Appearances

Jesus is our Lord, and we are called to submit our lives to His authority. 1st Peter 5 says this:
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

We are under authority of Almighty God, and He has laid out for us in His Word a template for a life that honors Him.  As servants of the Lord, we surrender our desires to His authority and seek to be people who are willing to lay down self so that Christ may be exalted.  And we can trust Him; we can know that if our lives are in His hands, then we are in good hands - He loves us and wants the best for us.  We can know that in His care is a place of confidence and rest.

+++++

In 1st Corinthians 11, Paul addresses matters of Biblical authority:
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.
3 But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

Perhaps you've heard the story by now: a Christian woman went into a driver's license office in Lee County, Alabama.  The office refused to take her picture because she was wearing a headscarf.  She is now suing the county for the right to wear the scarf in the picture.  Again, this is a Christian woman.  ChristianHeadlines.com, referring to a CBS News story, reported that the ACLU is representing the woman, who claims county officials told her that only Muslims are allowed to wear headscarves in license photos.  I would say that is problematic, because adherents to other religions and of other nationalities traditionally wear scarves.

The story quotes the woman as saying in a written statement:

“In accordance with my Christian faith, I cover my hair with a headscarf, but the DMV refused to take my driver license photo unless I removed it. The DMV officials said only Muslims were allowed to keep their headscarves on for photos. I didn’t know what to do. Without question, I believe that Muslim women should not have to violate their faith just to take a driver license photo, but neither should Christian women.”

The Christian Examiner reports that the ACLU lawsuit claims, "Wearing a headscarf is an integral part of her sincerely held Christian beliefs," adding, "Ms. Allen believes that the Bible – in particular, 1 Corinthians 11 – commands her to show her submission to God by covering her hair in public. She believes that removing her headscarf in public is disobedient to God."  Isn't it interesting and a bit odd that the ACLU is defending a citizen's religious freedom?

I came across another Christian woman who dresses modestly with her head covered...writing for the website, First Things, Veery Huleatt, in response to the burkini ban that had been enacted in French cities, but has now been lifted, wrote:

Nice was the last city to lift the Burkini Ban, in accordance with an order from France’s Council of State, which ruled that the ban “illegally breached fundamental freedoms.” But the veiling debate—which has been going on for years in France—is clearly not over.

As a woman who dresses modestly and wears a head covering on the basis of my Christian faith, I have been thinking about the issues involved here for a while.

Referring to the controversy over the wearing of burkinis, Huleatt wrote: "This is the problem I see at the heart of the matter. France is forcing its Muslim citizens to make this choice: To be French, or to be Muslim. In accordance with the French policy of laïcité, French Muslims are told that, in order to be good citizens, they must keep their religion out of the public square."

Interesting - she goes on: "The way I dress seems to invite people to think in these terms, and to assert the principle that the spiritual life should not be lived in public."  Huleatt believes that her modesty is an expression of her faith; a public expression - and that generally, faith should be exhibited in the public square.

So, whether or not you agree with these ladies who wear head coverings, I think they raise some important questions for us:

One is the question of allegiance: to whom do you submit?  And, where do your allegiances lie? Huleatt expressed concerns that Muslims in France were being forced to choose between "church and state?"  When your deeply held beliefs conflict with the dictates of governmental authorities, do you possess the conviction to stand according to Biblically-based beliefs?

There is the question of authority:  these women apparently see the headscarves as a sign of Biblical authority and submission to God. And, reading further in 1st Corinthians 11, Paul refers to a head covering for a woman as a symbol of authority - this is not the place or time to discuss the theology of that passage, but...I think we can examine our hearts and actions and recognize whether or not our hearts and lives really reflect such Biblical submission.  Jesus is our Lord, and we are called to humble ourselves under His power and principles.

And, there are certainly questions of appearances:  I think we do have to be respectful in the way we dress, and the Bible does teach a philosophy of modesty, not causing others to stumble.  We can also think about our freedom of religious expression - we are called to be visible with our faith so that others may see.  Religious practice should not be separated from the public square.

