Christ-follower, Husband, Dad, Pastor

Church

April 25, 2013

EGGSactly What You Need

Have you ever had an object lesson go bad? I mean, really badly? So badly that you were are left speechless?

Object lessons can be a great tool when communicating with kids and adults. The use of physical objects aids the retention of a message as proven in my brother’s applied research project for his doctorate.  (That’s the reason, we call  Barry “Dr. Barry”!) But sometimes, the chosen object can change the message in unintended ways.

In my years of ministry, I have used object lessons in chapels, children’s church, camps, mission trips, banquets, weddings, funerals, kindergarten graduations, and Sunday morning sermons. When something works well, I try to remember and save the object for future application. I have boxes (and shelves and piles and stacks) of objects, tools, illusions, and toys hidden away in my office. Patti calls it “junk”; I call it “ministry material”.

During a recent sports banquet for Valley Fellowship Christian Academy, I was asked to speak and so I once again dug into one of my boxes to find my “indestructible” eggs. Because they look so similar to real eggs, I have used them various ways – juggling them, throwing them, rolling them. Each time, the eggs helped me to get my points across.

At the banquet I threw the egg onto the tile floor of the fellowship hall, envisaging a surprised audience amazed by an unbroken egg – reminding my listeners that God’s power within them was greater than anything the world could throw at them.

“Dear children, you belong to God. So you have won the victory over these people, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”  (1 John 4:4 GW)

First and foremost, you need to remove the grille with care, so that the fan attached to the grille is in intact condition and no wire comes out. canada levitra Availability of high quality medication at the wholesale viagra online cheapest prices has increased the rate of ED treatment. The rate of progression depends on the body delivering – and trapping – the blood in the penis by blocking the arteries that allow blood to flow into and out of the penis, damage to the nerves that send signals from the body’s central nervous system to the penis, and, more rarely, a deficiency in the affluent degree of order generic levitra donssite.com oxygen. The research team of Chicago helped with the evidence saying that men detected with diabetes are not interested in having sex. canadian pharmacy cialis Unfortunately, my egg had never faced this particular tile floor and I was left with metaphorical egg on my face.

I fully eggs-pected the egg to bounce, eggs-ept it didn’t. I’m no eggs-pert, but I will try to egg-splain. You’re hard boiled if you don’t chuckle at this, but omellete go and not take egg-fence. I’m not eggs-aggerating. I was eggs-tremely dumbfounded my egg eggs-ploded like the eggs I usually eggs-change from the carton to construct my eggs-tordinary lesson.

I’m not eggs-actly sure how I looked as I eggs-amined the thousands of egg fragments around my feet, but my failed eggs-periment really cracked up my daughter Kimberlyn. Patti saw my eggs-ruiciating eggs-pression, but Kimberlyn later said it was egg-citing. Perhaps, she thought it was eggs-actly what was needed to keep my speech from being eggs-austing. My thoughts were scrambled; my next point eggs-ited. Without eggs-ception, the audience’s attention eggs-pired, so I abruptly concluded – trying to eggs-tract what was left of my self-eggs-teem.

Eggs-amine your own object lesson and learn from my egg-ample. I pray your object lesson eggs-periences eggs-eed my eggs-ellent eggs-ample. I’ll be egg-tatic if you remember:

If you are empty on the inside, you are no match for a hard world. But, as a Christ-follower the Greater One is inside of you.

April 24, 2013

My Dad Died a Martyr’s Death

I still trust in God’s protection but my understanding about God’s care has grown. In the early 70’s, I lived with my parents while they served for three years as missionaries in Uganda during the evil regime of Idi Amin. Saudis liberally funded Amin’s attempt to make the nation Muslim. I was there as people lived and died for Jesus Christ.

Our family repeatedly was supernaturally protected while thousands and thousands of other faith-filled believers were being killed. When I was five and six years old, I thought it was normal to be stopped at roadblocks. It wasn’t strange to have heavily armed Ugandan militia surround my parents. I remember seeing machetes waved in my Dad’s face while AK-47s were pressed to the back of his neck. But, God intervened time and again.

