One Thing Led to Another

“Do not be deceived:  Bad company corrupts good morals.” –1 Corinthians 15:33

Ask anybody and they can quote a well-known adage for you. 

Here’s a few.

An apple a day, keeps the doctor away.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

A penny saved is a penny earned. 

Do not put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

A man is known by the company he keeps. 

Though it’s difficult to do, if you could trace the ancestry of any adage you would most likely discover that it was birthed out of a situation of some kind.  Adages didn’t appear out of thin air.   

When Paul said, “Bad/evil company corrupts good morals” he meant it as more than a snappy quip.  He made that statement in the middle of a heavy theological discussion about the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The Corinthians – at least a fair number of them – received teaching about the resurrection of Christ.  They knew it as fact and truth once upon a time.  Within five years of the church coming to its feet, the resurrection was no more than a fanciful idea to many of them.  At least initially, our impression from reading chapter fifteen is that the Corinthians had simply “thought” their way out of their conviction about the resurrection.  Upon closer examination, the erosion of conviction was brought on by more than simply thinking through their faith. 

Paul pauses in the middle of this discussion and sets it in a social construct for a brief moment.  The implication is not that the Corinthians had read a few books and done some thinking.  It wasn’t a purely intellectual experience.  Their conviction about the resurrection was heavily influenced – perhaps primarily influenced – by the company they kept.  It was the kind of company that did not want the teaching of the gospel and more especially, the life that came with it.  Being with people of the flesh brought with it the risk of surrendering to their way of life and eventually discarding one’s conviction about the gospel of Christ.  For at least some of their number, the Christian thought world was eventually broken down by evil company and the behavior that accompanied it.  Earlier in 2:14 Paul remarks that a natural man – a man given over to the ways of the flesh – cannot connect with the promptings of the Spirit because they are foolishness to him.  Consequently, Paul calls his readers to become “sober-minded” (15:34).  In our vernacular he says, “Get off the sauce and get your head clear.”  The gravitational pull of darkness through behavior can be broken when we “wake up” and realize what is happening to us in said situations. 

Paul’s memorable words in 15:33 continue to serve us today.  They remind us to be vigilant about our convictions and especially with regard to how our particular movements in and out of various social experiences can impact what we believe and how we live out faith.   Our flesh is seductive by nature.  Deception comes slowly.  We get “drunk” on the experiences in a given moment empowered by social connections and we stop thinking Christianly.  No one condemns us.  We are among friends.  Who we are is slowly broken down and then, what we think about God is slowly eroded away.  It’s just about whatever our flesh wants because after all, this life is all there is (15:32).   

We can’t go out of the world.  Paul says in 9:19-23 that being people of the gospel binds us to other people unto their blessing, i.e., that we might win some. And yet, the nature of our culture is such that it is very likely that we will find ourselves in situations that tug at us to engage the dark side.  Paul’s words are as current as when they were first penned.  And, they still belong on the refrigerator or anywhere else for that matter.  For in every circumstance we are those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling (1:2). 

“Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping

” (1 Corinthians 16:13 – The Message)

Randy Daugherty

Stephenville, Texas

CHURCH: ONE BODY, ONE SPIRIT, ONE HOPE

”There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”  Ephesians 4:4-6

 

The word “church” means different things to different people.  Sunday morning TV offers up a variety of worship styles and church audiences.  Some are more energetic than others and a few are downright bizarre.  The news media can’t say enough about church when something evil happens behind its doors, and movies – if they allude to church at all – usually portray it as impotent and antiquated.  Across our nation and around the globe people are willing to die rather than compromise their church family, while others consider church a total waste of time.

 

I hope you don’t believe as some folks do that church is only open to the good, the clean and the well-dressed.  Or that church folks never have fun, or that God delights in zapping people who mess up.  That’s not right and that’s not church.

• Church is a community of believers who love and help each other toward a common goal.  Let me use Tradition Eight in Al-Anon literature as an example of church:  a group of diverse people who “place principles above personalities.” Personalities may clash, but the shared goal is to glorify God as one body.
• Church is a group of imperfect, sinful human beings loved and redeemed by God.
• Church is people worshipping God and serving others.  They are “light” in the darkness, “strength” for the helpless, “direction” for the lost, and “family” for the lonely and disenfranchised.
• Church comes together under one roof to celebrate and worship God.

So what is church?  You are church.  A unique part of the body of Christ, guided by the Spirit of God, and sharing in the same hope (promise) of joy in this life and an eternal future with God.

