Don't just sit there...

(forgive me for taking last week off... I've been sick and things have been crazy)

"The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts." Acts 11: 21-23

Yesterday I had the honor of witnessing the baptism of an infant. The parents of the child brought him up to be baptized, promising to raise him up in faith and love. The pastor finished the questions for the parents and them moved on to the actual act with the water. You could have heard a pin drop it was so quiet. But then, out of nowhere his brother began shouting,

"Come on, you can do it!"

Laughter (probably most of it nervous) broke out in the congregation as everyone noticed the 3-to-4-year-old brother sitting unattended in the pew, away from the action. I guess it seemed comical to most. But to me, it seemed profound.

The whole congregation sat, as all good congregations do at such a time: quiet, smiling, and taking in the moment. But this young boy, unaware of the "social norm" for that time, recognized the importance of the occasion and he cheered his brother on. I was amazed.

This week, try to notice something that may seem commonplace in the life of a fellow believer in Christ. Instead of reacting the way we normally do, try making a big deal of it. Encourage them. You don't have to praise them or physically cheer them on, but maybe give them a compliment, or lift them up in a prayer of thanksgiving and praise.

Notice the small things, and consider them blessings.

Easy to forget

"The word of the LORD came to me: "Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem:
" 'I remember the devotion of your youth,
how as a bride you loved me
and followed me through the desert,
through a land not sown."

Jeremiah 2: 1-2

Do you "remember the devotion of your youth"? When you were passionate and chased after things without tiring or asking questions? Remember the times before you learned to doubt? Or maybe before you learned what it meant to be discouraged?

The trouble with growing up is in learning to think too muc. The people of Israel experienced this when they trusted in God as they were released from captivity in Egypt, only to complain against Moses and God when things became difficult. It's easy to give up- easier to go back to what was familiar. It's easier...but not better.

How might your week be changed by making an effort to "remember the devotion of your youth"? Maybe you'd be a witness to Christ in the world... Don't let every day events take away your zest for life and devotion to God this week.

A donkey and an ox

"If you come across your enemy's ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it." Exodus 23: 4-5

In some of my recent studies, this passage was a focus. The passage is one that gives the people of Israel rules for living in community. A huge part of living in community involves helping others. The interesting part of this passage is that it is "your enemy's ox"...not your friend's ox. It is assumed that people will help people that they like (which I hope is still true today more than it's not), but not help someone they dislike. This command is one of many important in developing Israel as a people set apart to bring about God's intentions in the world.

The passage made me think of another passage that we all may be a little more familiar with:

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." James 2: 14-19

The words in Exodus inspire me to live to a higher standard- one that witnesses through the way I treat everyone. The words of James remind me that my faith should spur me on to action.

This week, seek opportunities to live out your faith and God's intentions for the world.