On our recent trip to Ethiopia one of the many things that brought a smile to my face was our team. I remember one day looking around and observing(I was accused of doing this regularly) the unique, diverse and talented folks who were serving the believers of Ethiopia. Each one was using their gifts to help bring resources to these folks. “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts, and though all its parts are many, they form one body.” (I Cor. 12:12) Just as the human body is a complex and amazing thing - so is the Body of Christ.
Years ago I sat and listed the things that I knew for sure, things I took as ironclad promises. Here is my list: I knew my sins had been forgiven, I knew that when I died I would go to heaven and I knew that Jesus would never leave me or forsake me. It is a short list, but a good one. It is a list that I still hold on to today. I wonder what your list would be?
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”These words from Jesus that John records in his gospel have always been powerful to me, as they speak about the fabric of community. Yet I believe they have the potential to even be more powerful in the uncertain economic times we live in. “Loving one another” is becoming more than just how I treat my brother and sister in Christ it is also how I show love by meeting their needs. By the way I don’t just think it falls to the church - it is yours and my responsibility when we see a need and can meet it to do just that. I believe the world will stop and take notice of how we love each other.
Some days it seems like hard news just keeps coming - that was yesterday. Every phone call brought bad news from friends both old and new. I found myself by the afternoon, struggling to grab hope. I do know what I believe, that God is in control, that he loves us and that he will never leave us however there are times when that truth collides with the realities of what I see around me. Yesterday was one of those days. Lord my prayer is that you will help my friends hold on, help me hold on and open my eyes to see you.
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2) Paul urges us to pursue a course of leaving the mold of this world by engaging our minds in the ways of God. The world is never a neutral thing. It is pushing and squeezing to shape us into a system that seeks to operate without any acknowledgment of God. Our transformation centers on using our minds to see the flaws and to be reminded of what God has done for us. Why not use your mind this week?
Stirred By The Scriptures
by Jim Kallam
Struggling Well With Life
by Mark Hoffman
Serving Others
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