By Joe Widick
As a young Christian, my first opportunity to serve was helping with the Lord’s Supper on Sunday night. Those who were not present on Sunday morning would stand at the proper time and some of the young Christians would take the communion to them. The first time I served communion, my biggest fear was what I would do if I dropped a tray. My mother’s biggest fear was whether or not I would have chewing gum in my mouth. One Sunday night, we had a celebrity worship with us. I was down front and never saw him come in. Mother however did. Our celebrity was Pat Boone, recording artist and movie star. Mother just knew that if I walked by him and recognized who he was, that my worst fear would come true, I would drop the tray. Fortunately, I didn't pay any attention and did not realize who he was until after worship when everyone wanted to get his autograph.
Many times a person can easily feel inadequate when talking with bigger-than-life people. We can even develop an awe and respect for these “superstars” of life. I don’t know that they intend to make us feel insignificant, but many times they do.
As exciting as it was to be in close proximity to a “star” it is nothing compared to what Isaiah saw. It was in the year that King Uzziah died that Isaiah experienced something so magnificent and terrifying that nothing could compare to it. He found himself in the very presence of God. In a vision, God showed Isaiah who He really was. What the prophet saw greatly affected him. He saw God’s majesty. It was at that point that Isaiah gained a fresh understanding of God’s holiness. Isaiah says that he saw; “The Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up.” As he viewed what was before him, Isaiah saw the contrast between his sinful self and God’s perfection. The prophet realized immediately his state in life compared to the most Holy God. As he considered this contrast, Isaiah heard the call of God for someone to volunteer to go, to go the people with love and care and to warn the people to turn from their wicked ways. When he heard this call he answered it.
Today, we can see God in His Word and in the Spirit’s work and through us. And we can commune with Him through prayer. One day in heaven we will see our Lord face to face. Superstars today may seem bigger than life to most of us. But can you imagine being in the presence of one whom genuinely is larger than life. God’s awesome presence is both convicting and comforting.
Prayer Thought: Thank you Lord for loving me a sinner, help me to be an encouragement to others, helping them to understand your love.
By Joe Widick
Sometimes it is difficult to love people the way you know they need to be loved. Sometimes it is a person’s personality that keeps us from the love we need to display. Maybe it is their status in life that causes us to shun them. It could be the success they have and the lack of success in your own life that causes real challenges. We all know that it shouldn’t be that way, yet many times feelings of envy, anger or anxiety creep in and we do not love as God would have us to.
Zacchaeus was easy to dislike. As a tax collector for an oppressive occupying government, he made himself rich at the expense of his own countrymen, by overcharging them in taxes. Yet to the consternation of the crowd, Jesus honored him by going to his house and eating with him. The story of Zacchaeus is more than a story of a wee little man who climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus. It is a story of unconditional love on the behalf of our savior. A love that wee need to have.
A judge with a reputation for toughness tells how he learned to relate to unlovable people. In a Sunday morning worship service his minister urged the congregation to try to look at people through the eyes of Jesus.
A few days latter the judge was faced with a tough situation. He was ready to give a stiff sentence to an arrogant young man who kept getting in trouble. This arrogant young man was taking up a lot of the courts time. As he was fixing to hand down a stiff sentence, he remembered what the minister had suggested. The judge said, “I looked this young man in the eye and told him I thought he was a bright and talented human being. And then I said to him ‘Let’s talk together about how we can get you living in more creative and constructive ways.’ We had a surprisingly good conversation.”
Jesus as he looked into the eyes of Zacchaeus saw something that others had failed to see through the years. There was an empty hole that only He could fill. It was through the kindness shown to Zacchaeus that he was transformed. I can not tell you in this “journey” that the judge was able to report changes in the young arrogant young man. What I can tell you is that he did set a good example for all of us, because he saw the man through the eyes of Jesus. Luke records at the end of the story of Zacchaeus this statement; “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Can we rise up and take that same challenge today as we strive to see people through the eyes of Jesus, loving the unlovable.
Prayer Thought: Encourage each of us to focus on making a difference in the lives of others.
By Joe Widick
One of the most graceful of all the competitions in the winter Olympics is figure skating. I have only been on ice skates once in my life. I found it challenging to stand much less skate. After some effort, I was able to glide around the rink. It was a good feeling to be gliding on that thin blade. Then I guess I remembered how thin the blade was and down I went again. I say all of this because of a story I recently read.
Paul Wylie was skating in the 1988 Winter Olympics at Calgary. Like most in the competition, he was nervous. The arena he was skating in held 20,000. There were millions of people who were watching around the world on TV. All would be watching his every move. Paul recalls how everything got off to a good start until he went into his first jump. It was there that something went wrong. He stated; “A flash later my hand touches the ice; the blade will not hold. I started slipping and realized quickly that I was falling. All I could hear as I collapsed to the ice was the empathetic groan of what seemed like a million voices.”
One never knows how they will respond in the split instant that followed. Paul Wylie could focus on the mistake he had made and give up or he could keep on skating and do his very best. Instantly without thought he continued his routine and decided that he would give his very best throughout the remainder of the program. When he brought the program to a close the crowd burst into enthusiastic applause for his courage and determination. He didn’t win the gold medal, but he was a winner.
As followers of Christ, we may be knocked off our feet by a powerful blow. It may be by the death of a loved one. We may lose a job, or we may be overlooked for that much wanted promotion. We may find ourselves in dismay and fall into Satan’s snare. What we need to remember though is; it is one thing to fall; it’s quite another to give up. What happens if we get up again? I believe that we will reaffirm our faith in Christ and as we do that, we find ourselves continuing to serve him. The psalmist penned these words many years ago. As you read them, realize that their stated truths are as real as when they were originally penned. “Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord holds him with His hand.” It has been stated that success consists of getting up just one more time than you’ve fallen down. Let each of us be determined to get up one more time, because success is failure turned inside out. It is the silver tint of the clouds of doubt.
Prayer Thought: Be with all the families of Maple Hill who are traveling home this weekend. May each be safe.
By Joe Widick
Unfortunately, I have grown somewhat skeptical about the validity of the commercials on TV. I see all of the neat looking representatives with their smiling faces asking customers if they can help. I see them seemingly full of knowledge with one desire that is to help. Too often as I have gone shopping for one thing or another, I have had to ask for help. First of all it is difficult to find someone, secondly they see way too busy to help, and thirdly, it just isn’t their area so they just don’t know. A couple of Wednesday nights ago, Elaine and I were picking up a few items after Bible study. Elaine was looking for some yogurt, and having a hard time deciding what flavors to get (I thought donuts would make a better mid-morning snack). As she was looking, the gentleman who was scanning prices, asked with a smile on his face, “Can I help you with anything.” Needless to say, we both almost fainted with surprise that someone was willing to help. Then I thought, their commercials on TV are real! They do care; they do want to help the customer. My faith in TV commercials has been somewhat restored.
Are you and I the real thing? We claim to be “Christians.” Most of us bring our Bible to worship and Bible study. Many will be at the building for each of our three assemblies. We will even open our voices and sing praises to God. The question I am challenging myself with as well as you, is in the day to day life that we live will people know that we are a Christian much more than in name only. I am reminded of a passage in I John, where the writer says; “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (I John 3:17-18). Those are challenging words to me. They are words that make me look at my Christian walk, evaluating if I am real. As I talk with people, or interact with individuals, can those I am with know by my words and actions that I am trying to serve the Lord?
To me it is time that you and I no longer play at our Christianity. It is important that the community know who we are. It is important that the community knows that we want to serve and make a difference in peoples lives. It is important that have a desire to serve not to be served. I believe that God will bless an effort like that. As He blesses our efforts, we can give Him the praise and glory. We can also know that we are becoming more and more like those of the first century who were first called Christians.
Prayer Thought: Help each of us to be workers for the Lord.
By Joe Widick
I am preaching today! My lesson is coming from Isaiah 40: 27-31. I thought that it might be good to tie my article in with the lesson that I will be presenting. It is always interesting to me how people; our neighbors, friends and even relatives find themselves living in a problem-centered life. They fail often to see the need to live in a God-centered life. When one finds themselves living a life that is problem-centered one loses the proper perspective. Gradually, all our problems begin to look huge, and we begin to see ourselves spiraling completely out of control. The challenges and problems become so big and the strength of the almighty God seems small. We find ourselves not being able to move mountains by faith because we have become constant worriers. We are creating mountains of needless pressure for ourselves and others.
When one is sick, they go to the doctor. Often times that doctor will give a prescription that if followed, will bring about healing. Isaiah 40 there is an effective prescription for those of us whose God seems too small. God reminds us that He is much bigger that the world he has created. Read through this chapter (prescription) as comparisons are made to Him. “…the nations are as a drop in a bucket” (v. 15) and the inhabitants of earth “are like grasshoppers” (v.22). His words aren’t meant to belittle us, but rather to encourage us to look to Him and gain His perspective of life.
As important as the above is to consider, there is more information that is shared with us. God offers us more than a new perspective. He offers us something that will enable us to live by that view. If we will depend on Him instead of brooding over our problems, He will renew our strength, and wings of faith will lift our hearts above all of our difficulties. It is obvious that some of our difficulties may appear to be huge, but with the right perspective, we can see them as smaller than our great God. When that happens, it makes all the difference in the world. The prophet of God penned these words long ago; “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. The will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31). May our prayer be: Lord, give us wings to soar above our problems great and small. With strengthened faith and confidence to trust You with them all.
Prayer Thought: Be with Wayne and Debbie while they are away from us. May they be safe.
