By Allen White
1. Jesus' Opposite World
2. God Never Wastes a Hurt
3. Thou Shalt Party
4. Time Doesn't Heal All Wounds
5. Putting Yourself Forward Only Moves You Backward
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Friday, April 1, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Too Good
By Allen White
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:12-17
Do you catch what Jesus is saying here? If Jesus is not too good to wash his disciples’ feet, then guess what? None of us is better than Jesus. Followers of Christ are not too good to serve other people. If nothing was beneath Jesus, then how could serving possibly be beneath us?
Now that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to go to Africa or clean up after people who can’t care for themselves. But, it might. Often we are afraid to surrender to the will of God because we are afraid that God will require us to do something that we don’t want to do. I think being on the wrong side of God is far worse than anything we might be afraid that God would ask us to do.
I believe that God has uniquely wired each of us for a ministry that He has put us on this earth to accomplish. Our abilities, spiritual gifts, our education, our experiences, and even our personalities are specifically suited for what God has called us to do.
Maybe you’ve already found your ministry. If you haven’t, then I would encourage you to sign up for the PLACE class and see how all of this fits together for you.
But, there is another kind of service that all of us are called to do. I refer to this as “the ministry of doing what needs to be done.” Do you know someone who needs help? Help them. Do you know someone who needs to be encouraged? Encourage them. Do you know someone who is lonely? Listen to them. Do you know someone who has offended or harmed you? Forgive them. Okay, we were good until that last one.
But, think about this: Jesus has cleansed us. Jesus has forgiven us. Now, Jesus calls us to serve each other. Jesus calls us to forgive each other (Matthew 18:21-35). Wow, maybe Africa doesn’t sound so bad after all.
Who do you need to forgive? Maybe you’ve already tried to forgive them. How do you know if you’ve actually forgiven? When you can wish them well, you’ve forgiven. If you still secretly would like to see them get run over by a bus, then you haven’t. If you can’t get past the hurt, then ask God to help you forgive. He is an expert at forgiveness.
Follow us on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/galatians419
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:12-17
Do you catch what Jesus is saying here? If Jesus is not too good to wash his disciples’ feet, then guess what? None of us is better than Jesus. Followers of Christ are not too good to serve other people. If nothing was beneath Jesus, then how could serving possibly be beneath us?
Now that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to go to Africa or clean up after people who can’t care for themselves. But, it might. Often we are afraid to surrender to the will of God because we are afraid that God will require us to do something that we don’t want to do. I think being on the wrong side of God is far worse than anything we might be afraid that God would ask us to do.
I believe that God has uniquely wired each of us for a ministry that He has put us on this earth to accomplish. Our abilities, spiritual gifts, our education, our experiences, and even our personalities are specifically suited for what God has called us to do.
Maybe you’ve already found your ministry. If you haven’t, then I would encourage you to sign up for the PLACE class and see how all of this fits together for you.
But, there is another kind of service that all of us are called to do. I refer to this as “the ministry of doing what needs to be done.” Do you know someone who needs help? Help them. Do you know someone who needs to be encouraged? Encourage them. Do you know someone who is lonely? Listen to them. Do you know someone who has offended or harmed you? Forgive them. Okay, we were good until that last one.
But, think about this: Jesus has cleansed us. Jesus has forgiven us. Now, Jesus calls us to serve each other. Jesus calls us to forgive each other (Matthew 18:21-35). Wow, maybe Africa doesn’t sound so bad after all.
Who do you need to forgive? Maybe you’ve already tried to forgive them. How do you know if you’ve actually forgiven? When you can wish them well, you’ve forgiven. If you still secretly would like to see them get run over by a bus, then you haven’t. If you can’t get past the hurt, then ask God to help you forgive. He is an expert at forgiveness.
Follow us on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/galatians419
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Mean Christians
By Allen White
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. John 13:9-11
Have you ever wondered why Christians can do such outrageous things? How can people belong to Christ and be so mean to other people? How can they knock other people down to put themselves ahead? How can they do what they do when no one else is looking? Maybe they’re not Christians at all.
Peter jumps from refusing Jesus to asking for the full spa treatment. Jesus took the opportunity of Peter’s impulsivity to reveal a spiritual truth.
Those who belong to Christ are spiritually clean (Hebrews 9:14). But, not everyone in the group necessarily belongs to Christ. Even among the twelve only eleven genuinely belonged to Christ. Judas did not.
Some would say that Judas had belonged to Christ and backslid. Others would say that Judas never chose Christ, or that Christ had never chosen Judas. Either way, in the end, Judas was out. Could he have repented? Absolutely. Did he? We don’t know. Was Judas following God’s will by betraying Jesus?