 

Thank you, God, for the community of faith called church.  Amen.               

 

 

Sandra Milholland

Abilene, Texas

A Woman’s Plea-A Mother’s Promise

Her arms ached to cradle a baby of her own.  Her heart longed for a child.  Year after year, she endured painful insults from Peninnah, other wife and mother of her husband’s only children.  Not once do the Scriptures mention retaliation on Hannah’s part.  This woman of great character and strength remains an example for whatever burden we bear.  Her spirit was heavy.  She prayed to God fervently in her heart, vowing to give the child back to the LORD if only He would grant her the joy of motherhood.

God remembered Hannah, He opened her womb and a son was born.  She named him, Samuel (Sounds like Hebrew for “heard of God”).

Her pain turned to joy, her heart rejoiced to give Elkanah another son, their first child.  Faithful to the LORD, before and after Samuel’s birth, Hannah fulfilled the promise she made. When Samuel was weaned (how very young he would have been) she took him to the house of the LORD to live with Eli and serve the LORD all his days.

Hannah was a faithful and loving mom to her son, each year she brought a new robe to him, and he grew in stature and favor with the LORD and man.

Her recorded prayer is filled with praise to the LORD, acknowledging His goodness, faithfulness and justice.

“My heart rejoices in the Lord;

in the Lord my horn is lifted high.

My mouth boasts over my enemies,

for I delight in your deliverance.

“There is no one holy like the Lord;

there is no one besides you;

there is no Rock like our God.

“Do not keep talking so proudly

or let your mouth speak such arrogance,

for the Lord is a God who knows,

and by him deeds are weighed.

“The bows of the warriors are broken,

but those who stumbled are armed with strength.

Those who were full hire themselves out for food,

but those who were hungry hunger no more.

She who was barren has borne seven children,

but she who has had many sons pines away.

“The Lord brings death and makes alive;

he brings down to the grave and raises up.

The Lord sends poverty and wealth;

he humbles and he exalts.

He raises the poor from the dust

and lifts the needy from the ash heap;

he seats them with princes

and has them inherit a throne of honor.

“For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s;

upon them he has set the world.

He will guard the feet of his saints,

but the wicked will be silenced in darkness.

“It is not by strength that one prevails;

those who oppose the Lord will be shattered.

He will thunder against them from heaven;

the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.

“He will give strength to his king

and exalt the horn of his anointed.”  I Samuel 2:1-10

God blessed Hannah with a son (her joy would be multiplied with 5 future children).  God blessed Samuel throughout his life, beginning with a godly mom and dad.  He became a mighty servant of God, courageous and obedient, instructing and rebuking King Saul; anointing young David-to one day rule as King of Israel.

Contrasted in the first 2 chapters of I Samuel are the sons of Eli.  Hophni and Phinehas served themselves (they were “priests” of the LORD) and lived wickedly before the LORD and the people.   Although Eli rebuked them with questions, he did not take stronger action.

May the lives of Hannah & Elkanah encourage us as parents to live and instruct our children in the ways of the LORD God Almighty.   

Holy God, Loving Father,

Fill us with godly wisdom as parents, teaching children of Your majesty and love, Your power and faithfulness.  Thank You, LORD, for the gift of children and of godly mothers and daddies.  Thank You, for Your Spirit, our Guide, Counselor and Comforter.  May we strive to be faithful with the children You have placed in our home and communities. Remembering they are Yours, and like Hannah, influence them to walk with You all the days they live.  Thank You, for Your Word, a revelation of You and light to our path on this journey home.  In the name of Your precious son and our Savior- Jesus, Amen.

Mischelle Oliver

Stephenville, Texas

It Begins with Thankfulness

It was a few years into my marriage with a baby on the way, a mom battling cancer, and a recent move to rural Alaska, when I began to realize my faith was based mainly on me.  I discovered I was walking around in shackles.  I had been wearing them for so long I thought my hobbled walk was normal.  My discovery happened after a conversation with a dear friend and mentor about the fruits of the Holy Spirit.  I told him I was beginning a personal prayer campaign for peace.  Not world peace, but peace in my heart.  Since early childhood I had struggled with low levels of anxiety; anxiety about my future, my present and at times my past.  I was especially anxious about my relationships and what others thought of me.  According to my mother at the age of three, my physician grandfather remarked to her that she needed to teach me to relax.  Unfortunately this was a lesson that went unlearned.  

