If you were to ask me what one message I would convey to the vast majority of people who have come to me for pastoral advice and counsel over the past three decades, I would say with great gusto “Grow Up!”
 
Ouch! That hurts because so many of us refuse to grow up.
 
Paul tells us in I Corinthians 13: 11 “When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.”  Paul also writes in I Corinthians 14:20 “Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be babes, but in your thinking be mature.”
 
When we were kids, we did what kids do. We acted childish, not grown up. It is perfectly all right and acceptable for children to act like children, because they are kids! Childhood is a very special season in our lives.
           

• But when childhood passes and adulthood takes center stage, we are to grow up and act like grown ups, not children in adult bodies.

 
When Paul became a man, he chose to do away with childish things. He purposely changed his thinking and behavior. No more kid’s stuff for Paul. Maturity was the mark he strove for.  Paul made daily decisions to step out of childhood and walk in adulthood as a believer in Jesus Christ.
 

• So much poor adult behavior is childish behavior.

 
Sadly, some people never do away with childish things, they never mature in their thinking and conduct, and they wonder why they cannot maintain healthy, adult relationships.   
 
I have an idea why. They act like immature children. Juvenile. Some people act like spoiled brats! Sometimes in counseling I feel like I am babysitting! I have to call time outs. Some people throw spiritual tantrums and emotional fits. You know what I would like to do? Send them to their rooms. Ouch again!
 

• Growing up is hard to do but is required if we are to become like Christ and enjoy mature, mutually satisfying relationships with God and people.

 
Think with me for a moment. Do you realize how frustrating it is for a person you love to relate to you on an adult level when you choose to act like a little child? Adult-child does not work when mature relationships require adult-adult. Adults need to grow up and act like grown-ups!
 
Paul gives wise, sensible guidance to the body of Christ concerning conduct toward brothers and sisters in the church.
 
“But speaking the truth in love, we are to GROW UP in all aspects unto Him, who is the head, even Christ...” Ephesians 4:15
 
The context of verse 15 is verses 11-16. “Speaking the truth in love” means calling stuff what it is. If we are to grow up, we must begin by facing the truth. Truth is truth. I believe the rule for healthy relationships is to always take the high road and speak truth with love.
 
Love takes the hard edge off tough stuff. But love does not mean not facing truth and needing to grow up and act maturely. Love doesn’t cover truth. It exposes truth and provides opportunity for change---if we are willing to grow up!     
 
Why is it so hard for us to “grow up” in our Christian life? Here are a few reasons to ponder.
 

• Growing up means I must face my shortcomings and do something about them.
• Growing up means I must be willing to stop making excuses for poor behavior.
• Growing up means that I must admit that I am not perfect.
• Growing up means I might have to admit that I was wrong and you were right.
• Growing up means I, and I alone, must take responsibility for my actions.
• Growing up means I must repent, apologize, seek forgiveness and make restitution when I have wronged others.
• Growing up means I must put away childish behavior and decide to act like an adult.
• Growing up means I must look to Jesus as my standard for maturity and do whatever He tells me to do to be more like Him.
• Growing up means I will have to die to self and live for God and others.
• Growing up means that if I desire to be Christ-like, I must grow up to be like Jesus. 
• Growing up means, bottom line, that I value relationships with God and people so much that I refuse to act like a baby anymore.

 
Imagine what would happen in the church of Jesus Christ, in Christian homes, in the business community, in our world if Christians started GROWING UP and SHOWING UP as mature witnesses for Christ? Wow—revival and restoration to righteousness, holiness, goodness, wholeness, wellness, happiness, prosperity and peace would be the order of the day.
 

• If you need to grow up, start right now. The stakes are too high to continue to act like an immature child. Successful living requires mature, grown up, adult behavior.

 
Choosing not to grow up you will never know how good grown-up living can be. Chose to grow up and you will know how being like Jesus can make life abundant and worth living.
 

• Hey friend, are you growing up and becoming more and more grown up in Christ each day?

 
“Therefore, putting aside all malice and al guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the Word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.”                                                                                        I Peter 2:2
 
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity.”                                           II Peter 3:18
 
A Word For Your Week: If you want to go up, GROW UP!
 

Time and timing.
You and I understand time… but struggle with timing.
The wisdom writer Solomon wrote “He (God) has made everything appropriate in its time” Ecclesiastes 3:11a.
 The truth expressed here is everything is appropriate (suitable, fitting, compatible) with our Maker’s timing.

• Clearly this scripture declares that our Creator created everything (including you and me) according to HIS TIME AND TIMETABLE.

Think with me for a moment.  As far as I know, there is no time as we know it in eternity. No clocks that the Almighty sets back or moves forward in heaven.  We earthlings are consumed with and worry about time. God is not. Time does not worry Him. Our Creator is eternal all the time. He has always been and will always be.

• God’s chief concern is timing. His timing is always perfect!

