growth.

FIRST, our text identifies the source of Spiritual Growth: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom”. We can only grow as individuals (and as a Church body) as the word of Christ (God’s Word, The Holy Scripture) inhabits our thoughts, shapes our perspective, informs our decisions, focuses our minds, opens our understanding and quietens our hearts. The very genesis of our growth is the Word of Christ which the Holy Spirit reveals to us.

“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me” ~ John 15:26

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“…desire the sincere milk of the word, that yes may grow thereby” ~ 1 Peter 2:2

SECOND, our text tells us to share the word of Christ with our brethren so that we can spur growth in each other. This is quite a captivating concept given the current culture of the contemporary church.

Many of us focus on what we can get out of church. We choose the church we attend primarily because of how it suits us, how it meets our needs. However, our text places an entirely different emphasis. While it implies the mutual benefit of the individuals, our verse emphasizes our responsibility to be a benefit to others. So, instead of coming to the picnic empty handed, waiting for the church leader(s) to supply the meal, we are each charged with the responsibility of bringing a basket. This approach, has the potential to radically transform our churches.

Can you imagine how rich and beautiful and exciting church/Bible study/etc. would be if each person attending was a conduit, a channel of God’s Word? Therefore, we should attend Church, not (only) for what we can gain, but for what God wants to give through us. We go to church not just to be built up, we go to church as builders, helping to build others.

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ…” ~ 2 Peter 3:18a

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also yes do.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” ~ Hebrews 3:13

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as yes see the day approaching.” ~ Hebrews 10:24-25

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost” ~ Jude 1:20

Rest in Hope

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“I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.” ~ Psalm 16:8-9

To live in this fallen world is to live in unrest. We are constantly bombarded by distractions and temptations that draw us to focus on ourselves and our immediate needs. Temptation too is a restlessness; a furtive burning that needles at you mercilessly. In the midst of the struggle, it is easy to succumb to the lie, “I will have no peace until I give in to this sin.” The choice is made, the relief immediate – but in the release there is an increase in uneasiness as your heart spins that much further out of line of God’s perfect way. The act of sin feeds the need to sin in an endless cycle, until suddenly you find yourself lost on a stormy sea, crying out for help (Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25; Matthew 8:23-27).

The beauty of our God is that He always hears us and always responds. He never holds us at arm’s distance and says, “You got yourself into this mess, you get yourself out.” He knows our frame, that we are dust (Psalm 103:14); He always responds with mercy and love to a heart that cries out in need to the Saviour. He greatly desires that we would stay on His perfect path so that we don’t find ourselves in needless trouble; but He knows too that we are fallible and fallen creatures, and will not leave His children to suffer the fate of destruction to which we were born.

“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” ~ Psalm 37:25

“Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy” ~ Psalm 33:18

To help us stay on the road of righteousness, God not only promises us a way out of every temptation (I Corinthians 10:13), He also offers us rest. Not just for our souls, and not someday in the future – but now and for our very flesh, even that part of us that constantly fights Him: “My flesh also shall rest in hope.” This is a great truth in our lives, because there is so little in this world that offers rest. All of this world rushes on and on, never pausing, never relaxing for a moment, and we are too often swept up in the pace. It is the “rest” of sin that is so fleeting and unsatisfactory; the “rest” of a creation separated from its Creator. We cannot have rest or peace or victory over sin unless our eyes are firmly focused on the Saviour.

“And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace” ~ Helen Lemmel, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”

Peace is never found in sin. But peace is found in the hope of salvation, in Jesus Christ Himself, Who offers us rest for both body and soul – even when our actions remind us that we are undeserving of such wondrous love. Let us not fall under the influence of the Accuser (satan), who throws our failures in our faces to shame us away from the Saviour. God’s grace and patience towards us is a great and awesome mystery; let us have faith in His promises and call the devil the Liar that he is.

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” ~ James 1:12

By Joelle Heilemann

Tidings to Shepherds: Broadcasts to Outcasts

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⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
¹⁵And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. ¹⁶And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. ¹⁷And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. ¹⁸And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. ~ Luke 2:8-11, 15-18, 20

Jesus birth was announced by angels which is quite suitable for the Son of God, the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. However, it seems strange that this momentous proclamation was not made before an audience of Kings, or Leaders, or Priests, or Nobles, but to an audience of lowly shepherds. Shepherds!!!!
The significance of this point often escapes modern readers because we are not aware of the lowly social status of shepherds in Jesus’ day:

“The Mishnah, Judaism’s written record of the oral law… describes [shepherds] as “incompetent”… says no one should ever feel obligated to rescue a shepherd who has fallen into a pit… Jeremias documents the fact that shepherds were deprived of all civil rights. They could not fulfill judicial offices or be admitted in court as witnesses.” ~ Eternal Perspective Ministries

“Shepherds of Jesus time were considered, by the general populace, generally untrustworthy… Even worse, their work made them ceremonially unclean… because they had daily contact with carcasses of animals and came into contact… with all sorts of unclean animals… So, surprisingly, when the angelic announcement arrives, it comes first to the social outcasts of Jesus’ day.” ~ Holy Ordinary

Accordingly, there are a few lessons we can learn from God’s choice of the shepherds.

First, by announcing Jesus’ birth to the shepherds, God established that there was no one too lowly to receive God’s salvation. God reached out to the absolute rejects of society first in order to demonstrate that no one would be excluded. Therefore, your/my status in society doesn’t matter: God loves us all and wants to save each and every one of us.

Second, it harmonizes with Jesus’ ministry: The Son of God emptied himself of Glory to come to earth as a human babe born in the lowliest of circumstances: in a manger for cattle. And so the God of Heaven announced the birth of His Son to cattle-minders: shepherds.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” ~ John 10:27

Third, it is arguable that Jesus’ principal ministry would be as a shepherd: The Good Shepherd (John 10:1-30) who came in search of the lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7). Hence the angels told the message first to those who would identify most closely with His purpose: the shepherds.

Especially useful, however, is the application to our lives. God sent His message to the humblest. The shepherds were humbled by their low social standing; they had no place (no status) and very little value to their society. Similarly, God’s message only comes to those humble enough to hear it. When we become unconcerned about our social standing and self-importance is when we can hear God most clearly. And sometimes (most times?) God has to humble us so that we can hear Him.

Moses started out thinking he knew how to rescue his people from Egyptian oppression, but he failed at the very start and had to run for his life (Exodus 2:11-25). God then humbled Moses for 40-years in his sojourn in the outback of Midian. Only then was Moses in a position to hear from God (Exodus 3-4).

Similarly, God allowed satan to strip away all Job held dear and the once wealthy and successful man among men was left to scratch his sores in a garbage dump (Job 1-2). Only then was Job in a position to hear from God (Job 40-42).

Perhaps God has humbled you lately. Perhaps you have lost your job, or lost your house, or lost your health, or lost your savings or some combination of the above. While this can be quite painful, difficult and bewildering, perhaps God is preparing to speak a message to you that you are just now prepared to hear.

If so, then let us receive that message with joy like the shepherds did. God’s message did not change their social standing, they remained the social rejects they were before. But the message did change their hearts. Before, they were just outcasts on a hillside, but after hearing from God they returned to the hillside as the FIRST missionaries of the Gospel (vs. 17-18) and as worshippers like never before (vs. 20).

The message from God, heard ONLY in their humiliation, transformed them forever.

Pains of Rebirth

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“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” ~ Ephesians 4:22-24

Search me, know me;
stay away.
I want love and salvation,
but I want it my way.

I adore you; I defy you;
I need your grace.
I am broken; I’m unworthy;
I am on my face.

You are holy, you are perfect
you scare me sometimes.
You’re the only One I want here,
but then I run and hide.

You so love me; you revive me;
you give me your strength.
You correct me; you forgive me;
you remove my shame.

I am trying; I’m improving,
though still I fall.
Always watching, always hoping,
to survive it all.

Knowing someday, when You’re ready,
I will rise on wings
To your home Lord, to your arms Lord,
where the angels sing.

Then all the struggle, all the failure,
will count as naught.
I will see me as You’ve seen me:
a child of your heart.

No more tears there, only laughing
as I praise your name.
Free to serve you and adore you
all those endless days.

by Joelle Heilemann

Improve the Silence

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“I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge” ~ 1 Corinthians 1:4-5

A very wise man once said, “Unless you can improve the silence, don’t speak.” People have made a fine art of small talk that merely fills air space. We have forgotten the art of intelligent conversation and the imparting of substance such as the wisdom of God.

Sitcoms have primed us for one guy giving a straight line and the other delivering something witty or sarcastic–all for a laugh. Perhaps you have noticed that while life has its humorous moments it is no laughing matter. How we invest our time and the grace of speech as we converse with others can mean the difference between life and death, literally.

Simply speaking and having something worthwhile to say are two very different things. One can be a colossal waste of time: noise pollution. The other can be life enhancing, even life changing.

When you deliver the message of salvation to someone who is lost it can be the life line for which they have been searching. Those whose lives have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ have the power of the Holy Spirit to offer that life to others.

Think about it! It is only by the grace of God that we are endowed with such power. The Holy Spirit was sent to lead us into all Truth. While Jesus walked the earth He said, “I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6)

Therefore, when the Holy Spirit teaches us Truth it is in greater knowledge of Jesus Christ, our Messiah. We are enriched by reading the Word of God because in it we know Him Who was sent by the Father to redeem our lives from a banal existence and eternal punishment. When the Word dwells within our hearts richly (in abundance) it affects our speech. For, from the abundant overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” ~ Luke 6:45

When we speak, we will have words of life; we will enrich those around us who have ears to hear.

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” ~ John 6:63

Today is a gift from the hand of God. What we do and say in it is our gift back to Him. Be enriched in the knowledge of Him and speak your faith to those who will listen. Redeem the time because the clock is ticking. Speak only if you can improve the silence.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace in sending Jesus Christ to save us from sin. Thank You, also, for the Holy Spirit Who leads us into all Truth. Your Word is an ever-unfolding treasury of wisdom. Help our hearts receive the fullness of its knowledge that we may speak forth always with grace and impart to others the greatness of our God. To You alone be the glory by Christ Jesus Whose words are Spirit and Life. Amen!

Contributed by Cindy Stelter Tesar

Suggestions for Fasting and Feasting

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"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." ~ Psalm 100:4

Fast from discontent; Feast on thankfulness.

Fast from worry; Feast on trust.

Fast from anger; Feast on patience.

Fast from self-concern; Feast on compassion for others.

Fast from unrelenting pressures; Feast on unceasing prayers .

Fast from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness.

Fast from discouragement, Feast on hope.

Fast from media hype, Feast on the honesty of the Bible.

Fast from idle gossip; Feast on purposeful silence.

Fast from problems that overwhelm; Feast on prayer that undergirds.

~ Anonymous

Light to Live By

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“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” ~ Psalm 119:105

"But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." ~ Proverbs 4:18

We are so reliant upon electricity. (Thank you, Thomas Edison and Benjamin Franklin, for your contributions.) It’s a MAJOR inconvenience when the power is turned off or goes out during the night or a storm. Darkness! Unless we have a ready stash of flashlights, candles or oil lamps and matches we pretty much have to stay put until power is restored. Darkness can be paralyzing.

This world is a place of spiritual darkness. We stumble into compromising situations where egos clash; we fight at shadows or seek cover out of fear. For the child of God, that is totally unnecessary. He equips us with the torch light of His word. We can see that we are not battling physical enemies, but against spiritual wickedness that lurks in the darkness. (Ephesians 6:12)

What are you bumping into along life’s journey? Turn on the light of the word of God. Maybe the obstacle is something you should have dumped years ago. Seek it out and remove it by the light of His word. Perhaps you have not forgiven someone who hurt you. The light will search all your inward parts. Learn to walk in love and carry the torch day and night.

Sometimes we can see for miles, but often it is just the path directly in front of us that requires attention. Rest assured, those who seek the LORD will be guided on a “need-to-know” basis. We have no need to fear the unseen realm if God is on our side. His light will paralyze the workers of darkness like a deer in headlights.

Lord, how we need to thank You for all the things you are doing in our lives. Light our way brightly so that we don’t fall. Teach our hearts to follow after the light of Your word so that we will know where to walk. May our lives’ journeys be to the praise of Your glory through Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. Amen!

Contributed by Cindy Stelter Tesar

…and They’ll Know We are Christians by Our Love

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“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” ~ Galatians 6:2

Paul had just spent much of the preceding chapters scolding the Galatians for devoting themselves to the Mosaic Law, even to the point of circumcision. They had become confused: thinking that adherence to the Mosaic Law and its rituals were fundamental to gaining salvation.

In our text, Paul directs their attention away from the “Law of Moses” and points them to the “Law of Christ”. Moreover, he shows us that the “Law of Christ” is accomplished in an entirely different way than the “Law of Moses”. Paul argues throughout his letter to the Galatians that those under the Law of Moses are trapped by its rituals which do not deliver what they desire, namely, salvation. However, Grace (as a Gift of God) delivers Salvation from the outset. A Believer never has to work or perform any rituals to gain the Salvation of Jesus Christ. So, whereas those under the Mosaic Law work (futilely) to gain salvation; Believers gain Salvation (by Grace) to work (Ephesians 2:8-10).

