Yesterday we had a community festival where our community-minded church had a table, gifting free bible stickers and verse cards and bookmarks, some bibles and kids bible stories and bracelets. Plus kids could decorate rocks, which was a big hit. It was nicely attended for a small event. And you can NEVER measure any impact of an event like that is – and we never would be able to measure our church impact in the long run because ‘it’ is a faith thing not a weight, unit measure, or monetary value or widgets being produced. We don’t know the state of the people’s faith, all we know is we have to have faith to put ourselves out there to increase the Kingdom in whichever way God needs us to work, one seed at a time… It was not even a table to recruit attendees (although we would love them), it was an outreach table to simply say: we are here and we care and we want you to know the Lord. So, it’s not measurable, but I do hope the Lord shows me some sign of impact because I just like to know sometimes…
Well, I appreciated the kids, and just as we started, all these boys on bicycles came up and took the free faith bracelets with scriptures on them. I knew that I’m watching the Holy Spirit work, even if I will never know that impact. And in sincerity, us as adults should try to interact with kids of all ages because we are role models whether we are known or not.
And honestly, I don’t need to know the impact of a bracelet or book – I’m not the one keeping score. I know the Lord is holding count, and covering children in His Love, in their faith, for His Mercy, and all for Salvation’s sake.
And then, I opened the prayer box – and yeah the weight of the prayer requests are mighty – and yeah wow. It is not a burden that would be measurable – prayers are burdens shared and burdens carried – but not quantitative – they just ARE. And we are to be humbled to share in burdens – we are to carry each other by holding each other up. Paul would write to the Galatians: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
The first of the papers included ones that I wrote while talking to folks – one for a mom – one for a dad with cancer – two for missing a grandma – and a JOY for a boy whom we prayed for last year and he is recovered – doing great – Praise God. Then I opened the last paper – wow my heart and my tears and my soul just I don’t know how to describe it but I knew that the Lord gave me that burden to carry to pray for the person – it was a woman’s writing that said “I have a lump in my breast and I am praying it is not cancer.” = Yeah I felt humbled in prayer and placed in purpose. It was like her lump went to my throat – and I will take that on as a prayer – plus I know that we will pray as a church for this person – and I know that God sees more and more prayers – that we DO matter when we pray – and God DOES hear and God does heal – we will see that burdens are bear-ed bared and shared. And well, it made me in near tears at that moment because I also counted my blessings over trouble… Yes, I was tired but I didn’t have that issue. I didn’t need to think about achieving or counting or chatting or interacting – it was just about prayer at that moment – it was just about burdens shared. I thought back to the afternoon and yes I remember one woman who wrote a prayer paper while I was chatting with a child – and she said thank you and was off – and I didn’t chat – it was like a driveby ‘write and go’ moment. I am humbled to share that prayer request with you folks – for all those notes and especially the one – the drop and go – the “God knows the situation” prayer – the moment to know that others DO know that God heals…
We do too…
SO let us pray for all and all pray for one – and I know we can hold a blessing of burdens immeasurable because God – His Glory is Immeasurable too…
AMEN
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Galatians 6 NKJV
Bear and Share Burdens
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.
Be Generous and Do Good
Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Glory Only in the Cross
See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
Blessing and a Plea
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Here is the note which put a pause in my grumbling to turn to prayer… for a woman who slipped it into the prayer box without us speaking about it… God bless her and keep her!
