Last week I was a part of four people from our church and sixty-one people from three Iowa Presbyteries to travel to Pearlington, Mississippi, along the Gulf Coast,and to New Orleans on a Mission Trip to help folks rebuild. Our team did recovery work in conjunction with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance at the PDA Volunteer Village in the small, unincorporated town of Pearlington, just east of New Orleans.
The team stayed in a camp-like setting that encouraged community among various groups from all around the country. Team members shared responsibilities, like cleanup and meal preparation, while at the camp. They spent their days on worksites throughout the town, toiling alongside the homeowners, doing whatever needed to be done. We tried to help the homeowners a little further in their journey and perhaps get them into a new home. The Presbyterian way is to give a hand up, not a hand out.
As the many reports will attest, faith-based organizations have been paramount in the recovery process along the Gulf Coast. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has been running several Volunteer Villages in the area since shortly after Katrina struck and is committed to this cause for five years. As mone friend put it, "A team of caring folks from a church in Iowa won't move mountains while we are there, but we will send a clear message to the survivors. We will bring them encouragement, hope and Christian love. We are going to make sure they know that we have not forgotten them."
And we did just that. It was a rewarding week. Praise the Lord!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Pressing Forward!
Never forget the lessons of Philippians 4:13-14, “… But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and pressing forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
I was sent a number of possible resolutions for the New Year by a minister friend. They are good resolutions to adopt any time of the year. Here they are:
1) I will put my Bible before the television, the radio, the telephone, and even before good Christian books, others will know my priorities by the way they see me spend my free time.
2) I will make my prayer requests known before God and my prayer partners, enlisting their help in the process and informing them of the outcome, for by letting them help when I petition our Lord we will each affirm the living God who answers prayer.
3) When times of crisis, conflict or confusion arise, I will hit my knees before I hit the phone. God alone is the one who holds the solution to life’s every problem.
4) I will erase the words “luck” and “lucky” from my vocabulary and will instead by my speech point toward the One who orchestrates every detail of our lives and brings all good things to pass.
5) When bad things happen, I’ll neither grumble nor complain, remembering that even the bad times are allowed for a reason; that I might learn quiet trust in my Maker.
6) When others have witnessed something ugly in me- unkind words, an angry temper, “harmless” gossip, biting sarcasm or even my frustration when things don’t go my way - I will confess it as sin before them seeking their forgiveness, so that myself and others will develop the much needed habit of wiping their spiritual slate clean before God and man.
7) I will make time for the lonely, the sick, the elderly, the difficult to love, and will bring others (youth) along, for with each afternoon visit, each ride to the doctor, each raked lawn or washed window we will have opportunity to serve Jesus by serving the “least of these.”
Thinking of those young eyes around us: In all things will must remember that more is caught than is taught.
You are the first Bible some children (and some adults) will ever read.
I was sent a number of possible resolutions for the New Year by a minister friend. They are good resolutions to adopt any time of the year. Here they are:
1) I will put my Bible before the television, the radio, the telephone, and even before good Christian books, others will know my priorities by the way they see me spend my free time.
2) I will make my prayer requests known before God and my prayer partners, enlisting their help in the process and informing them of the outcome, for by letting them help when I petition our Lord we will each affirm the living God who answers prayer.
3) When times of crisis, conflict or confusion arise, I will hit my knees before I hit the phone. God alone is the one who holds the solution to life’s every problem.
4) I will erase the words “luck” and “lucky” from my vocabulary and will instead by my speech point toward the One who orchestrates every detail of our lives and brings all good things to pass.
5) When bad things happen, I’ll neither grumble nor complain, remembering that even the bad times are allowed for a reason; that I might learn quiet trust in my Maker.
6) When others have witnessed something ugly in me- unkind words, an angry temper, “harmless” gossip, biting sarcasm or even my frustration when things don’t go my way - I will confess it as sin before them seeking their forgiveness, so that myself and others will develop the much needed habit of wiping their spiritual slate clean before God and man.
7) I will make time for the lonely, the sick, the elderly, the difficult to love, and will bring others (youth) along, for with each afternoon visit, each ride to the doctor, each raked lawn or washed window we will have opportunity to serve Jesus by serving the “least of these.”
Thinking of those young eyes around us: In all things will must remember that more is caught than is taught.
