Little Nuggets to Ponder

I have recently been hearing these thought provoking little sayings or bits of knowledge that I have written down to consider. Let me share them with you and then you can think about them, too.

Regarding LOVE:

Action changes our thinking.

Motion results in emotion.

I found this to be an interesting bit of truth. We say that love is an action not an emotion. So if we do not have a love in our heart for someone than what do we do to change that? Do we just keep on "not loving" them? Or do we do something to change our thinking? I was challenged to action – to begin to say loving and kind things and do loving, selfless acts for someone that I do not love. If I do, I think that it may begin to change my thinking toward them. By doing this – it takes my eyes off of myself and forces me to look at others and see intentional ways to love or be loving toward them. When I do – I have to begin thinking about them and just by the act of thinking about them it will change how I think.

The second phrase above makes me realize that by the simple phrase "not loving someone" – I am trying to make hate sound less bad. If there is an absence of love then the options are limited as to what fills that void. If I just don't care – is that acceptable in the eyes of God? If I don't care, do I hate? I feel like - If I am not willing to love someone then I am disobedient to God. If I am not willing to love someone than that void must be filled with some feeling – it really can't just be apathy, can it?

Motion – moving in a direction away from something and toward something else. There has to be a goal. There has to be something that we move toward. LOVE – not the emotion – but the manner of life. Choosing to move in the direction of love says that I am going to act out lovingly toward those around me – regardless of the emotion involved and the feelings.

What did Jesus say?

Luke 6:27-36

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, {28} bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. {29} If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. {30} Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. {31} Do to others as you would have them do to you. {32} "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. {33} And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. {34} And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. {35} But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. {36} Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

Matthew 5:44

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Action?

Pray for them – ask God to give you a love for those you do not love.

Be kind to them – look for ways.

Treat them how you would treat those that you easily love.

Do it with no expectation in return except to see your thinking changed and your emotions replaced with the "motion of love". Eventually the emotional connection will follow.

6 Benefits of Sunday School for Big People

In July of this year, while I was on vacation, one of our elders taught the morning message regarding "Why ABF's?" First of all what is an ABF? ABF is an acronym that stands for Adult Bible Fellowship – which in its simplest terms is Sunday School for Big People. As Rich Smith shared his heart about the way to connect with people he made it clear that there are many ways for us to do this but one of the most convenient ones for families is the Sunday morning Adult Bible Fellowship classes. Some of our other small group possibilities are: XII:X groups (based on Romans 12:10 – be devoted to one another), G-force ( a men's discipleship group that meets every Thursday morning at the church), Golden Gracers ( a Wednesday morning group of people age 50 or more) and ministry groups that serve together in our church.

As I listened to this message I was struck by the clear benefits of why you should be a part of this opportunity. Here are those six benefits:

1. They provide a critical structure for teaching God's Word in a deeper manner. The teaching that we get on Sunday from 10:30 to noon is not sufficient to promote our spiritual growth. We need the interactive environment of learning together.
   
2. They can gear a Bible teaching to a specific group. In this smaller group setting of similar stage of life, gender, like interests, etc. you can be more specific in the teaching and practical application for that group.
   
3. They help train new leaders in our church. Rich shared that he had served in many ways in our church but was scared when asked to teach an ABF. When he did it caused him to grow even more spiritually since he had to study deeper in order to accurately teach.
   
4. This is the "Next Step" in connecting to people. In this smaller group environment we have a chance to know people more intimately than we can in a worship service setting and to learn more about the Word of God because it is a safer environment to open up and ask questions.
   
5. It is convenient – you are already committed to be out for the morning to come to church and you only have to come one hour early. We are all busy – work, school and extra-curricular things. But this is a way to grow deeper in a setting that you are already committed to planning into your schedule. Additionally, while you are learning, so are your children (if you have them) and this is critical in today's world. Our kids need to learn the Bible safely and accurately from teachers we love and trust.
   
6. They give us opportunity to care for each other like we should. You get to know people and spend time with them and understand their needs then take the time to care for them. Write a note, give them a call, make a meal when they are in need, visit them in the hospital or at home. It is easier to volunteer to meet the needs of people that you know.
   

This was a great message and it gave us several ways for us to get involved in an ABF and make them successful. Would you consider making that extra step of commitment this week to join an ABF? If you have missed that Sunday or forgot what Rich taught – can I encourage you to go to our website and listen to it again? www.ogbc.net or http://www.sermon.net/rss/ogbc (the date was 7.25.2010)