It is paradoxical that twenty years later, a small caliber pistol would be used to kill my Dad just outside the Valley Fellowship Church offices – right here in the United States of America. On that hot August afternoon, the Lord’s hand of protection was obvious as other church staff, volunteers, and school students were safely shielded during the shooting.

Because Dad was a righteous pastor, he was targeted by a skinny lady with the malicious idea of pleasing satan. The Bible indicates some believers will be martyrs, and I believe that my dad died a martyr’s death. Dad was certainly not the last martyr to be targeted for loving Jesus Christ.

I still trust that God’s plans and purposes are good. As long as I live on earth there will be things that I do not fully understand about what God allows or commands, but I trust in God’s protection more now than I did before my father’s death.

With life getting in the way you can place an order for your order viagra generico cipla you can try these out. It is available in convenient plastic sachets, which allows for a much sildenafil levitra http://secretworldchronicle.com/tag/lily/ faster absorption rate of the active ingredient, Sildenafil, as does the trademark version. With online availability and FDA approval, it is made easy to consume for restricting ED issues in men. cialis stores But is it economically viable to afford using these medications online cialis so frequently. For the five years before my dad’s death, my wife Patti and I served on the pastoral staff of Valley Fellowship with Dad as senior pastor. I genuinely treasure the time I was able to minister with Dad and learn from Dad. I was only 26 years old when Dad died, and Patti and I transitioned into senior leadership of the church, co-pastoring with my mother.

Perhaps the most common question I asked myself following Dad’s death was, “God, are you sure I learned all I was suppose to learn from my dad?” I frequently reminded myself that his death was not a surprise to God. I was surprised, but his death was no surprise to my Heavenly Father.

I found great encouragement and strength from God’s Word and from spending time in private worship. I had to personally deal with many questions following my dad’s death. Recognizing Dad was a Godly man, faithful husband, loving father and integral shepherd of our church, I knew there were no “open doors” for such an attack. I had to deal with the dilemma of how someone who is really righteous could be shot and killed by someone trying to please satan. I was forced to grapple with the reality that God’s plans may not always be my “preferred” plans.

My experience definitely changed the way I minister to suffering people. Yes, I grieved – all humans grieve when we miss something that we hold as valuable – but God comforted me in my grieving. Heavenly Father provided me with the grace and comfort I needed to go forward. My experience has given me a much deeper well of compassion for hurting individuals, and the comfort I received from the Lord has allowed me to minister to suffering people. I regularly sense a supernatural release of God’s comfort as I pray, releasing the comfort that I myself have received from the Lord, for other grieving individuals. I draw from the compassion and grace I needed in 1993 to minister God’s concern and care in 2013. The comfort I received, I pass along when praying–in congregational services, in hospital rooms, in funerals and memorials, in any situation where someone is in pain or sickness.

Today, April 24, is Jerry Simon’s birthday. I bet he’s celebrating it with friends in heaven. I remember Dad. I honor him. I miss him.

April 21, 2013

10 Routines of Church Leaders

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young [or old, rich, poor, fat, short, talented, hungry, popular, angry, happy, sleepy, married, single, dating, lonely, busy, misunderstood, well-educated, anything else] but SET AN EXAMPLE for the believers in SPEECH, in CONDUCT, in LOVE,  in FAITH, and in PURITY.” (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV)

Church leaders in particular should be the living example of the basic philosophies and standards of the congregation of which they are a part. God’s purposes are hindered if even a few leaders ignore or lazily adopt basic values like holiness, loving people, praying, worshiping, witnessing, and reaching out to needy people. Leaders, let me add ten more routines of which you as a leader should set an example.

1. You are a leader – sit near the front center during worship.

2. You are a leader – pray before service.

3.  You are a leader – arrive on time for leadership responsibilities.

4. You are a leader – participate in worship, not simply as a spectator, but with fervent prayer and enthusiastic expression.

This is called deeprootsmag.org levitra on line for a lot of reasons. The good news is: Kirsten has canada pharmacy cialis opened her penthouse for lease in 2014. These herbal detox supplements are efficient buy levitra cheap in deep cleansing of liver. Food and alcohol have no influences on generic viagra prices visit over here now effects. 5. You are a leader – faithfully attend public worship services.