You are the first Bible some children (and some adults) will ever read.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
A Crazy Kind of Love
A teenager recently told me that she thought Jesus taught a "crazy kind of love." with all His talk of helping the poor, and putting others first, and turning the other cheek, and laying His life for us. Yes, to the world it is a crazy kind of love. But to Christians it is our heartbeat and our calling card.
When you think of the "commandments" of Christ, two things come to mind. One is the Great Commandments When asked what the greatest commandment of all is, Jesus replied that we are to "love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength -- and our neighbor as ourself. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[a]There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31)
He underlined this second one with His "New Commandment" that He gave to his disciples in the Upper Room during his last evening with them.
"I give you a new commandment, that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." It's that last part that makes this so difficult. We might want to get away with "sort of" loving one another, or "I love you but I don't like you" game playing -- but Jesus defines the kind of love we are supposed to have for one another. It's a life sacrificing, outer limits kind of love. Love that gives up self for the other.
And if that is not enough, the actual meaning of the term Jesus used for one another allows no escape hatches or 99 44/100 % loving one another. It means "each one should love every other one." It is no accident that Jesus used the term "commandment" three times in the Upper Room that last night with his disciples. Always in connection with this issue of loving one another. In fact this is the only time Jesus actually said "I command you" with anything.
Why did he lean so heavily on this issue? The First Letter of John takes this so far as to insist that if we say we love God and don't love each other, we are liars! [1 John 4:20] The way we know we are spiritually alive is that we love each other in the family of faith. [ 1 John 3:14] In other words, mutual love between Christian people is the evidence of our relationship with Jesus Christ.
To put it even stronger. The reputation of Jesus Christ is on the line in our relationships with each other in the church! You see, Jesus had informed his disciples that, the world would know they were his disciples if they loved each other. [John 13:35]
To think that God would not grant me even one exception to this commandment is sometimes hard to take. But here's where the wonderful part of loving God and keeping the commandments of Christ begins. Just at the point where we recognize our inability to do this on our own, the gifts of Christ come into play.
The Gift of Help
Jesus tells his followers about a gift, what the New Revised Standard Version translates as "Advocate". Other translations use the terms "Comforter" or "Helper." The word Jesus used literally means "one who is called along side to help." This in the One who brings "encouragement".
Jesus is referring, of course, to the Holy Spirit. Lot's of people have difficulty understanding what the Holy Spirit is all about -- other than thinking of the Holy Spirit as a vague sense of a "positive influence" or "a spirit of good" in the world. The point here is that Jesus tells his followers that God will send them Someone to keep on helping them -- an Advocate or Helper.
It is clear, as Jesus talks with his followers in the Upper Room, that He can not stay with them forever. In fact He can not stay with them much longer at all. They are upset -- maybe even distraught. He encourages them to hang on to his teachings and to have the care for each other that he has for them. And something amazing will happen. There will be another Helper who will join them and this Helper will never leave them!
In other words, the Holy Spirit is to the followers of Christ what Jesus Christ would be to them if he were here in the flesh! If I honestly, truly have Christ here with me, I just might be able to to accomplish anything in His Name. And you will have the same ability!
And it is my hope that in 2008, the churches I serve, adn the church universal will receive help in becoming the kind of community where people discover a love that "Will not let them go!" The Advocate -- or Helper -- is the great gift of help that we need to keep the commandments of Christ. Ask Him to help you today!
When you think of the "commandments" of Christ, two things come to mind. One is the Great Commandments When asked what the greatest commandment of all is, Jesus replied that we are to "love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength -- and our neighbor as ourself. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[a]There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31)
He underlined this second one with His "New Commandment" that He gave to his disciples in the Upper Room during his last evening with them.
"I give you a new commandment, that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." It's that last part that makes this so difficult. We might want to get away with "sort of" loving one another, or "I love you but I don't like you" game playing -- but Jesus defines the kind of love we are supposed to have for one another. It's a life sacrificing, outer limits kind of love. Love that gives up self for the other.
And if that is not enough, the actual meaning of the term Jesus used for one another allows no escape hatches or 99 44/100 % loving one another. It means "each one should love every other one." It is no accident that Jesus used the term "commandment" three times in the Upper Room that last night with his disciples. Always in connection with this issue of loving one another. In fact this is the only time Jesus actually said "I command you" with anything.
Why did he lean so heavily on this issue? The First Letter of John takes this so far as to insist that if we say we love God and don't love each other, we are liars! [1 John 4:20] The way we know we are spiritually alive is that we love each other in the family of faith. [ 1 John 3:14] In other words, mutual love between Christian people is the evidence of our relationship with Jesus Christ.
