I know it’s been more than two weeks but I’d like to go ahead and give a report of sorts, of what happened last May 12, Mothers’ Day. I mean, what I talked about, at least.
The sister who came up and testified and exhorted for communion shared that yes, we do remember Christ and His finished work every time we drink from the cup and eat the bread, but in our remembering, we also realize that Christ is God’s expression of grace, and that Christ HIMSELF is our salvation.
The sister who came up and exhorted for giving came up and reminded all of us that when we give our offerings, or when we give, we aren’t just limited to giving money – in fact, sometimes it’s better when we give our time, and when we give of ourselves – that is, our talent, our skill, and our efforts. And one final reminder that comes to mind now that I think about it is that we give as much to each other, when we give to the Lord.
We had the privilege of having one of our veteran missionaries come up and speak during the portion set for testifying. I was forewarned (He specifically ‘warned’ me more than merely setting my expectations) that he was going to be quite stern and straightforward, but it wasn’t as ‘fire-and-brimstone’ as I expected. You’ll see.
He started off by sharing that God has a purpose and plan for each and every one of us, and as individuals. In his case he shared how he was specifically directed, taught to hear and obey. When a man or woman in Christ hears and obeys, there is power. How much more when a church congregation comes together? How much more when the body of Christ as a whole comes together to hear and obey?
He continues by sharing that one powerful aspect, or one powerful way to obey is to pray. Prayer is an opportunity for all of us in the body of Christ. He shares again, there is power when one person prays in the name of Jesus. How much more when a congregation comes together to pray? How much more when the entire body of Christ comes together to pray?
He testified indeed, of how, when he prayed on his own, things happened, and when he joined fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in praying, how entire communities were changed supernaturally. He then challenged all within the sound of his voice (which I assume was his being stern and straightforward), that he heard of how our city was being purposed to be a gambling city… and how we ought to be praying, on our own, and as a congregation.
I took all of this in, and as is my apparent custom, I recalled all these three discussed, to point it all to Christ.
Indeed, through Christ and His finished work, we rejoice and live in celebration of God’s grace, made apparent through our blood-bought salvation. This salvation we have in Christ causes us to give as we have been given to – and this certainly means that we don’t just give our money, but we are able to give so much more, in remembrance of Christ who gave all.
We share our resources, our time, our efforts, our power with each other, and this is all an expression of our loving one another as Christ loves us – but here, let us not forget that one powerful thing we could give to each other is the gift of prayer.
Prayer is an opportunity we have in the body of Christ, a privilege to commune with God as our Heavenly Father; It’s a privilege that has been bought by the finished work of Christ, and taught to us by the power and the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
At this point I just thought I had to bring all of us to remember how, sure, we’re enjoying salvation and all its benefits – giving and prayer, but it’s all done FROM Christ, and not FOR Him. In fact, now that I’m putting it all together, we’re doing more FOR Christ if we do it FROM Him.
Is the opposite true? We’re doing more FROM Christ if we do it FOR Him? Perhaps, but I don’t see a solid picture of that right now.
From here I share what I talked about with the students last Friday. It’s one thing for us to believe in something, and it’s another thing entirely for us to say, in Tagalog, that ‘bilib tayo’.
Let me explain. I could say that I believe in our designated Music Director; In my mind and body, I believe that he exists, that he has two hands, two feet, a brain; He talks, and I hear him, and I believe him, meaning I interact with him.
But for me to say na ‘bilib ako sa kanya’ means that I appreciate his dedication to his craft, and I appreciate his non-compromising attitude and approach to excellence. I appreciate his ability to present unique perspectives to circumstances and situations.
James once said that ‘even the demons believe’, and I’d like to think that one way of us seeing this is that they acknowledge Christ’s existence – and even in knowing He exists, ‘they tremble’.
We can pray, we can give, we can even lead worship and walk and talk as individuals in good standing, but if we’re doing it out of a mere acknowledgement of Christ’s existence, and not out of personal appreciation and awe of His goodness and glory, and the absolute and infinite repercussions of His finished work, we miss out on the peace associated with our works.
Again, we do it FROM Christ, FOR Him. I had so much more to share, but I stopped here.
‘When mama prayed heaven paid attention
The angels spread their wings and stood prepared
Once again ole satan knew he’d been defeated
‘Cause God had heard my dear old mama’s prayer’
Seeing as this was Mothers’ Day, I shared that we ourselves came to the knowledge of Christ and His salvation because someone prayed for us… and most often than not, it was our mothers that prayed for us. So we blessed them, and continued with the fellowship with a little something for them, after the service – all from Christ, and for Him.
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake. Psalm 115:1
Until the next post, which is definitely coming soon, God bless you.
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