Philippians 4:14 ESV
Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
How great a blessing it is to have brothers and sisters who are willing to allow one to share one's burdens. Certainly we all have our own burdens to bear but to take on those of another is truly a good work.
Alone is possibly one of the most tragic feelings a believer can have. To feel that one cannot share one's burdens is a very sad feeling. Alone is a tough thing to feel, yet it is all too common among believers.
Yes, we know that He is always with us, but it was not His plan that He be the only one who is there for us.
Galatians 6:2 ESV
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
We are admonished to bear one another's burdens. This is not optional. This is an imperative. But sadly, it is one that is more often avoided than embraced.
We, Patti and I, are wonderfully blessed by folks who are willing to shoulder our burdens both in prayer and engagement. They may tire under the load but they never put it down. Even when their own loads are heavy and pressing they open their hearts and arms to ours. It is a great gift and a great part of God's plan for His people.
God does not tell us to "fix" the burdens of others, although if we can we should, but rather to "bear" them. The primary way we do this is by being willing to be informed of those burdens. Unfortunately there is little place or time in the life of the Church for such things to happen. Also, I think that we are afraid to know the burdens of others because they may impose some strong response on our part, some sacrificial response.
Knowing the burdens of another does carry it's own responsibility. If nothing else, it carries the obligation to really pray for them and WITH them. It is not the bullet prayer that is needed but the deep, knowledgeable, sincere and focused prayer. It means entering their battleground with petitions and supplications on their behalf. It also requires that we stay informed of their needs by staying engaged. It is a sad propensity for us to hear of a burden and then avoid it for fear we will be called to actually do something regarding it.
We can testify to the wonderfulness of having brothers and sisters who engage, stay engaged and do what they can to help bear the burden. Just the knowledge that we are remembered, especially remembered in prayer, is a comfort beyond price. That someone is carrying us to the throne of grace is indeed a great comfort, blessing and encouragement.
Philemon 1:7 ESV
For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
Showing posts with label one another. Show all posts
Showing posts with label one another. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Friday, June 17, 2016
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 ESV
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, [12] so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
What a great and wonderful thing to pray for! What a blessing to those for whom we pray! Oh that we all might so lovingly consider our brothers and sisters in Christ!
We all resolve to do good and to do good works for the glory of our heavenly Father so them it is imperative that we pray concerning this for one another? How much more encouraging can we get than to make the good desires of our family's heart a matter for diligent prayer. Oh how we would be co-laborers in the best sense if we all undertook to do such praying but we need to know those things which our brothers and sisters have resolved to be and to do.
Here again, I have to express my concern that in the conservative anti-cultural swing of the pendulum, the church has disallowed any forum for us to be informed by and concerning our brothers and sisters'resolutions. That intimate connection, for ministry is left to chance. In our desire to get the world out of the church, we have severed many opportunities for true and glorious fellowship.
The Puritans held what they called "conferences", which we would call small groups. These conferences were disciplined serious. meetings where the truth was discussed and lives were shared. At these conferences, not only did they discuss theology and doctrine but the shared what I call "Kindom hopes." By that I mean the dearly held intimate and individual asperations of those attending. These were not self-help or therapeutic groups (although they were helpful and therapeutic) but were the venue where true and orderly fellowship took place.
By fellowship, I refer to the strictest definition of the biblical term. This is not socializing but rather the holding and sharing of our common faith as it relates to our individual lives. These gatherings are not rodeos where folks would spill their guts, but rather serious interactions concerning the individual needs, asperations and resolutions of the believers.
How else, where else are we to come into contact with the hearts of our brothers and sisters? Certainly not in the choreographed order of worship. That would not be appropriate or fitting. Worship is a part of everthing we do in His name but that special time on the Lord's day is about Him not us. But we desperately need a venue where we can and may share with one another the glories and struggles of following Him - especially how we can pray for one another as we seek to be about serving Him.