Many years ago Miller Brewery advertised their product with the phrase “Miller time is the right time.” Nice thought. But this guy begs to differ. If beer is the right time, humanity is in bigtime trouble!
Let’s be honest. You and I are often guilty of questioning God’s timing.
The times in my life when my deepest disappointments came have been when I expected God to keep His promises and answer my prayers according to Steve’s timetable. Hey Lord, what is with the delay regarding the prayer request I sent You?? What’s up with my requests not being filled when I think they should?  
 Heavenly Father, did it get lost in heaven’s post office?  Isn’t it about time for it to be answered? Have You checked Your celestial watch lately? Oh, that’s right, no time in heaven.
JUST A THOUGHT. You and I might think something is the right thing and the time is right. But if God’s timing is not in it, what we thought was right will not work out right. Chew on that for a moment!

• The Lord has always been gracious in teaching me about His timing.

The greatest joys in my life have occurred when God comes through on His time for me!
 I see His hand in the timing. Then I say to myself “Steve, see, God’s timing was absolutely perfect once again. When are you going to get it through your thick head that God’s timing is always on time? His blessings in your life always arrive on His time schedule, not yours.” 
Let me ask you. Have you ever wondered why God’s only Son, Jesus Christ came to the earth when He did? I have. God could have sent Jesus a thousand years before His birth 2, 000 years ago. He could have sent Him in 1650 or 1820 or you pick a date. How about your birthday!
The answer to the time question is in Galatians 4:4-5. “But when the fulness of time came, God sent forth His Son born of a woman, born under the Law in order that He might redeem those under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
Fulness of time can also be translated due time, proper time, predetermined time, right time. Sounds like God’s timing to me!

• God the Father’s plan of salvation. Biblical prophecy. Historical setting. All the above figured into the time and timing of Christ’s birth.

My little brain has decided God’s Son, Jesus, my personal Savior, was born in Bethlehem, raised in Judea, was crucified and raised from the dead in Jerusalem and descended to heaven promising to return for His sons and daughters according to God’s perfect time and timing. Amen and amen for that!
 Attitudes and Actions that interfere with God’s timing.

• An impatient, anxious, worrisome spirit.  
• Lack of understanding of timing of biblical events.
• Comparing our experiences with other people’s timing experiences.
• Listening to people who gripe about God’s timing.
• Insisting that “I have to have it now” complicates the timing process.
• Thinking that I know better than God. Lightning bolt on the way!!!!

My friends, you and I can experience relief, peace, joy, power and confidence when we trust God’s timing for our lives. Trusting God’s timing is a matter of faith. I do not have to know everything about everything. I do get to trust my Maker and Redeemer to provide everything I will ever need in His time and timing. AMEN.
How about you my fellow Christian? Do you trust God for His timing in your life? Really trust Him?  If not, why? Do you think you can manage time and life events better than the Almighty Creator of everything? If so, you need to think again and line up time and timing with God’s Word.
Time. Timing. Manage both well this week with God’s help.
A Word For Your Week: God’s timing is always on time!

​Rain. Rain. And more rain.
Our neck of the woods recently experienced a week of thunderstorm, tornado and flash flood warnings as copious amounts of rain fell from heavenly places. I caught myself humming the little jingle “Rain, rain, go away, come back another day!”
It did rain a number of another days!
It rained so much I wondered if we needed to build an Ark!
Thunderstorms, tornadoes  and rain did considerable damage in Oklahoma. But nothing like the massive destruction from tornadic winds and flood waters that devastated the Midwest, Southern and Eastern sections of the United States.  
My heart breaks and goes out to so many whose lives have been turned inside out and upside down by storm after storm that ravaged their families, homes, businesses, towns and cities.

• Please join with me daily in prayer for the recovery, restoration and rebuilding of storm ravaged areas. Pray especially for precious people who lost loved ones. In an instant, family members were suddenly gone. Homes were destroyed. In a terrifying moment, life changed forever.  
• Ask the Lord to comfort and heal hurting, grieving hearts. Ask God to provide wisdom, direction and what do we do now steps as tens of thousands in our nation are in a recovery and rebuilding mode.

On the last day of the storms here in Tulsa, I drove to a park a few miles from our house to wait on the Lord and pray. For fifty years, getting away regularly each week to meet with the Lord at secluded lakes or parks is one of my favorite things in life.
The rain had ceased. Clouds were breaking up and moving out.  Rays of golden sunlight broke through the dark, foreboding clouds that had blanketed the skies for days.  When I stepped out of my car, I was blown away! (Not from storms).

• What captured and captivated my attention was the melodic symphony, a concert of scores and scores of birds SINGING AFTER THE RAIN!   

Cardinals. Blue Jays. Robins.  Gold Finch. Wrens.  Blue Birds. Sparrows. Ravens. Blackbirds. Hawks soaring overhead were singing their little bird hearts out. Creations’ chorus was singing Hallelujah to our Creator! The storms are gone. All clear. Safe to come out from hiding. Find food. Fly around. Do what birds do.