Bible Reading: The Next Generation

In Hebrews 4, we can explore some of the dynamics of the Christian life:
9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.
10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Another translation says that God's Word is living and active!  Think about that with me - in order to experience the activity of God, as well as the rest that we can have in Him, there is activity in which we take part.  In our devotion to Christ, we exercise diligence, studying and applying God's Word so we will develop a greater reliance on Him.  Our activity, which leads to surrender and spiritual growth, enables us to experience God's supernatural ability.

+++++

From a passage in Psalm 19, we can receive encouragement about interacting with the Lord through His Word:
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

According to a recently-released study, the majority of teenagers who identify as Protestant, attend church at least once a month, say their faith is very important in their lives, and who read their Bible, read it the same amount all year long. That's the premise that is related in the opening statement of a Christianity Today report on the American Bible Society's Teen State of the Bible poll, conducted by the Barna Group.

73% of those "practicing" Protestant teenagers are consistent Bible readers.  As CT points out, though, 18 percent of practicing Protestant teens read more during the school year and only 9 percent read more during the unstructured summer.

Of course, the size of the sample of practicing Protestant teens is rather small - 16 percent of those surveyed in 2016, compared to 20% last year.  But, the results in that subcategory were fairly consistent with last year's results: 85% said the Bible contains everything needed for a meaningful life (down from 88%) and 12% said they read their Bible every day (down from 16%).

But, overall, Arthur Satterwhite, senior manager of national movements mobilization at American Bible Society, is encouraged.  In a summary on the ABS website, he is quoted as saying, “American teens sometimes get a bad rap as being uninterested or even anti-faith,” adding, "But today’s Teen State of the Bible report shows that a majority of America’s teens have respect for and interest in the Bible.”

The research also found that 53 percent of teens say they wish they read the Bible more often.

18 percent of teens did increase their Bible reading, with 55 percent saying that occurred because they “came to understand [Bible reading] as an important part of [their] faith journey.”

14 percent of the teens surveyed said their Bible reading declined in the last year. Why? The principal factor they identified is that they feel too busy with life’s responsibilities - 51% gave that indication.

Overall, 69% of American teens own a Bible.

And, the influence of parents on teens' spiritual practices is important to note: 50 percent of teens say they see their parents reading the Bible “frequently” or “sometimes.” Also, 54 percent of teens say the Bible has “a lot” of influence on rules at home, and an additional 32 percent say it has “some” influence.

The breakdown of the spiritual categories in this survey, according to the survey data: 29% self-identified as "practicing Christian," 41% as "non-practicing Christians," who do not attend a religious service at least once a month and say their faith is very important in their life.  And, 30% would be categorized as having either "no faith" or "other faith."

So, what we have here is a state of awareness of the Bible but what might be regarded as a lack of application.  There is interest, but perhaps a failure to execute, primarily due to busy-ness.  The "summer slump" also applies to Bible reading - with almost 2-in-10 of your most devout Protestants reading more during the school year.  But, it does appear like the "want to" is there and that a sizable number of teens realize that the Bible is important. 

And, I would say that doesn't just apply to teenagers.  We know that a greater devotion to the Word is a good thing, but the challenge is to actually spend the time, to prioritize the study of Scripture.   

Overall, I do think that this data can give us hope for the next generation, and I believe that God is doing an incredible work in the lives of teenagers, giving them opportunity to grow in the Lord and serve Him.  Through events such as See You at the Pole, coming up on September 28, teen believers can identify other Christians in their schools so that they can serve Him together.

Upon This Rock

The Bible teaches us in Colossians 1 that Jesus is the head of the Church. We read:
18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,
20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

The Church is the body of Christ, and each of us who have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior are members of that body.  We are united with one another in the Spirit of God by the blood of Jesus. And, God desires to express Himself through His people.  As we meet together, study, fellowship and serve, we individually are strengthened and the body is stronger.  The local church is not defined by its location, in terms of a building, but by Who is the head - Jesus - and how we follow His leadership.  The church is the people, devoted to God, seeking to lift Him up.

