Many Gifts Of The Spirit

A Loose Lip Will Sink A Relationship

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. (Rom 14:19-21 KJV)

It has been almost three decades since I quit drinking alcoholic beverages. By that time many of my family members and friends had already lost their lives in death to causes that were related either directly or indirectly to alcohol or other drugs. Although, still drinking, on occasion, I had already been questioning how it was that so many who had been so close to those who died from alcohol and drug related causes would continue to abuse these substances. It is hard to fathom how those who abuse prescription drugs justify that in their own minds.

Alcohol, in paricular, has not generally lead to peace or edification of any kind. In fact, it has led to disputes and divisions; some big, some small. Although, I had by this time learned (the hard way) not to get drunk myself, I would still have a few drinks with family and friends. But, even this usually led to disaster. The results were not good! Remember, the saying "Loose lips sink ships" from World War II? Well, alcohol and drugs loosen lips and loose lips sink relationships, as well. It doesn't take too many drinks to loosen lips.

Then, within one week, I heard two different family members say things to the effect of: "Well, even Judy likes to drink." I was like, "What!? It's my fault they drink? It's my fault their lives are such a mess?!" Although; I recognize that the use of alcohol is not the same as abuse; I decided then that no one would ever be able to use me as an excuse for their abusive use of alcohol again. They could try. But, they would not be able to honestly every say again, "even Judy drinks."

The end result was that I do not drink alcoholic beverages. I may unwittingly be a stumbling block to others; but, it will not be because of alcohol abuse or use. St Paul wrote: "It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak." (vs 21)

We are only a few days a way from Christmas. Many of my loved ones have lost their lives during the Advent and Christmas seasons. Please, be careful if you are drinking or drugging. We are free to choose what to eat or drink according to our own conscience. But, be careful that you do not become someone else's stumbling block; the cause of their demise. Do not turn anyone's laughter into sorrow because you believe that the way to your own happiness is getting drunk or high. Substance abuse destroys relationships. It destroys and takes away any opportunity to live life. It doesn't give. It takes life.

"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." (Eph 5:18)

Be filled with the Spirit of Christ and truly enjoy life!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Gifts to Edify

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

                                                                                   (Rom 12:1-13 KJV)

We are each given gifts. These gifts are not meant to hurt or to damage one another. They are to be used in an honorable and loving way that we may build up the whole body and not tear it down. 

In this time when so many people are struggling may God help us to find ways to use these gifts to reconcile us to one another.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Freedom To Serve

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. (1 Cor 10:23 KJV)

Just because something is lawful or maybe we can just get away with it does not mean it's a good thing for us or anyone else. Protests are lawful; but, when they get out of hand destroying the property of lives of others they definitely do not edify anything. They do not help us grow as a community or country. They only divide us and bring more problems.

As Christians, we know that we are free in Christ; but, we also know that by his ultimate sacrifice we have been freed to serve God and one another. As Christians, we ought to consider if our actions; although, they may serve and please us, do they help anyone else in any way or do they harm the people around us?

When Jesus died on the cross he died for us. He gave the ultimate gift of his life so that we might live life and not destroy one another.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Pleasing Others In Community

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

                                                                (Rom 15:1-7 KJV)

Again or still, I have been thinking about community as most of the country has been mandated to avoid community. In a very real sense, keeping our distance can be for the good of and to please our neighbors. However, we will have a difficult time helping the individual in need if we never see them. There are many social organizations that we can assist in helping others by making donations online. Sadly, some of these organizations have closed their offices due to the mandates. Church offices come to my mind.

We cannot please everyone all of the time. But, in order to please or help them in any way, we usually need to have contact with them. We need to be in community with them. Jesus calls us to feed his sheep. Social media is fine for feeding others the word; but, other then making donations to large agencies who will use a large percentage of our donations for operating costs rather than directly feeding and sheltering those in need, social media isn't all that helpful when it comes to taking care of physical needs.

In order to know what people may need we need to be in community, in communication, with them. Long distance, remote communication really does not do the trick. It is difficult to receive someone as St. Paul exhorts us to do when we can't actually be with one another.

I have joked about being a hermit more than once. I really do appreciate my quiet times with God! But, I also appreciate and give thanks to God for having had so many opportunities over the years to please others by helping them in person when they needed someone who was near and not far away; when they needed someone to feed them whether it was spiritually or physically.

Let us all give thanks that many of the social distancing guidelines are being relaxed and we can get on with living in community to the glory of our ever-loving God our Father.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

One Body; Many Members; Many Gifts

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. (1 Cor 12:12-13 NIV)

Well, there you have it. We have all been baptized into the one body. If you read Paul's firsts letter to the Corinthians you will find that he advises that the Body of Christ which is the Church needs every part of the body to continue it's mission to proclaim the Gospel; to grow and edify the church. There is not one member of the church on earth that is greater than another. God gives to each of us gifts to be used for His glory. We use them in unison. It does not matter what God has called you to do. Whether you clean the church, type the bulletins, assist at worship, teach Sunday School, sing in the choir, serve on the council; whatever it is that God has called you to do, it is important to the health of the congregation; to the health of the church. Each of these callings contribute greatly to the growth and health of the local congregation. If the bathrooms are a mess it will not matter how awesome the music is. If the greeters ignore visitors it will not matter what the preacher is preaching. If the members of a local congregation of the church on earth do not work in unison with the one mind of Christ it will fail or at the most struggle to survive in the mission to which we are called.

Every individual member in a congregation is important to the life and health of that congregation. There is nothing and no one too small to be unimportant. One of the most common laments that I hear from those who are very elderly is that they can no longer actively serve as they once did. They loved serving God and others through the church on earth and they miss it. But, the truth is "Yes, you can continue serving." You can continue serving by continuing to pray for the congregation and the whole Body of Christ. You can share your love of God with others around you by testifying to the great love you have for Jesus the Christ and for them. After all, St. Paul reminds us that love is the greatest gift of all. (1 Cor 13:13)  You can share the vision that God had inspired within you for your congregation; for your community, with your pastor and with the other members of the Body of Christ. There are many things you can continue in. Not everything has to be or should be visible to the whole congregation. Some things are done quietly; unbeknownst to the majority.

Every single member of the church on earth; every single member of every congregation is an important part of the Body of Christ. None are more important or less important than another. No gifts are less or greater than another. We must strive to work together according to the gifts that God has given to each of us that God may be glorified in all that we say and do.

God's Peace - Pr. J