I want to begin by thanking all of our ladies in our church family here for working together so hard to help Willa Essary get to the hospital each day to be with Raymond. It is really wonderful and touching to see people work so hard and put themselves out the way you have to help others. And, I can tell you, it has really meant a lot to Willa. She was telling me last Tuesday how much it meant to her. I also was telling Betty Echols about how many continually were asking about her and how often she was mentioned in our prayers during our services and it nearly brought her to tears. She also was very appreciative for the love and concern of all in the church here. And the same for Jesse Harris, it really meant a lot to him to know how much people were concerned for him. Brethren, we really never know just how much what appears to be one small act of kindness to us is a huge encouragement to those on the receiving end. Just to know that someone cared enough to stop, to take the special time to send a card, make a call or make a visit can be really moving to someone who is down, struggling and hurting in some way. And, this is one of the ways we demonstrate to the world our love for and devotion to Christ. Jesus, Himself, said in John 13:35, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
One thing about all this is seeing people (brethren) who are willing to simply say, “I need some help.” Sadly, most of the time when “we” are going through a difficult time and brethren come up and ask how we are doing our immediate response is, “Oh, I’m fine!” We don’t want anyone to think we can’t handle what is going on in our lives or embarrass ourselves by sharing what we are struggling with. We sure don’t want things to get too personal so we keep our issues to ourselves. Paul said in Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so FULFILL the law of Christ.” Paul was teaching the brethren this letter was addressed to and us today that if we want to fulfill the law of Christ or the commandments of Christ we must help each other bear our burdens. But, brethren, we can’t do that if we are not willing to share our needs with each other. And, 90% of the time or more it is not physical or financial help we are needing but spiritual and emotional support and encouragement to help us through difficult times. Brethren, we need to understand, it’s ok to be real with each other. We all have struggles, we all hurt at times, we all mess up and sin against God at times, we all need prayers and support at times. But, we can’t do that if we are not willing to share both the good and the bad with one another and be there for each other. I have been really encouraged by those acknowledging their needs and by the great response of those in this congregation to provide those needs. May we all grow in these areas.
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
One thing about all this is seeing people (brethren) who are willing to simply say, “I need some help.” Sadly, most of the time when “we” are going through a difficult time and brethren come up and ask how we are doing our immediate response is, “Oh, I’m fine!” We don’t want anyone to think we can’t handle what is going on in our lives or embarrass ourselves by sharing what we are struggling with. We sure don’t want things to get too personal so we keep our issues to ourselves. Paul said in Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so FULFILL the law of Christ.” Paul was teaching the brethren this letter was addressed to and us today that if we want to fulfill the law of Christ or the commandments of Christ we must help each other bear our burdens. But, brethren, we can’t do that if we are not willing to share our needs with each other. And, 90% of the time or more it is not physical or financial help we are needing but spiritual and emotional support and encouragement to help us through difficult times. Brethren, we need to understand, it’s ok to be real with each other. We all have struggles, we all hurt at times, we all mess up and sin against God at times, we all need prayers and support at times. But, we can’t do that if we are not willing to share both the good and the bad with one another and be there for each other. I have been really encouraged by those acknowledging their needs and by the great response of those in this congregation to provide those needs. May we all grow in these areas.
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
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