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Here is our passage for the week, Matthew 5:43-48.
"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Some questions to stimulate your thinking:
- What is your first impression of this passage?
- Do you pray for your enemies?
- Do you pray for those who persecute you by spreading gossip and lies about you?
- What is the point about God causing the sun to shine on the good and the bad?
- How can we get out of our "love those who love you" comfort zone?
- How far can we go with our own perfection?
19 comments:
I came across THIS INTERESTING ARTICLE a couple of days ago. I think it is relevant to our discussion this week about how we treat others who do not think or believe as we do. What do you think?
[I did not know that about Lance Armstrong, but I had my suspicions.]
Happy New Year to all and to all a wonderful and Happy New Year. For years I have traveled from state to state, to city to city not knowing where God will lead me to next. This year I have prayed asking God to root me in a church home with not only God fearing people but people who I can call my family. So far he has answered that prayer. In the month that I have been here in Mitchell Indiana, I have been welcome to three homes, including my own. God has blessed me and I know that he will continue to bless me throughout my stay here in Mitchell, Indiana. Thank you all for welcoming me into your heart and into your homes. You have no clue to how much I appreciate it and with a smile, I will end by saying God bless all. Your friend and Brother in Christ.
I really enjoyed yesterday (Sunday). I actually slept in until 6.30. I attended worship at Indiana Avenue Church of Christ in Bloomington. I wanted to see how Pat and the church there are doing. Things are going well there, which doesn’t surprise me in the least. Pat is a wonderful minister. He really loves the people and everything flows from that. He is one of the most genuine, authentic people I know. I think Pat is the most effective minister I know in a smaller church context. I have learned a lot from him. He is a true and great friend.
Yesterday afternoon my three boys met me in Bloomington and we went to the Colts game. I thoroughly enjoyed that, as I always do. Something kinda funny happened. A couple of sections of people tried to start the wave several times. Several times it got off to a great start, progressed well, and then it would hit section 301. Those folks were either asleep or mad or just plain unaware. It stopped every time it hit that section. The entire stadium booed them several times. I think it provides several lessons about leadership and followship...
In so many ways I wish I was at MCOC yesterday morning. I heard Gary and others did an excellent job. That was the word 2-3 people used to describe it. I also heard the presentation to Jerry and Cathy was very touching. Jerry and Cathy are wonderful people, and we really are going to miss them in many ways. Let’s pray that the Lehigh plant in Mitchell will call him back SOON.
Didn’t make it to the New Year’s Eve party. Actually didn’t even make it to midnight. I was sound asleep by then. I figured the New Year would start without me. Got up at 5.30 this morning, and, sure enough, it had started. I went to the Park at 8.15 and ran 10 miles with Tony; Anthony joined us for part of it. It was a nice way to get things going in 2007. Tony and I are trying to get ready for our big 50K (31 mile) run at the end of this month. We’ll be glad when it’s over.
So what’s up with you? And what do you think of our text this week?
I recently finished reading Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - An Inquiry into Values. Wow! I loved it; not sure I comprehended all of it. Well, actually I am sure that I did NOT comprehend all of it. It is definitely a journey into what Pirsig calls “the high country of the mind.”
In the high country of the mind one has to become adjusted to the thinner air of uncertainty, and to the enormous magnitude of questions asked, and to the answers proposed by these questions. The sweep goes on and on and on so obviously much further than the mind can grasp one hesitates even to go near for fear of getting lost in them and never finding one’s way out.
What is truth and how do you know it when you have it? . . .How do we really know anything?
Next to Pirsig’s thoughts I place Luke Timothy Johnson’s:
Christians need to begin by insisting, first of all to themselves, then to each other, and finally to the world, that faith itself is a way of knowing reality. They need to insist that faith establishes contact with reality in a way different from, but no less real than, the very limited (though, in their fashion, extremely impressive) ways of knowing by which the wheels of the world’s empirical engine are kept spinning. Christians need as well to cultivate practices that reveal and reinforce perceptions of the world that include “things invisible” as much as “things visible.”
And how about these thoughts?
Hebrews 11:3 — By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
Hebrews 11:6 — And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
I’ve been to the high country a few times. It is a little scary. Really. But it always leads to me to a deeper faith as I marvel at God’s infinite knowledge and wisdom. My mind boggles that he shares some of that with us. By faith I believe that Jesus is the way to know anything. He is the Truth.
Tonight was a wonderful night as we went down to Louisville to sing, pray, worship and hand out food and clothing to the homeless people down in the area. I had prayed for a few people who were struggling through things and to pray for them brought a lot of joy into my heart. It was great watching the people cause they were there not only for the physical food but they were also there for the spiritual food as well. Once the speaker was done speaking, those who wanted prayer, came and got their prayer first and than recieved the physical food next. Thanks church family for providing the transportation and the opportunity to give and to receive the blessings that was there. Once again from your brother in Christ. Amen
I've decided to make a never before thought of "New Years Resolution" I'm going to loose 30 pounds! Wha Ha You know if you read about the athiest who got a hate letter put on his vehicle,it could not have been put there by a true christian.
