Choose to Build

"Everything is permissible"- but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"- but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good but the good of others. 

I Corinthians 10:23-24

As a teacher, I know what actually helps students learn. You can do a lot of things to temporarily get their attention, but, that does not mean the students are actually learning the content. Everything I do in the classroom is to help the students learn, to build them up. The funny thing is, kids don't realize that. Now, as Christians, everything the Word of God tells us is to build us up in Christ. Yet, often we don't realize that truth. 

My purpose and your purpose in the body of Christ is to build each other up, to seek their good. It does not matter what your gifts are, your purpose is to seek the good of others. I have been built up by someone telling me, "Good job, keep it up!" and "Get it together man, your wife needs you to stand strong and encourage her." One was kind of a pat on the back and the other was sort of a slap in the face. Both really built me up. 

So, there are a lot of things you can say and do in the Body of Christ, choose what will build other up in Christ.

Be Strong! Take Heart!

I remain confident of this:
   I will see the goodness of The Lord
   in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
   be strong and take heart
   and wait for the Lord.
Psalms 27:13-14 (NIV)

I love David because sometimes  I can just feel him as I read. It's as if he is coaching himself up in his faith. 

Did you ever watch John McEnroe play tennis? He was notorious for his rants on the tennis court. He often challenged the umpires decisions and made his disapproval with the call known to anyone who could hear. Once while watching him play and listening to him carry on I noticed the he was, for the most part, talking to himself. Telling himself to "get it together!", "I can't believe you missed that shot!", "come on!" And of course, "You cannot be serious!" It was kind of amusing because I couldn't tell who was winning the argument! I always liked watching him play because he played with such hustle and intensity. He constantly exhorted himself to play better and keep hustling.

When it comes to our faith in Christ as we seek to live it out on a daily basis I think we can take a lesson in self motivation. The deal is that we can't wait around for someone else to motivate or encourage us. Sometimes we need to be like David and remind ourselves of God's goodness and to press on in Christ.

Father, help us to remember your goodness and to be strong and take heart. Praise be to you in us today!

GIVE ME AN ENCOURAGING WORD!

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some men 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

If you're not dead, God's not done with you. 

Jesus died for you, and he lives for you! He lives to intercede for you! He's on the job right now!

Do you have a word of encouragement to share? Please share!

Father, pour your spirit upon us! Encourage us in Christ today! Praise be to you in us today!

"I WILL BLESS YOU"

"Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope  offered to us may be greatly encouraged." Hebrews 6:17-18 

The thing about God's purpose in our lives is that it does not change. We change. God doesn't. We change our purpose all the time. We change our goals, hobbies and jobs. But God's purpose in our lives does not change. 

If we look back at verse 14 (which is a look back at Genesis 22:17) the author of Hebrews is pointing out that God told Abraham he would bless him and give him many descendants. Abraham is the father of our faith. He is part of this amazing chain that the brings the Messiah and provides a way for us to be children of God. 

Do you get that? What God says it, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants." God's entry point of assuring Abraham is "I will surely bless you"! God's nature does not change. God's purpose in our lives does not change. Being his children, knowing him and being made into the image of Jesus Christ is his will. Being used by him in his kingdom is his will. He is faithful and will do it. That means he is going to bless us and use us. That's encouraging!

Father, thank you that you do not change! Thank you that you promised to bless us. Praise be to you because you do not change! Praise be to you in us today!

WHO NEEDS ENCOURAGING?

"See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 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 3:12-13

Hang on! Keep believing! God is faithful and he will do what he has promised to do. The enemy wants to discourage you and make you turn away from faith in Christ. There will be trials and you may not be able to make any sense of what is going on in your life at this time. But, keep on turning to Christ. He will complete what he has started!

Now, I have a challenge for you. Can you think of one, maybe two people who might need encouraging? I challenge you to encourage them in some way today. Who is God putting on your heart as you read this? I can think of one person in particular. Maybe the Spirit will put someone in my path today. 

Who will you encourage today?

