DEVOTION, 12/4/2020. Empathy

¹²  Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, ¹³  came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ (Acts 22:12-13, NKJV).

We know that Paul was persecuting Christians until Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus.That encounter left him blind. Ananias knows Paul’s background. He may have wondered if it was wise to approach him, He might become Paul’s next victim! Whatever fears were in the heart of Ananias he approaches Paul. Was Paul really converted? Ananias refers to him as “brother.” That is an example of compassion and empathy. 

Grammar lesson! Sympathy is feeling sorry for someone. Empathy is feeling sorry for someone and then acting to help.

How do we respond when we find a person caught up in sin and despair? Do we feel sympathy for the lost? Do we think, “I am sorry that person is lost and I hope someone will help them.” Or do we feel empathy. “I am going to pray for my lost friend and also be prepared to share Christ with him.”

We need to show our love for others by our actions, not just our feelings. Is sharing Christ complicated? Not really. Anyone can say to another, “May I share with you what Christ has done in my life?” Then you simply share in your own words what Christ means to you. How others respond is their responsibility.  You have done what you need to do.

Gracious heavenly Father, help me to go beyond sympathy and practice empathy. When I see someone in need, whatever the need may be, help me to go beyond feeling sorry and to offer a helping hand. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.

DEVOTION, December 3, Receiving Christ

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ¹³  who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13, NKJV).

Are you a Child of God? You are if you have received Jesus. And how do I receive Jesus? You receive Jesus when you believe in His name. You trust Him, believing that He is your Savior who died as an atonement for your sins. To those who trust Him Jesus gives the right to become children of God. Faith leads to a new birth. Those who trust in Jesus are born of God. Rebirth is not a human act. It is an act of God in response to faith.

I hope you see yourself as a child of God. That is the right (Greek, exousia, privilege, power, authority) of all who have true faith in the Son of God. We have rights as citizens of the United States. We have rights as members of the Warsaw Christian Church. These are important rights but they pale in significance to the right we have to be called children of God.

One of the rights we possess as members of God’s family is the right to bear witness to our Savior, that others may come to believe in Him. There are lost and dying people all around us. It is our right, our privilege, to introduce them to Jesus. We can share with others how wonderful it is to know that redemption can be had simply by trusting in Jesus. Are you exercising your rights as a child of God?

Father God, how wonderful it is to know that we are your children. Thank You so much for giving us that right. Help me to faithfully bear witness to others, knowing that as Your child I can act on Your behalf. In Your blessed name, I pray, Amen.

We continue our Coronavirus schedule. Church at 10:00 AM, no Sunday School. While our attendance is way down I think it is important to hold services every Sunday. So far, no one has gotten the virus from attending church services. For those who don’t feel safe coming to church we understand. We all hope and pray for a return to normalcy soon. Fortunately, the mortality rate for Covid 19 is less than 1/2 of 1% (Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Professor of Medicine, Stanford University). And it looks like a vaccine will be available soon.

Sunday’s sermon will focus on Advent. The sermon title is, “Listen Up for an Important Announcement.” (Luke 2:8-20). Reminder, we will have a Christmas Eve service this year.

Men’s group meets tomorrow morning (Monday, 12/1) at 8 AM. Women’s group meets Tuesday at 9:30 for their annual Christmas tea.

Next Sunday, December 6, is the last Sunday to contribute gifts or money to Christmas for Kids. White elephant donations are accepted until December 15.

Foor donations are being collected for the John Boise Middle School pantry. It helps students in need of assistance.

Thanks to Marie Bowman and Marvin and Marcia Nutt for decorating the sanctuary for Christmas. It looks beautiful.

Remember those in need of prayer.
Pastor Bowman

Devotion, Nov. 30, The Truth

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”(John 8:31-32, NKJV).

There are two basic stages to the Christian life. It begins with faith in Jesus. Jesus gives instructions to those Jews who had come to faith in Him. Stage two is to continue (abide) in His Word. Living by the words of Jesus will make simple believers into faithful disciples. Living by the words of Jesus leads to truth and freedom.

Diogenes was a Greek philosopher who lived 400 years before Jesus. He was known to be eccentric. He would carry a lantern through the streets of Athens in broad daylight. He would thrust his lantern into people’s faces and say, “I am looking for an honest man.” I don’t think he ever found what he was looking for.

The only place truth and honesty can be found is in the words of Jesus. He sets us free from the bondage of sin and the darkness of spiritual ignorance. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Follow His words and you will grow into a faithful disciple.

Father, I thank you that I have come to believe in Jesus. Help me to abide in His words that a may become a faithful disciple. I want to know the truth and the freedom it brings. In His name, I pray, Amen.

Devotion, Nov. 28, Living Peaceably

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18 NKJV).

Paul wants us to be persons who seek to live in peace with others. Notice how he phrases this principle. “If it is possible,” suggesting that some people are so obstinate that living at peace with them is impossible. “As much as it depends on you” implies that sometimes the other fellow has to cooperate if a peaceful relationship is to be established. In other words, there are times when our efforts to live at peace with others fails. It fails because sometimes others do not want to be at peace with us. Nevertheless, we are to try to be in harmony with others. If it doesn’t work, we need to make certain that we are not the problem.

Love should govern our relationships with others. Yes, sometimes, our toes are stepped on, or we are cheated in some business deal. Our response should never be anger or revenge, but an attempt at reconciliation. If we have honestly sought to live in harmony with others and all our efforts fail, we have done our part. We just need to be sure we have done our part and have not exacerbated the problem by our own unloving words and actions.

The very next verse (Romans 12:19) reminds us that if judgment is needed on another for his wicked ways, it is not our job to supply punishment. God will take care of it. So do what you can to live at peace, and if it fails, God will render the necessary judgment. Our attempts to “get even” never work. God’s judgment is infallible. Leave that part to Him.

Father, I do want to be a person of peace. Help me to do everything possible to live in harmony with others. And if that fails because others are obstinate, help me to leave them in your hands. You loved me while I was a sinner resisting Your will. Help me to love others in that spirit. In Christ’s holy name, Amen.