EVERY JOINT SUPPLIES!

 

Sunday, October 3, 2021

 

EVERY JOINT SUPPLIES!

 

Eph 4:15-16

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

 

           Thom S. Rainer has written a book called I Am a Church Member. In it, he outlines certain aspects of church membership. Personally, I think being a church member, if I treat it seriously, colors every aspect of my life.

 

           Paul told the Ephesians that their membership in the church should supply something. Each member brings something personal into the whole. Every joint supplies something! Paul reminded the Corinthians that even the smallest and weakest members of the body are “necessary!” The Greek word for necessary is anagkios which actually means “close of kin.”  

 

           Church membership affects me personally! I am guided in my behavior by the church’s creeds. I am challenged by and accountable to the other members. They have my permission to arrest my spiritual decline and to encourage me when I do well. We march together.

 

           Church membership affects my family! Our schedule is greatly affected by the events on the church calendar. The collective moral conscience of the church shapes the morality of the family. The harmony in the home is greatly influenced by my church membership.

 

           Church membership affects me socially! The background noise in restaurants is made up of individual conversations. I had a lady tell me that she “knew” I was a pastor because she had overheard a conversation in a local restaurant. People listen and make judgments about the church and my Savior based on my casual conversation over a taco!

 

           Church membership affects my church! Not only does church membership affect me but it actually affects my church for good or for ill. If I am an unhappy grumbler my church will be viewed as such. If I am involved, then the church will benefit from my talents and my energy. If I am casually associated, then the church will suffer by my abandonment of my post. My church reflects myself. I cannot complain about my church without pointing a finger directly at my own face.

 

           As a functioning member I will give. I will serve. I will minister. I will evangelize. I will study. I will seek to be a blessing to others. I will remember that “if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26)

 

Dear Lord, keep reminding me of the importance of my church membership. AMEN

BLUNT FORCE TRUTH!

 

Saturday, October 2, 2021

 

BLUNT FORCE TRUTH!

 

Ps 90:12

12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

 

           After a half century of teaching truth, I am becoming somewhat blunt in my approach. Although I am usually a cheerful soul, I have grown quite tired of dealing with the fragile temperaments of self-perplexed souls and am prone to launch immediately into teaching mode. Heretofore, I might have first soothed the self-inflicted wounds of advice-seekers but now I tend to identify the problem – prescribe a cure – and forecast a result. Pulling thorns will cause pain but there can be no cure until it is done so it might as well be done quickly. I have only a residual portion of guilt for seeming to be uncaring but caring for the critically wounded spiritual patient causes me to urgently bark orders. I sometimes lose patience with the patients.

 

           It was Paul who said: “From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” (Gal 6:17) He bore the scars of spiritual combat and wanted only to be left alone. I suppose that meant that some who needed him would have to deal with their own troubles. However, once the coffee and Tylenol kick in my compassion usually returns and I know that I am designed to be a caring person. I know that I am destined by design and calling to continue obeying Christ’s command outlined in the verse below.

 

Matt 10:7-8

7 And as ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

 

Dear Father, let me fulfill my calling with energy and compassion. Let me apply my heart unto wisdom. AMEN

TRIM YOUR WICK!

 

Friday, October 1, 2021

 

TRIM YOUR WICK!

 

Matt 5:15-16

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

Keeping the wick trimmed to 1/8 of an inch at all times helps control the amount of “fuel” or wax that is present. By keeping the amount of fuel limited, the flame will create ideal complete combustion where carbon particles are absorbed by the flame. This means less soot is formed while the candle is burning. This was commonly known in “olden days” but has been forgotten due to electric lighting.

 

There are only two kinds of people in this world. There are believers who provide “light” because they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit or people who provide soot. “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”  (1 John 1:5) It is important for the believer to keep his wick trimmed of impurities so that “they which enter in may see the light.”

 

Don’t hide your light under a bushel. We do this when we “mask” the light in us by trying to blend in with the dark world. It seems ridiculous to hide a candle under a bushel basket or under a bed, yet this is the way Jesus illustrates our failure to shine.

 

Unbelievers are groping in the darkness. They are proud, self-sufficient, and do not understand they are unrighteous before a Holy God. The candle dispels the darkness so the unbeliever can see. What he DOES with what he sees is up to him or her. We don’t make changes in others. We reveal that which should be changed. It is not always appreciated.

 

Dear Lord, let me trim away the impurities in my life that others may see Christ in me. AMEN