SEE A NEED…MEET A NEED
It is not too often that I take the time to brag on my kids. I am so very proud of them. Sure, they do things that frustrate me; but overall, they consistently prove to me that they are good kids and that their momma has done a great job raising them. Those of you with older kids may be thinking to yourself that I need to just wait, my time is coming. I know that there will be times in all of my children’s lives that they will make the wrong decisions and be unwise; but, for right now, I will take the joy that they are bringing to me. Tuesday morning, I had the privilege of leading the music at the Teasley Middle School FCA. Taylor Anderson played the guitar, Wade (my oldest son) played the djembe, I sang and Chris Page led the bible study. It was a great time of worship with primarily 7th graders. Following the worship time, I was walking down the hall with Wade, when we met one of his teachers. Every Tuesday morning this year, Wade has been bringing breakfast to this teacher. She commented to me that she loved Wade, not realizing that I was his father. Then, Wade told her that I was his dad. Later, she met me down the hall and wanted to tell me about Wade. I always get nervous when a teacher wants to talk to me about one of my children. She proceeded to tell me how much she loved having Wade in her class. She has been through a lot personally this year, and she told me that when everything around her was dark, Wade was the bright spot in her day. She always knows that her spirits will be lifted up by Wade. It is so cool to hear that Wade saw a need that he could meet and did just that. Wade could relate to everything his teacher has gone through this year. Instead of sitting back and not reaching out to his teacher, he took the initiative to minister to her. That is what we, as a church and as people of God, should be about. We should be looking at the needs around us and stepping out to meet those needs. It may be as simple as a smile or a hug.
Do we have a biblical example to look at? Open up the Word and you will read story after story of how Jesus saw a need and met it. The story that sticks out the most to me is the death of Lazarus. In this story, Jesus met numerous needs. The very first need that he met was comfort for Mary and Martha. Jesus saw that they were hurting and assured them that Lazarus “will rise again (John 11:23).” He showed compassion for, and was moved by the sorrow of Mary and Martha over the loss of their brother. It was at this time that some of the crowd began questioning Jesus’ power. “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying (John 11:37)?” It was at this point that Jesus met the need of Lazarus by raising him from the dead. After the crowd saw this, “many of the Jews…put their faith in Jesus (John 11:45).” Their need for salvation was met. All throughout Jesus’ ministry, He was meeting the needs of the people around Him. What about you? What about me? Do we have our spiritual blinders on or do we have our spiritual eyes open to the needs around us? When you see someone in need, as Wade did, just reach out and change their life.
Aaron Hodges
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
TO BE SALT AND LIGHT TO THE WORLD…
To Be Salt and Light to the World…
“You are the salt of the earth.
but if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?
It is no longer good for anything,
except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”
Matthew 5:13
Worship Ministry of FBC Canton, you are to bring superb flavor to the body of Christ. When people “taste” what we do, may they “taste” the love of Jesus and His Church. May we never be found worthless to Christ. So many worship ministries today are not full of life and taste. They bring no flavor to the body of Christ. May we never be included in that category! Be salt this week!
“You are the light of the world.
A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before men,
that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16
We are commanded to let our light shine. Too often, we get into the routine of leading worship and our light becomes dim. God has called us to let our light shine not so people can see our good works and give us praise. Instead, we are to let our light shine outwardly so that others may praise the Father. You have heard me say it a number of times, but it is biblical to be expressive in worship. The passage in Matthew clearly states that people are to “see your good deeds.” If all they see is a frown or a solemn look, how are they to know that you love Christ? When you express your worship with a smile, lifted hands, bowed knees, clapping hands or tear filled eyes, people can visibly see your love for Jesus and in turn, express their love for Him. Don’t hide your love for Christ behind a frightened, intimidated attitude; instead, let your light shine this week!
Aaron Hodges
“You are the salt of the earth.
but if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?
It is no longer good for anything,
except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”
Matthew 5:13
Worship Ministry of FBC Canton, you are to bring superb flavor to the body of Christ. When people “taste” what we do, may they “taste” the love of Jesus and His Church. May we never be found worthless to Christ. So many worship ministries today are not full of life and taste. They bring no flavor to the body of Christ. May we never be included in that category! Be salt this week!
“You are the light of the world.
A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before men,
that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16
We are commanded to let our light shine. Too often, we get into the routine of leading worship and our light becomes dim. God has called us to let our light shine not so people can see our good works and give us praise. Instead, we are to let our light shine outwardly so that others may praise the Father. You have heard me say it a number of times, but it is biblical to be expressive in worship. The passage in Matthew clearly states that people are to “see your good deeds.” If all they see is a frown or a solemn look, how are they to know that you love Christ? When you express your worship with a smile, lifted hands, bowed knees, clapping hands or tear filled eyes, people can visibly see your love for Jesus and in turn, express their love for Him. Don’t hide your love for Christ behind a frightened, intimidated attitude; instead, let your light shine this week!
