Christ Revealed

I've been struggling with the words to express the ways of some very dear brethren for a while: Even wanting to give thanks for one of them publicly to the Lord, (because one of them is leaving*), but not knowing how to express it without getting tangled up in words.

You see, there are those that are very dear to us, yet not part of our biological family. There is a closeness there that is difficult to explain. Then, I realize that the closeness has to do with a practical working out of these verses:

"Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another." Eph. 4:2 Amp.

"And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you." Eph. 4:32 Amp.

(Isn't that cool - how Ephesians 4 is "bookended" by those two verses?)

"Bear (endure, carry) one another's burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it]." Galatians 6:2 Amp.

The practical working out of these verses comes from the ability of these dear ones to show forth the love of Christ to others, (me in particular). I have gained a very special and deeper first-hand knowledge of the love of Christ because it has been so vividly portrayed in a very practical way by these brethren. What an encouragement! There's no substitute for the Lord. There's no substitute for the Lord's people.

How do you say all of that clearly and briefly - without rambling on, like I have been doing above? There it was, last night, in a hymn: "...Christ revealed in saints below."

*Für Elise

Waste-NOT-ness is Next to Godliness

I've seen others being beat over the head with this, (see Title), and I have taken some heat for it as well: "Wanton waste brings woeful want, why are you intentially wasting the _____ ?" Or; "I never spent a dime on _____, but look at brother _____! He doesn't even have a job and has to depend on others for his finances. Look at him blow money on _____!"

I certainly understand that point of view, (except when it's directed at me - of course). After all, I'm not independently wealthy, and don't know how I'd make it without finding some spending shortcuts. But, I keep seeing the Lord take care of things like this without shaking his finger in someone's face, or talking behind their back. He usually just takes care of the needed supply regardless of someone's "lack of responsibility". Years go by and there is no change in the behavior and no "hard lessons" from the Lord. Could it be that we have the wrong point of view yet again? Could it be that our thoughts are not His thoughts?

Isn't it noble not to waste resources and pinch pennies as much as possible; especially when it comes to the Lord's things? Well, all things ARE the Lord's things. Yes, if we waste, there is a price to pay. But emphasis on pinching pennies might just result in something else to be proud of.

We all have a good dose of ignorance. Could we, or someone else be ignorant of some of the best money-saving schemes? Wouldn't God provide anyway if we are?

Then, there's raising kids:

• Lights left on all night
• Studying the refrigerator contents for long periods of time with no result
• Leaving the milk out of the 'fridge all day
• Leaving the water hose on
• Breaking things etc.

I've never heard the kids talk down other kids for wasting something, and they waste a lot. Maybe they remember that they do the same thing, or maybe they have faith that God will help them regardless, because He is good. Maybe that is what is missing here.

Burning the Works

What will it be like at the Judgement Seat of Christ? Our works will be presented and tested with fire. I can't help but believe that each of us will stand individually with the presentation of our works. Part of the structure of our works will look good and some will look suspiciously flammable. Someone will set fire to it and all of it will flame up rather dramatically, including the stuff that looked good. What a bonfire it will be! Truly disappointing. After the fire dies down and we stand there looking out from under our singed eyebrows, creased with disappointment, we'll probably see a beautiful, golden inner structure; still standing. We'll say, "I didn't do THAT!" and we will be right. We will stand there in open-mouthed astonishment at what the Lord was able to accomplish through us in ways that we were not even aware of.