• My heart soared! I am not a bird. (Sometimes my precious wife thinks I am a bird brain!). Nevertheless,  Steve Roll, from the bottom of his lungs, shouted praise to the Lord for stilling the storms. Simply amazing! God’s creation was singing after the rain…and I joined them!!!

Rain can be good and not so good. I get it. So do you. But I learned something from the birds…singing after the rain is a good thing!!!
Just a thought for you and me as Christians.  As God’s people we should sing during and after the rain. Sing God’s praises for the rain that the earth needs. Sing His praises for shielding us from tornadoes and flooding. Look to Him and praise Him for protecting us and directing us how to recover from any storm damage.
The two verses below exhort and encourage us to rejoice in the Lord always and always give thanks in everything. I love Paul’s emphasis on “always “ in both verses.
“Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.” Philippians 4:4
“In everything give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:18

• No matter what the immediate outcome of thunderstorms and rain, I believe it is a powerful thing for God’s creation (including you and me) to praise and give thanks to the Creator. Everybody should say Amen!

 

• So, my brothers and sisters in Christ, the next time it rains, after it ceases, sing the praises of God! It will make you feel good like the birds.

A Word For Your Week:  Sing praise to God after the rain.

Eternity is man’s destiny.
 
You and I should remember that all of us have a date with eternity.
 
Solomon says so in our word for your week. “God has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart….” Ecclesiastes 3:11a
 
·      God has set eternity in our hearts. Our Creator created us to be eternal. Because everything is appropriate in its time (God’s time and timing), we have an appointment with eternity that is scheduled on God’s cosmic calendar.  
 
I serve and minister to people who often have lost sight of the big picture of life. Struggling with their current situation their perspective is short-sighted. They are overwhelmed and consumed with here and not concerned about the hereafter.
 
Isn’t it interesting that we human beings who are eternal get so hung up on the temporal? Honestly, sometimes you and I are so earthly minded that we are not much heavenly good!
 

• Life is not all about here….it is all about the hereafter.

 
For believers in Christ, this earthly life is not our destiny or final destination. Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:20 that a Christian’s home is in heaven. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
 
If you think about it, a Christian, living in a fallen, hostile, anti-Christ world, is in reality, homeless. Our real residence, our spiritual home, is heavenly, not earthly. Jesus is preparing our home for us right now (John 14:1-6). I imagine that our residences in heaven will be awesome to say the least!
 

• Christians should consider life here and now in light of the hereafter.

 
According to S cripture, each of us chooses our eternal destiny. Resurrection to eternal death in hell or eternal life in heaven are the options (John 5:25-29, Romans 6:23, John 14:6, John 3:16). Eternity is never ending. Earthly life has an end line. How we live here and cross that line determines how we live hereafter.
 

• Life is too short and eternity is too long to not live right.

 
When I meet with precious people who are hurting, I direct them to look to the Lord for the healing, restoration and renewal they need. Our earthly lives are important. God put us here for a purpose. Living our lives in a holy, wholesome, healthy, righteous manner, for our Creator’s glory, is God’s will for each of us. Jesus came to give “abundant life” (John 10:10).
 
 In addition to abundant life on earth, Jesus sacrificed His life so we could live with Him in heaven for eternity.  Abundant, eternal life in Christ should cause us to pause and look at our here and now lives in light of the hereafter.    
 
Life Is Too Short And Eternity Is Too Long….
 

• To reject Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.
• To not allow the Lord to heal your broken heart and bind up your wounds.
• To live a selfish, self-centered, self-absorbed,” it’s all about me” lifestyle.
• To suck your thumb, drag around your woe is me blankie, throw temper tantrums, and wallow in the pit of self pity.
• To keep beating yourself up over past mistakes and failings.
• To hold a grudge, to nurse a hurt, to curse someone.
• To not release anger, resentment, bitterness and other ugly stuff from your heart.
• To not ask forgiveness of people you have wronged.
• To withhold forgiveness from people who have hurt you.
• To not reconcile an estranged relationship that matters to you.
• To withhold blessing when it is in your power to bless others.
• To not give thanks and praise to God for giving you life and all the blessings you experience everyday.  

 
Important question to answer: Do you have an eternal perspective while you live your earthly life? Do you desire to live right here and now? Right living (righteousness in Christ) is laid out in God’s Word, the Bible. If you want to live life right for time and eternity, pattern your life after the truth, principles, promises and the person of Jesus Christ revealed in the Word of God.
 

• My friend, eternity is just around the bend. Around the bend is not the end. It is the beginning of all that matters. Eternal life in glory with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I just shouted HALLELUJAH!!!!!!

 

• Get your life in order. Then keep it in order while you have opportunity.