6. You are a leader – practice hospitality and be a good host.

7. You are a leader – support those preaching by saying “amen” and taking notes.

8.  You are a leader – exhibit a positive attitude as a person of faith.

9. You are a leader – be a part, if possible, of weddings, funerals, or other significant events in the congregation.

10. You are a leader – guard your mouth and help stop conversations chewing up another leader’s performance or reputation. “If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” (Galatians 5:15 NIV)

It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then? (Galatians 5:13-15 MSG)

April 15, 2013

Love seeks outlets, not limits.

Are you living out the Christ’s command? “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34 NIV) Don’t let the pressures and hurts of this fallen world steal your heart of love. Extend love to those closest to you. In paintball, lack of mercy may be be excused, but in relationships, love is commanded. It’s not okay to mistreat your wife, your kids, or your family.

  • “Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it.” (Romans 12:9a MSB)
  • “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.” (Hebrews 13:1 NIV)
  • “Let us have real warm affection for one another as between brothers, and a willingness to let the other man have the credit.” (Romans 12:10 PHILLIPS)
  • “Regarding life together and getting along with each other, you don’t need me to tell you what to do. You’re God-taught in these matters. Just love one another!” (1 Thessalonians 4:9 MSG)

Reasons to buy generic professional viagra There are certain reasons mentioned which says as to why people must opt for cialis 100mg. It is important to remember that surgery of any kind is a traumatic procedure and it takes time to heal Get More Information cialis on line and get better. Get rid of sexual diseases If you have problem with your sexual performance, you may uk cialis sales be inclined to take another one believing it will enhance your erection further. It is https://unica-web.com/ENGLISH/2017/GA2017-secretary-report.html cialis prices available in most of the pharmacies.
In his classic work written about 600 years ago, Thomas a? Kempis challenges Christ-followers to look earnestly at the example of Jesus Christ and imitate His example. Kempis extols the value of the Christ-kind-of-love:

Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing stronger or higher or wider; nothing is more pleasant, nothing fuller, and nothing better in heaven or on earth, for love is born of God and cannot rest except in God, Who is above all created things.

One who is in love flies, runs, and rejoices; he is free, not bound. He gives all for all and possesses all in all, because he rests in the one sovereign Good, Who is above all things, and from Whom every good flows and proceeds. He does not look to the gift but turns himself above all gifts to the Giver.

Love often knows no limits but overflows all bounds. Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of troubles, attempts more than it is able, and does not plead impossibility, because it believes that it may and can do all things. For this reason, it is able to do all, performing and effecting much where he who does not love fails and falls.

Love is watchful. Sleeping, it does not slumber. Wearied, it is not tired. Pressed, it is not straitened. Alarmed, it is not confused, but like a living flame, a burning torch, it forces its way upward and passes unharmed through every obstacle. (The Imitation of Christ (Logos Research Systems, 1996, p. 105).

Love people, not things. God greatly loves and dearly prizes people. (John 3:16a AMP) “Go and do the same.” (Luke 10:37b HCSB) Don’t look for limits; look for outlets for your love!

“So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others.” (2 Peter 1:5-7 MSG)

April 12, 2013

Working Hard or Hardly Working? (Stand Out part 3)

Poise, focus, and work (1 Thessalonians 4:11) draws the respectful attention of even non-believers. “The Christian life is not a nonstop parade of miracles and astonishing answers to prayer and extraordinary visions and angelic visitations. Much of it is low-key, tame, and ordinary.” (Charles Stanley, Life Principles Bible, 1 Th 4:11) However, you can do ordinary things in an enthusiastic, extraordinary way that elicits esteem. You can be a respected STAND OUT.

“Try your best to live quietly, to mind your own business, and to work hard, just as we taught you to do. Then you will be respected by people who are not followers of the Lord, and you won’t have to depend on anyone.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 CEV)

Poise, focus, and work will cause you to STAND OUT. Check out “Calm in Chaos?” or “Minding Your Own Business?” for more insight into the first two areas. This post aims at the third question.