GOD'S LOVE, DAY OR NIGHT: Psalm 42:8

"By day the LORD directs his love,

     at night his song is with me - 
     a prayer to the God of my life."
 Psalm 42:8  

In the middle of a prayer of longing comes a reminder of the truth: God is directing his love toward you. It is so easy to focus on the feeling of aloneness, isn't it? That is the result of sin, being without hope and without God in this world. 

A very good friend of mine had a very difficult time dealing with the death of his mother. For years he struggled with it. I tried to be empathetic. My biological father had died just after my aunt. My buddy was angry with God for taking his mom. It was hard because he just wouldn't come to grips that everyone dies. In his mind if God loved him he would not have let his mother die. Finally, he came to the place where he could grieve and move on in the knowledge that God loved him.

Sometimes we are in the midst of a "Where are you God?" time. If you are remember that it is not about your feelings, it is about the truth of God's love. The truth is that God directs his love toward us and day or night his Presence is with us. 

Father, thank you that by day you direct you love toward me and at night you put a song in my heart. Help me to live by faith in that truth. Praise be to you in us today!

DON'T MISS THE MOMENT: I Timothy 4:13

"Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching." I Timothy 4:13

I'm off today and I went to my churches' Men's Study this morning. I began attending these early morning studies about a year ago. It has been a very encouraging experience. One of the reoccurring themes is leadership in the home. 

I'm not advocating setting up a pulpit in your home, but, I do believe sharing a verse and maybe a word or two is very beneficial. However it is that you place the Word of God before your family, do it, and do it on a daily basis. I once spent a few weeks with a family that the father read the Bible to his family at breakfast every morning. Here's the deal: you just need to take a step of faith and read the Bible yourself and with your family.

If you think about it there are plenty of moments where you can encourage your spouse and children if you are sensitive to the moments that God places before you. Last night when I prayed with my daughter she shared with me a few success's she hand in school. I caught myself sort of rushing out to get to bed myself. I stopped and sat down with her. I listened to her and encouraged her to continue doing what she was doing and let her know that I love her and am proud of her. Her tone when she said, "Thanks dad!" let me know that she was glad her dad approved of her effort. 

What will be the moments that God puts before you to share the Word of God, to encourage and teach your family? Are you looking for them? Be ready, they'll be there.

Father, help us to see the opportunities to lead our families when they happen and not just realize in hind sight that one just went by us. Praise be to you in us today!

ARE YOU A MALICIOUS TALKER?/ I Timothy 3:11

I know this verse is written concerning the wives of candidates of deacons. That said, I think the message of positive verses negative  communication is valuable for everyone. Especially in this age of emails, texting, instagramming, face-booking, tweeting, and blogging.  

"In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trust worthy in everything." I Timothy 3:11 

My wife has a note (an 8.5" X 11" note) on the refrigerator titled "The Three Sieves Test". The three sieves are: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Sometimes when I want to say something I ask myself, "Does the Holy Spirit need my help to speak to this person?" You know, something said in love, gently and in humility is totally different than the clanging symbol of truth without love.

The word in the original language (Greek) is diabolos. Sound a bit familiar? The King James Version translates it "slanderers". Satan accuses us before the Father day and night (Revelation 12:10). There is a difference between talking about and praying for someone because you are legitimately concerned about their spiritual well being and  just talking about someone and in affect just passing on negative information about someone. You know, some things tear people up and some things build people up. 

A few months ago, I participated in the draft for my son's baseball league. One of the other coaches who is on the league board made a very negative comment about the guy who was going to do the uniforms this year. I kind of lost respect for the board member because it was only meant to demean the other man. It was malicious. 

Remember to build up not tear down. Remember to speak in love, gently and with a humble spirit. How would you like someone to "share" with you?

Father, help us to build each other up in this most holy faith. Praise be to you in us today!

TIME TO OPEN THE GIFTS!: II Thessalonians 2"16-17

Who doesn't like opening a gift? Come on. Admit it. Everybody does. I even like opening stuff I buy on Ebay. As a parent I love to see my children's faces when they open a special gift. Or sometimes I bring home some chocolate for my wife and daughter. Apparently, the gift of chocolate never gets old. Now just think about some of the things God gives us.