To put it even stronger. The reputation of Jesus Christ is on the line in our relationships with each other in the church! You see, Jesus had informed his disciples that, the world would know they were his disciples if they loved each other. [John 13:35]
To think that God would not grant me even one exception to this commandment is sometimes hard to take. But here's where the wonderful part of loving God and keeping the commandments of Christ begins. Just at the point where we recognize our inability to do this on our own, the gifts of Christ come into play.
The Gift of Help
Jesus tells his followers about a gift, what the New Revised Standard Version translates as "Advocate". Other translations use the terms "Comforter" or "Helper." The word Jesus used literally means "one who is called along side to help." This in the One who brings "encouragement".
Jesus is referring, of course, to the Holy Spirit. Lot's of people have difficulty understanding what the Holy Spirit is all about -- other than thinking of the Holy Spirit as a vague sense of a "positive influence" or "a spirit of good" in the world. The point here is that Jesus tells his followers that God will send them Someone to keep on helping them -- an Advocate or Helper.
It is clear, as Jesus talks with his followers in the Upper Room, that He can not stay with them forever. In fact He can not stay with them much longer at all. They are upset -- maybe even distraught. He encourages them to hang on to his teachings and to have the care for each other that he has for them. And something amazing will happen. There will be another Helper who will join them and this Helper will never leave them!
In other words, the Holy Spirit is to the followers of Christ what Jesus Christ would be to them if he were here in the flesh! If I honestly, truly have Christ here with me, I just might be able to to accomplish anything in His Name. And you will have the same ability!
And it is my hope that in 2008, the churches I serve, adn the church universal will receive help in becoming the kind of community where people discover a love that "Will not let them go!" The Advocate -- or Helper -- is the great gift of help that we need to keep the commandments of Christ. Ask Him to help you today!
Treasure in Heaven, Obedience on Earth
Matthew 6: 20-21
"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Success can be measured in many ways, dependent upon whom you are and the culture you live in. Having material wealth often is viewed as a sign of accomplishment and is supposed to offer us security and freedom. It shows that we are achievers in this world, and the ancient philosophers thought this was a sign of good grace from God or gods.
Jesus however teaches otherwise. We are given the responsibility for our environment, and the next person and we are stewards, not owners, of the goods entrusted to us, material or spiritual.
How we live out our Christian faith is important/ A pillar in our faith is the belief of charity towards others; taking a part of your own surplus and sharing it with others, especially the needy, but as an expression of your faith for God alone to see.
The quoted Bible passage teaches us to trust in God for daily needs and to use his gifts to us as good stewards of his world. If we listen to His word and follow His instruction, we shall accomplish His purpose. Treasure will come to us in heaven. On that promise we can depend. We are called to truly submit to His will and put our own wishes and thoughts in line with His thoughts.
Prayer: Father in heaven! Please help me to clearly see your will in my life. Guide my thoughts and deeds to fulfill your purpose and plan. Let me always listen and hear you when you speak to me. Amen.
"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Success can be measured in many ways, dependent upon whom you are and the culture you live in. Having material wealth often is viewed as a sign of accomplishment and is supposed to offer us security and freedom. It shows that we are achievers in this world, and the ancient philosophers thought this was a sign of good grace from God or gods.
Jesus however teaches otherwise. We are given the responsibility for our environment, and the next person and we are stewards, not owners, of the goods entrusted to us, material or spiritual.
How we live out our Christian faith is important/ A pillar in our faith is the belief of charity towards others; taking a part of your own surplus and sharing it with others, especially the needy, but as an expression of your faith for God alone to see.
The quoted Bible passage teaches us to trust in God for daily needs and to use his gifts to us as good stewards of his world. If we listen to His word and follow His instruction, we shall accomplish His purpose. Treasure will come to us in heaven. On that promise we can depend. We are called to truly submit to His will and put our own wishes and thoughts in line with His thoughts.
Prayer: Father in heaven! Please help me to clearly see your will in my life. Guide my thoughts and deeds to fulfill your purpose and plan. Let me always listen and hear you when you speak to me. Amen.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Romans 12 - A Blueprint for the Christian Life
Romans 12 is a wonderful chapter with much wisdom about leading the Christian life. Romans is Paul's longest letter, and so it comes first in the New Testament. Here the veteran missionary puts together many of the things that the Holy Spirit has taught him about following Jesus. The entire book is edifying, but I call you attention to Romans 12 today. Read it and grow in the Lord.
Here are some notes to help in your meditation.
FIRST, WE READ EXHORTATIONS FOR US TO BE IN FULL SERVICE TO GOD (1-8)
A. In Romans 12:1 and 2, Paul urges them to present their bodies a living sacrifice to God and to be transformed by the renewing of their mind. This a recurring them in the letters of Paul. (See also 1 Cor. 6:19,20; Rom. 6:13,19; 8:11.)
We were once dead in our sins, but now we are made alive by the Holy Spirit to be used by God as lively instruments in His service. Without our body, no work can be accomplished for God. The word "reasonable" is also translated sincere or spiritual. We are not to copy the world's ways in our spiritual service. We must use the Bible as our guide (1 Pet. 1:14,15). The transformation called for here is an ongoing process (2 Cor. 4:16), not an immediate miraculous sensation. But rest assured -- Jesus changes people -- He can transform you, your family and your friends, if they will give themselves to Him and allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in their hearts and minds.
B. He encourages us to use to the fullest the gifts and ability God has given us. (3-8)
1. Cautioned not to be high-minded. What was the grace given to Paul? (Rom. 15:15,16; 1 Cor. 3:10; 15:10; Gal. 2:7-9; Eph. 3:7) His apostleship. Christians must think soberly and sensibly. The measure of faith could be each of our several abilities. It could also refer to a measuring instrument. If so, then faith is the instrument by which we measure our thinking.
2. Here we find the illustration of the body and its members. We are all members of the body of Christ. Each member has an important function, a needed function. This parallels our own body. ( 1 Cor. 12:12-27)
3. Some of the gifts God has given are:
a. Prophecy - This is not a natural gift. A prophet spoke for God. Other activities in the church call for spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:1-11, 28-30).
b. Ministry - or service. This is at the heart of many things the church does.
c. Teaching - teaching what has been revealed, carrying on the mission of the church to succeeding generations.
d. Exhorting - encouraging and reminding and affirming is so very important in the church.
e. Giving - giving is a gift and should be done liberally.
f. Leading - with diligence and attention to details.
g. Showing mercy - not halfheartedly, but in a compassionate, sincere way. Compassion and love are calling cards for Christians.
II. The Mission of Love and the Imitation of Christ(9-21)
A. To sincere love; hate evil and hold to that which is good. (9)
Pretended love is hypocrisy. "...hate evil and love the good," Amos 5:15. (Heb. 1:9.)
B. Proper attitude toward our brothers. (10)
We must emulate Jesus by loving our fellow man. We must reject everything that would hurt our brother, he must come first.
C. Fervent is our service to the Lord. (11)
As Christimas we are called to be industrious in our Christian service.
D. Rejoicing, patient and prayerful. (12)
Our hope sustains us through our trials, it allows us to be patient, which in turn makes us steadfast. When we realize our continuous need for the Lord's help, our prayer life improves. Prayers are neglected when we fell self-sufficient.
E. Caring for the needs of the saints. (13)
Hospitality includes receiving guests generously and kindly and extending this to strangers.
F. Blessing our enemies (2 Tim. 3:12). (14)
Following Christ is what brings these persecutions. The persecutor is at odds with Christ, therefore in need of our prayers and sympathy. "Do not curse," is not a reference to common profanity. It is an admonition not to call for calamity to befall a person.
G. Rejoicing with one another, as well as mourning and comforting. (15) When our brother has righteous cause to rejoice, we are obligated to rejoice with him, not envy his good fortune. We should have sincere sympathy for a brother in his sorrow.
H. We are to have the same mind; not to be conceited. (16)
This continues the thought of verse 15. It speaks to our disposition toward one another. We are to "be carried away with them that are lowly." We are to be guided and led in the thoughts, feelings, plans as humble objects.
I. Returning good for evil and giving place to God's wrath. (17-21) Evil for evil usually makes matters worse and lowers the Christian to the level of the evildoer. We need to "pre-think" our course of action. If we do not even keep the rules of honor set down by men, we cannot be keeping God's rules of honor. It is impossible to be at peace with all men, all the time. We will not be at peace with the enemies of Christ. However, we are not to stir up trouble over things that are not of importance. As the Roman's were Paul's beloved, so should they be each others beloved. Taking vengeance is not God's way for man. He has reserved the punishment of evildoers for Himself (Deut. 32:35). God has used the civil authorities to exact His punishment through the ages and that method remains in place today. Paul will have more to say about this later. Instead of personal vengeance, give your enemy food and drink. If there is any goodness left in him this course of action will cause a change of heart in the enemy. Following this procedure allows us as Christians to overcome evil with good.