+++++

In Matthew 16, Jesus is meeting with His disciples. We pick up the story with an important question:
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Egypt is a country where the predominant religion is Islam.  Over 160 years ago, the Ottoman Caliphate, which ruled the nation, issued an order that anyone wanting to build a Christian church would have to get approved by the country's ruler; before that, building a Christian church, which is not permitted under Sharia law, was very rare, according to a story on the Christianity Today website.

Almost 80 years later, some regulations were introduced that would make church building more difficult.  Examples included: Christians were required to gain the approval of local Muslims, the proposed church had to be at least 340 feet from the nearest mosque, and could not be built near schools, village canals, railways, government offices and facilities, or between residential areas.

Until last week that law stood.

But, last week, Egypt's parliament passed a law making it easier to build a Christian church. Christianity Today reported that it's a 13-article law and it decentralizes the approval process.  Now provincial governors, rather than the president, can approve church building or restoration permits. It also requires a decision from them within four months of an application.

There is apparently a provision allowing unregistered churches to operate freely until a government committee can determine whether they are structurally sound and, if so, retroactively grant them a license to operate.  The ability to put crosses on church domes was also approved.

Several Coptic Christian members of Parliament said it was “a step in the right direction,” according to Ahram Online.  And, Coptic, Orthodox, and Catholic leaders believed the bill contained the necessary components to gain their approval.

In Egypt, Christians make up about 10 to 15 percent of the population of more than 90 million. Most belong to the Coptic Orthodox Church. Over the past 60 years, an average of two churches a year have been approved, according to Coptic Solidarity. Egypt has less than 2,600 churches total, which works out to about 1 for every 5,500 Egyptian Christians. (By comparison, there is about 1 mosque for every 620 Muslims in Egypt.)  World Watch Monitor reports, according to CT, that "Christians end up meeting in overcrowded churches, in house basements, or in the premises of NGOs." But, the CT article points out that they're vulnerable and an easy target for Muslim extremists.

The passage of this law is definitely a step forward for religious freedom, a demonstration that, even though Islam is favored, allowances for Christianity have been made.  That is a stark contrast to other nations where Christians are not free to practice their faith.  Sometimes incremental progress can be celebrated, and we may lose little victories in trying to achieve the unachievable.

This victory also provides an example of church leaders working with government to address religious freedom issues.  I think it's important, even in instances here in America where our freedoms to practice our faith are threatened, for Christian leaders to unite to speak up.  A great example is the stance of Christians and other leaders who spoke out against a proposed bill in California which would have forced Christian colleges and universities to abandon deeply held beliefs on issues such as the definition of marriage; the bill as passed did not contain such a mandate.

What I really to concentrate on is the question, "What makes a church?"  The Bible teaches that the church is not a building, although we can all admit that a building can be very useful.  But, the Church is a greater entity than a location - it's the people, not the place.  No matter where it meets, the Church as a whole is the body of Christ and our individual churches comprise that overall body.  The Church is composed of fellow believers meeting together - to learn, to grow, to encourage one another, and to serve, so that Jesus is glorified.

Not Finished Yet

We can always be careful to think about God's operation in and through us, being careful to give Him
the glory as He sustains us in difficult times and as we experience the victories He has in store. 2nd Corinthians 4 says this:
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--
10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

In our humanity, we are frail and weak; we really are - but as the Scriptures teach us, in our weakness, He is strong.  We can develop the mindset of yielding to the power of the Holy Spirit, always knowing that God's ways are best, that His knowledge is so much greater than ours, and that in His love, He is willing to demonstrate His wisdom on our behalf, because as we walk in victory that brings honor to His name.  Ultimately, He works in our lives because He loves us, and He manifests His glory through us.

+++++

The hand of God is working all around us and through us - and we do well to acknowledge that, to give Him glory, and be yielded to His operation and learn what He is teaching. Isaiah 55 says:
8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord.
9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Well, the opening weekend of college football is now history, and I hope that your favorite team had success on the field.  If not, there's always next week, right?

A running back for the University of Pittsburgh might not have had a next game, but he led his team out of the locker room for its game with Villanova on Saturday.  You see, James Conner was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma last December, and Saturday, he scored the first two touchdowns for the Panthers in their 28-7 victory, according to SBNation.com.  According to ESPN.com, Conner had 17 carries for 53 yards, plus 16 yards on 3 receptions.   Not bad for someone who might have never played again...

