Anonymous

As you enter through double doors leading into our church building, off to the left you will find a solitary table.  This small table has served many purposes throughout the years.  Church members often bring fruits and vegetables to share from their gardens.  Useful hand-made items are sewn with gifted hands to give away to those in need, and often it's a table holding extra Sunday Bulletins, prayer letters or crafts from Children's Church that are sometimes left behind.  But most of all, this table has held gifts and encouraging notes from Secret Sisters, friends, and family.  Gifts to remember birthdays, Anniversaries, Baby Showers, Weddings, or just a simple, 'thinking of you.'

It's there, for the past two weeks while walking out those double doors of our church, that I have found gifts and cards with my name on them.  It's not my birthday or anniversary, no special occasion to observe.  Just someone wanting to let me know that they are praying for me.

Someone, who for a time, wishes to remain anonymous.  The cards are simply signed, 'A Friend.'

I may not know the identity of this sweet lady who is encouraging me during this time, but I know her heart and I know that she loves the Lord. 

How?  Her heart is on display through her kindness.

2 Corinthians 9:7 tells us that God loveth a cheerful giver.

Galatians 6:10 says-As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Jesus has said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35

This woman is not concerned about revealing her identity because she is doing unto others as unto the Lord.  And the Lord will bless her for it.

She has reminded me, that I too, can bless others without notoriety, because it isn't about me...

and it really isn't about her.

It's about loving one another in Christ.

May God help me be a blessing to others...for their sakes, not mine...

    But that's just me!

Oh-you know what else is on that table....a thank you note to 'A Friend.'

"In Jesus, the Service of God and the Service of the least of the brethren were one."  Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Second Wind

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;  Hebrews 12:1-2a

I look around and I see a lot of tired Christians.  Weights and sins of the world have weighed them down and caused them to veer off the Course God placed them on (Acts 20:24)  They have either stopped along the road somewhere, taken another direction, or they have decided to quit.  The race no longer has meaning for them.

Why?

They have taken their eyes off the finish line.

Are you discouraged?  "And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee; he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee:  fear not, neither be dismayed."  Deuteronomy 31:8

Do you need strength?  "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee: yea; I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."  Isaiah 41:10

Are you weary?  Tired?  "He giveth power to the faint; and to the them that have no might he increaseth strength." Isaiah 40:29

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength:  they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary: and they shall walk, and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31

Do you battle a chronic illness?  "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."  2 Corinthians 12:9

It's time for Christians to use their Second Wind.  If you are a runner, you know what I'm talking about.  My friend and I used to run 2 miles a day, then enter 5K Runs at the Military Base where our husbands were stationed overseas.  When we would first start our run, we were so out of breath, we didn't think we would make it to the next block.  But your body does a funny thing when you decide to keep going.  Your breathing and heart beat begin to regulate itself in such a way, that eventually, you begin to think you could run forever!

It's called your Second Wind.  This is how Webster defines it:  Renewed energy or endurance.

And I love the example he uses:  'The sight of the Finish Line gave the runners a Second Wind.'

I love that!  James 5:11a says, "Behold, we count them happy which endure."

I want to encourage you today, that whatever you are facing in your Christian Race...DON'T QUIT!  The Finish Line is just around the corner!

Let's be like the Apostle Paul and finish our course!  I know I want to-

    But that's just me!

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:"  2 Timothy 4:7

Co-Pay

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9

Recently, I had an in-office, 15- minute medical procedure.  A week later, like clockwork, I received a Statement in the mail breaking down the total cost of the procedure, the amount my Insurance company paid, and what my Co-Pay would be.  Like most insurances, it will only cover a percentage of the total cost, but it will not pay the balance in full.

Religion does the same thing.  It does not pay your sin debt in full.  Religion always requires a work from you.  Let me give you a few examples:

Jesus plus Baptism-

Jesus plus Rosary Bead Prayers-

Jesus plus Confirmation-

Jesus plus you-fill-in-the-blank.

John 19:30 says, When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

In other words:  Jesus paid my sin debt in full.  Jesus paid it all.  No Co-Payment needed from me.

That, my friend, is the difference between Religion and True Christianity.

Jesus is enough.

Galatians 2:16 says, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

So, stop working and start trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ-

    I am...

        But that's just me!

"The child of God knows his good works do not make him acceptable to God, for he was acceptable to God by Jesus Christ long before he had any good works."  Charles Spurgeon

"Justification by religious performances and meritorious deeds, is nothing better than the old Pharisaism with a Christian name stuck upon it...that doctrine makes the Lord Jesus Christ to be practically a nobody; for if salvation be of works, then the way of salvation through faith in a Saviour is superfluous, and even mischievous."  Charles Spurgeon

Marked

Webster defines 'marked' as- Having an identifying mark, having a distinctive or emphasized character.

A 'mark' is an impression, such as a scar, scratch, or stain made on something.

The Bible talks a lot about marks:

The Lord set a mark upon Cain in Genesis 4:15

In Ezekiel 9:4 The Lord set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that cried against the abominations that were done in their midst.  It was for their protection against the wrath of God.  

Then you can read about the Mark of the Beast in Revelation 13:16, 14:9, 15:2, 16:2, 19:20 and 20:4.

We have a mark, and have been marked.  Marks made by others who discern our character by what we say and do.  Or, perhaps, by what we do not say and what we do not do.  I'm told to do the same concerning others.

Romans 16:17 says-Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Why?  Because evil communications corrupt good manners.  1 Corinthians 15:33

There is another definition for 'marked-'  it means being the object of attack, suspicion or vengeance.

My friend, we are marked by the Accuser.  Satan himself has a target on our backs, and his sole purpose is to destroy the Saints of God by ruining our testimonies, and by throwing obstacles in our path to make us want to quit the race.  1 Peter 5:8 tells us to Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour;

What 'mark' are you wearing?

I want my 'mark' to point others to Jesus!

    But that's just me!