Every Part is Important

     Did you know that the cornea is one of the most sensitive tissues in the human body?  It contains over 40,000 nerve endings.  This means if you get a scratch on your eye it will hurt!  I proved that twice in the past month with a crazy accident due to my own carelessness.  It seems when I get in a hurry that trouble is not far away and one morning, I found out in a big way.  I was putting on my eyeliner (something I have done routinely for many years) when the pencil slipped going straight into my eye.  It hurt initially so I put some moisturizing drops in the eye.  Being in a rush for an appointment, I thought that would do the trick.  However, as the day wore on, I found myself in a good deal of discomfort.  That evening, my husband (a retired optometrist) patched me up.  It took several days for it to heal.  Seems like I did a good job of scratching the eye!  Funny how we don't think about a body part until it begins to hurt.  Unfortunately that can also be true in a church setting.
     Think about what the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthians concerning the "Body" of Christ (I Corinthians 12:14-26).  We are all members of the "One" body of Jesus Christ.  Everyone plays a different role in the body.  Paul explains that the eye cannot tell the hand that it doesn't have need for it because each part is important.  The human body has a hard time functioning without a hand, a foot, a leg, an arm or an eye.  Yes, we can compensate but it is not quite the same as having full function.  Paul's point here, especially to the Corinthians, is that no gift, calling or ministry is better than any other.  We are all joined in Christ to work together as a whole in order to function.  One thing, though, is often forgotten.  We need to encourage one another and all the more as we see the day of Christ's return approaching.
     In verse 24b-26, Paul writes:  "But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together."  How often do we take the time to send someone a card, make a phone call, or stop to visit them?  There are so many opportunities every day for us to reach out and touch someone with a word of kindness.  Paul said we are to support one another in suffering and rejoice with each other when someone is honored.  This is not to be done to flatter another but to sincerely lift them up.
     There have been many occasions when people have said that they feel insignificant in the church because they don't have much to contribute.  Some people feel too old while others feel they have no talents to lend.  Yet, that is not the vision that Paul is casting here.  We are not meant to all be preachers or teachers.  God has a place for each one of us that keeps the body functioning normally.
Trust me, I know from experience that when my eye hurt the rest of me was miserable too.  It was like having a sore throat.
     Individually, we need to grasp what God has called us to do in the Body of believers.  If we are called to be a prayer warrior for others, then we need to embrace this and seek to develop this ministry.  Maybe we fold church newsletters, sing in the choir or pass out church bulletins.  Every job is important; therefore, we need not wish we could do what someone else is doing.  Each of us has a God assigned place to bring Him glory.
     As a church, we need to also do a better job of encouraging each other both in the good times and the bad times.  Tell someone how you appreciate the job they do.  You never know how much they may need that word of blessing.  We take so much for granted and just expect the Body of Christ to go on functioning until suddenly that person is no longer there.  Speak a word of encouragement today.  Offer help if someone is struggling or give a call to a person who is lonely.  Hebrews 3:13 tells us:  "But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."
     For certain, I will never take my eye for granted again.  The discomfort alone was a good reminder of how important it is to take your time when working around the eye area.  Likewise, we should not take the Body of Christ and our religious freedom for granted either.  We need one another and the unity that only comes by working together as the Lord has fitly joined us in His Body.  Seek out ways to encourage others, mourn with them, laugh with them and we will find our church bringing glory to Christ and blessing to each one of us.  Selah!