Conner had not played since last year's opener against Youngstown State.  USA Today reported that he had suffered a season-ending knee injury in that game. But, as he went through rehab for the knee and lifted in the weight room, Conner noticed he'd get out of breath quickly. His face was swelling up. He grew dizzy, and had trouble sleeping.

Antibiotics didn't help, and doctors were without answers. An ENT doctor ordered a chest X-ray, which led to a PET scan and the discovery of a large tumor.  Conner had told USA Today in June, "You've got two veins; one carries blood directly to the body, one carries blood to the heart...That tumor was growing and was pressing on that vein. That vein was getting skinnier and skinnier."

In that article, he shared his view that the knee injury was a blessing from God: “If I never had this knee injury I would've been on the field and I probably would've been feeling out of shape and that I’ve got to work even harder. I’d be taking shots to the chest. I could've died on the field. I’m very thankful for my knee injury — I know He did that to save my life. ... He didn't want to harm me when He did my knee injury. He did it to save me."

After 12 chemo treatments and dedication to get back on the field, Conner trotted out onto the Heinz Field gridiron Saturday as the starting running back for Pitt, leading his teammates out on the field. He has been declared to be cancer-free.

USA Today reported that Conner has Jeremiah 29:11 inscribed on his right shin: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"

I think there are several takeaways from this story, a story of resilience and determination, with a declared faith component:

First of all, we can be mindful to give God the glory for the victories you experience.  Yes, we can exhibit certain qualities that are enhanced in the midst of adversity, but ultimately, we can recognize the hand of God to strengthen and sustain us during those tough times and grow in our faith.

James Conner proclaimed that God used a knee injury to get him out of the action, which actually led to the diagnosis and perhaps saved his life.  There is a Biblical principle that God's ways are higher than ours, and He may use some other occurrence in our lives to provide strength or clarity in another area.

And, you can also think that sometimes we have to be still in order for God to get our attention. Maybe the Lord will take us out of our own respective field of play for a while to listen, to learn, to be built up in our faith.

Finally, remember that we may not always see how God is working, but we can believe that He is. Romans teaches us that He works everything for our good, and a verse in Philippians says that He - the One who began a good work in you - is working toward completion.   So, we can believe that progress is being made in the product that God has ordained - our life in Him.

Russian Restrictions

Jesus foretold that His people would encounter opposition, but He encourages us to stand strong,
even when there are those who would punish us for our faith in Him. In Matthew 10, He taught:
18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;
20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

That can certainly cause us to be courageous as we face the prospect of hostility toward the expression of our Christian faith.  We can rely on the Lord to give us the right words, and the right demeanor, for that matter, so that we can be a bold witness for Him.  You know, God's Spirit is in the heart of a believer, and in our reliance on Him, He will speak through us; we can depend on Him for the words to speak in all situations, including the difficult ones we face.

+++++

In 1st Peter 3, we can read some verses that provide encouragement to stand strong, even when there is opposition:
14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled."
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

As I have reported to you, Russia has enacted a new law, which was described in this way by Christianity Today:

To share their faith, citizens must secure a government permit through a registered religious organization, and they cannot evangelize anywhere besides churches and other religious sites. The restrictions even apply to activity in private residences and online.

This law, passed by the Russian parliament and signed into law by President Vladimir Putin, was said to have been a move to curb terrorist activity.  And, it has already had a chilling effect on religious expression, including Christian evangelism.

According to Baptist Press, two weeks ago, police entered Independent Baptist missionary Donald Ossewaard's Sunday morning Bible study in his home, which had 15 students, arrested him and fined him 40,000 rubles, which is about $600.  Ossewaard says that he will leave the country.  He has appealed the charges against him.  There have also been some veiled threats reported against his life. His wife, Ruth, has already returned home to Illinois.

