A Bit from Everyone

A wife was watching her husband trying to sew a button on his shirt. After observing for a few moments, she told him that he had the thimble on the wrong finger. To this he replied, “I know dear. It should be on yours.”

I recently read this humorous story. It makes a very good point. There are times that we might find ourselves being critical of the way someone else is doing some particular task. He or she may not be doing it in the same way that we would. So, we point the finger of criticism in his or her direction. Relief from this danger might be found in our own willingness to be found doing our fair share of life’s little tasks and in so doing, to lighten our brother or sister’s burden.

The work serving Jesus and living a good Christian life is never going to be easy. But it could be much more effectively carried on if the work was to be distributed evenly among the believers. It is easy to sit on the sidelines and criticize. It is something else entirely to get into the game of serving the Lord. Why not let each one of us put a thimble on our finger and sew on the buttons together?

A Building from God

One of the many images the Bible gives for the church is that of a “building”. As a building we understand from scripture that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone. That means that Christ sets the standard for the rest of the building. Therefore whatever is built must be built in reference to Him.

In Ephesians 2:17-22, the Bible states that we are “growing into a holy temple in the Lord.” Our challenge is to never stop growing and developing in our Christianity. When we are doing our part, as a part of God’s holy building, we also are strengthening the other parts that make up this building.

Also found in the book of Ephesians is the great theme of unity. the apostle Paul addresses the unity of the “building”, the unity of the spirit, the unity of God and the unity of the faith. It is only through the standard set by the “cornerstone” that such unity is possible. Remember Jesus Christ brought the Jews and Gentiles together into His “building”. Much can be accomplished today when Jesus Christ, the “cornerstone”, becomes our standard. After all, it is God’s building, isn’t it?

 

A Walk with God

Enoch was a man of exceptional faith. God valued His relationship with Enoch so much that He simply took Enoch off of this earth. We read of this in Genesis 5:21-24. Enoch did not die a “normal” death on this earth. Well, for that matter, he did not lead a “normal” life either. From Scripture it is clear that Enoch lived an exceptional life and left this world in an unusual manner. All because he “walked with God.”

Even though the Old Testament does not give us many details of Enoch’s life, we know that his life was so exemplary that he is listed in the roll call of the men and women of faith found in Hebrews chapter 11.

Enoch evidently was a man who believed that God did exist and that He would surely reward those who earnestly sought Him. The Bible tells us that for at least 300 years Enoch walked with God. This is the kind of daily life that God values the most. The value that God loves is something so basic to our existence…faith in Him. May God grant us the ability to have faith like Enoch that we may also walk daily with Him.