We know from prophecy and from Jesus Himself that His betrayal would take place. If Judas hadn’t betrayed Jesus, then someone else would have. Did God create Judas solely to betray Jesus? Honestly, I don’t think it’s that cut and dry. Often when we simplify the complexity of God’s work, we make God to be less than who He is.
So, where are you today? Have you surrendered your heart and life to God? Do you belong to Christ? Or do you just fit into the church culture? Being in church doesn't make you a Christian any more than being in a barn makes you a cow or being in a hangar makes you a pilot.
But, how do you really know that you’re saved? Have you prayed to receive Christ? (Romans 10:9-10) Do you have a desire to follow Christ? (Ephesians 2:1-5) If you don’t, then that would be something to pray about.
Follow us on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/galatians419
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. John 13:9-11
Have you ever wondered why Christians can do such outrageous things? How can people belong to Christ and be so mean to other people? How can they knock other people down to put themselves ahead? How can they do what they do when no one else is looking? Maybe they’re not Christians at all.
Peter jumps from refusing Jesus to asking for the full spa treatment. Jesus took the opportunity of Peter’s impulsivity to reveal a spiritual truth.
Those who belong to Christ are spiritually clean (Hebrews 9:14). But, not everyone in the group necessarily belongs to Christ. Even among the twelve only eleven genuinely belonged to Christ. Judas did not.
Some would say that Judas had belonged to Christ and backslid. Others would say that Judas never chose Christ, or that Christ had never chosen Judas. Either way, in the end, Judas was out. Could he have repented? Absolutely. Did he? We don’t know. Was Judas following God’s will by betraying Jesus?
We know from prophecy and from Jesus Himself that His betrayal would take place. If Judas hadn’t betrayed Jesus, then someone else would have. Did God create Judas solely to betray Jesus? Honestly, I don’t think it’s that cut and dry. Often when we simplify the complexity of God’s work, we make God to be less than who He is.
So, where are you today? Have you surrendered your heart and life to God? Do you belong to Christ? Or do you just fit into the church culture? Being in church doesn't make you a Christian any more than being in a barn makes you a cow or being in a hangar makes you a pilot.
But, how do you really know that you’re saved? Have you prayed to receive Christ? (Romans 10:9-10) Do you have a desire to follow Christ? (Ephesians 2:1-5) If you don’t, then that would be something to pray about.
Follow us on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/galatians419
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Don’t Even Think About It
By Allen White
[Jesus] came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” John 13:6-8
To be clean, you have to acknowledge that you’re dirty. To receive forgiveness you must admit that you need forgiving. Peter wasn’t too good to have his feet washed. He just didn’t feel good enough to have Jesus wash his feet.
It’s not that Peter’s feet were clean. He had collected plenty of dust in his sandals along the way. It’s not that Peter had never had his feet washed. Foot-washing was as common then as a shoe shine was 50 years ago. Peter’s issue was not with the what. His issue was with the who.
Peter would have let a servant wash his feet. He would have been completely comfortable with someone of lower stature bending down to cleanse his tootsies. But, the Son of God? That made Peter uncomfortable. Jesus tipped social convention on its ear. The Greatest was doing the work of the least.
While most of us would do anything for anyone in need, sometimes it’s difficult to receive help. We would give the shirt off our back, but to take someone else’s shirt is another matter. It all comes down to pride.
The self-righteous, like the older brother in the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), think that they don’t need Christ’s sacrifice. They don’t appreciate God’s grace. They might even take it for granted, because the dark side never seemed that dark. If we can live our lives well on our own, then why do we need Jesus?
The reality is that none of us can live our lives well enough. All of us have fallen short (Romans 3:23), probably more than we care to admit. If we feel self-righteous and better than other believers, then we’ve overly focused on avoiding obvious sin and carefully ignored hidden sin. Whether you’re dirty on the outside or dirty on the inside, you need to be cleansed.
I see this with men addicted to pornography. It’s addictive like a spiritual crack cocaine. It’s deceiving. “I can quit any time. This doesn’t control me.” Here’s the reality: if you could quit on your own, you would have. You’re not going to break this one on your own and just confessing to God won’t break it either. You’ve already done that and look where you are.
To break an addiction to anything: porn, food, internet, alcohol, drugs, work or whatever else, you have to humble yourself and confess to another person. James 5:16 says,
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”
If you want to be healed, you must confess to another believer. After all, we are only as sick as our secrets. Wouldn’t it be great to be free?