The report says that Ossewaarde was charged under Article 5.26, Part 5 of the new religion law for holding religious services in his home, advertising services on bulletin boards in nearby neighborhoods, and failing to give authorities written notification when he began his religious activities. He said, "What we have in our favor ... is the way they wrote the law is very ineffective in accomplishing what they wanted to accomplish." He maintains that the law, which was passed July 20, limits missionary activity by religious organizations in particular, and he operates independently of any group. He stated: "They wanted to make all missionary activity illegal. The law as written doesn't apply to me, and that's why I believe that we will win this appeal. But long term, obviously they can write another law that says missionary activity is just plain outlawed. I certainly consider myself a missionary."

As of early last week, there had been five others arrested under the law, according to the news service Forum 18: another Baptist who was fined 5,000 rubles; a Hare Krishna, who was acquitted; a Protestant, fined 50,000 rubles; a Pentecostal, who was to appear in court Aug. 29, and a Seventh-day Adventist, who was awaiting a trial date.

Christian missionary Ossewaarde, according to Baptist Press, has conducted street evangelism, distributed printed materials and held weekly Bible studies and prayer meetings in his home. Those have all ended, and he continues to await his day in court, while making arrangements to return to the U.S.

This story can be a reminder to be in prayer for Christians in Russia who have had their ability to share their faith severely curtailed.  Shortly after the passage of the law, Sergey Rakhuba, president of Mission Eurasia and a former church planter in Moscow, told Christianity Today: “Most evangelicals—leaders from all seven denominations—have expressed concerns,” adding, “They’re calling on the global Christian community to pray that Putin can intervene and God can miraculously work in this process.”

We can also be motivated to continue to be in prayer for the persecuted church, as a whole, standing with those who call upon the name of the Lord, who may face death or punishment for their expression of faith in Christ.

When the world says, "no," do we say, "yes?"  I think that is a great question for us, even in America, as we find ourselves in a climate where the Christian faith, I don't believe, is as widely accepted as it used to be.  We can make up our minds how we will respond when we encounter opposition, and purpose in our hearts to be bold when we are challenged, and at all times seeking to reflect the character of Christ.

Reinforcing Relationship

The apostle Paul was attempting to accurately transition the church in Galatia out of religious practice into a relationship with a living, vibrant God who called them into a relationship with Him through Christ.  In Galatians 3, we read:
3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have you suffered so many things in vain--if indeed it was in vain?
5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?--
6 just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."

The Bible tells the story of a loving, Creator God who wants to have fellowship with the human beings He has created.  When humanity fell in the Garden, He set into motion His plan of restoration. Jesus came to show a fallen world the way to God.  Time after time, His people forgot Him, even though He showed up in a number of ways.  And, even today, though we have perhaps encountered Jesus and have been born again, yet we forget His goodness and love.   He wants to renew and restore our relationship and He enables us to grow in Him consistently.

+++++

Religious practice is no substitute for a relationship with the God of the universe, Maker of heaven and earth, who calls us into fellowship with Himself through His Son. 2nd Timothy 3 says:
2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Pew Research Center has been following the emergence of the so-called religious "nones," and in the summary of a recent survey, it opens by saying, "Perhaps the most striking trend in American religion in recent years has been the growing percentage of adults who do not identify with a religious group. This new survey reveals that 78% of these religious “nones” say "they were raised as a member of a particular religion before shedding their religious identity in adulthood."

In this study, Pew decided to dig a bit deeper to find out why people are making these decisions.  It found that:

About half of current religious “nones” who were raised in a religion (49%) indicate that a lack of belief led them to move away from religion. This includes many respondents who mention “science” as the reason they do not believe in religious teachings, including one who said “I’m a scientist now, and I don’t believe in miracles.” Others reference “common sense,” “logic” or a “lack of evidence” – or simply say they do not believe in God.

One out of five people surveyed expressed an opposition to organized religion in general, and a similar percentage indicated they were religiously unsure.  Responses from those people who contend they are religious in some way include, "I believe in God, but in my own way," or those who describe themselves as “seeking enlightenment” or “open-minded.” Several said they are "spiritual” if not religious.

One-in-ten of these religious "nones" would consider themselves "inactive" religiously, many of them who apparently just got out of practice and some who say they are too busy for church.

