Do Good Works

As you know, I believe that we should approach our spiritual health by ‘working out’ on a daily basis. Most of these elements of this workout have been covered in previous blog posts. Those elements are: Bible study, prayer, praising Him, and fellowship with other believers. So DOING GOOD WORKS is the fifth element of this workout.

We are instructed that we are not saved by good works. We should also understand however, that as a result of our salvation, we will want to perform acts of service. 

As a young man, I participated in the Boy Scouts of America. One of the core values of the BSA is to “recognize the needs of others and take action accordingly.”  When I was a young Scout, I was taught to ‘do a good turn daily.’ I believe this stuck with me as I began to grow. As a student at Presbyterian College, I was influenced by  the college motto “Dum Vivimus Servimus” which translates “While we live we serve.”

As an adult, I joined a local Rotary Club. I learned that the principal motto of the club is “Service Above Self.” I’m told that leaders within the club consider that this motto “best conveys the philosophy of unselfish volunteer service.”

I would have to agree that we are not saved just so we might enter the Kingdom of Christ (our own benefit). We are to serve Christ and build up the church. We are to put the knowledge of God into action by helping others!

In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He gives us these words (Matt 5:13-16): “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” This is our marching orders to do these good works intentionally!

We can’t just wait for opportunities to do a good turn. Yes, when those opportunities present themselves we need to respond in an appropriate way. Christ told us to “Let your light so shine…” We need to invest ourselves in others. In the physical fitness industry personal trainers carefully map out their clients' exercises. They take the time to put together a precise plan and then they help their client execute that plan. I want to put together a similar plan to do acts of service each day. By examining my plans for any given day, I can potentially see an opportunity to serve others. I can also pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show me those opportunities that God may have put in my path. 

If I am really committed to doing good works on a daily basis, I believe I will see multiple ways in which I can serve. I caution myself though. I don’t want to ‘keep score’. It’s not about how many acts of service I accomplish. It's about my attitude of ‘doing the act of service’.

Paul tells us (1 Corinthians 15:58) “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”

In summary, here are a few tips:

- Examine your plans for each day; look for opportunities to serve; execute your plan!

- Pray that the Holy Spirit shows you what opportunities God has put in your path.

- Don't keep score - just do it!

Find my podcast at https://chaplaingray.podbean.com/. You'll find my other episodes focusing on spiritual workouts there as well.

Thanks for reading this post. I would greatly appreciate you sharing a link to the post with your friends and your network. Feel free to comment below as well.

"His faithful love endures forever."

Until next time...

Chaplain Gray

Fellowship Workout

One of the four staples of the New Testament Church was fellowship. These new believers devoted themselves to fellowship, so it was a high priority. True fellowship in this sense is being together for spiritual purposes. (Acts 2:42-47).

Believers would share needs, pray, discuss the Word and edify one another. In this case ‘edify’ refers to actively contributing to a person’s spiritual betterment. So, when was the last time you were fellowshipping with other believers?

With that in mind, we can agree that fellowship strengthens your faith in God and Christ.

Chaplain Gray and Chaplain Dennis

 If we are going to strengthen our relationship with God and other Christians we have to go about it with a plan.  

Now, most churches create a menu of opportunities that you can take advantage of. If we are placing a high priority on fellowship then we’ll take a close look at that menu and carefully plan out how and where we’ll share our walk with Christ with other believers from our own church. 

Another way we can have fellowship with believers is certainly through today’s technology. We can connect with believers by phone, social media, and the internet. If you don’t have a good Bible app on your phone, check out “YouVersion - the Bible App”. Bible Hub is another good app for your phone. These resources can help you connect with other believers.

New friends at YMCA Chaplains Retreat

I think of organizations that foster these relationships through their fellowship opportunities. FCA is a great place for students on school campuses. F3 is a relatively new organization that promotes fellowship for these purposes!

These examples above are ‘horizontal’ in that they are with other believers. We also need to be in fellowship with Christ, a ‘vertical’ relationship. We do that through the Word, prayer and the abiding life.

Fellowship is all about relationships. Margaret Thatcher said, “Plan your work for today and every day, then work your plan.” I think this applies to our daily workout and including elements such as fellowship!

In summary, find fellowship:

• Through your church (small groups, fellowship meals, etc)
• Find other Christians and connect by phone or social media if that fits for you
• Be in fellowship with Christ through reading the Word, through prayer and the abiding life.

Be sure and listen in to my podcast episode "Daily Fellowship". Find that podcast at https://chaplaingray.podbean.com/. You'll find other episodes focusing on a spiritual workout there as well.

Thanks for reading this post. I would greatly appreciate you sharing a link to the post with your friends and your network.

"His faithful love endures forever."

Until next time...

Chaplain Gray

Chaplain Gray

A Place for Fellowship

Special note: Since April 3, I've been working through a series of posts about a basic spiritual fitness routine. It started with prayer, Bible study and a willingness to obey the Word. I continued with forgiveness and new mercies each day. Today, I am looking at Christian fellowship. Next week, this series will conclude with doing good -being Christ-like. After the May 15 post, I will take a break from writing for the summer as I begin to develop some topics for the fall. 

I am working on this topic of Spiritual Fitness in several ways. In the fall I hope to launch a podcast program - "Training for Godliness". We already have several episodes completed with some great guests. I'll also further develop this spiritual fitness 'workout' with an advanced routine. 

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.

Let's Be Together 

We live in a fast-paced world. Our calendars can be filled with work, appointments, kids activities, social events and a host of other things. We tend to go-go-go! However, the Bible clearly teaches us that we are to make a time and a place for fellowship with our Christian brethren. In order to squeeze this into your calendar, you have to place a high enough priority on it. Let’s see what the Bible teaches.

In Hebrews, we find this: “Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.” Hebrews 3:12-14 (NLT). This frequent fellowship is crucial in remaining faithful!

Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to support each other in fellowship. “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT).

Corporate worship is also part of this fellowship. “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:16-17 (NLT). Someone recently asked me "Did she have to attend church?" She said she had several church services she liked to watch on TV or listen to on the radio and she got a lot out of those services. What she doesn't get from those services is the fellowship with other Christians. She doesn't stand with brothers and sisters in Christ and praise and worship the Lord. Her opportunity to ask other believers to pray with her is lost. She might 'get' something from those TV and radio services, but it's not always about receiving. It should also be about giving; giving God the Glory by praising and worshipping. 

We want to prevent having an unbelieving heart so we should remain in fellowship with believers, talking about faith and encouraging each other. Having this fellowship frequently with other believers will strengthen our faith in Christ!

“We need the understanding that comes from the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, as well as the love and friendship that grows from fellowship with other believers.” (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association).

So, decide now to make time for fellowship with other believers and go to it!!

Remember, "His faithful love endures forever."

Until next time...

Chaplain Gray