#3  WORK: Are You Working Hard – or Hardly Working?

Get to work and STAND OUT. You will earn no respect from onlookers mooching and sponging and depending on others to pay your bills.

  • “Be honest and work hard, so you will have something to give to people in need.” (Ephesians 4:28b CEV)
  • “Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23 HCSB)

Indications of a Kamagra overdose incorporate wooziness, sudden acid reflux, queasiness and heaving, vision and listening to your body can save your life. purchasing cialis online Patients name the Karlovy Vary mineral water the “healing reward in the earth” or the “miracle mineral drinking water.” Countless the countless numbers Europeans with bad operating of the pancreas or persistent pancreatitis purchasing viagra in canada have been drunk spring healing mineral drinking water within this well-known spa for numerous many years. Surgical buy sildenafil cheap cute-n-tiny.com methods are irreversible changes made by means of surgery. He provides effective and safe treatment for all sexual problems. discounts on viagra
You are working for the Lord. Laziness or a refusal to work hard insolently insults the Lord for whom you serve.

Unfortunately, some of the new believers in the church misunderstood the doctrine of Christ’s return and gave up their jobs in order to wait for His coming. This meant that they were supported by other Christians, some of whom may not have had sufficient funds for their own families. It also meant that these fanatical people could not pay their bills, and therefore they lost their testimony with the unsaved merchants. (Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, 1 Th 4:11).

“The fact that we are Christians and are looking for Christ’s coming does not relieve us of the practical responsibilities of life. We should remember that the world is watching us. Men judge our Savior by us.” (William MacDonald and Arthur Farstad, Believer’s Bible Commentary : 1 Th 4:11.)

Failure to work results in lost blessings. “But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up?” (Proverbs 6:9 NLT) Paul bluntly states, “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10b NLT) Don’t waste time; wasting time is really wasting your life. Winston Churchill warned, “Time is neutral, but it can be made the ally of those who will seize it and use it to the full.” Use your life wisely. Get to work!

You have heard this kind of message before? Great! Hear it again! Paul repeats his admonition to the believers at Thessalonica in his second letter: “Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work . . .We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.” (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 NLT)

Paul’s words are directed to a Greek culture that generally despised manual labor. Menial or hard labor was considered a slave’s work. Paul’s decision to work as a tentmaker in Thessalonica (1 Thess. 2:6; 2 Thess. 3:6) unsettled the philosophic sensibilities of the world around him. Paul definitely was a STAND OUT. “It was folly in the world’s opinion that a learned teacher should work with his hands.” (Ronald Trail, An Exegetical Summary of 1 Corinthians 1–9, p. 177) Yet, Paul modeled a willingness to work with his hands and commanded the believers to follow his example.

Valley Fellowship Church believes in the benefit of working with your hands. I am honored to be partnered with such as awesome bunch of believers who are glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ in the Tennessee Valley and around the world. We are showing God’s love in practical ways – letting our hands be His tools. Locally and globally, we are reaching out. Below are two examples – building a water treatment center in the Amazon and cleaning up chairs after a recent egg hunt in Huntsville.

To STAND OUT, try the trifecta of poise, focus, and work! Every accomplishment in life starts with a decision. What is your ambition? Will you make the decision to STAND OUT in the world?

April 3, 2013

“HAVE TO” or “GET TO”

How do respond to God’s call to serve and to shoulder kingdom responsibilities at your local church?

Do you view the chance to serve as an opportunity or an obligation? “I have to do . . .” OR “I get to do . . .”? What does your choice of words reveal about your heart?

God’s Word commands, “Serve the Lord with gladness.” (Psalm 100:2a NASB) In the Old Testament, God wanted to prosper His people but their attitudes brought His judgement: “Because you didn’t serve the Lord your God joyfully and gladly above all else.” (Deuteronomy 28:47 CEV) Check your attitude. Do you need to inform your face or your tongue?

Can you sense the thankful attitude of the descendants of Korah who originally penned Psalm 84? “A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God, than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.” (Psalm 84:10 NLT) Their heart to serve was quite different than their self-serving, self-promoting ancestor Korah (Numbers 16). Serving in God’s house wasn’t something they had to do. It was something that flowed from their grateful hearts. Their response to God’s call was joyful service. They demonstrated an “I get to do this” attitude about the work of the ministry, not an “I have to do this” mentality.

