A Moment To Praise 7.27.20
Joyce Lochinger, Gravel Hill Worship Leader
Scripture in Life…
I have a wonderful sister named Bev. She recently retired from a Christian school where she was a elementary school teacher for many years. Prior to that, she was a Christian nursery school director and teacher as well. I have always looked up to her as my big sister and I still do; I marvel at her level of patience, especially now that she has five grandsons who are all close to the same age. 🙂
When my great nephews were much younger, I enjoyed watching my sister play with them. One of their favorite things to do as a group was to  play with tractors and trucks. My sister would lay out large pieces of paper and help them to draw roads, farms, and little communities all around the room. Inevitably, as is always the case with kids, the boys would get a little overprotective of a tractor, truck or matchbox car. The debacle would end up in a nice game of tug-of-war with each other.
Sharing Scripture
In this situation, most adults would probably raise their voice and sternly tell the boys to knock it off, even though they were just being little boys. My sister had a different approach. She would lean in closer to them, speak more quietly, whispering in a sing song voice: “Be kind to one another and build each other up!” It’s a great preschool lesson and song, but it’s also directly from scripture.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+5%3A11&version=ESV
By the way, this tactic usually worked to dispel tension between the youngsters! While they were settling down, all of us adults would chuckle, because that way of handling things is so like my sister. I love her for it!
Fast forward to my own life, and to the world today. I have to admit that I often find myself singing this scripture too! Here’s why!
I see all of us – and I mean those of us who call ourselves Christians – acting just like the rest of the world! Facebook is an unfortunate platform on which this occurs. I can see people who I have known to be friends for a long time openly arguing and calling each other names, fighting over relatively minor differences in opinion. I know that these people have been into each other’s home, have shared meals together, played games and had good times together, and they can’t seem to stop bickering about meaningless nonsense. It breaks my heart, especially the name calling! What have we become? I look to scripture to find what God says about how we should behave as Christians in this world.
A Moment To Praise 7.27.20 in Scripture
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%203:13&version=GW
| Bible Gateway passage: Hebrews 3:13 – GOD’S WORD Translation
Encourage each other every day while you have the opportunity. If you do this, none of you will be deceived by sin and become stubborn. |
Notice at the end there is the added admonition to be kind to each other lest you become stubborn and fall into sin. As I read that, my ears perk up! I definitely do not want to fall into sin. I know that having a sinful life causes me to displace myself from God and his plans for me.
It also reminds me to be humble and to monitor my own notions and thoughts. I want to be constantly and consistently aware of my actions, avoiding egotistical thoughts that may lead me to think that God’s Word doesn’t apply to me. Scripture tells us that the Evil One is always lurking, and just waiting to find us in a weak moment so that he can lead us deeper into sin. Don’t believe me? Read this.
| Bible Gateway passage: 1 Peter 5:8 – English Standard Version
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. |
Applying Scripture
How much weaker, how much more sinful can we become when we are willing to be hurtful and hateful towards a friend? A brother or a sister in Christ? Read that again. We are brothers and sisters in Christ.
We are supposed to act like it. Take on the characteristics of Him. Watch the master and see how He has treated others and even more so, how He’s treated us! Then we are to behave in the same way. The bottom line is this: be careful when you feel compelled to lash out at someone who holds a differing thought or opinion. Remember that they are a brother or a sister in Christ alongside of you! You are united by His precious blood!
My prayer for all of us is that we do not fall into the ways of this world. I pray that we do not fall into the grip of the evil one. Instead, let us fall into the kindness of Christ; the forgiving, loving and grace-filled nature that He has exhibited for us throughout out entire lives. Let’s pass that along!
Amen!
A Moment To Praise 7.27.20 in Song
Please listen to the lyrics of this song which is called Fall Into Kindness! Have a blessed day!