"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved  us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." II Thessalonians 2:16-17

First of all, he just loves you. It isn't just that he loved the world. He loves you. The thing about God's love is the it is actually about action, not warm fuzzies. 

One of the gifts is his grace. Grace that gives eternal encouragement and good hope. Eternal encouragement. Think about that. Encouragement that just keeps going. And good hope. Not a false hope. Not a existential leap of faith hope, but a good hope. Who is good? God is good. God can not lie. God can not change. 

Another gift is being able to act (good deeds) and speaks on his behalf. You know. Serving God. Using the gifts that he has given you. God wants to encourage your heart and strengthen you as you step out in faith. 

Father, thank you for eternal encouragement, good hope, and strength that you graciously give to us. Help us to enjoy and use these gifts to know you and make you known. Praise be to you in us today!

THERE IS ENOUGH FOR YOU: Psalms 71:14-15

"But as for me, I will always have hope;
     I will praise you more and more.
 My mouth will tell of your righteousness, 
     of your salvation all day long,
     though I know not its measure." Psalm 71:14-15

There are a lot of things I don't know. There is a lot I do not fully understand. I don't know the depth of God's salvation nor the full meaning of Christ as my righteousness. I just know that it is enough. Because of that truth, I will always have hope. I will be able to praise God more and more. 

You don't need to know everything about Christ, his death and  resurrection, his intercessory role before the Father and the promise of his second coming. You just need to know it is enough. Christ's righteousness in you, your salvation, is a lifetime lesson learned everyday.

Father, open the eyes of our understanding to see you in our lives today. Praise be to you in us today!

NEEDED: YOU: I Thessalonians 5:14

Sometimes I need to leave my class to meet with parents and other staff members. Another teacher will cover my class. Just before I leave I give them a few important instructions. Paul gives the Thessalonians a few last instructions that I think can help us too.

"And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone." I Thessalonians 5:14 

There is a certain group of people, you know, the ones who always start conversations with expressions like, "You know what you should do..." or, "Why don't they...". They're the "Here I am send him/her" people. They tend to be critical but not helpful. That is why Paul instructs the whole church, not just the leadership, to warn those who are idle. Did you get that? He tells them to warn them, not help them. In II Thessalonians 3:10 Paul reminds them that he told them, "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." 

Then we are told to encourage the timid. Some versions translate this as feeble-minded. Some people just need to encouragement to get going. Who do you know who needs you to encourage them? 

Next we are to help the weak. We all have our strength. We all have our weaknesses. If you think you don't, that's yours. Sometimes to be Christlike is to just come along side someone and sort of walk with them from time to time.

Finally, be patient with everyone. That's the reality, isn't it. We all need to be recipients of someone else's patience more often than we know. That's when we get back to the truth that we love because Christ first loved us. God's is very patient with me. I have no right to not be patient with someone else. I am not saying it is easy, I am only saying it is what we are called to do. 

Father, thank you for your warnings, encouragement, help and patience towards us. Thank you for your love. Help us to love as you loved us. Praise be to you in us today!

SALVATION FOR YOU! I Thesssalonians 5:9-11

I remember my first year teaching and I was getting a few things ready before class one morning. I heard my name being called over the intercom and that I was to report to the office. As a classic middle child/oldest son I started asking myself what I did wrong that I was being called to the Principals' office, as a teacher! It turned out to be something unrelated to me but my presence was requested (which is a story for another day). My point is that as a middle child/oldest son I expect to get the blame. But as a Christian, that is not the way it is. 

"For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." I Thessalonians 5:9-11

Appoint is such a strong word. Think about it. To be appointed is to be placed in a position. For many people who believe in reincarnation their lot in life is appointed. That is one reason why poverty is so pervasive in India. People are trying to be good poor people so in the next life they can move up to a higher station in life. 

Christianity is not like that. We were not placed in a position to receive wrath. We have been placed in Christ to receive salvation through him. That is what God has appointed us for, to receive salvation. He died for us that we can live together with him. That is why Christ died. He died so we could enjoy being part of his family, encouraging and building each other up. 

