Great Weekend

10/25/2010

Good Morning!

For those readers who don’t know me, I enjoy playing golf. Now I am not very good at the game … but that’s okay because for me it truly is just that … a game I enjoy playing. But there are many days when I am playing golf that it turns into a time to worship God. And this weekend was one of those times for me.

Friday afternoon I got out on the course by about four in the afternoon. I decided to play the back nine since I had played the front nine earlier in the week. I played the tenth hole with a couple of guys who normally play in Southwest Atlanta. We had gotten caught in the backlog so I just teamed up with them for that hole so we could move along. Eleven and twelve I played by myself – but I was aware of a twosome that was catching up with me. On thirteen I was joined by Lee and Rob who invited me to play with them. Before we finished the round, we had gotten to know each other pretty good – with Lee sharing his testimony with me. He once had been caught up in drugs … but God redeemed him and has blessed him with a masonry business. As an entrepreneur, Lee lives life by faith – and his faith is in Jesus Christ. I remarked to him that it is uncanny how when I hook up with someone new on the course, we usually end up talking about Jesus Christ … and usually it the other person who brings Jesus up. But is that not how life should be for fellow believers … each recognizing the brilliant light of Jesus shining through the other? I think so.

While we were playing the round, my buddies Kelvin, Tim and Mike were right behind us – and we met in the parking lot right after they finished. It was a good time of fellowship and sharing. Tim and I had talked about playing Saturday but he had cut his finger Thursday so he was going to take it easy. However, Mike and I hooked up for a game Saturday morning.

Saturday morning we had a great time playing the front nine. Our scores were spectacular but scoring really didn’t matter. Mike had an issue he needed to talk out … and I had the time to listen. You know, God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason … we should spend twice the time listening before we speak. A part of ministering to one another is learning to listen to your brother or sister. People often are reluctant to go to a hospital or a funeral home because they don’t know what to say. Knowing what to say isn’t that important – being there and being available to listen is far more important. Sometimes it is the hug more than the “I love you” that is the balm that heals. I thank God that He didn’t leave us here alone to face life’s challenges but gave us brothers and sisters in Christ who pray for us, and listen to us, and give us comfort in our time of need.

I did not play golf Sunday. Instead I went to Williamson where we continued our study in Paul’s first letter to the called out ones in Thessalonica. We studied the first twelve verses of chapter 4 – where Paul encourages the Thessalonians to continue their good walk but to continue on their journey to sanctification. We should realize – and I know I do – that just because we have accepted Jesus that we have not “arrived”. No – we are redeemed but we are like a diamond in the rough. God keeps chipping away the rough spots – day by day, moment by moment and breath by breath – until the light of Christ shines through us. It is a process that for me has taken most of my lifetime and will continue until I am in His presence. The chipping away often comes in the form of trials that I go through – where I learn to trust God with my life and my life needs. In the case of the Thessalonians, the major obstacle they had to face was sexual immorality – not necessarily by them but by their culture. We learned the Grecian culture was an “anything goes” culture (and parallels much of today’s culture). Paul exhorted the church to not do those things. Here’s what he says”

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 (English Standard Version)
A Life Pleasing to God

1Finally, then, brothers,[a] we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3For this is the will of God, your sanctification:[b] that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4that each one of you know how to control his own body[c] in holiness and honor, 5not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

9Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

Footnotes:
a. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 10, 13
b. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 Or your holiness
c. 1 Thessalonians 4:4 Or how to take a wife for himself; Greek how to possess his own vessel

Paul tells us to love one another – not only with brotherly love but with the love that comes from God’s indwelling. This follows Christ command to us to love one another.

Paul encourages us to live quietly … simple lives committed to God.

Paul encourages us to mind our own affairs – don’t be busy bodies but be available to those in need.

And finally, we are to do what God has talented us to do … in Paul’s case and in many others, to work with our hands.

The ultimate purpose is a life (Christian walk) that honors God and draws people to the message of Jesus Christ. For me, this is a journey sometimes filled with some rocks and ruts and mud holes but one that get smoother each day. And today is another day on that journey. May God bless you on your day today.

Agape’


Mr. Jim

New Prayer Need:

Leta Harris (my Mom) – doctor’s appt. Tuesday