That time of year again… In His Word 6-11-2018

That time of year again… In His Word 6-11-2018

IT seems that every year about this time things tend to get really busy in our homes. There are end of the school year events, pic nics start up, sports, and just plain enjoying the home grown gardens can fill our days and nights!

The thing is, with all of this event planning and gathering together to do all these fun things that we sometimes forget that we are here to share His good news!

We shout for our kids games, we whoop it u for our new family members or enjoy the blessings that God has given us; but do we give Him thanks for it?

Is it wrong to be busy? Of course not but lets look in the Word to see what it says about being busy for the Lord and for ourselves.

Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah
 Surely every man walks about like a shadow;
Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, and does not know who will gather them.  “And now, Lord, what do I wait for?
My hope is in You. Psalm 39:5-7

 

We acknowledge that God is the one who makes our days and yet we do not always remember what the Psalmist wrote about the length of our days, that we are so small of a drop in the bucket. We are only a piece of the puzzle called the world. We are only a portion of the Family of God, we need to bring in the other people so they too can draw near to Him.

Sometimes we are so busy trying to get ahead financially, or working hard to get caught up that we forget to give God the glory and the thanks for what He has given us.

 And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God.  God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past. Ecclesiastes 5:19-20

It is okay to work hard and get a good amount of money; we just need to remember where it really comes from.

It is a good thing to remember who gives us wealth, and health, and that it is good to enjoy it!  Rejoice when the days are here for us to enjoy fun events, but remember that it is God who gave us such days. He even encouraged the children of Isreal to gather together and have feasts and celebrations; to celebrate the good things He had done.

So does this mean it is wrong to just have fun? No, because we are to live a life pleasing to the Lord and share the Gospel of Christ with those around us. If we only did things like going to church, doing our prayer an Bible study time, but did not go having fun times with our friends and families how would we draw them to Christ?

I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally. ² I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.³ In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:1-3

And in understanding the truth, or true treasure of wisdom and knowledge we can then share with those who are on the outside looking in.

There is a song called ‘Shine’ that talks about people wondering ‘what we’ve got, and wishing they were not on the outside looking bored’… I love this song because it gives me the full picture of what Christians should do when we are out and about as groups; make those who do not yet know the truth and the love of Christ to wonder what it is that gives us such joy. Make them want to be part of our groups!

Then we are walking like Christ walked. Think for a moment of the throngs of people who met Jesus in groups and crowds seeking to know who this Man Jesus was!  If only we could have so much fun on group outings that we pull them in the same way that He did; love them to the truth with joy unspeakable!

We should gather together with a purpose, and invite the world to see that our true purpose is to rejoice in God our Savior and Lord and that having fun with one another is just one way to do that!

Be active this summer, gather together and rejoice in Him wherever you go and what ever you do remember that He is with you in all that you do! Act like Jesus, spread the Good News with all who will hear!

Dear heavenly father, help us to celebrate our events with the remembrance that You are there with us! Help us to be in the world but not of the world in our celebrations and to leave those who are not part of our groups wishing they were part of the fun: that they will be eager to hear of Your Salvation and Love! In Jesus name, amen.  

Suggested reading  Colossians 1:1-29, Colossians 2:1-23, Colossians 3:1-25 and Psalm 39:1-13.