I, and I am sure many of you, desire to pray for our brothers and sisters in an intelligent and informed manner. I find vague and generic prayers very frustrating. I desire to pray for my hopes and dreams in the Lord as well as yours. I know mine, it is yours I long to know. Otherwise my prayers for you seem crippled by ingnorance and hollow in their vagueness. We want our prayers to be intimate and to the point, not general and hollow. No, there is nothing "WRONG" with generalized and vague prayers but I think we miss the best of prayer when we are so limited.
+
Do you suffer the same frustrations as I concerning this matter? If so, begin now to be more intentional in asking for and receiving requests for prayer. If someone desires "growth in Christ," ask them in what specific areas. Ask them what their Kingdom hopes and dreams are. Ask....ask....ask and then ask.
As far as fellowship for the purpose of informing our prayers for one another, start with one other person. Pray that the Lord will help you find a kindred spirit in this matter and you two begin to "conference." If it pleases God to do so, your little one on one can grow into a powerful, deep and meaningful (not mention Christ honoring) opportunity.
But I would warn you. Though such fellowship can certainly be therapeutic this is not to be a Christian group therapy sesson. We gather in
conference to do serious work, to gain the information we need to pray wisely and well. Nor is it a social gathering. It has a specific end in sight and will take resolve to keep it from degenerating into a social gathering.
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, [12] so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
What a great and wonderful thing to pray for! What a blessing to those for whom we pray! Oh that we all might so lovingly consider our brothers and sisters in Christ!
We all resolve to do good and to do good works for the glory of our heavenly Father so them it is imperative that we pray concerning this for one another? How much more encouraging can we get than to make the good desires of our family's heart a matter for diligent prayer. Oh how we would be co-laborers in the best sense if we all undertook to do such praying but we need to know those things which our brothers and sisters have resolved to be and to do.
Here again, I have to express my concern that in the conservative anti-cultural swing of the pendulum, the church has disallowed any forum for us to be informed by and concerning our brothers and sisters'resolutions. That intimate connection, for ministry is left to chance. In our desire to get the world out of the church, we have severed many opportunities for true and glorious fellowship.
The Puritans held what they called "conferences", which we would call small groups. These conferences were disciplined serious. meetings where the truth was discussed and lives were shared. At these conferences, not only did they discuss theology and doctrine but the shared what I call "Kindom hopes." By that I mean the dearly held intimate and individual asperations of those attending. These were not self-help or therapeutic groups (although they were helpful and therapeutic) but were the venue where true and orderly fellowship took place.
By fellowship, I refer to the strictest definition of the biblical term. This is not socializing but rather the holding and sharing of our common faith as it relates to our individual lives. These gatherings are not rodeos where folks would spill their guts, but rather serious interactions concerning the individual needs, asperations and resolutions of the believers.
How else, where else are we to come into contact with the hearts of our brothers and sisters? Certainly not in the choreographed order of worship. That would not be appropriate or fitting. Worship is a part of everthing we do in His name but that special time on the Lord's day is about Him not us. But we desperately need a venue where we can and may share with one another the glories and struggles of following Him - especially how we can pray for one another as we seek to be about serving Him.
I, and I am sure many of you, desire to pray for our brothers and sisters in an intelligent and informed manner. I find vague and generic prayers very frustrating. I desire to pray for my hopes and dreams in the Lord as well as yours. I know mine, it is yours I long to know. Otherwise my prayers for you seem crippled by ingnorance and hollow in their vagueness. We want our prayers to be intimate and to the point, not general and hollow. No, there is nothing "WRONG" with generalized and vague prayers but I think we miss the best of prayer when we are so limited.
+
Do you suffer the same frustrations as I concerning this matter? If so, begin now to be more intentional in asking for and receiving requests for prayer. If someone desires "growth in Christ," ask them in what specific areas. Ask them what their Kingdom hopes and dreams are. Ask....ask....ask and then ask.
