How Will You Build Yourself Up?

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Jude 1:20-21 NIV

Sometimes we forget that our faith is interactive. There is the the "what we do" part.

As a teacher I can't tell you how many times I have been in a

conference with a student and their parent(s) discussing the need for the student to complete and turn in their assignments. The parents will tell me they see their child doing the work. When I tell them the work is not being turned in they (usually with a look of exasperation) grab their child's backpack and (usually with a look of unbelief mixed with embarrassment) they begin to pull out paper after paper of assignments never turned in.  

How many people just go to church but never turn anything in? Do you attend church or participate in your church. This is the part of Christianity that is interactive. Christianity, discipleship, is about experiencing God's love, his mercy and grace by living it out in our relationships. We pray in the Holy Spirit. We keep ourselves in God's love. 

What do athletes do to build themselves up? Baseball players play baseball. Basketball players play basketball. Football players play football. Get the point? As Christians we should act like Christ. Today, how will you build yourself up?

Use a Big Measure

“Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. 

Mark 4:24 NIV

Pay attention. Listen up. 

"With the measure you use"... 

Consider: What is the measure, of the gifts that God has given you, that you are using at this time of your life? That is a very simple question. 

The meaning of this verse is very profound. If you want God to work in your life, you need to step out in faith and serve in some way. For me, this is a direct hit between my eyes. I need to use a greater measure. 

The promise is that Christ says, he will measure out to us what we use and more. Do not be afraid to serve. Do not be afraid to offer anyone the grace of God. 

Lord Jesus Christ, help us measure out and use all that you have given us. Open our eyes today to see what you have before us. Praise be to you in us today!

GO ALL IN! / Philemon 6

"I pray that you may be active in your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." Philemon 6

There is a difference between an observer and a participant. If you have ever played any kind of sport, you know what I am talking about. Being active in your faith is the only way you can see the good things God has for you. 

Many people say they are members of a church, yet, they don't really participate. Even though I attend a weekly men's study and try to be active in my group I feel there is a deeper level. Think about it. Going to church on a weekly basis doesn't really make you an active member, it just means you are a permanent visitor. The deeper the investment the greater the experience. 

Christianity is more than just going to church and evangelism (both of which are necessary). Christianity encompasses all our lives. From home to work, Christ reigns. Faith is to be active in every part of our lives. I had a youth pastor once who was a drywall contractor. He said, "There is no Jesus in the kingdom of drywall." He learned, there is. Christ must reign in every area of our lives. Seeking Christ in every area of our lives allows us to see Christ in every area of our lives.

Father, help us to seek you in every area of our lives. Praise be to you in us today!

LIFT THE WALL! / Nehemiah 6:3

"So I sent messengers to them with this reply: "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?"" Nehemiah 6:3

The men's group at my church, King's Harbor Church, has been mustering around the book of Nehemiah. One of the questions that we are supposed to be considering is: "What is the great project of our lives at this time?" It seems that our marriages and children are and will always be projects in our lives. Our personal walk/witness, abiding in Christ is also a live long project. 

The real value of the group I think is we are beginning to form and strengthen the support we can be for each other. When I worked construction we would often have to raise a wall. Each person needed to hold up their part of the wall. Once a strap (that held the wall to the floor while lifting) broke. One of the veteran framers yelled, "Hold your place!" He basically threatened to hit any one who ran with his 28 oz. rough face hammer if they tried to bail out. We needed everyone to hold their part of the wall and continue to life until it was up, plumed, and nailed in place. Everyone held their place and the wall went up nicely. 

The lesson here is that each of us is needed on the wall. There is a section with our name on it. We each have our section to man and to lift. Have you found your spot?

Father, help us to help with the projects you put before us and lay upon our hearts. Thank you for those around us on the wall. Praise be to you in us today!