God's Light For a Dark World

     There is one thing we simply cannot get enough of and that is the Word of God.  I do not know about you but I have many copies of the Holy Bible around my house in a plethora of versions.  This helps me when I study so I can better grasp what is meant in a passage.  Even though many homes have several Bibles available, people often do not take the time to read them.  This year, as in the past, I have embarked upon reading through the Bible once again.  Each time I do so, I find more nuggets than I did before.
     God has made numerous promises to those who take the time to read His Word.  First He tells us that His Word will accomplish what He says that it will.  We find this in Isaiah 55:11:  "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."  There is power in God's Word and when it is preached, taught and read, we benefit from it for it contains the truth we need.  I saw this firsthand at Christmas time.                                                                                                                        
     Long ago, my sister taught me not to throw away the lovely Christmas cards I received each year.                  Instead, she told me to tear off the front of the card which usually contains a Bible verse or a picture and use them as a tag for a Christmas present.  So this year, I put the front of old Christmas cards on each package I wrapped with a "To" and "From" written somewhere.  To my delight, our grandchildren read the Bible verses that were on the card before they opened their present.  They are ages 11 to three.  What a blessing to hear these sweet voices reading God's Word at Christmas time.  As I listened, I prayed that His Word would go deep in their hearts.  Recycling Christmas cards like this can be a ministry in itself when it is full of God's Word.
     A second reason God gives to us for reading His Word is to find correction, encouragement and
training.  2 Timothy 3:16 says:  "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness..."  If we really want to grow in our Christian walk, we must dive into the Word.  It is the foundation of faith, and reveals to us God's nature and our  sin.  We have to have something by which to measure our lives that is both dependable and truthful.  The Bible is God's revealed Word to us that accomplishes both of these things.  Just as we need regular food on a daily basis to maintain our strength, we also need God's Word to sustain our spiritual growth.
     Finding the truth is another reason to be in the Bible on a daily basis.  With all the "fake news" swirling around out there, we need a source we can trust that will help us live our lives daily.  Jesus, in speaking to Jewish believers in John 8:31-32, said this:  "31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  We are to abide in Christ, and we do that by reading His Word on a regular basis.  As a result, we will know the truth which can set us free from the bondage of sin, worry, anxiety, fear, depression or other challenges.  There is power in His Word and as believers, we would be foolish not to avail ourselves of it.
     Finally, God promises to renew and transform our minds to be like the Lord Jesus Christ.  How can we stop thinking like the world around us.  Lets face it, we are bombarded daily at work, school or through the media about how bad our world is becoming.  We need hope, fresh thoughts and encouragement.  We can only get this by spending time in the Bible.  Romans 12:2 tells us:  "“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”  The Bible is God's guide book for life.  He reveals His love for us and His direction for holy living.  We can know His will for us when we know Him through the pages of the Word.  What a treasure we hold when we have the Bible in our hands!
     Today, is the day to start reading the Bible.  Ligonier.org has Bible reading plans available.  There are even applications available for our electronic devices that will guide us through the Bible in a year. Whatever we choose, we need to begin to meditate on His Word for it will change us like no other book.  Let us "study to show ourselves approved" as 2 Timothy 2:15 tells us.  We will find a richer, fuller meaning in this year ahead when we do!  Selah!

Spend It Wisely!

     When our children were growing up, my dear husband worked hard to impress on them the importance of saving money for a "rainy day".  We did our best to warn them to put aside funds for the unexpected events like a car breakdown or appliance failure.  We all know what happens if you do not plan out your expenditures.  However, one area we all overlook is how we spend our time.  This is especially true at the holidays.  From Thanksgiving until New Year's can be like a mad dash with little enjoyment in between unless we learn to slow down and spend our moments wisely.
     Don't get me wrong.  I love the gatherings, choir programs, and church services, but it seems we go overboard often resulting in holiday "burnout", sickness and fatigue.  I hear people often say that they cannot wait till the holidays are over so they can reclaim their energy.  In my humble opinion, this is no different than not saving some money for that unexpected expense.  Our reserves are down to the "nubs", and we lose the meaning of Christmas in the midst of the rush.
     Psalm 90 verse 12 tells us:  " So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."
Life is short.  We live 70 or 80 years on average and some even longer if God allows.  During this time, we must learn to spend ourselves in such a way as to glorify God.  This is our purpose for being here.  After all, we are human beings not human "doings".  Evaluating our activities in light of the Bible, our family and work commitments is as important as balancing our check book and saving for a rainy day.
     Perhaps, my grip on this concept comes from the lessons I learned when I had polio.  Fatigue is one of the after effects of this disease and in 1996, I was diagnosed with Post Polio Syndrome.  One of the doctors told me that each of us has a certain reserve of energy for the day.  We can spend it on what we want to but when we run out, we must take the time to recharge.  If we do not, we will pay the price with pain and more fatigue. Yes, I had to test the theory because I am stubborn.  When I overdo activities physically, it usually takes me several days to get back to normal levels of energy.  Fortunately, many of you have been spared this scenario.  Yet, there is wisdom in learning to pace ourselves with our physical work as well as schedule of activities.
     Think about this.  What good are we when we are exhausted mentally and physically?  We often become "Grinch" like and cynical when our reserves are drained.  This is not glorifying God and enjoying Him forever.  Instead there are some practical steps we can take.
     First, pray about the holiday season before and during this time period.  Seek God's wisdom to know what activities to attend and which to skip.  There is no sanctification gained by being at every event under the sun.  Organizations and churches have more activities than most people could possibly ever attend.  So learn to say "no" without any guilt or shame.  Let the Spirit of God guide you!
     Secondly, remember what this season of the year is all about.  We are taking time to celebrate Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Attend things which will build your faith.  The preaching of the Word, the reading of the Word, the singing of the Word are all helps to building us up.  Make up a calendar that is realistic for you and your family and stick to it!  Remember, accidents happen, illness occurs and other emergencies so we need a cushion to allow for things that are unexpected.
     Finally, take care of yourself by getting adequate sleep and a good diet.  We often take care of ourselves last, but this means we are more vulnerable to colds and exhaustion.  Taking a few minutes here and there to just have quiet moments to read the Bible and pray can do wonders for us.  Don't let your schedule run you!  You must determine and run your schedule!
     Saving money and time for our rainy days are really important to the quality of our walk with Christ.  We honor God and glorify Him best when we use the time He has given us wisely.  During this holiday season, let us learn to be good stewards of our time and energy.  May He grant us all wisdom in doing this!  Selah!