The Psalmist David also displayed a heart for God’s house. Consider his prayer, “Teach me, Lord, what you want me to do, and I will obey you faithfully; teach me to serve you with complete devotion.” (Psalm 86:11 GNT) David’s desire was to be totally devoted to the Lord’s service. He had an “I want to do this” mindset.

Ultimately, Jesus Christ is the best example of the service mentality that honors the Lord. “Let Christ himself be your example as to what your attitude should be. For he, who had always been God by nature, did not cling to his prerogatives as God’s equal, but stripped himself of all privilege by consenting to be a slave by nature and being born as mortal man.” (Philippians 2:5-7 PHILLIPS)

Maintain an appreciative attitude  in all things, but especially towards the privilege of serving God’s house.

April 1, 2013

Death of “Someone Else”

You should have two testimonies – one of how God saved you and one of how God is using you. Where are you volunteering? Are you helping to expand God’s kingdom? Are you actively involved in the life and ministry of your church?

“Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” (Philippians 2:4 MSG) If you aren’t actively serving others, you are missing out on an important component of why you exist.

Locally and globally, members of Valley Fellowship Church (#ilovemychurch!) glorify Jesus Christ as they express love in practical ways. In 2011, we partnered with George Gonzalez and Amazon Xpeditions to provide clean water for a village off the Amazon River. I honor the men who built that water system in Atalaia, Brazil. They cared enough to give their time, their strength, their sweat to serve. What a team! That’s my father-in-law in the middle. They discovered that serving is rewarding.

Never forget that when you serve others you are actually serving Jesus Christ! “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24 NIV)

When you leave this world, what legacy will you leave?

We were all saddened to learn this week of the death of one our church’s most valuable members – Someone Else. Someone’s passing created a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with us for many years, and for every one of those years Someone did far more than the normal person’s share of the work.

Whenever leadership was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results. “Someone Else can work with that group.”

Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone’s lips, Someone Else! “Let Someone Else do it” was a common refrain heard throughout the church.

It was common knowledge that Someone Else was among the largest givers in the church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed that Someone Else would make up the difference.

Someone Else was a wonderful person, sometimes appearing super-human; but a person can only do so much. Were the truth known, everyone expected too much of Someone Else.

Now Someone Else is gone! We wonder what we are going to do. Someone Else left a wonderful example to follow, but who is going to follow it? Who is going to do the things that Someone Else did?

Remember, we can’t depend on Someone Else anymore. (Mark Stibbe and Darren Harvey-Regan, Basket of Gems, p. 29)

March 28, 2013

Audience of One

Are you living before One Audience – the Lord Jesus Christ? To what audience are you playing? You will either play to an Audience of One or to an audience of many. Do you desire to please God or impress people?

When you aren’t seeking to be noticed or publicized or praised, you are released to accomplish great things for God’s Kingdom. Perhaps that is reason  Valley Fellowship Church has made such a significant impact – we want to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ in the Tennessee Valley and around the world. We don’t do what we do to get praise for ourselves. We want to see Jesus exalted!

Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth, but His essential audience was not people who surrounded Him. Jesus said, “I always do the things that are pleasing to Him [Heavenly Father].” (John 8:29b NASB) Jesus wasn’t interested in crowd approval (John 5:44) and He rebuked His listeners, “How could you possibly believe? You like to have your friends praise you, and you don’t care about praise that the only God can give!” (John 5:44 CEV)

“Most of us, whether we are aware of it or not, do things with an eye to the approval of some audience or other. The question is not whether we have an audience but which audience we have. . . . A life lived listening to the decisive call of God is a life lived before one audience that trumps all others – the Audience of One.” (Os Guinness, The Call, p. 70)

Paul was a God-pleaser, not a man-pleaser. I agree with Kent Hughes assessment that “Paul would have loved Eric Liddell—the runner who placed spiritual conviction and loyalty to Christ above Olympic or national glory!” (Acts: The Church Afire, p. 289) Paul lived his life before an Audience of One. Consider his words:

  • “We do not aim to please men, but to please God who knows us through and through.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4 PHILLIPS)
  •  “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” (Galatians 1:10 NLT)
  • “Be assured that when we speak to you we’re not after crowd approval—only God approval.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4 MSG)

The Gospel of John criticizes the leaders of Jesus’ day who “were more concerned about what people thought of them than about what God thought of them.” (John 12:43 GW) Are you playing your life before an Audience of One, or playing before many: your peers, your neighbors, your mentors, your family? Who you choose as your audience has a tremendous impact upon your life.

