And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25
If we are not careful church can become just another object to check off of our list at the end of the day. We go because that’s what Christians do. That’s what Grandma and Grandpa did, and they would certainly be disappointed if we didn’t follow suit. Nonetheless, the church should be more than just a ritualistic duty in the life of our religion. We should go with the distinct and passionate purpose to learn, to worship, and to fellowship with our brothers and sisters. When church becomes just another task to complete we are essentially saying that worshipping God is boring. It shouldn’t be. We should look forward to this day more than any other day of the week. The church should be our safe place. It’s our home. Our family is there. They need us, and they need us to show up. We are each other’s familiar, kind faces in a scary and unpredictable world. We laugh together, cry together, and if you are baptist then I know you eat together. A lot. Our church family is depending on us for prayer and to pick them up when they fall. We need each other. The church needs us to draw people into the doors by the love of Christ, but it we don’t want to go to church, why would anyone else? Get excited. Get others excited. We get to go and worship The King of Kings. We get to hangout with Jesus. It’s better than date night. It’s better than a sports event. It’s better than your favorite TV show. If we are not eager to go then we are doing the church a huge disservice. Our enthusiasm can ignite a spark that has been missing in another person’s life. By serving with a genuinely happy disposition someone may begin to wonder how they can also feel that type of joy. So, Christians, let’s have each other’s back. Let’s look forward to serving with one another, and when you see someone start to fall – pick them up. Let’s get excited to worship Jesus. Let’s go to church on fire because we love Jesus, and we love our brothers and sisters in Christ. We all have the same goal – get as many people into Heaven as possible. It’s go time.
Dear God, today please help me see if one of my brothers or sisters in Christ is struggling. If they are, give me the right words to say to encourage them. Let others see the excitement in my heart, and let them know it’s because of you. I want to be a vessel for you. Amen.
When we serve others we are serving Jesus. That really puts things into perspective. It may sound crazy, but it really is the perfect opportunity to serve Christ. Think about it. If Jesus was standing on the corner asking for money for a meal would we dismiss him as quickly as we do the homeless man? What if Jesus was walking through a parking lot carrying a ton of groceries and a baby on His hip? Would we walk hastily right past Him, or would we stop and lend a hand? If Jesus asked us to cook dinner on Wednesday night for the church would we be too busy, or would we step up and do it? Yikes. I definitely struggle in that area. I am the person that brings store bought cookies on Wednesday nights. Not the good ones with icing and sprinkles either. I bring Chips Ahoy. It’s shameful really. I know I need to try harder. I wouldn’t bring Jesus Chips Ahoy. I would bring him cookies with extra chocolate chips that were homemade. It’s time to start treating others as esteemed as we would Christ. It’s really easy to get so caught up inside of our own little world that we shrug off helping others and don’t even realize it. In today’s modern society our minds are going ninety to nothing the majority of the day. When we are walking through the parking lot we are more than likely looking down at our phone checking emails. Guilty. It’s time for me, and for you, to look up and look around. There are opportunities all around us to extend a helping hand. I guarantee if we knew that Jesus was going to be in the parking lot needing help we would chunk our phone to the bottom of our purse and run to him. We would sprint. So let’s try a little harder. Let’s look around and reach out to our brothers and sisters. After all, they are a part of Christ.
en. We want to know that people have our best interest at heart. However, when we are interacting with others do we focus on making them feel that same way? When someone makes us angry do we focus on what caused them to act that way, or are we just focused on getting even? It’s easy to get caught up in our own emotions from day to day. Maybe someone hurt our feelings, maybe someone ignored us, or maybe someone invited someone else to go with them to eat. These acts, intentional or not, can really get us down in the dumps. It is so hard to overcome these feelings of insecurity. And even though it is hard when we feel slighted, we still need to treat others the way we want to be treated. No matter what they have done. No matter what they have said. It is so important to rise above these situations and extend the love of Christ to every single person. Being nice to someone who is not nice to you may just change their perspective. It may be the only glimpse of Jesus that they ever see. No matter how hard it is for us to swallow our pride, and no matter how hard it is for us to hold our tongue, this type of self-control is definitely a characteristic of the type of person Jesus is calling us to be.
This is where it gets hard. This is where our flesh tends to creep in. We have worked so hard serving others and not one thank you. Either no one noticed or no one cares. If we are not careful we can quickly become bitter. When we set our expectations on how the people around us are going to respond to our acts of servanthood then our heart is in the wrong place. This is especially hard when we have spent so much time giving of ourselves and there is no earthly return. How can we get to the place that serving others is truly just about serving and not about the hope of accolades? Prayer. Worship. A strong foundation in Christ. Remembering who we are serving and why. We need to constantly remind ourselves that Jesus came to this Earth to save us, and we killed him in the most inhumane and brutal way. Who are we to think that we deserve some high honor for bringing food to the church potluck when Jesus gave his life for a race that half the time isn’t grateful? So many tasks that we do on a daily basis often times seem meaningless. It is important to remember that if these works are for Christ then they are definitely not insignificant. Although we are weary and tired here on Earth, and we are unsure if what we are doing even matters, we do have a reward in Heaven. 2 Chronicles 15:7 states, “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” So keep going, guys! Keep on keepin’ on because no matter how tired, how overworked you are, there is a huge reward in Heaven. And even if you do not hear one thank you here on Earth, I know Jesus is thanking you. I know He is proud of you. I know that he would be working right by your side. Let’s get to the point where serving others is just that. No strings attached, no expectations, just love.