Here are some notes to help in your meditation.
FIRST, WE READ EXHORTATIONS FOR US TO BE IN FULL SERVICE TO GOD (1-8)
A. In Romans 12:1 and 2, Paul urges them to present their bodies a living sacrifice to God and to be transformed by the renewing of their mind. This a recurring them in the letters of Paul. (See also 1 Cor. 6:19,20; Rom. 6:13,19; 8:11.)
We were once dead in our sins, but now we are made alive by the Holy Spirit to be used by God as lively instruments in His service. Without our body, no work can be accomplished for God. The word "reasonable" is also translated sincere or spiritual. We are not to copy the world's ways in our spiritual service. We must use the Bible as our guide (1 Pet. 1:14,15). The transformation called for here is an ongoing process (2 Cor. 4:16), not an immediate miraculous sensation. But rest assured -- Jesus changes people -- He can transform you, your family and your friends, if they will give themselves to Him and allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in their hearts and minds.
B. He encourages us to use to the fullest the gifts and ability God has given us. (3-8)
1. Cautioned not to be high-minded. What was the grace given to Paul? (Rom. 15:15,16; 1 Cor. 3:10; 15:10; Gal. 2:7-9; Eph. 3:7) His apostleship. Christians must think soberly and sensibly. The measure of faith could be each of our several abilities. It could also refer to a measuring instrument. If so, then faith is the instrument by which we measure our thinking.
2. Here we find the illustration of the body and its members. We are all members of the body of Christ. Each member has an important function, a needed function. This parallels our own body. ( 1 Cor. 12:12-27)
3. Some of the gifts God has given are:
a. Prophecy - This is not a natural gift. A prophet spoke for God. Other activities in the church call for spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:1-11, 28-30).
b. Ministry - or service. This is at the heart of many things the church does.
c. Teaching - teaching what has been revealed, carrying on the mission of the church to succeeding generations.
d. Exhorting - encouraging and reminding and affirming is so very important in the church.
e. Giving - giving is a gift and should be done liberally.
f. Leading - with diligence and attention to details.
g. Showing mercy - not halfheartedly, but in a compassionate, sincere way. Compassion and love are calling cards for Christians.
II. The Mission of Love and the Imitation of Christ(9-21)
A. To sincere love; hate evil and hold to that which is good. (9)
Pretended love is hypocrisy. "...hate evil and love the good," Amos 5:15. (Heb. 1:9.)
B. Proper attitude toward our brothers. (10)
We must emulate Jesus by loving our fellow man. We must reject everything that would hurt our brother, he must come first.
C. Fervent is our service to the Lord. (11)
As Christimas we are called to be industrious in our Christian service.
D. Rejoicing, patient and prayerful. (12)
Our hope sustains us through our trials, it allows us to be patient, which in turn makes us steadfast. When we realize our continuous need for the Lord's help, our prayer life improves. Prayers are neglected when we fell self-sufficient.
E. Caring for the needs of the saints. (13)
Hospitality includes receiving guests generously and kindly and extending this to strangers.
F. Blessing our enemies (2 Tim. 3:12). (14)
Following Christ is what brings these persecutions. The persecutor is at odds with Christ, therefore in need of our prayers and sympathy. "Do not curse," is not a reference to common profanity. It is an admonition not to call for calamity to befall a person.
G. Rejoicing with one another, as well as mourning and comforting. (15) When our brother has righteous cause to rejoice, we are obligated to rejoice with him, not envy his good fortune. We should have sincere sympathy for a brother in his sorrow.
H. We are to have the same mind; not to be conceited. (16)
This continues the thought of verse 15. It speaks to our disposition toward one another. We are to "be carried away with them that are lowly." We are to be guided and led in the thoughts, feelings, plans as humble objects.
I. Returning good for evil and giving place to God's wrath. (17-21) Evil for evil usually makes matters worse and lowers the Christian to the level of the evildoer. We need to "pre-think" our course of action. If we do not even keep the rules of honor set down by men, we cannot be keeping God's rules of honor. It is impossible to be at peace with all men, all the time. We will not be at peace with the enemies of Christ. However, we are not to stir up trouble over things that are not of importance. As the Roman's were Paul's beloved, so should they be each others beloved. Taking vengeance is not God's way for man. He has reserved the punishment of evildoers for Himself (Deut. 32:35). God has used the civil authorities to exact His punishment through the ages and that method remains in place today. Paul will have more to say about this later. Instead of personal vengeance, give your enemy food and drink. If there is any goodness left in him this course of action will cause a change of heart in the enemy. Following this procedure allows us as Christians to overcome evil with good.