Where do you need to be cleansed today? What do you need to confess? Who feels like a safe person to confess to? Don’t keep yourself in bondage for another day.
Once you’ve confessed, here are a couple of resources that can help you:
Celebrate Recovery: brookwoodchurch.org/celebraterecovery or celebraterecovery.com
Faithful Eyes: faithfuleyes.org
Follow us on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/galatians419
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
[Jesus] came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” John 13:6-8
To be clean, you have to acknowledge that you’re dirty. To receive forgiveness you must admit that you need forgiving. Peter wasn’t too good to have his feet washed. He just didn’t feel good enough to have Jesus wash his feet.
It’s not that Peter’s feet were clean. He had collected plenty of dust in his sandals along the way. It’s not that Peter had never had his feet washed. Foot-washing was as common then as a shoe shine was 50 years ago. Peter’s issue was not with the what. His issue was with the who.
Peter would have let a servant wash his feet. He would have been completely comfortable with someone of lower stature bending down to cleanse his tootsies. But, the Son of God? That made Peter uncomfortable. Jesus tipped social convention on its ear. The Greatest was doing the work of the least.
While most of us would do anything for anyone in need, sometimes it’s difficult to receive help. We would give the shirt off our back, but to take someone else’s shirt is another matter. It all comes down to pride.
The self-righteous, like the older brother in the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), think that they don’t need Christ’s sacrifice. They don’t appreciate God’s grace. They might even take it for granted, because the dark side never seemed that dark. If we can live our lives well on our own, then why do we need Jesus?
The reality is that none of us can live our lives well enough. All of us have fallen short (Romans 3:23), probably more than we care to admit. If we feel self-righteous and better than other believers, then we’ve overly focused on avoiding obvious sin and carefully ignored hidden sin. Whether you’re dirty on the outside or dirty on the inside, you need to be cleansed.
I see this with men addicted to pornography. It’s addictive like a spiritual crack cocaine. It’s deceiving. “I can quit any time. This doesn’t control me.” Here’s the reality: if you could quit on your own, you would have. You’re not going to break this one on your own and just confessing to God won’t break it either. You’ve already done that and look where you are.
To break an addiction to anything: porn, food, internet, alcohol, drugs, work or whatever else, you have to humble yourself and confess to another person. James 5:16 says,
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”
If you want to be healed, you must confess to another believer. After all, we are only as sick as our secrets. Wouldn’t it be great to be free?
Where do you need to be cleansed today? What do you need to confess? Who feels like a safe person to confess to? Don’t keep yourself in bondage for another day.
Once you’ve confessed, here are a couple of resources that can help you:
Celebrate Recovery: brookwoodchurch.org/celebraterecovery or celebraterecovery.com
Faithful Eyes: faithfuleyes.org
Follow us on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/galatians419
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Monday, March 28, 2011
Do You Know Who You Are?
By Allen White
The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:2-5
My son and I sat at the counter in a diner at the Baltimore airport. One of the servers was wrapping silverware in napkins and asked my son if he wanted to help. I told him that was a pretty good Tom Sawyer strategy there.
The server told me that he used to manage the cafeteria at the Rayburn House Office Building in D.C. I asked him if any members of Congress gave him any trouble. He said the representatives were fine, but their staffs were a pain. If things didn’t go their way, they would puff up their chests and announce, “You don’t know who I work for.” (If I was the cafeteria manager, I would be thinking “And, you don’t know if I spit in your food.”)
The truly powerful people, the representatives of the people, knew who they were. They knew why they were there and how quickly they could get a one way ticket home. The staffers, well, nobody had voted for them. They lacked the same perspective.
Jesus knew who He was. Jesus could pick up a towel or pick up a cross and know He was and is Almighty God. No menial task could ever lessen His significance. Jesus, “who, being in the nature of God…made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant” (Philippians 2:6-7). Insecure people have difficulty serving others. They can’t take the backseat. They must take center stage. But, those who know who they are can allow others to shine.
Jesus Christ was not a self-promoter. If anything, He was a self-demoter. Jesus knew who He was. He had nothing to prove. He had nothing to lose. He could freely love and give His all. Jesus didn’t need an ego and an entourage to make Him feel big. You couldn’t get any bigger than Jesus.
As followers of Jesus Christ, how are we tempted to promote ourselves? When, out of insecurity, are we tempted to make ourselves larger than we really are? What are we too good to do anymore?
You and I are not better than our Savior. When we feel that we need to be, then we have forgotten who we really are.