KEEP YOUR HEAD: II Timothy 4:5

"But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardships, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."   II Timothy 4:5

What is your primary ministry? Your primary ministry is first to your spouse and then your family. Think about that for a second or two...If there is ever a place where you might not "keep you head" it is usually with your family. Sometimes we come home after holding everything in all day at work and we sort of vent or just sort of relax and then ,"BAM", a little drama, a little or not so little family crisis slams us right in the face! It can be hard to "keep your head" when all you want is just fifteen minutes of peace. 

I think the key is to still remember the grace of God and to let him reign. We can never let down our guard and never give up the reign of Christ in our hearts and minds. The day is not over until I lay my head on the pillow and that is not when I forget about God but when I thank God for bringing me through another day on planet earth. 

Father, bring us through this day and help us to keep our heads in all situations! Praise be to you in us today!

IT IS TIME TO JUST SERVE: I Corinthians 12:7

"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." I Corinthians 12:7

I confess, I have a little inner conflict going on within me. My family and I have been attending a particular church for a few years now. Our daughter is involved with the youth group, which is one of the main reasons we began attending the church. I have been enjoying the mens study on  Wednesday mornings before work and getting to know a few men. But, I know I need to truly serve.

Our pastor has been teaching on the gifts and being involved. I have almost met with him twice since we started attending. I really want to be more involved but I came from a church that was all about jumping through hoops. If for whatever reason you had to take a season (like getting married or having a baby) to readjust your time, you would have to go through this whole hoop jumping process to get to where you felt called. So, I am not into looking good for anyone, I just want to serve. Put me in coach, I'm ready to play.

I know my new pastor really doesn't know me, so, I don't have any issue's with the church not mystically knowing  my gifts and asking me to use them. I just need to do something, whatever I sense God might be putting before me. 

Maybe, you are attending a church but are not really involved. Maybe you sense it is time to step up and just plain serve. Ok, let's pray that God opens our eyes to see the needs right before us and help us to just serve. 

Father, open our eyes and stretch out our hands to serve in your Name. Praise be to you in us today. 

A PRAYER TO BE NOBLE: II Timothy 2:20-21

"In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the later, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." II Timothy 2:20-21

Father, I am thankful to be part of your family and part of your house. Cleanse me from that which is ignoble. Give me a heart for you, your word and your people. Teach me your ways and lead me in your paths of righteousness. Thank you, my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, for being my righteousness! Make me useful and prepared for any good work. Praise be to you in me today! 

YOU ARE THE GUARDIAN: I Timothy 6:20-21

"Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge,which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you." I Timothy 6:20-21

Paul was of course writing to Timothy, a young pastor entrusted with teaching and shepherding of the body of Christ. Paul exhorts him to guard them because they have been entrusted to his care. Timothy knew well what the Apostle meant because he had seen first hand the passion and conviction that Paul shepherded the churches entrusted to his care. 

The question now for us is, what has God entrusted to our care?  We, of course, have our spouses and children. I don't know about you but when I hear most people talk about their marriages it is mostly about their own needs being met. I think we are called to build each other up. We are called to protect our spouses. Does my love for my wife guard her? What about your children?  Are you guarding them? I don't mean being over protective. I mean are you teaching them to live by faith?

I also think it is important to remember that we have been entrusted with God's reputation. Whether I am working or volunteering I am a Christian. I am entrusted with God's reputation in that sphere. 

I actually think it is amazing that God has entrusted me with anything, let alone a marriage, children, the little league families and Scouting groups I am blessed to volunteer with. I can't forget that I represent Christ everywhere I go. Opportunities to see God work will present themselves we just need to remember to be ready. 

Father, help us to guard what you have entrusted to our care. Thank you for counting us worthy of your grace in our lives. Praise be to you in us today! 

GRAB SOME LIFE THAT IS TRULY LIFE: I Timothy 6:19

True story: A general contractor had just finished the foundation on the house he was building and was starting on the first floor. I gentlemen drove up and told him, "That looks real good but that's not where I want my house." The contractor looked at him and asked, "Who are you?" The gentleman said, "The owner of the lot you're building on!" 