To most people my inward battle with anxiety made me outwardly appear driven, high achieving, and energetic.  As an athlete I used this tool to push my body beyond its limits and unfortunately pay the price with painful bursitis and tendonitis in both shoulders at the age of 35.  As an employee I never lacked for promotions or more responsibilities, unfortunately these came to the detriment of real relationships outside of work and struggles with infertility.  Anxiety left me constantly discontent, overbearing, and living in a world of unrealistic expectations for myself and others.  

It was the question from my mentor of, “Why are you praying for peace when you already have it?” that allowed me to see that I was missing out on a huge promise from God.  A study of Galatians 5 and the fruits of the Spirit led me back to the beginning of the chapter where Paul writes:
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

Like the Christians in Galatia, I too had put Christ on in baptism and in doing so had “crucified the flesh with its passions and desires”.  However, like the Galatians’ desire to be justified in their faith through their works, I had also been “working” at peace, and “working” at joyfulness with little success.  

When we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit we in turn have access to the fruits, but access does not guarantee ownership.  Some fruits come easily while others are more difficult to obtain.  It is our flesh that keeps us from walking in the freedom of Christ and enjoying the Spirit’s fruits.  When I take up the shackles of anxiety and worry about the lack of control I have over my life and those in it, I deny the peace and joy already set before me and become a slave once again to sin.  

I would like to say that once I learned this lesson I forever broke the chains that bound me, and never took them up again.  But, oh how alluring the sin of anxiety can be for me at times.  In my anxiety I can out-work, out-criticize, and out-worry the best:  calls are made, closets organized, prayers given, notes written, bible class materials gathered, and meals cooked.  Sometimes we can do good things yet nullify the freedom and power of a relationship with Christ if we try to do it all on our own.  

How do we escape the bondage that Paul writes about?  As humbly as I can, I would like to say, WE can’t.  Not without God’s help.  Every day as Christ followers we battle our humanity and unseen forces that wage war on our hearts and our homes.  If we are not involved in this battle then, Satan has already won.   He has lulled us into the belief that by doing the right things, living a clean life, attending worship, etc., we are in the clear.  We can check that box off.  

Our challenge as Christians is to stop DOING Christianity and start living, walking in the full life (John 10:10) Jesus died to give us.  I believe we do that through a lifestyle of thankfulness.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
   and his courts with praise!
   Give thanks to him; bless his name!” Psalm 100:4

I recently read a book by Ann Voskamp about thankfulness.  In her book she points us to a Savior that gives thanks in his darkest hour.  The evening before he was betrayed and fought the biggest internal cosmic battle of all time (Luke 22:42-44) what does he do? He stops to eat and to serve.  He washes the feet of his disciples and joins them for a meal.  (Luke 22:19)

Here in Luke the words, “gave thanks”, in the orginal language reads “eucharisteo”.  The root word of eucharisteo is charis, meaning “grace”.  Voskamp writes, “Jesus took the bread and saw it as grace and gave thanks.  He took the bread and knew it to be gift and gave thanks.”  Charis not only envelopes the Greek word for grace, but also holds its derivative, the Greek word for chara, meaning “JOY”.  Deep chara joy is found only at the table of euCHARisteo…the table of thanksgiving.”  She then asks, “Is the height of my chara joy dependent on the depths of my eucharisteo thanks?”  

I believe we can’t have true joy in our lives apart from thankfulness.  Through the eyes of thankfulness we can see ourselves, our relationships, our roles, and even the hard times of life differently…By giving thanks we can begin to see eternally…like Jesus.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, thank you for new perspectives.  Thank you for giving us the example of thanksgiving.  Most importantly, thank you for making us new through you.  Amen.

Dana Jaworski
Anchor Point, AK

Sacrifice

When I open the book of Hebrews, I am taken to the tabernacle. The people of Israel camped in the wilderness in the very presence of God! Right in the middle of the camp was the altar. I can’t miss it. Follow the smoke; look for the fire; Look at all of those sacrifices. Some said ‘thank you’. Some said ‘forgive me’. Worship was everywhere. Each sacrifice declared the nature, identity and authority of God. Every sacrifice was a confession of faith. The sacrifice declared ‘I am better off with God than with this animal.’ Every sacrifice declared the authority of God by saying God has the right to demand obedience.         