Today's To Do's: 1. Receive salvation through out Lord Jesus Christ and what that means for you today! 2. Encourage someone else. Just watch what happens. 3. Build each other up. Help someone else succeed. Watch God work!

Father, help us  to receive your salvation, encourage one person and build someone up today! Praise be to you in us today!

HE'S COMING TO TAKE US HOME! I Thessalonians 4:14-18

"We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him...After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words." I Thessalonians 4:14,17-18

There are at least two times that Jesus comes into your life and changes things altogether. The first time is when you realize is died for your sins and you accept him as your Savior and Lord. There will come another time when he comes to take us home. 

Sometimes in the here and now we forget the eternal nature of the salvation we have been given. Circumstances, at the present time, may not seem to be working out for the good. The trials just keep coming and there seems to be no end in sight. These things will happen. The truth still stands that Jesus will come again. He will catch us up to meet with him. I don't know the time, I don't know the hour. I just know his word says he will. 

All that happens now is only temporary. Our salvation is eternal. There will be many times that Christ will touch your life between the first day you realize he is your Savior and Lord and the day he comes to take you home. Trials will come, trials will go. One day, it will all end and we will be with the Lord forever. That is good news. 

Father, thank you that you sent your Son to die for my sins. Thank you that He will come again to bring us home. Thank you for so great a salvation! Praise be to you in us today!

LOVE MORE, BE STRONG! I Thessalonians 3:12-13

Paul the Apostle kind of reminds me of a coach sometimes. I have a friend of mine who calls his team together during a game and says, "Your guys are doing great! Now just..." and then he tells them what he wants them to do. Think about the Thessalonians. They are going through trials and persecution. Things aren't easy but they are hanging in there! So Paul emphasizes a few things he wants them to keep doing.

"May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy  in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones."                   I Thessalonians 3:12-13

The first thing Paul reminds them to keep doing is loving. Don't just love a little or just enough to get by but, love more than you think is enough. Remember, we love because Christ love us! Our aim is to have a love for others that grows and overflows. That is God working in and through your life. Look to love. 

The second thing Paul stresses is that God would strengthen their hearts. We need to look to God. Isn't that what we are doing right now? Seeking God to strengthen us so that we might, as Paul encourages the Thessalonians, be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. 

God is our source of love and strength. The reality is you don't know the love of God is really in you until you love someone else. You don't know the strength of God in you until you need to be blameless and holy. At some point today I will need the love of God to deal with someone. I will need the strength of God to be blameless and holy in my actions. He will provide.

Father, we look to you for love that increases and overflows. We call upon you to strengthen us to stand the tests we will face today! Praise be to you in us today! Thanks you, Lord!

IT'S A TRIAL, DEAL WITH IT. I Thessalonians 3:2-3

Every now and then we need a little slap in the face to get us back on track. My wife was in the hospital once for an operation and we weren't quite sure what the problem was. I was very concerned. My pastor at the time happened to be there for something and we spoke for a moment. He didn't tell me everything would be OK. He told me to get it together, trust God, go encourage my wife because she needed me to be strong. That was exactly what I needed. I think  that is what Paul is doing here.

"We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials." I Thessalonians 3:2-3 

Whatever you are going through, be strengthen in Christ. Look to him. Know he is Sovereign Lord over all things. Trust in him, not yourself, not your job, not your spouse, not the government. Be strengthen in Christ and the power of his resurrection.

Whatever you are going through, be encouraged in Christ. Let your faith be in Christ. I am not asking you to see the end from the beginning, you can't, but Christ does. Christ is faithful to complete the work he began in you. He will. 

Trials come. Trials go. You and I may be surprised and feel overwhelmed but God is neither surprised or overwhelmed. Look to God, he will take you through. When Paul was first saved Ananias was sent to tell him how much he would suffer for Christ's name (Acts 9:15-16). Trails will come, trails will go, but God will never leave you. 

Father, give us the strength to be stand in the trials we face. Strengthen us and encourage us in Christ. Praise be to you in us today!