Growing with Jesus in 2008!
Luke's concluding comments about Jesus' Childhood in Luke 2 are insightful. (2:51-52)
1. Jesus was an obedient child as he placed himself under their authority (2:51)
2. Jesus grew in four ways Wing his youth according to verse 52:
a. Intellectually - "in wisdom"
b. Physically- "in stature"
c. Spiritually - "in favor with God"
d. Socially - "in favor with man"
There are four major areas of human growth and life -- they are all touched upon in Luke 2:52. Jesus grew in a balanced way, a four-fold way. As we begin the New Year it is a good time to give ourselves a check-up in these four areas.
How are we growing in wisdom? Are we studying God's Word? That is where the ultimate wisdom is found. Earthly wisdom, such as how to operate in a trade or a job,can be helpful. But ulitmate wisdom is found in God's Word, and we aquire much of it through reading, study and meditation with the minds that God so wonderfully gave us. So increase your wisdom in 2008. Read and study God's Word.
Physical exercise is of some worth to us, because we get around in these physical bodies and we need to take care of them so we can do the Lord's work in this world. What can you do to help yourself physically? Do you need to exercise a bit more. Do you need to make better choices in your eating? The old rule I learned in computer class goes for our bodies, too. Garbage in, Garbage out. Junk food makes our bodies junky. This has been a hard lesson for me to learn. But it is a true one. So what can you do to increase your health in 2008?
Our social life is very important because God made us to be with other people. This has been true since Genesis and Adam and Eve. We are connectional people. One important lesson we learn is to choose our friends carefully. Who you hang out with can hang you if you make bad choices of friends. That is why it important for Christians to socialize with other Christians, to help each other and lift each other up. That is why church is so important. How can you guard your social life for God in 2008?
Finally, there is the foundational area that affects all areas in a wonderful way -- the Spiritual part of life, the part that connects us with God. Have you asked the Holy Spirit to fill you and to be your guide? Do you nourish yourself with daily prayer and Bible Reading and going to church every week? What can you do to foster your own spiritual growth and to help others to grow in the Lord during 2008?
1. Jesus was an obedient child as he placed himself under their authority (2:51)
2. Jesus grew in four ways Wing his youth according to verse 52:
a. Intellectually - "in wisdom"
b. Physically- "in stature"
c. Spiritually - "in favor with God"
d. Socially - "in favor with man"
There are four major areas of human growth and life -- they are all touched upon in Luke 2:52. Jesus grew in a balanced way, a four-fold way. As we begin the New Year it is a good time to give ourselves a check-up in these four areas.
How are we growing in wisdom? Are we studying God's Word? That is where the ultimate wisdom is found. Earthly wisdom, such as how to operate in a trade or a job,can be helpful. But ulitmate wisdom is found in God's Word, and we aquire much of it through reading, study and meditation with the minds that God so wonderfully gave us. So increase your wisdom in 2008. Read and study God's Word.
Physical exercise is of some worth to us, because we get around in these physical bodies and we need to take care of them so we can do the Lord's work in this world. What can you do to help yourself physically? Do you need to exercise a bit more. Do you need to make better choices in your eating? The old rule I learned in computer class goes for our bodies, too. Garbage in, Garbage out. Junk food makes our bodies junky. This has been a hard lesson for me to learn. But it is a true one. So what can you do to increase your health in 2008?
Our social life is very important because God made us to be with other people. This has been true since Genesis and Adam and Eve. We are connectional people. One important lesson we learn is to choose our friends carefully. Who you hang out with can hang you if you make bad choices of friends. That is why it important for Christians to socialize with other Christians, to help each other and lift each other up. That is why church is so important. How can you guard your social life for God in 2008?
Finally, there is the foundational area that affects all areas in a wonderful way -- the Spiritual part of life, the part that connects us with God. Have you asked the Holy Spirit to fill you and to be your guide? Do you nourish yourself with daily prayer and Bible Reading and going to church every week? What can you do to foster your own spiritual growth and to help others to grow in the Lord during 2008?
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