 
“According to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall not be put to shame in anything but that with all boldness, Christ shall even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or death.”                                           Philippians 1:20
 
A Word For Your Week: Live your life in the light of eternity

​Change is inevitable.
 
Welcome, or unwelcome, change knocks often on life’s door. When change comes a knocking, what should we do?
 
CHANGE FORWARD!
 
It is thoroughly human to resist change. You and I tend to view change as a threatening, negative experience. Why? Because change overturns the proverbial apple cart. Change disrupts the status quo. What’s familiar becomes unfamiliar when change invades our space. Things thought certain become uncertain when change rattles our cage. We become very uncomfortable when change upends our comfort zones..
 
Erroneously, we think change is sent to sabotage our desires and derail our dreams. Nothing could be further from the truth.
 
Remember Joseph the dreamer? (Genesis 37-50). Joseph is an inspiring biblical example of changing forward. Every time his God-given dream appeared to turn into a devilish nightmare, Joseph stood firm in faith, trusted God, and changed forward.
 
From a pit, to Potiphar’s house, to prison, to prime minister of Egypt…the Lord was with Joseph” (Genesis 39:2). Joseph’s circumstances changed. His God didn’t. Neither did Joseph’s trust in his God. When change challenged Joseph, he kept dreaming and doing God’s will. Faith kept him moving forward.
           

• Faithful Joseph leaves us a spiritual epitaph of trust in God. He conquered change with his change forward attitude. 

  
Christians can change forward because God is changeless. His perfect will is ageless and timeless. His plan is always going forward. Malachi 3:6 reads “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”
 

• GOD DOES NOT CHANGE.

 
Change does not change God. He is changeless. Those who trust in an unchanging God will not be changed by change either. Life’s inevitable changes will not consume those whose faith is rooted and grounded in a changeless God.
           
 Hebrews 13:8  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.” is the New Testament mirror image of Malachi 3:6.

• Being the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, Jesus Christ does not change.

 
Those who trust in Jesus need not fear change. I love what verses 6-7 have to say about our security in an unchanging Savior. “So that we may confidently say, the Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me? Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and consider the result of their conduct, imitate their faith”.
 
What a wonderful word of encouragement! Jesus hasn’t, doesn’t and never will change in His person, regarding His promises or His personal relationship with His believing children. Jesus Christ can be counted on in a time of change because He doesn’t change.  
           
Your life and mine will indeed change. Life does shift from time to time. When it does, imitate the faith of those who have gone before you and trusted God to GO, GROW, and CHANGE FORWARD!  
 
Here are some thoughts that will help you and me change forward when change shows up.
 

• Embrace change as a gift that can move you forward.
• Receive change as a friend. Don’t reject it as a foe. 
• See the possibilities and potential embedded in change.
• Look for God’s hand and plan in change.
• Make change work for, not against you.
• View change as a GO, not a WOE or NO!
• Trust God to cause change to propel you forward in life.

 
Change is good when God is in it!
 

• If you are going through some changes right now, like a lot of people are, choose to change forward. Welcome change! Charge forward with faith into the wonderful future the Lord has planned for you.

 
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”                          Romans 8:28
 
“For I know the plans that I have for you declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.”                                            Jeremiah 29:11
 
A Word For Your Week: When life changes, CHANGE FORWARD!         

​Upon graduating from seminary, my dear Grandmother Eplin sent me an incredibly special gift. She and her women’s Bible study group lovingly and painstakingly quilted me a comforter that became my all-time favorite adult blankie. When we lived in Michigan where the winters are long and bone-chilling cold, my down-filled comforter was one of my best friends!
 
I cannot count the times when my wife Jo Ann lovingly tucked the comforter around my body when it was cold or I was not feeling well. When covered by the comforter, I was toasty warm and did not have a care in the world. Often I nodded off to sleep because I felt so comfortable, warm and secure.
 

• The comforter brought comfort when I was uncomfortable. Where is that blanket anyway?

 
Many people today need comfort. Life has beaten them up, scared them or left them feeling vulnerable and insecure. In the New Testament, the Greek root of the word comfort means “to come alongside, beside for the purpose of rendering aid or help.”
           

• During difficult and discomforting times, you and I needed someone to come alongside and help us in life. There are precious people all around us who need a comforter in their lives too.  

           
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.’ II Corinthians 1:3-4
 
The Apostle Paul, who had experienced comfort from God and His people, wrote about three important truths regarding comfort and comforting others. 
 
1. GOD IS THE SOURCE OF COMFORT. Straight up the Word tells us that our God is a merciful Father and “God of all comfort.”  Comfort flows from mercy. Comfort is about being compassionate and caring. Almighty God is a comforting God.
 
Our comfort comes from the Lord.
 
 Real comfort, help that really helps, comes from a merciful God. This spiritually cold, emotionally impersonal, self-centered world knows little or nothing of comfort and comforting. God does. He is the God of all comfort. He knows how to tuck hurting people in with His love and comfort.
 
