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“One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them.” Matthew 5:1-2 (NLT)

We stepped off the bus and the children eyed us with curiosity. As we moved through the neighborhood inviting all to a puppet show, children realized we had what they wanted: candy, small toys, and attention. They gathered around, setting aside their scavenging to see what we were about, these strangers. They followed us down one street and up the next. They held our hands and tried to communicate with us in spite of the language barrier. Surrounded by children whose bellies had never been full, we gave all that we had. We drew a crowd for foodstuffs and toys, but filled their hearts with the grace and love of Jesus as we presented the gospel and handed out Bibles. We applied for passports and visas, raised money for the flights, and spent vacation time for these precious ones.

Our key verses constitute the introduction to the Sermon on the Mount. The crowds gathered because Jesus alone had what they wanted. Had the people heard of Jesus teaching in the synagogues? Had they seen a friend healed of illness or disease? Had rumor spread of the Man who could free a demon-possessed boy? Whatever the reason the crowds gathered, God in the flesh was about to feed His people with the truth that gives life. I just love the simplicity of the verses. They gathered; He taught.

Do we gather? We gather at our kids’ school for meetings and assemblies. We gather at sporting events—professional and amateur. We gather at celebrations: birthday, graduation, anniversary, etc. Do we gather together as believers around Jesus?

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)

Do we desire what Jesus offers enough to set aside our plans? Gathering at churches, small groups, Bible studies, and ministries puts us in a place to hear from God. He alone has what we want. He alone provides all that we need.

Gather around.

“Lord, may we never take advantage of the privilege we have to gather together in prayer, worship, and learning. We desire what only You can provide.”

For His Glory

Tammy Randlett (http://staletoast.com)
TRBC Women’s Life

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8 (ESV)

Easy to forget we all need “a good word.” Like the maid who cleans up our room at a hotel who’s picking up all the stuff that missed the trash can. Like the cashier who’s exhausted from standing on her feet and still smiles. Like the waitress whose children miss her because she’s working two jobs to pay the rent. Like the janitor at our kid’s school who picks up discarded books yet can’t read.

Do we ever really know the story behind the lives of those who serve us? Sadly, we often just think it’s their job to do what they do. Wonder what would happen if instead of ignoring their presence or rarely acknowledging they exist, we genuinely said, “Thank you.”

Sweet lady was cleaning the locker room the other day. While I was working out, she was scrubbing floors, washing toilets, cleaning mirrors – I think you get the picture. From a distance, she simply appeared to blend right in the room. Everyone busy to get their workout down, showered and back to work. Walking right in front of her at times, walking past her as if she didn’t exist. Been guilty of that myself – too absorbed in my world to notice her.

She was just doing her job. Showing up for her 9 to 5 every day. Cleaning up after others’ mess. Wiping everything down – doing exactly what she’d done a million times. Nothing extraordinary about this morning or at least that’s what she thought. But then when she least expected it, someone said, “Thank you – you’re doing a great job – thanks so much!” And in that moment a smile graced her weary face as though she’d never heard those words. Sweetest picture ever to witness the unnoticed relishing in a moment of joy.

Jesus didn’t have that hurried step we call busy and distracted. He wasn’t consumed with self or an agenda jam packed into three years of ministry. Jesus took the time to heal the sick, embrace the broken and wash the feet of those who’d later turn their backs and run. Humility defined Jesus’ every step – the Son of God walking among us, serving the very ones He came to save. Shouldn’t we be doing the same?

“Father, You sent Your Son to this world and He left us echoing the words, “Love one another.” Help us to show Your love to our world.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)

As I make my fourth journey through the One Year Bible, I am frustrated by the way my thoughts wander when I read through the exhaustive details of God’s specifications for setting up the tabernacle. Fast forward to the specification for making sacrifices and the Books of Leviticus and Numbers and the same thing happens. I simply zone out. These details fail to captivate me. But God’s Word says that, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” So this year, I stopped and prayed…inviting God to help me find meaning in these seemingly meaningless details.

Sweet friends, God is so faithful. Through various devotions and Bible verses, He showed me this pattern —God’s provision of specific instructions when He was “setting apart” people for Himself. When Noah found favor in the eyes of God (Gen. 6:8), God set him and his family apart to rescue them from the flood, giving Noah specific instructions for building the ark. When He sent Moses to Egypt, He gave him detailed instructions for persuading Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, so that they could be set apart for God. In the wilderness, God provided detailed instructions regarding their provision and the collection of manna, Godly living through the Ten Commandments, and worship through His plans for setting up the tabernacle and even details about the garments His priests would wear—all because He was setting them apart to be His Holy people. You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own. (Leviticus 20:26)

Reflecting on these and other Biblical texts dealing with God’s specific instructions to His people, left me longing. Longing to hear from God and receive specific instructions—a detailed pattern to follow. But even as this thought formed in my head, a picture of Jesus came to mind. He is our pattern. Our detailed, specific, living example of how to live a life set apart.

I am challenged by God’s Word, along with these words of Oswald Chambers, “Jesus prayed that we might be one with Him, just as He is one with the Father (John 17:21-23). The resounding evidence of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life is the unmistakable family likeness to Jesus Christ, and the freedom from everything which is not like Him. Are we prepared to set ourselves apart for the Holy Spirit’s work in us?”

“Lord, I desire to be set apart for you. Help me to obediently follow the pattern of Jesus, just as the Old Testament heroes followed your instructions. Thank you that you provide all that I need to follow you. Create in me a heart that is willing and surrendered to the work of the Holy Spirit.”

For His Glory

Ann Skalaski
TRBC Women’s Life