Aaron Hodges
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
A TRIBUTE TO THE WORSHIP MINISTRY AT FBC CANTON
JOY, PATIENCE AND FAITHFULNESS
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer”
Romans 12:12
I want to begin by letting you know that you have been “the church” to my family and me recently. From the gifts, food, calls and love, you have demonstrated why God set up the church. He organized the church for many reasons, but you have shown me the support that only the church can give. Thank you. This past month and a half has been a very difficult time in my life. Things that have come my way have made me really stop and think about how, as a Christian, I should act and respond to the circumstances God allows to happen. The example you have set is right out of scripture. In Romans 12, Paul is speaking to the Body of Christ and instructing them on how the righteousness they have in Christ should be practiced. There should be a distinct difference between God’s people and the world. Love needs to be the over-riding theme as we interact with people and respond to adversity.
In Romans 12:9-13, Paul gets down to the specifics of love. He begins by saying that “love must be sincere.” Christian love is not merely something we say, but it is something we do. Your love to my family and me is being played out through all that you do for us; not only by what you say. Paul goes on in verse 10 to say that we need to be devoted to one another. This devotion should be seen no matter what the circumstance whether good or bad. Verse 11 talks about the passion we should have as we serve the Lord. An example of this verse is what you all did on Palm Sunday evening and Easter Sunday morning. You showed the church your zeal for the Lord and your passion to worship Him. Even in adversity, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can have an enthusiasm in serving our King. Paul tells us in verse 12 that we are to “be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” The certainty of the Christian’s hope should be cause for joy. Our hope is the blessed assurance of our future destiny and is based on God’s love. WOW! That should bring a smile to your face. We are then to be patient in affliction. It is a great testimony to a lost world that while you are going through affliction and trials, you are able to maintain your faith and trust in God. Your response to this very concept can either draw people to Christ or turn them away. The last part of verse 12 tells us to be faithful in our prayers. It is so easy and natural during difficult times in our life to pray, but we often become slack in good times. One must not only pray in hard times, but also maintain communion with God through prayer at all times. Therefore, choose you this day how you will love and serve others. Will you serve others with a sacrificial love or will you honor yourself above others?
Humbled by the Love that you have demonstrated,
Aaron Hodges
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer”
Romans 12:12
I want to begin by letting you know that you have been “the church” to my family and me recently. From the gifts, food, calls and love, you have demonstrated why God set up the church. He organized the church for many reasons, but you have shown me the support that only the church can give. Thank you. This past month and a half has been a very difficult time in my life. Things that have come my way have made me really stop and think about how, as a Christian, I should act and respond to the circumstances God allows to happen. The example you have set is right out of scripture. In Romans 12, Paul is speaking to the Body of Christ and instructing them on how the righteousness they have in Christ should be practiced. There should be a distinct difference between God’s people and the world. Love needs to be the over-riding theme as we interact with people and respond to adversity.
In Romans 12:9-13, Paul gets down to the specifics of love. He begins by saying that “love must be sincere.” Christian love is not merely something we say, but it is something we do. Your love to my family and me is being played out through all that you do for us; not only by what you say. Paul goes on in verse 10 to say that we need to be devoted to one another. This devotion should be seen no matter what the circumstance whether good or bad. Verse 11 talks about the passion we should have as we serve the Lord. An example of this verse is what you all did on Palm Sunday evening and Easter Sunday morning. You showed the church your zeal for the Lord and your passion to worship Him. Even in adversity, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can have an enthusiasm in serving our King. Paul tells us in verse 12 that we are to “be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” The certainty of the Christian’s hope should be cause for joy. Our hope is the blessed assurance of our future destiny and is based on God’s love. WOW! That should bring a smile to your face. We are then to be patient in affliction. It is a great testimony to a lost world that while you are going through affliction and trials, you are able to maintain your faith and trust in God. Your response to this very concept can either draw people to Christ or turn them away. The last part of verse 12 tells us to be faithful in our prayers. It is so easy and natural during difficult times in our life to pray, but we often become slack in good times. One must not only pray in hard times, but also maintain communion with God through prayer at all times. Therefore, choose you this day how you will love and serve others. Will you serve others with a sacrificial love or will you honor yourself above others?
Humbled by the Love that you have demonstrated,
Aaron Hodges
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