To Build Them Up

 

To Build Them Up

Romans 15: We who are strong in the faith ought to help the weak to carry their burdens. We should not please ourselves. ² Instead, we should all please other believers for their own good, in order to build them up in the faith. ³ For Christ did not please himself. Instead, as the scripture says, “The insults which are hurled at you have fallen on me.”

 

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Hurling insults at the other team seemed like the right thing to do. I joined in on the “fun” and called the other team names through clever cheers and chants. Our team won! But when it was time to go home, the other school did not appreciate the previous insults. Fights broke out and escape was my only thought.

 

There have been many times when I used insults to feel better about myself.

There have been many times when I used insults to feel part of the “winning” crowd.

There have been many times when I used insults to feel superior to “those” people.

 

Paul tries to shift everyone’s thinking to follow the example of CHRIST. JESUS took the insults that were meant for other people and died in our place when HE committed no wrong. Paul gives some great advice. “Build them up.”

 

GOD wants me to build people up so they will continue in the faith.

GOD wants me to speak encouraging words to everyone so their faith will increase.

GOD wants me to carry the burdens of others so they can get up and help someone else.

 

Being caught up in my own situation usually leaves no room to help others. BUT GOD helps me up from the ground to see there is more to life than “that” circumstance. HE dusts me off and fills my heart with encouragement for others in the middle of the battle. GOD also desires that I remember HIS deliverance so I can carry it forward daily.

 

Instead of using the sneaky, tear down slanderous manipulation tactics, GOD wants me to replace insulting words with gratitude. If I cannot appreciate “that” person, then maybe I should not be in the conversation. I am grateful GOD helps me carry the burdens of others to “build them up” for HIM.

 

Are your words full of insults and slander?

Do your jokes speak life or death?

Will you reduce your insults and increase your encouragement so those who believe may have their burdens lifted and their faith increased for JESUS today?

Carried by Enemies

 

Carried by Enemies

Acts 21: ³³ The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. ³⁴ Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. ³⁵ When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. ³⁶ The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”

 

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Working for a person who did not like me was challenging. I mean he did not like my suggestions, solutions or unfortunately, my skin. I smiled at work daily, but hurt inside. “I’m going to wipe that smile off your face” he said to me one day. It seemed like I had no one in my corner.

 

There were times when it felt like everyone was against me.

There were times when it felt like the crowd was making things up about me.

There were times when it felt like I was being carried by those who hated me.

 

Paul was in a very difficult situation. The Jews, who did not believe JESUS was and is GOD, stirred up the crowd so much that guards had to come. They arrested Paul, but the crowd became even more violent. Paul had to be carried by soldiers to keep him safe.

 

GOD wants me to know HE is the one who is carrying me.

GOD wants me to believe HE is the one who protects me.

GOD wants me to trust in HIM and HIM alone.

 

Being carried by a job or a relative or a business becomes problematic at some point. I mean each of them will fail or have someone in them who will disappoint me. BUT GOD never disappoints me. HE raises my joy in spite of trouble.

 

HE leads me besides still waters and restores my soul. HE leads me in the paths of righteousness for HIS namesake. Even when my enemies, think they are carrying me, HE prepares a table for me that is plentiful. I am glad GOD shows me love. I am now willing to do the same for those who hate me.

 

Do you have people around you who hate you?

Do you feel like you are by yourself even in the crowd?

Will you turn your life over to JESUS so HE will always be with you, so you can begin to pray for those who persecute you today?

Removing Obstacles

Isaiah 57: ¹⁴ And it will be said:

“Build up, build up, prepare the road!
    Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”
¹⁵ For this is what the high and exalted One says—
    he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
    but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
    and to revive the heart of the contrite.
¹⁶ I will not accuse them forever,
    nor will I always be angry,
for then they would faint away because of me—
    the very people I have created.

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Sleep could not find me; rest hid its face as well. I tossed and turned trying to think of how to solve a problem at work and I just could not think of the answer. Suddenly I got the answer in the middle of the night. I was so excited that I got up and wrote down the answer. The next day I went into work only to find the rules had changed and another obstacle was put in place.

• Many times I have faced obstacles.
• Many times the road seemed impossible to travel.
• Many times it seemed like giving up was the best option.

“Why try if ‘they’ are going to make up new rules on the fly?” I thought to myself. I mean sometimes the obstacles seem too large and come too often. Shouldn’t I just run and hide in a cave, never to talk to anyone again? I mean, why try?

• GOD said to me “I will prepare your road for you.”
• GOD said to me “I will remove the obstacles out of your way.”
• GOD said to me “I will revive your spirit for MY sake. I know your sins and I will not accuse your of them forever.”

After the rules changed once too often, the leadership was removed and soon I had a group of people who seemed to be helpful rather than accusatory. I could thrive and the barriers were removed without me lifting a finger. GOD made me realize that I sometimes place barriers in the way of others and I should remove them as much as possible. In spite of being sinful, GOD blesses me anyway.

• Are you facing obstacles?
• Do you feel like giving up?
• Can you stop being angry at GOD for a moment to notice HIS compassion?
• Will you allow HIM to remove the obstacle in HIS time?
• Can you be content with where HE has you until HE removes the barrier you are facing?

Ready to Soar

Isaiah 40: ²⁷ Why do you complain, Jacob?
    Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
    my cause is disregarded by my God”?
²⁸ Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

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“Great job” were the words that fueled my zeal. When I heard these words I was ready to work harder and longer. I put in my best work when I hear a compliment. On the other hand when I heard a complaint, work seemed to be WORK. It dragged on for seemingly days in one shift. It seemed like during those long times, I complained to GOD. “Where are YOU?” I would yell out.

• Sometimes it seems like life beats me down.
• Sometimes it seems like I will not “get my way.”
• Sometimes it seems like GOD is off somewhere making thieves rich and wealthy meanwhile HE is punishing me for even my tiniest sin.

Blind to the compliment, I put my trust in those who would feed my ego more and more. I mean it felt good to receive accolades and when they ran out, it was time to change jobs or locations or relationships. BUT GOD says to do something different.

• GOD says to me “I do not grow tired or weary” which means HE can take anything I give HIM no matter how many times I give it to HIM.
• GOD says to me “I give strength to the weary and power to the weak” which means HIS strength and power is being used on a daily basis.
• GOD says to me “I will make you soar on wings like eagles” which means I will run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint.

Sometimes I think GOD wants me to run out of steam. I mean when I stop thinking “I” am in control then GOD can do HIS best work. Relying on GOD’s strength means truly believing HE can do anything. HE places me in positions for HIS purpose. I should not complain, rather compliment HIM for where HE has me. HE gives me strength that only comes from HIM.

• Are you growing weak?
• Do you feel weary?
• Can you rely on GOD’s strength?
• Will you put your trust in HIM instead of trying to win HIS favor by working your fingers to the bone?