Providing Relief

During this time of social-distancing, it can be easy to just be ready for it all to end. I know that I am. I am one who likes to go. I like to be in contact with people. At this time, that is not the best course of action for those around me nor me.

In times like these, some may wonder how can they use their gifts, talents, abilities, etc for the good. Some of my main gifts involve preaching and teaching God’s word to people. It is not the easiest of things to do at this time. We are prerecording our worship services where I find myself preaching to a camera and two other guys in the room who are recording and doing slides. It’s not exactly my idea of fun.

I was reading this morning from 1 Samuel about how David, even as a young guy, was chosen to lead God’s people. Though it would be a little bit before he would take the throne, David could be found doing what he could with what he had. One verse in particular stood out to me…

Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would pick up his lyre and play, and Saul would then be relieved, feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

1 Samuel 16:23 CSB

If you are not familiar with this passage, Saul was the first king of Israel. He had chosen to not listen and wait upon the LORD. Rather, he decided to take matters into his own hands (1 Samuel 15). This cost him the throne.

As God was preparing the next king, the Bible tells about how an evil spirit would torment Saul. The only thing that seemed to appease this evil spirit was the sound of music played. It just so happened that young David was fond of strumming the lyre (similar to a guitar or harp).

As I read the verse mentioned above, it stood out like never before. As I read it, something came to mind: When God’s people use God’s gifts that He has given to them to help those around them, relief comes to those who need it.

David wasn’t the biggest nor the best, but what he could do is use his lyre-playing skills to help Saul find relief from the torment. That is exactly what he did. I really believe that would be a good path to follow.

We may not think that we can do something for everyone that is being impacted by this COVID-19. The truth is that very few of us could. It is affecting people all around the world. While we may not be able to do something for everyone, why don’t we do something for one person.

God has given each Christian at least one spiritual gift. These gifts are given to build up the Body (the Church) and to help accomplish the task of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). While we may not be able to meet together in a building, we can still use those gifts in our daily lives — hint: that’s kinda the intent anyways!

God also grants to each person (even those who have not placed their faith in Jesus yet) abilities and talents that can be put to use to bring help and relief to those who need it. If there is a time to do that, this would be it. May we take the example of the young David and simply take what God has given us and use it to bring some help, relief, and hope to those around us during this time.

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Teaching Opportunity

Today is Valentine's Day. The day that sends men into a spin of trying to find that perfect gift for that special someone in their lives. For me, I always spend too much time thinking (and second guessing) gift ideas. I don't want to just do the same old thing. I certainly don't want to get Naomi the same gift many years in a row. I want it to be special. I want it to communicate that I actually put some thought into it.

This Valentine's Day has been very different. With funds being extremely tight, I knew that I wasn't going to be able to go all out. My schedule has not worked well with me in being able to get away and search for the perfect gift. I haven't even had the time to "make a gift" because I have been around Naomi most of my free time.

Today, the opportunity opened. I took a check to deposit at the bank and had some "study time" before our oldest son's Valentine's party at his preschool. I stopped by a store that I knew had some things and got two items: a card and 3 red roses.



The card was from me. It is amazing how some of these card writers can say what I'm thinking much clearer than I can get it out. It did have a spot for me to write a personal note to my bride.

The roses were for another reason. I got 3 red roses, one for each of our boys to give to their mother. I wanted to make sure that I started teaching our boys to honor their mother. These three boys that God has blessed us with are watching me to see how to respect, honor, and show affection to their mother (and other females).

The question rings in my head: what example are my boys seeing through me in how to relate to females?

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Contributions

As many of you know, our family has recently moved to Mississippi for me to be able to commute to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and finish my MDiv degree. This has been such a great faith journey so far. God is stretching and molding us for His Kingdom work.

Some of you have informed us that you would like to help us financially during this process. The financial help of our brothers and sisters in Christ has proven very helpful and needed. If you would like to help our family during this time financially, you can send gifts to this address:

Anthony Stephens
1120 Upton Road
Crystal Springs, MS 39059

I want to say a big thank you to those who have already helped make this step for our family possible. We look forward to the great plans Christ has for us. We will be putting out updates about our journey along the way.

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The Gift of Gratitude

Last night in our student ministry, we talked about the gift of gratitude.  It shocks me how many times I can just overlook those two powerful and thoughtful words: "thank you."  Luke 17:11-19 talks about when Jesus healed ten people who had a skin disease and only one returned to say thanks.  Shocking that one would just continue to go about their merry way after having their life totally changed.

I don't know about you, but I seem to struggle with giving this gift of gratitude at times.  I've come up with a list of reasons why people don't give the gift of gratitude more often.

1. We are too busy. This seems to be the one that gets me the most.  You have so many things on your plate that the saying "thanks" seems to get pushed under that to-do pile on your desk.  Maybe this would be a good reason to take some things off of our plate so that we have the time to give the gift of gratitude to those who deserve it.


2. We don't see the importance. Many times we don't see the importance in the gift or task that was given to us.  We think about it in our heads, but the thanks never finds its way to our lips because we didn't see the importance of doing it.  Thinking it and saying it are not the same thing.  People cannot read your mind and see how thankful you are for something.  So let them know and remove any doubt.


3. We aren't thankful. Let's just be honest.  Many times we don't show our gratitude to others because we aren't thankful.  That may sound harsh, but it's the truth.  Whatever was done for us was not wanted, but still it was done.  Instead of pouting or murmuring about what was done for us, take time to see the time, thoughts, and effort put in to what was done for you.

One interesting nugget from the story in Luke was verse 19.  While ten people had their skin diseases healed, only one was truly made whole - the one that took time to say "thank you."

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