People adjust their lifestyle based upon the people around them. Children attune their own tastes, pursuing parental praise. Employees perform for a boss, or will be fired. Students adjust to the wishes of a teacher. Writers heed their readers, putting pen to what sells. Basketball players respond to fans, drawing energy, heart to play. Teenagers play to their peers, claiming to be an individual, yet listening to what others listen, dressing comparably to their friends, even styling their hair like their cliché. Have you noticed how your audience shapes your life?

The Puritans lived as if they had swallowed gyroscopes; we modern Christians live as if we have swallowed Gallup polls. Or as Martin Luther King wrote in his Letter from Birmingham Jail, “in those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society.” Leaders or panderers? Gyroscope or Gallup poll? Thermostat or thermometer? Only those who practice the presence of the Audience of One can hope to attain the former and escape the latter. (The Call, p. 73)

To live before an Audience of One is to consider what He thinks as what counts the most. Satisfying life results from pleasing God, not pouring out your energy for temporal praise. Seeking to live for an Audience of One — the Lord Jesus Christ —liberates you from operating out of a response to what others say about you. Make the decision now to surrender your life and your lifestyle to the Lord. Ultimate success is not fame, fortune, or power, but hearing God’s commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

March 27, 2013

Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, Nobody

What makes you say, “Why doesn’t someone do something about this?” Ask God what to do about it. Real ministry happens when you get your hands dirty and practically serve people where they live.

“This is a story of four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it. But Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job.

Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done!” (Mark Stibbe and Darren Harvey-Regan, Basket of Gems, p. 29)

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13 NLT)

Thanks Barry, Daniel, Brock, and Jerry. These guys came to SERVE at the Valley Fellowship 2013 Egg Hunt. They were NOT alone because Valley Fellowship Church loves God and loves people. Praise the Lord for my church family! #ilovemychurch

March 26, 2013

4 REASONS TO RESPECT EVERYONE

A hallmark of Jesus’ teaching is His command that the respectful behavior of His followers must transcend that of non-believers.  Our respect is first and foremost directed to the Lord, as John Chrysostom reminds, “We must not mind insulting men, if by respecting them we offend God.” (Archbishop of Constantinople who lived 349–407 AD) Love and respect the Lord FIRST, but the second of the great commandments is “love your neighbor” (Mark 12:29-31).

I want to fulfill His command, loving God and people, but I have figured out that some people are easier to love than others. Honestly, isn’t it that way for you? God blessed me with a great wife and great daughters, so it’s not hard to love and to respect them. Both of my daughters are awesome! What’s not to love and respect? For example, Rozy is completing masters classes during her junior year, representing the ORU School of Education, serving as a chaplain this year – head chaplain next year, leading worship, loving missions. Yes, it’s easy to respect her.

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls us to go far beyond what common people would expect. Jesus commands, “Love your family.” Okay, a little effort, I can do that. “Love your neighbors.” Hmm, a little harder, but I don’t have to see them everyday. “Love those who treat you well.” Alright, now You’re talking, Jesus – I will do that! “Love your enemies.” Do what? Are you serious, Jesus? I mean . . . come on!

You have heard people say, “Love your neighbors and hate your enemies.” But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for that? Even tax collectors love their friends. If you greet only your friends, what’s so great about that? Don’t even unbelievers do that? But you must always act like your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:43-48 CEV)

If anyone should show proper respect in our modern society, it should be Christ-followers. The scope of a disciple’s respect is quite large. We must respect EVERYONE! That’s exactly what God’s Word commands.