As far as fellowship for the purpose of informing our prayers for one another, start with one other person. Pray that the Lord will help you find a kindred spirit in this matter and you two begin to "conference." If it pleases God to do so, your little one on one can grow into a powerful, deep and meaningful (not mention Christ honoring) opportunity.
But I would warn you. Though such fellowship can certainly be therapeutic this is not to be a Christian group therapy sesson. We gather in
conference to do serious work, to gain the information we need to pray wisely and well. Nor is it a social gathering. It has a specific end in sight and will take resolve to keep it from degenerating into a social gathering.
Monday, March 18, 2013
How and who?
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort. (2Co 1:3-7)
I would ask, How are you comforted and whom do you comfort?
I ask because today I was comforted by a brother who need of comfort is very real and constant.
As a "leader-sheep" we all too often assume we are to be care givers and we forget that we are also care needers. As we fulfill our calling to care for His sheep we all too often make the mistake of forgetting that we desperately need care as well.
When the Praetorian Guard was established in Rome one question predominated, "Who guards the guardians?" This is no different from what we as comfort and care givers need to be asking of and for ourselves.
I have come to realize that it is all too easy to think that as a leader-sheep I need to be above the fray. God has made it plan to me that this is a cruel deception and a very real danger.
Oh, I can feed myself but comforting myself and doing it well is just not effective if it is even possible.
I have found that I need others who from the comfort they have found in Him - pass that comfort on to me. I have found that it is a type of pride to see myself as a giver only and not a needer.
Father,
I thank you for the comfort You sent today through my brother. I thank you for the tears I shed in thanks and gratitude. i thank you for the boldness of my brother's prayer the the depth to which it touched needs I has not seen.
Father, keep this lesson in my ,mind and heart. Keep me from isolation and pride. Keep me open to the comfort You have for me from my brothers and sisters - AND enable me to be open and honest about my need and grateful for its being met.
Thank You for establishing Your people and for the comfort You provide from one to another.
Amen
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
How are you doing? doxy/praxy
Has anyone really asked you how you are lately?
Has anyone asked after your prayer life or your Bible reading?
Has anyone really focused on your walk and expressed a concern to be part of your growth?
In your distress and affliction, has anyone come alongside to pray with you? Has anyone come alongside to hear your worries and struggles and to encourage and admonish you in His love and grace?
Just wondering. It seems to be a lost art of the Body.
Orthodoxy - right belief and Orthopraxy - right practice seem to have been split or at least just ascribed to head stuff and not hear stuff.
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal 6:2)
Though the context in which we find this verse has to do with a brother or sister who has stumbled I can't believe that it is limited to that. Afflictions, difficulties, etc. are all times of temptations to sin. Should we wait until the temptations has overcome a brother or sister before we begin to bear their burdens with them?
There is never any reason or excuse for a believer to be isolated and alone. Yes, I know God is with them always - but He has also provided human servants and called them to serve one another diligently, sacrificially and lovingly.
I have served the isolated for many years and their pain and anguish is a terrible thing. I've known that isolation myself and to be honest, it is indeed, if not a faith killer at least a faith smother-er.
We tell those in distress to "trust God," and we are right in that BUT we have to come to that uncomfortable place where we ask, "What is my role in God's work in this my brother's or sister's distress?" We have to ask, "What must I do?"
See, telling folks to trust God is good. But when you see a brother or sister in need do you just dump them on God's door step or do you ask God how you need to trust Him in reaching out to those in need? I know, having worked with a lot of isolated believers that, "Trust God!" sounds and feel more like, "Lot's of luck, you're on your own!"
Yes, I'll be honest enough to share that this comes not just from my experience with the isolated but from my own experience as well. I have known the pain and fear, the terror of hearing, "Trust God!" and getting a pat on the back. Yes, this is kind of a "soap box" for me and to a degree about me. But God has blessed me with the opportunity to "be there" int he middle of the mess with folks who needed someone - some human believer - to stand with them in the mess and hold them up.
