| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month” Deep Discipleship” Our Bible verse for today: “I am thirsty” John 19:28 Our thought for today: “Even Jesus needed others” Many years ago, when I was beginning my career in ministry and I was just learning how to be a pastor, I was serving as a part-time associate pastor on the staff of a small church. I had a lot to learn. One of the things I struggled with was allowing others to do nice things for me. The people of the church were very kind and encouraging towards me as I learned the ropes of professional ministry, and they frequently spoke words of encouragement and gave me small gifts. But I struggled with receiving them. Finally, one day my pastor’s wife took me aside, put her arm around my shoulder and said, “Jim, there is the grace of giving and then there is the grace of receiving. You are a great giver, Jim, but you are a lousy receiver. You need to learn to let people do things for you.” And she was right. Even the human Jesus needed others to do things for Him. In Luke 8:1-3 we read that there was a group of well-to-do women who traveled with his group, preparing meals and doing other chores. They also paid the group’s ministry expenses out of their own funds. In Luke 10:38-42 we read of the woman Martha cooking supper for Jesus and waiting on Him. In Luke 7:38 we read of a woman washing the Lord’s dirty feet. And in John 19:28, as He hung on the cross dying, Jesus was thirsty and needed someone to get Him something to drink. If even the human Jesus needed others to help Him and to do things for Him how much more must we? And if Jesus was humble enough to accept such help, we should be too. But often we’re not. Instead, we are prideful about it and we would rather do without rather than admit that we need help. But as we grow in Christ through deep discipleship, we come to realize how much we do need others, and we learn to accept their help graciously and thankfully. One of the things I love about our church family at Oak Hill Baptist is the excellent caregiving that takes place. Everyone is alert for and sensitive to those in need, and there is a great deal of kindness and compassion evident all around. Also, we have all learned how to graciously allow others to bless us. Afterall, in order for there to be joyful givers there also have to be willing receivers. Jesus modeled this for us in His own life. He needed others and He allowed them to do things for Him. We should too. God bless, Pastor Jim (If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville |
| Copyright © 2023 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you requested to be included in the Daily Devotional email reader group. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571 |
- Comment
- Reblog
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
Oak Hill Baptist Church 