MEMBERS OF ONE ANOTHER

Christians pride themselves on being people of the Book. By this we mean that we love the Bible and we strive to follow what’s written in the Word of God as closely as possible.



However, in practice we quite often fall very short of that mark. Strangely, one of the areas where we stray from the clearly written instructions of the New Testament is the practice of gathering as a Church.



Hear me out.



If we read the letters of Paul, Peter and James we'll see what they considered to be essential for the life and growth of the Church. Therefore, there's no reason for us to do anything other than exactly what the Apostles say when it comes to gathering together. In fact, the very word for "church" in the New Testament is "ekklesia" which means "sent ones" or "a gathering together".



In other words, it should go without saying that if Paul were to enter one of our Church buildings today he should expect to see us participating in the ways that he and the other Apostles commanded.



Let's look at what the Apostles considered normative ekklesia:



“What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:26



According to this verse, Paul considers the following things to be essential to the health of every Church:



Coming together (“When you come together”)

Open participation (“Everyone”)

People-led worship (“Everyone has a hymn”)

People-led teaching (“Everyone has...a word of instruction”)

People exercising their spiritual gifts freely(“Everyone has...a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation”)



How do we know that Paul considers these activities to be important and essential? Because he tells us: “ALL of these MUST BE DONE for the STRENGTHENING of the Church.”



If we ask Paul's opinion about church growth, he would tell us that it's vital that every believe participate in the leading of worship, the teaching of God's Word, and the sharing of the gifts of the spirit. Do we care what Paul's opinion is on this subject? Is it up to us to just decide for ourselves to dismiss Paul's instruction as mere suggestion and go with what we prefer?



Notice also that Paul's concern is for the Church to be "strengthened". His priority is for the believers to grow deeper, not larger in number. It's quality, not quantity that he is concerned with here.



But this isn't the only place where we find the Apostle's instruction regarding the activities of the Church.



According to the New Testament:



We should confess our sins to one another and pray for one another when we gather together: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16



We should instruct one another when we gather together: “I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.” Romans 15:14



We should teach and admonish (gently correct and encourage) one another and sing together: “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



We should comfort and build up one another: “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11



We should urgently warn one another to follow Christ: “But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13



“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25



We should encourage good works in one another: "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works" Hebrews 10:24



We should use our spiritual gifts to bless others: "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10



Notice all the "one another's" here? The ongoing ministry of the members to one another was one of the fundamental elements of church in the New Testament.



There are 58 "one another's" in the New Testament. Twenty one of these verses (the vast majority) command us to love one another. Four of them command us to encourage one another. Three of them command us to serve one another and two of them remind us to forgive one another. The rest speak of instructing one another, being patient and kind to one another, submitting to one another, singing to one another, or putting the needs of others above our own.



Taken all together, these "one another's" remind us that we are responsible for one another spiritually. Helping our brothers and sisters move towards greater Christ-likeness is dependent upon our active participation as contributing members of the Body of Christ.



This means we cannot do it alone. We need one another. And that also means that you are an important part of this process. You are necessary. You matter. We cannot grow as the Lord Jesus intends us to grow without your willing obedience to God's command to love, serve, and encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ.



My prayer has been that the Lord would help me to invest more of myself in the community of believers I find myself in today. Honestly, I've been holding back a little too much lately, and I know that I can only get out of the experience what I pour into it.



We are given as a gift to the Body and the Body is God's gift to us. Let us practice these "one another's" with all that is within us and trust Jesus to build His Church, just as He promised He would.



"But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be." (1 Corinthians 12:18)



"Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one another." (Ephesians 4:25)

JESUS loves me !!!

The Old Testament is chalked full of great miracles like Creation (aka Big


Bang), Noah’s Ark (aka the Big Boat), the defeat of Goliath (aka the Big

Boy) where Vegas had David as a 2000 to 1 underdog, Jonah in the belly of

the Big Fish (aka Jaws.. the prequel ), there was the parting of the Red

Sea (the Big Crossing), Daniel (uneaten) in the Lion’s (Big Cats) Den. In

the Gospels are loaded with the miracles of Jesus including making water

into wine, healing the blind, the sick, and even raising Lazarus from the

dead. Jesus walked on water, calmed the seas, and after being crucified on

the Cross for our sins rose from the dead as a sacrafice of love for our

sins.



These were all jaw dropping miracles BUT all these and more are wrapped in

the great truth that Jesus loves me! Jesus loves me, this is know.. cute

Sunday School song, but.. why would the creator of this world love? It’s a

miracle.



It is nearly impossible to get to know the preacher (no knock against them)

in any modern day big church but here we have the perfect heart of our

omniscient, omnipresent creator involved with His creation to the point

where all the above mentioned miracles occur. God is NOT indifferent to His

creation, though mankind often walks the other way, God is always there.



In this 24/7 world of distractions from our creator, let’s return to the

two greatest commandments. Love the Lord your God will all your heart,

soul, and mind and others as yourself.





Obeying these commands must be heart behavior and not following them as a

to-do list for good people. To love and serve someone, to put them first

and others ahead of our own needs for me is motivated by the perfect love

of God. It is not corny to have a life motivated and inspired by love of

God. It is the starting point of life with real purpose.



While the Bible is full of the begats, and tedious Leviticus O.T. rules,

and includes but is not limited to the very real history of the world..

from the BEGINNING.. it is much more.. it is a love story from God to

mankind.



These writings in the Bible shout the truth of a personal God who loves us

enough to send His us his son. From the Old Testament stories of

providence, to the gospels of Jesus Christ, to the Acts of the first

church, to the Revelations to John of what is to come... these are all LOVE

STORIES from a loving God... an indifferent God would not be so involved or

patient with mankind and it's often displaced actions of free will.



Jesus love me this I know! Peace be Still! Jesus love me this I know! The

rest is details.

Top 10 Predictions for 2011

With all the problems the World is facing, it can be unsettling to the mind.




Today, I will share with you ten predictions that are true!



Top 10 Predictions for 2011



1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on Earth..

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still honor the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.



Isn't It Great To Remember Who Is Really In Control, and that; "the Word of the Lord endures forever."

( 1 Peter 1:25 )









I hope you found this encouraging!



I sure did, sometimes we need the reminder of just "WHO" is really in control.

Note to Self…

I find that my life is filled with ‘notes to self’ where I need to make

note to self regarding the often obvious issues of the day that I need to

address.

For example ...

-regarding elections.. NOTE TO SELF..’Friends don’t let friends vote for

pro-wrestlers for state governor.

- regarding marriage.. NOTE TO SELF.. ‘Be honest, but careful in the words

you choose to support your wife... and sometimes less is more.

With these two very real world common sense NOTES TO SELF.. let me continue

on this theme.


Old Testament.. NOTES

Adam.. NOTE TO SELF.. ‘Know HOW to multiply’

Adam.. NOTE TO SELF.. ‘a rib in exchange for pretty woman is a sweet deal’

Cain.. NOTE TO SELF.. ‘God’s ways are not PETA friendly’

Mr. Unicorn.. NOTE TO SELF.. ‘Don’t mix up RSVPs with the daily junk mail’

Abraham.. NOTE TO SELF.. Do not confuse ‘My wife and my sister.’

Abraham.. NOTE TO SELF.. ‘Do not confuse wife with maidservant.’

Sarah.. NOTE TO SELF.. ‘Men will always be men.’

Bob the Bull.. NOTE TO SELF.. ‘Beware of a Jew with a meat cleaver’

Sam the Sheep.. NOTE TO SELF.. ‘Always remember to FLOSS’

Spy #1.. NOTE TO SELF.. ‘Don’t hide out with prostitutes’

Guard Tower Sentry.. ‘Don’t Trash Talk those who are in Marching Bands’

Goliath – NOTE TO SELF.. ‘Beware of boys with sling shots that smell like

sheep’

Solomon – NOTE TO SELF.. ‘It is good to be married’

Benny the Baal Priest- NOTE TO SELF.. ‘Jewish Prophets tend to be Smart

Alecs’

Shadrach – NOTE TO SELF.. ‘Hot.. is the new Cool’

Larry the Lion- NOTE TO SELF.. ‘Don’t pig out at the salad bar, and have 3

large pops on all you can eat prophet night at the Old Testament Buffet.'



There you have it.. and today my.. NOTE TO SELF is.. Love God with all my

heart soul and mind and others as myself.. in all that I do. and Trust in

the Lord will all my heart and lean not unto my own understanding, in all

my ways acknowledge Him and He will direct my paths. the rest is trivial
pursuit.



Blessings

When your’e SMILING..

Today let me share the gospel message from singer songwriter Louis

Armstrong…

but do not be confused.. the cartoons are MINE!.. Louie plays tunes, and I

draw toons.

