Friday, April 4, 2014

Washing Feet

It was just before the Passover Feast.  Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father.  Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.  John 13:1

Jesus and the disciples gathered for an evening meal.  After the food had been served, Jesus got up and began to wash his disciples’ feet.  The men had trouble understanding Jesus’ motive for washing their feet.  “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Simon Peter said.  John’s account of the event (John 13:1-17) describes a practical demonstration of Jesus’ love for his disciples.

Washing dirt from a guest’s feet was a generally accepted practice, showing hospitality and respect.  I would imagine, however, that the actual task of washing feet was typically delegated to a servant.  The disciples obviously needed their feet washed, but none of the “chosen ones” stepped forward to serve.  Jesus sets the example (v.15).

The disciples have been following Jesus for many months.  Yet, they still have trouble with humility.  Pride and arrogance have kept the disciples from learning the true meaning of Jesus’ lessons.  Urgency has set in.  Jesus is soon to leave them and, therefore, he wants to seize the opportunity to emphasize the importance of “servant-mindedness”.  “Do as I have done for you,” Jesus said.

If you really love, you will look for ways to serve.  If you genuinely care, you will put your love into action in practical ways.  Interestingly, Jesus concludes by telling the disciples they will be blessed if they serve others (v.17).

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to follow your example by demonstrating love for others in practical ways.  Help me to be humble enough to accept the role of servant.  Thank you for blessing me.  In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Carl Smith
Stephenville, Texas

Monday, March 31, 2014

Sons and Daughters of Encouragement

Hebrews 3:12-13
See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.  But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

“Encourage” defined:
1. to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence 
2. to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc.
3. to promote, advance, or foster

(Dictionary.com Unabridged)

Everyone hungers for encouragement, believers are no exception, each one needs encouragement. Christian encouragement builds strength for the battles against sin’s deceitful nature.  “One another” appears time and again, as New Testament references teach us to walk side by side, to bear one another’s burden.  Too much of the time, we choose independence.  Scripture urges Christians to encourage one another, let us ponder some of them:

Acts 11:22-23
News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

Acts 15:32
Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. 

Acts 16:40
After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.

Acts 18:27
When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.

Acts 20:1-2
When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia.  He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, 

Romans 1:11-12  
I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—  that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith

2Corinthians13:11  
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Ephesians 6:21-22                                   
Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing.  I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.

Colossians 4:7-9         
Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.  I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.  He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

1 Thessalonians 3:1-3                                                                 
So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.  We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.

1 Thessalonians 3:7-8 
Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:11                                                                                                 
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:14                                                                                                       
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 

2 Timothy 4:2                                                                                                       
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 

Looking back to Hebrews 3:12-13, Let us encourage one another in the present, not rely on yesterday’s words and deeds, and not procrastinate-“I’ll call, write, visit tomorrow”.  Someone is in need of encouragement today.  Who will bring it?  And let us also be thankful for each word/deed of encouragement aimed at us.

Thoughts of Job’s wife have lingered in my mind recently.  Over the years, I have harshly judged her.  Job’s friends came to him, once they received news of his devastating losses.  Maybe Ms. Job also had friends come to comfort and encourage her.  We are not told.  The thought of losing one child, let alone all born to her (10 children, in her case), my imagination cannot comprehend the depth her despair.  The losses don’t end there.  Loss of massive property and her husband’s health is severely stricken.  How can she begin to comfort her spouse?  She is credited with only one statement in the book of Job-speaking to her husband.  “Why do you hold onto your integrity?  Curse God and die.”  She turned away from God.  Yet, Job continued to refrain from blaming God.  He did not sin.  Would her story be different, if she, too, was lifted up by faithful friends?
Job’s wife may not fit into this discussion of encouragement, but her story continues to bring questions to mind.

Days on earth bring heartache and discouragement to everyone.  Christians are not spared the difficult days; on the contrary, their heartaches may be multiplied through persecution for the faith they hold.  God commands His children to support, strengthen and encourage one another.  Who will obey?  What brother or sister can I spur on today?

Father God,
You who give encouragement and endurance.  Thank You for the hope You provide through Your Word.  Thank You, for Your plan: Christians encouraging one another-strength for the battle.  Let us take up the assignment to encourage and lift one another up.  Give us eyes to see the need, give us words to speak life, give us hands and feet to serve.  May our words and our deeds be pleasing in Your sight, may they serve as an encouragement to all in our path.  Jesus’, love and compassion, show us how to encourage-may we be good students of His example and others in Scripture who walked as encouragers.

In His precious name, Amen

Mischelle Oliver, Stephenville