6/26 - Galatians 6

Well, looking back at yesterday's post, I didn't talk much about Galatians 5. Just kinda took that 1st verse and ran with it. I think chapter 6 adds a bit to what I learned yesterday when I talked about how we can have these moments of spirituality and the tendency to let that fire dwindle away. Verse 9 shows that this perhaps isn't a new phenomenon: "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." I think this might be a verse I'll need to focus & meditate on for a while since I'm so prone to fading away. I look forward to transforming my hot & cold ways into a lifestyle of commitment & diligence. I so desperately need God's help not to lose heart - when my efforts are seemingly fruitless, when it seems like I'm the only one trying, when my efforts in ministry don't turn out as I planned.

This chapter also says a lot about accountability, something that God has used in my life & has had a tremendous impact on my life. Without it I know I'd be a mess.

"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load." (v. 1-5)

The gentle restoration of a brother who struggles with sin is like a refreshing breeze on a warm summer day. It's one of the most beautiful things I've experienced in my life. Sure it hurts sometimes, but the healing it brings and the work it allows God to begin in you is nothing short of amazing. Simply amazing what God can do with damaged goods. I've been so fortunate to have men in my life to keep my accountable for my actions and doing so by the word of God. I can't even put into words how much I love these brothers. Accountability is a key component to consistent righteous living and if you're reading this and don't have an accountability partner, I'd highly recommend it if you like God's blessings. The process of studying the Word together, building each other up, offering honest feedback, confession, prayer & encouragement is great for any believer and draws you closer, not only to your partner, but to God.


Please lift up a prayer for the family of Kendra's and my uncle, Nevelle Thompson who passed yesterday after a long fight with cancer. This was a man who the Lord knew and at times like these, that is such a great comfort and testimony for those of us he leaves behind. I thank God for even the little bit of time we had together here on earth & look forward to the great time we'll have in heaven.

6/8/09 - 2 Corinthians 8, Part 2

2 Cor 8
Starting a task may be a noteworthy thing to do, but the key element is 'follow-through.' I know this very well from sports: a jump shot, golf swing, a pitch, or bowl all require a deliberate follow-through to ensure their success. The beginning of any of these events is somewhat important but without follow-through the outcome is sure to be disastrous and, depending on how many people are watching, embarrassing. I'd consider myself an OK athlete but in my life, there's been no shortage of airballs, shanks, hit batters and gutter balls. These things are bound to happen but in most cases are a result of poor technique. How many gutter balls do we throw in life because of our inability to follow through? Paul outlines a interesting scripture here:

"¹⁰ And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; ¹¹ but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. ¹² For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have." (v. 10-12)

The Corinthians had vowed to make an offering to the poor Christians in Jerusalem and Paul took the opportunity presented by the offering of the Macedonian churches to then encourage the Corinthians to add to it. We don't know if the Corinthians at this point had lost interest of not but the point here is: finish the good work you started. Like the Corinthians, there's been many efforts I've started and have been passionate about but after some time, that passion dwindles and the hard part kicks in - the follow through.

My prayer for today is for diligence. To be able to carry on with the projects at work I've taken on, the baseball team I help coach, the good causes I support, the little things I start doing for my wife, keeping the house clean....all the things I start with an intense passion but after a while allow the fire to burn out. Keep me just as persistent in the middle or end of something as I am in the beginning. God give me the diligence of Jesus who, despite the longevity of His injustice & pain, completed His work and saved my life.