When you're smilin'....keep on smilin'.. The whole world smiles with you

And when you're laughin'....keep on laughin'.. The sun comes shinin'

through



But when you're cryin'.... you bring on the rain

So stop your frownin'....be happy again

Cause when you're smilin'....keep on smilin'

The whole world smiles with you





(instrumental break)



Oh when you're smilin'....keep on smilin'

The whole world smiles with you



Ah when you're laughin'....keep on laughin'

The sun comes shinin' through



Now when you're cryin'.... you bring on the rain

So stop that sighin'....be happy again

Cause when you're smilin'....just keep on smilin'

And the whole world gonna smile with


The great big world will smile with



The whole wide world will smile with you!



Thank you Louie.. thank you very much!









Ok I am right there with those of you who do not feel like smiling or

laughing all the time in a Ned Flanders-like oblivion to circumstances

around us. The only thing funny in your life right now may be your credit

score, or that big ol zit on the end of your nose.. BUT God is the answer (

sometimes in clearly miraculous ways ) to bad credit scores, zits, rocky

marriages, drink, food, and any other circumstance ever encountered by man.









So with this rock hard truth in mind.. today I choose to smile and praise

God for His love and Care in a world that so often is unloving, and

uncaring.



May God be so very real to each of you today. May His blessing and

providence be your comfort, and may we as believers be His hands and His

feet to a world in need.



SMILE, GOD LOVES YOU!

STOP THIEF!!

The return of Jesus is like a Thief in the Night as detailed in Matthew 24,

and I believe Luke 12. We do not know the time or the hour of our Lord’s

Return. so..

BE READY!

This is an integral message of the Gospels that Jesus will return and we

need to be followers of Jesus. BUT…

What about us believers who are ready.. BUT ..not ready?


It is like having unexpected family visit from out of town but the house is

a clutter and the guest room looks like a thrift store storage closet and

certainly not suitable for visiting family. The good news is they are

family, but the bad news is this clutter can be embarrassing… even for a

GUY like me.

I know I pass the 'first' READY test because I am a have accepted Jesus as

my savior,. BUT as far as my house in order for when Jesus comes back? I

would have to admit I sometimes have a 'bit' of clutter going on.

My Bible at times is HIDDEN under a stack of junk mail, and

my prayers fit in nooks and crannies of a busy day rather than an action as

natural as breathing.

The sad irony is.. my weary mind may instead decide to Veg-out in front of

the TV as I try to unwind from a busy day INSTEAD of being alone with God

praying or reading His word. This is not a guilt trip just a simple honest

observation.

BUT.. today is a great day to start anew, and clean the cluttered room in

my head and heart. I am rested and thankful for salvation in Jesus, and

thankful for a Heavenly Father who I can talk to through out my day.. and

so today I am ready. Peaceful, smiling, and thankful for a personal

relationship with the creator of all things.

There is but ONE GOD, and He loves me.

Note: So while the return of the Lord is as unexpected as a Thief in the

Night, he is NOT a thief but instead family. When Jesus comes again it will

be a great day, and I plan to be ready.

Finally, remember the Lord’s Return will be a surprise.. no one knows the

day or the hour of His return.. like a thief in the night..

My Childish Ways!! versus Childlike Ways!!

Matthew 18:3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and
become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

I Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought
like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish
ways behind me.

You are only young once, but you can stay immature indefinately. - Ogden
Nash

Ok the first two statements above are gleaned from our Bibles.. the last
quote was from Ogden Nash an American poet known for his sense of humor.

I think if I got a tattoo, the Ogden quote might be the tattoo for me as my
penchant for putting my foot in my mouth while trying to be funny AND the
fact that I am over 50 years old and still enammered with turning wrenches ( mechanicing ) seems to define me.

That or maybe a tattoo that says.. Quick Wit & Slow Mind.

Childlike and Childish are two entirely different approaches to life.

Childlike is the freeing trust in God that gives us peace beyond any
circumstance, and not a blind faith that Christians are smirked at for
having.

Childish is in my opinion a path more traveled in this society shouting ..
I WANT! and I HATE YOU!..and CHARGE IT! This is a ME society that operates
with indifference and naivety contrary to the two greatest scriptures of
perspective to Love God and Care for Others.

I am not a child, and I should not reason as a child but as an adult. The
chasm between the mind sets of Naïve and Trusting is great. Trusting is a
good while naïve.. is well.. naïve.

So today is a good day again to embrace a childlike faith. The last 16
months in particular I am prayerfully learning to claim the scripture Trust
God with all MY heart, lean not unto my own understanding, in all my ways
acknowledge God and He will direct MY paths.. Pr. 3:5-6 Both when life is
rocky AND when all seems well.


Let me close with one of my favorite cartoons based on
readings of Max Lucado.

1. I can’t wait to Wake Up!, and..

May God bless and use each of us this day in great ways. May you enjoy
life, laugh hard, and leave the worries to the Father!