Lead by example

Matthew 3:13-17

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.  And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

We just celebrated the birth of Jesus.  As I reflect on this, sometimes I am lead to think about how he lead by example.  We are not following Christ just because we are told to.  Rather, the Son of God came to earth as a baby, grew up doing some of the same things we have likely done. 

Here he comes to John the Baptist, who knows that he is the Christ that will save him, and Jesus asks John to baptize him!  John is taken back and actually questions him.  Why would I baptize you?  I’m the one that needs to be baptized by you! 

Yet Jesus knows that leading by example is so much more powerful than just telling someone to do something.  Therefore, he has John baptize him. 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, are we leading by example?  We can believe in Christ and tell others that we are Christians, however if the way that we live does not reflect that, then we are living a lie and not leading by the right example. 

Today I want to simply encourage you to take a look at your life.  As we come to the new year and many make resolutions, I encourage you to resolve to share Christ with others by leading by example and living a Godly life.

Happy New Year!  May you be blessed by God’s presence in your life this year.

Our Journey to Adoption, Part V - A Rough Beginning

When we first met James and Sarah at a park (in July 2015), Sarah was barely walking and not really talking. James was bouncing off anything and everything, but let us play with him. We met another time or two at a park. In the meantime, the court had a hearing and proceeded to pursue adoption rather than reunification. They were to schedule a hearing 3 months out to terminate the parents’ rights. However, it never got scheduled.

We continued to schedule meetings with the kids, though. In the Fall (of 2015), we met the kids at the Toledo Zoo and then scheduled their first visit to our house for the weekend before Thanksgiving. The plan was to introduce the kids to our house and then keep the kids over the Thanksgiving weekend overnight. We had a bad snow storm, though, and the foster family turned around after making it only a few miles. We still went ahead with the Thanksgiving overnight the next weekend. I was nervous and it ended up far worse than I had imagined. They screamed and flailed an hour at bedtime. We tried to reassure them that they were going home the next day, we hugged them, we scratched backs, but nothing seemed to calm them. Of course, I can’t imagine what was going on in their little heads and how confused they must have felt. Sarah screamed about 5 different times throughout the night, too. It was horrible! What made it worse is that we didn’t even know how likely it would be for us to adopt the kids.  

We couldn’t argue God’s hand in the details leading up to this point, so we had to continue following His lead even through all the difficulties and unknowns.

As with the blind man Jesus healed, his life didn’t get easier after encountering and following Jesus. He could see, but he then got kicked out of the synagogue!

John 9:24-34   ²⁴ A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” ²⁵ He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” ²⁶ Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” ²⁷ He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” ²⁸ Then they hurled insults at him… ³⁰ The man answered…³¹ We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.³² Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. ³³ If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” ³⁴ To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

How has following Jesus brought blessings, but also hardship and turmoil? God works through the hardships to develop perseverance and grow our faith, just as He did with the blind man. Where do you and I need to persevere (remembering the blessings), knowing God will be with us and help us?  

Doing More

Blessed are those who are generous,
    because they feed the poor.  Proverbs 22:9

In this time of annual giving, we are often reminded of those who are far less fortunate than ourselves.  Many of you do a great service to them volunteering time, money, and skill to help those in need.  Thomson Reuters does a great service volunteering thousands of hours to the community.  It makes me proud to work for such a place.  However, I had to ask a very startling truth.  What do I give to my church, and do I help the needy in my community with them?  Now I am not saying my church does not volunteer to help them.  However, maybe I am saying that I am not doing enough.  Or maybe if my church is not doing enough, it is because no one like me has made the effort to reach out to the community and help those less fortunate.  It strikes me as one of those moments where Jesus said, “Hypocrite!  First get rid of the log in our own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5)  Is there more we should be doing within our church?  Is this not one of their primary functions?

We as followers of Christ are called to help those in need.  In doing this devotion, I actually stumbled across this verse while focusing on the beginning of the Beatitudes for Jesus’ Sermon On The Mount.  This is one of these instances where the Old and New Testament underline each other.  As noted by Jesus, He said, “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” (Matthew 5:3)   Many who play it safe will point out that this refers to the poor ‘in spirit.’  However if you have been without financial means, you understand perfectly what it is like to be in need of God then more than at any other time.  While it can be uncomfortable for us to dedicate our time and resources to those in need, we are given a choice.  We can be safe and comfortable and just take in all that is needed to understand God’s plan for our lives, or we can be bold and courageous knowing God will both be with and teach us as we push to do more helping others.

There is nothing better than to give of ourselves in the service of others.  Whether it is a gift to a charity or organizing a volunteer day at church, we owe it to God to look out for those who are either less fortunate or even worse cannot help themselves.  Jesus says, “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” (Luke 12:48b)  Let us be willing to roll up our sleeves, and give of ourselves in the name of holy and righteous God who valued us so much that He gave His life so that we may live with Him for all eternity.  What more can you do for Christ where you are?  How can you be more involved in helping those in need?  My prayer is that we look at ways this new year to give to those in need because we can do more.  Amen, and Happy New Year!

Tues Devo: Treasured

Hello,

Watching kids at Christmas is certainly entertaining! As my oldest starts to get a little older (6) he is beginning to show a range of reactions with gifts. Instead of just excitement or disappointment, there is more diversity in reaction. You can see what he dislikes, doesn’t care about, what he likes, what he really likes, and the things that spur a more emotional connection – with people, not just the things. The emotional connection was the one that stood out to me the most.

The emotional connection had me thinking about Mary and how 2 times the word “treasured” is used in reference to her and Jesus. The first time is when the shepherds came, and the second is after Jesus stays behind at the temple in the age of 12 – and despite His wisdom and position stays in subjection to His parents.

Luke 2:18-19 “ And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (NASB)

Luke 2:41-51 “Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it, but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.” And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.” (NASB)

These were the only 2 times in the New Testament that the word ‘treasured’ is used (NASB). It was used 4 other times in the Old Testament.  Notice how each is about the relationship of God to man.

Deuteronomy 26:17-19 “You have today declared the Lord to be your God, and that you would walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments and His ordinances, and listen to His voice. The Lord has today declared you to be His people, a treasured possession, as He promised you, and that you should keep all His commandments; and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, for praise, fame, and honor; and that you shall be a consecrated people to the Lord your God, as He has spoken.”

Job 23:12 “I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.”

Psalm 83:2-3 “For behold, Your enemies make an uproar, And those who hate You have exalted themselves. They make shrewd plans against Your people, And conspire together against Your treasured ones.”

Psalm 119:11 “Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.”

The word treasured is certainly something that is used with a deep connection. Obviously, it is a word used in the past tense – meaning something has already happened in order to be treasured. The other obvious element here is that the thing which happened must be noticed. Whatever is not seen/experienced cannot be treasured. This word also implies time to look back and reflect – likely over multiple occurrences, not just once.

Where are you with your “treasured”? When was the last time you reflected on your Savior and His love for you? Is it just Christmas, or more often?

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill