Community of Servers in White County

The rains came down, the temperature dropped, the winds blew and the trees and power lines froze, and they feel with a great crash.  For days, thousands were without the use of power to keep warm, cook food, take hot showers and go to work.  The scene on Bon Air Mountain was as if a bomb had exploded.  Power lines were lying all over the place.  Poles were broken into as if they were toothpicks.  Trees were snapped in two and debris was scattered everywhere.  

In the two years I have lived in White County Tennessee, I have learned many things about the people and the way of life, but the one thing I have learned that has been the most inspiring is how the vast majority will help others in times of need and disasters.  I love what the Apostle Paul said in Romans 13:10, “Love other people as well as you do yourself. You can’t go wrong when you love others.”  (MSG)

My first trip to Bon Air Mountain was on the Sunday after the winter storm.  As our church made our way into the BonDeCroft Elementary School, I saw working people preparing a place to help their neighbors and friends and family.  I saw teachers like Sara Cope working tirelessly organizing, helping others and reassuring those without power that they were not alone.  She worked day in and day out with a determination to serve.  Sara’s love for her neighbors, her school and her students was the driving force of service, even though her own home was without power. 

Another inspiring story was the BonDeCroft Baptist Church.  Their commitment to serving was over the top.  Day in and day out the members poured their heart and soul out in preparing meals, delivering meals to those who could not get out, serving the linemen who were working to restore power and giving out supplies the community needed to survive the days ahead without power. 

Thousands of people from all over donated supplies, money, food and time.  The efforts to help their neighbors were encouraging.  It was truly a community coming together for those who were in need of help. 

Jesus tells a story about a man who was robbed and left to die.  There were three people who saw the man.  Two of the men were “religious” and one was a “Samaritan.”  Jesus says that the two “religious” guys saw the man but did nothing but cross the street and pay no attention to the needs of the dying man.  However, the “Samaritan” saw the man and began to take care of his needs because he was filled with compassion.  Jesus asked the question, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell in the hands of the robber?”  The expert of the law said, “The one who showed mercy on him.”  Jesus said, “Go and do likewise.”  

Our neighbors are all over the world.  We do not discriminate based on color of skin, religious affiliations, ethnicity, or gender.  Rather, we live out what Jesus said in Matthew 22:36-40,  “Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.” (MSG)

As the Central Church of Christ and the BonDeCroft Baptist Church served food to the needs of our community, it proves that our resolve is not to be divided, rather, to serve and to live out the Jesus life daily.  As I saw the leadership of Dr. Larry Thompson, the Principal as BonDeCroft Elementary School, it proves that he is more than an administrator; he is a neighbor.  As I witnessed Doug Benningfield, the minister at Hickory Valley Baptist Church, deliver loads and loads of supplies, it demonstrated his allegiance to being a neighbor.  The same is true for McDonalds, KFC, the Fire Department, Wal-Mart, various churches, individuals and a host of people who do not live in White County. 

May God bless White County Tennessee!

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

Standing Strong and United

Terrorist.  Racist.  Extremist.  Rioters.  Looters.  Suicide bombers.  Invaders. Hate crimes. 

The safety of the world has been in jeopardy for a long time.  Goodwill citizens have been murdered.  Christians have been beheaded.  People have been burned alive.  Christians are being captured, dissected alive, organs are being taken out, the Christians are then murdered and their organs sold to other nations.

In the United States, Christians are facing attacks regarding biblical values of same-sex marriage, homosexuality, abortion, using the name God in the Pledge of Allegiance, praying publically in schools and racism continues to raise its ugly head.   Can a people of all colors be able to join together in love and harmony anymore?  Are we so bent of segregating ourselves over the different shades of brown and white and black and red and yellow?  Is it possible that sinful behaviors are the root cause of racism?  Can it be that it may not be ones color, but ones crime of the heart that brings about the devastation of the loss of life?  Is hatred so permeated in ones heart that he cannot see past the good in others?  Jesus said in his sermon, “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves.” (MSG)

As I write this article, my hand quivers with each stroke of a letter.  My intent is to be bold.  Courageous.  Determined.  But mostly, biblically forthright and extremely honest. 

While Christians around the world are being slaughtered and values in our own nation are being corrupted; where the unity of ethnicity has given way to more segregation and resolve to be bitter at each others color of skin, Satan has increased his mobilization of discord, hatred, anger and every kind of malice.  He is been emboldened by our negligence of being righteous seekers first and lovers of God and people. 

Not only are we segregated in ethnicity and political views, we are segregated in how we see Jesus and how we are supposed to believe and who is the most right “church.”  One of the key strategies of Satan is to get Christians so blinded by their own theology that they begin to become narrow in their view of who really is a believer in Jesus.  Arguments ensue over doctrine.  Lines are drawn and more buildings are erected and marquees are purchased with the chosen name to indicate another way of being a Christian.  

I love what Jesus said in Mark 9:38-41, “John spoke up, “Teacher, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn’t in our group.” Jesus wasn’t pleased. “Don’t stop him. No one can use my name to do something good and powerful, and in the next breath cut me down. If he’s not an enemy, he’s an ally. Why, anyone by just giving you a cup of water in my name is on our side. Count on it that God will notice.” (MSG)

Is it possible that we have ignored the terrorist and the racist and extremist and those who will take God out of everything and those who will destroy the sanctity of life and those who take marriage as God has ordained it to be and make it radically different?  Is it possible that we’ve allowed our own doctrinal thoughts to get in the way of unity of Christians who really are for God?  Is it possible that we have been more worried about our church facilities and the up keep, that we have neither time nor funds for reaching the lost for Jesus?  Is it possible that we have turned away from the horrific murders that are taking place to people who profess to be Jesus followers in another Country?

The Apostle Paul said it this way, “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.  There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.” (Ephesians 4:3-6-NLT)

It is time for Christians all around the world to stand strong and unite.  It is time not to allow Satan a foothold, but rather, allow Jesus to be the Lord who reigns in our lives.  It is time to be Christians of courage and stand for truth.  It is time to unite as one body for the cause of Christ.  It is time to put an end to our own Christian hostilities and animosities and live like we are brothers and sister in the same family of God.  It is time to stop the Sunday morning segregation of believers and work on how we can become a strong and united family of God.  No color barriers.  No theology barriers. The Scripture says, “For we are all one in Christ Jesus.”

It may soon come a time that we experience the same persecution Christians are experiencing in other nations.  How would we respond if we were challenged to denounce our faith?  Are you ready and willing to stand strong and united?  It begins with each of us.  The time is now.  

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

  

The Heart of a Servant

About ten years ago, a young and very successful executive named Josh was traveling down a Chicago neighborhood street. He was going a bit too fast in his sleek, black, 12 cylinder Jaguar XKE, which was only two months old.

He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no child darted out, but a brick sailed out and - WHUMP! - it smashed Into the Jag's shiny black side door! SCREECH..!!!! Brakes slammed! Gears ground into reverse, and tires madly spun the Jaguar back to the spot from where the brick had been thrown. Josh jumped out of the car, grabbed the kid and pushed him up against a parked car. He shouted at the kid, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing?!" Building up a head of steam, he went on. "That's my new Jag, that brick you threw is gonna cost you a lot of money. Why did you throw it?"

"Please, mister, please. . . I'm sorry! I didn't know what else to do!" Pleaded the youngster. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop!" Tears were dripping down the boy's chin as he pointed around the parked car. "It's my brother, mister," he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up." Sobbing, the boy asked the executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the young executive tried desperately to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. Straining, he lifted the young man back into the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapes and cuts, checking to see that everything was going to be OK. He then watched the younger brother push him down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long walk back to the sleek, black, shining, 12-cylinder Jaguar XKE -a long and slow walk. Josh never did fix the side door of his Jaguar. He kept the dent to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at him to get his attention. (The Brick Story)

Romans 12:7 ”...if it is serving, serve.”(NIV) The Greek word for “serve” in this context is: diakonia, which means, "service, ministering”(Greek Lexicon)

There are many who served that I call the Serving Hall of Fame:  Matthew 20:28 says "the Son of Man [Jesus] did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Jesus also said, "I am among you as one who serves," and He even washed His disciples' feet Luke 22:27, John 13:5. Because servants often work behind the scenes, their work but not their name is often mentioned in Scripture Numbers 11:17, 1 Timothy 6:2, 
Acts 6:1-3. People named in the Bible who helped the church through service include Phoebe, Priscilla, Aquila, Tryphena, Tryphosa Romans 16:1-4,12, and John Mark in Acts 13:5. Some people with this gift are also appointed to leadership as church deacons according to 1 Timothy 3:8-13

The ultimate server was Jesus.  He model serving.  Lived to serve.  And, died to serve!

Jesus was masterful at putting everything in its right perspective.  Greatness in the kingdom is not achieved by who is first, but rather, by being a willing servant of one another. Jesus said to his disciples in Mark 10:43-45, “...Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Richard Foster wrote, "When we choose to be a servant, we give up the right to be in charge." The essence of life is not about being in charge or the leader or the top dog. The essence of life is about modeling the servant life so that the needs of others are met and the attention and glory is given to Jesus Christ!

Serving with humility is a trait that is learned over time. The world's view of service is: Since I helped you, you help me. I scratched your back, now you scratch mine.

Jesus modeled a service lifestyle much differently than even his disciples had known. Jesus regarded service as a primary way of demonstrating love for those whom He served and a way to put importance of one person over another in perspective. Jesus told his disciples to follow His example of showing true servant hood by washing each others feet in John 13:12-16, "After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow.

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

One Church, Two Church, Three Church, Four

As I have driven through towns across America, one thing that stands out more than any other to me is the number of buildings that says, _________________ Church.  There are countless buildings that have one name or another that represent some kind of church.  Why so many?  Why so many different names?  Why so many different beliefs? 

 

Why is it that on Sunday, we scatter to our “own” particular choice of “Church” and when the worship gatherings are over, we meet our friends and family at a local restaurant to each lunch together?   The restaurant is the one thing that we seem to be able to agree upon.

I’ve often wondered what God thinks about us as we pull out of our driveways to go to our chosen place of worship because we have a dislike or a disagreement of all the other churches we pass along the way. 

Is it possible that Jesus’ prayer for unity in John 17 is one prayer we have chosen to ignore because we are bent on having it our way?  Jesus’ prayer was meant for those in 2015, too.   Jesus prayed:  “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.  I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.  “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.  I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. “ (NLT)

Is it possible that we’ve become so comfortable with our passed down theology that we’ve never given much thought to studying what the Scriptures really says about what has been believed?  Knowing truth and handling it is vital for seekers of a better life.  The marquees on our buildings never portray what is being taught in the classrooms or in the lobbies or from the stages of our churches.  The Apostle Paul told Timothy to ensure that truth is handled correctly.  False teaching was rampant and Timothy needed to deal with it.  Paul wrote to Timothy and said in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (NIV)

If a seeker of a better life were driving through our town, where would they find it?  On the corner of where I am the minister, there are four different types of churches, styles of worship, and views of theology.  What would the seeker of a better life learn if she visited all four of us?

Have we gotten so far away from what the first believers where like in Acts 2:42-47 when the believers devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone was filled with awe…All the believers were together and had everything in common…Every day they continued to meet together with glad and sincere hearts…praising God and enjoying favor of ALL the people….” (Acts 2:42-47)  For the seeker wanting to know about a better life in Christ, where would she find it?  How would she know what church to go to?  Would she become confused and frustrated?  Does our town look like Acts 2:42-47?   Do we seek to better understand Scripture the way God intended it or just accept what has been passed down from one generation to another?

We’ve also gotten the notion that if one does not like one style of church, start your own or go to another place.  In our county alone, there are over a hundred churches.   Why?  Is it that we can’t get along?  Is it that we disagree with the teachings of one particular church?  Is it that one is too big or too small?  Or, is it because we want it our own way?

Jesus prayed for unity, not division.  Jesus' desire is for us to be one, not divided.  The early believers were able to worship daily.  They didn’t go their separate ways and they didn’t say, “when your church is over, meet me at our usual restaurant?  They were together.  Strong.  Committed.  Devoted.  United. 

May we reach out to each other and rightly handle truth by resolving our differences and unite as God intended for it to be.

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

Pay it Forward Through Serving!

Serving others should be a way of life and the service render must comes from the heart that is pure and honorable, not one that has hidden motives, deception or monetary gain.  The goal of service is to put the needs of others first and to ensure the person being served knows that they are loved and appreciated.  Philippians 2:3 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves."

Each service we do must be in the name of Jesus.  The Apostle Paul said to the Christian in Colossians 3:17  "Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus...." (The Message) The service that we render isn't stamped with our name on it, but rather, Jesus’ name.  The desire is to demonstrate a servant’s heart toward others and at the same time, do it as representatives of Jesus.   I challenge each of us to find one person who needs help doing a task.  Use this time to help this person know about Jesus or be reminded that Jesus loves them unconditionally.  When you are finished, pray with this person before you leave. 

Serving others models the life of Jesus.  Jesus said, Matthew 20:28  "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve....” Jesus' idea of service was to go the extra miles, give food to countless thousands who were hungry, to open the eyes of the blind man for the first time, to help an old crippled man walk again, to teach a lady at a well compassion, and to serve humanity by dying for our sins.  Service comes in all shapes and sizes.  However, no service goes unnoticed by God when the heart is pure.

Service with love demonstrates a godly heart.     Galatians 5:13 "...Serve one another in love."  Love is colorblind.  Love has no ethnicity.  Love has no gender.  Love has no hidden motives.  Loves serves every individual without discrimination.  Our world is filled with hate and violence.  If there is ever a time where the world needs people who will serve with no strings attached is now.

Serving others with a smile breaks down barriers and puts those being served at ease.    

The Apostle Peter said in his letter, 1 Peter 4:9-10 "Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay...use them well to serve one another." God has blessed us abundantly.  We have cars to drive, houses to live in, money to spend, vacation homes, clothes to wear, and so much more.  None of these things are ours to keep.  God has given them to us to be good stewards over.  What we do with our things determines our priority in life.

Service to God shows our allegiance to him.  Deuteronomy 6:13   "Deeply respect God, your God. Serve and worship him exclusively."  We serve God in a variety of ways.  It may be that we open a door for the person behind us or we seek first righteousness or we love our neighbors or we do to others, as we want them to do to us. God serves us every day.  He provides.  He heals.  He loves.  He creates.  He shares.  He forgives.  He redeems.  He gives.  Knowing and loving God propel our service to him. 

This week, serve others.  Make someone’s day by an act of unexpected service.  Whatever service that is done, do it with love, a smile, a godly heart and with the desire to point the person being served to Jesus. 

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

The Value of Women

Women have as much value as men do.  When God said in Genesis 1:27 about creating humans in his image, he was referring to genders, male and female.  Women have an incredible ability to love and nurture and to make our world a better place.  Women also have the abilities to fix cars, build a house, engineer roads or bridges, and drive a semi-truck and a plethora of other things. 

For many years, women were expected to be barefoot and pregnant.  Their place was in the kitchen; laundry room and ensuring the kids were dressed and well behaved.  Women’s role from the beginning was not to be a servant to the husband or any man; rather she was designed to be a partner who co-exists in life.

There is constant bickering over the role of women is society, in the home and even in the church.  I cannot imagine God having a conversation with his son, Jesus and saying, “Son, let’s a make woman inferior.  Let’s not give them dignity or abilities or value.  Let’s tell them to know their place and never speak up or stand up for themselves.  Their role in life is to serve men only.” 

It is disturbing how women have had to fight for fair wages, the right to vote and to be heard in our society.  It is even more disturbing that women have had to suffer even in the body of Christ.  Galatians 3:28 declares, “In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ.”   

Women have value.  Abilities.  Intelligence.  Common sense.  Never treat them like a second-class citizen.  See their potential.  Throughout bible history, women have had a vital role in serving and helping God and Jesus.  The following women are inspiring and have helped change the course of our relationship with God.     

Hannah (Promise-Keeper) 1 Samuel 1&2 Hannah is one of the most inspiring stories.  Hannah wanted to have a child, but was unable to due to medical reasons.  Hannah also wanted to fulfill her husband by giving him a child.  The only resource Hannah had was God.  She set out to pray for a child.  Night and day she prayed.  She prayed that if God gave her a son, she would dedicate him to God’s work all the days of his life.  Hannah wasn’t intending to have a trade-off with God; rather, she wanted a son who would make a difference in society.  God heard her promise and gave her the child.  Hannah kept her promise and Samuel went on to become on of the greatest leaders of his day. 

Phoebe (Servant) Romans 16:1-2 Phoebe was a servant among servants.  She served in the church with humility and urgency.  Paul counted her among the servants of the church who the other church members needed to support her.  Women do all kinds of ministry in the family of God every day.  God has equipped each woman with gifts and abilities that will enhance the kingdom of God in a mighty way. 

Mary (Mother of Jesus) Matthew 1 Mary was chosen by God to bring Jesus into the world through natural birth.  For a young teen girl, can you imagine the responsibility placed on her?  She did it without missing a beat.  She was true to raising Jesus up in a home that exhibited all the qualities of a Jewish home. 

When God made woman, he made a partnership for man.  Women are valuable in all areas of life and their service in the church family greatly enhances the effectiveness of ministry.  Thankfully, men are seeing women’s strengths in leadership, abilities in creativity and service in kingdom works

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian