Building One Another - Vol. 10, No. 23 | |||||||||
| Dear Friend, When you face a challenging situation for which no resolution is apparent, what goes through your mind and emotion? Do you “get on the balcony” and think through new alternatives and try to solve it yourself (or yourselves)? Do you wrestle with feelings of hopelessness? A large crowd gathered around Jesus who asked Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” John 6:5b* The apostle John makes this interesting observation about Jesus, “He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.” John 6:6 For Jesus the resolution of the situation was never in doubt. He wasn’t anxious, nervous, uptight, confused, or upset. In fact, John reports that Jesus used the situation as an opportunity to test Philip. Philip has no clue what to do! “Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’” John 6:7 Neither did Andrew, “But what are they (five barley loaves and two fish) among so many people?” John 6:8b And neither looked to Jesus! Sometimes you and I have no clue what to do either! At this point in the story, Jesus takes over, has the people sit down, breaks the fish and the loaves into enough to feed everyone. In whatever situation you face, be alert to the equivalent of the five loaves and two fish our Lord has given you and trust him. Facing a huge enemy army, Jehoshaphat prayed, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12b. He passed the trust test! | |||||||||
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Wednesday, August 31, 2011
The Trust Test
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Dwell in the Land
Building One Another - Vol. 10, No. 22 | |||||||||
Dear Friend, Riding to an airport with a friend and co-worker I asked what she would be doing the coming weekend. She replied, “I am going to dwell in the land,” just as the Psalm says, “Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” Psalm 37:3* I love the thought. Dwell in the land! With all the stuff coming at each one of us it is so easy to find one’s mind and one’s anxieties consumed with coping and not with appreciating simply living in the land our Lord has given us. Dwell in the land. Enjoy your home. Love those who live with you and who spend time with you. Appreciate your community - its beauty, its people. Take pleasure in your work. Find joy in the current season of the year. Dwell in the Lord. Go to Jesus who said, “Come to me all you that are weary.” Entrust yourself to him who said, “Let not your hearts be troubled.” Take joy in this Lord who said, “that my joy may be in you.” Receive the love of Jesus who said, “My peace I give to you.” Dwell in the land, dwell in the Lord and be glad. “Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” Psalm 37:3 | |||||||||
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Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The Voice
Building One Another - Vol. 10, No. 21 | |||||||||
| Dear Friend, Every voice is unique. You are the only person in all of time and eternity who sounds just like you. When I remember the voice of my parents and grandparents and many others I have known and loved, I can hear them speak in my head and every one of their voices is distinct and precious. When you close your eyes for the last time, when you breathe your last breath it would be a grace that the last words you hear are the words of one who loves you. My question is what sound do you want to hear next? What do you look forward to? What do you want to happen at the moment of physical death? Jesus speaks directly to this unique moment: “Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.” John 5:25* “Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice.” John 5:28 The refrain of Chris Tomlin’s song, “I Will Rise” begins with these words, “And I will rise when He calls my name.” I know what I look forward to and that is hearing the voice of Jesus call my name. That moment you hear his voice is the happiest moment of your life! My prayer is that you will hear his voice even now – through his Word (the Bible) and as the Spirit of God speaks to your heart. “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 | |||||||||
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Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Mood
Building One Another - Vol. 10, No. 20 | |||||||||
| Dear Friend, Do you ever find yourself sitting around feeling tired and someone walks up to you or phones you and you are just not in the mood to attend to them? Jesus seemed to have had that experience. John reports that Jesus and his disciples traveled into the region known as Samaria. “Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink.’” John 4:6-7 Certain things leap out. Jesus was tired. It was noon. It had to be hot. He was hungry. I know I would have been in no mood to engage a person in a serious conversation. A stranger walks up. Now it’s no surprise Jesus asks her for a drink. The fact that he would ask her, a Samaritan woman, for help was a surprise to her and she asks him why he did it. I can imagine just saying, “It’s hot and I am thirsty,” hoping for some water and then some leave-me-alone peace. Jesus takes another path. Mood or no mood to talk he engages the Samaritan woman in a fascinating conversation that gently and wonderfully leads her to faith and the woman’s whole life is transformed. Ministry is not a matter of mood but of opportunity and trust in the presence of the Lord who loves working through us in the lives of the people he positions near us. So whatever your mood may be this moment and every moment, ask yourself, who is near you or in your life and how will you allow the Spirit of God to touch those who are around you with hope and life? | |||||||||
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