Spiritual Health

Growing up I played little league baseball. I always had teammates who had younger siblings and coaches who had sons that were not in our league. Sometime, the coach's son would come to practice with us. He would "help" his dad with practice, round up loose balls on the field, etc. Essentially he was a part of our team (without the uniform); however, when gamedays rolled around and it was time to get ready and put our uniform the coach's son watched from the stands as we played ball. He's a noticeable outside on gamedays, but in practice you would think he was a valuable part of the team. 6 days a week he would come and be part of the team, but on the day it mattered he was an outside playing the role of fan. The one important day when everyone dresses up, he's left out.

Do you ever feel that way in your spiritual life? You do all the right things but have no meaningful influence. You see the coach's son parallels our lives because we are doing what seems to be all the right things but we have no meaningful impact because of our own spiritual lives. When we do not value our spiritual life, our contributions become sidelined. It is foolish to think our spiritual growth can come from helping others grow spiritually. It's common for those doing God's work to live with spiritual neglect and fatigue.

Don't misunderstand me: you don't need the knowledge of a Bible scholar or the spiritual disciplines of a monk, but you do need a heart that's tender toward God and open to His leadings. You need to be in love with Jesus.We can get so caught up with being busy doing the work of God that we forget the importance of being God's people.

Being connected to God on a daily basis is more important than any book you read, conference you attend, or church event that your are a part of. Jesus said, "Abide in me and I'll abide in you, but apart from me you can do nothing." This image of being connected to God in John 15 is the picture I want you to focus on. You must value your spiritual life to survive the marathon of life.

Tell it to Jesus

Are you weary, are you heavy hearted?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Are you grieving over joys departed?
Tell it to Jesus alone.

Do the tears flow down your cheeks unbidden?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Have you sins that to men’s eyes are hidden?
Tell it to Jesus alone.

Do you fear the gathering clouds of sorrow?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow?
Tell it to Jesus alone.

Are you troubled at the thought of dying?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
For Christ’s coming kingdom are you sighing?
Tell it to Jesus alone.

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a Friend that’s well known.
You’ve no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.

This hymn was on my mind this morning and I wanted to share it with you. I pray that you receive comfort in knowing that in life's tough times you can tell it to Jesus. 

Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then I will take you with me, so that you can be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me." - John 14:1-6

A Cheerful Giver

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

—2 Corinthians 9:7

There are so many ways that we can be cheerful givers. 

Everyone has to make his or her mind as to how much to give and how much he or she can give; this is an individual and personal decision. God loves a cheerful giver and he blesses those who are cheerful givers. 

When we put God first in our giving, he is able to make this up to us by giving us everything we need, and more, so that there will not only be enough for our own needs but enough left over to give joyfully to others.

This is our Test of Mercy. Taking care of the poor and the needy and helping people in other ways is a test for us in being merciful. How we extend ourselves to the widows, orphans and the needy in other ways will test the genuineness of our faith.