How We Mourn

Everyone deals with death in different ways. We may cry. We may get angry. We may completely withdraw and live in denial. The Bible reminds us…

Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted. -Matthew 5:4

We find times to gather together to share our pain and to honor the life that was lost. There is comfort in knowing that others feel the loss of our loved one too. It is important to share memories and laughter so that we may heal. The Psalmist writes…

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever. -Psalm 34:18

Richard Adams was a man who lived his faith. He didn’t fill a spot in the pew, he filled a life with love and service! We can all learn from Richard’s example. He took the time to talk to people. He asked questions and showed concern. He prayed and then put legs on his prayers by taking action. A life on earth has ended but eternal life has just begun.

We all deal with loss in different ways. Going forward I want to be more intentional about showing love and concern to those around me! It’s W.W.R.D. (What Would Richard Do?)

Actions Speak Louder than Words

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. -1 John 3:18, NIV

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. -James 2:14-17, NIV

Actions speak louder than words. Words are important. Our words are to be full of grace and mercy. We build each other up and strengthen our relationships by speaking words of love. But if our words aren’t backed up with actions, they can ring hollow or sound fake.

True faith transforms our conduct as well as our thoughts. If our lives remained unchanged, we don’t truly believe the truths we claim to believe. We cannot earn our salvation by serving and obeying God, but such actions show that our commitment to God is real. Deeds of loving service are not a substitute for, but rather a verification of our faith in Christ.

People can doubt our words, but it is tough to argue with an act of kindness. Sometimes our words get tangled up, but our actions speak loud and clear. Sometimes we say things just because we think we are supposed to. However, when we get involved and take action, we participate in God’s love for another person, and we become more like Jesus in the process.

Does someone need an act of kindness today? What does loving someone in the truth mean to you. Heavenly, Father open my eyes today to opportunities to love people with my actions. Amen.

Don't Settle for Mediocrity

Mediocre comes from two Latin words, medius meaning “middle” and orcis meaning “rugged mountain”. If you were to translate it literally it means to stop halfway up to the summit of a difficult mountain. Meriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “of moderate or low quality, value, ability, or performance”. Something that is mediocre might be described as passable, so-so, run-of-mill, or ordinary. Mediocrity often manifests itself as a compromise of our abilities and potential in search of a more comfortable, easy path.

Don’t settle for mediocrity. As Christ-followers we are called to run with strength and endurance as we live for our Lord. Consider also the example that Jesus has set for us. Here is a scripture that puts into perspective for us.

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. -Hebrews 12:1-2, ESV

Now there is nothing mediocre about Jesus. He isn’t of low quality or ability. He certainly doesn’t fall into the category of so-so or passable. He most certainly didn’t stop halfway up the summit of a difficult mountain. Rather our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ marched up that hill called Golgtha enduring the shame and suffering of the cross. He didn’t give up or settle. He pressed on to fulfill His purpose until He could say, “It is finished (John 19:30).”

Now if the spirit of our Lord resides with us, how should we live? Should we settle for mediocrity? By no means! We are to the live with the same strength, passion, and endurance that our Lord displayed for us. He is the author and perfector of our faith, a faith that is anything but mediocre. Perhaps we avoid some hardship when settle in our faith, but we also miss the view from the top of the mountain. It’s a view and reward reserved for those who endure. Lately, you may have felt like settling for mediocrity in your walk with God. Don’t do it! Press on until you too can say, “It is finished!”

One Step Ahead of the Enemy

The show Hogan's Heroes is a good example of how Christians can stay a step ahead of the enemy. Hogan’s Heroes centers on Colonel Robert Hogan and his men that are POWs at a German prison camp. The group secretly uses the camp for espionage, sabotage, and to help Allied POWs from other camps escape. They do all this under the nose of the commanding German officer Colonel Clink. Hogan and his comrades are always one step ahead of Colonel Clink. Meanwhile, Clink always thinks he has Hogan cornered, right where He wants him, but He never does. Episodes end with Hogan and his heroes the victor and Colonel Clink looking like a fool.

Colonel Clink may not have his eye on us, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have enemies. There is a great spiritual battle going on for the souls of men and women. They are forces working for our good and others working for our demise. However, you can be confident that God guards and guides those that are His, ensuring the enemy is not successful.

Let me remind you what God can do for us even when an enemy is knocking on the door. If Christians stick close to God, they will always stay one step ahead of the enemy (2 Kings 6:8-12). God will grant them more insight and wisdom than their enemies (Psalm 119:98). Even the very things intended to harm them can be worked for their good (Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20).

This is probably most apparent in life and ministry of Jesus. There were plenty of people out to get Jesus, but He could never be trapped, pigeon-holed, or forced to do what the enemy wanted.  Perhaps the enemy thought they had dealt a devasting blow when Jesus was crucified. Maybe they even thought they had won for a time. In reality, the victory was Christ the Lord's on the third day when He rose from the tomb. What looked like the enemy’s greatest victory was their greatest defeat.

As a Christian never forget who is on your side. When all is said and done God will be the victor and any that opposed Him will look foolish. Don’t fret about who is against you if God is for you. If God has you right where He wants you, the enemy never will.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. -James 4:7, ESV