We spend so much time and effort and money fighting the "culture wars" that we let our own wounded languish. Yes, we do need to confront the culture but I believe we only do that when we are the church Christ calls us to be. There is now very real need for the church to be the church - and by that I mean to follow the example of those early isolated believers.
And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
(Act 2:44-47)
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. (Act 4:34-35)
Has anyone asked after your prayer life or your Bible reading?
Has anyone really focused on your walk and expressed a concern to be part of your growth?
In your distress and affliction, has anyone come alongside to pray with you? Has anyone come alongside to hear your worries and struggles and to encourage and admonish you in His love and grace?
Just wondering. It seems to be a lost art of the Body.
Orthodoxy - right belief and Orthopraxy - right practice seem to have been split or at least just ascribed to head stuff and not hear stuff.
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal 6:2)
Though the context in which we find this verse has to do with a brother or sister who has stumbled I can't believe that it is limited to that. Afflictions, difficulties, etc. are all times of temptations to sin. Should we wait until the temptations has overcome a brother or sister before we begin to bear their burdens with them?
There is never any reason or excuse for a believer to be isolated and alone. Yes, I know God is with them always - but He has also provided human servants and called them to serve one another diligently, sacrificially and lovingly.
I have served the isolated for many years and their pain and anguish is a terrible thing. I've known that isolation myself and to be honest, it is indeed, if not a faith killer at least a faith smother-er.
We tell those in distress to "trust God," and we are right in that BUT we have to come to that uncomfortable place where we ask, "What is my role in God's work in this my brother's or sister's distress?" We have to ask, "What must I do?"
See, telling folks to trust God is good. But when you see a brother or sister in need do you just dump them on God's door step or do you ask God how you need to trust Him in reaching out to those in need? I know, having worked with a lot of isolated believers that, "Trust God!" sounds and feel more like, "Lot's of luck, you're on your own!"
Yes, I'll be honest enough to share that this comes not just from my experience with the isolated but from my own experience as well. I have known the pain and fear, the terror of hearing, "Trust God!" and getting a pat on the back. Yes, this is kind of a "soap box" for me and to a degree about me. But God has blessed me with the opportunity to "be there" int he middle of the mess with folks who needed someone - some human believer - to stand with them in the mess and hold them up.
We spend so much time and effort and money fighting the "culture wars" that we let our own wounded languish. Yes, we do need to confront the culture but I believe we only do that when we are the church Christ calls us to be. There is now very real need for the church to be the church - and by that I mean to follow the example of those early isolated believers.
And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
(Act 2:44-47)
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. (Act 4:34-35)
But - we're not there. We haven't been there or a long long time. Perhaps this is what we need to repent of. This is not "communism," it is fundamental "Christianity." If the church is not being the church how can God add to it - why would He want to?
Some of you are indeed doing what we find those early believers doing and may God encourage and bless you greatly. Some of you would rather not put yourself in the position of having to trust God enough to follow the example of the early believers.
The church is seen in these Acts passages taking care of its own. Did they ignore the needs of those outside? I don't know. What I do know is that regularly, sacrificially and faithfully the "saints" cared for the "saints," and God added to their number those who were being saved.
It is a thing worth praying about and seeking His guidance about and following His example about - it is a good thing, a biblical thing, a faithful thing.
Father, let me not become so fixed on my needs both real and imagined that I forget that I may well have what another needs. Let me seek Your guidance and the power to trust You to follow the example my early brothers and sisters set.
May your Bride be faithful to You and to herself. May she care for her own, trusting You to provide. May we all be appropriately convicted and concerned for the example we find in these early believers as they trusted you to provide for all through Your blessings to each individual.
Forgive me for seeing only my own need and affliction and forgetting that I am a member, a part of a Body and that You not only provide me with what need but You provide for me to help others in their need as well.
Dear Father - let the church be he church.
Amen
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