“Show proper respect to everyone.” (1 Peter 2:17 NIV)

Unfortunately, rude behavior by church-going folk is too often exhibited on Sunday afternoons at local restaurants. Several restaurant servers have expressed to me their displeasure of working Sunday after church because the church crowd tips so poorly. “Christians” can be loud, demanding, disrespectful, impatient, and stingy with tips. Could the stinginess be a carry-over attitude from the morning offering?

To live in fear of God means that we live before God and the rest of reality in such a way that there is never contempt within us. We take nothing for granted, everything as a gift. We have respect. We are always poised for surprise before the mystery of God, others, and ourselves. All boredom and contempt is an infallible sign that we have fallen out of a healthy fear of God. (Ronald Rolheiser, The Shattered Lantern, 2004, p. 117)

Why should you show respect? I bet you could identify thousands of reasons, but here are four excellent reasons for showing respect to every person.

#1  God created people.

Humans beings are created by God. The Book of Genesis is clear that out of all of creation only humanity is made in the image of God. The psalmist praised the Lord, “You (God) made man inferior only to yourself; you crowned him with glory and honor.” (Psalm 8:5)

Sometimes it’s hard for us to look beyond the fallen part of humanity – carnal, sinful, selfish, rude individuals – to see the image of God in people. There are people who do worthless things, but there are no worthless people. There are people who do wrong actions but they are all of value to God. Even the most unlovable person is loved by God.

#2  Jesus Christ died for people.
cheap brand cialis click for info We’ve highlighted why relationships are so important to the eyes. Who Should Not Take Kamagra? The following people should not consume anti ED medications, without consulting their doctors: -Men with disease or abnormality in the penis-Men with a weak heart or a cardiovascular cheapest tadalafil india condition, -Men suffering from stress, anxiety, or hyper tension-Men who experienced an eye condition that blurred their vision for a long period of time.-Men with a history of cancer.-Men allergic to any of the main ingredients in. It improves the count of quality sperms and helps to treat low sperm cialis for order count. People who get into parent-child relationships have an intense need to recreate or free consultation cialis compensate for the relationship they had with their own parent.
The cross shows how much people matter to God. God made them, Christ died for them. No matter what you think; whether you like them or not; that individual is someone for whom Christ died. John 3:16 expresses God’s heart, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (NIV).” With His precious blood Christ paid the price to save humans. You may not think much about somebody, but God does. He considers people worth the price of His sacrifice. “Yet the proof of God’s amazing love is this: that it was while we were sinners that Christ died for us.”(Romans 5:8 PHILLIPS)

He thinks you were worth the effort. “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (1 Corinthians 5:7b NIV) Jesus Christ died for you, but He also rose again. His resurrected life is now available to empower you to live in Him. Everyday, we can celebrate the Festival (Passover) when we live Christlike lives (1 Corinthians 5:8).

#3  Respect shows you really know God.

Respect for people is proof that you know God. “God is love, and anyone who doesn’t love others has never known him.” (1 John 4:8 CEV) God is love and if you know God then you’re going to fill your life with love. “It isn’t rude.” (1 Corinthians 13:5a GW) Love treats people with respect.

If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both. (1 John 4:20-21 MSG)

#4 You get back what you give out.

Seedtime and harvest, the law of reciprocity, seedfaith living – you reap what you plant. “A man’s harvest in life will depend entirely on what he sows.” (Galatians 6:7 PHILLIPS) The old proverb is true: “Whatever goes around comes around.” For every kick there is a kick back.

Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. (Galatians 6:7-8 MSG)

The Bible clearly sets you up – whatever you want in life, you give out and you’ll get back. If you want people to smile at you, you smile at them. If you want to be respected, treat other people with respect. If you want to be treated and valued with dignity, treat other people with value and dignity.

“You do yourself a favor when you are kind.” (Proverbs 11:17a GNT) Rudeness is expensive. “Cruel people will be rewarded with trouble.” (Proverbs 11:17b ERV) Do want respect? Give respect. Show respect and receive respect. Respect the people around you, the people over you, EVERYONE!

 

© 2024 - PastorGreg.org