GOD'S GIFTS AND BARBECUE

During much of the 1980's and 1990's, my wife and I owned and managed a southern style barbecue restaurant.  In addition to serving a constantly growing customer base, we were blessed with the regular tasting and enjoying my favorite food.  Southern boy that I am, we called it "bobby-q."

The barbecue meats included pork, beef, chicken and pork ribs.  We also added to the menu hickory-smoked chicken wings, fried fish and an assortment of home-style vegetables and desserts.  Mmmm...I can smell it now...and almost taste it.

All of the barbecue was cooked in a specially designed smoker that used the heat and smoke from a real, live fire of hickory wood.  That fire, unfortunately, had to be started every morning and maintained all day long.

So, when reading my Bible today in my morning devotions, my attention was "vice-gripped" by one of the verses.  The passage was the first chapter of II Timothy.  The particular verse was verse 6, where Paul told Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God..."

Every person who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ and receives Him as Savior, also receives a gift from God.  That gift can be one (or more) of the gifts discussed in scriptural references such as I Corinthians 12.  Don't get "hung up" by any particular gift.  It is for God to decide what gift.  And all the gifts are for building up the church body.  But, our job is to "fan into flame" that gift in order to be effective.

That's when the comparison began to hit me.  In order to have that barbecue cooked, somebody had to "fan the flame."  And the same is true regarding the gift God gave to me, if that gift can be used for edifying the church.

The version of the Bible that I was reading was the New International Version (NIV).  I quickly reached for the King James Version (KJV).  It translated the same part of verse 6 as "stir up the gift of God."  I then read the same passage from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).  It read "to kindle afresh the gift of God."

It was the combination of these translations that gave me a much more complete meaning.

In the barbecue restaurant, when we came in the first thing in the morning, we stirred the coals from the previous day's fire.  This caused the coals to become live, hot coals.  Then, we added some kindling (paper; very dry, small pieces of wood; or even "fat lighter" pine splinters).  Finally, we fanned the hot coals and kindling until a flame started.  Only when the flame was going could we add more hickory wood and begin to maintain the fire.

This is why I make Bible reading, praying and listening to the Holy Spirit a daily practice.  Often, He uses everyday experiences to teach me...Sometimes it's a combination of versions of the Scriptures...Other times it's a book I'm reading.  But, God always teaches me, if I keep my heart and mind open to Him.

Father, teach me today the ways You would have me use the gift You gave me.  May I keep the flames going on my gift so You may build up Your church and bring glory to Yourself.

Your comments are helpful.  Thank you for sharing.

I AM

Popeye, the spinach swilling sailor of cartoon fame, had a saying about himself that I shall never forget.  "I yam what I yam and I can't be any yammer."  That impressed me as a child growing up in a way that only a child could be.  That silly quote has stuck with me over the years; but, now it has an adult Christian perspective.

God spoke to Moses on the occasion of the burning bush in the desert.  (Exodus 3)  He told Moses that He had heard the cries of the Israelites and had seen their oppression.  He was sending Moses to lead His people out of Egypt.

Moses was reluctant.  "Who am I to go?', Moses replied.  God said in answer, "I will be with you."  "What do I tell the Israelites if they ask Your name?", Moses said, trying to get out of the job.  God gave Moses His name.  "I am who I am.  Tell them 'I Am' sent me." (verse 14).  He Who was, Who is and Who is to come.  That's Who God is.

In the New Testament, in the Gospel According to John, are recorded the well-known "I am" statements of Jesus.

1.    I am the bread of life............John 6:35
2.    I am the light of the world.....John 8:12
3.    I am the door.......................John 10:9
4.    I am the good shepherd........John 10:11
5.    I am the resurrection and the life..John 11:25
6.    I am the way, the truth and the life..John 14:6
7.    I am the vine.........................John 15:5

 
There is no part of our lives that this does not cover.  He is who we need.  He is all we need.  In the Old Testament "I Am" sent Moses.  In the New Testament, "I AM" came to us and lived among us.  And, if you let Him, He will live in you.

How does the "I Am" name apply to us?  Two verses by Paul describes who and what we are.  In I Timothy 1:15, Paul said, "...Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." (KJV)  Then, in I Corinthians 15:10a (KJV), the Great I Am meets the human "I am".  Paul said, "But by the grace of God, I am what I am..."


A song entitled "I Am Not Worthy", written by Beatrice Bush Bixler tells this story well.

     1.  I am not worthy the least of His favor,
          But Jesus left heaven for me;
          The Word became flesh and He died as my Savior,
          Forsaken on dark Calvary.
chorus:  I am not worthy this dull tongue repeats it!
             I am not worthy this heart gladly beats it!
             Jesus left heaven to die in my place.
             What mercy, what love and what grace!
     2.  I am not worthy the least of His favor,
          But "In the Beloved" I stand;
          Now I'm an heir with my wonderful Savior,
          And all things are mine at His hand.
     3.  I am not worthy the least of His favor,
          But He is preparing a place
          Where I shall dwell with my glorified Savior,
          Forever to look on His face.

If you are interested and will take a moment, you can hear a trombone solo of the melody of this song on youtube at the following address:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4moqu17ggim.

Beginning a New Blog

My last two blogs on this site were about prayer.  In fact, I made the statement that over the next few weeks, maybe months, the subject would be regarding prayer, especially the prayer life of Jesus.

Instead of blogging about prayer on this site, I have decided to start a new blog entitled, "THE PRAYER LIFE OF JESUS."  For your information the blog address (URL) will be  http://prayerlifeofjesus.blogspot.com.

Beginning this week end I will start posting on this subject.  I encourage you to read, follow, comment about and share both blogs with others of your friends, neighbors and acquaintances.

There are very few topics that we can blog about and study from the Bible that are more important than prayer, especially from the example and teaching of Jesus.

"One Christian" will continue to share with you what he has learned from the scripture and the Holy Spirit.  Now we will endeavor to share even more specific studies on the prayer life of Jesus.  If there is any reason why we should pray, it's because Jesus prayed and taught his followers to pray also.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR PRAYING?

My daughter is married to an active pastor.  Recently they attended a state-wide "preachers' retreat."  These meetings include seminars, activities and worship services.  Generally speaking, this is a time of mental, physical and spiritual growth and development.  Therefore, most pastors and spouses look forward to this time in their schedules as "must attends."

After the recent event, my daughter related a story to me that she knew would be of interest to me.  At one of the worship services the leader called on one minister to lead the group in prayer.  The minister, in particular, was a devout, but humble soul, who had pastored for decades at the same church effectively.  My personal knowledge of and friendship with him made the following very believable.  The leader referred to this gentleman as "an icon among us."

My friend stood to pray, not having known in advance how he would be introduced.  He started his prayer, "Lord, You know that I'm no icon.  But, I know You and You know me."  My daughter didn't tell me what else he said.  She did say, however, that the impact the above words had on the whole group was profound and soul-searching.  His humility before his Almighty God was obvious.  But his relationship with Him was revealing. They knew each other personally.

I can't think of any better qualification for leading any group in prayer.  I can't wish to have more of an "in-road" to God than this when I pray--whatever the occasion, whatever the needs, whatever the situation.

Lord, You know everything about me.  Help me to learn all I can take in about You.

Over the next few weeks, perhaps months, my sharing with you will be about prayer.  It will especially be about the prayer life of Jesus.  Please comment to let me know your thoughts, your feelings and your needs.