First of all I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year.
My new year was brought in with a big eye opener. As most of you know my family and I have lived in many different countries and have seen many different things. But nothing prepared me for what I saw yesterday in Loisville with the "River City Love Squad". It hit me like a tone of bricks. These people had no place to go after the service was finished. All we (35+) had to do was tough it out in the cold for an hour or so worshipping and singing. Then we could get in to our warm vehicles, go to get a bite to eat and then head to our warm homes & and get a good night sleep. It broke my heart to realize how lucky we truly are. It is so easy for us to take advantage of the things we have. So many times I think nothing of having a roof over my head, running water, electric, food and the list goes on. I thought roughing it was going out to Spring Mill and camping. Wow, these people are sleeping under cardboard box's and I would grumble if I had to sleep in a tent with a sleeping bag. I'm not sure if I'm alone here on taking my living condition for granted but that is my New Years Resolution is to thank God more often for not making me worry about where I'm going to sleep or eat.
One last comment. Jay and I took Jayda last night to Louisville and I was so proud of her and Brett Roberts. They were the two youngest representing our church and these two gals did a fine job showing the true love our church has for others. At one point Jayda got out of the serving line because there was a group going to the rest room but then she decided not to go. In the short time she got out of the serving line, Lester had jumped right in to help Brett pass out Brownies. All of these kids wanted to do their part and I'm so proud of each and everyone of them. We are such a blessed church to have so many wonderful members, young and old.
Now that I've wrote a book, I will let you all rest your eyes. :)
Jamie
I think the lesson thought that strikes me most is one that I have thought a lot about over the last 10 years. Why does God let it rain on the bad along with the good. With all of the heart issues that I have had over the years, a lot of people have said things to me like that. I think the one statement that I heard from the Marriage Matters Seminar that made the biggest impression was "If good things only happened to good people and bad things only happened to bad people, then we would be good for the wrong reasons". I think that probably hit home to me more than many around me at the time. If Chistian's lives were all roses and candy, there would be a lot more of us in name, but our faith would be weak or nonexistant. Why would you need faith that things would be better someday? Things would be great all the time. I think the key to hardships in Christian's lives is how we react to them and how the world sees us react. Show me the passage where it says that being a Christian was going to be easy....
Brent
I can fondly remember a dear person in our lives, Effie Inman making the statement that the rain falls on everyone and hearing Brent's comments touched my heart so deeply. We are so proud of our son and all that he is to God and to his family. To live each day with gratefulness and praise in spite of circumstances is a challenge and a blessing. Each of us is a heartbeat away from eternity. To live joyfully and with gratitude not only enriches the lives around us but it enriches our own life too. Life is not easy but life is good and eternal life is better. Growth truly comes in the struggles. It would be a pretty bland and empty life if the challenges were not around us daily in relationships with others and issues of health and daily needs. Jamie, what a beautiful blog you have written. What a blessing you and the others were to those people. How blessed we are. Have a very happy and blessed new year. Sherron
Great posts all to start the New Year. First, Gino, welcome to "home" man!
Allen, I have another Zen book for you to read. It is "Zen in the art of Archery". I also had to read this one for a religion class in college.
On your article, yes, Armstrong believes the doctors and his own strong will cured him of his cancer. What a shame that he could be such a positive example for so many. Fortunately, most of the professional athletes such as him, at least reference God from time to time in their speach. ( I am trying not to get started on Armstrong, but read his books if you want a good insight on him)
Monday evening and the trip to Louisville was an excellent way to start the new year. I was so proud of our youth in general. I had the pleasure of having a van load of special young ladies. We had some really good discussions about being a servant for God to those such as the homeless. The future of the church is in good hands. I like Jamie, am proud of the two young ones. Bret has a heart for this type of work and said this was the best part of Christmas break. Rhonna and I have talked a lot about this after we returned Monday evening. Wow.
On Allen's topic this week, I do say a prayer for my "enemies" and I pray to be understanding of them. Not always easy to do, but necessary. Just as the individual who left the note apparently did, we often do much harm to our beliefs and fuel the fire of the enemy by our actions.
A lot of deaths in our church family this week, please keep them all in our prayers.
