Reflection

It is generally agreed upon by scholars that this passage from Jesus came during the end of the Last Supper. Jesus knowing he was coming upon his last moments with the disciples wanted to leave them with some final words of encouragement to press on and love one another. He knew that for him and the disciples the hardest part of the road was next and he wanted to ensure they remembered what he consistently preached and showed them.

As I look back upon this last year and a half with all that has transpired, none of us knew that the pandemic would have lasted this long. We all thought we’d be meeting in mass assembly by now and yet here we are still unable to. Many of us have been unable to go back home to see family and many of us having had to say tough goodbyes to dear friends. So as I look at this passage I am encouraged because I believe we (the church of Shanghai, SCF) have loved each other in this difficult time. It’s been encouraging to see community groups that made it an effort to gather even more for fellowship and the breaking of bread. It’s been equally encouraging to see new leaders and key people emerge amongst the remains of the congregation. It has been great to see old friends return and help reestablish some of the core values of our community and it has been amazing to see the effort of the community and leaders as a whole fight to keep this flame alive; all because we love Him and each other. We have God and we have each other, that is more than enough to keep this thing going.

Thoughts for the day

Reflection

The definition of the word zeal reads as: great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.

Growing up in Chicago in the 90’s I had the great privilege of watching the Bulls win 6 championships. For the final three of those championships the Bulls had recruited one of the most unlikely characters to their team, Dennis Rodman. A pest from an old rival team, the Detroit Pistons, Dennis infamously fought with all the key members of the Bulls and was notoriously difficult to get along with both on the court and off of it! He was a very odd character who lived an odd lifestyle and even carried that out to the court. His was fittingly nicknamed “The Worm”. Despite his eccentric character, Dennis was an amazing rebounder and defender. His energy was profound and he played with intense enthusiasm on the court. For a team that had already won three championships (with nothing further to prove) this was a perfect scenario for falling into lackadaisical tendencies. Dennis provided the exact kind of zeal on court that would help propel the team further to three more championships.

In life you are likely to run into all types of people, even in the church, that you don’t always get along with. Over the years I have served with a lot of people and sometimes not perfectly jelled with some. Regardless of personality fit, one thing I learned to become appreciative of is a person’s zeal for the Lord. In fact, a person’s zeal for the Lord has become one thing I look for in a volunteer. I’ve learned to look past my often flawed personal view of people and see them as God sees them, a son or daughter who loves Him and is full of zeal for Him.

Thoughts for the day

Reflection

David, though not a perfect man, never wavered in his love for the Lord. His devotion to keeping the Mosaic Law, his continual repentance and return to the Lord once he fell astray revealed two things; his own personal failures and his personal dedication to honor God and the Law in spite of his personal failings. It is with this in mind that God calls David a man after His own heart. Despite David’s personal failings; (1) he never showed any signs of temptation to worshipping idols, despite allowing his wife to have a household idol; (2) he continually defended the Lord’s honor in battling Goliath; and (3) his response of humility and repentance after his son Absalom’s insurrection.

What a great relief that this is what God means by calling David “a man after His own heart”. Falling short can often make us feel like we aren’t living a life that honors the Lord. However, in God’s economy, repentance, a broken heart and contrite spirit He does not despise. (Psalm 51:17) We can fall into the trap of believing that through our own strength and will power we can be righteous, but as we know full well it is only by His grace (Jesus sacrifice on the cross) that we are redeemed and made righteous in his sight. God knows we cannot live a perfect life. By the blood of Jesus, all we need to do is declare Jesus as Lord, honor God and contritely turn back to the Lord in repentance when we’ve gone a bit further off the path than intended.

Thoughts for the day

Reflection

God gives us good gifts, and desires for us to do good deeds.  Doing good deeds also is a blessing unto others when we ourselves have been blessed. The gifts are not to be hoarded by ourselves, but given out.  Paul says in verses 7 & 9: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches...And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”  Opportunities abound if we just pay attention to the people around us in our church community. It doesn’t always have to be a big project to non-believers or missionary trip somewhere.  Paul says to do good especially to those who are within our community of faith.  Why?  Because those not of the faith is watching how the children of light acts in a dark world.  How we treat one another in love should lead others to Christ; they will want what we have.  The most convincing testimony we can give is through our actions.

Thoughts for the day

Reflection

When I first became a follower of Christ, I hadn’t learned what “tithing” meant.  Every Sunday when the offering basket came around, I would put what I felt like I could spare from my wallet.  Hey, I’m just a girl fresh out of college who doesn’t make that much money;   I will give more when I am established in my career.  This went on for a couple of years until I heard a sermon where the pastor spoke about tithing.  He said:  “God wants your first fruits.  If how much you tithe is determined by what’s left after tax is deducted and your rent is paid, to whom did you give your first fruits?”  Ouch.  I felt so convicted on the spot, that from that moment on I changed how I tithed, and God has blessed me ever since.   Because I acknowledged God first with my income, I never lacked financially, even during a long period of time that I was unemployed.  I know I can trust God in the area of provision.

But what about other aspects of my life? If I trust God completely with my health, my career, my finances, but don’t seek His counsel when it comes to marriage, then I cannot say that I trust God completely.  We cannot compartmentalize God; He is Lord of ALL.  So many professing Christians pursue relationships outside of God’s will by dating  whoever  seems “right”  to  our eyes.

When we feel bored, lonely, or depressed we will find other means of distraction, sometimes falling into sinful, addictive behavior.  Instead of ruling our thought life and our tongue we act and speak out from the flesh, hurting others and ourselves.  I have committed all of the above at various times in my life, even as a follower of Christ.  Today’s verse is a reminder that trusting and acknowledging God in every area of my life, in every circumstance should be a daily practice.

Whatever that is not of God is only second place at best;  but at worst, it can lead us completely away from Him.  What God has for us is the best; don’t settle for less.  There may be many open doors before us, but if we don’t acknowledge God, how will we recognize which is the door that He wants us to open?

Thoughts for the day