There are several thoughts that came to mind when contemplating the results of this study.  First of all, I think we have to recognize the spiritual reality that organized religion cannot offer peace and satisfaction in the soul; an encounter with the living God is what's important.  Religion can lead to relationship, but Jesus is calling us not ultimately to religious practice, although holy living and worship will flow from a right relationship with God through Christ.

We have to strive to express and experience the reality of a living Savior.  Perhaps people drift away because that have not seen evidence of that reality.  It's more than just a jubilant encounter, but a day-by-day abiding in Christ, as we are attracted by Him and transmit that attraction to people around us.

And, we also can recognize that science and Bible not contradictory - I believe that science is the documentation of principles and events that we find documented in the pages of the Scriptures.  We can be convinced that evidence of God's ways and His handiwork can be found in science.   Science should not be used to reason away or rationalize Biblical evidence, but to reinforce truths about God that we discover in His Word.

Resources to Respond

Luke chapter 6 traces the progression from good motives in the heart to good deeds done for others:
36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
37 "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

Mercy is an expression of what Christ has done in our hearts - because we have been shown mercy by God, we can in turn show His love toward other people.  The mercy of the Lord can help us to be more sensitive to people's needs, regardless of their socio-economic background, the sin by which they're ensnared, or the bad choices they have made.  The transformative power of God is released as we develop a giving spirit.

+++++

From 2nd Corinthians 9, we can gain insight into the operation of God:
10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,
11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

Sabrina Drude is a 7th grade teacher at Scobee Middle School in the San Antonio area.  She, like so many other teachers this time of year, was out buying school supplies at a local Walmart recently when something unusual happened...a man behind her in line stepped forward and took care of the bill, which came to $97.

Apparently, this man, referred to as a "good Samaritan" by a local television station, was satisfied with being anonymous in his generosity, and that's OK - sometimes we can do things for which we receive no credit.  But, according to that station, KENS5 television, social media helped to find him.

He's Lester Brown, a father of five, a re-entry specialist for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, and a pastor.  He was not reticent to share about his motivation for doing what he did.

He said, “It was the right thing to do. It’s what God said to do and it’s that simple." He continued the story: “I paid it and then she started to cry,” adding, “And then she was going to make me cry, so I looked away.” Brown related, “I remember I had this hundred-dollar bill with the intention of responding to something in need, and God said to respond."

Drude said, "He inspired me and so many others to be kinder and do whatever you can for your fellow human."

Brown has some wise counsel that can help our society as a whole: "You want people to live better, love thy neighbor. Love thy neighbor means do your part."  He challenges people to do what they can afford to do, perhaps to volunteer at a school or help a family.

I don't know how many people get to hear Lester Brown preach on your average Sunday, but this pastor's act of generosity has resulted in the message of God's love being shared in a viral way.

This story hits home for me, of course.  My wife is a 2nd-grade teacher and is still in the first month of the school year.  There is much involved in getting the school year started.  And, teachers make so many sacrifices for the sake of the children in our communities.  It's an incredible expression of love for so many of them, including Beth, who loves her job and loves her students. For the Christian teacher, that profession becomes an incredible mission field.  So, if you have kids in school, make sure that you hold up their teachers in prayer and look for ways to be involved. Before she went back into teaching, Beth was active with PTA, and this year, for the first time in 7 years, I am not serving with a school parent group, since we now have two kids in college.

I think it's interesting that Sabrina Drude's school supply bill came to $97...Pastor Brown had a $100 bill, and he says that God directed him to respond.  This really calls to mind that God will give us the resources in order to respond to His direction.  In 2nd Corinthians, we're told that He gives seed to the sower.  Brown possessed the resources and the willingness; he needed God to give him the direction, and God received the glory!

I also want to say a word about this man's comments about how loving our neighbors can help people live better.  I don't know if he was referring to physical well-being, or maybe spiritual and emotional health - no matter what, we can admit that the love of God is transformative.  I believe that recipients of the love of Christ can actually be changed as the result of a believer doing good works for them.  We can look for ways to be conduits and communicators of this powerful love.