Follow us on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/galatians419
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:2-5
My son and I sat at the counter in a diner at the Baltimore airport. One of the servers was wrapping silverware in napkins and asked my son if he wanted to help. I told him that was a pretty good Tom Sawyer strategy there.
The server told me that he used to manage the cafeteria at the Rayburn House Office Building in D.C. I asked him if any members of Congress gave him any trouble. He said the representatives were fine, but their staffs were a pain. If things didn’t go their way, they would puff up their chests and announce, “You don’t know who I work for.” (If I was the cafeteria manager, I would be thinking “And, you don’t know if I spit in your food.”)
Jesus knew who He was. Jesus could pick up a towel or pick up a cross and know He was and is Almighty God. No menial task could ever lessen His significance. Jesus, “who, being in the nature of God…made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant” (Philippians 2:6-7). Insecure people have difficulty serving others. They can’t take the backseat. They must take center stage. But, those who know who they are can allow others to shine.
Jesus Christ was not a self-promoter. If anything, He was a self-demoter. Jesus knew who He was. He had nothing to prove. He had nothing to lose. He could freely love and give His all. Jesus didn’t need an ego and an entourage to make Him feel big. You couldn’t get any bigger than Jesus.
As followers of Jesus Christ, how are we tempted to promote ourselves? When, out of insecurity, are we tempted to make ourselves larger than we really are? What are we too good to do anymore?
You and I are not better than our Savior. When we feel that we need to be, then we have forgotten who we really are.
Follow us on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/galatians419
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Sunday, March 27, 2011
The Full Extent of God’s Love
By Allen White
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. John 13:1
As Americans, we enjoy certain unalienable rights (sic) endowed by our Creator. Our founding fathers in the Declaration of Independence called for the end of tyranny and for the freedom of all people. As much as we enjoy these rights over time they had to be defended and protected by diplomacy and often by force. These aren’t rights that everyone respects.
Conflicts around the world for thousands of years have stemmed from people infringing on the divinely endowed rights of others. If these rights aren’t constantly protected, they can quickly disappear.
By the time Passover arrived, Jesus’ mission was nearly complete. His “hour” was at hand. This was the very reason that He came (John 12:27). His mission was to judge the world, to defeat the devil, and to be lifted up (John 12:31-32). This victory would be won once and forever. This battle would never need to be fought again. Jesus’ work was final.
The third sentence of this verse is worth noticing: “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” Who were “His own”? The immediate context might suggest that these were only His disciples, yet other references in John point to a much larger group.
John starts his gospel talking about “His own”:
“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:10-13).
The qualifications for God’s own people were redefined. Acceptance into God’s family was no longer limited to one race. Anyone who receives Christ is part of “His own,” including anyone reading these words.
The promise is that Jesus will love us to “the end.” The cross pronounced the end of sin and death. God’s love for us provides the way of salvation. God’s love also provides the ability to live for Him until the end of this life.
We don’t need to fight for our souls. Christ fought for us and won. We don’t need to exhaust ourselves trying to overcome sin and the flesh. Christ is victorious. As we depend on Christ that victory is ours.
How are you feeling? Maybe a little defeated today? Maybe it’s time to remind the devil of his bad news: He lost and Jesus won. Let Jesus win in your life today.
Follow us on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/galatians419
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. John 13:1
As Americans, we enjoy certain unalienable rights (sic) endowed by our Creator. Our founding fathers in the Declaration of Independence called for the end of tyranny and for the freedom of all people. As much as we enjoy these rights over time they had to be defended and protected by diplomacy and often by force. These aren’t rights that everyone respects.
Conflicts around the world for thousands of years have stemmed from people infringing on the divinely endowed rights of others. If these rights aren’t constantly protected, they can quickly disappear.
By the time Passover arrived, Jesus’ mission was nearly complete. His “hour” was at hand. This was the very reason that He came (John 12:27). His mission was to judge the world, to defeat the devil, and to be lifted up (John 12:31-32). This victory would be won once and forever. This battle would never need to be fought again. Jesus’ work was final.
The third sentence of this verse is worth noticing: “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” Who were “His own”? The immediate context might suggest that these were only His disciples, yet other references in John point to a much larger group.
John starts his gospel talking about “His own”:
“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:10-13).
The qualifications for God’s own people were redefined. Acceptance into God’s family was no longer limited to one race. Anyone who receives Christ is part of “His own,” including anyone reading these words.
The promise is that Jesus will love us to “the end.” The cross pronounced the end of sin and death. God’s love for us provides the way of salvation. God’s love also provides the ability to live for Him until the end of this life.
