Weekend Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Not Afraid - A High Impact Church
READ: I John 4:7-21
THINK: If you attended Timberlake Church at Redmond, Issaquah or online this week you heard Pastor Ben remind us of our mission: "To make more and better disciples of Jesus Christ." He went on to explain how we do this by examining John 2:1-11. In this account, Jesus attends the wedding of a friend and miraculously provides wine made on the spot from water in nearby pots. There was an observed need and Jesus was available. I like the fact that it was not a spiritual need or physical need, but rather a need to provide refreshment for the guests and thus give honor to the host of the party for his generosity. Jesus did not call attention to himself and explain that he provided the wine. He remained quiet and let another receive praise.
Yesterday I attended the memorial service of a friend. She was a very outspoken, even at times intimidating woman who never shirked from sharing her thoughts. As one guest shared, "Jackie did not care what you thought about her, she wanted you to know she cared about you." The majority of those who shared thoughts were young men who had been taken in as more than friends of her sons--- they all felt they too were her sons. One woman identified herself as a Mormon and said, " We became great defenders of one another's faith." The words caring, generous, passionate, and giving were used to describe her.
I am so glad that I attended this event. What I thought was an act of kindness toward the family (my showing up) actually was a gift to me. This friend had lived her life for others. She was always prepared to feed and shelter all who came to her home. In opening up her home to others, many experienced the love of Jesus through her. I believe that she would be surprised to know how many lives she had touched in her unselfish way of always being available.
DO: We are not called to be comfortable in this life. The word "comfort" is usually a verb in the Bible. We are told to comfort others and reminded that God comforts us. Where do you and I need to go outside our comfort zone to represent Jesus? Maybe we need to attend a party, wedding, funeral, political meeting or some other event that makes us feel uneasy. Mark 16:15 tells us to " Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."
Although it is important that we verbally tell others about Jesus, it is also important that others know we are Christians by our love in actions. "A new command I give you: Love one another. as I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for taking us as we are. Give us the courage to be available to represent you here on earth. May we be willing to step outside our comfort zone to follow where you lead. AMEN
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.