Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Can they see it?


So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:34-35 NLT (emphasis mine)

As I promised, I began my day by reading God's word, and I was not disappointed! I treasure this verse in the gospel of John. Being kind and serving other Christ followers is much more than just kindness (it is a command, after all!). But it's also a powerful tool for sharing Christ with the world around us. Think about this: as you serve fellow believers by sharing your gifts and talents, you're showing the world you really are a follower of Jesus. As you show love by bearing someone else's burden or meeting a brother or sister's need, you prove to those who are watching your life that your faith in Him is genuine.

If our love for each other proves to a watching world that we are His disciples, what does strife between us show them? Discord and disagreement between believers proclaims to a skeptical world that we are not who we say we are. Next time you're tempted to be at odds with another believer, consider who may be watching. Is it worth it? Maybe we should seek to live in peace with one another, loving each other, so the world will believe us when we say we are following Jesus.

Prayer for Today: Father, help me to love, serve, and be at peace with other believers, so those who are watching my life may believe I am truly Your disciple. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Reader for life


"Lord, to whom would we go?  You have the words that give eternal life."  John 6:68 NLT

Wow. It's been over a month since I posted anything new. When my husband mentioned it, I told him I just haven't really had much to say. "All evidence to the contrary", he quipped. Ok, so maybe I have a tendancy to be a little opinionated and....umm....vocal. "He's right", I thought.  So why is the well that I write from so dry? I think I've found the answer.

I've become an avid-no,a voracious-reader. My husband and I are pastoring a growing new church, and I need wisdom in everything!  My nightstand is home to LOTS of books.  There are volumes on church growth, leadership, and creating community. Books about small groups, spiritual growth, and faith. There are titles by Hybels, Stanley, McManus and Chan. At any given moment, I'm reading at least two books.  But there's another book on my nightstand, one I don't read as much.  It's a large leather-bound volume, pushed to one side, behind my reading lamp.  Maybe you've heard of it.  It's called The Bible.  Oh yeah, that.  The Word of God.  The Word of life.  The Word that transforms, strengthens, instructs and corrects.  The Word that is wisdom.  That Book.  

Since I became a Christ follower, I've read, studied, prayed, meditated, believed, even memorized God's words.  But lately I've neglected them.  I've read about the Bible more than the Bible itself.  And it shows.  The last few months have been filled with amazing church growth, and so much fruitful work.  But there have also been growing pains, and a personal life filled with stress and change.  At times I find myself moody, sullen, quick-tempered, even weak in faith.  Why?  Because that really important Book is pushed to one side, behind my reading lamp instead of hidden in my heart, and on my lips. 

 If we feel dry or malnourished, maybe we need to look at our spiritual "diet" to find out why.  Perhaps we're not drinking from the rivers of living water (John 7:38)  Maybe we're neglecting the milk of the word (1Peter 2:2).  But the good news is we don't have to stay there.  I've commited to begin every day reading God's word.  Not just the devotions I read, or books about the Bible.  But reading the actual Bible every day, before I do anything else.  I don't want to be just a reader, but a reader for life!  Will you join me?