 
2. GOD COMFORTS THE UNCOMFORTABLE. Note God comforts us “in all our affliction.” Affliction (trouble, injury, distress or anguish) is no fun! Everyone who has been afflicted said AMEN! God knows affliction makes us uncomfortable. He comes alongside to comfort and render the aid we need.
 
II Corinthians 7:6 states “But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus.” In a downtime, God comforted Paul by His presence and by the presence of Titus.
 
God spread a blanket of love and comfort over Paul.
 
Foundational to our faith and vital to victory in times of affliction is to remember that the Holy Spirit is called the Comforter in John 14:16-26 and John 16:7-15. While Jesus was here on earth, He comforted the disciples. When He left, the Father sent another Comforter (Helper) (John 14:16) to comfort them.
 
The Holy Spirit is our Comforter today. What a wonderful gift the Holy Spirit is from our Father in heaven!
 
When we need comfort, we need to call upon the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who is our Helper. He knows where to place the specific spiritual/emotional blanket we need in time of trouble or discomfort.
 
3. GOD COMFORTS US SO WE CAN COMFORT OTHERS.  The God of all comfort comforts us “so that” we can comfort others. The purpose of His comfort in our lives is twofold. * To comfort us. * And to comfort others through us. Note Titus was part of the comforting process in Paul’s life.
 
My comfy blanket is not just for me. I am to share my comforter with those in discomfort. Titus could comfort Paul and others experiencing a tough time because God had comforted Titus.  
 

• Christians are called to share their blankets of God’s comfort. God comforts us so we can comfort others.

 
We are conduits or channels of His comfort. We should be running around in Jesus’ name wrapping warm blankets of God’ s love and His comforting Word around hurting brothers and sisters in Christ and lost souls.
 
There would be a lot less discomfort and more comfort in this heart-broken, weary world if Christians would comfort others with the comfort which they have received from the Lord Jesus Christ.   
 
How do we start this comforting business?
 
·      Ask God how to comfort others. Seek His wisdom in reaching out to hurting people. Receive the Holy Spirit’s comfort so you can comfort others. Minister with the Helper’s help!
 
·      Love hurting people. Hug them up if they are huggers! Be sensitive to their needs. Listen to them. Take time to care.
 
·      Pray for hurting people. Share a scripture of encouragement with them. Serve them in ways that will show that you and God love them.
 
Personal note: I am very thankful for Christians who at various times in my life comforted me when I needed comforted. They may have no idea how much the comfort they gave me in Christ’s name met the need of the hour. 
 
DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS HURTING, UNCOMFORTABLE IN LIFE? SOMEOME GOD CAN SEND YOU TO COMFORT THEIR HEARTS IN THE NAME OF JESUS?
 

• Comfort hurting people with the comfort you have received from the Lord.

 
A Word For Your Week: Christians are comforters sent by the Comforter to comfort uncomfortable people.
 
 

Breaking News Jerusalem.
 
Just into the studio news desk: a man was robbed by thieves on the road to Jericho early this morning. Three fellow travelers saw the brutally beaten, stripped-naked man bleeding to death on the roadside. Eye-witnesses report that after two religious leaders ignored him, a Samaritan stopped to assist, caring for the man’s needs from his personal resources.
 
Who was this man who some are calling the “good” Samaritan? Onlookers were overheard asking “Why would he put his life in danger, stopping to care for a total stranger.” Tune in to the 6 o’clock evening news for more details about this unusual, fascinating story.
 
This fictitious news bulletin is a teaching found in the Bible. Jesus shared the story of the Good Samaritan to teach you and me about neighbors and compassion.
 
The scenario is set-up in Luke 10:25-29. A lawyer, familiar with Jewish religious customs and commandments, stood up to test Jesus. A work-your-way-to-heaven kind of guy, he inquired of the Lord what he must do to inherit eternal life.
 
Jesus turned the tables on the lawyer by asking him how do you read the Law?  How would you answer sir? (Verse 26). The legalistic lawyer fired back “love God with all your being and love your neighbor as yourself” (Verse 27) (Deuteronomy 6:5).
 
Good job Mr. Lawyer! Jesus commended him for answering correctly. Then Jesus exhorted him “Do this, and you will live.” (Verse 28). But that did not set well with the lawyer. Come on Jesus, is that all I must do? Are you sure that is enough? And who is my neighbor? (Verse 29).
 

• In verses 30-37, Jesus answered who our neighbor is, and how we should treat them as their neighbor.  

           
Seeing the distressed man, a priest and a Levite passed by on the other side of the road, abandoning the dying man in a ditch. Shame, shame on the “holy” men. 
 
A man from Samaria, who was racially ostracized by the Jewish people, stopped to render aid.
 
“But a certain Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him, and when he saw him, he felt compassion.” Luke 10:33
 
The Samaritan did four things
 
First, the Good Samaritan CAME upon the man. The Samaritan was traveling. Following his itinerary. Doing his thing, minding his own business. Then life happened. Right in front of him. A hurting man crossed his path.
 
