What have we done to compassion? As Christians we are to be caring, compassionate people. Too often, however, we find ourselves behaving as the Pharisees did in the time of Jesus: we care more for traditions than for people. Sure, we are quick to sympathize at the death of a loved one. We will empathize when someone is going through a tough patch. These are not the same as compassion. Compassion literally means to “suffer together.” When we have compassion, when we suffer together with someone, we are filled with a desire to remove the cause of the suffering. At least we would be, if we allowed ourselves to feel true compassion. How often have we been critical when we should be listening, truly listening? How quick are we to tell others how to live their lives when we don’t have our own lives under control? How many times have we tried to remove the speck from our brother’s eyes and never tried to remove the beam from our own? If God has forgiven, then who do we think we are to continue to punish? Have we ever made it harder to be a member of a local congregation than God has made it to go to Heaven? Yes, we are to love God more than Man; however this does not mean we are to stop loving each other in order to love God. Too often we act as if we only have a limited quantity of love and we have to choose whether we love God or anything or anyone else. The truth is far from this concept. The more we love God, the more we should love each other, especially those we call brothers and sisters. The scriptures are clear that we are to love each other, bear each other’s burdens, pray for each other, and even love our enemies. If what we call “love” does not have true compassion (suffering together) involved, then how can it possibly be love? – George V. Stewart 2014
“. . . clothe yourselves with compassion . . .” Colossians 3:12
Out of love for one another…….
We are currently requiring everyone attending the Sunday morning worship assembly and Wednesday evening Bible study to wear a mask in keeping with the Health Departments guidelines. We thank you for your consideration of and care for others. Masks are available if you need one.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35 ESV)
Scripture of the Week
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” “And the God of all grace, Who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” ~~ 1 Peter 5:8 & 10-11
Something to Smile About
Did you hear about the efficiency expert who did a seminar on time management for a company’s junior executives? He ended one of his lectures with this disclaimer, “Don‟t attempt these timesaving tips at home,” he said.
“Why not?” one of the executives asked.
“I did a study of my wife’s routine of fixing breakfast,” he said sheepishly. “She made a lot of trips between the refrigerator and the stove, the table and the cabinets—often carrying only one item. So I asked my wife, “Honey, why don’t you try carrying several things at once, so you can be more efficient?””
“Did that save time?” the young executive asked.
“Actually, yes,” the lecturer replied. “It used to take her twenty minutes to get breakfast, now I get my own breakfast in seven minutes.”Think About It
Amen to What is Right
Of all the goofy, depressing, and astounding things that happened recently (take your pick), my jaw literally dropped at the choice of a veteran congressman and denominational minister to finish his congressional prayer with “amen and a-woman” (not to mention the blasphemous content of his prayer!).
Did you know the word “amen” is the favorite word of Jesus in the book of John? It is commonly translated “truly” or “assuredly” and the word literally means, “may it be” or “let it be.” It is ironic that Christ used it most at the beginning of His statements, as one man observed, to punctuate His authority and Christians now use the word today at the ends of prayers to invoke His authority.
There is something special about God’s people “amen-ing” what is right. What Mr. Emanuel (or is it Ewomanuel?) Cleaver prayed is a mockery of God and a signal to us about the gross disparity and ignorance of God and His will. Christians, wake up to our work, especially if he is a representative of Americans! May God be merciful to us (the church) and provide grace to herald what’s right while we’ve still got time (Prov. 14:34). AMEN!
It’s going to be a great week to His glory! – Andy Baker Graeber Road church of Christ Rosenberg, TX