GANGS, FAMILY, SOLITUDE!

 

Thursday, June 3, 2021

 

GANGS, FAMILY, SOLITUDE!

 

Ex 23:2

2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

 

           Consensus is often viewed as confirmation that a selected path or belief system is right. How could it be otherwise since so many agree? To hold an opposing opinion or lifestyle proves that you are in error – doesn’t it? Well, not necessarily.

 

           Some youth, especially in metropolitan cities, will gravitate to gangs because they lack a strong family. The father is often absent, and the mother is overworked so no one is left to provide nurture and guidance. These troubled people huddle together and share a common aimlessness. I suppose it is more comforting to wander with a companion than to drift along in solitude. Peer pressure is a strong incentive to abandon reason.

 

           The Bible, in many places, advises an adherence to truth. “Ye shall know the truth and the ruth shall make you free.” (John 8:32). Unfortunately, the response was:” We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?” They agreed together to abandon the memory of Egyptian slavery to declare that they had never been in bondage. This they did, not because they forgot Egypt but to side with those who rejected Christ.

 

            The word “decline,” in our text, is the Hebrew word natah which means “to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection). Do not stretch the truth! Do not follow a belief system that is illogical and unreasonable. Be careful of the gang you run with. Cultivate loyalty to family and, above all, adhere to truth – even if it means standing alone.

 

Dear Lord, help me to thoroughly research the truth and, when I find it, let me stand – even if I must stand alone. AMEN

CARING IS THE KEY TO UNITY!

 

Wednesday, June 2, 2021

 

CARING IS THE KEY TO UNITY!

 

1 Cor 12:25-27

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

 

           The Greek word merimnao which is translated care in our text literally means “to be anxious about!” The idea is that I am anxious about someone’s welfare. This restlessness prompts me to charitable actions. If there is a need, I am prompted to share or to give. If there is a wound, I am prompted to bind it up pouring in whatever medicine is available. This kind of care is best pictured by the actions of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:33) who stopped to render aid. There the Greek word compassion is even stronger.

 

           The Lord has given us a key to unity within that diverse body which is the church. Made up of many members from all walks of life, the church moves forward as one unit because of mutual care. The quiet “anxiety” that we have one for another keeps us focused on others instead of ourselves. If we ever lose the “care” we are in danger of losing the unity.

 

           Caring comes from above! It is not emotional or intellectual but spiritual. The kind of caring that Paul is talking about comes as a gift from the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23). If I want unity in the church, then I will have and practice caring. But that kind of caring is super-human. Erwin W. Lutzer said: “Christianity demands a level of caring that transcends human inclinations.” If I am to be a caring person then I must “keep myself in the love of God” (Jude 21). It is God’s love flowing through me which prompts my caring actions. I can’t even boast of my good works.

 

           The kind of caring exhibited by the Good Samaritan always costs something. It cost him time, convenience, and money. At a Police Chaplain’s conference in Dallas, I learned that first responders and primary care givers can become overwhelmed and burned out at catastrophic events like the bombing in Oklahoma City or the fall of the twin towers in New York. Caring is draining and – since it comes from God – must be renewed by close association with the Lord. First Peter 5:8 urges us to cast all our care (anxiety) upon the Lord because He cares for us (is anxious toward us).

 

Jesus, Lover Of My Soul

 

Wilt Thou not regard my call? Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall-Lo! on Thee I cast my care;
Reach me out Thy gracious hand! While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand, dying, and behold, I live.

 

Dear Lord, minister divine caring to thy church today. Let them respond with caring one for another. AMEN

ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER!

 

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

 

ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER!

 

Deut 1:37-38

37 Also the Lord was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither.

38 But Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.

 

1 Thess 4:18

18 Wherefore comfort [encourage] one another with these words.

 

           I am a plodder. I usually tackle a task with steady pressure and persistence, but I have been known to surge when encouraged. Most of us thrive on encouragement. Moses is about to transfer leadership to Joshua and requests that the people encourage him.

 

           The word “encourage” only appears four times in the Old Testament and not at all in the New Testament. In the Old the word is chasaq which has a variety of meanings such as “to strengthen; to help; to cure; to repair; and to fortify.” Even one such as Joshua needs to be strengthened when he feels weak. He needs to be cured when ill and to be repaired when broken. Generally, he needs constant fortification. This is encouragement!

 

           In the New Testament we find the word “comfort” which has the same force as the word encourage. It is the Greek word parakaleo which means “to call near with consolation.” When Jesus promised to send another comforter (John 14:16), he used the Greek word parakletos. The Holy Spirit is our encourager. He is present when we are alone and lonely. He strengthens us when we are weak. He repairs us when we are broken. He fortifies us when we are weak.

 

           We are supposed to encourage one another. The foundation is our relationship as members of a spiritual “family” but it goes beyond that. It is more than friendship. It is a ministry, and it is obedience to a command. “Wherefore COMFORT and ENCOURAGE one another.”

 

Lord, thank you for the encouragement of the Holy Spirit and the many who encourage me. Help me to be an intentional and an obedient encourager to others. AMEN