RR
Good Morning everyone. You all can tell me to shut up whenever you want. I just found a wonderful chapter in Max Lucado's book 'Traveling Light' which discusses the 23rd Psalm. In the chapter 'You Anoint My Head With Oil' disappointments are discussed and how they show us that we are not the ones in control. He discusses the importance of oil to sheep and the shepherd's use of it to prevent injury when put on the heads of rams during mating season when they butt heads and the oil makes them slide off of one another. Oil was used in the sheep's nose to prevent parasites which can drive the sheep insane and he will beat his head on rocks and even kill itself without this preventative measure used by the shepherd. All of the injuries occur by simply living in the pasture. Thorns prick, rocks cut. They get hurt. The good shepherd constantly is checking his sheep for injuries and treats their diseases and prevents further injury from occuring. If he fails to treat the sheep today the cuts become infected tomorrow. We, like sheep need the healing touch. We butt heads, get irritated and wounded. Many of the disappointments in life begin as small wounds and if we allow it to happen these small wounds lead to bitterness. And so just like sheep, we need to be treated. He made us, we belong to Him; we are His people, the sheep he tends. He states that our day to day disappointments are not lion sized attacks, but day to day swarms of frustrations, mishaps and heartaches. Some of our deepest hurts come from butting heads with others. These wounds come from living in the pasture. Sheep face thorns, thistles, insects and injury. We face aging, loss, illness, betrayal and injustice. We, like sheep have a Shepherd to heal the wounds. We belong to Him, we are His people and the sheep He tends. He will tend to you. What comforting words. I hope they bring you a blessing today. Love you all. Sherron
I wish I had time to comment on everything said this week, but I don’t have it right now. Maybe later. CLICK HERE for a written version of Jack’s funeral yesterday. Wayne’s part is not here but, as you can imagine, was very powerful. It has been a strange week in many ways. Lots of death in our church family. I am looking forward to being with everyone on Sunday. It was so nice being in class last night. I needed the encouragement.
Allen: That is beautiful. As I read it here at my desk the tears ran down my cheek. The whole time I had this picture of Jack sitting in the back of the church with a big smile on his face and every one passing him, he gave that bone crushing hand shake to. As Duane said, Jack was and is our role model on how to handle life!
RR
Thanks Ryan. Wayne emphasized Jack's strong handshake (and eye contact) is his words.
I am working on Sunday's assembly, trying to figure out what to say/do about all the deaths this week. Wayne reminded me of this passage:
Ecclesiastes 7:2-4
It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.
Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.
This certainly is a time to reflect on death and life, which a good, good thing. I am wondering what impact such reflection has on loving one's enemies?
It was 1975 that I lost my bestfriend to death. We both were the same age (9) and we did everything together, went to sport events, chase girls, teased girls, you know the things boys like to do. The only time we werent together was when we were dreaming cause he had his dreams and I had my dreams, (dreaming about girls). The day that the Lord took Al home, was the day I wanted to die and join Al because I knew if God took Al home, there was a reason for it and I wanted to be a part of that reasoning. Through out the years I have never forgotten Al and there are times I have told my stories about Al and I. I miss Al but you know what, I am glad that God took Al home when he did because there are things happening here that I prefer Al not to know or see. When I die, I dont want anyone mourning for me but rejoice instead knowing that I am going to a place, where murder, rape, cancer, AIDS, robbery, suicide, bitterness and hate doesnt exist. I am going to be next to the Lord, Jesus Christ. How can you mourn knowing that a love one is going to heaven. I have since lost family member to death knowing their faith and trust in the Lord is their ticket home, so if you trust that your love one is with God, wipe away those sad tears and celebrate with tears of joy. I cant wait to get to heaven so I can tell Al about the drama I went and saw while I was still here.
Beautiful thoughts well expressed, Gino. I think the death of a person of God is a wonderful thing. If we really believe what we say, then it is victory. So why do we grieve? I think it is simply the loss of relationship. Jack Cox died in a wonderful way. I am full of joy about that, but I had difficulty maintaining my composure at this funeral, which is something I rarely do. I guess I fought back tears because I will miss him in so many ways, and I kept thinking about Lois losing her best friend of more than 51 years. The grief of a Christian, though very real and painful, is different. We don’t “grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.”
I Thessalonians 4:13-18
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 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. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 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.
And why do some Christians seem to dread death? Commenting on problems or difficulties, people often say, “Well, its beats the alternative,” meaning death. Sometimes I would like to challenge that, but I don’t. Paul words in Philippians 1:21 certainly challenge such a pessimistic view. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Read also 2 Corinthians 5.
I have a question to ask and it has to do with David from 2nd Samuel. Last night as I was reading 2nd Samuel 22 starting at verse 1. Samuel is singing to the Lord but if you go to verse 21 through 25, David is singing as if he lived according to God laws and we know, that David was far away from being a saint. 24 is a real kicker cause he say, I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. My Question is this, is David in denial cause he cant be singing to the Lord. This guy had a man sent into battle to be killed so he could have his wife and he is singing to the Lord about being kept from sin. No wonder God stopped me from drinking 20 years ago, cause David was either smoking some good weed or drunk..
Here’s a quick-not-well-thought-out response: David was copping a supernatural grace-understanding buzz; not weed, no booze. [This passage is also Psalm 18.] It is hard for us to comprehend God’s grace and forgiveness. He really was blameless in God's eyes, thanks to grace, repentance, and forgiveness. David got it. Is that why he is characterized as “a man after God’s own heart”?
Along with our 48 hours of prayer this weekend, I am reading Phillip Yancey’s latest book, Prayer - Does It Make Any Difference? One of the things he emphasizes early in the book is the need to have God’s perspective. David had it. I struggle to see it sometimes, and this always leads to unsettledness, stress, and anxiety.
God, help me to see me as you see me.
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