·      Our life journey will cross paths with hurting people.
 
Second, the Good Samaritan SAW the man. His eyes were not blind to the hurting man’s dilemma. He looked toward the man, not away from him. He saw more than a bleeding man…he saw a fellow, helpless human being who needed someone to help him. 
 
·      Unselfish, wide open eyes see needy neighbors who need assistance.
 
Third, the Good Samaritan FELT for the man. Seeing the hurting man, he felt compassion. His heart hurt for his needy neighbor on the roadside. He could not look away like the religious leaders did. His compassionate heart beat with empathy. Mercy prompted him to reach out to the hurting, helpless man   
 
·      Love, mercy and compassion pave the way for helping hurting neighbors.   
 
Fourth, the Good Samaritan CARED for the man. Compassion led to action. He rushed to the man’s side, pouring oil and wine, and bandaging his wounds. He put him on “his own beast”, transporting him to the safety and comfort of a hotel. He arranged for the care of the man, whatever he needed, paying the bill in full upon his return trip.  
 
·      Neighbors in need respond to actual deeds, not mere words of compassion.
 
Way to go Good Samaritan! You got personally involved. You didn’t look the other way or walk by on the other side of the road. You rolled up your sleeves, touching and ministering, from your own resources, to the terrified, vulnerable, mercilessly battered dying man.
 
Your compassionate action was radically gracious, generous, and lifesaving. Without regard to your own safety, you reached out to save a neighbor who could not save himself.
 
Now for the rest of the story. Jesus asked the lawyer in verse 36 “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robber’s hands?” The lawyer had the right answer once again: “The one who showed mercy” (Verse 37).  Jesus’ response “Go and do the same.”
 
End of story…or was it the beginning for the lawyer. As he walked away, I wonder if he went out and became a Good Samaritan. Don’t really know. But what about you and me who confess to be Christians? Are we willing to “Go and do the same?”
 
OUR NEIGHBOR IS ANYONE IN NEED. You and I prove to be neighbors to hurting people when we reach out with Christ’s compassion to meet their need. 
 
Comments Concerning Compassion
 

• Compassion is Christ’s response to hurting people.
• Compassion flows from people with compassionate hearts.
• Compassion is a heartfelt feeling followed by helpful activity.
• Compassion paves the way for ministry to hurting people.
• A compassionate touch softens life’s hard blows.
• Compassionate ministry stirs hope in hopeless hearts.  
• Often, compassion is caught rather than taught.  
• Compassion cannot be packaged or bought. It is free for all who need it.  
• Christians should be compassionate because Jesus is compassionate.
• If Christians are not compassionate, who in this world will be?

 
My friend, Christian compassion is needed more then ever in our self-centered, cruelly coldhearted, cynical culture.  Multitudes of hurting people (neighbors), left for dead on the roadside of life, cry out for love and compassion from those of us who know the One who “saw the multitudes” and “felt compassion.” (See Matthew 9:36-38).  
 
Needy neighbors will intersect your life and mine.  
 
What will you and I see? How will you and I feel? Most importantly, what will you and I do to help? As Christ’s witnesses and ambassadors, you and I have opportunity every day to show compassion to someone who is hurting.
 
A Word For Your Week: Show Christ-like compassion to a needy neighbor.   

​One of the greatest lies of all times goes like this: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
 
How amazing it is that mistaken parents actually teach this misguided and false philosophy to their bewildered children who have been taunted by the bruising words of playground bullies. All of us know from painful, personal experience that WORDS CAN HURT.   
 
·      The truth is: Sticks and stones can break bones and words can hurt or heal.
 
 The wisdom writer Solomon has something important to say about our tongues power.
 
 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”   Proverbs 18:2
 
According to our scripture, our tongue (the words we speak) possesses power to bring life and death to our hearers. Both death and life can reside in words. Words are either destructive or constructive. Words beat up or build up. Our words either level people or lift them up in life.
 

• Words can hurt. But WORDS CAN ALSO HEAL!

 
Psalm 107:20 states “For God sent His word and healed them from al their destructions.” God’s Word heals. That being the case, it is important for Christians to speak words that bring life. Proverbs 4:20-22 tells us that God’s words bring “life and health” to living.
 

• The words of God are good words that bring goodness into the lives of people.

 
Child of God: Do you watch your words? Are you careful about what you say and how you say it? What kind of fruit comes out of your mouth? Hurtful or healing words?
 

• God’s people are to speak God’s word.

 
The Apostle Paul gives us clear directions concerning the kind of words Christians should speak.  He writes “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word good for edification, according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those hear.” Ephesians 4:29
 
Born and raised in Washington State, I love Delicious brand apples. Years ago I grabbed a big, bright red, Delicious apple from our fruit bowl, washed it, and sunk my teeth into what I thought would be a juicy, crisp bite of fresh fruit.
 
