MoT: a Sunday inside #7

*Oops!  This was supposed to be posted a week ago...but at least it's still March...:)  

We got some snow over the weekend.  It started on Saturday, blew around for a while, and finally decided to accumulate over-night.  By this morning, we had about 10 inches of beautiful white all over the ground.  Needless to say, most everyone in the dorm was snowed in.

I really do like snow (even though it is officially Spring, and it normally rains here).  There is something so pure and clean about snow.  And it reminds me of home.  

Winter Wonderland?

As I come to the end of Spring Break, it is nice to spend a day inside, away from the hustle and bustle, without work, just to think, pray, read my Bible, fellowship with others, and journal.  This is often just the prescription for getting back into the "swing of things" after a time away (or not away...tehee).  

Doing/Being Church

This morning I wasn't able to go to church because of the aforementioned snow.  So I stayed inside and listened to my Daddy!  (Oh, the wonders of technology!!!)  

• 30-Second Commercial Break:  I love my Dad so much!  As I have gotten older and have been away from home for a while, I have come to see more and more of what a godly man he is.  It is so cool to see him ministering daily to everyone around him, and showing them the gospel of Christ.  He exemplifies a shepherd's heart and has a love and compassion for people that comes from God.  He does so much in the strength of the Lord for my family and our church family!  I am blessed to have him as my Dad!  Love you, Dad!   

Thanks to a podcast, I was able to listen to last weeks sermon from my home church.  In lieu of several conversations that I have had with different people, the message was very challenging and encouraging!

Here!  Check it out...:)  

http://www.harrisonbiblechurch.com/apps/podcast/podcast/293939

But the jist of the sermon was to encourage believers to get out of the rut of "playing church".  Where you go on Sunday to hear a good sermon, to see some of your friends, and to eat a great meal.  We are not called to be the Body of Christ to pretend that our fellowship is just another thing that we do each week.  

As God's children, bought with a price, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and set apart for His glory, we are called to more! 

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 says, 

"And we urge you, brothers, 

admonish the idle, 

encourage the fainthearted, 

help the weak,

be patient with them all.  

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, 

but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone." 

We are exhorted (strong challenge) to do these things for one another.  Why?  Look at what we have through our Lord Jesus Christ!  Ephesians 1 shows us that we have been blessed with "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."  That's a lot!  Why should we not want to do for others as Christ has blessed us and loved us and done for us!?  

We are to admonish (warn) the idle.  Carefully, yet without fear.  Sin should make us sad, especially when our brothers and sisters in Christ are caught in it.  

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, 

you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.  

Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."  

Galatians 6:1

"My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth,

and someone brings him back, 

let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering

will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." 

James 5:19-20

We are to encourage (come alongside, support) the fainthearted.  One of the unique things about the church is that we are a group of individuals that are able to come together in the name of Christ for the mutual encouragement of everyone.  You don't find this is some kind of club or organization!  

"By this we know love,

that He laid down his life for us, 

and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers...

Little children, let us not love in word or talk,

but in deed and in truth."

1 John 3:16,18 

We are to help the weak, and be patient with everyone.

The point is that we can't do any of these things on our own.  We try.  And sometimes it "looks" like we are doing well, but really all we amount to is "...righteousness like filthy rags..."  Doing anything in our own strength is just that.

Christ calls us to rely on Him.  Completely.  Fully.

Because we need Him!  Our brothers and sisters in Christ need Him.  We have nothing good apart from Him.  We do nothing eternally good apart from Him.

Stop playing; just be!