| Thought For The Week June 2003 |
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| 1 to 7 June 2003 The Parts And The Whole |
| One day there was a discussion in which I laid back and just listened to it. And it went something like this: "Without me and my friends, you could never accomplish the work." said H. "True." admitted A. "But without me, you could never reach the work." "Both of you forget one important thing." said F. "I'm the one who gets you to work." "Aaaa, but I'm the one that it takes for you to move." stated L. "But if it wasn't for me, none of you could do anything." boasted B. "Oh yea?" questioned HE. "Well, without me, you'd just roll around and be of no help at all." At this point I finally interrupted as I just could not hear anymore without comment. "Listen, it takes all of you working together to do the job. The HEad has to hold the Brain in place so it can guide the others. The Legs are required so that the Feet can carry all of you to the place where the job is. Then the Arm must be able to reach out so that the Hand and it's friends, fingers and thumb, can take hold of the work. Then don't forget the others that are needed like eye, ear, nose, mouth, toe, heart, and the rest. Now like our body, the church also has it's individual parts. Each has it's own job. There are the leaders and the workers. One may be a carpenter while another is an electrician. Where one can use a backhoe, the other is better with a pen. While one can speak well, another is better with his hands. But it takes all working together for the body to accomplish the job. And if one becomes weak in his or her spirit, then the rest of the body needs to hold him or her up and strengthen that spirit. They should never allow that part of the body to fall away and into the clutches of the enemy without a fight. J.L. Sager 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And wether 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. 1 Corinthians 12:25-27 (KJV) |
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| 8 to 14 June 2003 The Family |
| Last week, I spoke of the body of the church. Now I would speak of the family. Those who are not living in the word of God, are just a group of people that meet once or twice a week looking for honors to be bestowed on him or herself. I'm sure that you have seen such people. Like the Pharisees, they make a big show out of what they do. They always have those who are most eloquent of speech, give sermons and say prayers. They talk about how much money they give to the church, forgetting that it is the Lord's money to begin with. They speak of everything that they do for their church. And it should be for the Lord. Though you soar as high as eagles and build your nest amoung the stars, I will bring you crashing down. I, the Lord, have spoken! Obadiah 1:4 (NLT) The church that is living in the word of God is a family of the Lord. And as a family, we find strength and support in each other. He sees all that we do and that which we do in His name, He will honor us for. Pray privately to the Lord of your concerns, but do not be afraid to ask others to pray with you for those who need prayer. And if others in the family see your works and honor you, accept it with humble grace and give thanks to the Lord, for it was Him that made your works known. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:10 (NLT) When we seek honors for ourselves, we act out of sinful pride. But when we seek to glorify the Lord, we receive honors from Him. And it is thru the family of the church that He best speaks to us. J.L. Sager Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters. Galatians 6:8-10 (NLT) |
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| 15 to 21 June 2003 Faith Of A POW |
| "Lord, if it be your will, forgive these men for what they do." John began every day with this prayer. Even when his captors beat him until he passed out, he would ask God to forgive them. "Lord, lay your hand on their hearts so they learn what compassion is." John never asked God to ease his pain. He said that what he endured was much less then what his enemy would feel if they did not find God. If they did not go to Jesus and asked to be healed of their fear and hate. "Lord, lead them in the path of righteousness." He would ask God to help his enemy to treat others as they, themselves, expected to be treated. "Lord, help me lead them from the darkness into your light." When John was told to renounce his belief in Jesus, he would testify to them instead. "Lord, if it be your will, let me continue to be your servent." He only asked for himself to be allowed to do God's work. "Lord, I place myself in your hands." He placed himself, and trusted in the love of God. Four years later, unshaken in his belief and trust in God, John returned home to his family. Four years as a POW at the 'Hanoi Hilton' in North Vietnam with Jesus as his continues companion. Proof that, even in the worst of times, He is with you. J.L. Sager 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance amoung them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Acts 26:17-18 (KJV) |
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| 22 to 28 June 2003 Is Anyone There? |
| Have you ever walked into a building or house and not seen or heard anyone? Then you wonder, 'Am I the only one here?' You stand there a few moments and listen. Then you call out. "Hello? Is anyone there?" You listen for an answer and then call out again. "Is anyone there?" Again you listen, but there is no answer. You find that you have a feeling of loss. Maybe even abandonment. Then the door opens and a familiar voice resounds thru the emptiness. "I am here." And a feeling of comfort and assurance flows over you. Our spiritual life can be like this at times as well. A loss of a job. The loss of a family member or friend. Or some other major loss in our life. Suddenly we feel lost. A feeling of aloneness and abandonment overwhelms us. But if you open your heart and seek the Lord, ask Him to enter into you, lay yourself at His feet, He will lift you up and comfort you. With Jesus, you are never alone. You only need to open your heart and step into His arms. He has never abandoned you. J.L. Sager Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10 (KJV) |
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