To my surprise, I bit into a soft, rotten spot deep inside the shiny apple. Yuk! Icky it was to say the least! With a lightning fast reaction, I spit the brown-colored, slimy, goop into the awaiting jaws of the garbage disposal. Then I ran out the back door, tossed the rotten apple into the woods, smashing it on one of the towering oaks bordering our backyard.
 

• Rotten fruit. Good for nothing. Worthless.

 
The phrase Paul uses “unwholesome word” means rotten fruit. The meaning is crystal clear. No rotten fruit is to proceed from the mouth of God’s people. No impurity, profanity, swearing, off-color words, coarse jesting, cursing, filthiness, immoral, hateful, demeaning or character assignation speech. Our society is a cesspool of unwholesome, rotten fruit words.  
 
Instead, Paul tells us what kind of words to say.
 
1. Speak words that BUILD UP. Everyone needs edified (built-up) from time to time. We need to hear words that build and lift us to rise above the challenges of life. The world’s words tear down and destroy self-esteem and self-confidence. Nobody likes being torn down. On the contrary, everybody loves being built up!
 

• Christians words are to build up and make people feel good about God, themselves, others and life.

 
2. Speak words that MEET THE NEED OF THE MOMENT. Speak words that help, not hinder people. When people are wounded by life and perplexed by problems, they need a good word from God. They do not need man’s opinion. Speak words that people need to solve their problems. Words that zero in on the pressing issue. Speak wise words from God’s Word. His Word has the answer for every man’s need. 
 

• Ask God for discernment, wisdom and the right words when reaching out to people in need.

 
3. Speak words THAT MINISTER GRACE. When people are searching, wondering, hurting, or frustrated, they do not need a harsh lecture! Proverbs 15:1 says “A soft answer turns away anger…”      Life can be hard and brutal. GRACE IS THE SOFT TOUCH. Our words need to be full (KJV says “seasoned”) of grace, mercy, comfort and encouragement.
 

• Put a smile on a person’s face by ministering grace to them through your words.

 
PERSONAL EXERCISE: This week, consciously monitor your words. See if they pass Paul’s tests of building up, meeting the need, and ministering grace.
 

• My friend, be careful, not careless with your words.

 
“And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.”    Jesus Christ, Matthew 12:36-37
 
A Word For Your Week: Watch your words… then you will not have to watch over your shoulder.

How do you generally handle low times in life?
 
In our word for this week, Habakkuk shows us how to walk on high places while passing through low times.
 
“Yet I will exult in the Lord, and I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hind’s feet, and makes me walk on my high places.”  Habakkuk 3:18-19
 
 “Yet.”  A simple, three letter word that reveals to us how Habakkuk handled a low time just over the horizon.
 
As God’s prophet, Habakkuk has just received a breaking news bulletin that was nothing but bad news. Soon the nation would be invaded by the barbaric Babylonians. Everything would be lost for a time (verses 16-18).
 
 Habakkuk’s response: Panic? No! PRAISE!! Yes!!! “Yet I will exult in the Lord, and I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.”
 
Exult. Rejoice in the Lord…Habakkuk’s faith response to bad news.
 
Amazing isn’t it?  Knowing ahead of time that disaster was just around the corner, Habakkuk dug in, stood firm in his faith, and met the bad news with words of praise. I do not know about you, but I am glad that God usually spares me from knowing about low times ahead of time. Thank you Lord for lovingkindness, mercy and grace!  
           
Robert Schuler said it well when he remarked “Tough times never last but tough people do.” Spiritually tough, faith-hardened people are unbeatable and undefeatable because they have learned to praise God during tough times.
 
·      God’s prophet made a pre-emptive decision.
 
Habakkuk had great faith during a time when it would be easy and even acceptable to worry, be fearful and even doubt. No matter what happens, no matter how bad it gets, I (Habakkuk) choose to focus my faith on God and rejoice in His holy name. He alone is my strength. He will cause me to walk on high places during these low times.
 
NOTE: “WALK ON MY HIGH PLACES.”  
 
Hind’s feet on high places…walking above trouble by trusting in the living God.
 
I can visualize antelope (hind’s feet) on the side of rugged mountains, confidently and safely making their way to their destination.   
 
What a picture of freedom from frustration, peace during turmoil, and power over pressing problems. How do we get this? By exulting and rejoicing in the God of our salvation.
           
Habakkuk’s faith catapulted him above the fearful fray of invasion and captivity. The prophet already had his response plan in place: PRAISE AND TRUST!!!  People of faith praise God no matter what is happening in their lives.
 
Are you going through a tough time right now? Business stalling? Bank account on fumes? Ministry stagnant? Health declining? Mariage stalling? People bugging you? Depressed? Discouraged? Disappointed? Distracted? Anxious? Fearful? Feeling low?
 