And what is the work of a Believer? “Bear ye one another’s burdens”.

That is the crucial, essential point.

Too often, Believers of every era get sidetracked into ritualism. We somehow think that frequency in church is a sign of (or way to) Salvation. We get fooled into thinking that worship style (the type of liturgy, the type of songs we sing) shows our spirituality. We are fooled by dress codes and jargon; by causes and political affiliation.

“They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.” ~ Isaiah 41:6

But Paul tells us that the way to fulfill the Law of Christ does NOT depend on church attendance, liturgical style, music preference, attire, “christianese”, or voting record or anything other ritual. The way we fulfill the Law of Christ is by bearing each other’s burdens. If we want to be good Christians and honour God, then we should help each other.

To be clear, the church is not just a big soup kitchen or group therapy session. The primary function of the Church is assist Believers in conforming to the Will OF God to do the Work OF God in the context of the Scripture which reveals the Identity OF God. Therefore, service outside of this context is nothing more than do-good-ism. Service (Works), no matter how saintly, never saves us. However, as James explained, service (works) is the evidence of our salvation (James 2:14-26).

Therefore,

Instead of a church attendance award (if those exist)… let’s strive for a brother/sister assistance award (from God).
Next time we are so moved by the music in worship… let our hearts be so moved by the struggles of someone in need that we do whatever it takes to help them.
When we dress (up or down) for church, let us remember those who have nothing to “dress in” and help them out.
Next time we answer a greeting with “I am blessed”… let’s make sure we are also “blessings” to those around us.
When next we take time out exercise our civic duty by voting… let’s take some time out to exercise our Christian duty by visiting and ministering to the sick (hopefully more often than once every four years).

Rituals take us nowhere and leave us nowhere. It is the love we share (by our actions, not just words!) that makes people believe we are sincere. It is how much we sacrifice for each other that opens the door for the gospel message. It is by bearing each other’s burdens that we fulfill the Law of Christ.

Jesus put it this way:

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” ~ John 13:34-35

Amen!

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We are one in the Spirit

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord.
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord.
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored,
and they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand.
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand.
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.
and they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We will work with each other, we will work side by side.
We will work with each other, we will work side by side.
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride.
and they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

In the Pasture of The Shepherd King

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“He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord.” ~ Micah 5:4

Christ’s reign in His Church is that of a shepherd-king. He has supremacy, but it is the superiority of a wise and tender shepherd over his needy and loving flock; He commands and receives obedience, but it is the willing obedience of the well-cared-for sheep, rendered joyfully to their beloved Shepherd, whose voice they know so well. He rules by the force of love and the energy of goodness.

His reign is practical in its character. It is said, ‘He shall stand and feed.’ The great Head of the Church is actively engaged in providing for His people. He does not sit down upon the throne in empty state, or hold a sceptre without wielding it in government. No, He stands and feeds. The expression ‘feed,’ in the original, is like an analogous one in the Greek, which means to shepherdize, to do everything expected of a shepherd: to guide, to watch, to preserve, to restore, to tend, as well as to feed.

His reign is continual in its duration. It is said, ‘He shall stand and feed’; not ‘He shall feed now and then, and leave His position’; not, ‘He shall one day grant a revival, and then next day leave His Church to barrenness.’ His eyes never slumber, and His hands never rest; His heart never ceases to beat with love, and His shoulders are never weary of carrying His people’s burdens.

His reign is effectually powerful in its action; ‘He shall feed in the strength of Jehovah.’ Wherever Christ is, there is God; and whatever Christ does is the act of the Most High. Oh! it is a joyful truth to consider that He who stands to-day representing the interests of His people is very God of very God, to whom every knee shall bow. Happy are we who belong to such a shepherd, whose humanity communes with us, and whose divinity protects us. Let us worship and bow down before Him as the people of His pasture.

by Charles H. Spurgeon from “Spurgeon’s ‘Morning & Evening‘”

Loss of a Loved One

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“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” ~ Psalm 116:15

"...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." ~ Psalm 30:5b

We must never think that God treats the death of one of His own casually. Jesus wept at the loss of Lazarus, just before raising him from death (John 11:30-45).

Likewise, God cares about the hurt/loss that we feel when we lose someone we love… even though He has called them home. As the psalm says, joy does come in the morning (Psalm 30:5b); but till then, God promises to be with us while we weep (Isaiah 43:1-2).