"In this way they will lay up for treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." I Timothy 6:19

In the same way that the contractor started to build a house on the wrong lot, many people invest a great deal of their resources in things that will turn out to be off-target at best.

What is essential as far as God is concerned is what should guide our decisions. Taking hold of Christ. Living by faith. Trusting God with all that he has given us and seeking to be a servant of all, that is where life, life that is truly life will be found.  

So, if you find yourself sort of grasping at air, seeking fulfillment for you life, seek it where it is truly found. Life that is life, eternal life is found in Christ. Seek him. 

Father, help us to take hold of life in Christ. Praise be to you in us today!

YOUR TEACHING AND THEIR LEARNING: I Timothy 4:16

"Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." I Timothy 4:16T

Sometimes I will be sitting on the couch reading my email or something on the computer and my youngest son will just walk over and peak to see what I doing. I think he's checking to see if I am playing video games. The point is he's watching. 

As a husband, father, coach, Scout leader and a teacher I am almost always in someones view. Watching my life and doctrine must be a constant. Doctrine is important because I act upon what I truly believe. What I believe about how people should be treated with come out in how I act. I find it interesting that this current generation is not as familiar with the golden rule as previous generations (ask a bunch of teen agers if they have even heard of it). It shows. I want my children to know that Christ laid down his life for them and that example is the example to follow. I need to follow Christ's example so that they might follow Christ's example too. 

Who's watching you? What is your life teaching them? What do you want to teach them?

Father, may our actions reflect you as we seek to live by faith in Christ. Praise be to you in us today!

BE BLESSED BY SERVING: I Timothy 3:13

My family and I have been attending our church for a few years now. We know a few people. I really enjoy the teaching and there is a great youth group. The deal is this: When we go on Sundays we don't really connect that much. I attend the men's study on Wednesday mornings but, it is when we have served that we feel most connected. Attendance does not equal partnership. 

"Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus." I Timothy 3:13

I don't know how else to say this except that the deeper my involvement in church, the deeper my relationship with Christ seems to grow. What Paul is talking about is more than the superficial idea that someone looks up to you as a leader. The idea is that serving Christ's people draws you closer to Christ. 

After washing his disciple's feet Jesus told them that they should do the same for others. Then he said, "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them" (John 13:17). Going to church and hearing about Christ's love and getting a warm fuzzy isn't the same thing because that is not putting you faith in action. There is a blessing that can only come from serving others. That does not mean you have to serve as a Overseer or Deacon, you just need to serve. I saw the guy who sets up the coffee for church talking with/encouraging someone the other day while he was setting out the coffee. And tomorrow morning when I get up early and go to the men's study I am blessed to be able to grab a cup of coffee! 

What's the to do? Just serve. 

Father, you have given each of us a gift a service in our church. Help us to find our place and serve. Praise be to you in us today!

THE NOBLE TASK OF SERVICE: I Timothy 3:1

"Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task." I Timothy 3:1

If you desire to serve God. That's a good thing. Don't let anyone discourage you. Just remember, it's service. It's about doing what needs to be done, whether anyone knows or sees. 

Some churches call this being a Bishop or an Elder. It is someone who is deeply concerned about the spiritual welfare of those around them. Frankly, what I have seen is that people who seek this place of service just do it then are sort of recognized and given more direct responsibility and opportunities to serve. 

If you desire to serve. Serve. Find a way, find a place and serve. 

Just one little word about dealing with some people who might not be exactly encouraging. I have encountered some people in leadership who like to sort of be Holy Spirit helpers. Sometimes they set up hoops for possible leaders to jump threw. They like to put timetables and offer "suggestions" of possible service opportunities to prove yourself. Then there are others who like to emphasize their experience as the prescribed path to leadership. My personal favorite is the "I wasn't even thinking about being a leader" so, therefore if anyone else is thinking about it then they must not really be humble enough to be considered as a leader. 

My advice: Do your best to serve in a Christlike manner. The apostle Paul says desiring to serve is a noble task. 

Father, help us to serve you. Be glorified in our attempts to serve you faithfully. Praise be to you in us today!