What is your response? How are you handling your low time? Panic or Praise? Do not allow a low time to steal praise from your lips. Rise up and rejoice in the Lord during the trial or trouble.
 
The practice of heartfelt praise and worship takes our focus off us and our problems and places our faith firmly and confidently on Almighty God and His supernatural solutions!
 
Tough times never last but people who put their faith in the Lord do!!!!!!  
 
·      The Lord has “high places” for you just as he had for Habakkuk.
 
My friend, why not turn your valley into a mountaintop by trusting God through praise and worship of His holy name?
 
Never, never, never let a low time in life keep you from praising and trusting in the Lord to turn your down day into an up one! Almighty God specializes in taking the impossible and turning it into possible for those who trust Him.
 
You decide if there is anything too difficult for God. My Bible declares there is nothing too difficult for our Creator and Redeemer!
 
  A Word For Your Week: Low times become high times when we praise the name of the Lord.

​Runaway inflation. Record deficit spending. Insurmountable mountains of local, state, national and personal debt. Taxpayer funded bailouts and handouts.
 
 I have a politically incorrect idea for helping people who genuinely need help that just might turn our sluggish economy around.  
 
·      Instead of handouts, how about a hand up? Instead of receiving, how about giving? It is natural during tough times when we have needs to seek a gift from someone else. But may I suggest something somewhat radical? Something that smacks of the supernatural?
 
·      How about giving? That’s right. GIVE. Are you kidding Steve? Give during an economic downturn? Has our bankrupting national debt buried your common sense? Not at all.
 
·      Giving is not off the wall. Or over the top. It is scriptural.
 
Jesus invites (actually commands) us to give in our verse for this week. It is an invitation with a promise.
 
“Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” Luke 6:38
 
The Lord promises that those who give will be given to.
 

• GIVE…AND PEOPLE WILL GIVE TO YOU!

 

• GIVE…AND GOD AND PEOPLE WILL BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY.

 

• GIVE….AND EXPECT TO RECEIVE ACCORDING TO YOUR GIFT.

 

• GIVE A LITTLE. GET A LITTLE. GIVE A LOT. GET A LOT!

 
Note that Jesus said when we give “it” will be given to us. What is “it”? I believe “it” is what we give. In other words, what we give will be given to us. And “it” will come back to us abundantly. How much return? Whatever “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap” is. I LIKE THAT!
 

• Now that is an economic stimulus package that I can vote for and live with!

 
While the world is looking for handouts and bailouts, God’s people, who know His Word, should be holding their hands out to give what they have to those in need. Giving is always something we can do whether the economy is up or down.
 
The rubber meets the road when we realize that the more need, we have, the more we need to give. God gives to us so we can give to others. Through giving, God gives back to us. The giving//receiving cycle goes on and on when we choose to give.
 

• Downturns become upturns when we begin giving.

 
 If you currently find yourself in a difficult financial situation and need something, GIVE SOMETHING! Ask God what He would have you to do.
 
Need a good job? Give something to someone who needs a job. Need some groceries? Give some groceries to a family who needs some food. Need your utility bills paid? Pay a utility bill for a struggling single mom? Need your car repaired? Help pay a repair bill for a neighbor less fortunate than you.
 

• Sow a seed. Meet someone’s need.

 
Where are you at my brother or sister in Christ? Are you waiting for someone to give to you? Or are you watching out for opportunities to give to someone? Is your hand out looking for a bailout? Or is your hand out giving to someone who needs a hand up? 
 

• IF YOU REALLY WANT TO LIVE, GIVE!

 
Giving is the key to happy, fulfilling, joyful, successful living. If you want to see your situation turn around, I challenge you to give. Give something to someone. Go against the grain of greed. Focus on needs.  
 
Bottom line: You and I can choose to give. Each of us has something to give. We have more than we think we have. We all know people who need what we have. Who needs what you can give to them to make their life a little more tolerable at this time?
 
Tight economic times are not the time to be stingy and tight. Loosen up your purse strings. Turn the tables on this economic downturn. GIVE SOMETHING. Do it today. Defy and shame the selfish, misguided, mindless logic of takers and hoarders.  
 

• Be wise with your resources. Prayerfully seek God’s guidance about giving.  As He directs, give something to someone in need.

 
I truly y believe we can give our way out of difficult times. Biblical prosperity is often a process that comes to pass over time. What I love most about giving is the inner satisfaction of pleasing the Lord when I give to someone else in His name. And I do like it when God blesses me for being a giver!
 
Maybe, just maybe, our governmental and financial leaders should seek Jesus’ advice. He would simply say “Give and it will be given to you.”
 
 “There is one who scatters yet increases all the more. And there is one who withholds what is justly due, but it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.”                                               Proverbs 11:24-25
 
“For if the readiness is present (to give to others in need), it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he does not have.”                  II Corinthians 8:12 
 
A Word For Your Week: Be a generous giver during this economic downtime.