Missionaries amaze me. They selflessly give up all of their earthly treasures and travel to a new place. A place that is far away from family and far away from Americanized amenities. They leave their home, their church, and their closest friends. That kind of surrender to Christ is the epitome of what true servanthood looks like to me. I stand in awe of missionaries because God specifically called them to serve in the hardest possible way that I can imagine. He knows their hearts, and He knows their hearts are pure and selfless. He knows that they will go. So, why doesn’t God ask all of us to uproot and move from our nice, comfortable homes? This is something that I have wondered about a lot. Even Christians, if we are not careful, can get caught up in the comparison game. We ask, “Why not me God? Is my heart flawed?” When in all actuality God just knew that we were better suited in a different area of serving. Not a lesser area – just a different one. All around us people are hurting. They are sick and tired of being sick and tired. They are chasing after things that will never satisfy their souls. As Christians, we are called to point them in the direction of Christ. We can do that right where we are at. Right here in our own community. He wants us to reach out to people that will not reach out on their own. He wants us to tell them about the hope and peace that only He can bring. People in other countries may not have heard about Christ, and it is imperative that missionaries go and spread the gospel. But don’t forget about the work that needs to be done right here at home. People in our community have heard about Christ, but do they really know the power of having a relationship with him? Do they know that He can and will wipe away all of their tears, calm the storm that is raging in their heart, and give them the hope that they need to keep going? People are hurting. People are hurting right here. If God hasn’t called you to a far away country I can promise you this – He has called you somewhere. You were called. We are called. There is a community/town/city somewhere that has your name on it. This is the place where God wants you to preach his Gospel. Let’s serve by speaking God’s truths into our place. Wherever that may be.
What did Christ do for us? The obvious answer is that He died on the cross for our sins, which is huge. This was absolutely the ultimate sacrifice. The big picture. But let’s not forget the many other things that Jesus did and still does for us. Jesus washed feet, ate last, stopped and listened at the well, rolled the stone away, made the blind see again, turned around, helped the lame walk, and cleansed the lepers. He was a friend, a confidant, a steady hand, and He calmed the storms. Can we literally make a thunderstorm or tornado go away? No, we cannot. However, with prayer, a kind word, and a tender heart we can help ease the storms that are surfacing inside our neighbors’ lives. Can we heal the sick? I’m not a doctor, but I know the greatest healer of all, and He is just a prayer away. All through the bible, Jesus has painted a picture for us of how we should treat and serve others. Yes, He performed some large-scale miracles that prove how amazing our God truly is; He also showed us through small acts of grace and service how Christians should live out their daily lives.
Sometimes the best way we can serve people is just by being where they are. In a happy situation, we can sincerely celebrate their accomplishments or dreams with them by fully immersing ourselves in the moment. How did they arrive at this place? How hard did they work to get here? Why is this so important to them? Don’t just dismiss their achievements with a nonchalant atta boy; instead, truly celebrate the moment with them. They’ve worked hard. This is important to them, and by showing them that you truly “get that” then you are showing them a small glimpse of Jesus within you. Because Jesus cares. Jesus celebrates with us. Jesus knows when things are a big deal. He was never jealous of others’ good fortune. He was genuinely and honestly happy for them. If we want to be true stewards of Christ then we need to foster the same type of positive attitude toward others. Likewise, when someone is going through a time of pain, we need to legitimately be there for them. What has taken place for them to be in a place of mourning? How would we feel if this happened to us? How would we want our friends to act in this situation? When life is busy and demands are beating down our doors, it can be hard to recognize what needs our friends may have. This is where we need to stop and pause. We have to push our own needs to the side for a bit and focus on our neighbor. They may only want text messages full of prayers and kind words, or they may want you to come over and sit in silence with them. It may be taking time out to cook for them or to watch their children. Everyone is different. Everyone has different needs. It is so important as Christians to be sensitive to the personalities of the people we are serving and ministering to. Showing someone that we are there for them is a huge gesture. It is an indication that they are not alone, and that they can make it through whatever storm they are currently drowning in. Our ultimate goal is that they would see Jesus in us as we are serving them. Jesus is our one and only hope. So, whether people are celebrating a new job position or they were just bombarded with unexpected news – be there for them.
ur enemies is a reflection of Christ’s heart living within you. It is a reflection of Christ’s strength. Your being will always be weak;
You’ve heard the old adage “It is better to be a parent than a child on Christmas morning.” How true is that?! I mean the look on their faces. The excitement in your heart because you know what is inside the box that they are about to open. You know how badly they have wanted this specific item. As a mom, you don’t even need a present because of that look on their face – that’s it. That’s the stuff. Jesus was the ultimate gift giver. He gave his life so that we could live ours, and that made him genuinly happy. He gave his life for every single one of us. He knew that we would often dismiss him. He knew we would push him to the back burner to go about our busy, self-centered lives. We were so unworthy, but he still gave. It is so important for us to remember the willingness that Jesus exuded in his giving. God has given us so much in hopes that we will, in turn, do the same. Whether it be time, money, love, a listening ear, or a strong arm, God wants us to truly give with our whole heart. With that being said, we cannot give with the expectation of gaining something in return for our works. It is extremely important for us to not get caught up in the “what’s in it for me” mentality. Matthew 6:3-4 states, “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” You know what I love? I love the pay it forward movement. When I hear about people paying for other people’s coffee it just makes me happy. I mean how good does that feel! That’s just a small way to turn someone’s entire day around. Let’s start looking for small and large instances where we can give back or pay it forward. Let’s serve by giving. Let’s start a giving revolution.
Rays of Sunshine inc 