We don’t need to fight for our souls. Christ fought for us and won. We don’t need to exhaust ourselves trying to overcome sin and the flesh. Christ is victorious. As we depend on Christ that victory is ours.
How are you feeling? Maybe a little defeated today? Maybe it’s time to remind the devil of his bad news: He lost and Jesus won. Let Jesus win in your life today.
Follow us on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/galatians419
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Absence Makes the Heart Grow…Forgetful
By Allen White
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13
There’s an old phrase that says “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” I don’t know that it’s true. From my experience, it seems that absence makes the heart grow forgetful. There’s a story about a college girlfriend in there, but I’m not going to bore you with that.
The writer of Hebrews penned this letter to Jewish Christians who were leaning toward abandoning Christ and returning to the Old Covenant (Hebrews 4:1-11). What was familiar to them was overcoming their newfound faith. The writer’s job was to show them how much better the New Covenant was. (It’s an interesting study just to count the number of times the writer uses “better” in the book of Hebrews.)
Meeting together and encouraging go hand in hand. When believers are together faith is renewed. Lives are refocused on Christ. Fears are eased. Courage is gained to face what is next.
Left to ourselves, we don’t do so well. The cares of this world creep in. Even those of us who pride ourselves as “good soil” (Matthew 13:1-23) find that there are more thorns growing up than we care to acknowledge. We were not meant to live our lives alone. God intends for us to do life together.
Now, our faith can be encouraged by meeting together with several thousand fellow believers on Sunday morning. We sing together. We receive powerful teaching. We might even have a few brief conversations in the concourse. But, the early church added one more element to their weekly meeting.
According to Acts 5:42, they met in temple courts (think: Sunday mornings) and they met house to house (think: small group). Meeting people on Sunday morning is like drinking out of a firehouse. It could happen, it’s just a challenge. There are many ways to connect at Brookwood Church: small groups, BrookwoodU, Brookwood Rec, BWomen, MOB (Men of Brookwood), Singles, Brookwood Young Couples, Impact for Young Adults, Praise Choir, Serve Teams, and the list goes on.
How are you intentionally connecting with other believers on a weekly basis? I mentioned in my message a few weeks ago that I am an introvert. Left to myself, I tend to seek quiet and aloneness. But, what is comfortable to me does not help me grow spiritually.
So, I intentionally started a small group two years ago. We meet every Wednesday for lunch. I didn’t know any of the guys in my group before the group started. Today, you couldn’t pull us apart if you tried.
How can you encourage someone today? Do it. Right now.
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13
There’s an old phrase that says “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” I don’t know that it’s true. From my experience, it seems that absence makes the heart grow forgetful. There’s a story about a college girlfriend in there, but I’m not going to bore you with that.
The writer of Hebrews penned this letter to Jewish Christians who were leaning toward abandoning Christ and returning to the Old Covenant (Hebrews 4:1-11). What was familiar to them was overcoming their newfound faith. The writer’s job was to show them how much better the New Covenant was. (It’s an interesting study just to count the number of times the writer uses “better” in the book of Hebrews.)
Meeting together and encouraging go hand in hand. When believers are together faith is renewed. Lives are refocused on Christ. Fears are eased. Courage is gained to face what is next.
Left to ourselves, we don’t do so well. The cares of this world creep in. Even those of us who pride ourselves as “good soil” (Matthew 13:1-23) find that there are more thorns growing up than we care to acknowledge. We were not meant to live our lives alone. God intends for us to do life together.
Now, our faith can be encouraged by meeting together with several thousand fellow believers on Sunday morning. We sing together. We receive powerful teaching. We might even have a few brief conversations in the concourse. But, the early church added one more element to their weekly meeting.
According to Acts 5:42, they met in temple courts (think: Sunday mornings) and they met house to house (think: small group). Meeting people on Sunday morning is like drinking out of a firehouse. It could happen, it’s just a challenge. There are many ways to connect at Brookwood Church: small groups, BrookwoodU, Brookwood Rec, BWomen, MOB (Men of Brookwood), Singles, Brookwood Young Couples, Impact for Young Adults, Praise Choir, Serve Teams, and the list goes on.
How are you intentionally connecting with other believers on a weekly basis? I mentioned in my message a few weeks ago that I am an introvert. Left to myself, I tend to seek quiet and aloneness. But, what is comfortable to me does not help me grow spiritually.
So, I intentionally started a small group two years ago. We meet every Wednesday for lunch. I didn’t know any of the guys in my group before the group started. Today, you couldn’t pull us apart if you tried.
How can you encourage someone today? Do it. Right now.
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