Thought of the Week: The Lord's Supper

The Lord’s Supper is a time in which Christians gather together for a specific reason. The question this author would like to ask is, “What is on your mind during this time?” Does one spend time reflecting about the football game which occurred a day or two ago? Maybe the one playing later in the evening? Is one focused on something which occurred during the week? Perhaps a troubling event? Please remember the focus during that time should not be on any outside event. The focus of the Christian should be on the cross and all that it means to the children of God. “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat:this is my body, which is broken for you:this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.” (1 Cor. 11:23-26).

Thought of the Week: Give Attendance to Reading

How often do we take simple time to read the Bible? “But I don’t have time” is the cry that is usually given at such a question. One finds himself busy with work, school, outside activities, and a host of other things which causes him to have no time for God’s Word. Many do not have time to read but how long does it take to read from Genesis to Revelation? It would take the average reader seventy two hours to read the Bible from beginning to end. One can read the entire Bible without taking a break in roughly three days. Is it that we really do not have time or that we do not make time? How is it that same one who has no time for the Bible has time for the outside activities? He makes time for them. Should not that one be willing to do the same with the most important piece of literature known to man? “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” (1 Tim. 4:13).

No One Notices

Recently, this author received an interesting phone call. A citizen of Waycross called concerning the sign outside of the building. Until recently, one of the members of the congregation was in charge of putting messages on the board. Since that time, this author has been placed over what appears on the sign. She remarked on how she loves the messages which have been placed on the board and goes home to read the scripture references. She even pointed out a small error made on the sign. (Cited Proverbs 23:1 when it should have been 22:1. Accidents happen but it shows she paid attention). After giving her an invitation to join us for worship sometime she also wanted to remark on the work one of the members does to the yard. She remarked on the yard being well kept. The author promised to let the member know that his work is appreciated. Her closing remarks were, “I wanted you to know that the work that is being done has not gone unnoticed. Thank you.” Needless to say, her kind words was greatly appreciated.

This was not stated to boast but to make a point to Christians. Ever feel like making the statement, “No one pays attention to the work I do”? Many in the workplace feel as if the long hours spent on projects go overlooked by those who run the show. The time and effort feel like a waste when the wrong people get the credit. This is true of many Christians. Often individuals will feel underappreciated for the work they do for the Lord. Should Christians ever feel this way?

While Our Work May Go Unnoticed on Earth, We Have a Heavenly Audience. The Proverbs writer said, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Prov. 15:3). Yes, God sees the great evil which occurs on this planet but He is just as mindful of the good work which Christians do. Take the time to read and study Neh. 3. It is there that one may read of those who helped in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem and those who helped in the process. Why would God take the time to name these individuals by name? He knew the good work which was being done and recorded it for generations to come.

He Knows the Names of Those Who Work. Look to Paul’s letter to those in Phillipi. “And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.” (Phil. 4:3). Are all of these fellowlabourers named by name? No. Does that make them any less important in the eyes of God? No. Their names are known by Him because they are in His book of life. That means God not only knows the work which these individuals are doing but He knows them by name.

The Christian’s Reward is Much Greater Than ANY Earthly Praise. God has a reward awaiting Christians which surpasses anything any man can say. “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” (Phil. 3:20-21). Paul also referred to it as a crown of righteousness that not only would he receive but all them who love the Lord (2 Tim. 4:6-8). An eternity in Heaven is the “job well done” that Christians receive for their service to God.

If one ever feels that he his work for the church has gone unnoticed, that he deserves better than this, or that he is done working without proper recognition. Please remember that God is aware of the good work which is being accomplished. He also knows the names of those who are working. While one may not get the proper credit here on earth, God will reward that one at the end of this life.

Thought of the Week: Introspection

When studying God’s Word how often does a man compare his life to the scriptures? As easy as it is to call out the problems of the lives of others the Bible calls for man to perform the toughest type of inspection. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Cor. 13:5). The hardest inspection a man can perform is that of introspection. It requires than an individual not to look at the faults of others but those of self. This is not some halfway glance at one’s life but deep contemplation as to whether or not someone is truthfully living up to God’s standards or just deceiving himself. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” (Jam. 1:22-25).

Thought of the Week: Airing Our Dirty Laundry

The phrase, “airing our one’s dirty laundry is an interesting one. It gives the picture of stained, soured clothing hanging on a clothes line and with the right breeze everyone can smell it. Gossip, much like dirty laundry, does nothing to help anyone. It makes the subject of the gossip look bad. It makes the one who is gossiping look bad. If he is willing to spread rumors about one person, what stops that person from spreading more about others? It makes the audience look bad. Remember, it takes two or more to gossip. At the end of the day, it makes all parties look bad. Instead of spreading gossip what should one do? “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” (Matt. 18:15). “For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” (2 Thess. 3:11-12).