In chapter 13, verse 15, He calls on us to make a sacrifice of praise. He says it is to be with our lips and it is to be continuous. I know that what comes out of my mouth is what is in my heart. This sacrifice is to acknowledge His name. It is really about developing an attitude of praise. Since it starts in the heart, that is where the work begins.         

I, too, live in the very presence of God. So the question is “What am I bringing to the altar?”       

O Lord, How do I praise you? Words are not enough. But words are what I have. I can’t even think in terms grand enough for you. But my real sin is not that I can’t, but that I don’t try.           Here I am in Your presence and I’m playing in the dirt. I could be talking to You and I’m telling jokes! I am so sorry. Help me! Forgive me!          

Thank You for always caring for me. Forgive me for trying to make it on my own. Create in me a new heart, O God!  In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen

Paul Shero

San Angelo, Texas

Come, Lord Jesus

Behold, I am coming soon!  My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.   Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

- Revelation 22:12-14, 20

Entering the heavenly city, our promised reward, will be a joyous occasion.  We look forward to the Lord’s return with much hope.  These thoughts give the faithful peace in our souls, as we long for The Day.  However, we shouldn’t adopt a “sit and wait” mentality.  God wants to know, “What will we do while waiting on Jesus’ return?”

Waiting faithfully for Jesus’ return means we will be obedient.  Disciples of Christ will be actively serving, according to God’s will.  What we do matters to our savior.

Waiting faithfully for Jesus’ return means we will worship the Father.  Our hearts will overflow with praise and honor before his great throne.  We will bow in full submission to his majesty.  We acknowledge our need and his mercy.

Waiting faithfully for Jesus’ return means we will have confidence.  We made a commitment to believe and follow him.  We aren’t going to give up when we face struggles or become impatient when the Lord’s timing seems to be too long in coming.  We trust his promises to be true… he will be coming soon.

Waiting faithfully for Jesus’ return means we will be ambassadors of his Good News.  Christ is counting on us.  He makes his appeal through us.  Boldly, we need to help outsiders find their way through the gates into the city, so they may eat of the tree of life.

Dear Father, you generously lead us in the Way to everlasting life.  Thank you for offering Jesus, our Savior, as an atoning sacrifice.  Please help us have an eager expectation of his return.  Come, Lord Jesus.  In the words of John, The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people.  Amen

Carl Smith
Stephenville, TX

Something Great

Something has been rattling around my brain lately about a common phrase in the Christian sub-culture/ lingo.  Many of us are encouraged to "do great things for God,” or bless (?) our children by telling them what “great things they will do for God.” Of course, "great things" can only mean either giving up your whole life to start an orphanage in a third world country, or becoming a well-known speaker and/or author so that your words touch hundreds of thousands.  

The deal is, God has a vastly different definition of "great things" than we do. My friend who will take someone to dinner when they ask her for money on the street -- and give them not only the gift of a full belly, but her attention and time, too, is doing great things for God. My friends who consistently and unselfishly care for their neighbors and family are doing great things for God. My friend who ministers to those on the fringes to let them know they are loved and not forgotten is doing great things for God.

You don't know any of these people's names, and likely never will, but surely you know people just like them, doing great things for God.

An enthusiastic, well-meaning gentleman tells me EVERY. TIME. he sees me, "I can't wait to see what great things God is going to do in your life. I just know God is going to do great things through you!" Sweet, I guess, but I just think, "What has He been doing in my life? Is raising babies not enough for God? Changing diapers in the nursery at church doesn't add up to anything in God’s economy? Those HOURS that I have spent on youth trips -- praying and laughing and losing sleep with teens -- nada?"

I know people are doing more than me and other things --- but not all of us will do great things in the eyes of the world -- though lives will no doubt be changed by those things, as well. But all of us can do God's great things.

I’ve been wrestling with this thought because of the familiar "woe is me" lie -- the lie that I don't matter, that God isn't using me, that my years on this earth are amounting to nothing, and "everyone" is getting a book contract/ awesome job/ the right degree. I finally had to claim that as the lie that was. Sure, I have let many opportunities slip by me and I have learned beyond my fair share of lessons from mistakes.

But just because I am not doing things that thousands can see, it doesn't mean it isn't great in God's eyes. And I continue to pray that He is the only one I aim to please and impress -- and THAT is a whole other struggle unto itself.

May you do something great for God today -- one of God's great things.

"The greatest among you will be your servant"Matthew 23:11

Sarah Stirman

McKinney, Texas